The days seem to fly by and for some strange reason I have racked up quite a few air miles! If I can swing it, I plan to stay home for the first few months of 2018. I have been remiss in wishing all of my family and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...so consider yourself duly wished a very healthy and happy 2018!
Since my last entry went into September, I will pick up there and fill you in on the rest of my year.
The end of September found me in St George to visit missionary friends and my sister-in-law, Charilla who was suffering from liver cancer.
Gary and Melody Taylor are great friends from our mission in New Zealand and they have been so kind to me. I have been blessed with so many friends!
Had a chance to catch up with several other couples as well. The Beckstead's (John and Debbie) worked in the legal department in New Zealand and Doyle and I both enjoyed them. They too are a wonder!
Was also fun to catch up with some friends from Pleasanton that I had not seen in quite awhile. Above is Debbie Mitchell. A purely delightful gal who has a marvelous talent. She has her own line of jewelry called Twisted Silver. Amazing and original work!
Below is Joanne Gunson, a dear friend from Pleasanton also. It was so good to see her and her husband Clark....altho I am sad to say that Clark passed away a short while ago. My heart aches for you dear Joanne.
Melody Taylor, Joanne Gunson and I.
While in St George Gary and Melody took me to Zion National Park and to the ghost town of Grafton. Interesting history and spectacular scenery! It had been many years since I had been to this area.
Many old buildings made for some nice photo shots!
Old cemetery and in the back row a few native American graves as well.
Between Zion Park and Bryce Canyon there was no shortage of fascinating overlooks and breathtaking vistas!
October found me with my two buddies, Deanna and Carol taking a trip to the Washington coast, town of Moclips. You have probably never heard of it with a population of about 200!
We rented a little cabin and enjoyed the beauties of the coastline!
Our cabin had windows facing the beach and was very comfortable and quiet!
Carol is a big fan of the Twilight series and so we did a day trip to Forks, where the stories were set.
The stores in Forks had lots of creepy paraphernalia and vampire cardboard figures...Eeek!
Yes, October at the beach is chilly, but I LOVE being oceanside!!
We actually met a young man from Humptulips who worked in Seabrook. No doubt it is a loose translation of an Indian word, but we had to stop and take a photo....too silly!
Then November arrives and I decided to head East to see my (now 3) kiddos in the New York area. Autumn is living in Brooklyn and loving her nice little apartment and neighborhood.
We went to the Botanical Gardens and enjoyed our few days together!
She is still working hard and traveling in the Middle East. An amazing young lady!
The bonsai garden was my favorite!!
She even took me to work one day so I could see where she spends her time.
She told her co-workers that it was "take your parents to work" day. I kept looking for the toys and cookies!
Told the kids that although I had been to NYC many times, I had never walked through Central Park, so we met up with Ammon and the kids and had a fun day exploring this bit of nature amidst the concrete!
Aden and Amaia were happily engaged.
The parents of some friends of Ammon and Ailene lived on Central Park West and so we were invited to watch the Macy's Day Parade from their 6th floor balcony. It was cold, but so fun...now I can take that one off my bucket list!
Our view was at the height of most of the floats. Could almost reach out and touch Olaf!
Skrat was a popular guy!
After a lovely Thanksgiving dinner, Ammon and family and I went to The Blaze in the Hudson Valley. Thousands of pumpkins are carved and create these incredible displays!!
Sea dragons and spider webs!
A familiar sight for a New Yorker.
The sunflowers were my personal favorite!
Everyone loved the evening of creative spookiness!
Spent a few fun days with Dan and Sandra as well. Where are my pictures?
I LOVE hanging out with my kids!
I flew home just in time to race to Lael's birthday party in Yakima. After the festivities I slept on the sofa with the cat during afternoon Conference....oops!
I was home a few days and then off to St George again to attend my sister-in-laws funeral. The family did a beautiful job honoring their wife and mother. She was a real angel!!
Although funerals are difficult, the upside is getting to see so many family members. The Browns rock!!! Nieces, nephews and even many great-great nieces and nephews...yikes, I am getting old!
Many thanks to my sweet cousin Sandra Hansen and her good husband Aaron for picking me up from the airport and taking good care of me while in St George! Love these two!
Almost 10 days home this time...then off to Salt Lake City to spend a week with my friend Deanna. We had a great time looking at the lights, going to the Christmas Concert, Spoken Word and enjoying downtown Salt Lake! (We also checked out the SLCC Mission for possible opportunities to serve one of these days!)
Even though it was mid December, we had a super time together!
We had an Air BnB just a block from temple square.
The lights on temple square are so lovely. Music, programs and a strong Christmas spirit is to be enjoyed!
I especially loved the lights in the reflecting pool and on the temple!
Winter wonderland
Very cold!
Christmas Concert - we barely got in!! It was fabulous!
Outside the Conference Center waiting to get in to the Spoken Word.
Music and the Spoken Word Sunday morning was so beautiful. Just not the same on my computer at home!!
Our view of the Salt Lake Temple changed daily with the weather and the sunsets. We were able to attend a session one morning.
The Joseph Smith Building was cheerfully decorated as well as many of the businesses in the downtown area.
The Little America Hotel had window displays all throughout the main floor!
I especially liked this one as it reminded me of Kelsey...penguins and skiing!
Off to Micah's place for a few days before loading up and heading to Garden City, UT- Bear Lake for Christmas and skiing- 15" of powder arrived just in time for the ski trip......and a bit of the flu :-( All 26 of us were there and we had a blast!!!
The girls had fun with face masks...the air is so dry at 6,000 feet!
The rental company even put up a tree for us!
There was enough snow for the kids to throw snowballs and build an igloo! Can you believe this little 4 year old Aden can ski!?
Our view of the lake- breathtaking!
Best gift ever was spending the holidays with my remarkable family!!
How I LOVE you all!
Here is hoping that your 2018 proves to be a joyous and blessed year!!!
