04 April 2013

April is the month of undetermined weather, here in Idaho. We had a couple of days in March where the temperatures were above freezing. However, this April stayed cold and windy, very windy. But today is beautiful. I mean warm and wonderful to be outside. I still have on my long underwear and will not move too far from them until I can be comfortable in warmer weather.

The month of April brings Easter and each year we think about the grand kids. So we sent each family a package with candy Easter eggs, basket grass, egg dye and chocolate bunnies. They seem glad to get something from grandpa and grandma. We also sent Burton Mariner and Boe Russel l a Strider bike. Those were the two youngest boys of our family.

Following General Conference we planned a trip with Julia, Woody, and Val to Las Vegas and Bullhead, AZ. Julia, Dawn and I flew to Las Vegas and met Woody and Val the afternoon of the 11^th of April. Woody and Val drove Tara’s 1963 Chevy Impala and stayed with us at the Excalibur hotel. Woody spent the month before repairing the car so it would get us to Arizona.

The next day we traveled to Loughlin, NV. at the River Palms hotel along the banks of the Colorado river. The next day we drove to Glendale and checked Dawn and Julia into the Quality Inn. Then Woody drove me to the Mesa Gateway Airport to pick up a rental car. We spent the week golfing and exercising in the warm weather of Arizona. Dawn spent her days helping Monica with the new baby. Baby Roxy is cute as a bug and growing nicely. Julia and I took her brother, Burton to the Arizona zoo and had a full day of fun. Julia and I also had a chance to shoot my new Ruger 380 at “Shooter’s World” for the first time. We also spent a big part of the day at the giant Cabellas store shopping and having lunch. How pleasant!

Dawn and I headed home so we could be here for stake conference. Julia and Woody flew home on Sunday. The intent of the trip was to find a place to stay during the winter months this year beginning in December.

It was tough being gone during the week before stake conference since there were so many things to schedule for our stake president. Fortunately, our stake clerk Randy Peterson filled in for me. I was sure glad things went well. We also had to have substitutes fill in for us at the temple, since we are ordinance workers.

Today was a golf day for me at Shelley. It was the nicest day I have had this year to golf in Idaho. There was no breeze and the warm weather made it wonderful. Also, I spent the morning working on the lawn and flower beds. The grass is starting to green up and the flowers are coming through the unfrozen soil. It will be a miracle if they do not freeze before June. Our family is not putting in a garden before May. Last year it froze all the garden plants on the first of June. It is cold here in Idaho nine months of the year.

  

This is baby "Roxy" on the day of her blessing.

This is Burton at the sting ray tank at Phoenix Zoo.
He was not about to touch them. However, I did and they are remarkably soft.

Burton on the zebra at the zoo.

 Burton's favorite animal at the zoo. The brass Kamoto Dragon.

We were fortunate to find an East Indian restaurant and you can tell we really enjoyed the Tendori chicken, curried shrimp and spicy rice.

This is 1215 W. Shanee. The house we sold once Brian Hodson came to live with us. We have fond memories of living there for 6 months while we fixed it up.

Dawn and I are loading in the back of Allegiant aircraft on our way home to a much cooler Idaho. Arizona was so pleasant and we really enjoyed being with family and visiting all the familiar places we frequented in Glendale, AZ (i.e Sprouts, Sushi restaurant, and the movies.

 Now you know why we enjoy visiting the Mariners. They have a beautiful little girl. She is growing every day and becoming more beautiful.

 

This is my golfing partner. I just cannot get enough of playing golf especially when Dawn comes along to encourage me.

 Dawn next to Hello Kitty in Las Vegas.

Julia next to a giant M and M. We spent a great deal of time in the M and M store downtown Las Vegas. Not to mention I bought $20 worth of candy M and Ms along with a car for Burton and a bib for little Roxy.

 Val got into the act with her friend Dino! We had a great time together.

The 63' Chevy getting gassed up in Arizona. Woody took the opportunity to drive to Arizona so he could deliver the car to Tara. He has been working on it to travel. We had no problems all the way to Sierra Vista. However, once delivered the brakes failed to our surprise.  It belongs to Tara now and we are home safe and sound.

Lastly, on our way to golf at Adobe Family Golf Club we passed the site of the new Phoenix temple. The building is beginning to take shape and is near completion.

March 2013

Still cold in March! The beginning of March was met with continued cold weather. There was very little snow but below zero temperatures for weeks. As a result of the cold weather we did very little out of doors.

The Beginning of March was very cold!

Most notably, Dawn had returned from Arizona and we celebrated her 63^rd birthday. She is just four years younger than I and a whole lot more energetic. As the Relief Society president of the 3^rd ward, her commitment to service is great, not to mention spearheading many activities. Just this month she planned and prepared for the “Relief Society Birthday Party”.

The above mentioned event took great effort. She made the decorations, prepared much of the food, arranged for the entertainment and executed the event with the aid of her counselors. The theme was , The Wizard of Oz”. There was even a “yellow brick road” , witches hats and ruby red shoes to festoon the event. Frankly, this event took up most of my wife and my time the month of March.

We played lots of cards during March.

In addition to church service we managed to spend time at the YMCA nearly each day during the week. We also had extra service at the Idaho Falls temple. We regularly spend Tuesday mornings, beginning at 5:00AM until 11:00AM, at the temple as ordinance workers. During the month of March we had two extra Saturdays. It was just as well since the weather was too cold to golf!

Fortunately, as the month ended the weather began to warm. 

Still cold the middle of March. 

We did manage to get a couple of days in working outside on the lawn and flower beds. The snow had melted enough to also uncover our two winter stored vehicles. The VW started right up after charging the battery overnight. The Toyota Avalon ignited immediately after sitting for five months under a tarp all winter. We no longer share the Honda Element but have options in driving.

Lastly, Julia, Dawn and I did visit Enid (Julia’s sister) in Pocatello and golfed the Riverside course on a very nice day in March. So, March ended well despite the cold and miserable beginning. There is promise of warmer weather for April.

We are looking forward to our trip to Arizona in April. I will give a full report next month.