Sibling and Cousin Reunion

I had been looking so forward to this get-together!  Since the Cousins Reunion was planned for April 26th, we thought it was wise to plan a couple extra days for the siblings!!  Jennifer, Susan and I stayed at Jim's house in Jill's bedroom.  Fun to visit before we went to bed, and when we woke up. Some the things we did that there aren't any pictures--Jim fixed my front teeth,  we hiked Lone Mountain,  did some family history, went shopping...even Jim came, which was very fun!

We watched Todd and Tanner play their high school volleyball game. Then went out to the Golden Gate for shrimp cocktail and clam chowder....and activity from our past.  Then to an old drive-up place Jim used to go to,  to get frozen custard!  Yummy.

 Pictures from our cousins reunion.  It was held at Pam Rollins home.  We started the visiting at 10 am, had lunch, then looked at old pictures, told stories, and shared testimonies.  It was a wonderful time!  We left around 5:00.  Headed back to Jim's for dinner and watched the BYU volleyball game.

I had fun reminiscing with JoLynne and Aunt Marva.  Many happy memories with these people.

Norma, Regina, and Roger

 We were figuring out who's who in some of the old photos.

Uncle Owen and Uncle Ferran sharing their feelings.

 The four out of sixteen Uncles and Aunts left.   Owen is 85, Marva is 94, and Ferran is 96.  Alice must be a couple years younger than Owen. (?)

Jennifer and I ready for church.  

 Two handsome young men....17 year old Todd and Tanner.

 Tanner got his acceptance to Prom Sunday afternoon, with a trail of "Hugs" leading to the door.  He looked pleased. (and lots of kidding by his brothers)

Phoenix Trip to visit Mike!!

We finally got down to Phoenix to see Mike's stomping grounds.  He has been there for 2 years, and we always thought we'd have gone sooner, so it was wonderful to fly down for a few days in February.  Mike picked us up in his room-mate's Jeep, and off we went for an adventure.  We first stopped to eat at Joe's Farm Grill for a great hamburger.  

 How do you like that sign on the tree next to us!

We stopped at the Goldfield Ghost Town ....remember that place Elder Brian Walton had that photo shoot?  Fun little place.....and beautiful day!

 Cool old tractor and old church.

 This is an old linotype model 31serial number 65584....early 1900s  (Dad looked it up and studied about it when we got home)

 There are actually 3 charcoal buzzards in that tree!!

 This is one happy boy!

 We drove out the Apache Trail.  It was such a fun drive and the terrain was beautiful.  We were on a gravel road for a long ways, then went even further off- roading for a while, which was really fun!

 Roosevelt Dam

 Watching the Canada-US Hockey game.

Friday we went to the Desert Botanical Gardens.  It was really cool and fascinating.  David was not doing well with his back and hip and was ready to just sit and wait for Mike and I.  Instead, we got a wheelchair for him and that worked a lot better, even if he was a little frustrated with having to be in one.

 Did you know that the saguaro cactus doesn't grow an arm until it is at least 50 years old?

A really cool thing we got to see was the art exhibition of Chihuly, the famous glass blower.  It was such an interesting place to show the contrast of his works with the desert. 

 Those are blown glass green ice-bergs!!

 We walked around a cool park and outside a train museum.

 Mike in front of his work place,  Ethology...

Mike's roommate, Bryce, also has a scooter and motorcycle.  David really wanted me to try riding a scooter by myself in hopes of a new burning desire for a new hobby.

 We met Mike's bishop and his wife and had a great visit.  They have orange and grapefruit trees in their yard.  Wish we had gotten a picture of Mike and the two of them.  (they really like Mike)

 This is the airport waiting area.....we were waiting to hear about our delayed flight home which turned out to be cancelled because of snow in Bellingham.  This was the morning that Canada won gold in men's hockey.

 Mike picked us up from the airport after his stake conference and we drove by the new Gilbert temple.  It hadn't been dedicated yet.  It is so beautiful!!!  I wasn't looking properly dressed for a Sunday walking around the temple.

 Our flight went out the next day and this is what we came home to....from 80 F to 30 F.  

It was a great trip!!