Monday, November 24, 2008

Fun weekend with Mom

Sunday dawned crisp, bright and beautiful and we headed to the MTC to attend our branch meetings. Mom wanted to attend while she was in town and see what goes on there. It brought back fond memories of her training at the MTC with David when they served their mission over 10 years ago. We went to sacrament meeting, Relief Society and then had lunch in the cafeteria. There is always such a great spirit at the MTC and it is amazing to see how well it is run and what goes on there.

We headed home to make a Heggie raisin pie before heading north to meet Lee and hand off Mom to her so she could continue the next leg of her journey while she is in Utah for 10 days. It was so nice to have Mom with us for a few days. She hadn't been able to visit us for over a year and we loved spending time with her. She is an amazing mother and I love her so much. She went off to spend time with her other kids and we'll see her again for Thanksgiving.

After dropping her off, we went to the 1st annual R..... cousin pie baking contest. Rick has 40 + or - cousins on his dad's side of the family. They are accomplished and wonderful people. One of the cousins invited everyone over to her home with their families for dessert and visiting. There must have been 60 people there and they were gracious hosts to welcome us all in to their mansion house. Six of the eight original R..... children were in attendance. Vern and his siblings are all in their late 70s and early 80s, and they are the most delightful people. Two of them are in wheelchairs suffering from MD, but they carry on with grace and humor. They all shared some Thanksgiving memories that had us all laughing. It was a wonderful evening and it was fun to see many of Rick's cousins, many of whom I haven't seen for years. We stopped off to visit Dave and Courtney on our way home. It was a wonderful day!

Saturday on the way home from the adventure with the Twilight fans, we stopped and did some Christmas shopping at a mall. It was so fun to have Sydney with us for the day. I love that girl! We talked about memories with Mom and had such a nice visit while driving.




Rick and I had a fun weekend with Mom. She flew in on Friday pm. We picked her up and headed to a Dr. appointment that Rick had in the city. While he was at the Dr. we chatted and got all caught up on what is happening. While Rick went to the basketball game with his dad that evening, we went to dinner at Zupas and then to see HSM3 with Sydney. It was a fun girls night out. Mom got to see Syd and Adam's home and it was fun to have the tour and see what they have done with the place. Syd is so creative and can make something out of almost anything!

On Saturday we headed up North to hook up with the other Twilight enthusiasts in the family and to have lunch at Costa Vida before watching the movie together. It was a theater that had reserved seating, so it was nice to go in 10 minutes before the movie started and just find our seats, without standing in line forever. Thanks to Lindsey for getting us all tickets! It was fun to attend a move that was enjoyed by girls ages 13-82. We've all read the books and we really have been looking forward to seeing the movie. Janet and Tina got the prize for traveling the furthest that day to participate in a very fun girls outing. In honor of the day, Mom gave us all matching watches to remember our outing, each other and the fun time we had spending the afternoon together. That was so sweet and generous of her! She enjoyed being in attendance with daughters, granddaughters and even one great-granddaughter! After the movie we headed to Target for a little shopping and ran into our cousin Sharon and her husband Mike. It was great to chat with them. I must admit that I called her Diane. She looks a lot like her sister.


















I enjoyed the movie. I wouldn't mind seeing it again. The books wouldn't be considered great literature and the movie wasn't the greatest of all time, but it was entertaining. Nothing more, nothing less - just good entertainment. It was fun to share it my Mom, sisters and nieces.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Weekend in Colorado, Part 2














My camera batteries died toward the end of the trip, so I had to have Claire forward me these last photos from her camera. I have an old school digital with batteries. Bummer.
Anyway...
We hooked up with R and Claire Friday night and headed straight to the mall to catch Jimmy Bond in Quantum of Solace. It was just fair. We headed back to the Comfort Inn to sleep again and then we got going the next morning, heading to the Air Force Academy to see their museum, store and campus. We were invited to a tailgate party with some of R and Claire's friends from their home town and enjoyed some good dogs and brauts on the grill. Then is was off to the game which I described earlier.
After the game we went to the Broadmoor resort. Wow. It is the classiest place I've been to. Rick and I spend a night there when were we on our honeymoon almost 30 years ago and then again when I was expecting Andy while he was attending a conference. It is an amazing five star resort and we enjoyed a hot chocolate there before heading to eat dinner at a more affordable place - the Olive Garden.
Sunday we got up and headed to church. After going to two buildings, we finally found a ward that started at 9:00 so that we could catch sacrament meeting before heading home. Claire and R took off for their five hour drive and we started our nine hour drive. We had some good chats with Dave and Courtney while driving home and really enjoyed spending time with them and with R and Claire. The weather was nice the whole weekend (except for a little snow storm we got in while driving there Thursday night at the top of the Eisenhower tunnel area) and we had a wonderful weekend. We also ran in to Rick's cousin Tim Ping who lives outside Denver and it was so nice to see him, his wife LouAnn and their some Graham. They also have a daughter named Claire, who is younger than our Claire. I wonder where they got the idea for the name :)
























Thursday, November 20, 2008

Bring it!



Can you say OBSESSION? Hahahaha! Check out this video!

Get ready.
Here it comes.
We've got our reserved seat tickets. Do you?

Christmas music
















When do you start listening to Christmas music?


Our local radio stations FM 100 and FM 106.5 have been playing Christmas music since the day after Halloween - 24/7. I can't stand it. Seriously, I just boycott those stations. It's way too early for my taste! Of course I have a husband who won't even "allow" Christmas music played in the house until after Thanksgiving and I must admit that I agree with him there. His thinking is that the month of November should be for Thanksgiving and that we shouldn't just gloss over it on our way to Christmas. I will admit that I have listened to a few songs on the sly, but I have yet to put in a CD and listen to the whole thing. But I am getting excited to listen to Christmas music, in it's own appointed time - which in our house comes the day after Thanksgiving and not one minute sooner!

Here is my personal favorite list:
  • Josh Groban - NOEL - if you don't have this CD, you really should add it to your collection, it's amazing!
  • James Taylor at Christmas - new last year and very good
  • Kurt Bestor - all of his CDs are amazing
  • Martina McBride - White Christmas - Love it!
  • Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Sing Choir of Angels - a beautiful collection of Christmas carols
  • The Messiah in it's entirety, our version is by the MTC and orchestra
  • Mannheim Steamroller - All their CDs are wonderful for background, get in the Christmas mood type music
  • Sing-a-long-with Mitch - a classic in our family that really brings back great memories of childhood
Other classics like the Carpenters, Neil Diamond, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby
What are some of your favorites?

Wednesday, November 19, 2008