candid is the best :)

lola

Saturday morning, before we left Vegas, my uncle gave us a ride in his plane.  His often called mistress, Lola.  :)

These three flew first.  They came back smiling so it must of been good.

Being Texans that we are, we only had jackets.  It was surprisingly cold.

Karlee and Adam came out to watch us take off.

Bailee even flew for a bit. 

We headed for those snow covered mountains.

Being in a small airplane and close to these mountains the turbulence was too much.  Before we even took off, Uncle Kent told us that being sick isn't disgraceful.  Missing the baggie is.  :)

I didn't get that sick, but I was holding onto a baggie just in case.  I now will admit I get motion sick.  Getting older (not old!) is so lame!!

The view from the plane was amazing.  Such a great experience for everyone.

dream come true in Vegas

Dad's funeral

I didn't edit these pictures until Friday.  It was still tough to go through them.  I have been so busy with the wedding and starting Christmas shopping it's kept me from thinking too much.  It's been on purpose.  I don't want to think.  It hurts.

My sister, Waynette, and her family, plus my brother, Randall, and his family took Dad on a trip to Crater Lake and the Redwoods.  It was the first part of July when they went.  He love it!!  Randall had this picture blown up of him at Crater Lake.  By the first part of August Dad had lost all use and control of his legs.  It's a good thing they went when they did.  He quickly went down hill from there. 

In Dad's casket there was a little drawer so the grandkids could write a note to Grandpa and put it in for nobody to read.  Mason and Carson both wrote him a note.  Karlee might have to.

The headstone Dad had made after Mom died is beautiful.  I've only seen rough sketches of what it would look like.  Every detail is exactly them. 

Mason was able to be a pall bearer this time.  He thought it was very cool.  He also was surprised at how heavy the casket was.

Dad served 3 years in the Army then the National Guard, I think for another 5 years, early in his marriage.  I knew very little about it.  When I saw the flag draped over the casket it took my breathe away.

After a small ceremony that included a 12 gun salute.  Two men folded the flag and gave it to my nephew Brenton, that is a Marine.  When Brenton presented the flag to Todd, the oldest child, I think it brought tears to all our eyes. It was very cool.

Overall, it was a beautiful Fall day.

I thought it was very cool to see this recently returned missionary sitting with these impressionable boys.  Go Jake!!

I'm surprised how quick to tears I still am.  Most days I struggle to talk much about Dad. I was texting Brenda the other day and crying.  How sad is that?!  I miss them so much.  Right now I keep busy and try not to think.  When someone asks me how I'm doing I try and keep it general.  Nothing to personal.  Poor Brian... He doesn't know what to do.  I don't know either.   

trip to idaho

Our drive to Idaho, in October, went very well.  We decided to try a different route through Colorado.  It happened to be longer but it was a beautiful drive. 

Bailee came later with McKinzie and Geoff.  These three traveled great.  All of them started doing homework.  They felt like they had lots of room with one less person. 

As soon as we got to Dad's Carson found the veggies, opened up a recipe book and started cooking.  :)

These boys range in ages from 5-9.  They are all good friends.

My Dad made these book shelves and fireplace.  He had such an amazing talent in woodworking. 

I'm going to miss this house.  I don't know if I'll ever see it again.  When we packed things up and headed out it was hard to leave.  

Jingle Bell run

This morning was the 5k.   It was about 55 degrees and misty.  Warmer than I planned.  I found some friends at the starting point.  It was mine and K's, the boy, first 5K.  We were itching to start. 

 The kids entertained themselves pretty well. :)

I'm still surprised that I actually ran a race.  And YES!!  I ran the whole way.  That was my goal.  The timer said 33 minutes.  Not bad.  I think I'll do this again.  Let me change that.  I'm sure I'll run another race. 

I found some stats on the race.  There were 3,101 participants.  Of which 2,085 were women.  In my age group there were 47 and I came in 14th.  My time was 33:03.9.  My overall place is 315.  I'm very pleased with the results.   

kindergarten Christmas program

Thursday Carson was very excited for his program.  Excited to wear his suit too.  Although he was the only boy in a suit, there were many girls in fancy holiday dresses.

 Unfortunately Carson was tucked up in the back corner. 

All the kids did a great job.  Carson knew all the songs.  In fact, he sings Christmas songs all the time now.  He loves it when a familiar one plays on the radio.