Trip Down Memory Lane

Well I'm not one to post surveys and chains, but this one caught my attention, so I'm going to post it and see what happens. Here's how it works:Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time, anything that you remember!Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is pretty funny to read the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

On The Road Again

July 31 we left to visit Michelle and her family, as Marley was being blessed on that sunday.
Derek forgot to set his alarm, so we were off to a late start. As we were going out the door I couldn't find my keys to lock the house and Derek had given his house key to our daughter in law who was going to be staying at our home while we were gone. So we spent half an hour looking for my keys so we could lock up. Finally found them in the bottom of a trash bag. So off we went. Just as we were passing the tail end of the big BM (Battle Mountain) the van died as I was cruising down the road. So I coasted up the road as far as we could go and pulled off to the side. It was dead as a door knob. Derek felt it was the fuel pump. After several attemps to start the van I called information for the number to a tow truck company and just got their answering machine when I called them. So I asked Derek to just try it one more time. It started! So off we went back into Battle Mountain in search of the parts store I remembered seeing from the freeway. But of course they didn't have the part and suggested we go on to Elko, 70 miles down the road. Half an hour later the van dies again only to start and sputter down the road about 2 miles and hour and then die again. We waited for awhile and it started and we took off only to repeat this about every half hour. When we finally make it to Elko we spot a Carquest auto store and they have the part for a mere $250.00. Derek asks them if we can work on our car in their parking lot and they kindly said yes! So of course Derek is in one of his best shirts and has only brought his best shirts so I loan him one of mine. He backs the car up onto the curb and proceeds to drop down the fuel tank of the van so he can replace the fuel pump. What a job! It took him a little over an hour to get the van back in running order. As he is working on it I am busy reading and he says aren't you going to take pictures so you can blog this. So here are the pictures !

And then he starts singing Don't I look good in your shirt, his own version of Keith Urbans Don't you look good in my shirt.
Stay tuned for more on the trip to Idaho. (Who named that state?)

Abby's 1st Birthday!

Abby turned 1 on July 2nd. It's hard to believe that she is already 1.

That year went by way too fast.

We had a party at her house that started off with some pizza!

Then Abby opened her presents with a little help from mom.

She got really excited over a riding toy.

Then we had some yummy cupcakes that were so good.


Here is the birthday girl.
Happy Birthday Abby!

Where's the Burrito?

Can you find the burrito in all of that sour cream?

Someone likes his sour cream way too much!

Abby's Baptism

Abby got baptised on Father's Day

Here is Abby with her parents and godparents.

The Godfather and Godmother with Abby.

David's brother Brian and Torrie's sister Chrissy

Grandma Julie and Abby

Aunt Amanda made Abby this beautiful quilt.

Amanda is quite a talented quilter!

After the baptism we had a lovely BBQ at David, Torrie and Abby's house.

We're Back!

Off we went to Idaho with Danielle, Dallen and Claira to see the new granddaughter Marlee!

Marlee Blair Stewart


We went to see the Stewart's new home that is being built.

We took all the kids for a day of fun so that Michelle could be home alone with Marlee and relax.

First stop Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Then off to Yellowstone to see if we could find Yogi bear. We didn't spot him but we did find snow. Pelting the grandparents with snow was a highlight for the grand kids.

We did find Buffalo!

One day we spent most of our time indoors as it was snowing. Yes, snowing in June. We missed the California sunshine. We had fun playing games. The grand kids taught grandpa how to play guitar hero.

We stopped in Utah on the way home as Claira wanted to see the temple and we got to visit with our friend Mindy. We spent our day there shopping, shopping and sight seeing! We found this fun store called Down East home & clothing that has all kinds of name brand furniture and clothes at huge discounts. We wished we had a U-Haul so we could bring it all home but there was no room in the van, so we had to pass on all the cute furniture.
We are glad to be home in the California sunshine, we just can't get used to freezing weather in June. We had a fun trip and are greatful our grandchildren are such good travelers. Thanks Danielle, Claira and Dallen for going with us.

Congratulations, Michelle and Josh on the arrival of your cute little girl.

Coloma

Today I met Danielle, Claira and Dallen in Auburn and we went to Coloma for a field trip with Claira's class. They have been studying California history this year so we went to see where gold was discovered.

First stop the bathrooms!

The Grinding rock!

The Indian Teepees

Still waiting for the rest of the class to arrive on the bus. It took the bus a lot longer to get there so we went and looked at all of the different ways that the miners ground up the quartz to get the gold out of the rock. Dallen found a lizard while we were waiting.

After the bus arrived we took our group to learn how to pan for gold.

To see the Blacksmith shop and what they do there. He told us about these candle holders that they use to make that you would turn and the candle could go up and down. They were called courting candles and parents would put the candle up so it would burn longer if they thought the boy courting their daughter was a good catch or down if he wasn't because when the candle went out it was time to go home. Sounds like a good idea.

We saw the old school house!

Then we hiked along a trial for about a mile and a half. It was uphill and very hot so we were glad to reach the top. Where we saw a monument marking where the first gold nugget was found. The hike back down the hill was much more pleasent. From there we looked in the old stores and then went for a much needed Icee. The lady said that she sells about 1000 a day. I think she has the real gold mine. After we dropped our group off we travled back to Auburn for the highlight of the day.

In-N-Out

Then they dropped grandma back off at her car and we both went our seperate ways home! Thank you Claira and your class for a fun filled day!

I can't wait for our next adventure.