This is at Ripley's Believe it or Not. Finn kind of likes Colleen!

Here we are at the Alamo.

I went to Austin, TX and visited with Amanda, Colleen, and Finn. We fed the ducks, drove to San Antonio on Saturday and went to the Alamo, Ripley's Believe or Not, and the Riverwalk. Finn is now 8 and is such a nice, intelligent boy. I loved spending time with all of them.

The Real Columbia All- Stars

Brock is number 31.

Ashley

Scott in the back, Ty in the front.

Just got back from Columbia where I saw the grandkids and Nicole and Travis. Brock played very well in the All-Star game! The tournament started Friday eve. and lasted until after 1pm Sunday. I had to catch a plane so I missed the last quarter, but Nicole texted me and they won the game and got a trophy.

Panama Canal Christmas

Paul and I returned from our 15 day cruise and I'm barely being back to normal. We had a great time and met friends from Canada that we now correspond with. Now what awaits us is Tax season. Oh I love Tax time-hee hee. Actually it makes it possible to go play the rest of the year. For the next 3 months I signed up for classes at Dixie for the semi-retired or retired people. My friend Lucille takes classes and so she and I have gone to two already. They have a variety for just $40 for 2 semesters. There aren't any tests, but there are books to read if you want to take the Favorite Book class. They just read The Nine by Toobin about the Supreme Court. I listened to the discussion and will read the book for Feb. called, Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese. I am also taking a Journey of the Hero class-- it makes you look within yourself and find the hero within. There are a miriad of classes, geology, hiking, photography, languages, computer classes, tax management and estate planning; pretty much anything you want. They are generally once a week. So you can pick and choose.

Sister Trip to Vegas

Having sisters and only sisters is a beautiful experience. I am lucky to have the two best sisters in the world. I'm almost 59 and didn't really get to know them as adults until I was in my 20's and 30's. We have 6 years between us in age and I, being in the middle, get to look ahead to what it might be like in 6 more years and I look behind and remember what it was like 6 years ago. We share joys, sadnesses, and how to deal with life better. We buoy each other up, knowing that in a day or two we will go our seperate ways, have more experiences and learn more until the next year.

Just got back from 2 trips to Missouri/Kansas. I got to see Nicole with her family and was also able to reconnect with my old college roomate, Jackie Springer. It has been an interesting month and a half. I've had a couple of close death experiences which always makes it exciting. One was on Mother's Day when I hit a cement median on the freeway on my side of the car which did extensive damage-$8000.00 to be exact. The roof crumpled, the side was smashed and I was fine. The next happened a couple of days ago in Minnesota at the airport while waiting for a shuttle bus. I hadn't planned on having to stay over enroute to Vegas but because of fun air experiences I had to. I was waiting with about 23 others when the van I had been waiting for rammed into the side of the airport injuring 4 of the 23 that were waiting. One was badly hurt, the others got away with a few problems. I had this silly green blanket that I put on a man thinking that might help-you know "a woobie." Then we finally got to the motel and there were tornadoes all over the place.

The good news I got to reconnect with people, have the opportunity for some more time on this earth, see the grandkids and get a new car.

Grand Canyon with Rick, Deanna,and Paul

Fourth of July weekend has brought Paul and me to his cabin in Island Park, Idaho. We have fished and played tourist the past few days. Last night we watched the fireworks from West Yellowstone and saw a "parade" at Yellowstone's Lake Lodge. The parade was a hoot. I'll put a couple of pics.

Ashley (7), Brock (9), Ty (12), Scott (14)

This was in their living room the night of Nicole's Sheriff's Academy Graduation.

Paul and I just spent a couple days in Richfield where we ventured out to Capital Reef. Then that same evening we went down to Manti to see The Miracle Pageant. It was a beautiful day and night!

Connie and I went to Mesa Verde, Arches, and Canyonlands this past 4 days. We had a wonderful time and look forward to more trips.

Island Park and Yellowstone

I just got back from Yellowstone where I went with Paul. He has a cabin in Island Park where we stayed. It was beautiful but cold, which is a good change from hot St. George.
I've been going hiking with Connie a couple of times and we are headed for another National Park tomorrow.

Phoenix Fun

The day school ended I headed out to Phoenix with Maureen. We went to see her sister and play. We spent time at a botanical garden with a special treat at the butterfly exhibit. On the way back to St. George we swung by the Grand Canyon, South Rim. It was beautiful.

Thought I'd add a couple more pics from the open house.

Sally called me last Thurs and asked if she could have my Panorama T-shirts. I thought, "Man, the vultures are coming out." But she wanted to make me a lap quilt out of all the shirts. It is very cute!

Aloha

Here I am at the Open House they had for me yesterday afternoon. I'm ready for a fun vacation now, grass skirt and all.

I only have 7 more days of teaching left. I'm getting very excited. I went to a dinner last night honoring the retirees. They gave me a bell with my name on it. I was hoping for the gold watch but a bell is close enough. Paul went with me to the dinner at Courtyard Marriott.

Hi there ya'll. I am now a teacher that will retire the end of May! I am in the midst of selling my collection of books, games, and teaching supplies that I've collected for 27 years. I will save some, of course, but my 2 bedroom condo can't quite handle all the extra "stuff." It's an interesting feeling having hoards of teachers coming in my classroom and sifting through my things.

Sun. April 19

I had a pretty fun week with my sis-in-law, Lori spending most of it with me. We got pedicures, shopped, ate out, watched videos and mostly talked. It snowed on Wed. which was really weird especially since that was our track meet day. I got skin cancers burned off Thurs.(which is always fun).
Friday evening Lori's husband Dan and son Jon (just home from a mission) came down. I've been feeling a bit stressed (understatement) so Friday eve. I asked if Dan and Jon would give me a blessing. It was so wonderful having 2 worthy priesthood holders in my home ready and willing to use the power of the priesthood. There was alot of strength in the house. I have alot of work to do on myself which is sad at this age, but better to do it now than never.
Saturday was a beautiful day and we took the top off the jeep and spent the day visiting my ex-in-laws-Cunninghams and zipping around town.
Saturday was the 3rd anniversary of my mom's death and I re-read the spiritual things that happened the evening I was with her as the bishop used His power to do amazing things. I'll forever be greatful for that.
I'm still waiting to hear if I am qualified to retire. Hopefully that will all be settled soon.

Well new news on this front. I might be retiring at the end of the school year. After 27 years of work work work I'm thinking I may take some time off and travel. Then I'll probably have to go back and be a greeter at Walmart.

I went to Colorado for my Spring Break, thankfully before the snow storm came. It was great seeing Sue, Paul, Cory, Adam, baby Paul, Sammi, Stacy, Malcolm, Lauren, Caity, and Nanette. Sue and I played "hoof and mouth" almost everyday and went to 3 movies. I got to see the beautiful home in Elizabeth and have a great meal with the Lees. It has been pretty quiet since returning to St. George.

Teresa's Terrific News

Teresa's Terrific News

Time ticks on and President's Day is tomorrow. Yeah another day off. Next comes parent conferences which are always soo fun. Other than that life is just moving right along.

I spent my Christmas Vacation in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. I had a blast especially since I met 3 different friends that I spent time with. The one in the picture is Carrie from Wyoming.