Oreos at the Beach

When I first mentioned to Deborah that I was going to be coming to see them she had this wonderful idea! Let's surprise Spencer! I'm always in for a good surprises! (He was very surprised)

Spencer told Deb he wanted to go to the beach on Saturday. (She texts me on the low-down and says Grammie, you up for the beach?) So I packed up the two sand buckets that have been chillin' in my garage since for-E-ver! (But did I remember to pack my *babing-suit*? NO! Not me!! Sheesh! And have you ever tried to buy a bathing suit in September? Yeah, right! Rant over.)

When my little kids were growing up our favorite beach was always Ventura Marina beach. The crowds are usually smaller and they have a wonderful pirate ship complete with zipline! Spencer wanted to go back there this time too. Deb kindly took this pix of us, I *thought* I took a photo of their family too but, apparently, failed!

It was breezy and cool and I didn't what Baby Belle to get blown on. She eventually went to sleep and took a little nap in her stroller right there on the sand.

When she woke up she was hungry so what did Grammie do? Well, what any self-respecting Grammie would do... I twisted open an oreo, snarked off the creamy-peanut butter center and gave her the chocolate cookie part. (See how nice Grammie is?)

(AND DO YOU SEE THESE LEVI BLUE EYES? THEY ARE JUST LIKE HER DADDY'S.)

This was a taste explosion in her little baby-girl mouth!

She continued to gnaw on it until she had a respectable oreo-goatee!

It reminded me of the days when her Daddy was small and his Daddy would come home from work with a permanent ink marker and draw mustaches on him and his sibs!

All the while Riley was totally enjoying his time in the surf. He and Spencer played there for a very long time.

It was a lovely day. We ended by having a fish and chips dinner and a quiet ride home. Both Riley and Annabelle knocked out within 5 minutes and slept the whole way home.

And, you know, this blog post wouldn't be complete without at least one random photo from the day before of Baby Belle and her Grammie!

**
For some reason this published on the wrong month! This visit happened Sept 12-13, 2014

Grammie-Heaven

One of the best things in my life is being a Grammie! I was talking to Gordon the other day and mentioned how much I enjoyed being a mom... that, without a doubt, was my favorite! I loved (love) being a mom. But we all know that being a mom (and not JUST a mom) requires work, work and more work to go along with the joy. That is not a complaint... just a statement of fact.

Ahhhh, but being a Grammie? Yup, that is heaven. It is the extra blessing! I like to say, "I am no longer the Mommie-enforcer, I am the Grammie-spoiler!" And can I just say that I am loving this phase of my life!

I got to see two of my little darlings (that live much too far away). Oh, how I love these babies! My sweet Deborah took some sneaky pictures of me with Baby Belle.

This little girl is so squishable! I could just nuzzle and kiss those cheeks all the day!

And Riley... I wanted to say *little-Riley* but this big boy is 7 now! Where does the time go? We had a fun dip in the pool together. I tried to teach him the steamboat kick that I learned so many years ago but he was more interested in playing with the other kids in the pool!

(Parenthetically, I'm often reminded that Riley and I have the same age difference, 55 years, as my DADDY and I have. And I am reminded that I am grateful that I am in the grammie, not the mommie, roll!)

Little Sister

As I was looking through photos I noticed that I'd missed a bunch of Riley meeting his little sister last weekend. I guess that's what happens when you take photos by the gross!

Riley's waited a long time for this little sibling. He was pretty excited to meet her.

Something tells me that his first impression could have been better timed! I love his expression!

A friend from church got Riley a cute little book about him and his sister. Deborah helped him fill in the vital information. He was so cute wanting to get it all right.

Riley and Daddy had a good ol' Billy Bacon ride (see Riley coaxing Billy with a trisket?) These two have long enjoyed this tradition.

Grammie and Riley went shopping then took a little walk-a-bout on Saturday. When I squatted down to take a selfie I pulled him over by me and we both toppled over. "Why did you do THAT, Grammie?"

Just before it was time for him to go back to his Mom's house he wanted to hold little sister one more time. He needed to inspect her tiny legs and feet.Can you believe you used to be that small?

Riley is such a precious boy. He won't even believe how much his little *Baby-Belle* has grown up in just one week.

Big Brother (of the Riley-kind)

Riley got to come to meet his new little sister tonight. What a wonderful occasion... you don't get a little sister every day, you know!

I feel so happy when I see the love that they have one for another. You can never have too many people who love you.

We are so funny... we take turns soaking up the baby-Annabelle love. I'd been holding her for about an hour when I asked Deb if she wanted her baby back. Spencer asked so sweetly, "Can I have a turn first?"

And speaking of love-

I've never been big on using the term *step*-mom/child; it's just always meant more people to love. I'm grateful for that great capacity to love.

And since we are on the subject of love... it makes me happy to see these two funny-feline-sisters. I can hardly tell where one ends and the other begins!

Coming and Going

I just got home from my wanderings in the West! This is the first road-trip Elio and I have made! It all started on April 11 when I headed south  down the I-15 to visit family in California.

Shortly after this gas stop, where I reset my trip/mpg averages, I realized that there's something seriously wrong with this particular reading!!! I just WISH I was getting 72mpg!

Since I've *worn out the I-15* over the years I have some favorite sights... Virgin River Gorge is one of them.  Just outside the gorge I saw the happiest thing, but it wasn't a safe photo-op.  I passed a livestock truck hauling pigs.  Out of one of the holes was a little pink piggy ear- flapping in the wind!

And, favorite stops! Vegas used to be the first available In 'n Out Burger! So glad we have it in Utah Valley now.

The kids always loved Monkey Mountain at the top of the Baker grade. (This is what gave me the idea of the coming and going title...)

My first visit was at Spencer's house! I was able to accompany him and Deborah to the LA Temple for their Stake Temple Night.

And the next day I got to see my good friends- Batman and Robin (aka Auntie P and Sonny). Apparently I didn't get the memo that Auntie P's grandson's 1st birthday party was themed. But that's ok... I'm always Wonder Woman!

Sunday was Stake Conference with Spencer and family... happy day.

Monday found me on the road again. I'd noticed that the Joshua trees were blooming when I was headed through Barstow but didn't stop to get a photo until I was headed west out Hwy 138. They say this doesn't happen very often.

Next stop was at Rebekah's. I told her that her job was to make sure I got a photo with my Flynn boys! I can't believe how grown up they all are. Where did my tiny babies go?

But somehow I didn't get photos of Rebekah and I. We had a delightful visit. We went to the Fresno Temple on Wednesday evening. Truly the words from 3 John 1:4 apply to me, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

Bek and I found this beautiful fountain at some random shopping center in Fresno.

In the original planning stages I hadn't planned to go to the Bay Area but as the time drew close for my trip I knew I just *needed* to include it. I stopped first thing at Roselawn to leave early birthday flowers for Tony. I felt great peace and love for my wonderful first-born and not too many tears.

I had a lovely visit with Sue and family. We all got together for dinner the first night and I was able to meet my newest little grand-niece, Audrey Ella. I was able to have a wonderful visit with all. I'm so grateful for family. Plus Sue and I made a productive shop at Blue Door Antiques where we found some wonderful orphaned quilt blocks. Sue already has hers in various stages of completion! I told her she was the Queen!

Saturday I took I-5 south back to Palmdale. It's been years since I've taken that route. I normally go via Hwy 99. I was interested to see that they've moved Harris Ranch's stock yards away from the freeway. We've driven past there when you can literally see the methane gas hanging in the cow-manure scented air.

This time around I stayed at Auntie P's house but we had Spencer and family over for dinner and delicious strawberry dream cake.

This may very well replace Pig-Pickin' Cake as our family favorite.

Monday we went to the garment district in LA with Deborah and Andrea.  Pauline was the winning shopper this day... all I got was some zippers.

And no trip to So Cal is complete without a trip to Cielito Lindo. It has pretty much replaced Disneyland.  Well, maybe not, but it's a lot cheaper!

And our trip back home from LA- I've always love this series of tunnels that transition to the I-5.

Tuesday was the day of reckoning and time to come home. And here is Monkey Mountain headed north.

So what of this trip? Here are my stats-

• 12 days
• 2287.3 miles that Elio drove (this doesn't count when other people drove us somewhere)
• A combined total of 40 hours driving time
• 27 family and family-by-choice members visited
• Elio- 9 months old
• Joanie- 60.5 years old
• Countless potty stops (oh, for crying out loud!)
• And quite possibly the easiest solo road-trip I've made in the last decade... I think that must be a result of Elio's comfortable ride and awesome family visits.
• One happy Pup and Pap when I returned home!

Palmdale Visit

I started my California trip (3/8) in Palmdale and the first stop was go to Spencer's house! Deb and Riley were at the gym so Deb told Riley there was a surprise for him at home. I met him at the door and he wanted to know what I brought him! Not exactly the reaction Deb was looking for! bwahahaha... but that's ok... I love my little guy!

The next day we NEEDED a beach day! This time we decided we'd try the Santa Monica Pier. I haven't been there for ages, not since... well, I don't remember when! Spencer chauffeured us in their minivan. And you know what? He drives like a dad... all mature and everything. I was relieved to have him drive. I know I can still drive in LA traffic, but after driving for 9 hours the day before, I was a little road weary.

SPENCER, DEBORAH AND RILEY (WITH SEE'S SUCKERS IN THEIR MOUTHS)

We parked at the Santa Monica Mall (I'm sure there is a better name than that but I don't know what it is... maybe Auntie P knows! Jump in here on the comments and tell us P.) After using the facilities we took a walk down to the pier. I saw a darling *Angry Birds* stocking cap that I would have gotten for Riley (remember- what did I bring him?) but he took one look and gave it the thumbs-down.

We wandered to the end of the pier where we were accosted by Snake-Man! ICK! saw some fishermen and the Amusement Park. They've done a good job of providing fun rides for the littles! I love this shot of Riley looking so pleased with Deb and Spencer in the background.

Next up was the mini *Mali-boomer* (I stole that name from CA Adventure).

Put up your hands, Riley!

And, since we were in the neighborhood (took us 2 hours to travel 13 miles! I'm not joking!) We HAD to stop at Cielito Lindo.

OhMyStinkin'Heck! Do I ever love this place! I told the guys I'd come all the way from Springville, Utah just to eat their taquitos and tomatillo sauce and he gave me extra! YUM! (It makes my mouth water just looking at this lovely mess of greeness!)  But Auntie P scored the biggest deal getting taquitos for Steve AND a pint of sauce for $10!

There are always interesting-sorts down at the beach... it makes me so grateful for my home!

We arrived back in P-dale at dark-thirty so Spencer dropped us off and took his tired-self and tired little family home.

Next day, after some retail therapy with Auntie P, they came back for dinner at P's house. And look what Auntie P had for Riley!! Now we see who the best Grammie is!

My stay in Palmdale was too short this time around... I will have to plan better on my next trip. I'm so grateful for my sister-by-choice and Spencer, Deborah and Riley. It was wonderful to see them all again.

Too Many Cooks

Camille and I drove down to Palmdale on Monday for Andrea’s funeral. It was a beautiful funeral with the necessary mix of tears and laughter, memories and hopes of a glorious resurrection. I’m grateful we could be there.

Later that day after an obligatory Wal-Mart run we came back to Auntie P’s with the making for a fun bbq. Apparently we must have been hungry when we went shopping because we all came back with our idea of a fun dessert. Spencer, Deborah and Riley came over to Auntie P’s to join us.

I’d found some yummy peaches that just begged to be made into a fresh peach tart (you know my favorite tart this summer with fruit d’jour?). The only problem is I decided to plug in the hand mixer before I put in the beaters! This is a somewhat authentic reenactment of the original incident... no Grammie’s were hurt in the process!



Ah, but Sonny... she’d found some ginormous *muush-mallow* and wanted to make s’mores. After roasting burning the marshmallows over the gas range she realized it wasn’t hot enough to melt the chocolate... soooo she microwaved the whole mess! Mess is right!



I think this is the *mush-mallow* that ate Cleveland!



Camille wanted to try the same thing...



(I love Sonny behind her! Bwahahahaha)



It was so nice to have an evening to visit with family...

CAMILLE, DEBORAH AND JOANIE

And be with little Riley again... he is such a sweet boy!



The part I love about family is that when you get together it is like no time has passed. I suppose that is what happens when you’ve known each other for a good portion of your life. Here is Camille and Sonny cheesing it up together... they’ve known each other since Camille was a toddler but now they interact as peers! I love it!



And now today, Thursday, Mams and Mum are motoring it back home to Utah!



(Thank you to Auntie P for these wonderful photos... my camera made the trip but hardly came out!)