Good Bye to China - March 20th, 2011

This post is mostly for me as a way of closure. The family will all know by the time I post this, so this is my way of letting our friends and neighbors know. Today, our daughter and son in law called us and told us that they are no longer going to be adopting from China. They posted a message on their blog to let all their friends know. It was a very personal and hard decision for them to make. They have been waiting for 5 years. (It was supposed to be 14 months) We had been asked to go with them to China to help when they went to pick her up. So we have been saving money, getting our shots, and getting in shape. I was determined I would be able to hike The Great Wall of China. For 3 years now, I have been taking stones out of a jar in my kitchen. However many days were referred that month is how many I took out. When we started it, we thought it would empty quickly, but as you can see, it took years to get to where it is today. 3 years ago, I started at 201 stones, and today it still has 62. It is a very sad day for me today. I know it will get easier, but for 5 years I dreamed of our new little granddaughter. I had her Chinese name made and had it hanging on my grandkid wall, but I just took it down and put it away with the few things I had been saving for her. Even though she might not even be born yet, she was very real in our hearts. We have accepted this decision, and will pray for comfort and peace. Good Bye!

Hiking to "The Flag" - March 18th, 2011

Ali unfurling the flag!

Our Beautiful Flag

The unfurled flag

Izzy & Ali ready to hike
(Pine Valley Mtn. in the background)

Izzy pretending to hold up the mountain
(the flag is on the highest peak)

Resting!

Girls at the top

Izzy

Self Portrait
(they were so happy that I had made it)

View from the top

Ali taking her own picture

The nasty Silk worms

A couple miles from our house is the beautiful red rocks with the Dixie sign. We like to hike there with the grandkids, but there is also a mountain a little closer to us that Ali has been wanting to climb for a few months now. When we drive around the hill, we can see something up on the top on a pole, but we can't tell what is is, so she wanted to climb to it. I kept her and Izzy overnight, and I had them help me do our Friday work. (Clean, vacuum, and dust every room) Then we packed some drinks and snacks in a fanny pack and off we went. Well, what was supposed to be a 1 hour trip, turned out to take 4 hours. We parked at the trail head, and took the long way around. Izzy kept telling me to go the other way around to the top, but NO, I thought this would be faster. Just go straight to the bottom and climb up. They had to stop and look at everything on the way. Silk worms in the bushes, gopher holes, unique rocks, etc. When we got to the bottom , we could see the pole. It had a flag on it, but it was stuck to the pole from whipping around in the wind. Izzy said her dad flew over it in the helicopter and so she knew what it was, and wanted to leave at the bottom. Ali climbed right up to the top. I had to help Izzy by pushing her over the slick rocks. When they got to the top, I was freaking out because I couldn't get up. Every rock I tried to climb, was too slippery, or pieces would break off. It was a long way down, and I was sure I would fall. (for those of you who don't know, well I hate heights). They assured me that the top was flat, and that they wouldn't fall off the other side. I finally had to slide down and go to the next ledge and try again. After about a half hour, I called Doug and told him that I was stuck, and the kids were on the top. I told him if he didn't hear back from me in 30 minutes, to come and rescue us. I couldn't see them as I moved to different ledges. We were calling out to each other. They were starting to get upset. Izzy wanted me to call Brad to come pick us up in the helicopter. I told her he couldn't land there. I told them we would say a prayer and ask for help to know what to do. That calmed ALL of us down. Even though I was also scared and could not figure out what to do, I told them I was fine. Finally, I made the choice to scramble , and fall down the slopes to the bottom, and go around the other way. I yelled to them to stay put and not move anywhere till I got there. All of a sudden, it was silent. I couldn't hear them. I started yelling. I thought they had taken off down the other side. I was frantic by now, Then I heard Ali yelling: "Grandma, we were praying so we couldn't answer you. We prayed that you could get up here" Well, it worked. I got to the bottom. I was pretty scratched up, and my legs were so shaky. I went around and found a trail to the top. (of course) They ran to me and we continued to the flag. We unhooked it and took lots of pictures. It was very beautiful. On the way down, (the easy way) a huge jack rabbit came out of the bushes and startled us. Izzy said:"Look , it's a baby donkey" It was so funny. It was the biggest rabbit I have ever seen. It was an experience we will never forget.

Nascar in Las Vegas - March 6th, 2011

Stunt Helicopter

The Thunderbirds!

Alize

The winner #99

The Trailers

The M&M car leaving

We got free tickets through work, so we went to the races in Las Vegas. This year we took Ali and Izzy for the first time. Some of our seats were right in front of Pit Row. Of course we all have a favorite driver. Mine (the M&M car) crashed early on this time. Ali chose car #42. ( He came in 2nd)The winner this year was #99. The weather turned out to be beautiful. They had a lot of fun for their first time. They thought the opening ceremonies were great. There was a stunt helicopter doing loops and dives (of course Brad wished it was him flying, and I was glad it wasn't), Sky Divers landed on the track, and of course the Thunderbirds flying overhead in formation after the National Anthem. It was a good day.

K9/9K Dog Run - February 26th, 2011

Cynthia & Stephanie in our cute "Dog Town Shorts"

Excited ( and nervous) to get going!

Warmed up and ready to race!

Cynthia at the starting line!

Stephanie starting at the back of the pack!

Cynthia at the finish line!!

Stephanie crossing the finish line!!

Today was our 9K race. It was pouring and cold and very windy. I finished it in 1 hour 3 minutes. It was so painful. I had a side ache and my shins and knees were hurting so bad. At mile 2 I didn't think I could do it. The rain was hitting my face, and I felt like crying. I kept telling myself"Why am I doing this?" It is not worth it, and when I didn't think I could go another step, something awesome happened. I was listening to my ipod and a song came on that my dad loved. We played it at his funeral. (Streets Of Laredo) Just as the song came on, the sun peeked out from behind the raincloud for a few seconds. I looked up and I felt that my dad was there telling me I could do it, so I quit thinking about the pain, and cold, and I continued on. I am glad I finished. We came home and got in the hot tub, and relaxed the rest of the day. I am thankful that Stephanie runs with me. (She finished the race before me) I hope I haven't damaged my shins for good. I am going to see a Dr. this week and get treatment for my shin splints.

Beautiful Snow Canyon - February 21st, 2011

At the end of my run!!

Sand Dunes

Lava Rocks

Moss Covered Mountain

Beautiful!!!

Snow Canyon

Contrasting Colors

Black & White

I've been running for about 6 months now, and we are training now for a 9K next weekend. We try to run different places every week. Today we decided to run through Snow Canyon. I got dropped off at the top entrance, and ran all the way to the road leading to Tuacahn. ( a little over 5 miles) I was alone this time because the rest of the group went and started farther up the road. They thought they would catch up to me because I figured I would walk a lot of it, but I ran the whole way (except to stop and snap pictures) It was a beautiful winter day. I was feeling good. My shins had been bothering me so I didn't know if I could do it. I made it fine, but by that night I knew I had hurt them worse. I am so glad that I had grabbed my camera at the last minute. I took over 50 pictures as I was coming down. Here are a few of my favorites.

Emily's 3rd Birthday - February 6th, 2011

Emily with her #3 doll

Opening her presents

Sam, Emily, & Ali

They love the sand!

Emily & Izzy

I can't believe our youngest granddaughter is 3 already. She is such a fun little girl. She is so talkative, and pays attention to details. She loves to help me do housework. She knows where everything goes. It must be in its place. I love it. She is in dance lessons and is so fun to watch. For her birthday, they took out some lawn and put in a big sandbox and put in a playground with slides, etc. She calls it "her park". The kids are having so much fun playing outside.

The Circus - January 24th, 2011

Sam ( he just spotted the elephants coming in the arena)

The Circus was in town for a day so we went to the fairgrounds out in Hurricane. They held it in the horse arena instead of under the "Big Top". We went with Jessica's family and Izzy. For such a small circus it was really very good. We all enjoyed it. They had the usual trapeze artists, clowns, juggling acts, swords and fire acts, and also a sphere that they had motorcycles spinning around in. But the highlight of the evening was the elephants. They were awesome. Little Sam was in awe watching them. He has always loved anything to do with elephants. The kids all wanted to go on an elephant ride but it was too expensive, so maybe next time....

Phoenix - January 13th-16th, 2011

Tonya on her birthday.

Opening presents

Cynthia with Cassie & Abbie

Cactus Garden

Blooming cactus

Orange trees!

We drove around the Lake Powell area this time on our way to Phoenix for Tonya's birthday this year. The weather is always great in January. The trees are full of oranges, and everything is blooming. We also drove to Tuscon to pick up a car from the auction. Kevin had to work on her birthday so Doug and I took her to dinner at Chili's, and then we went to the movie "The Tourist". Tonya and I went shopping for scrapbook items so she could finish Danica's 100 Wish Book. We were going to finish organizing Danica's room. I would post a picture of it, but she wanted me to wait until it was all finished and she would show it on her blog. It's all painted, and the furniture is in, and the closet done, but it needed the curtains up, and the toys and books put away on the shelves, etc. but they need to finish putting up the Wall Art (it is a big tree with birds and butterflies) so we worked in Tonya's room instead. I love to organize stuff. It was fun. We drove past where the new Gilbert Temple is going to be. It is only a few blocks from their house.