November 12th through November 18th

November 12^th through November 18^th:  Monday morning we moved two truckloads of boxes and stuff from the old storage unit to the new one.  In the afternoon, I took Alex and Charlotte to the airport.  They are going to Paris for 8 days and Nana and Poppa are going to be on duty at their house.  I say “on duty” because it is a lot more than just babysitting.  It is making sure they get where they need to be each day and feeding them and the dog.  Their lives are very complicated.  Tuesday I drove John’s 3 oldest kids to school and then went and got a load from the old unit.  As I was unloading it, I got a call that our shipment from Guatemala was in route to the new storage unit.  As I was finishing unloading they arrived.  We got our 37 pieces (boxes, furniture, etc) unloaded.  I then went into Salt Lake and rented a 20 lbs electric jackhammer.  Then I went  and got my eyes checked and ordered new glasses.  I spent the afternoon holding the jackhammer sideways chipping the stone off the fireplace.  I had to take a break to divide and conquer the driving of Charlotte’s 4 kids to swim lessons, practices and basketball games.  I finished up about 8:00 pm.  My arms ached from holding the jackhammer and leaning against it to chip off all the stone.  

I finally got the stone off the fireplace with the help of that 20 lb jackhammer.

Wednesday I took the rental back after dropping off John’s kids at school.  We then got ready and dropped Tilda,  Charlotte’s youngest, at preschool and drove to Draper where we met Lee and Connie Crayk.  Lee then drove the 4 of us to the viewing and funeral service for Dale Dibb.   He passed away on the 8^th from brain cancer.  Dale and his wife, Linda, served as temple missionaries with us in Cochabamba and Guatemala.  They are dear friends and we wanted to share our love with Linda and her family.  It was a very nice service.  We hurried home and got Tilda from the home of one of her preschool classmates and then started an afternoon and evening of being a taxi service.  We both had to go in different directions to cover all the bases.  

We often get the most beautiful sunsets.

Thursday after dropping John’s 3 oldest at their school, I got another load of stuff from the old storage unit.  I did not have time to unload it so I left the truck loaded at John’s and hurried to Charlotte’s house to get changed to go to our doctor appointments.  It has been 5 years since we have had a physical.  We were able to find a young doctor who was taking old people on Medicare and we think we like him.  We each got 3 shots, flu, shingles vaccine, and pneumonia vaccine.  I then went to James’ house and cut back his carpet and added 3 rows of flooring between his dining room and family room.  I think it looks pretty good.  He and Kirstin will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner next week and he wanted this project done before we all descended on his place.  

The new vinyl flooring is down and we just have to cut the carpet and reinstall it. 

Friday morning after dropping off John’s older kids, mom and I got the truck unloaded.  Our good friends Paul and Liz Belnap called and offered us 6 tickets to the BYU football game on Saturday.  We met Liz at Home Depot and she gave us the tickets.   We took the opportunity to buy all the appliances for the apartment.  They are having some great Black Friday sales the whole month.  Chris then took me to the airport and I flew to Burbank to drive with Ginny and her two daughters back to Utah on Saturday.  No one could pick me up so I took my first Uber ride.  It was so slick.  

Headed to California.

Saturday I got Ginny and the girls up at 2:00 am to get an early start so we could get back in time for the BYU football game.  I drove the first 4 hours and then we stopped for breakfast just into Nevada.  Ginny then drove for a few hours and then I finished up.  We made it in just under 12 hours.  We had a great time at the game even though it was cold.  

Southern Utah is beautiful in it's own way.

John B and his two boys and Luke and Miles, who we are tending, at the BYU game. 

6 seconds to go in the first half and the score is BYU 28 and New Mexico 7.

Half time and the marching band.

Thanks Badger and John B for cleaning up and taking everything to the dump.

Sunday I got up and made Swedish pancakes for everyone and then we went to church.  After church I made dinner and then later in the evening we went over to John and Jill’s house for dessert.   

Pile every blanket and pillow you can find on the stairs and then take turns sliding down them.

It was a crazy busy week with being on grandparent duty.  This next week we will have all our kids and grandkids here with us.  It will truly be a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We are so blessed and thankful for all our blessings and the tender mercies we receive.

The roads are long straight stretches that go on for miles.