Friday, September 30, 2016

DAY #28 - Peoria to Flagstaff....

We had our last day in Peoria before heading up to Flagstaff when the kids get home from school.  We have come to love all of the cacti around Arizona.  We have seen some pretty cool ones.

Dad and I each took our turn with Pippa!!  Dad, while he was keeping his eyes closed from putting his eye drops in and me, just because.

And trying to get a little computer work done before heading out to the temple with Becky and David.

Dad and I went to the Phoenix Temple with David and Becky.  We did sealings because we had some family file names to do....including the sealing of my great-great grandparents....Frederick Goins and Sally Beasley Goins.

 We went out to lunch at the White Chocolate Grill....a FANTASTIC place to eat!!!

Catching up on a little iPhone before diving into that FANTASTIC dessert!!

The 4 of us shared this A-MAZING Banana Cream Pie!!!  WOW it was so amazing.

Again, more amazing and fun cacti!!

As we were driving up to Flagstaff we got a pretty sunset.....I pulled off on the side of the road so I could get a good shot!

Crew's artwork greeted us as we came into Becky and David's home here in Flagstaff.  It was a very cool 56 degrees.....a far cry from the 90+ degrees back down Peoria!!  We are liking these cooler temps.

I got to try a new sandwich tonight......toast with a little butter and sliced avocado and salt and pepper.  I like it.....it may be a new favorite for me!!

 We look forward to GENERAL CONFERENCE this weekend.  And then we head EAST again!!

Thursday, September 29, 2016

DAY # 27 - Still in Peoria, last full day here.

We spent some time at Becky's office again today.  David was able to come for a bit as well because he had the day off work.

We are going to miss being in the office.....here is Wendy, she sits at the front desk.

And, then there is Toni.

 There is a 'fun' atmosphere in the office while getting lots of work done.

LOVE the wall map.  Reminds us of the MTC world map.

FUN colors.

Becky and David with a view down the hall to the conference room.

Becky did a "Facebook Live" about a new product that she was to introduce to her product line the next day.  Wendy suggested I just POP IN and say Hey to everyone!  I did and it was FUN!!

I LOVE this pink pancake cactus.

In the evening it was time for Claire's crochet lesson.  She did a great job.  Well on her way to making great things!

And, that completes yet one more day.....on to more ADVENTURE!!

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

DAY #26 - Still In Arizona.....

Even though it seemed like a kind of 'kick-back-day' because it was early-out day for the kids, we sure packed a LOT in!!  We noticed our tub was just a little sluggish in the bathroom we were using.  Leave it to grandpa, handy-man that he is, to FIX the problem.  He cleaned not only that drain out but 2 other drains.  It felt SO GOOD and what a great accomplishment that was.  Just like home!!

I went with Becky to take Crew and Claire to the dermatologist to have some warts removed.  Claire really got ZAPPED good!!  Bless her heart.  Crew only had a couple removed.  They were both troopers.

To reward their 'BRAVERY', we felt a treat was in store.  And Becky and I had a treat with them.  Only fair, right!!  At 97 degrees outside, we needed one.

 We have a couple of errands to take care of at Michael's and Joann's.  One of those errands was to let Becky sign her Core Kits.  Done.....

And then it was on to the YARN AISLE.  I am planning to teach Claire how to crochet and we needed to pick out her yarn.

It was on to COSTCO afterward.  Nothing like a FULL CART to feel like the trip was successful.

As we came out into the parking lot, we had this gorgeous sunset waiting for us.  I stopped right in the middle of the road and took this one.

Meanwhile, back at Becky and David's home, it was PUMPKIN FEST TIME as Becky decorated for the fall weather.  Love her pumpkins.  Makes me anxious to get to our home and get our pumpkins out.  I haven't seen ours for more than 2 years so I am not even sure what I have.

Interestingly, as we were decorating we heard a lot of LOUD clapping outside.  Turns out there was a pretty good storm moving through.  First time I have even been in Arizona when it was storming or even raining for that matter.  It was quite nice.  And it rained pretty good.

Another GREAT day on our 36-day road trip.  Still having a GREAT time and loving everything that we are doing.  The adventure continues.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

DAY #25 - At Becky's office again!!!  :-)

As Dad and I were preparing to go to Becky's office again today, we noticed the ATTACK, WATCH DOGS protecting the home......great vantage spot.  They are so funny and cute.

We arrived at the office in time to catch part of their weekly staff meeting.  BOY....is there ever energy in these meetings!  And a LOT going on.  Fun to be a part of.

 Kari, one of Becky's right-hand women (actually ALL of her employees are great and 'right-hand employees' and great assets to her company) had some MACRONS made and brought in just for us.  She is so sweet!!!  Peach cream, coconut-lime and raspberry chocolate flavors.  WOW!!

It was TACO TUESDAY at the office.  They were SO good

We had a FACEBOOK LIVE show today.  Becky was introducing me to the 'audience' before I began my crochet lesson with Race....one of her employees.

And, then it was time for Race to begin his crochet lesson!!!  How fun that was.  He was actually quite a good 'learner'!!

Meanwhile, back in another part of Becky's office, Dad was hard at work finding more of my ancestors on my mothers side of the family.  He has several lines going back to the 1300's BC!!!  A lot of royalty in several lines.  And a LOT of ancestors coming from Wales!!

By the end of the day, we were pretty pooped because we have been going non-stop.  It was time for a PEDICURE for Becky and I.  Much needed.

As we were leaving the pedicure place, I happened to notice a beautiful sunset.  I had been hoping to get a pretty sunset with a cactus in it.  I think I got my wish with this one.

The ADVENTURES continue.....hard to believe it i almost time to head back east.  We will definitely be enjoying the remainder of this week!!!  What a GREAT road trip this continues to be!!

Monday, September 26, 2016

DAY #24 - Still in and around Peoria!!

We basically spent most of the day at Becky's office today.  That was so fun.

There is a revolving TV screen in her main office area.  It was fun to watch those fotos go floating by.  I 'found' a foto of Sister Cottle (Mission President's wife in the Georgia Macon Mission) and myself.  Brought back great memories of our time together.

 Dad was helping Becky with a little project in her personal office.  OR, was Becky helping Dad with a little project.

Race, the only male in the office!!, was helping Wendy, at the front desk 'spot', with a little computer project.  Wendy is holding the afghan that I mad her.

In the evening after dinner and family home evening we had a great time just hanging out and relaxing,  'Solving' all of the political problems of the world....or NOT!!  

Glad that OREO decided he liked me enough to hang out with me.

And.....thus, ended yet another day of our 36-day road trip.  On to more adventure tomorrow!!!  We are starting to realize that our time is on the down-hill slippery slope!  :-(

Sunday, September 25, 2016

DAY #23 - Around Peoria today.....the adventure continues.

We went to Becky and David's Ward today.  It was Fast Sunday for them because of General Conference next weekend.  As always, dad and I sing in Finnish (when the hymns are in the Finnish Hymnbook.

Becky decided to take a foto of our Finnish Hymnbook that we have used for the past 8 years.....from 2008 to present and beyond.  A well used and loved book.

We attended a brand new FAMILY HISTORY CLASS in Becky and David's ward after Sacrament Meeting.  It is one of 20 stakes throughout the church doing this particular pilot program.  It proved to very helpful.  

All 'students' basically had a one-on-one teacher to directly help with their family search.  Here is the former Bishop helping Becky with our family lines.

As it turned out, we were able to trace our ancestry back to 630 B.C. on one of MY MOTHERS lines!!!!  WOW....and we have royalty in that line.  So, basically I can now be officially called 'QUEEN VICTORIA"!!

When we got home from church, the kids went right into action....building forts.  Look familiar?!

While the BIG PEOPLE went into action fixing food.....coleslaw and cornbread for dad and I and baked beans and brisket for Becky and David.

After lunch, it was NAP time.  Then more baking......homemade granola and chocolate chip cookies.

The cookies were shared with a number of people.  Including home teaching families David was making visits to tonight!

 And....so the adventure continues.  There is NO lack for activities and excitement and adventure for us every where we go on this 2016 road trip!!