Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Start of a Wild Wonderful Week








Our week started with a trip to the temple, which is the best start ever.  The boys and families were here.  It was so good of Mike and Gwen to drive over for the weekend.  That night we had a surprise birthday party for Madeline.  Sunday Ed and I spoke at church and Madeline and Ella played "Beautiful Savior" on their violin.  After a short visit with friends we headed for Midway.  We packed lunches and stopped on the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs.

Day with Debbie



The week before our family reunion Debbie Nelson, Darlene's mom came to Colorado.  We went to breakfast in Lewisville and then to the Butterfly Pavillion with Will.

Mountains and Marshal



A fun few days with Darlene's Dad who came to ride the rockies with Greg and Ed.  A cool crisp day coming down Vail pass experiencing Colorado at its best, wolves and all.....  Darlene and I met them for lunch, the best part, in Breckenridge.   Actually the best part was Marshal's concert and Will's dancing.

Fun with Friends








We enjoyed time with friends between getting ready to leave again for three years and being tutored in Spanish.  We enjoyed an afternoon with the Nays at Midway and then my friends had a birthday party for me even though it was not my birthday yet and may I remind you birthdays aren't really so fun anymore because it means one more year....but I enjoyed thoughtful kind friends.

Sunday Will Never Be the Same




Coming home from a mission, away from family for a year, and now having some of them living in the area so we can have Sunday dinners together was a blessing from heaven.  Tom, Ashley and Afton  and Greg, Darlene and Will would come for the afternoons when they were in town.  What a fun time we had together and I enjoyed cooking for a family again.

Weekend to Remember in Rexburg!


Although we had made a visit earlier in February to Rexburg to met Edmond Tsukasa Swapp who was born on January 23, 2012, this trip was for two very special events.  Lance's graduation ceremony from BYU-I and Edmond was given a name and a blessing the following day, Sunday.  Both were events to make a mom and dad proud or grandma and grandpa for that matter.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

March Madness 2012'




You might have thought March Madness was basketball but, no, it is a fun five days with Jenn and Ryan's children while they enjoyed a trip to Canada.  We always love the time we spend with Madeline, Ella, Max and Sam.  They keep things moving every minute.  Swings, bike rides, jump rope, baseball, gardening,  violin, puzzles, play house,  dress-ups, and stories.  We got their on St. Patrick's day and Ella and Madeline had built and ingenious trap to catch a Leprechaun including a sign with an arrow so the Leprechaun would be sure to go the right way to get caught.  Animated Ella was sure it would work as she showed us how it all functioned.

Afton Nicole Swapp

Tom and Ashley had a long awaited for and much anticipated bundle of joy come into their lives on December 20, 2011.  She didn't wait for us to get home from our mission but was their waiting for us when we got back on the 17th (to Colorado) of January.  Girls and their daintiness from birth never ceases to amaze.  Especially a grandmother that had four sons and no little daughters to raise.