Time to return Home

I guess a good vacation is one where you wish you could stay longer.  This was definitely the case for us. We enjoyed the ocean so much.  It always feels so relaxing.  We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast on the beach before we left and Ella took lots of pictures.....lots of birds, seaweed, footprints, etc.

It was cold at home!  We went to an Ice Castle exhibit in Midway, UT with some of my family members. We couldn't get right in because The Piano Guys were doing a filming session.....turns out they were doing a song from "Frozen".  I think they should have done an impromptu concert for all those who were waiting....but no, we saw it on Youtube.

Newport Beach Day 3

We had the best weather today.  We started out the day with a time-share presentation....in order to get the great deal......and Ella got to attend a kids zone area. She enjoyed every minute of it.  

The main highlight of our day was a whale watching trip.  A friend of mine from work found some coupons for us and we had a wonderful time.

It took awhile to find the whales, but it was so fun.  We saw lots of birds and sea lions too. I was so busy watching the whales that I forgot to zoom in, but you can still see the proof.

We were told about a "must eat at" place....Ruby's....a hamburger place...from some friends at home.  It was right at the same pier where we went on our whale trip.  It also just happened to be their 31st year anniversary so their traditional combo meal was $3.10.  It was located right at the end of the pier and the view was beautiful.

I don't think I will ever tire of watching a sunset.

Byron got really good at taking selfies on this trip.  3 really is a magic number!!

I LOVE this picture so much!!!

We were running out of daylight and Ella still wanted to play at the beach.  One of the waves caught up to her and surprised her.  She was hoping to out run it......but got wet!

 Our Favorite Things Today

Byron--Whale Watching Trip

Lisa--Whale Watching Trip and the Sunset

Ella--Making 8 crafts at the Kid's Club, Whale Watching, and Watching TV from the bathtub in the hotel

Thankful

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had beautiful weather.  We enjoyed dinner at my parents house with some of my siblings.  I am a self-conscious cook, and I get nervous about bringing food items.  This year I did ok.  The 2 items I brought.....a raspberry salad and a cream cheese pie were very well received.  I love watching Ella play with her cousins.  She loves them all and misses the girl cousins A LOT! 

Ella and Avee

Ella and Megan 

I also enjoyed some Black Friday shopping with my brother, sister and 2 of my "other" sisters!  We were doing some Christmas Service shopping which made it even more fun to do.  I'm not a big shopper, but I must say I enjoy spending time with my family and watching some of the real shoppers in action! 

My parents arranged for a local "Polar Express" train ride.  It was fun.  I love how Ella tells Santa that she just wants a surprise.  He told her a couple of years ago that, "I can always bring you a surprise.  I am the BEST at surprises!"  We will see how long that lasts.

Ella and Megan---waiting for the train.

I am particularly thankful this year for my parents and my siblings and their spouses.  I can honestly say that I admire every one of them.  I appreciate them and I enjoy spending time with them and miss the ones I don't see as often as I would like.  They are talented and very supportive and even though some of us are miles apart I enjoy the calls, emails, blog updates, text messages.....all of it.  Thank you to all of you for making such a positive difference in my life.

Auntie Allison's Visit

I got called off from work this morning and so it is like having a free day to do things that I hadn't planned on doing.....so along with many loads of laundry...I'll update our blog.

Byron's sister, Allison...known as "Auntie" came to visit us for a week.  Her plans included going along with us and doing whatever we do...sort of like "A Week in the Life of the McMurtrey's".  She did want to upgrade her phone, take a trip to King's English and eat at a few of her favorite places.  The visit went well and Allison was entertained by observing the life of a 7 yo girl and the drama that can accompany any given day or week!  Ella was in school for Allison's visit, which was actually good because then Allison got a little bit of adult time, otherwise Ella wanted Allison's complete attention.  It was nice to have a different adult to do homework and other day to day tasks with Ella.

After picking Allison up from the airport, we were able to pick Ella up from tumbling just in time to see her do a few of her tumbling moves.  Allison joined me for several morning walks through Daybreak.  I enjoy all of the paved trails throughout the area.  My dream is to go on a family bike ride around Daybreak Lake.  I'm sure it will come true, but I just don't know when.....encouraging a little girl to ride a bike is more of a challenge than I thought it would be.  We did get Allison's phone upgraded and upgrade she did!!  Her phone can do absolutely anything...except cook meals!  

  

Ella had a Fun Run as a fundraiser for her school.  I think it is the best idea for a fundraiser.  The students ask for donations of any amount which go directly to the school....then on the given day the students see how far they can walk or run in 15 minutes.  It was all organized very well.  You can buy food and even participate in a silent auction.  Munchkin Radio was there to DJ the event and give away prizes.  I was elected to run with Ella while Allison and Byron cheered us on!!  I thought oh no big deal, she will walk most of the time.....well I underestimated her by a lot.  We ran most of the time...and I really don't enjoy running. Earlier in the day it rained quite a bit, but the skies cleared and the event went on....notice the beautiful rainbow in the background.  I think Ella's school earned $20,000 for this event!!

Allison helped me can lots of pears and peaches while she was here.  I think we ended up with a total of 48 jars.  My mom was worried that the canning would inhibit any fun plans, but it didn't.  We made a trip to Ruby Snap...Allison's favorite cookie store in downtown SLC.  I was impressed with their large samples and yes, their cookies are very good.  We went to a favorite local bookstore, King's English and got there just at the perfect time. The author and illustrator of, "A Sick Day for Amos" were there to do a reading and signing.  It was perfect and we didn't even plan it!  It is one of our favorite picture books.....we could never choose just one favorite. Byron especially loves the turtle in this book.

It was fun to ask them questions about their books.  They are both so very nice!  We all love this bookstore so much.  Check this book out and enjoy the story as well as the beautiful artwork.  We went to "Mazza"--a Mediterranean (I think) restaurant next door. Allison has a way of getting me out of my food comfort zone. It was good.

Byron's parents joined us for a few days as well.  The main thing Ella wanted to do was have breakfast at Black Bear Diner...."with my whole family together".  Well, she got her wish.  Ella did her responsibilities quickly Saturday morning and off we went.  Black Bear Diner has really good fresh orange juice.  They serve all kinds of food, but their breakfast food is our favorite...we actually haven't had anything else there. Everyone enjoyed themselves so much and I wish I could freeze and preserve the look on Ella's face.  She was so very happy.  

I didn't take a picture of the event, but Ella drew one...Grandpa and Grandma McMurtrey and Ella eating breakfast.

Since she drew a picture of Byron's side of the family, she felt she needed to be fair to my parents.  This is a picture of Grandpa Wright driving the 4 wheeler with Ella behind (one of Ella's favorite things to do)....and then Grandma watching from a distance.

We made a great Garden Vegetable Soup during Auntie's stay....with most of the items either coming from our garden or my parents.  The week ended with lunch at Cafe Shambala (Tibetan restaurant) which I really did like and a quick visit to the Natural History Museum of Utah.  We also made a stop at the local Liquor Store......why you ask????? well, they have the very best divided boxes to store bottled food.  I learned that from my parents many years ago and remembered it during Allison's stay.  Since we had canned so much, I really needed some.  It worked out perfectly.

Ella enjoyed the visit very much and was a bit sad for the week to end.  It provided me the opportunity to teach her to say, "See you later" instead of "Good-bye".  Thank you, Auntie for the visit oh....and Happy, Happy Birthday to you today!  October birthdays are the BEST!!!

Summer Fun

We have kept very busy this summer.  Ella and I went boating (compliments of my sister, Sara and Jason).  I didn't get any good pictures.  Ella got up on the knee board and did great.  I was really proud of her.  I tried it out and lets just say.....Ella is better than me.  I did get up but not for long and my arms were sore for days.

We went camping at Palisade Lake State Park...near Manti.  It is one of our favorite places.  They have a lake for swimming, a playground, room for biking, golf, some hiking and lots of fun.  Our neighbors joined us and we had a great time.  It just happened that we left on Byron's birthday.  Happy Birthday Byron!  We celebrated the night before with some take out Buffalo Wings....one of Byron's favorite foods.  We stopped on our way to our campsite in Mt Pleasant at a local grocery store that has a great bakery....Terrel's...in it.  The eclairs are fantastic!!

Our neighbors joined us.  It was really fun....cast and all!

Ella and Raegan

Ella, Raegan and Ross

Only a daughter can get her Dad to join in some swimming...well it was hot too and that helped.

Then a downpour came and our friends needed a battery jump start so that we could go to have pizza.

Warm, dry and awaiting food that we didn't have to cook in the rain!  We returned and the night was cooler and all of our stuff was dry........thanks to that Spring Bar tent we bought over 20 years ago!....that was an excellent purchase.

We saw a local community theatre production of "Peter Pan".  It was very well done with flying and everthing that goes with it. 

Ella with "Tiger Lily".  Ella said she wants to be an Indian for Halloween......the next day she said she wants to be a ballerina.  We'll see....still months away.

I saw "Footloose" this summer as well.  It was excellent and so much fun to watch people I know too!

We also saw "Fiddler on the Roof".  Our friend, Layne, was Tevye.  He was excellent!!  We thought we had prepped Ella well enough.  We talked about the story and listened to the songs.  She really enjoyed the 1st half of the show.  We forgot about how the 2nd half would look to a 7 year old......third daughter leaving "the papa" without full reconciliation and then the family forced to leave their home.  Ella was sitting in between Byron and I.  Near the end I look over and there are great big tears just streaming down Ella's face and she has her arm wrapped around Byron's arm.  She whispers...."you didn't tell me it would be so sad".  I felt so bad.  I see the play ending with a lot of hope for a better future, but that is hard for a 7 year old to completly recognize.  Byron did a great job afterward talking her through the play with comparisons to other stories she has heard and experiences we have read about together.  There are lots of them from the scriptures, our country's past, and our religious history as well.  She felt better and has been singing the songs most every day ever since.  Let's hope her experience at the Utah Shakespeare Festival goes a bit smoother.

We've been to Seven Peaks a couple of times.  Ella has taken some more swimming lessons.

The best part about Pioneer Day is the Float Preview which is held every year at the Sandy Expo Center.  I love viewing the floats up close in an air conditioned environment.  You might even get a chance to listen to a marching band.  I still have hopes of one day actually attending the parade, but until my parade going sister is here from Texas......I'll just have to wait.

Ella's favorite was a music float.  They had a table of instruments that you could play.

I had 2 favorites....this is the one that actually got the people's choice award.  They gave out "I Spy" cards to find things on the float.

This was my other favorite....from Riverton!!  The ark went back and forth and the animals were very cool.  This one also had a "Seek and Find" activity to go along with it.  I highly recommend attending the Days of '47 Float Preview.

Pioneer Day itself was spent making Apricot Jelly, Jam and Syrup.  In the taste test, the syrup won by far!!  It is really good.  I also made Dill Pickles.  I have helped my Mom do them before, but this time she helped me.  My goal this year was to be able to make pickles independently and think I achieved it.  I recently found out that my Mom prefers store bought pickles.  All these years she has sacrificed her time and lots of energy for us.  Thanks so much Mom.....we don't like store bought pickles.  All in all we canned 108 jars that day with more canning to go!! 

Ella, my Dad and Darren juicing apricots.  This project is only to be done outside.....it is messy!

Grandpa asked Darren and Ella to pick some tomatoes.  They got distracted in the nearby mud puddle.  I'm not sure the tomatoes got picked, but they had fun!

Chalk Art Festival

In June, Ella and I went to the Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway.  The proceeds benefit the Utah Foster Care Foundation.  It is the first time I have been and it was excellent.  It was a warm day and the fountains were enjoyed.  I took lots of photos of the art to show Byron....who needed some "rest and relaxation" for Father's Day.  He dislikes crowds and the heat.  I was amazed at the talent.  It was a fun, family friendly activity.  We came away with some prizes...a T-shirt for Ella and a chapstick holder for me!  I have been looking for one of those for many months....I was so happy!!

Ella doing some of her own chalk art.

This was one of many of my favorites.

This was Ella's favorite.

And then just some other favorites.