Catching Up . . . . . .

Wow - It's been awhile since I've blogged... so I'll try some catch up on what's been happening in our lives since I last posted in August....

In November, we went to Manhattan Kansas and spent Thanksgiving with Katie, Braum and their 4. I got a special treat and they took me to the Wizard of Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas. I LOVE the Wizard of Oz - it's my all time-favorite movie.... Here's a picture of us with the Tin Man..

(I am so thankful my children love to take pictures... they all do such a good job and I just use theirs to fill my blog)

The end of October brought us to our annual Halloween party with the grandkids. Grandpa spends all day decorating the garage in a spook alley. We had 15 of the grandkids come in their costumes for the sleepover, the ages were from 11 to 2 years old. We ate worms and witches fingers (macaroni & cheese with lil' smokies) along with bubbling witches blood (red lemonade & dry ice) for our drink. The kids did a craft page --- ate donuts from a string, played halloween bingo and a variation of a musical chair game. The older ones played "hide & go seek" in the dark downstairs, while we watched a movie with the younger ones upstairs. About 10:00 - we settled down to watch "Spiderwick Chronicles" - 15 little ones in their sleeping bags along with Gramere/ma spread out on the floor in the big room. Grandpa gets to sleep downstairs in our bed because he SNORES.

October 17th, Amber (Victor's 3rd daughter) married her Prince Charming - Kirk Hamilton. They married in the backyard of Kirk's home (now theirs). So we've added a new son-in-law and our 22nd granddaughter - Kylee Hamilton. Kylee is 11 years old and we are so blessed to add them both to our family. Kobe and Kali are excited to have Kirk in their and their mom's life and a new step-sister.

A weekend in October we went up east of Bountiful with Mike/Jess and Brian/Maeg to take some pictures. Here are a few of them...

The last weekend in September we went with Justin (Victor's oldest), Laura and our 3 grandsons, Jaxsen, Teagen and Brock to celebrate Brock's 6th birthday in Disneyland. We had a great time. We drove straight thru and stayed at StayBridge Suites in Anaheim (would HIGHLY recommend this place). We were about 1 mile away from Disneyland and we bought a 3 day shuttle pass from the hotel (it was cheaper than paying parking at Disneyland). We got Victor to go on "Tower of Terror", but couldn't get him to do the "Screamer" at California Adventure. Disneyland was decorated for Halloween, pumpkins shaped as the characters and the fireworks and the Haunted Mansion had a Jack Skellington theme. We stayed for 3 days and rode lots of the rides and had a grand time with the Layton's. It was so good to spend some one-on-one time with just one of our families. We created some fun memories.

September Labor Day weekend, we flew to Denver to visit my mom, brother and his family along with my little sister and her family. When I got off the airplane I had to make a beeline for the bathroom... came out of my stall and stopped dead in my tracks...... My sister from Mississippi had flown in to surprise us all. She was hiding as we got off the plane and followed me in the bathroom. I was shocked... just stood there with my hand over my mouth and crying.. It was so good to see her and my other siblings. We had a good visit with my Mom and helped her go thru her finances/belongings to give her some peace of mind. Here's a pic of the 4 of us with Mom at the bbq at my little sisters house.

We had a new granddaughter on August 27, 2009. She is the 3rd child of Karly and Brandon Jessop. She looks like her brother Karson and sister Brecklyn combined. She is our 21st grandbaby.

Our new Hobby - Biking

About 6 weeks ago Victor talked about getting some bikes. I wasn't very crazy about it, thinking would we spend the money on this and then they sit in the garage and gather dust??? This is something Victor really wanted to do, so 4 weeks ago we bought our bikes from WalMart. Schwin "Comfort" bikes. Not road bikes or mountain bikes -- an inbetween type. Bigger seats and 21 gears. Victor got a sleek silver one and mine is light blue..... and BOY have we had fun. As always Victor was right and it was a great investment.. I've actually wanted to get out and ride every opportunity we have. It's some great exercise.

We've gone on the bike trails on Legacy, down in Syracuse (we call it the Bluff Trail) and the Clearfield trail, just 1/2 mile from the house. On Saturday's we've asked my boys (Mike/Brian) and their families to join us. Each of the boys have bike trailers and haul the little ones.

It's been a lot of fun. Those little guys (Truman, Dallin, Lincoln and Jenna) have biked 5 and 6 miles trips. We do lots of water breaks and we all have a BLAST.

On FaceBook, I posted that Victor and I did 48 miles last week in 4 trips. Yea for Victor for getting the bikes. I might not get skinny doing this, but my heart has to be getting healthier. If you want to join us during the week, let me know.... we've gone a couple of times with Wendy from across the street.

These pictures are from the "Bluff Trail".

August 09 Camping Trip

Victor's 4 girls and their families came up for our annual camping trip to Smith Morehouse.

Karly his oldest daughter is 8 months and 1 week pregnant with our 21st grandchild... she was a trooper and slept in a tent for 2 nights.

It was COLD! (who would have figured the 2nd weekend in August). On Sunday morning we woke up to ice on top of the water we had left in a bucket. We did our annual tye-dye shirts... as you can see we're getting pretty good at it. We also did our adventure of "Night of the Museum-Smithsonian". The guys (Brandon, Ryan, Kirk) played the Easter Idol, The Thinker, and Jedidiah Smith - also the attacking cavemen. The girls helped set up the shop for the kids to buy their wares and then the girls helped "hide the treasures" for the kids to find. Each of the kids bought a picture book so they knew what to look for in the woods.. We had a great time, despite the cold.

Girls Camp July 09 - Not 1 but "2"

I was asked to be the Camp Director for this year's Suntrails Ward Girls Camp. The theme was "Survivor" ~ the First day we talked about Temples, Second day was Virtue and the Third day was about being Treasured Daughters of God. The spirit there was unbelievable and such a good camp.....
We drive to Lake Lyman (about 2 1/2 hour drive from Layton). The camp is in the Uintahs and we drive up thru Wyoming and then back around to Utah. The drive takes us on 17 miles of dirt roads. On the way up I got a flat tire in Victor's truck.... the assistant camp director and 3 girls (all Beehives) got out of the truck and waved a passerby down. He changed our tire and we were back on the road within about 15 minutes.... truly we were blessed. We carried the flat tire with us up to camp (13 more miles). At camp the brethern advised me to wait until we left, get the tire fixed in Evanston.
Well we left Friday morning after an awesome camp.... 3 miles away from camp - BAM! Another flat tire. We had so much help... the Bishop of our ward sat with Victor's truck for 2 1/2 hours while I was taken to the nearest town (about an hour away) by the 1st Counselor in the Stake Presidency and his wife. The first tire was unrepairable (good thing I didn't travel back to get it fixed). 2nd tire fixed, drive back to the truck and we were on our way. The Bishop, Assistant Camp Director and I headed back home..... Not sure what the Lord was trying to tell us, but we arrived safe there and safely home again. Victor bought 4 new tires when we came home. Now that it's over, it is just unbelievable - 2 flat tires. By the way, those tires only had 40,000 miles on them .... and the tread was pretty decent....
Again, I am so thankful for the experience of being a part of Girls Camp this year.

June Camping Trip.......

My daughter Katie and her husband Braum and their 4 visited from Kansas the last week in June. We did our annual camping trip up Ogden Canyon and stayed at the "Botts" camping area. We did our usual tye-dye shirts (see the pic).... and Grandpa and I did our annual "Adventure"... We learned a couple of new games "MugShot" and throwing a frisbee to knock off bottles on a large pole. As you see we are a LARGE group. My three and their spouses, and 13 grandchildren ranging from 11 to 3 months.

Grandpa and I did a "Night of the Museum Smithsonian" adventure. Teddy Roosevelt and Sacajawea came to help the kids find the lost animals and bring them back to the museum. We met the Easter Idol (Hey DumDum give me gum gum) and The Thinker and Jedidiah Smith helped the kids find the missing items. We were also attacked by Cave Men with marshmellow shooters.

We had a great time.... the weather was great. We just love these family outings and making such awesome memories. Thanks for the good times.....

DisneyWorld, Orlando and Tampa Florida

Victor and I were invited by my daughter, Katie and husband Braum and our 4 grandchildren to go on a vacation with them to DisneyWorld. We were joined by Braum's parents and his sister and husband. There were 8 adults and 4 children (11 to 3 yrs old). We rented a 6 bedroom home and had a BLAST!!! 5 days in 4 parks and a visit to Tampa to Clearwater Beach for the day. Carla (Braum's mom) celebrated her 60th birthday with us. We walked and walked and ate and ate - isn't that what a vacation is all about =} We sure did enjoy our time with our grandkids we don't see very often. Rylie, Brooke, Ashlynn and Cade - thanks for a wonderful time, we love you very much. Thanks Katie and Braum for inviting us.... we loved being with you and making memories with your family. We always have a good time with John and Carla (Braum's folks) and it was a great time having Tami (Braum's sister) and Glen join us. We're just waiting for the next adventure.

April 16th - Merry Christmas

Today I left home at 5:50 a.m. driving to work in American Fork. The roads were dry, and no snow on the grass. The drive was pretty normal, until I got to the Point of the Mountain.... then it got foggy, misty and water on the road. Farther south I got the wetter the road was, hydroplaning in some places. I take exit 276 and see some snow - wow - there is a LOT of snow here. As I pull into the office parking lot there are 5 to 6 inches of snow and it looks like Christmas with the snow on the trees. Here is what I see out my window (I probably should have walked outside to take these - but what a beautiful sight). These were taken with my camera phone, so not the best of pics.... but you get the idea =}

Dead Battery . . . . . .

This morning I went to my car at 5:40 a.m. to drive to American Fork (my new office) and my battery was dead... The drivers door was not shut tightly and it drained my battery. Victor had already left for the train, so I was stuck.
I was heading out early, because the weather was so nasty and the news mentioned BAD roads to and from Salt Lake City. - ice and slideoffs
I called Victor and he said I could try the battery charger, but it was buried deep in the back of the garage and I probably wouldn't be able to find it. I found it - got the hood up and connected the battery (another call to Victor to make sure I was doing it right).
Then inside, signed on to access my work computer and worked for about an hour. Walked out and the car started right up.
On the way to work I listened to President Eyerings 2007 Conference Talk about having God's hand in our lives. He spoke of how he wrote each day a thought about how God had a hand in his life that day. It was a great talk.
I started thinking about my morning..... hm - bad weather and I drive fast - If I had left on time, would I have gotten in an accident? Was God's hand in my life and caused my battery to be dead... Victor said I'd have a hard time finding the battery charger - it took me 2 seconds, moved a paint can and it was right there. Hooked up the charger without any problems (and I haven't done that too many times in my life). Then when the battery was charged, the sun was out - the traffic was SLOW, so I was forced to drive carefully.
As I listened to the talk and thought about God's hand in my life - I KNOW without a doubt that God blessed me this morning and kept me safe because I had a dead battery - and I am very greatful for that and His help.
We should all take the time to remember how God's hand is in our lives each and every day. I am very thankful for all those times.

Welcome Reagan Eleanor Duryea

Here she is ~ our 20th grandchild (10th granddaughter) She was born on March 21, 2009, 7 lbs and 7 oz. 19 1/2 inches long born at 6:49 in the evening. I was able to be there for the birth.... her mom and dad had no idea if she was a boy or girl..... The doctor pulled her out, kept her legs together and then turned to Daddy and said, okay, you get the first look ~~~~ She is the 5th child of my son Brian and his wife Maegan..... Lincoln, Truman, Jefferson, McKinley and now Reagan.. you can see why we call them the Presidents.
Congrats to mom and dad and all the Presidents.

Disney On Ice March 14, 2009

We took 14 of the grandkids to Disney on Ice. We rode the Front Runner, picking most of them up in Clearfield. At the Wood Cross Stop we gathered Lincoln, Truman and Jefferson (the Presidents). Kaitlyn, Dallin, Jenna, Allie, Teagen, Brock, Karson, Brecklyn, Kobe, Kali, and Kylee also came along. We did the show, went to Galavan Center and walked around. The kids and I walked thru the water fountain display and tried not to get wet. Kobe and I got the wettest... off to McDonald's and then about 6 trips on the escalators.... a quick bus ride and back to the Front Runner Train station to take us all home. We had a great trip ~ I decided I get depressed as the day is done - it's called Grandchildren Withdrawal..... I really do miss being with them. thanks to all the parents for sharing their wee ones with us. Grandpa and I truly do enjoy our trips with them. Here's a couple of pictures. (Barton's we missed you so much - we'll make up for it in DisneyWorld). Jaxsen decided that this year he was a little too old to join us (who can blame him, he's 13 1/2 now) and McKinley was just too young... (maybe next year). Love you all













See Grandpa at the last squatting down.
We got compliments from the Energy Solutions staff for having such good children and being so organized in keeping them together... =}

Video - Thanksgiving

I just found this video we took at Thanksgiving in Denver. - We were at Heritage Square in Golden, Colorado. This is the Barton's and Duryea's singing Miss Mary Mack =}

NEUSCHWANSTEIN - Castle in Germany

I was sent this picture and it brought back memories. Victor and I visited Germany about 11 years ago to visit with my daughter Katie, Braum and their new baby girl Rylie. We were able to visit this castle. The one that Walt Disney modeled the castle in Disneyland after. It was just AMAZING inside.

The construction of the castle was carried out according to a well thought-out plan. The castle was equipped with all kinds of technical conveniences which were very modern, if not to say revolutionary at that time. Running water on all floors. The spring which supplied the castle with excellent drinking water was located 200 meters above the castle. There were toilets equipped with automatic flushing on every floor. A warm air heating system for the entire building. A hot water system for the kitchen and the bath.

Begun in 1869 and left unfinished at Louis's death in 1886, the castle is the embodiment of 19th century romanticism. In a fantastical imitation of a medieval castle, Neuschwanstein is set with towers and spires.

This is a picture of the bedroom. It took 4 1/2 years for 14 woodcarvers to create the room.

We had a fantastic time in Germany and saw many many sites. One day Victor and I "WILL" take another tour of Germany and Italy. --- That's our dream vacation.