SEA WORLD

Just enjoy  the pictures. We enjoyed the day and these are just a few of the sites we saw.  These birds were my favorite.  Lee bought tickets into the back areas.  We were able to see the baby sharks and learn about the shark eggs they were breeding.  Fascinating.

These seals were brought in to be protected because of their injuries in the wild.  Since my heart goes out to animals of all kinds, I loved this part of the tour.  I should have been a vet. No, that means treating the injured and I couldn't handle that.  Maybe I should run an adoption farm for greyhounds.  That would be just the right thing for me. (But then I would never want to adopt them out.)



I tried to find just a visor.  Instead I had to buy the hat that all the little old women wear, the hat with the huge front brim. Oh, wait, Lee says I am an old woman. Dang!!!
Below is an old walrus but I enjoyed watching the bird that moved along his back feeding off whatever he could find.
This was about 2:00 in the afternoon and we were pooped.  I asked Lee if we really had to go to the dolphin show.  He said yes.  It was at the end of the day and we just went in and sat on the 4th row.  The announcer kept saying "don't sit in the first 6-8 rows or you'll end  up getting soaked."  I didn't care, I was too tired to move. Lee kept at me though and finally I said, "Fine, lets move!!!"  Those people who sat in our old seats were soaked.  Sometimes I'm grateful for Lee.  We headed back to the Marriott and dinner at Miguels'

I want you all to know that we don't have a Mexican restaurant that compares to Miguels'.  Their food was incredible. I always have a chile relleno because it is easy for me to eat.  It was wonderful and the flan!!! To say the least we did dinner there 2/3 nights.  It is worth going back to Point Loma for a repeat.

A NEW ADVENTURE

This early man site  is just outside of Yermo.  My father insisted we visit this site after he read an article about it in the National Geographic.  Early man would trek  from up in Alaska and travel down through this area.  How this was discovered was through a dig and what took place here was a stopping off point where tools were made.  It wasn't the tools that were found but the shavings that were left.  When I saw this for the first time, the dig was marked off into squares with string and each square was numbered.  It was interesting to us as a family. (abt. 1956)

As time went on the dig was made deeper and buildings were put up to house what was found.  The grids were now several feet deep and there was at least one more site being dug. (1970) I drove there this time with Richard, Shirley and friend Darold.
This time I sweetly encouraged Lee to stop by the dig to see what was going on.  The place looked like a ruin itself.  It doesn't look like anyone is digging although it was a Sunday.  There was a path of sorts that we followed up to the digs but the museum wasn't open even though the sign indicated that it should be.  After this disappointment, we didn't even go up to Calico. At one time Knotsberry Farm took it over as a park, but by all indications they must have sold it because it also was in a state of disrepair.

We headed on to San Diego and found a Marriott that charged an arm and a leg. We had gotten lost again so as it got dark and we were discouraged and growling at each other.  We took the palatial Marriott room that even had a balcony to sit on.  We were tired.

Las Vegas Temple

We had decided to go to at least one of the temples while we were out of state and this one seemed appropriate at the time. It is a beautiful temple in a quiet neighborhood. It was a small quiet session that left us with a peaceful, sweet feeling.The celestial room is one of the most beautiful that I have seen, almost silver and cut glass in appearance.
The couple above have just been married. What a difference it was to the one we saw on the strip. A harmonious beginning for this sweet couple.

After returning to our hotel to change, we headed to Boulder City to see the Hoover Dam. It was a dam ride to get there. Boulder was a small city but one that was well groomed and taken care of. You could tell that people enjoyed living there. The dam was about 10 minutes outside the city. If you have never been there or heard the history, you are in for a treat. The dam was a project developed under the guidance of Pres. Hoover. The Colorado River was always flooding in the spring and places like Yuma, AZ were constantly being inundated with water. Many deaths were attributed to this flooding.

To me this dam could be one of the wonders of the world. I went with may parents in the early 50's and took the tour with my family. I was so frightened by the immensity of this work that I vowed never to return. Lee was a lucky man because I gave in to his big desire to see this dam. I was blown away at the greatness of this place. It was amazing to hear how they diverted this great river so they could dig down to the bedrock. This statistics were incredible. The cement itself was poured into great blocks and had to dry before others were added to the top. A system of cooling tubes were invented so the drying took only a few days. INCREDIBLE!
A new road is being built that will replace the old one and a new bridge (itself a modern wonder as can be seen in this photo) is being built across the gorge so that traffic doesn't have to cross the dam. The angular piece under the bridge is the beginning of the arch that will support the road. The arch is being built on both sides and will meet in the middle. Truly, a marvelous feat of engineering. Someone told me that bridges with cables like the Golden Gate aren't made any more.

We headed back to our hotel for one more night. It is really getting easier to get around Henderson now. Cute city.

DAY 2 LAS VEGAS

You knew this had to happen!!  These little buddies just made my mouth water but I didn't indulge.  Instead I bought them as a Christmas ornament.  Following are some of the pictures we took as we walked along the strip.  These pics allow you to see what the strip is all about.

All along the street there were clusters of young men and women flicking there ads to make a noise to get you to notice them.  This is a job that to me indicates how low some individuals have to go to make ends meet.  They sure didn't seem unhappy about what they were doing.
Another thing often seen in Vegas are the numerous weddings taking place.  This one seemed quite sophisticated.
I felt like we were back in Thailand at the outdoor markets.  No bartering here!!
At last, what we came for.  Donnie and Marie put on an incredible show.  They still had a lot of energy and humor.  In the end Marie challenged Donnie to a dance competition.  For an old man he kept up with her quite easily.

The room is painted.  Notice the little water color brush Lee had to use to fix some spots.  Its done and we are using it as a sitting/TV/reading/quiet room for ourselves.

Button was taken  
to be boarded and we are off to Las Vegas.  The music is in and off we go singing with the Platters. We reached Las Vegas about 3:00 and

 then had to wind our way around to Henderson where our hotel was.  You'd think that would be easy but no it took us many, many, many, many minutes to just find the right freeway but by dinner time we were settled.  

This is a picture of a new quilt I bought.  It should be pretty easy to put together and have ready for a Spring birthday.

I am going to talk about our trip in shifts because I have such a hard time dealing with the pictures still.  So one day at a time.  Love to all.

HONESTY

I consider myself to be an honest and upstanding person.  Therefore, I expect the same from others.  I learned my lesson!!  When I bought tickets  online for a Vegas show, I went to TICKETSNOW.com and bought tickets for Donnie and Marie at almost $200.00 each.  That's what I get for not doing my homework first.  I was so excited when I thought of this idea for Lee's birthday, I took the first ones available.  When I arrived at the Flamingo that night I checked with ticket info to see why they sold such expensive tickets.  They were surprised as well to see the high price.  I evidently didn't get them through the Flamingo but through a ticket broker who allows people to sell tickets at any price they want.  Lesson learned?  Do your homework first!!  I really was taken for a ride but it was my own fault.

Apartment Living?

Finally, Dallin has moved into a place he can call home.  He moved into an apartment building uptown.  It was once called "Mahdeen".  The name is written in the tile work in the entry.  The apartment is 3 flights up on the 2nd floor.  Caeden and Zach came to help their Uncle, along with Dad, and Papa.  The box holds IKEA furniture.  We left before they started putting them together.  It was better for all concerned.  We heard later that we were right.  





Above is the entrance.  Ryan, Dall and Andrew are trying to hoist this huge TV up 3 flights.  They finally figured out that the dolly would help.
The apartment has these beautiful refinished hardwood floors.  In the pic below we see a small area where you might fit a table (but don't go out and buy one).  Notice also the pull down ironing board.  In the kitchen are 2 cupboards with glass windows.  I don't know if they are supposed to be for dishes, pantry items, or nic-nacs.

Andrew giving it a rest after all the hauling.  Notice large pic against the wall.  This used to hang over my stairs.  We both have part ownership in it like 80/20.  Mines the 80.

THE KITCHEN (need I say more?)

The bedroom holds his bed.  They need to measure to see if there is enough room for a dresser.  The bathroom has fairly new fixtures but the floor is in that small, white, hexagon tile.  I hope Dall is happy here.  It's a cute batchelor (sp) apartment.  It has lots of windows.  The whole place reminds me of my grandmother's home in South Salt Lake. Congrats Dall

Miss Mary

Mary, it's finished.  I made a different pattern from the one you saw.  This is bigger and more

book friendly.  The far pic shows the fabric on the inside.  These prints and colors are beautiful.

I hope you like it.  I have finished another one and hope to have a few more done for Christmas.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

Ohhhh! who do we have here?  Snow White's evil step mother (Ruth) and the witch that she turned into. (Terri)  We had an amazing Halloween Party for our Primary put on by the young women in our ward.  Thank you

Halloween night has traditionally been at Andrew and Lori's home because they live in a small circle where they all know each other.  It is easy for the kids to get around the circle to the homes in the area.  I have just put some favorite pictures up to look through.  This is "Twinkle" wearing the dress I made for her.  She is a sweetheart and just full of "it".

Here is granddaughter #2, Lilly, in the same dress.  I loved working on them.
Dallin made his appearance as the kid on HSM.  The one with the hair that has to be shaken into place.  He says he has won the best costume award at his school for the 2nd year in a row.  Give him a big hand.  We love you.
Evil Luke
Shy Cort as Iron Man.
I had to snap 10 pictures to get this one of Urban as a pirate.  The costume was off in a flash
This is my little pumpkin, Zach.
Our other pirate, Caeden.