Goin' down to San Antone

(Before you read this post, please read the prior post, posted a little earlier today)

Last weekend was spent in San Antonio. Buck and Sandra, Mike and Kristen and their little families went down Friday evening and Mary and I took our time and arrived Saturday afternoon. The kids spent Saturday at Sea World and Mary and I visited our little friend Barney Smith at the Toilet Seat Museum.


Barney Smith and his 71st Wedding Anniversary commemoration art (71 years! Wow!)

Once the kids finished up with Sea World, we met for dinner at LuLu's Cafe. Adam Richman (Man v Food on the Travel Channel) had visited the cafe (click here) when taking on the Four Horsemen Challenge at Chunky's Burgers (we have not visited Chunky's yet). Pictures tell the story:


"Is that all?" *snort* Hey, the two sides are on a regular dinner plate!


Dessert...a 3 pound cinnamon roll!


Kristen and Mike


Hayden thinks this is cool! Um, so does Sandra...she likes cinnamon rolls!

I'm not intending to hog the limelight, that's how the pictures turned out...especially since Lulu's Cafe is known for the chicken fried steak (my meal, so...) and the cinnamon roll. The rest of the group enjoyed their meals too! It was all good.

So, things really ARE bigger in Texas! This idea was confirmed the next day.

Mike, Kristen, Buck and Sandra went to a mall to let the kids expend some energy and run around. Then we met for lunch at Big Lou's Pizza:



And what might they be known for?


This!

Adam Richman was here as well!

Our meal (the pictures speak for themselves):







I think we made a dent in it!

Well, after such a filling meal, we went to the River Walk to walk it off.


San Antonio











The kids left for home at this point (long drive with kids) but Mary and I continued on for a bit. We popped up to road level and visited the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and Texas Ranger Museum (see here). We didn't actually go in to the museum portions, we just looked through the lobby area and the gift shop.








We returned to the Walk.


Mariachis at a restaurant on the Walk


Me and my Sweetheart









What a beautiful place!

We said goodbye to San Antonio and made the 5 hour drive home. It was a great weekend!

Just for those who may wonder...yes we will watch Conference, which we recorded!

Road Trip!

On September 22nd, Mary and I began a long road trip, which we really enjoyed. Many times we will stop along they way to see interesting or novel sites. This time, we didn't stop for sites. Rather, we stopped for people...family.

Our first stop was Durango, Colorado to see daughter Julie and her new daughter Aerybella Ezmay-Ravienyah Maez. Aerybella is a real cutie. I just met her and she's already found a warm place in my heart, along with the rest of my children and grand children. I hope we can get back to see her again soon. Aerybella was born July 24th.

We then drove to Utah and spent a couple nights with my parents. Since the 24th was our anniversary (Mary and I) Mom and Dad threw an impromptu BBQ and invited those who could to come over. We had a very good time and there was p-l-e-n-t-y of delicious food!

Mary and I have to go to 4 places whenever we visit Utah: The Church Distribution Center, Seagull Books, Arctic Circle and The Iceberg. Yeah, I know! So Saturday we got that done and then headed to visit Mary's sister Patti. Her brother Brad was able to come over too, along with his son Manti. Aaron and Ryan, Patti's boys, were able to be there too. We had a great time visiting as well as getting in a mean game of Party Lines. I thought Patti and Mary were going to bust a gut, laughing so hard! We stayed the night at the Oquirrh In in Tooele and it was very nice, clean and very comfortable!

Sunday was Abigail Amy Holt's blessing day. Abigail is another grand daughter, the newest addition to Bruce and Jen's family. Jaden is a cute big brother! Abigail was born August 11th.

The blessing was done by her father, Bruce. He did a wonderful job and you know he loves Abigail because he got a little emotional in the middle of the blessing. BJ and Jen are great parents! Again, Abigail also found a wonderfully warm spot in my heart, with all the rest, and we hope we can return soon for another visit.

We had a fun time after the blessing at BJ and Jen's home. Jen managed the festivities beautifully. The food was delicious and being able to visit with family members we haven't seen in a while was great. Thanks BJ and Jen!

We spent the night again at the Oquirrh Inn and then left Monday for Centerville and a quick visit with DeAnne, Jocelyn, Kal and River. We play Bed Bugs and Hungry Hungry Hippos and had a blast! Such cute kids...and they're growing so fast! I wish we had more time, but we had to move on.

After a bite for lunch at the Arctic Circle (yay!) in Centerville, we headed for Greeley, Colorado. Wyoming was a bit windy (okay, when isn't that I-80 stretch in Wyoming NOT windy???) but I saw a lot of Pronghorn antelope. We arrived in Greeley without incident.

Mary's parents are salt of the earth. I always look forward to visiting with them! They have introduced us to a dining establishment that we now have to visit every time we visit Greeley. It's the Cafe Mexicali. I usually get a quesola with beef and their mild creamy habañero sauce. Deeeeeee-lish! I don't know how they tone down the habañero, but whatever they do, it works!

After a few games of pinochle, hearts and canasta with some good meals between,good conversation and then some restful sleep, it was time to return home. That point always arrives too early!

The drive home was the longest leg of the journey, 855 miles from Greeley to Cedar Hill via Amarillo, mostly along highway 287. It was uneventful but it took a little longer than what it would normally take due to several points of construction. Anyway, we arrived home safe and sound, sometime around midnight.

So, here are a few photos from the trip:


Julie and Aerybella


Grandpa and Aerybella


Grandma and Aerybella


All of us


Aerybella close up


Grandma, Grandpa and Abigail


BJ and Abigail


Jen, BJ and Abigail (we didn't catch Jen alone with Abigail!)


Abigail close up


Abigail, brother Jaden, parents, Holt grandparents, Holt great grandparents


Holt clan (those who remained for pictures)


Four generations

I wish I could post all the pictures I have from the trip, but that would not be prudent here. It was great to visit with family! Unfortunately, we missed getting pictures of some, mostly because we were so involved in "the moment" and forgot to get out the camera! We'll catch you next time...

Lot's of love to all y'all!

My civic duty

Last Monday I reported for Jury Duty. Three years straight! The first year my name was called and I was to report to a JP (Justice of the Peace) court for a civil matter. Once there, I waited. 30 minutes or so later and I was told the parties settled and I was free to go. Last year my number was too large to be called to a pool and I went home again. This year my number was in the first pool of potential jurors to be called up. I reported to the 282nd District Court where I filled out a questionnaire. The questionnaires were numbered and my new number was 46, I think (the number was never referred to again). Our pool was 65. I figured there would be 12 eligible jurors selected before they got to 46 but I was wrong! Not only was number 46 selected (me), number 64 of 65 was as well!

That takes care of Monday.

Tuesday the trial began. We heard two witnesses, the victim and his "friend", the former girlfriend and mother of the defendants daughter. Wednesday we heard testimony from police officers and the prosecution rested. So did the defense! We were sent to deliberate and we rendered a verdict. Here are the basics of the story:

The victim and "friend" were at the victim's apartment when the defendant and his brother kicked in the door, fought with the victim, shot him in the face with his own gun, pistol whipped him and left.

Yes, there's a lot more to the story. There always is but I won't go into it here.

The judicial processes were very interesting but the case was heartbreaking. My own thoughts, after all was said and done, are that a manipulative young woman, tired of being "pestered" by her ex, arranged for the confrontation but the wrong man was shot. However, she effectively got her result. Her ex has now been found guilty of a felony and was sentenced to 23 years in prison (yeah, we had to hear more testimony and deliberate over the penalty...that was Thursday). I just don't know if that is enough for her.

Anyway, the "mastermind", so to speak, caused a horrific crime to be commited and she walks free. Fortunately, the victim is no longer "dating" her. Yes, he is doing OK. He still has a few more surgeries and healing to do, but he's OK. The defendant is going where he should be going, no matter his motive. His brother's trial comes up next month.

If you ask, I can tell you more.

That's life

So, you may wonder how I could have such good intentions and yet fail to fulfill them! I had hoped to create a travel blog highlighting some of the most interesting places we've been and to a large extent I've done that. I just didn't get caught up. I wanted to spotlight family events as well. However, my job has taken over my life. I work, sleep (often interrupted by work) and then work again. I know, I should be grateful to have a job! I am. But I need to reclaim some of my life from the clutches of my job, enough to maintain some sanity. That will be done. Um, the reclamation that is...the sanity is always in question!

Anyway, I am blogging again. Rather than play catch up, I'm just going to begin where we are now.

Where is that?

Mary has left Michael's Stores after almost 8 years. She enjoyed the job but the changes the company has recently undergone made it very stressful, to the point of affecting her health. Therefore, she opted for better health and turned in her two week's notice and is now free to pursue other avenues.

She was just called to be the Primary Secretary at church. She loves the Primary kids! I think she's going to enjoy this calling.

As for me, I will continue plugging along at work, trying to balance family, church and work as best I can. You know the job has been demanding and I have had an On Call rotation that was more of a spin cycle recently. We just ended our fiscal year and began a new one. I now have an On Call rotation of two weeks on, four off. That's a little more reasonable.

My church calling is Second Counselor in the Elder's Quorum. It too can be demanding, but is very satisfying. I serve with a very good President and First Counselor.

This weekend has been our Stake Conference. We also had Leadership Training yesterday afternoon, prior to the Saturday evening Conference session. Mary attended due to her new calling and I due to mine. It was very good. Our conference sessions were very good too. Our Stake President is only a year older than I am. It's kind of weird knowing Church Authorities, including some of the General Authorities, are my age! Our Stake President remarked the same during conference. GMTA? Ok, maybe not!

Last, but certainly not least, Mary and I have 10 grandchildren now! Number 11 is due in April, I believe. The family is growing and I do not want to miss out (another reason to reclaim some of my life back from work). The latest arrival was Abigail (grandchild number 10 born August 11, 2010 9 lbs 2 oz 22 in.), daughter of BJ and Jen. Our plan is for me to take about 7 work days off work and take a road trip together, stopping in Pagosa Springs to see Julie and her new daughter Aerybella (grandchild number 9 born July 24, 2010 6 lbs 7 oz 19 in.) and then continuing on to Utah to see Abigail. Well, ok, we'll be seeing other family members too! At this point, I think we'll return home via Greeley, CO and Mom and Dad Hansen. Sounds like a fun trip, eh? I will post pictures.

Movin' On!

I am soooooooooo behind in posting our travels. It is expedient that I rush through the balance of 2007, hit highlights of 2008 and pick the best of 2009. I apologize to my children and grandchildren for rushing through all this, because they are the most important, but there are links on this blog to my children's blogs where you can see all our stinkin' cute grandchildren (and their wonderful parents)!

So, hold on to your hats, we're off!

Kal Brandon Flammer
Mary and I drove to Kirksville, MO for Kal's baby blessing. DeAnne gave us a tour of the DO School where Brandon was attending.

Kal


Grandpa, Grandma, Jocelyn and new brother Kal


Museum at the school

The visit was a lot of fun but, as always, way too short! Mary and I enjoyed the trip because we got to spend some time together. She IS my best friend, you know.

On our return trip, we stopped in Far West and visited the temple site.


Monument at the site

We also stopped in Kansas City and were hungry. We asked where the best barbecue was served. Arthur Bryants was the answer.

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...back in Texas
Kristen (daughter #3) came to Texas. It was an *ahem* "exciting" time! Suffice it to say that Kristen realized some changes in her life. Mary and I went to visit her and her new friend Mike Sierra. We had met Mike before when my youngest brother, Owen, and his wife, Louise, brought Kristen and Mike up for a visit. It was a good visit. So, we went to reciprocate.


Kristen, me and Mike at their apartment in Marble Falls, TX

There is a nationally known eating establishment in Marble Falls. Of course, we had to try it out!


The famous Blue Bonnet Cafe, with Kristen and Mike

I just want my kids to be happy. Kristen is happy.

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Christmas in Greeley, CO
Brad and his son Manti and step son Andrew spent Christmas with Mom and Dad Hansen. Mary and I were there too, as per our tradition. Again, as per tradition, we had a great time!






Games are a must!


Snow! A white Christmas.


Back home to our little silver tree