July Celebrations

Thought it was high time to tell you all about our trip to Utah and Idaho (before the month is over and I forget everything…). We arrived at Grma and Grpa’s in time for dinner and 4th of July fireworks on the street with the Violettes and Urmstons. We haven’t done that for years since it’s illegal in Arizona! We were so excited to be able to be with Grandpa Nichols and lots of the Nichols clan to celebrate Grandpa’s 80th Birthday! All of their children and in-laws were there except Eric, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We had an early dinner at Grma & Grpa’s clubhouse, then an Open House for friends. After it was over and we got the whole place all cleaned up and the tables and decorations put away, we decided to stay there for more fun and games since it was reserved for the whole night and there was lots more space than at their house for 60 or so family members! Some enjoyed swimming in the pool, some watched “The Ultimate Gift” on the big screen TV in the corner, some (including Dale) played cards at a table, and some (me) played “Password” and another word game in a side room. I think our group had the most fun; we made the most noise anyway. That’s why we had to move into a separate room! Although some were here and some were there, we all had fun spending time together! Sunday evening we had a great time visiting Pugsleys and planning a get together with the old Las Vegas gang next winter in their new condo at Brian Head. After a couple days in St. George, Dale and I spent a night at the Storers, and enjoyed seeing Brian & Suzanne, Brandon the RM and Lisa’s family, too.

Next we went to Idaho and stayed with “The Grandmas” as Braiden calls them. When we got there Gr. Grandma Mazuren was resting because she’d had some chest pains and had to take some nitroglycerin. I think that she overdid herself getting ready for our visit. We enjoyed taking morning walks around town and Dale reminisced old times; who used to live where, the old fishing hole down at the river, and the park where he had his first fight at age 10. We all went out to Pizza Hut with Craig and Grandpa Heward on Thursday. Dale kept busy knocking off items on Grandma Heward’s To Do list; replacing a broken window pane, draining the fish pond by stabbing holes in it (it will have a new life as a flower bed), and replacing a bathroom faucet. The last one was a Murphy’s Law project. He inspected the existing fixture and made his list. Since the shut-off valves under the sink were frozen up, he put those on the list. Then he and Grandma set off for Home Depot in Pokey in Dale’s little red Corvette. Grandma was all oohs and aahs exclaiming that she’s never gone that fast. I found out later just how fast that was – Dale wanna be Earnhart! They came home with extra parts just in case, and Dale went downstairs to shut off the water to the whole house so that he could replace the valves in the bathroom as well as the faucet. Well, the valve downstairs was probably older then the bathroom ones, and after a couple of turns it began to spin freely and leak! So he grabbed a bucket and we called the city to come shut off the water. After getting the sink done Dale went down to the local hardware shop to see what could be done about the whole house shut off valve. They were no help, so he had to figure out how to re-install the old one so that it would be in the “on” position and not leak. Dale kicked the bucket (actually, not literally) and spilled the water in the basement! Then we called the city to come back and turn the water back on. Well, the sink leaked a little, but he got it all taken care of by 5 to 5:00 (the city’s deadline). Good thing, since it was Friday! Dale hauled frozen blackberries from our bushes all the way to Idaho so that Grandma could make him a pie – it was delicious! As we were chatting one evening Grandma told us how much she liked car races. Her dad loved cars and used to take her to the races when she was a girl growing up in California. They even saw Clark Gable at a race in Palm Springs. So we asked if they had seen the Disney movie “Cars.” They hadn’t, so we rented it and had a movie night. We were privileged to share a spiritual experience with Gr. Grandma as she asked Dale to give her a blessing before we left.

Then we went to the Garrett’s house where Dale enjoyed a round of golf with Bruce. (I say “enjoyed” because they didn’t keep score!) We had a delicious Mexican dinner of pork Carnitas and games with a group of friends in their backyard. Dale and I rocked at Ladder Golf! Here’s Angie counting down the days… Cooper is proud of the wooden gun he and Nate made.

Sunday we left Tremonton and traveled to Lindon to stay with Brent and Tiana. Dale, Tiana and Lizzie were American Idol material as they sang Karaoke that night! Back in St. George Dale and I borrowed Mom and Dad’s bikes and took an afternoon ride on a lovely bike/jog/horse trail. (Just the trail was lovely, the ride almost killed me; it was waaay too hot and uphill all the way!) Later it rained – no, it poured that night. We played Pinochle and Mexican Train with Mom and Dad. Since it was cooler the next morning, I consented to another ride. Silly me! The underpasses were completely full of mud! In the first one we actually came to a complete halt because our tires got mired in the mud. Dale was ahead of me, so where I had to stop and put down my feet I was ankle deep in the muck and it almost pulled my shoes off when I took a step! When we resumed riding, the wheels were flinging mud all over us; front and back. (The pictures don’t capture the extent of the mess!) We had a lot of cleaning up to do before heading home again. Thanks for the fun times and gracious hospitality! We love you all!

And the excitement continues… Jen’s ultrasound Saturday (it’s a girl), swimming with the grandkids yesterday, Ryan will be home from Panama tomorrow, Scott’s on a dating marathon and Caroline’s ready for baby Royce to make his grand entrance anytime! Life is good :)