Karlee Caught Her First Fish!!

Karlee went fishing with her Dad yesterday and caught her first fish!!  Way to go Karlee,  I was just taking to grandpa this weekend, we need to pick fishing up as a hobby at Bear Lake, there is lots of good fishing and would be some good eating at the cabin.  Uncle Buck is going to have to teach us how to fish!!

Shannon's 34th Birthday

Our Shannon dear just celebrated her 34th birthday this past Sunday, Feb. 16th, 2014.  Where have the years gone?  We tired to get her to come up to the cabin with us for the weekend, but she wanted to stay home.  She is not feeling well, fighting a bad head ache.  Ryan took the day off so he could spend the day with her on her birthday.  We gave her a gift card to have a meal at Market Street Grill and they cashed it in on her birthday.  We video the boys singing happy birthday and sent it to her on her special day.  We love and appreciate her in our family very much.  Shannon has so many struggles in life with her health.  I felt bad for her last night when I dropped the boys off.  She was fighting a really bad headache, and their dryer just quit on them.  It has been on it's last leg for several years.  It's hard when they are struggling to get by financially.  They just had to buy a new dish washer in January.  They had lived without a dishwasher for over a year.  I don't know if they live without a dryer.  It is a necessity of our lives.  They have been in their home over 12 years now, it is just long enough that things are breaking down.  They don't have an emergency fund which adds a huge burden to the family budget.  Shannon has been so ill the past 5 years, since she had baby Landon that she has not been well enough to help out financially. We have tired to float them money and help out with things alone the way.  Last year their refrigerator went out a month before Christmas.  They were keeping their food in the garage, until the neighborhood cats found it.  They never said any thing about it, but I found out and felt so bad for them.  We surprised them with a new fridge the day before Christmas last year.  It was so fun to watch the delivery man deliver the new fridge and see the surprise on their faces.  They had no idea it was us that bought the new fridge.  We were little spies around the corner of their street watching the new fridge delivered.  Shannon has had so many medical expenses  these past years they are downing in medical bills and have been sued, she told me for over 11 bills they could not pay.  This past year has been a very trying year for their family.  She is really frustrated right now, since the new year, their health insurance changed networks as of the first of the years, from Select Health to United Health Care.  The co-payments for all her prescription are more money now, one she was taking went from $5 to a $50.00 co-pay.  She was approve last fall for Botox injection for her migraines, which has helped greatly, now with the new insurance change she has to wait to be pre-approved again which can take months and that is if they will approve it.  She is very discouraged right now.  I feel so bad for her!!  Life is just so challenging for the Chaudhry family.  I pray for my dear daughter this day and that she can be comforted with the Challenges she is dealing with in her life at this time. Pray she can find answers for the health issues she is dealing with and find comfort from the pain she is dealing with.  She has given up the diet coke, going on over two weeks now.  It is so hard, when she needs some relief from her head ache pain and the diet coke would help, but she has learned how bad the diet coke can be over time and she has all the symptoms.  It is a daily struggle for her dealing with pain and just trying to take care of her family.  Lord comfort her this day!!

 My beautiful Daughter Shannon and her mother on Christmas Day December 25th, 2013

Cole's Taller Than His Mother Now!

Our Cole Noriega turned 12 years old in October 2013.  He is officially taller than his mother now!!

  Which is not hard to do when you are only 5 feet and 2 inches tall.  Cole has grown so much lately.  We are so proud of him.  He is a very special grandson in our family.  Go Cole!!

Home from the Cabin

Tuesday, February 18th, 2014,  The month of February is going by really fast for us this year.  Taking a trip did help a lot to break up the winter blues.  We had a great trip this weekend to the cabin.  Michael, Jaxon, Landon and Alec a friend of Jaxon's came to the cabin with us.  There was lots of snow last weekend, but this past week has been so warm it has melted a lot.  There wasn't as much snow at the cabin as we had hope for.  It is not the best snow now, and is hard and icy.  The boys spent the day Saturday building a snow cave.  Craig took his snow blower and blew the snow in a huge pile so they had enough snow to work with.  Sunday was a crazy windy day.  The wind blew so hard all day long.  The force of the wind was crazy, it blew so hard all day long, we had never seen it blow so hard before.  We stayed in the cabin all day due to the wind.  I fixed a nice lunch and invited Scott, Tracy and her boyfriend Jason to share lunch with us.  We had a nice time visiting.  We watched a Sunday movie and just enjoyed hanging out in the cabin.  I enjoyed reading a good book.  Monday the weather was beautiful and sunny.  Craig and Michael went snowmobiling.  I stayed at the cabin with the three younger boys.  They had fun sledding until Jaxon got hurt, scraping his side on the hard ice.  They were done and back in the cabin.  The day flew by.  I had to start cleaning up and packing up for home.  By the time we dropped the boys off  and i crawled in bed it was after 10pm.  I was really tired and ready for bed.  I'm ready for a break from all the grand kids.  Last week was full week spending time with the grand kids.  I had Karlee and Saydee for two days, and then the 4 boys for three days.  I'm feeling really tired out today.  Craig and I did get up and go workout this morning.  I didn't gain any weight over the weekend which is good, I just need to start losing some weight and keep it off.  I just seem to stay in the 162 range.  I can't seem to get below 160.  I'm going to work hard this week and see if I can get below, that is only losing 2 to 3 pounds this week!!  I'm feeling very irritable this morning for some reason.  I'm sure it is I'm just tired out.  I need to spend time this week cleaning my upstairs.  My master bath needs a really good cleaning.  I have enjoyed reading  and finished one book of a series of Joseph Fielding Smith, Gospel questions.  I have learned a lot.  I can see I need to be more committed in my Christian living.  I love the Savior Jesus Christ with all my heart and I want to be a witness for him in all I do.
Natasha just called and asked if I would watch baby Winston all next week, while she goes to California with Trisha and Buck for the week.  They all plan on leaving this coming Saturday morning early.  The girls are off track for two more weeks.  They were going last week and decided to wait until the following week.  Tasha has been wanting to go on a trip, before she gets too pregnant and take Lincoln to Disney Land.  Trisha invited their family to go with them, so Natasha is all on board!!  I'm going to have to get done what I can in the house before Saturday!  I will enjoy watching baby Winston, he is so darling!
The weather is so warm today in the high 50's which is very warm for February, I feel like tinkering in the yard.  I have lots of clearing out to do in my flower beds.  I didn't get them all done in the fall.  I just don't feel like being couped up in the house all day.  The sun is shinning and I'm going to work in the yard, even if it is on the cool side, just dress warm.

At our Family Cabin for Presidents weekend

We finally made it to the cabin late last night about 12:30 pm.  Craig &  I  were late delivering our Valentine treats to each  family.  We drove all the way to Provo to buy our favorite chocolate hearts that we have bought for over 30 yrs .  So sad to say they have gone out of business.  We don't know where to buy any chocolate hearts, have to find a new place.  We ended up going to Costco and getting chocolate strawberries  and sparkling cider for the 5 families and then made the rounds to deliver.  We had a nice lunch at Market Street Grill.  By the time we made our Valentine stops it made it late for us getting out of town. Micheal , Landon , Jaxon and his friend Alec came to the cabin with us.  We stopped by Natasha's home, our last stop out of town.  Landon and Lincoln had a fun time playing for a bit.  We finally arrived to our beloved cabin.  Today the boys are having fun building a snow cave.

Craig took the snow blower and piled the snow up for them, they were all busy making their snow cave.

Jaxon Chaudry 10 yrs old

Landon Chaudhry 5  yrs old and soon to be turning 6 years old- Feb. 26th.

Our Landon

Michael Chaudhry our oldest grandson now 15 years old

A beautiful picture of the Lake at winter time.

Jaxon with his friend Alec for the weekend having fun playing together

Uncle Scott and Jaxon working on the snow cave

Blowing snow on Jaxon with the snow blower, the boys working eagerly in building their snow cave.

Happy Valentines Day!!

My dear Husband surprised me last night when I got home from dropping off the girls, with a huge vase of flowers and 12 chocolate strawberries, which are yummy!!  The flowers smell so good!!  This morning the smell fills the house, I love the thoughtfulness of my dear husband.  We got up early to workout.  Trying to lose weight and keep our workouts going.  Craig is only 10 pounds heavier than me now.  He has done so good this past year in losing weight.  I'm not doing so good, I'm at my all time high and the weight just does not want to come off.  I only gained 3 lbs on our trip and have slowing come down this week.  I'm down 2lbs.  I've just got to keep going.  I'm just having such a hard time getting below the 160 mark.  I've got to really work at next week.  Craig and I are spending the day together, going out to lunch and picking up chocolate hearts for all our daughters and their families to deliver today.  We plan on going up to the cabin later today for President's weekend.  Craig is really wanting to go snowmobiling with all the new snow.  We were hoping some of the grand kids could come spend the weekend with us.  Just not sure who is coming yet!!  I'm looking forward to spending the day with my dear Husband!!  I love him so very much.!  He wrote me the most beautiful letter for Valentines Day.

My beautiful flowers for Valentines Day, I love you Sweet heart Thank you so very much!

 Delivering our Valentines to the chaudhry family, Michael, Landon, Jaxon

 Happy Valentines Day Landon!!
 Burbidge family, Saydee, Karlee and Boston with their treat from Grandpa and Grandma Symes

 

We visited the Towner family, Jude, Papa, Grammy holding baby Yael

Stacy with Jude and his Valentine stickers we gave to him, he was so excited for his stickers.

Saydee & Karlee sleeping over

Wednesday, Feb. 12th, Trisha stopped by with the girls.  They are off track and were bored and wanted to come hang out at Grandma's house.  They were going to California, but decided not to go with it being President's weekend, Disney Land was going to be very crowed.  The girls were looking for something to do.  I quit my house cleaning for the day and spent it with my two granddaughters.  I got out a baby quilt I had made and it needed to be tied.  I taught them how to tie a quilt.  Karlee was so darling!!  she kept saying,"Grandma I just love doing this."  When the quilt is finished we are donating it to the Humanitarian center in Salt Lake.  They are always in need of quilts and send them throughout the world.  We spent the night working on the quilt.  Thursday morning I got up early and cleaned up for the day.  I needed to take the time to wash my hair, I had been wearing a hat for three days cleaning, I didn't want to take the time to wash my hair.  I had just gotten all clean up for the day when Natasha called for us to meet her at IHop for breakfast, she just dropped Bridger off at work and wanted to have breakfast.  She called Shannon to come join us and I called Trisha at the last minute.  We all had a fun brunch at IHop, visiting with one another.  The girls and I came home and finished our baby quilt.  I had wanted to take them to the Humanitarian center, but it took us longer to finish up our quilt, so we will go some time next week.  I went birthday shopping for Saydee after we finished our quilt.  She wanted to pick fabric out for me to make her a quilt to cuddle in.  Off to the fabric store, they both picked out some fun fabric for grandma to make a quilt for them.  I want to go back and buy more fabric it is 50% on the fleece this weekend which is a great price.  I would like to make the grandkids some quilts.  They all love them!!  I took the girls home about 5:30 pm.  I was very tired after I dropped them off and just came home and rested on the couch for the night, watching the winter Olympics and the news.  Crazy how much snow they are getting back east.  They have had to cancel over 6,000 flights due to all the snow.  Over a million people our out of power.  It has been  a massive winter storm alert for the entire east from Texas across to Atlanta and all the way up the east coast.  We did get some more snow last week while we were gone.  There is lots of snow up at Bear Lake.  The last snow hit up north.  We don't have any here in the valley which is nice to just have it up in the mountains.  I enjoyed spending time with my granddaughters and just resting the night watching TV, catching up on the winter Olympic;s and I watched a cheesy love story movie. " Crazy, Stupid, Love"

Karlee putting her ice cream on her face as a clown, she is funny little girl!  Grandpa was licking it off her face and she got a good laugh from her grandpa !!

Evidence of Jesus Christ in Tulum Mexico

Evidence of Christ in Tulum

Tulum is one of the most intriguing and mysterious of the Mayan cities. In fact, it is not a city at all but a temple complex devoted to the teaching and worship of the Descending God.

Within the walls of Tulum, artifacts have been found dating back to the first century AD, a stele exists which dates to the fifth century AD while much of the architecture dates to the 12th century AD.

In addition the surrounding areas clearly show occupation from as early as the 3rd Century BC or what we call the Pre-classic period of the Maya.

Tulum and the Descending God
Tulum is the home of the Descending God. The Descending God has been so named by the archaeological community because He is always shown with his feet in the air as if he is descending from the sky.

Many people, including anthropologists, archaeologists and guides have erroneously stated that the Descending God is only found in Tulum.  This has been done out of ignorance or in some cases a simple desire to skirt the entire issue of the Descending God and what He potentially represents.

If Christ, having been resurrected, descended from heaven to visit the Maya, He would have come in great glory and the event would have been so singular that its depiction would have been repeated over and over throughout the Mayan world.  This is what we see with the Descending God.

Rather than being a God only seen in Tulum, we have found that there is no other Mayan God as prevalent throughout the width and breadth of the Mayan world as the Descending God.  Over and over again He is shown in the attitude of descending from the heavens.

In Tulum, we find that the Temple Of The Inscriptions was built to teach all people that the Descending God was and is the supreme God of all Gods and that all things are subject to him.

The murals inside the temple tell the story of three men, who may have been responsible for the building of the temple complex.

In these murals the three are portrayed as seers, possibly living in a physical state between life and death.
The outside of the Temple Of The Descending God bears symbology that represents the Descending God as the light and life of the world and that He is the living water and light of the sun.

The murals inside the temple, which have great need of restoration, show scenes that depict both heaven and earth and perhaps creation.

The Temple Of The Descending God was built in alignment with both the morning star, or the planet Venus, and the sun so as to mark April 6th as the birthday of the Descending God.

On that day Venus can be seen rising into the night sky directly over the door of the temple and sunlight forms a brilliant star that can be seen only on that day. 
This is Extremely significant because Mayan Gods were known by the day on which they were born.  And April 6th is the birthday of the Descending God.

It is interesting to note that the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, who lived in the state of New York, published in 1830 a translated ancient record which told of a personal visit by Jesus Christ to the Americas shortly after His resurrection.  In addition, he identified April 6th as the birthday of Jesus Christ.  He also identified the ancient name of the city of Zion as being Zama.  Zama was the original name for the city of Tulum.

In 1831, when Joseph Smith identified Zama as the name of the city of Zion, Tulum had not yet been uncovered and was overgrown by rainforest.  It would not be until 1837 that the jungle would be cut away from the temple complex that we call Tulum.  And, it would not be until late into the 20th Century before the April 6th phenomena would be documented and the original name of Tulum be identified as the same name Joseph Smith had used more than a hundred and fifty years earlier to identify the city of Zion.

It is also interesting to note that included in the translation of the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith was an account of three men, two of them brothers by the same mother, who were Disciples of Christ and attended to Jesus during his visit to the Americas.  The translation indicates that they were seers and were granted the power, by Christ, to live until his second coming in a translated state.

We have found what appears to be evidence of these three men not only in the Temple of the Inscriptions in Tulum, dating to the 12th Century, but in many other cities as well.  We have found them in Itzamal in the 4th Century AD, in Chichen-Itza in the 9th Century AD, In Uxmal in the 10th Century AD, in Dzibilchaltun in the 11th Century AD and in potentially several other places that we are currently investigating.

The great Castillo in Tulum has three large niches over the three doorways into the temple.  In the niche above the center doorway is the Descending God.  To his right hand stands the father God of all Gods, Hunab-ku, and to his left the niche appears to have been left intentionally empty.  Many have speculated as to the meaning of the empty niche and to date there have been no credible answers provided by the scientific world.

If we test however, the theory of Jesus Christ being the Descending God, the niches over the doorways and what they represent make perfect sense to the Christian world.  In order from left to right stands God the Father, His son Jesus Christ and the third niche which is empty is for the Holy Ghost.

It is clear that within early Christian doctrines from the 1st Century there was a strong belief that there were three separate beings that made up what was known as the Godhead.  There was God the Father, His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.  The first two had physical bodies but the Holy Ghost was described as being like the wind, not having a physical body or any specific physical shape or form.

The New Testament gives us many wonderful accounts of the resurrected Christ.  These accounts powerfully record that the resurrected Christ had a physical body, in fact the same body that had been laid in the tomb, only whole and glorified.

In the gospel of Luke chapter 24, verses 36-40, we find the resurrected Jesus telling his apostles that He is not a spirit and that He exists as a being with flesh and bone.

On this occasion the scriptures record:

“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.  And he said unto them, why are ye troubled?  and why do thoughts arise in your hearts.  Behold my hands and my feet that it is I myself: handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.”

In this instance and at other times the savior ate with his apostles and further testified of the reality of his resurrection and physical form.

The New Testament teaches that Christ was created in the express image of his father and many scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments have clear reference to both God the Father and His son having physical bodies and form.

If Christ was the express image of His father and was resurrected into a perfected glorified state with a physical body then, would it not make sense that his Father would have a glorified physical body as well.  This idea was expressed by many of the early Church fathers at the Council of Nicea, in 325 AD.  This council was intended to standardize the many doctrines and beliefs that had grown up around Christ since his death, nearly three hundred years earlier.

By then however, many pagan influences had entered into the Church. Paganism was founded around a central mystery which was revealed in its temples.  The great mystery of the early church would become the very nature of God himself.

Doctrine and truth became nothing more than what was deemed good by the majority, for the unification of so many factions under a single authoritarian church.  It made no logical sense but was politically expedient.  God would simply cease to be what he was and transform himself into whatever the most powerful voices wanted him to be.

But, at the time of a possible visit by Christ to the Mayas, the representation of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost as three distinct beings with the latter having no body or form that could be portrayed, was well within the beliefs of 1st Century Christians.  And if Christ had visited the Maya it would clearly explain all three niches, exactly as we see them today.

There are many other evidences in Tulum that could be discussed in depth.

1. A possible baptismal font.
   
   
2. A tomb in the shape of the Cross, with the door facing to the East.
   
   
3. The all seeing eye of God.
   
   
4. Depictions of a child being born and reaching out to grasp a staff upon which a serpent is raised. This is the same symbol Moses used to symbolize Christ in the Old Testament.
   
   
5. Depictions of scenes reminiscent of the Garden of Eden from the Old Testament.
   
   
6. A scene of a woman kneeling at the feet of a God who is presenting her with a baby Descending God, who is identified as the creator of man.
   

However, we will simply conclude this section with the discussion of two additional items that may be indications of a possible visit by Christ.

The first is the temple complex itself and the second is the symbol of the red hands.

In Jerusalem the temple of Solomon was constructed around three courtyards, with a central alter.

In Tulum the temple complex was constructed with three temples and a central alter.

There were no steps to climb to enter the first courtyard of Solomon’s temple.

The same is true to enter the first temple in Tulum, known as the Temple of the Initial Series.

To enter the second courtyard in Solomon’s temple, one had to climb twelve steps, a number used in the bible to signify the entire house of Israel or the people of God.

In Tulum it is the same.  To enter the second temple, or the Temple of the Descending God, one must climb twelve steps.

In Solomon’s temple one had to climb an additional 15 steps, or 27 steps in total, to reach the innermost courtyard.

In Tulum it is the same.  In order to enter the Great Castillo, one must climb 27 steps.

In and of itself this might be just pure coincidence, except that this numbering system has been used with temple complexes that are associated with a potential Christ like figure, in many areas throughout the Mayan world.

In addition Solomon’s temple was built to mark the equinox and the solstices.

The same is true with the temple complex in Tulum, and it marks one additional day as well, the April 6th birthday of the Descending God.

Finally let’s talk a bit about the red hands.  In Tulum we see the red hands associated directly with the Descending God.

The 17th Century Spanish historian Lizana recorded that the Maya represented the great God of heaven by symbol of the hand, because with his powerful hands he had performed many powerful miracles amongst the people to include healing the sick.

The color of the hands is significant because red was the color the Mayas gave to the East.  The direction from which Christ will come in accordance with New Testament scripture, and the direction from which He would have come if he had visited them.

What is of additional interest is that we find the red hands in many other cities that contain strong evidences of a possible visit by Jesus Christ and which had a belief in the Descending God.

In fact, it appears that the red hands may well have been used the way early Christians used the symbol of the fish to let others know of the presence of “believers”, even during times of severe religious persecution.

We hope you enjoyed this brief overview of Tulum and will continue with us on our quest through other cities to find evidence that Christ may have actually visit the Mayan peoples following his crucifixion and resurrection in Israel.


I love this story written of historical evidence of the appearing of Jesus Christ.   Craig and I just got back from this area of visiting Mexico.   We took the girls with their spouses to see Tulum in 2006 a Book of Mormon cruise.  We had a fabulous trip and loved visiting the ruins found in Tulum.

The Challenges of Family relationships

 "Healing your extended family relationships does not mean you have to hang out with these people and spend a lot of time with them. The bottom line is that you may not have a lot in common or enjoy the same interests. Healing means feeling clear of any negative emotion towards them, being able to feel a sustaining peace that keeps you free of any expectations of them, knowing about their lives and loving them regardless, and allowing them, free of of any judgment, what they are choosing to create.” 
    I really like this quote for the day!  I can see that my daughter's need to apply in their own lives toward one another, as they build their own families.  It is a good quote for me in my relationship with my mother as well.  Forgiving her of her unkind words to me.  Just setting my boundaries with her, for the next time we get together.  I don't want to allow a time that she is able to treat me as a punching bag with her emotional anger.
It is so damaging to my heart and soul!  I still have mourn form the way she behaved again, this past trip in the fall 2013.   I just have to let go, and it is getting better for me.  We now are dealing with the challenges of family getting together.  Noriega's have said they are not coming if the Chaudhry family is there and this is crazy and so awkward for us all.  Just pray in time things will heal and work out and that this will not tear our family apart.  I'm being positive and thinking only the best of each family member.

I got the main level clean yesterday, So today I've got to stick to my cleaning and get the upstairs cleaned.  Our master bath needs a really good cleaning.  This will be my project for the day.

Home, Sweet, Home

We arrived home from our trip Saturday late afternoon.  Just as we were picking up our car at Mcdougal's, Natasha called crying!  She was having a melt down and needed a break from her little family.  She came over and spent the evening with us and slept over.  We woke up early and took the Chaudhry boys to church Sunday morning.  I enjoyed our Sunday meetings.  After church we brought the boys over to our home to hang out for the afternoon  and watch to Winter Olympic, they do not have TV at their home.  We had a house full by evening.  Scott was back from his weekend at the Lake.  Stacy & Chad stopped by to shared the good news of having another baby.  We are so excited for them.  Monday I spent all day doing laundry from our fun trip.  It felt nice to stay home.  I worked the day away.  Evening Natasha stopped by and dropped baby Winston off for me to baby sit for a few hours while they took Lincoln to see the new Lego Land movie.  After the movie Bridger and Natasha hung out here to visit.  They are talking about finishing their basement.  Natasha is feelin over crowded with baby # three on the way. This was part of her emotionally break down.  She really wanted to move to a bigger home and Bridger is not giving in, so they are going to have to make do.  Bridger wants to finish school, before he even thinks about buying another home.  They do have a lovely home.  Finishing a room in the basement will greatly help.  We enjoyed visiting with them.  I really enjoyed baby sitting  baby Winston, he is such a darling little boy! Today I spend the day cleaning.  I was able to get the main level of our home clean.  It has been a days job.  I cleaned out several kitchen drawers, dusted, mopped the floor, clean my oven and bathroom.  I cleaned out the fridge, which was a big job. Cleaning the kitchen is always a big job for me!

While on our trip with the Mcdougal's, they mentioned that their neighbor Ralph is selling his home.  We still love the area and have been thinking about down sizing from our big home and yard.  I went and looked at it this afternoon.  The home is 25 years old and needs a lot of work on the inside.  I would want to just gut it and start all over in updating the entire house.  I still felt it was to small.  The master is up stairs and the home just needs a lot of work on the inside.  We love the smaller yard and the view by the mountains.  It is only a two car garage, which would be really hard to go back to.  I  just felt it would be to much work and money for what I would want to do.  So we will just keep looking.  I feel we need to look for a lot and just build us a new house that we can stay in for last part of our lives, this will be our last move.  I do love our home now.  It is going to be sad when we leave it.  I'm tired of the half acre yard to maintain and would like a smaller home.  I just want a great room and a large master closet.  I'm have a hard time finding it in the price range we want.  I'm beat tonight from my house cleaning.  Tomorrow I've got to clean the up stairs, master bed room and bath, that is always a big chore for me.  It feels good to be home.  We did enjoy our trip so
very much!

Towner Family having another baby

We just got home from our trip to Mexico, Stacy called to come see us last night and see how our trip went?  She had me change baby Yae's diaper, when changing it I saw his little t-shirt written on it "I'm going to be a big brother". It is so exciting for the Towner family,  the big  # three is on its way due some time in October. This will be 17 grandchildren for the Symes Family clan, we are so excited to be having two grand babies on thier way this year!! Natasha having a girl in July and now baby Towner due in October!!  Maybe another is little girl on it way, we will have to wait and see.  Stacy is going to have her hands full.  Jude will be 3 in April and baby Yael just turned 1 years old on the 24th of Jan.  Yeal and this little one will be 19 months apart.  Stacy will have a three year old, Yael 19 months and a newborn in October this year.  It is such a blessing in our lives with all these beautiful grandchildren!! 

Our Trip to Mayan Riveria

Craig and I left February 1st - 8th to Mexico.  We had a Fabulous trip!! It was so nice to just relax and that is just what we did for 7 days!!  I love our all inclusive resort that we stayed at.  It was just beautiful!!  We went with the McDougal's Karen & Gary.  It was so fun to spend time with friends.  We played tennis each morning and had lesson from a great coach named Peter from England.  He was very patient with us and I learned a lot.  It will be fun to play more tennis this spring when it warms up.  After our tennis lessons each morning we took off to the beach or the swimming pool and just relaxed the afternoon away, reading a good book and having all the Ice Cream, Pina Coladas or Bahama Mamma's we wanted !!  I loved spending time at the beach and swimming in the ocean.  We went sailing on day and enjoyed the time in the water.  The sand there is a winter white powdery fine sand.  It is just beautiful!!  We had great weather!!  It was the most relaxing vacation we have ever had.  The first one as officially Empty Nester since 2009.  We had not gone on a trip since Natasha was married, March of 2009.  We bought our St. George home in March 2009 and had that for two years, which replaced us going anywhere and then started our project in 2011 of building our new cabin at Bear lake.  Last year I really wanted to go some where warm in the winter and we never made it, so this year so the year!!  It was really needed for my dear husband.  He has been under so much stress this past year with all the changes in the Health care business.  He was so stressed the days before we left.  It was so nice to spend time with my dear Husband and just relax!!  We had so much fun we want to  make it an annual trip each year with the Mcdougals.  Hard to come home to the cold, snowy weather.  It was so fun to be somewhere warm and green this time of year!!  It has been a really nice change of pace to just rest from our challenges in life and give ourselves a battery charge to greet the new year 2014.  Hard to believe it is already February.  January flew by for us as a family!!