Texas Trip

Going on a week visiting in Texas.  I'm anxious to come home.  Trying to get mother to head out sometime this week.  She wants to make a road trip to Utah.  I told her I would take the time to drive her up and she could stay as long as she likes.  I'm anxious to get on the road.

Me at my Mother's home in Canton Texas, My Sunday Dress

My Trip To Texas

I flew in Tuesday afternoon to surprise my mom for her 80th birthday, Stayed at Tom's my first night.  We went out to a really nice Mexican restaurant for dinner, spending time with my brother and my sister-in-law Richelle.  Tommy's has a the new look.  Funny Man!!

Tommy my Brother and I at Dinner July 19th, 2016

Mom's 80th Birthday July 20th, 2016

 I flew to Texas to help celebrate mom's 80th birthday we had a great party, I'm spending time with my mother now, for the week.  She was surprised that I flew in for her special Birthday this year.  I wanted to plan a fun family party at the Lake this year, but it did not work out. None of my siblings wanted to make the time to come to Utah.  So I went to Texas,  We had to do something special for her on her big 80th.  She has talked about it for years, when she turned 80 she wanted a big party.  Well our family is not that big, but we did gather and surprise her at her home.  She had no idea I was flying.  I flew in a day early to get ready.  I stayed at Tommy's house.  From there we picked up food, a cake at Costco and headed to Mom's home- a 2 hr drive from Tom's house.  We invited her neighbors and a few Ward friends.  She looks great for being 80yrs old.

My Mother and I on her special day

Our Bike Ride

We got up early this morning and loaded up our bikes,  we rode up Immigration Canyon all the way to the top and back down it was about 15 miles.  We stopped at Ruth's diner and had lunch on our way back down the canyon, it is a beautiful day.  I'm beat, that's one of the hardest and longest rides that Ive ever done,  it was fun,  I did it!!! something my husband wanted me to do for several years, I finally made the effort.  

Craig and Debbie Riding Bikes this summer.

Ashtyn Is Home

Grandmother Debbie holding baby Ashtyn two and half weeks old

Baby Ashtyn came home at 4pm on Saturday. So glad she is finally able to come home, it has been over two weeks since she was born.  She has been in the Newborn ICU the entire time.  She is so beautiful!!

Proud Grandmother Debbie holding our newest granddaughter.  It has been over 11 years since a granddaugther was born.  We now have 5 granddaughters in our family tree. She has lots of hair!!

Our Annie Girl

Our little Annie at Bear lake

Thomas Family on Annie 2nd Birthday , July 14th, 2016 -going swimming

Our little Annie turned Two years old on Thursday July14th.  She is such a darling little granddaughter in our family, love her so very much.

Tash's Home Remodeling

Craig went over to help Tasha in their new house, they're remodeling job has been a lot of work and a nightmare at the same time.   She just called me and told me that Saturday when they cleaned the garage out they threw all the doors away that were painted and ready to go in the basement, so now they have to buy all new doors for the basement. I can't believe Bridger did not check and count the doors and make sure they were all there, before they threw anything away.  Tasha is sick about it, she even had to go buy a new toilet because they're short one toilet in the house.  They don't know what happened to it, it must of got thrown away when they threw other stuff out. I can't believe they just threw them away at the dump, they were all really good doors, they could've sold them on KSL.com  These kids live in a throwaway society. Their house is turning out really nice.  It is costing them more than what they thought, which is how it always goes on a remodel.  It can be a money pit!!  They are going to have a lovely home when it is all completed.  Craig is her handy man.  She has him over fixing things daily.  What would she do without her Dad?

Shannon Is Sick Again

Shannon has had such a rough go since she's given birth to this little baby, she has post preclampsia and will be on high blood pressure medicine for 6 weeks, then this week she was admitted to the hospital for a uterus infection, she was running a high fever, had to have an antibiotic given by IV, she is feeling a little better today.  I have not seen the baby since I went to Bear Lake which is over 10 days ago,  I wanted to go today but they wouldn't let her back in the nursery until her fever has come down so maybe later today Craig and I can go over to the hospital and meet Shannon there to see the baby, she said that she's feeling much better today. Hopefully baby Ashtyn will be able to come home in the next couple days, just waiting for her to gain her birth weight back and they said she should be well enough to come home.  The work will begin for Shannon having the baby home, just hope she can get to feeling better and get her own strength back.  They both have had their challenges to deal with mother and baby.

A Little Break

Sunday was a nice Sabbath day.  I needed a break from all the family activities.  Craig and I were both just very tired after Tracy and Jason's baby blessing, we came home and took a long nap and just relaxed it was so nice to have a nice quiet house and rest, being with the grandkids for 10 days at the cabin I got tired of all the noise, it is really nice to just sit in a quiet clean house.  No break for very long, Tasha called first thing this morning asking me to help her with her kids so she can start unpacking and moving in her new house. They're starting to move in which is very nice, finally- it has been a long years and now it it here, there is still lots that needs to be done but they're getting so close to completing the remodeling in their new home.
   My hip is been really hurting on the left side so I went to the chiropractor this morning to get an adjustment. I guess the rest of the day I'll be helping Tasha, she asked me to babysit for her till five p.m., so she can go to a baby shower tonight,  I'm just going to go over to their new house and see what I can do to help her for the afternoon.  Craig spent several hours fixing things for her too. He is one of her handyman's.  Craig is so handy and is able to do alot to help our children.  

Tracy's & Jason's Baby Blessing

We drove home late Saturday night so we could tend the baby blessing for Taydom on Sunday morning at 9 AM. It was a very nice baby blessing for Tracy and Jason, a step for them in the right direction of being activated in the church, he was blessed with his little cousin Ivy, they were both born a day apart, it was fun to gather as family and friends afterwards and have a nice brunch.

Raena holding Taydom Grandmother Jan Symes, Debbie & Craig at the baby blessing luncheon.

Fun Day

Car Show- Michael, Jaxon, Alec and Grandpa Symes

Craig with the Chaudhry brother's in Jackson Hole, WY. Jaxon, Michael, Craig and Alec

Cousin having summer fun at Jackson, Hole Wy. July 2016

We have had a fun filled day.  We all got up at 4am.- got dressed and out the door by 4:45am- on our way to Jackson Hole to raft down the Snake River, there were 13 of us- Dave and Shar and their three kids, Cole, Austin, Aubrey, Trisha, Karlee and Sadie, Buck, Craig and I with the three Chaudhry boys- Michael Alec and Jaxon.  We all had such a great time going down the Snake River, it was a fun adventure for the older grandkids. Dave was a hoot with the kids,  We had a fun water fight in our rafts.  I was timid on the river, but really enjoyed our adventure.  We then went into Jackson Hole and had ice cream. We walked around the town square. Craig and I headed back to the cabin to packed up, cleaned up and headed back home, we're just getting home at 11 PM it's been a long day and I am dead tired we had such a great time with our older grandkids.  We brought the 3 Chuadhry boy's home & Lincoln with us tonight, on our way home we stopped by a car show in Montpelier Idaho, it was fun for the boys to see the fancy cars.  It feels so good to be home and sleep in our comfy bed tonight I am just exhausted.  We drove 2 hours to Jackson Hole, 2 hours back to the cabin and 3 hours home from the cabin that evening.  It has been a very long day!! 

Day Trip to Jackson Holy, Wy  We had  a very fun day!!

Rode My Bike To South Beach

I got out and rode my bike today.  I rode down to the southern tip of the lake and back.  It was about 20 miles round trip.   It felt good to be out in the fresh air and sunshine.  I had a good head wind on the way back so I burned some good calories.  It wears me out for the rest of the day.  I've got to do better in getting exercise time in.  My energy level will get better in time.  I'm doing better and can ride further than I've ever thought I could. My ankle is feeling much better, enough to get out and ride.  My Hubby will be really proud of me and surprised that I rode so far by myself.

The Weight Is Back On

It is a constant battle,  I let up this last month in eating what ever, I weighed myself this morning and I weigh 159 pounds!!! Ouch,  One week at the cabin of eating all this good cooking from my daughters, three meals a day and that has just poured back on the pounds.  I haven't been exercising, I've got to get my foot feeling better so I can get back to some exercise.  You just can't let up, I can't eat the carbs- that's my challenge!!! And the soda pop!!  Got to recommit myself today I'm going to be at the 160 mark where I was last summer and keep going if I'm not careful.  I'm going to have to work hard to get this 10 pounds off. Summer is a challenge for me being at the lake- this is where I gain my weight.  I ordered some yoga classes online I can watch them on my phone which is really nice.  Today I'm going to try to burn some calories I need to be more active and curve my appetite at the same time.

Beautiful Bear Lake

We are having a nice time at the Lake

Baby Ashtyn Still In The Hospital

She so adorable!!  Only a few days old!!

Shannon has had a rough time since the baby was born.  Little baby Ashtyn is still in the newborn ICU, each day seems to be a new challenge.  She is losing weight which is not good, she only weighs about 5lbs. Saturday Shannon was admitted to the hospital for toxemia, her blood pressure was extremely high 185/104. She has been very sick.  She is just going back and forth to the nursery to feed her little baby.  She is so darling.  Pray they both will be able to come home soon.   We have all 4 boys at the lake with us- watching them while Shannon and the baby are still in the hospital, they are having fun with their cousins.

Our Baby Ashtyn Neveah, what a cutie!!

4th of July Weekend

Happy 4th of July

Going for a Jet ski ride, Michael Landon and Lincoln.  I rolled my ankle taking this picture of the kids. hoping around now with a hurt ankle and foot.

Celebrating the 4th of July

We came to the cabin Thursday evening, June 30th.  June is over!! It went by so fast.  Enjoying our time at the lake. We have had very nice 4th of July.  All our kids are here and grandkids this year except Shannon & Ryan.  Chad flew in to spend a couple of days.  Tasha & Bridger arrived Sunday night and Noriega's arrived Monday evening just in time for our firework show.  The kids all had fun playing with the glow sticks and sparklers that we got for them, all running around on the grass, little Annie loved the sparklers.  So fun to watch them all.  We were lighting sparklers as fast as we could. Chad lit the fireworks, we had a Great display that lit up the sky.  Craig bought some great fireworks this year.  I didn't get pictures like I wanted.  I fell earlier in the day down the steps taking pictures of the kids and sprain my ankle. Grandma Lavon fell down the night before and hurt herself really bad. She is hurting in her knees.  Her and I were confine to our chair for the show.  Mom Lavon loves the fireworks.  Craig took her home Tuesday morning.  I stayed up at the lake.  I had to get a sub for my temple assignment this week with my hurt ankle. I wanted to stay at the lake anyway.  Trisha and her family, the Noeriga family and Stacy and her three kids are staying the week at the lake. It is fun to be here with all the kids. 

Sunday after church- Debbie, Karlee, Yael, Saydee, Farrah, Stacy, Jude, Landon, Boston, Trisha, Mom Lavon, Michael, Alec and Jaxon (backrow0

Craig with his Mother LaVon