This Week



Sunday while still in St. David we got to celebrate Grandpa Paul's birthday with him (day early).  Karina and I made peach pie the day before which turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.   Tuesday the 18th was cousin Logan's 1st birthday.  That morning at flag ceremony, Brad's beginning band group performed.  Camille, Eve and I stuck around so we could listen.  They've only been playing about a month now and did a great job.

 

Thursday evening Alex got to go to the temple with his parents, Lincoln and Grandpa Matheson.  Afterwards they went out to Texas Roadhouse and I'm told it was a wonderful evening.  Friday was a half day of school for the kids (and cousin Callie's bday).  We played with friends and Grandma Matheson after lunch.  Then the girls and I got to join up with Grandma Sue, Karina and Devon who were at Alex's office for dental appointments. 

 

Alex was kind enough to make it possible for me to head back to St. David with them.  It was really fun to spend some time with Devon, Karina, Mom.  Dad was on a scout campout. The next day was the funeral for Annie Dever and her son, Larry Dever.  I didn't know Annie but Larry has been the sheriff in Cochise County for years, his wife Nancy was my kindergarten teacher and their son, Garrett was in my class in St. David from K-12th grades.  His death was unexpected -- he rolled his truck on a hunting trip.  It was good to be there along with much of St. David -- past and present.  There were several faces I hadn't seen for many years.  Their son Bradley gave Larry's life story.  He told about how early on his parents had decided to move from California back to the St. David area so that they could raise their kids "in the dirt" rather than in the city.  Since moving from SD I've lived in cities big and small and learned to enjoy life wherever I am but I've always been so grateful for growing up "in the dirt" in St. David -- it was a wonderful place to be a kid.  So thanks Dad for commuting an hour each way to work and Mom for putting up with all the little inconveniences that come with farm and country living.

 

Saturday afternoon was the much anticipated 1st birthday party for cousin Logan in Tucson.  Mom, Karina, Devon, Deidre & I drove up together and Alex came down from Queen Creek with the kids.  Jeff & Kelsey, Cindy & Darren, Duane & Shirley & crew and some of Alan & Megan's friends were there too.  Megan did a bang-up job planning the event and it was a lot of fun.  Not sure if Devon & Dee-dee enjoyed the party or sitting by eachother the whole time more.  Lydia was very excited to win 3rd place in the pin-the-wheel-on-the-tractor game.  Camille threw up as we were leaving but gratefully that was the end of it and she's been fine today -- maybe she tried out some of Logan's beetles.

 

Today has been a good Sunday.  Alex & I got to go visit our friends Tracy & Dave Lindsay.  In church today I'd forgotten that I was playing for the special musical number until they announced it in Sacrament meeting.  I had to quickly exit and return home for my music but gratefully it came off well.

 

Camille was pretty proud of her clay bracelets.

Alex says the kids get this from me -- wanting to stand on objects to make themselves taller.  Eve and Camille try it out on the fridge.