Reunion Planning--The Countdown Has Begun

Back in the summer, we talked with the kids about when they would like to meet for our next "formal" reunion.  Everyone was leaning towards June of 2025 as we have gathered in the winter the past few times and it is somewhat limiting in activities. We then planned to go to Arizona for Thanksgiving and to Tacoma at Christmas time to visit those families after our return from our mission.

It was the plan UNTIL Tosha and Austen got orders to go to Okinawa in mid-December (that has been a crazy ride for them and it is still up in the air if they are going and when they are going.  Certainly not in December.)  We made a change to the days before Thanksgiving again, rented a place in Ogden Valley to gather, and started making plans.

It was so amazing and exciting in the days before people started arriving.  Even being 69, I still like to plan these events and I love watching them play out and see everyone having fun.

Jena and I made the grocery shopping trip--which really involved three trips over a few days.

While we were getting things ready, Gary was also helping get things put together at home.  We removed our back door with the doggie door and put in the original door which has been downstairs for 20+ years.

Friday night, Tosha and family arrived. So on Saturday, Tosha and Austen helped Gary cut branches in the bushes and trees while the rest of us headed to the nearby Bluff Ridge Park.

Niki

Jena

Cooper

Ava

This is where Tosha attended 3rd through 6th grade, so we decided to get a photo at the sign (not the sign that was there when Tosha was at the school, however.)

It was sweet to spend some extra time with the Russells before we all gathered on Sunday to start our reunion in Ogden Valley.  I love the connections I feel with these sweet kids even though we don't spend much time together.  We are lucky grandparents (and aunt!)
 

A Sad Note

On November 20, our sweet dog, Mowgli passed away due to age.  He was almost 16 years old which is pretty old for a dog.  He was a good dog--adjusted to the changes in the past few years living with grandkids and losing his brother dog, Jasper a few years ago and kept being just a good, kind dog.  We miss him and the presence of a dog in the house.  I think we are done being a pet family as we are moving into the "retirement" phase of our life and would like the freedom to come and go without worrying about a pet.  We will see.  We have had dogs frequently in our lives.

Mowgli as puppy

Mowgli and Jasper

I am sure I have some photos of him as an adult dog, but I don't have a good way to search for that.

Goodbye, sweet one.  Jasper was excited to be with you again.

Renovations Begins......

It is amazing how quickly I get behind on the blog.  Usually Sundays are fairly open and provide a nice day to review the week--but the past few Sundays have been busy and now I am playing catch-up AGAIN!  Of course, compared to the years before the blog that I still need to document--a few weeks is nothing.

Moving on---

RENO Starts----Getting pictures to help with planning and getting bids.  This blog will probably contain lots of pictures of the process--the good and the bad.  Feel free to skip on if you aren't into these type of details.

Chris Walsh (Walsh Factor and Marge's son-in-law) is doing our master bathroom.  We selected the tiles and the counter tops, bought a tub--returned the tub for one slightly smaller, and moved our bedroom into the office.

The Before photos---

Current Status---

storing of our cabinets which we are going
to reuse in the bathroom

The demo is done.

Gary Kerr designed and is building our library wall in the front room (with assist from Gary).  Very excited about this project.  My grandparents had a library room--bookcases on three walls of their parlor.  I loved that room and always wanted to have my own.  Only one wall, but it will create a space of books and other beloved things.  I hope that my grandchildren love it, too.

Gary has blocked off the living room to keep the dust down in the rest of the house.

The base of our library wall----

So with the reno---clothes moved to the coat closet.......

...and Gary's office moved into the TV room.

These are only temporary moves as we will all move downstairs when our other contractor--Sean Ferguson from Aspen Hills and his team begins working on the rest of the house.  Probably after Christmas sometime.

It will be a journey--we will try to enjoy it as best we can.  

Jena's YSA Friendsgiving

Gary wanted to be a part of our photo!!

Jena's YSA was having a Family Night Friendsgiving--when I asked Jena want she wanted to bring, she didn't hesitate--7-layer dip. She was able to help me.  She reported that it was a big hit as she was the only one who brought chips and a dip.  (And we enjoyed the one I made for us as well.)