I started working on this project about a month ago 

finally got it finished and sent off to Angie.

Candice told me a long time ago that Angie had asked her if she would stitch the words to this song for her.  She's been so busy with school, she didn't get around to it, so I thought I would.

This is for sure one of the favorite songs we would sing together and as I stitched each word my heart was aching to be with mum again...to hear her playing the ukulele and singing along with us girls.

I know Angie loves these songs and is missing mum too. They were very close.  She is going through a real hard time right now.  Her cancer treatments haven't been working so they are trying something new.  It's making her so sick and miserable. My heart is breaking for her..  She keeps us updated on her progress and is always so positive and grateful for any good thing and even for this very hard thing she has to go through. She is a great example to me of enduring it well.

Anyway, Angie got the package last week and sent me the sweetest note.  Brenda did too.  I guess it came at a low point for her.  Her furnace had gone out and she had been in the cold for two days feeling miserable from the intense chemo treatment.  She said it really cheered up her day. I'm so glad for that. This is one of those times you want so badly to do something to help, but she is so far away, it's pretty limited what I can do. So knowing I could cheer her up a bit sure made me happy too.

  

I just have to say I'm really proud of this girl.  She always gives 100 percent to what ever she does and this calling is no exception.

They have been planning this service project for months and it really was a great activity.  They were collecting things to make kits to give to the refugees.  The Relief Society ladies really came though and filled up all the sign up sheets then they showed up to help put them together!  We had a great turn out, probably at least 40 people.  They brought their items and put them on the tables to put into the kits, then everyone sat down and listened to Katie give them a special message about service.  She had lots of information on other things we can do to help the refugees too.  

Kim had given a lesson last month about ways we can help the refugees and it really touched my heart.  I'm going to check into some of the ways they talked about that we can help.

 Kathy had a project going too of making  centerpieces for funerals and events that she had all the ladies help with after the kits were done.

 Katie and I had made a bunch of  different breads for dessert and she made some hot apple cider too that was yummy.

It was a great night that left everyone feeling good cause they were able to help someone out.

Something that stuck in my head was when they said "What if their story was your story?" They told us how these people are just regular people like us...they had jobs and families and homes  but because of war or natural disasters, they can't go back to their homes.  I can't even imagine what they have been through but when I think about it I realize we don't know what the future will bring to us... these are very uncertain times...their story could very well be our story.

 We got to have a quick visit with Camille and Kellen last weekend.  Kellen's grampa that lives in Coalville passed away so they flew here last friday. We were still in Las Vegas but headed home early Sunday morning so we could spend some time with them.  

It was so fun to have them here.  Candice and KC came over so we had some good all together time.

 I think the baby was pretty excited to be with all of us too cause he was jumping all over the place!

 Snap chat face swap gone way wrong.  We laughed about a months worth in one afternoon.  I think that's one of the things I miss most about not having Camille here...just laughing a lot.

Kelley and I got to spend such a fun weekend  together in Las Vegas.  I had got him tickets to Jimmy Buffets concert there for his birthday and we have been looking forward to it for the last five months.  

We got down to St. George Friday afternoon and stayed at Dan and Brenda's place.  They are so generous to share their lovely home with us!

Last time we were in St. George we ate at the Black bear restaurant and really liked it so we went there for dinner.  It was great once again!  After we went to see the movie Deep Horizon, a true story about a disaster on an oil rig.  It was a pretty good movie.

Saturday morning we got down to Vegas and went to visit Chris.  He has just had knee surgery but is doing really well.  Lisa is in Utah taking care of her dad cause he just had heart surgery so I think Spencer has been helping Chris out after his surgery.  It was good to visit with him.

Chris was telling us about a mall there that had a Dillards outlet.  He said he had found a lot of nice clothes there so we decided to check it out.  It was huge with acres of racks of clothes.  It was a little overwhelming for me, but Kelley found  some nice shirts and a couple pair of shorts for great prices!

It was late afternoon by then, so we headed over to our hotel.  I had found this place called Tuscany suites online and it looked really nice and it didn't disappoint.  Online it looked like it was within walking distance to the MGM (where the concert was) so that was another reason I chose that place.

We relaxed for a bit, then got ready and headed over to the strip to find a place to eat.

Las Vegas is such a interesting place.  It's a melting pot for the whole world and the people watching is incredible.  There are people entertaining everyone all along the sidewalk and I would have liked to stay and watch what they were doing, but we didn't have that much time before the concert.

 We decided to eat at PF Changs and it was delicious! 

After dinner, we headed for the  MGM.  When we got closer, we knew we were in the right place because the parrot heads were lining up to get in.  Ha!  I actually wished we had dressed up cause most people were!  

The MGM Grand is a huge building!  We got in through the security line, then it felt like we walked another mile through the casino and shops, restaurants, hallways and lobbies till we got to the Garden Arena.  It took so long to get in there, we could hear Jimmy starting to sing!  We finally made it to our seats and  thoroughly enjoyed the next 90 minutes of his music.

It's more like a party...

 I loved how the background changed with each song...I don't know where I'ma gonna go when the volcano blows!  (That was the name of this tour...I don't know Ha!)

Leaving the arena was another great experience in people watching.  Jimmy Buffet fans are a different breed.  Being in Las Vegas, people are probably less inhibited, but this bunch did not hold back.  It's interesting to see the varying ages of fans too...a good bunch of younger fans, but mostly older folks (ha! that's us!)  Much more mellow (less drunk and stoned) crowd than at outdoor concerts.

We went to Johnny Rockets for a Strawberry shake after the show and met up with Ty and Heather there. He is also a huge Jimmy Buffet fan and him and Kelley have been talking about it for months.  Ty is one of my favorites.  Him and Kelley have worked together off and on for years.  Ty quit laying brick and got a "real job" for the city several years ago, but never really liked it so he went back to construction about a year ago.  He's been trying to get Kelley to join him ever since.  I know Kelley misses laying brick and has been tempted, but I don't know when he'd find time to do it!  Anyway, Ty is a great friend who never forgets to tell Kelley that he loves him every time they talk.

It was a great time with my sweetie.  He's been so busy the past few months, we probably wouldn't have gone if we didn't already have the tickets, but I'm sure glad we did.  The older I get, the more I appreciate these great memories we are making together.

A couple of months ago, Taylor started talking about how he wanted to buy a house of his own.  He looked around quite a bit and finally found a condo in South Jordan he liked.  He comes over about every day  and talks about what's going on in his life and I love him like another son.  

After it was all said and done, and he closed on the house, KC said he was going to rent a room in Taylors house.  I was like what? why? what? when? why????  I guess that thought was always there that KC was going to move out someday, I just figured it would be when he got married.  I tried to act like I was excited for him but I guess I'm kind of transparent.  KC could see that I was sad.  He told me he really didn't want to move out, but felt like he needed to try something new and meet some new people.  I get it.  He's a grown man.  I want him to move forward with his life.  I just enjoy having him around, and I'm going to miss him.

The day before he moved out I was sitting on the stairs watching him packing up his things and he looked up at me and I just started to cry.  I tried to not cry, but it had all built up and I couldn't keep it in.  He came and sat down by me and gave me a big hug.  He said "Don't be sad mom, I'll come over all the time...I'm going to miss you too"  He's kind of a special guy.  Always has been.  He's going to make some lucky girl a great husband...seems like he always knows what to say.  I think I'll miss that.  He would always ask me how my day was and what I had been doing, then he'd listen while I'd ramble on about my day.  I'll be forever grateful for the sweet relationship we have.

Kelley and I went over to see his place Saturday night.  It's a real nice home in a nice gated community.   

 It's going to take some getting used to for all of us.  Taylor said he feels like he's sitting in RC willey in his living room...just furniture with no decorations or things like home, kinda empty.  KC has been coming by after work and eating dinner with us and fixing himself a lunch for the next day.  We went shopping yesterday after he got done with work  to get some  staples to stock his shelves. It was nice wandering around Costco and Walmart laughing and talking with him. 

 I'm trying to come to grips with the whole idea but not quite there yet.  Went down to his bedroom today to start cleaning up but after standing there looking at the half empty closet, I just turned around and went right back out.  This is going to take some time.

I only got through about half of my visit with Camille's family so I'll finish up here...(disclaimer...lots of rambling and cute pictures of grandkids)

I ended up staying about a week longer than I had planned so I could help Camille out a bit while Kellen was gone.  Camille kept trying to get up and do something but really just couldn't.  She would get so nauseated and weak, she would end up back in bed or laying by the toilet.  Every night she w)ould say, "tomorrow I'll feel better" but then the next day, she really didn't feel better. 

Towards the end of the week she started perking up and her shingles weren't hurting her as much so we got out and did a few things.

Sam has been playing flag football this fall and it's a hoot to watch them. Sam plays defense and he thinks that's really cool.  Kellen has been helping to coach and I think Sam really likes that too. 

 We went and got a pedicure one day after dropping Emily off.  We went to this place that costs a little more, but the chairs in this place are incredible. You sink down and it feels like the chair is swallowing you.  Then these magic fingers start massaging all over your back side.  They even have pads that squeeze in and massage your head!  You want to sit there and let your toe nails dry for 2 hours cause it feels so good !

Kellen has been working hard on their yard.  Their grass has all filled in and looks great!  They bought some hibiscus plants for the back wall that will be real nice too.

 Emily and I slept in Olivias bed.  She is such a funny girl.  We would  read books and watch silly cat videos till all hours of the night (don't tell Camille)

 Brittney had a birthday party for Leah at a splash pad park.  She is a little cutie.  Brittney is juggling a hundred different things but doesn't ever seem to get frazzled. Her kids are a lot!, they wear me out just watching them from a distance, but she always seems calm and patient with them. She has done a good thing to give all these kids a stable happy life.  

 When Camille couldn't get out of bed, Emily and I would come and keep her company there..Emily is pretty entertaining. She has dance moves like no other.  

 Then she would hold Camille's phone on Camille's belly so baby brother could hear the music too.

 Emily helped me make cookies and the dough got a big thumbs up.

 Olivia saved her money and bought this silly game where you keep pulling out the sticks in the hat till it lets all the water in the top loose all over your head.  It was pretty funny till it was your turn to wear the hat!

 Brittney invited us over for  a nice dinner on Sunday afternoon.

Emily goes to a little playgroup once a week that is kind of like the old Joy school.  The moms take turns having the kids over.  She came home with all the B things this day.  She goes to a preschool a couple of days a week too that she just loves.  She wants to do everything Liv and Sam do so getting to put on her backpack and go to school is just the best!  She sang songs she had learned that day all the way home.

So Emily woke up Sunday morning with a big blistery looking thing on her leg.  We were trying to not freak out, but it looked just like chicken pox.  The doctor had told Camille that shingles weren't contagous to people unless they hadn't had the chicken pox or had been vaccinated.  Emily had had her first vaccination for chicken pox, but wouldn't get the next one till she went to kindergarten.  We thought it couldn't be, till another one popped up and she got pretty bad diarrhea.  Camille had had diarrhea for about two weeks and I think that added to her overall icky feeling.  You could tell Emily wasn't feeling very good so Camille decided to have her checked out. We took her to Camille's pediatrician but he wasn't there so we saw a different doctor. He was in quite a hurry and just took one look at her and said "it's not chickenpox"  He said it was just a rash...hmmm didn't look like a rash at all.  He said if it was chicken pox it would be around her trunk, not her legs. 

Well that was good news that it wasn't chickenpox, but we still didn't know what was making her sick and he didn't have any conclusions except for telling us it was a rash.

Emily is such a good natured little bug though, she is always happy and ready to strike a pose when I pull out my camera.

Stickers from Trader Joes and riding the dog at Old Navy.  You can see the sore on her leg there and there were a few more on the back of her leg.

Olivia is such a doll.  She told Camille that she really wanted to go to the mall with me. ..just me and her.  I thought that sounded fun too, so Camille programed into my phone just how to get there.  I don't know my way around at all and get lost just getting  out of her neighborhood.  I was just getting to where I felt comfortable driving in her old neighborhood!  Anyway, it worked out just fine and we made it to the Superstition mall without incident. 

We had such a fun time shopping  togegther! 

Liv needed some new dresses so we found some cute ones at the Justice store.

She liked this top with the fringie scarf so we got that too!  Then we went into Victoria Secret and  I got me a new bra, then to the candy store for treats for everyone. Olivia's one request was a stop at the pretzel shop so we got a  big bag of bites and sat and ate them and talked and people watched. She is growing up so fast.  I can't believe she will be 10 tomorrow!  She is growing up to be such a delightful young lady...she has a great sense of humor and is so sweet and patient with Emily.  She will spend hours playing with her.  She is so good with Sam too and really watches out for him at school now.  Those kids really love each other.  Even though they all have their own bedrooms, they all end up in Sams room on the bunkbeds or on the floor so they can be together.

Anyway, we had a great time together.  I'd just give anything to be able to do things like that all the time.

The last morning I was there, Camille felt pretty good so we decided to go for a hike. It was the perfect temperature...sunny but not too hot.

The desert is incredibly beautiful in it's own unique  way.  These pictures don't do it justice.

We thought we'd get a few quick games of racko in before I headed to the airport.  Camille dominated. Emily danced and sang for side entertainment. 

Kellen hooked me up with a seat in first class on the way home.  Boy they sure give you special treatment!  I didn't have to wait in any lines for security and was the first group to get on the plane.  As soon as I got in there, a guy comes and takes my bag and says he will stow it for me.   Ha!  I had the first seat on the first row and it was pretty sweet!  They come right away and ask if I would like anything to drink and bring a basket of treats to pick from! Wow no wonder Kellen love it!  There's blankets and pillows to make you comfy and constantly checking to see if I wanted more drinks or treats.  I was wishing I was on a longer flight!  When we were about 20 minutes away from home, the captain came on the intercom and said we were going to be flying into some pretty bad turbulence and he wanted everyone to sit down and buckle up, even the flight attendants. (Camille had sent me a news flash from home saying we had had several tornados earlier that day...I'm sure that had something to do with the bad turbulence.)  The shaking started right away and I've never felt it so bad.  The plane was shaking so bad, then would drop down and bump like it was hitting something. Needless to say, our fancy drinks went flying. This went on till we landed.  I got so nauseated, I really had to fight it to not let myself throw up. As soon as we landed, the pilot came on the intercom and apologized for the rough ride.  You could tell that he, along with everyone else was pretty shaken up.  I was sure grateful to put my feet on solid ground.