Homecoming and Go-Karts

We had two fun happenings last week. 

First, it was homecoming.  We are the Bulldogs down here too.  They also have the same fight song tune, except with different words.  We are green and white. Sorry dad.  I know you detest those colors.  They do a homecoming parade.  I remember when we used to do that in Lovell.  I specifically remember sitting in Brett Morrisons garage, listening to Whitney Houston and Atlantic Star, working on a float. And then we would go to the elementary and middle school, when they were sitting right next to each other, and all the kids would come out and watch. Those were fun times.  I wonder why Lovell doesnt do that anymore? 

Well, both kids were on a float.  Jazz was for volleyball.  (Did I mention she made varsity as a freshman?)    And Bobby was on a float for middle school student council.  I could be a bit biased, but I think our kids are pretty awesome. 

Jazz went to the dance with a group of girls.  "The Single Ladies".  (Lets keep it that way for a while, Jazz. A looong while.)  She was nominated for homecoming attendant but her best friend won.

On Saturday, we had our company picnic for the credit union.  They rented out a go-kart place in Vegas. It was very fun.  Bobby has been waiting 3 years to be able to be tall enough and drive the go-karts and he finally got the chance. Poor kid, he is a little height challenged, like his dad.  He was pretty fast. He even beat me.  They fed us yummy food and gave away some amazing door prizes.  Bentley was a hit, of course.  I will be so sad when I dont get to kiss that cute little face every night.

Dont look too close at my pic.  Remember, last post when I said I picked up a nasty infection from the even nastier motel we stayed at in LA?  Well, it turned out to be impetigo, and Im still trying to fight it off. 

We sure are having fun with our kids.  I so wished my mom and dad lived a little closer and were able to enjoy them too.  Its what they live for.  I know they would be here in a heartbeat if they could. And thank heavens for blogs so they can be part of it, even just a little bit.

My Mini Vacay

I love Robb's job. Thankfully, Im not the one that has to deal with the angry family members, grieving widowers or sleepless nights. I just get to enjoy the perks! Last weekend, Robb had a graveside in Los Angeles and I had Friday off, so off we went. I hadnt been anywhere farther than Vegas for over a year so I was looking forward to getting out of Dodge. Weve had more than a houseful for a while now and I was excited to get away with just my sweetie.

Trips are always exciting at first. We're singing with the radio, and, like always, making fun of people we pass. (Robb is the hands down, the king of insults. I can say with the utmost surety, that anyone reading this post has been the brunt of a Robb joke.) We passed the "Tallest Thermometer in the World" and once we arrived into the OC, the towns all started running together. By this time, we are pretty tired and hungry.  The rush of a new adventure had began to wear off and we just wanted to eat and go to bed.  Thats what middle aged people live for, right?

Im a huge "new experiences" kind of person, so we had to choose a restaurant that we'd never eaten at before.  It was a pretty good steak place.  (It must have been. I actually saw a lady getting the Heimlich and then proceed to sit down and continue eating.)

After our bellies were more than full, we set off to find a place to stay.  It shouldnt be that hard, right?  We're on the freeway in LA.  Wrong.  There was nothing. We finally saw a Motel 6 and pulled over.  It was a pretty sketchy part of the city, but we were both exhausted and decided it couldnt be that bad. Wrong again.  I really cant put into words how the room smelled when we opened the door.  Maybe dirty feet, with a little rancid smoke and old man body odor mixed with morning breath and rotting eggs.  There were hairs, not from the head, on the floor in the bathroom and blood stains on the carpet by the mirror. Robb was wondering how many bodies had been taken out of the room. We almost got a body bag from the van, zipped up and snuggled up in it for the night. BUT, we took our chances. (I came home with a nasty infection on my mouth and I KNOW it was from that bed.)

After a sleepless night, we woke up to a gorgeous California morning.  We headed over to the most beautiful and largest cemetery I'd ever seen.  We were on a hill and could see all of the LA Valley. The graveside went perfect, of course, and with that being done, we headed to the coast.

We ate at our favorite Newport Beach restaurant.

I dont know if any of you know, but my husband is deathly terrified of sharks; because we all know that the little buggers just lay and wait for some extremely white, small town, farmboy to step into the water before they ruthlessly attack. Besides swallowing about a gallon of sea water, he faced his fear and even body surfed a time or two.

We then went to the Newport Beach temple. And saw behind the gate, the LA temple.  Robb and I decided that after driving and staying in LA for only 2 days what a wonderful refuge that temple must be.  That amid the chaos and anarchy, there is a place of solace and tranquility, where you can go to rejuvenate spiritually and emotionally.   

It was a quick trip but as you've seen in my other posts, almost anywhere we go turns into some sort of adventure and I wouldnt want to get lost, stuck or contaminated with anyone other my Robb.

Missin Home

For the most part, I absolutely love where we live, but this weekend I was missing home. 

3 years ago, I was more than upset when Robb told me we were moving to the desert, but was pleasantly surprised when we got here to find that we actually live in a little valley surrounded by "mountains". 

Because I was missing home, I decided we should go have a picnic in these so called mountains today.  I was anticipating 5 Springs, but this is what I got. . . .
Can you say baron?

Where is the turn off to fill our cartons with that fresh mountain water?

This is the amazing campground covered with trees and mountain smells with picnic tables and built in campfire pits. .  .

The lush pine trees with their wonderful smell. . .

Sagebrush. . . .

And the gorgeous creek filled with rainbow trout covered by the wooden bridge. . .

I know its hard to see but our new "home" is down in this beautiful valley.  A different beauty than Wyoming but a beauty that we've grown to love, all the same. 

Sometimes, the Wyoming girl in me sneaks outs and I really miss home but I've learned that home is where you make it and right now, Im happy to call Mesquite my home.