A Road Trip Up North and Further North

 A "Pirates of Pendance" Cop, A Newly-baptized Member of the Church, and Other Great Stuff

Roger and I are lucky grandparents!

We have very talented grandkids!

I know, what grandparent won't say that, right?

But ours each make us so very proud 

with each fun/learning/hard-working/kind

thing that they do!

Our Miss Kate was the only seventh grader picked

to be in her junior high Drama Club.

On May 1-3, they presented -

This classic was quite an undertaking for a junior high school.

We found out, when we read our program,

that my dear Balladier friend, Mark Zaugg's, son,

is the drama teacher and was the director of the musical.

Both of his mom (who is highly intelligent and charming) 

and his dad's (Mark remembers Balladier music better than anybody, and he plays and sings really well) talent 

were evident when we were entertained 

by this cleverly-staged rendition.

We were there for Opening Night.

Policewoman Katie led the other Police on to the stage.

Katie is the first on the left

The entire cast is on stage in the finale.

Roger is taking the pic - 

Jodie saw the dress rehearsal the night before, 

but was on a trip to Las Vegas with her mom and sister.

Proud Grandma and Grandpa with our Katie

We drove to Boise Friday, the next day, 
and the cute Smith kids were waiting for us.
Ellie was sitting out on the front lawn, 
waiting to spy our car.
We brought birthday presents,
some early and some late,
so we could watch them open them.
Ellie got a Dots purse with some goodies and money inside.
She picked out a pretty necklace the next day 
at the Boise Saturday Downtown Market.

Her necklace spells out ELLIE.

We picked out some real aviator sunglasses 

for these two cool pilot enthusiasts 

when we were at the National Air Force Museum in Dayton.

Saturday morning, Jedd and Sam went on a Cub Scout hike, 
and the rest of us headed downtown for the Farmer's Market.  
We try to go to this with Missy every time we visit - 
it runs from May through the fall.  
We didn't take a pic this time, but there are so many 
fun artisan vendors and so much yummy food!  
We always hit the fudge booth, the mini homemade doughnuts dipped in maple sauce booth 
and the homemade root beer stand (for Missy) 
and I bought some purple fresh asparagus 
for next day's Sunday dinner.
We hurried home, Missy took Ellie to her soccer game
(she scored a goal!),
and Roger and I drove to Caldwell 
to my childhood neighbor, 
Lily Blacker's, viewing before her funeral.
She was 93, and lived a healthy, good life.
I loved Lily!
The Blacker's were great neighbors,
and lots of my childhood memories are tied up
with Jim, Eileen and their parents, TC and Lily.
We got to hug and talk to their four kids,
and other Caldwellites from way back,
when I lived there.
John and Cindy met us there,
and we sat down together and hurriedly caught up, 
before the funeral started.
We love and adore those two!  
They stayed, and we had to leave to get back to Boise 
for Ellie's baptism.

Before the big day, 
Missy, our professional photographer,
took some beautiful pics of Ellie
at the Boise Temple grounds.
Here are a couple of them.

Gabrielle Pamela Smith
posed for pics before she was baptized 
by her father, Jedd.

Ellie loves her wonderful daddy . . .

. . . and her wonderful mommy.

A Celestial family

Here are the attendees at Ellie's special day -
Ann, the darling gal holding Claire,
is my dear Balladier friend, Don Gardner's, daughter.
Ann and Missy became close friends in Boise
long before they discovered that their parents
had sung in Balladiers together!

The very proud grandparents

Ellie and Leila have been BFFs almost since they were born.

Leila's family moved away from Boise for a few months,

and when they moved back, it was a joyous reunion!

She gave Ellie the flowers and a beaded bracelet 

that she made that says, "Best."

Ellie gave Leila one she made, when she was baptized,  

that says, "Friends."

A happy new member 
with her new scriptures strapped on her. 

Missy had her home all ready for a delicious buffet
in Ellie's honor.

Ellie picked the menu - 
shredded pork sandwiches, mac 'n cheese, 
Smith baked beans, cole slaw (well, she didn't pick that) 
and Krispy Kremes!
(Oh, yes, and butter mints - she loves those!)

After we ate, the two Grandma Pams
talked Sam into singing for us.
He has a beautiful voice,
and is very reluctant to sing for anyone!
We felt honored!

Ellie and Anderson danced, while he sang.

and Jared played the piano (not in this pic).

Sam, Jared and Elllie are all taking piano lessons.

Sunday it was great to attend church in the Smiths' great ward,
have Sunday dinner, go for a walk and hang out together.

Monday, Roger played golf with Crane and 
Shanna Simmons, our St. George neighbors 
who moved to Boise 
a couple years ago to be close to their kids.
Missy, Anderson, Claire and I went shopping,
then met Roger for lunch at, My Thai downtown
for lunch.  It is the Smiths' favorite Sushi restaurant,
and I know why.
Yum!
We shared a Bento box (my favorite!)
and some Sushi.

Anderson chowed down on the rice and chicken Satay.

Oh My Goodness, 

we enjoyed holding/hugging/loving/kissing/playing with 

this little dollie!

We left for Ogden on Tuesday morning,

stopped and chatted with Lois, then took her to dinner 

at Zucka's, an Italian restaurant near Jessica's salon.

They dropped me off to have my hair done,

then Roger picked me up and we drove to stay at Rick and Jodie's.

Next morning, we heard about Jodie's trip to Las Vegas

and Rick took us into their bedroom to show us this gorgeous portrait of Blake with his mom.

It took our breath away!

Last stop on our adventure

was at Mindy and Jeff's in Highland.

Jack was in kindergarten, 

but we took Charlie, Addie and Mindy to 

Mindy's beloved Los Hermanos 

for bean burritos and grilled shrimp salad.

In the last three weeks, we have seen and visited 
all of our kids/spouses and grandkids,
a total of 2,300 miles on the road!
We are happy to report
they are all well, happy
and anxiously engaged in very, very good things!