Down in June

Many of the details of June, especially the first few days, are lost to me. Roger and I both came down with either a severe virus or the new form of Covid, which included extreme nausea and all the nasties which go with that for the stomach and G.I. tract, and I was told that I even babbled incoherently for a couple of days. Per usual, Roger recovered in a few days, then he became my caregiver extraordinaire, slowly nursing me with sips of Pedialyte and juices through a straw and helping me navigate to accomplish the necessities of life in the bathroom (showering, etc.) Then, when I could eat, he brought me Kneader's chicken noodle soup, and I sipped the broth, which tasted like elixir of the gods, and he made me fruit juice ( I especially liked apricot and mango) and ginger ale icees. I had several kind neighbors and friends bring in food through the days, whom I will appreciate eternally. The very worst part of that sickness is the weakness it left me with. I am still not 100%, but I am steadily improving with a renewed gratitude for good health and a heightened sense of love and appreciation for the mate I fell in love with 56 years ago. 

With some of the Christmas gift money Roger received from the kids, he decided to take some weekly golf lessons from a PGA pro, Rob Krieger. He is part of a Veterans' program called PGA Hope, which instructs Vets how to play better golf. Roger's lessons culminated in a free day of golf at Sunbrook with other PGA Hope Vets on June 8. Roger says he has learned a tremendous lot from Rob on how to improve his golf game and it is some of the best money he has ever spent. He really took his lessons seriously and would go out and practice behind our house when Sunbrook's last golfers went by every week.

PGA Hope Vets free day of golf together

We managed to have a delicious Father's Day meal of grilled steak, though Roger did most of the work. He is an excellent outdoor griller!

One of the most disappointing casualties of my getting sick is having to miss the aunt's bridal shower for Kenna at Jodie's house in SLC. Jared and McKenna are such a happy couple and I am so grateful that we were able to go to their open house in Boise in May and be around Kenna and her parents, who are darling.

Jodie is always a super hostess of whatever the occasion, going the extra mile to make it wonderful!

After the shower in SLC, Missy and Claire came for a short visit to St. George, I think mainly to check up on me, and I loved their company! We enjoyed great chats and ate take-out. Missy and Claire went hiking and swimming one day; Claire is a little sprite delight to be around. They really lifted my spirits.

Roger has served on the HOA Board for over 8 years and he was presented with this plaque when he "retired".

I have to say I was kind of glad to see June go this year and I looked forward to better health and fun to be back on the menu for July!

 

Grandkids Shine in May!

First activity up in May was our Branch Fiesta Picnic! We just took a quick pic to remember it by. Such fun and wonderful friends and neighbors we have!

I made a yummy strawberry poke cake - I think I'll make ths one again! 

Such sad, sad news! My friend, Marcia Wade, whom I got to know well when we served on the St. George Musical Theater Board of Volunteers, passed away unexpectedly after a fall. A harder worker there never was, and she was dedicated to the arts. She was so kind and everyone loved her! Her husband is, Stephen R. Wade, who is a well-known leader in the community and Roger and I have been to dinner with them and others who are mutual friends with Kent Petersen from Ogden. Kent was a close friend in Ogden when we lived there and he owned a large car dealership, Petersen Motors, selling several car brands, and Stephen owns a huge car dealership in St George, also selling several car brands. I will miss her!

Roger always takes a pic of me on Mothers Day and sends it to the kids.

And he prepared the most delicious meal - cracked crab legs, filet mignon, baked potato and a delicious Caesar salad with homemade croutons!

Okay, now the grandkids!

Our daughter Missy, and her husband, Jedd, like things casual and don't enjoy reception lines or anything formal. Their boys are the same way. Their oldest, Jared, and his fiance', Mckenna, wore ultra-casual clothes for this party in their honor before their wedding August 2. 

Kenna's parents are darling! So fun to meet them!

Missy and Jedd had made their yards, back and front, so gorgeous! This sends all of the guests around to the backyard.

In the back corner of the backyard is this fire pit. They rented two more so guests could sit in a circle and roast s'mores. They also were served old-fashioned bottles of root beer ( a Smith favorite) and other flavors.

This station is loaded up with makings for original s'mores - chocolate-covered caramels, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, graham crackers and fudge-striped cookies were some of the ingredient choices.

There were beautiful flowers everywhere!

There were also games to be played. Grandpa and Ellie are having fun!

It wa a fun party and we love McKenna and her parents! She and Jared make  darling couple!

Very soon after, we returned home, then drove to Mesa fo this beautiful granddaughter, Becca's, HS Graduation.

Becca with her two sets of grandparents. Becca is an outstanding dancer and has performed many solos on her creative dance team. She is also a top student and a real sweetheart!

Our son, Ryan's, great family (minus Anna and Jack), is posing on the football field after graduation.

Very few days later was our darling Ellie's graduation, back in Boise. Roger and I both got hit with a vicious stomach/intestinal flu and coudn't travel. When we called to say we couldn't make it, we found out Ellie's little sister, Claire, also had possibly that same bug, and she missed the last week of school. Of course, the family took some great pics of this special occasion.

Ellie was the Senior Class President and she was the Captain of the Dance Team for Mountain View High School, who placed nationally in competition.

The Smith's darling family (minus sick Claire and Anderson)

Ellie adores her big brothers!

We're just part through some of the big occasions for our wonderful grandchildren this summer.

Showers and 2 weddings coming up!