HAPPY TURKEY DAY and 1600 miles later

WOW where do I start? Talk about “Joy in our posterity”. If you are not really interested in our family then just move on because here goes a some what lengthy post. We took off Friday night before Thanksgiving and traveled to see or AZ kids and spent 4 wonderful nights. We went to our little Hailey’s soccer game (90 degrees)and they won 2-1. Hailey made several nice plays and was instrumental in saving a goal. Her team only had 10 players so there was no subs and each player played the whole game. We played on the trampoline and yes I did take a few jumps, much to the delight of the kids. We had FHE and sundaes after for a treat; we played hide-in-go-seek with flashlights, a family tradition and what a blast. We had a family barbeque and we also went to church with them. We watched a couple of movies and sat around and talked. I got to take them to school twice and pick them up once. We played some "catch me papa if you can and you can tickle me" I did catch them and we had some serious tickle time and it was good. Hailey played the violin for us. She played Jingle bells and a french march. Well done Nikki. Jason and Christina are super hosts and they made us feel so welcome. The boys gave up their beds for us. We drew names and went to the dollar store with $2 each. The dollar store has some neat stuff. We came back home and sat around the table and gave our gifts away and told why we bought them. Hannah got my name and gave me a jar of pickles and a Christmas Tie that plays Jingle bells and I will be wearing it this week, and I do love pickles. Several times during our stay, Hannah asked me if I liked the pickles. Of course I responded that they were the best pickles ever. One day we had sandwiches and the girls were making everyone a sandwich. Hannah asked me if I wanted pickles on my sandwich and I said absolutely. She was very pleased. Hannah got a nail kit and those are magnificent nails above. Dallin got a couple of toys and Ethan loved them. Dallin was quite wiling to share, what a great young man! What a great time with a great family. We love those kids and their parents too. We left Tuesday morning early and went to see our NM kids. Again our children David and Amanda are super hosts and they made us feel so welcome. Amanda is PG with twins and looks so cute. The really cool thing is some of our TX kids came too. During our trip we got to see all 9 of our grandkids and 5 of our 7 children. Not bad but it is still a bummer to have 2 missing. I want them all not only for this life but for the next. NM was amazing. We went to the park and shot off some bottle rockets. The kids went to David’s parent’s hotel and swam for about two hours. The day after TG, we woke up to 4 or 5 inches of snow. It was a little crazy after watching a soccer game in 90 degree heat 6 days before and then having snow. VERY COOL, literally. The kids got to play oin the snow in the morning and go swimmiing that afternoon. What a country. Yes we had a snowball fight and I think Jacob was the best snowball maker and thrower, although my son-in-law David did nail me from about 50 feet. We had a Ms. pacman tournament. We played games including: horse shoes, red neck golf, wizard, back alley bridge, uno, to name a few. We read books and played hide in go seek with flash lights. I got to hang out with Jeremy and his family. They live in TX and we don't get to see them to often and this was a real treat. We sang popcorn popping on the apricot tree and little Morgan (1 year old on 11-7) waves her pointer finger back and forth when you sing "it wasn't really so" and then points to herself when you sing "but it seemed to me". One of the cutest things I have ever witnessed. Cooper puts both fists out in front of him and grimaces and his face turns red when you say "show me your muscles" another One of the cutest things I have ever witnessed. Jeremy and David fixed breakfast for all of us twice including homemade biscuits and gravy. Very tasty. TG dinner was awesome and we had a total of 15. There just ain't nothing like homemade rolls and mashed potatoes and gravy. The trip was 8 days and was just way too short. We got home Sunday afternoon and are tired but better for having gone. I sure love my children and grandchildren!!!!!!!! Definitely having “Joy in our Posterity”