Happy Birthday, Billy---27 Years Old

We're SO GLAD that 27 years ago Billy joined our family. He has truly been a joy in our lives and we are very happy to have had him with us as long as we have. We miss him but know that he is working hard in Washington DC. For that we are grateful.

On Saturday, November 21st, Billy came home for a week-long visit to see us, but more importantly, to see Amy, and to celebrate his 27th birthday. On Sunday, we had a family birthday dinner for him and really enjoyed being together.

Just before he blew out the candles.
Amy, Billy, Zack and Keshia
Grandpa Dick and Grandpa Dalebout

Here he models his new sweater.

Amy and Billy chat with the group.

Jenny, Ali and Spencer

Just sitting around and talking with each other. It's just fun to enjoy each other's company.

Keshia Lai and LeRoy Thong.

WE LOVE YOU BILLY!

We've Been Off to Texas Tending our Texas Grandchildren

On Halloween day, we left Salt Lake to go to Texas to be with our grandchildren for six days, while their parents (Scott and Shelley) left and traveled to Costa Rica for a nice little vacation. We arrived just in time to have dinner and then go out trick or treating in the neighborhood.
Matthew was Harry Potter, Jordan was a Vampiress, and Andrew was a MAD Scientist, with flask boiling over and hair sticking straight up. I got pictures of Jordan and Matthew, but failed to get a good picture of Andrew. They were all so cute. Scott, Dick and I took the kids around the neighborhood trick or treating. They really do Halloween BIG in Texas. Several houses had scarey monsters or characters on their front lawns that made noises if you got near. It was fun seeing all the various ways they fixed up their yards. The weather was gorgeous--about 65 degrees in the evening. We had a good time with the kids and they got a ton of candy.

On Sunday around 4:00 a.m., Scott and Shelley left for the airport for their 5:40 a.m. flight. Thank goodness the time changed and clocks fell back an hour. We awakened the children and got them ready to go to church, which was stake conference. It started at 9:00 a.m. It was a very nice meeting. That afternoon, we took the kids for a walk. Again, the weather was BEAUTIFUL! (As a matter of fact, the temperature was in the mid-seventies during the day and not a cloud in the sky every day until the day we left.) The picture below was taken at the Middle School, which is about four blocks away from Scott's and Shelley's house. Three cute kids.

During the week, Dick was the chauffer. There are many things that these children are involved in and transporting them becomes a major concern, especially Jordan, who moves to different places about eight times a day. Whew! Needless to say, he was tired when the day was finished. But, he found time to help Matthew do his volcano.

Speaking of Matthew. I played two games of Monopoly Junior with him, and he beat me both times. You're just too good, Matthew. He had a great time winning.

On Thursday night after Jordan came home from gymnastics and Andrew came home from soccer practice, we took the kids to Fruitti Cup, which is a frozen yogurt place where you make your own yogurt treat with toppings and all. It was yummy and the kids had a good time, except that they were cold when we left. Jordan and Andrew enjoyed their treat below.

Grandpa and Matthew enjoyed their treat.

The last night we were there, we took the kids to a restaurant called "Babes." It is a fun place to go. They serve all different kinds of chicken along with mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, salad, biscuits and yummy pie. The restaurant was built about a year and a half ago and is made of metal. It has a real cowboy flavor to both the inside and outside. Some of the waitresses sing while you're eating. And, they did the Hokey Pokey while we were there. There are signs all over the walls that have witty sayings. For example: "I got a dog for my husband--It was a good trade." "There are three kinds of people--those who can count and those who can't."

All in all, we had a great time with the kids. They are good kids and we love them.

We were able to walk about three miles every day, but in the afternoon, we needed a nap, so we took one. Now we are home, at least for the next couple of months.