Spring Training and Seeing Grandkids

Spring Training in Arizona is a tradition among our men-folk.  Every March, Scott plans a trip for all the guys in the family, including Dad, brothers, brothers-in-law, cousins, grandsons.  They spend about four days going to baseball games and just enjoying each others' company.  Because Matt's in-laws, the Packards, live in Gilbert, Arizona, Matt and Stacie took their whole family.  Chris Packard graciously invited me to come so I could see the grandkids.  It didn't take too much persuading.  I went.

We were the first to arrive on Tuesday afternoon.  That night, Scott and his boys, Andrew and Matthew, came into town and we enjoyed eating breakfast with them and watching them play a little hoops.

Stacie, Chris and Shellie came and picked me up from the hotel, and we went to the Phoenix Zoo.  It was warm but we had a very nice time.

Me with Owen, who is four years old.

Chris, Anna (in stroller), Stacie, Shellie, me, Owen and Jacob

As we were eating, all of a sudden some man leaned down and gave me a kiss.  It startled me.  It was Matt.  He had been working for Ford long distance at the Packards, and he finished, so he came to the zoo to surprise me.  That was fun.

A nice picture of a sweet family.

Owen and Jacob like doing puzzles.  Stacie and Shellie helped them finish this Mario puzzle.

The next day, we went to see the Gilbert, Arizona Temple.  It's a big temple and very beautiful.  It won't be completed until late 2013.  There's a lot to do on the inside.

Matt's family.

All the women and Packard family were invited to go to PF Changs for dinner.  We all met and had a great time.

Lucas Miller, Miguel Miller, Scott D., Andrew D. and Isaac Miller.

A picture looking down the table.

Picture looking the other way.

Here are the spring training guys, minus Billy, who flew in Thursday night late.

On Friday, we met up with Billy at Arizona Mills, a shopping mall.  It was good to see him, if only for 30 minutes before the boys took off to a game.

Jacob and Owen

On Saturday, the girls went to a park with a huge fountain.  We were able to stay under a pavillion and it was very nice as we ate our lunch.

Stacie, Anna and I

This was the last picture we took before leaving.  Anna is such a sweet little girl.  She is truly a smiler.  We had a great time visiting with our family and the Packard family.  They were great hosts.

Birthdays and Baptisms

I don't know what's happening to blogger, but these pictures are all mixed up.  Anyway, I don't have time to figure out how to fix it, so I'll just say that Milly had her eighth birthday on February 15th and Jenny had her 39th birthday on February 13th.  We had a party at our house for both of them. 

Dick and I took Milly out to eat at JCW's for her birthday.  She's such a sweet girl.  We love her so much.  We were also able to attend Ali's and Spencer's combined orchestra/choir concert.  This is junior high, and I've never heard such great performances from a junior high in my life.  We were so impressed.

On March 2nd, Milly was baptized by Ryan, her dad.  It was a very special baptism and we truly felt the spirit there.  In addition, on that same day, Korena Crookston was baptized in our ward building.  Korena was one of our Primary students last year, and we love her. 

There are a couple of cute pictures of Lyla, one with her glasses and one in her pretty dress at the baptism.  What a joy it is to be able to be with family and attend their special activities.  We love them all.