UPDATE from Nov. 25th to Dec. 15th

• Dec. 15th 2008 We are in Benson, AZ in a R.V. Park, just one day away from Surprise, AZ (our final destination for now). We had a good day traveling with sunny cool weather.We left the KOA campground in Van Horn, Texas this morning. While I showered and did my hair Grandpa took Emma (9) and Eli (6) to the cafe there and Eli's 2 pancakes were as big as the plate! He ate one and the 2 pieces of bacon and brought the one pancake back to the motor home to eat later. Emma had a good breakfast as well. Eli fell asleep on the couch with a full tummy at 10 a.m. We stopped and wandered through a Trading Post after having lunch in the motor home.
• Dec. 14th Left the Abilene TX KOA with clear skies. Learned from Dianna that it was snowing in Beaverton, OR. I took pictures of Emma and Eli with windmills in the background, south of Sweetwater, TX. Also took pictures of "Texas Snow" - fields of cotton. 73 degrees outside at 2 p.m. Had to turn on the generator and run the air conditioner as inside it registered 80 degrees. Spent the night in a KOA campground in Van Horn, TX. We ate dinner in their excellent cafe. Upon return I had a soapy mess to clean up in a bathroom cupboard where a large refill bottle of neutrogena liquid soap had leaked out somehow. Emma and Eli watched Santa Claus 1 - Escape Claus.
• Dec. 13th After Komi uttered a wonderful prayer, we left the Tui home with a few tears shed from Emma (9) and Eli (6) who are travelling with us in our motor home to our property in Surprise, AZ. I was busy all day getting snacks, filling water bottles, etc. Eli fell asleep around 3 p.m. waking up a bit before we arrived at the KOA campground in Abilene TX around 4:30 p.m. We ate tacos then the children watched 3 Christmas based movies. All in bed by 10 p.m.
• Dec. 12th Our last full day with the Tui's in their Flower Mound home. Devina and I did some grocery shopping at her Super Target for our 4 day trip beginning tomorrow. We ate BBQ beef and chicken for dinner. It was yummy. Eli had a hard night. I am afraid he will be homesick on the trip. He did not want to go to bed. I will miss our late night watching the Late Late Show with Greg Ferguson.
• Dec. 11th Stayed up late with Devina watching her favorite Late night talk show with Craig Ferguson.
• Dec. 10th Enjoyed lunch with the "Lunch Bunch", a group of women from the Flower Mound First Ward. Devina actually began this group. I especially liked a spaghetti casserole, that one of the sisters had made.
• Dec. 9th This morning I slept in. Then after I was up and dressed I listened in on Devina's Pre School for a few moments. Later on Devina and I re-upholstered a chair for Emma's desk. It turned out cute. Devina made 3 different cookie batches for her Lunch Bunch Cookie Exchange tomorrow. An extra table was put up in the kitchen and Devina decorated in the Christmas theme. Then we watched together the Late, Late show.
• Dec. 8th Finished our Christmas Cards today and even mailed them at the Post Office! Made a big potato casserole for dinner. Eva wanted me to hear her night prayers. She said such a cute prayer. We witnessed a huge thunder storm after the children were asleep. It was amazing. Now I will know (somewhat) what Devina is talking about. One show of lightening was enough for me. The whole back of their house sky lit up.
• Dec. 7th We all attended the Flower Mound 1st Ward at 1:30 p.m. At 7 p.m. Devina drove us around the neighborhood where we particularly liked a home where the lights flashed on and off to music on a radio station. It was spectacular!
• Dec. 6th Went with Devina to her annual Super Saturday where I helped her by making 5 soap bottles, 1 large square glass with lights inside and a pretty bow on the outside of it. I also painted 4 stars, 4 mini pots for her mini nativity sets. She sanded and painted wooden block for the words Noel and Joy. At 1:30 we rode with the children on the "North Pole Express" (Grapevine Vintage Railroad). A great experience we probably will never again have the opportunity to sit in the old style slated benches where the backs could face forward or backward. After we ate at McDonald's. That evening we watched Narnia - Prince Caspian. Watched Baby Mama after the children were in bed.
• Dec. 5th Began our Christmas Cards! At 7 p.m. I went with Devina to an annual Christmas ornament exchange that a lady has been doing for 17 years. Her home was Christmas decorated in every room. Devina brought her stuffed mushrooms. What a lot of fun we had with about 40 other women. This lady gave away 8 door prizes as well. Devina will look forward to this event each year now. I learned a nifty idea from this woman. She takes down her pictures and wraps them in Christmas wrapping paper and a bow and you have instant Christmas decor on your walls!! Live and learn!
• Dec. 4th Devina's pre school day.
• Dec. 3rd (wrote nothing down)
• Dec. 2nd Only 13 days left until "travel day". I listened in on Devina's pre school. Bought Wayne some Docker's pants. At 6 p.m. we went to Highland Village for the Tree lightening ceremony. We went on a carriage ride and saw "Santa" arrive in a Fire Truck right in front of us!
• Dec. 1st The time is passing too quickly. Shopped today at Walmart and Costco. Made a Banana Cream Dessert that I learned to make at our Super Saturday in the Quatama Ward.
• Nov. 30th Woke up with a sore throat. Not bad enough to miss church for, though. Emma gave a good talk that she had prepared all by herself. Ate BBQ ribs that Komi made.
• Nov. 29th Devina sorted and then we packed presents into the motor home. At 7 p.m. we all packed into the Tui van and went to the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. Saw Christmas train exhibits running on tracks thru villages in the atrium. Took a ride up and down in the elevator that overlooked the atrium just for fun! Devina took some pictures of the children and we were in one of them. There were festive lights inside and outside the resort.
• Nov. 28th "Black Friday" and Devina was out shopping by 5 a.m. Not me!! I did some shopping later that evening, though.
• Nov. 27th THANKSGIVING DAY with Turkey, cranberry sauce, Pulled Pork, sweet potato casserole, homemade rolls, corn and Komi's roasted potatoes. We watched Get Smart and Nim's Island in the evening.
• Nov. 26th Prepared for Thanksgiving day buying last minute things.
• Nov. 25th Eva is still coughing so she stayed home with me while Devina exercised at the W.M.C.A. Went grocery shopping and Walmart was almost all out of whipping cream! Children had early release from school today.

UPDATE since arriving in Texas

We arrived at the Tui's home on Thursday November 13th around 2 p.m. We got big hugs from Eva and Devina. While Devina showed us around their very nice home, in an attractive neighborhood, Eva held my hand the entire time. Emma and Eli were next and you could hear them screaming way down the street as they rode their bikes home from school. They were told we were not coming until Saturday so they were most surprised. I rode with them to pick up Ezra from middle school. He got into the van besides him Mom and did not notice me sitting behind her. Emma giggled a few times and even asked "Can I tell him?" He still never looked back. We were nearly home when he asked if we were here as he took off his back pack and was reaching to connect his seat belt. When he saw me he screamed and smiled. It was really funny! I guess you had to be there.

Our motor home fits perfectly in the length of their driveway not even going over the sidewalk. (But we take up more than half of the width.) We are going to stay here until they get a notice from their home owner's association asking us to move it as happened to the Hanchett's.

That very night we were sitting watching Ezra perform with the Theater Department in his middle school in which he narrated a scene from Aesop's Fables - the Tortoise and the Hare, with much movement and emotion. The Tortoise was a an Environmentalist, and the Hare was an Aerobics instructor. It was really funny.(He did an excellent job).

Since we have been here in Flower Mound, TX we have done the following: (Not necessarily in order!):

• Purchased a month's pass for Wayne to do his deep water exercises at the Flower Mound Community Center which has been opened since June 2008.


• Been shopping at Walmart, Super Target, Michaels, Costco, & Krogers.


• Froze (wind chill making it 30 degrees) two Saturdays watching Eli play his last two soccer games of the season. He did well with a smile on his face the entire time!


• Attended two Sunday Church meetings in the Flower Mound 2nd ward with the Tui's.


• Ate crepes with the Doxey's (friends of the Tuis from church) with lots of filling choices. Ymmmmm!


• Went with Devina to her Lunch Bunch Group (ladies activity) and ate wonderful side dishes with 19 other women from the ward. Devina started this activity 3 months ago. They will be here in December.


• Bought new swim goggles as Wayne's wore out.


• Watched a little of Devina's cute preschool group on the 18th and the 20th.


• Ate a Thanksgiving Feast at Donald Elementary with Emma. She had to eat fast as she is on the student council and had an assignment to help the next grade and their grandparents right after.


• All of us went to Donald Elementary the very next day and ate lunch brought in from McDonald's with Eli. He did not want to eat the Thanksgiving food. At this school you are able to bring in other food and share with your student at any time!


• Played Mexican Train Dominoes, Go Fish, Bob the Builder matching game, and Life with the kids.


• Went to where Komi works as operation's manager. He gave us a thorough tour through the warehouse. It is twice as large as it was in 2006.


• Napped with Eva who is coughing at the moment. She had a fever yesterday.


• Ate at Red Hot and Blue BBQ restaurant. So yummy.

THIS BRINGS YOU UP TO DATE AS OF TUESDAY NOVEMBER 25th 2008. Love to you all!!!! Mom

I changed it!

Hope you like it. Will write more soon. We are experiencing ever changing temperatures ranging from 30 degrees in the early morning to 76 degrees in the day. Still trying to get a picture posted. Love, Mom

A change will be made

I just realized that I chose a background just like Dianna's so I will change mine as soon as I can figure out how to. It takes me so long. Sorry Dianna! Love you all Mom

Spending the night in Abilene TX

Wednesday Nov. 12th 2008

Love sent to you all! I just thought about this today - never in my wildest dreams did I think that with having 7 wonderful children, spouses, and many grandchildren and even some great grandchildren that it would come to this - TRAVELING THOUSANDS OF MILES to see some of you!!! But if that is how we have to see you all, then so be it. But I don't know how much longer we shall be able to do this. Your Dad /Grandpa hurt his back yesterday connecting the water & electrics up and is still sore today. He drove with an ice pack on it for a while.

Tonight we are spending the night in Abilene, Texas. This KOA is a really nice one. In the morning we will begin the end of this journey arriving in Flower Mound, TX sometime in the early afternoon depending on when we get away from here. We are getting excited to see the Tui family again! Especially since Emma is looking forward to having O'Malley staying in her bedroom once again. She and her Mommy re-arranged the bedroom so his stuff will fit. He is so much bigger this visit. I hope that he won't annoy her when he sleeps on her bed. (I hope that he will remember that he did the last visit and leave me alone! ha ha)

Yesterday we travelled 382 miles from the Benson KOA in Arizona to the Van Horn KOA, in Texas. Two flies bothered us all the way. I was able to swat one but the other one just kept on going. (O'Malley took care of it today) At one point today we had a bug hitchhiker on our windshield for nearly half an hour. How that bug managed to hang on I will never know. We passed several Dairy Farms today and the smell was almost unbearable!!! Gas prices on this trip was a joke. Anywhere from $2.55 a gallon in Van Horn TX to the cheapest we paid in Eloy, AZ where we paid $2.23. Today just before stopping we saw gas advertised at a TA Travel Center for $1.99 a gallon, but of course we had just filled up two hours before paying $2.29. But when you need gas you buy it, right? Better to have it than get stuck somewhere without.

I tried something new today- I took O'Malley out of his large travel carrier to see if he would like being somewhere else in the motor home while we were traveling. But he did not like it one bit. He got back in his carrier and stayed there even with the door rolled up. Interesting. He did not like the motion I believe. It is hard for me to stay on my feet when I go for a drink or snack for us.

We have had nothing but sunny days all through this whole trip from Beaverton in Oregon to where we are tonight. For your information, by the time we reach Flower Mound in Texas tomorrow, we will have traveled 2,100 miles (give or take a couple). And half of that amount was done in Texas!

I plan to keep you posted as we do things with the Tui Family. Love to all of you, Mom/Mary

NOTE: (I have told a couple of friends to check out my blog to keep up to date with our travels.)

On our way to Texas

Monday NOVEMBER 10th 2008 Hi everyone! We are currently spending the night in Benson, Arizona. Leaving our precious 25th grandchild, his Mommy and family this morning was hard. To bring you up to the present, Wayne and I arrived at Donna and Mike Hanchett's home in Peoria, AZ on Friday 10/31/08 only 2 hours after her return from the hospital with baby Luke. I tell you, he is much cuter than any pictures show! Isn't that always the case? Waking up the next morning in the AZ sun made me cut and sew some darkening curtains for the two windows in the motor home's bedroom. And low and behold it worked as Sunday I was not awakened by the sun! Sunday the Pearson's came over and we enjoyed each other's company and a great bbq. All the children (6) played the whole time non-stop inside and out. Monday I went with Donna for Luke's first check-up, then on Tuesday 11/4 we went back to the same clinic where Luke was circumcised. History was made this day as at nine o'clock we saw that Barack Obama was our President Elect. On Wednesday Denise came over and spent much of the day with us. Sarah was attached to her hip loving every thing that Denise did with her. It was so cute. Friday night we saw Jake play football and Saturday morning we saw Zach play soccer. Donna got some alone time with the baby while we were all out of the house. Sunday 11/9/08 after eating French Toast, I spent much of the day playing Mexican Train Dominoes with Sarah, Zach and Jake. We also played"Go Fish" a few times. We are so glad that we changed our travel plans to be with our newest grandchild. Love to you all, Mom and Dad

"OUR TRAVELS" UPDATED

10/30/08
Left the Hermansen home :( at nine o'clock. In Payson, UT we paid $2.49 a gallon for gas, the cheapest yet. I could not carry on my blog last week because we had decided to change our travel plans and drive to Peoria AZ to see Donna and their new baby and wanted to surprise them. UTAH is such a beautiful part of the United States in the fall. All the trees were bright golden, red, or orange. At 4:45 p.m. we arrived at Thousand Trails Las Vegas. Oh, the smog was horrible! Have not seen smog for a long time. I think we are spoiled living in the Northwest.
10/31
Halloween day and Bryce Pasero's birthday! We arrived at the Hanchett's home at 5:24 p.m., after getting the motor home out of an awkward stuck position not far from their home. Luke Michael is so precious! Donna had just gotten home 2 hours before our arrival! I am so glad that we are here. He is perfect in every way!
11/01/08
So sunny!!! It did not cool down until 2 or 3 a.m. I sewed some darkening curtains for the motor home bedroom windows just because of the light and heat here. And they worked!
11/02
SUNDAY:
Mike's cousin and wife and children stopped by for a little while with lunch for the family. Then at 4:30 p.m. or so Denise & Jesse Pearson and their three boys came for dinner. We had bbq'd chicken breasts and wings, homemade fries, salad and corn, then a delicious chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. We heard the children playing the whole time, except when they were outside. My, when they get together these 6 children are loud! It was a fun, full day. We were all exhausted. Jake, Zach and Sarah fell asleep really fast tonight.
11/03
After a night up with baby Luke, Donna drove Luke and myself to the clinic for Luke's well check-up exam and although he has a little touch of jaundice, he passed.

Travels Thus Far!

• Wayne and I started on our journey from our home in Beaverton, OR on Tuesday 10/21/08 at 12:35 p.m. The weather was cool and overcast. O'Malley our cat cried some in the beginning but settled down quite nicely, thank goodness. Stopped for the night at 7 Feathers Casino in Canyonville, OR. We ate a nice buffet meal featuring Prime Rib that was so delicious. Upon our return to the motor home I have never seen Wayne fall asleep so fast and it was only 8:45 p.m.!
• Wed. 10/22/08 On the road by 8:25 a.m. and it was so cold. Bought some gas in McCloud, CA for $3.49 per gallon. So far this has been the most expensive. Finally at 7 o'clock in the evening, we located an RV Park after a Love's gas station attendant gave us wrong directions resulting in a tricky turn around in an Indian Reservation area.
• Thu. 10/23/08 Began our day in Sunshine. Gas in Lovelock NV at a Chevron station cost $3.12 per gallon. This was the day Wayne realized we had not packed his bottles of his fast acting insulin so an emergency call was made to Dori to get it and UPS it to the Hermansen's in UT. (The package got there before we did!) Spent the night in Elko NV.
• Fri. 10/24/08 It was hard to get out of bed this morning. It was 21 degrees outside!!! This day we spent $2.49 per gallon at a gas station in Wells NV. What a difference we are finding. At 4 p.m. we arrived at our destination - THE HERMANSEN'S HOME. At 6 p.m. Dalton, Christal, Tia, Tori and Tara arrived. Debbie had made dinner for all of us. It was so nice being with everyone. Debbie had tended Lynnli this day and Marci came after work and spent the evening with all of us. Andrew came after work also. Eric, Candice, Jeff and Brooklyn, and Brian were there also. I had to turn in at 11:30 p.m. and everyone else was still partying.
• Sat. 10/25/08 After Debbie's return from her "GRAIN" class, we made 2 loaves of zucchini (from their garden) bread and 2 loaves of my coconut bread. Jeff and Brooklyn played Mexican Train Dominoes with me. Marci, Andrew and Lynnli dropped by in the evening after their ward Halloween Party. Marci looked pretty scary but baby Lynnli was not scared. She is a doll!
• Sun. 10/26/08 After we attended Sacrament Meeting in the Glenmoor 8th ward we ate a wonderful meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable mix, jello and butternut squash from their garden that Debbie had prepared. Marci brought a spider web with spiders decorated cake that she had made. We all had fun playing Mexican Train Dominoes a little later.
• Mon. 10/27/08 Found out from Pat Haussler that Rebecca is relocating to Corvallis OR soon for her doctor residency for two years. Perhaps we will see Pat and Charles sometime when they come up to visit? Uncle Floyd Ormsby and his wife Carma drove over for a visit and it was great seeing him again. He looks quite frail - after all he is 81 years old. Debbie gave me a French Manicure - my first! Thanks Debbie!!
• Tue. 10/28/08 Did our laundry. Took couple of pics of Debbie and her preschool children playing in the leaves in their back yard. Donna called from the hospital where she was walking around before being admitted to have her baby boy.
• Wed. 10/29/08 Denise called to let us know that Donna had the baby!! Drove up to Evanston WY in Wayne's Suzuki and met Vince Guinta at the Legal Tender Restaurant for lunch. After we followed him to the cemetery to see Jayne's grave. He had a lot of artificial flowers where the headstone will be. It was difficult for him and for us. After saying goodbye to him we visited a little while with Connie Staker and then headed for home. Debbie and Brian had prepared a lovely dinner.

Thanks to Dori for setting up my blog!!!

I hope to keep you informed through this blog during our travels and while in Arizona this winter. If all goes as planned we will begin our journey in about 10 days. Thanks Dori for setting this up for me.