2010 a brief overview

What a year we started out getting our house finally on Jan 4 after 2 1/2 months of mickey mouse crap. After 2 wks off for Christmas trying to close the deal the day school started back in we got our keys YEA!!!. This started painting, tile, carpet and moving what fun. Josh helped me do a LOT of the work putting up fans and lights and the painting and handyman stuff. Ron was pretty helpless waiting for his surgery and in a lot of pain.
Feb Ron having rotator cuff surgery on his R shoulder. Thomas turned 9 then off to OR to go to court with Alyssa winning temp custody of Sage. They were back together and she was working for an Alzheimers long term care facility in Grants Pass.
March Ron was still doing therapy and looking for wk. Jen also looking for work. Rather a quiet month for the West household.
April we went back to OR for divorce court for Alyssa giving her full custody of Sage. The day we got back Jen went to work for a PT office as a receptionist, Ron got her the interview with his therapist office and she started having therapy on her knee. I had Parotidectomy surgery removal of a golf ball size tumor on side of my jaw. I was off work 2 wks.
May just surviving.
June Sage turned 5 and Josh had a birthday. Lori and the kids moved in with us since Josh moved back to Forks for work as he was only working a few days a week some of the time. I went to girls camp. What fun it was. I also started working for Global Transportation making trips to the Grand Canyon.
July started out with Ronnie going to Scout Camp and having to be life flighted home due to Pulmonary Displasia what a scare for all of us but he seems to be fine, Ron and Icelebrated 38 years of marriage and Jessica had a birthday.
August I worked a LOT for the tour company driving to the Grand Canyon and doing Hoover Dam Tours and school starting bus driving again. Thomas started 4th grade and Sage Kindergarten. Happy Birthday Maddison 3, Ronnie, and me. Ron finally got disability so he is now retired with his benign tremors, back, knees, feet, and HARD of hearing. He has had lots of procedures on his back and hopes to get his bunions on his feet fixed soon.
Sept started with a surprise birthday for Ron's 60th . Ronnie,Jessica,& Zachary came from Ut. Alyssa and Sage came from OR. Lori, Thomas, and Maddison, and Jen were still living with us. My bro had a heart attack so dad came in with that as a guise, A Inez and U Dale, Peggy and Kyle came in from CA. and Tom our best man came from CA. and our dear friends Brian and Barbara from Sun City. Ron's brother Wil had some health problems so he couldn't come and Larry started a new job, and Mary had a camping trip planned. This is the last time for some time we will have all of our kids & grandkids in one place for a while I am afraid so it was really special. We put grass in our court yard to make it more homey. Ron got a 2006 Honda Shadow Spirit.(acts like a kid with a new toy.) We went to Hawaii on a surprise Fast trip. Ron has been promising me for 38 yrs. It was AWESOME we packed 2 wks worth of fun into 5 days. We stayed with one of his cousins, Brad and Lauren, and Austin and Brandon they were so much fun and drove us everywhere and made us feel really special . We got to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center with Sean and Lurline and the Temple was closed for remodeling. We also got to see his cousin Tracy Lauren and I hiked to the top of Diamond Head, we went on an outrigger canoe now when we watch Hawaii 5 O I tell Jen we saw that and she gets jealous. Save your pennies we are headed to Hawaii for her 30th birthday some come join us in 2 years.
Oct brought Halloween and the opening of the Hoover Dam bypass we tried to go walk on it but had car trouble and missed out. Alyssa had her birthday she is now a 1/4 of a century. My baby is getting old. The kids on my bus have made that clear "Wow they are old" was their comment when I told them how old my kids are.
Nov Jen and Lori both had birthdays too. We went to CA for Thanksgiving with Ron's brothers and sister and Eric his nephew. It was a nice reunion the first in several years. We stayed at Ted's Pond House with all his African and wild animals Thomas was in 7th heaven. Ron left the day after we got home to go to OR to move Alyssa and Sage to Vegas with us so she can go to school for Dental Assistant.
Dec came in with Alyssa adnd Sage getting home with dad. Lori and the kids moving to WA with Josh, sad day. They left the 17 the last day of school before Christmas break. They left in a horrible storm and had snow all the way to Medford, OR. Lori was terrified to drive in the snow but is quite an expert now much to her dismay. It started snowing as they left Vegas. It took them 5 hrs from Reno to Susanville. It rained most of the rest of the way to Forks once they got to Medford. Sage went to OR with her dad on the 20th. So us old folks had a quiet Christmas without any of our grandkids. We had some dear friends over so it wasn't so boring. Ron,Alyssa, and I left the next day for Salt Lake Cityto spend Sun and Mon with Ronnie and Jesica and Zachary who turned 2 the 16th where does the time go. We had a blast he is so cute and talks like a little man so proper. We left there on Tues am as Ronnie left for work. Had an uneventful ride to Winnimucca then we turned N to OR that is when all ---- broke lose. It started snowing we started chaining up and having battery or altenator trouble in the dark of the night,we finally got to Lakeview at 10:30 and got a room and ran to Safeway the only thing in town open because they roll up the sidewalks at 9 to get something to eat, we bought cup a soup and cold hot dogs and bread, then no coffee pot or microwave in the rm only a fridge ( like we needed that). Got up put suitcases in trunk and somebody walked by & told us we had a flat tire. Drug out suitcases out and put on doughnut spare. Went to Les Schwab to get the nail out of our tire. They told the battery was ok. Back to the motel to get our stuff and now it's 9:30 instsead of 7:45 (WE were ahead of time for a change) they had made sure our chains were on right so we went the next 250 or so miles in a winter wonderland and snowy rough roads at 25-50 miles an hour. We had to be in Grants Pass by 3 we made it at 3:24. The next morning we had to be in court at 8:30 and spent the rest of the day yoyoing in and out of the court room to have spent a lot of $ and nothing changed. Alyssa still has custody then the fun began. Brandon would not let us get Sage back even though the judge said everything stayed the same. We had to go the lawyer and she had the judge stay late and we got a writ of assistance to get Sage back. So we had to go to the Police in 2 cities very stressed out and finally his mom brought her to us with no coat or anything but what she had on. The police gave her a giggling bear so that made her a bit less apprehensive. We went to Panda Express and home to A Polly's house to bed. New Year's Eve we went back to town to get the oil changed and go to Auto Zone to get the computer hooked up on the car to see why we had an engine light on but the computer would not read it. Sage & I went to WalMart and were ready to leave town when the battery light came back on so we went back to WalMart to get it checked out and spent the next 2 hours calling every auto parts store in tow looking for an altenator for Alyssa's car. Then left town and decided to try the one that did not have the right emmission stuff on it and they sold us all the stuff for the altenator and put the computer on and got us the spark plugs to get rid of the engine light. Then we headed for Cave Junction for the New Year's Eve Party at the church that started at 6. We got to Hayes Hill and the snow started flying it was almost white out and so we had to roll the windows down and wiggle around trying to see the road. I finally had to stop and wipe off windshield and brand new wiper blades and finally was able to see it took about twice as long to get home as it should have, Got to the church and everyone else was gone but us so they were almost done cleaning up so we went to the house and greeted the New Year with A Polly & us. New Year's Day we went to my dad's house so he and Ron could change the altenator which was a pain they had to call a guy from church to help and jack the engine up and finally they won. We left town headed to CA about 6:15 & had to stop at Auto Zone and Brandon's to get some of Sage's stuff. We stopped in Red Bluff to spend the night it started snowing on top of Shasta and turned to rain when we got down and rained all night and all the way to Bakersfield where they had closed the Grapevine into LA so all the traffic is now going with us to Victorville and guess what it is snowing again. This has been the trip of SNOW. it's beautiful but a pain to travel in. Should be home by 7 work at 5:30 in the am. Sage back to school and Thomas starts school in Forks tomorrow.
Now for the best news we could have gotten through all this crazy trip. Ronnie started texting me about a trip to Texas & dragged me throgh craziness but to sum it up all we are allowed to know is we are about to have a new grandbaby boy or girl who knows her last due date came and went last Mon and the next is Thursday so we are excited and being kept in suspense until the birth, love those grandkids really miss Thomas and Maddison. Was awesome to see Zachary and we can't wait to see our newest baby. We have our Sage living with us so that helps.
So much for 2010 welcome 2011. Love to all of you and the best to each of our beautiful family and friends. We love you and wish to see you at some time this year.

ZJ was sealed this weekend

WOW:) what an awesome weekend. We had all 4 grandkids and kids all together. Heaven on earth I would say!

We left at 8 on Fri am after making 2 gallons of salsa and a pasta salad for 50. We headed out at about 90 and it stayed there and on up to 104 while we were gone and home to 110. We got to Ronnie and Jessica's at 3:15. We set up the church for the luncheon and home to wait on Alyssa and Sage and A Polly to show up. They arrived about midnight and the kids were so excited to see each other they were full of it.

Sat we got up and started running. Ronnie and I put the pork and chicken into the sauces and took them to the church to cook. Home to get around and to the Temple by 9:30 to have our ZJ sealed to his daddy and mommy. Such a special time not enough words for how beautiful it was. Then off to the church to have him blessed by his daddy. (What an awesome son we have.) Then the luncheon was very nice. Then we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house it was really very nice. Then on to Julia's birthday, graduation, and citizenship party. What fun to see lots of old friends.

Sun up for church and home to have brunch and visit and off to Temple Square where we went on a tour of the Conference Center it was quite interesting and ended up on the roof top where we remembered how HOT it was.
On over to Temple Square we were half cooked so I got a quick pic (to everyones dismay) and on to Cari's house to celebrate U Dale's birthday and have dinner with the family. Then the time I dreaded we had to say good bye to our two grandbabies and kids that was the hardest part of the weekend. I did get a few family pics and lots of hugs and kisses. What a sweetheart ZJ is he is so full of smiles and giggles what a sweet spirit he has:)

Sage has grown a foot and is just as beautiful girl growing up to fast.

What a fast but unforgettable weekend. Jan and Al from (Forks) Idaho came down it has been way to long since we saw them. Most of the McLane's came, Dad and Sandy, Joyce Maughan (Forks) came on down as well. It was quite a family reunion. The rest of the family had a reunion after we left ( guess that tells you who counts lol).

School is almost over for 2009

Wow another year is about to come to an end!!! Thomas will be in 3rd grade when he is done in August. Sage will go into kindergarten next year!! Seems like time is MARCHING on whether we are ready or not. Ron is still looking for work and praying to hear from a Gypsum Mill today we will appreciate all the prayers we can get. I am about out of work until Aug 14 so it will really be slim pickins at our house if Ron doesn't get something soon!!! I am sending in resumes all over and no response either! This is a rough time to get a job even just summer employment.
Jen just got back from AZ for the Memorial Weekend. Thomas is going to his Rain Gutter Regatta tonight to race his boat, he is enjoying Cub Scouts. Maddison had the runs all weekend but still seems happy all the time. As long nobody she doesn't know really well doesn't try to get to close. Sage is finished with her pre-school on June 3. We miss her sooooo much wish she and Alyssa could come down for a while. July is going to be an awesome month we are going to go to Utah to have our little ZJ sealed to his mommie and daddy, this is a day we have waited for a LONG time. We are so blessed to have join our family. He couldn't have two more devoted parents. Thomas is headed back to Forks on July31 as his dad goes to his 15 class reunion and will be back in time to start school. Well I have to get back to work!!

Finding work at this time!

It's been over 3 weeks since Ron got laid off and he has a couple of leads finally. Hopefully something will come in soon! He has an skills test with UPS on Monday. He went to a job fair today and got a couple leads one working at the Hoover Dam working on elevators and some other program for apprentices.
Next week is spring break and I am off for a week and with Ron off it would be nice if we could go somewhere but he needs to be looking and hopefully attaining employment.
Sat the 11 of April Thomas is getting baptized and Dad and Sandy will be here by Thurs and Ronnie and Jessica and ZJ are coming down the 11 of April. Thomas has asked his U Ronnie to baptize him and Grampa to comfirm him. Where has the time gone it doesn't possibly seem like Thomas should be old enough to be baptized but he is such a nice young man I guess he has grown up before our eyes.
We are excited to see ZJ his will be almost 4 months old by then where does the time go!! He is smiling and cooing in my Text videos. I love to receive them it helps me not getting to see him. He won't even know us when he comes but I pray he will let us snuggle him. Ronnie and Jessica have been so blessed to have him in their life. They are such good parents and we can't wait to see all of them. Ronnie and Jessica both work at home and so they both get to be with him all day that is so cool.
Hopefully Alyssa and Sage and maybe Brandon will at least get to come to Utah for ZJ's sealing
it would be awesome to have all of our kids and grandkids in one place at the same time it's been entirely to long.
Jennifer is still at home with us and thinking of moving to AZ to work for a charter school in the fall I am secretely hoping she doesn't go. I know it would be a good opportunity for her but I guess I am a bit selfish. I love having at leasy 2 of our kids close.
Alyssa is still working in Cave Junction and Brandon is still on the road and Jim is now working with the same company as he was laid off last week too. They are headed to Gillette,Wyo. to deliver a load this week. Hopefully they will get some of the loads that are there to go out and not get stuck. Sage just had spring break and they got to go to the Aquarium in Crescent City CA. It was pretty nice weather all week accept the day they went to the beach. Sage is growing up so fast she is getting so tall and talks a mile a minute. We miss them a LOT. Hopefully they will get some time to come down with Brandon this summer if Alyssa can get time off.
Josh is still working for Nevada Paving and getting mostly his weeks full. Maddison is growing up to fast as well, she doesn't see much need to talk as everyone else talks for her but she is a cutie. Thomas is in second grade and going to Cub Scouts every Tues. He went to Scout day camp last week and had a ball. He even got to shoot BB guns and had an egg drop and his egg did not break. He and I go for a bike ride quite often he is getting pretty good. Lori is selling Tupperware and having a bit of a hard time getting parties but if she persevers I think it will go. I better get going I have to go and take these kids home from my last run of the day. I have it rough I go in at 1:30 and work till 6 or so with an hour in the middle of the day to clean on my bus and play on the computer.

March 2009

Wow February was a wild month, and now we are into March how time flies when you are having fun!! I lost my voice about the first of March and am having a hard time getting it back to stay. Ron fell from a ladder at work. While he was off trying to recuperate he had lots of trips to the Dr. and then got laid off. He is now spending lots of time putting in resumes for a new job. What a crazy month, and we are only half way through. Tomorrow put on the green and enjoy St Patrick's Day.

Wow What a month!!!

We have been everywhere and back!!! Or so it seems! We had a KungFu Panda birthday party for Thomas and he had Auntie Jessica do the invitations!! Which were awesome!!! He had a sleep-over at Gramma and Grampa's house with five 8 year old boys!! We started with a few games until I got home and then on to Chineese Noodle Soup and Quesidillas. We started the movie and had Kung Fu Panda Cupcakes and ice-cream since one of the boys had to go home for the night. Then they played with his gifts and ball shooters from the party and put on the Panda tatoos. Next am we had Bisquits and Gravy. Then all but David had to go home. Thomas had a Basketball game and David got to go with us. He does pretty well in the game just needs to be a bit more aggressive!!


Friday Feb 13 at 6:30 Ron and I went to KKLZ's Valentine's Wedding Vows contest at the JW Marriot. I wore Lori's wedding dress and Ron wore his suit and Jennifer went with us. We had hoped to win the Week-end get away and Dinner and a bunch spa treatments and the whole thing. But we didn't win we still had a great time anyway. Just a very early morning start with a free champagne Breakfast and a Photographer. The works. We won a few spa treatments and goodies.

Jennifer Thomas and I went to Mesa on the 21 for a surprise visit with his Gramma Chicken and his Father. We left arrived in Mesa at the baseball field where we met Beckie and Brian and Don Greenley came over to see Thomas. Then we called Gramma and had them come to Denny's to surprise Thomas. Surprise we did to bad we didn't have a video camera it was precious. I think he kind of went into shock as Gramma came up behind him and started invading his space and he looked around to see who was there. Then he turned back to the table and all of a sudden he swirled around and jumped up and grabbed her and sat back down and just sat there in a daze. I think the last person he expected to see in Mesa!!! It was awesome. He got to spend the rest of the week-end with them.

The next day we went to Olive Garden with Beckie and Don met us again. He insisted on paying, but I was going to get the check so he put in his mouth and chewed it up and took his glass to wash it down, when he sat it back on the table it just broke off the stem. Quite funny. then we went over to hie new house. Looks like it will be pretty nice after all his remodeling Quite a bit of thought and work ahead!! Then Jen and I went over to the Groscost's to Jill's shower. It was awesome to see them and Jen left me there to spend the night. Catherine and I went to the movies "Twilight" and reminisced about it not being the real "FORKS." Sunday we went to church and had dinner with Dana and her family. They live in the house Ken and Catherine built before they left Mesa. What a beautiful home and a lot of reminiscing and good ole fun. We left way to late to come home so it was 3:10 and Ron was getting up for work.

Then Alyssa and Sage flew in on the same day we got home from Mesa. It was so awesome to get to see them. Way to short of a time and way to many appointments to make while they were here. They stayed with us on Mon. night and we had John, Julie, AnnJanette, and Mason over to dinner, everyone was here before I got home from work. What a crazy time. Then Alyssa and Sage stayed the next two nights with them. Maddison was running a fever and had a awful cough until the last day before they left, so needless to say she and Lori didn't get so see much of them at all. Thurs. evening we went to the M&M factory so Alyssa could show Sage the M&M's. Then she and Jen went to Stoney's with a bunch of the girls from the Singles Ward and had a ball dancing. They got home at 2:30 and up at 5:30 to head to the airport. Way to fast for me for sure. Sage has grown up so much and she was singing her little songs from school and so sweet.

Wish they weren't so far away.

ZJ's Baby Shower

WOW what a Safari! We created Lions, Monkeys, Frogs, and Zebras, what fun.

Then we drove it to Ron and Jess's and made the Diaper Tree and Clam Chowder for 40 and cut the 40 bread bowls we picked up here. Jessica's mom made ZJW letters and covered them with animal prints and made place mats and some cookies as well. His Aunt Valeri made cute Kit Kat Bars that had all of his statistics and his Aunt Christiane made a yummy salad and his Great Gramma made a yummy punch. We had lots of family and friends and a fun time celebrating our little ZJ joining our family. He got lots of special presents and we had a great time.
Our time was of course too short, but very special. We got to see a few of our special friends besides at the shower and were grateful for them as well. But now home to the drudgery of work but life is life.

Alyssa is having a rough time with her stomach she spent Sunday night in the ER and they found nothing for sure. She went back Mon. and they gave her some stuff for her stomach and told her to go to her Dr. which she doesn't have since they are no longer living down here and their insurance doesn't cover her up there. I hope she can come down and get to the Dr. before her insurance runs out and figure out what is the problem. Besides wanting to get to see her and Sage. We see Brandon here and there as he goes through town in the truck. Well I have to run and get on the bus so bye for now.