What Empty Nester's Do...

When all your kids move out and you are left alone (with a dog that is) you go to the action instead.  We have been having a ball visiting with PresLee the last 2 weekends.  PresLee LOVES Rawley our standard poodle, so we usually bring him along.  She loves to run with him, throw the ball with him and chase him around.  Here are some cute pictures that capture some fun moments during February. 

AND OF COURSE....When you find yourself alone without kids, you think of completing the "BUCKET LIST" so to speak.  So, we have been testing out some toys.  The choices are narrowed down; a road bike that we can travel together on and have some enjoyable time seeing the sites; aka adventure.  AND NO... we are NOT planning to get a tattoo or join the Biker's of America Club.. just yet anyhow.  :)

Idaho, St. George and EVERYTHING in between!

One of the best things in life comes when you get old.  Because grand kids are the reward for raising kids, and making it to this point.  We adore all of our grandchildren and love to spend as much time with them as we can.
We had a trip to Idaho and met KayCee and PresLee for a play and pizza date.  We couldn't stop laughing at her since she is such a little spitfire and as silly as her daddy was.  She warms my heart so much.  We ate pizza, played in the jungle gym at the restaurant and then went for rides on Rawley in the parking lot (um, yes our Standard Poodle has to endure the kids too).  PresLee LOVED that part and if he would have put up with it longer, she would have for sure continued that game!  We try to see her every month if we can, and we are all ready looking forward to next month!

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St. George

Then this last weekend we met up with Zach
 and Sara in St. George so the guy's could run
 in the St. George 1/2 marathon there. 

Sara and I were the fan club along with the boys.  However, after the men ran; Mason did a run as well and was very proud of himself for getting a medal~  We enjoyed the weekend and wish that we didn't live so far away from everyone. 

Sara and Zach enjoyed watching the boy's maul us on the other bed

The 1/2 way point.  Gotta love telephoto lens'

Mason watching for his Dad and his Bucca

Carter having more fun running around himself. He may have to enter next year?!

Ah, here they come! Zach on the left; Joe on the right

Sprint for the FINISH!

Yeah, we made it....2 hrs 9 min for a 13 mile run!  NOT BAD!!!!

Joe and Zach (can you tell they are related?)

Happy to accomplish yet another run under their belt.  WAY TO GO~

Mason getting ready to line up for the kids run. 
His shirt was a bit too big, but he was so excited to be a participant!

Practicing the Finish Line... ha ha

All of the Runners....3 generations.  Joe, Zach and Mason

Letting Mason wear my vest to stay warm before his race

                             Munga keeping Carter entertained while we wait..... and an interview with Mason after the runs were over.....(sorry it is out of order...I apparently didn't click the right spot to insert the video..oops)

Line up, we are ready to go...

Ready, set, go....they are off



Mason pacing it with his daddy

Coming in for the big finish...

Woo HOOOOO

Looking around for his fan club (all of us)

Admiring his own medal

Steph and Zach

Sara's public congratulations at Player's Sports Grill (good food BTW)

Munga and the boys.  They pretty much won't leave my side so
I had pizza sauce on my shirt, sauce on my pants and yet I could of cared less. 
Just enjoyed the time with them....

Carter and Mason trying to share the whole loaf of bread

Mason and Zach

Joe stretching some more.....or maybe he was showing off? Hmmm

The place they wanted to be, and now can say been there...done that!!!!

Holidays 2010

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

This year was a little rough on our emotions missing Joshua.  But, the parties made a difference to lighten the moods.  Family is what the season is about, and we had a ton of fun with our families this year.  We had a great party with the Denning side, unfortunately I didn't get pictures since it was at a pool.  But, hopefully I can post some later if we get anybodies copies.  These are from the Hughes side of the family.  These were taken at our annual Christmas party.  The theme was UGLY Christmas Sweaters.
                              (thus the weird apparel)

Paul kissing Ashley, minus some mistle toe.  NEWLYWEDS!! sigh.

Judeen, Jason and Bill  (not sure what they were laughing about)

Cory and Jessie (Adam's wife) pretending they were a couple.  ha ha

My mom Judeen telling Santa she'd like an iPad or something cool like that

My dad Bill asking Santa for a voucher to get an iPad or something cool like that

Cory asking Santa for more hiking gear

Paul and Ashley telling Santa they were especially good so bring something wonderful.
Santa asked if they wanted a baby.....they said NO, NOT YET!

Joe asking Santa to make his 'belly' go away. 

Stephanie asking Santa for a wedding ring since my diamond fell out. 

CHRISTMAS MORNING
We had a great morning.  I made a brunch,
we had the gang up and then we opened gifts.

Paul and Ashley opening some of the gifts

Cory, Mark, Joe, Bill and Judeen waiting for a turn to open the next gifts..

Joe opening one of his....ah, the anticipation!

 NEW YEARS TRIP TO CALIFORNIA
We left two days after Christmas and drove to California
to spend some Holiday love with our son Zach and his family.
Paul and Ashley joined us on New Year's Eve.  We had a great night playing games
and eating, then watching movies.  Joe mostly played with Mason and slept though. 
The next day we all left to tour Old Town San Diego;
we also had some pizza from a place that was
featured on Diners, Dive's and Drive In's on the Food Network;
 called Luigi's Pizza.  It was honestly one of the best pizza's we've ever had.
Then... we went on a Mariner's Tour of the harbor. 
You get to see old pirate ships,
submarines, and old time war ships.  We had a blast.

Ashley and Stephanie inside a Submarine.  Can you say CLOSTROPHOBIC?

Mason showing us the kitchen where he could be the "chef"

Long climb to the surface

Ah, to be back up for fresh air....

Old Pirates Ship.  Mason and Ashley at the Helm.

Mason informed us that we are to call him "Captain" from now on while there

Russian Submarine intrigues both Joe and Paul

While they studied the controls, we kept the kids busy climbing through the manholes.
Mason, Ashley and Carter

You can see how low the ceilings were.  Joe had to show that the signs were pointless

Carter and Mason in the Valve room.  They thought they were steering wheels.

You have to climb through a bunch of these to get to the next rooms.
 UGH, not exactly easy!

Joe demonstrating the finer art of manuevering the man holes.

Engine room

Mason and Ashley chilling in the engine room

Steph and Joe going underground... lol

Mason and Carter demo of the barracks.  They were located anywhere they could find a free area
to have the crew sleep.  And they were TINY

Carter and Mason checking out the ships and the water

The "Surprise" was one of the coolest ships by far.  Mason loved it.
He pretended that was his ship

An Aircraft ship

Carter and Mason in a mock up child size version

Stephanie and Joe after the tour