Our trip to Hawaii from December 18-27th 2014

The view from BJ's apartment at night

On the 18th of December we arose early at about 5:00 a.m. and went through our morning rituals and last minute packing.  About 6:00 p.m. we realized that we could not call a cab as we had planned and so we called the moving Elders to see if they could take us to the airport.  Luckily they were up early to speak to a seminary group near us and so they were able to come about 7:00 a.m. and we bought them and us breakfast at Taco Cabana and they dropped us off at the airport in time for check in and boarding and they also agreed to mail a package for us.  We love Elder Hendricks and Elder White.  They are such hard working Elders but they are also so fun to be with and it was fun to have them drop us off and see them before we left.

The view from BJ's apartment in the day looking at diamond Head

We were able to upgrade to first class for the flight from SAT to Phoenix and so that was fun plus our baggage was free.  We thought that we were going to be late for our transfer because the plane was about a half hour late in taking off in SAT but because of the time change we actually made it to our connection with time to get a snack for lunch.

The graduate

It took us about 7 hours from Phoenix to fly to Hawaii so we spent much of the day flying but when we got to Hawaii it was only 3:30 p.m. because of the 4 hour time change.  BJ met us at the airport with leis despite the fact that he had a final that afternoon at 4:00 p.m. but apparently it was a flexible time for the final so he was able to make it there with no problem after he took us to the apartment.  He was close to campus so he just rode the bus to campus.

The Hawaiian ceremony group

We relaxed and unpacked for the afternoon while he was at his final and Holly was still working.  I really liked their apartment even though it was small.  The bedroom had an opening on the lanai with a window wall and the living room also had an opening on to the lanai with a window wall.  The had little air conditioning but because they live on the 11th floor it had a breeze going through the open door most of the time and it was a great view for the most part although the view of Diamond Head was blocked by all the tall buildings that they have built in the last 25 years since I was there before and Larry was there before that.

After the diploma

BJ and Holly let us have their bedroom which I thought was very generous and they slept in the living room on an air mattress.  I was worried about this because Holly is 6 months pregnant but their air mattress was like a bed.  It even had a headboard type end and they had put their foam topper on it so I didn't feel so bad when I saw that.

The streaking Hawaiian

We slept in on the 19th.  Holly had to work and BJ had another final and needed to study for it so we told them not to worry about us as we needed to adjust to the later time schedule.  They thought that we would wake up at 4:00 a.m. and not be able to sleep but we didn't have that problem.  We did have the problem that the missionaries often called us at 6:00 a.m because that was 10:00 a.m. in San Antonio.  We considered that a miracle though because they often start calling at 7:00 a.m. in San Antonio.  I worked on getting the referrals updated that I needed to do before I could relax and Larry answered calls and watched Football most of the day.  It was fun to have the time to just work at our own pace.

BJ and Holly

Larry, June, BJ and Holly

Saturday morning began bright and early.  We had to be at the athletic center at 7:30 a.m for BJ to be there on time.  We were able to get a good seat that way.  We took a few pictures at the beginning because we got there before the doors opened.  It was so fun to be there and I was glad we had come because we were the only family BJ had at the graduation.

Part of the graduation party

The view from the overlook

It was a typical graduation but with a little Hawaiian flare thrown in.  I don't know what the ceremony that they had in old Hawaiian dress was for but it was interesting to see the costumes and watch.  I was a little shocked when three of the men turned to walk up the aisle and had nothing on except a breech cloth in back.  Later one of those who graduated in Hawaiian studies took off his cap and gown and marched off the platform with only his breech cloth on.  Fortunately he was good looking.  It caused quite a stir.

BJ bought himself a graduation present of an adjustable telephoto lense to attach to his phone so it made it easier for Holly to get some good pictures of him from where we were sitting.  It also made it easier for him to get pictures all week long.  It also made it possible to take pictures with BJ in the picture without another person.

After the ceremony we all went to one of the football fields to gather with others and take pictures.  Holly made sure that BJ had a few leis and we gave him back the leis he bought for us so he wouldn't look too neglected as some of the Polynesians had leis up to their chin and beyond.

In front of the church

At the overlook from the mountain

After graduation Holly had planned a party with several of their friends there.   They made hamburgers and had several salads at the pool.  BJ and several of his friend dressed to swim but no one ended up going swimming.  One of their friends was a lady originally from Bakersfield, California.  When Larry asked her if she knew James Slaughter, our Mission President, she said that her brother was the one that had taken over his dental practice while he was on the mission.  We concluded that it was a small world.

That evening we went to Waikiki and went to the Cheesecake factory for dinner.  As we had to wait for about an hour we walked around for awhile and saw the area.  As this was the area that we had stayed the last time I was in Hawaii about 25 years ago it was interesting to see how much it had changed.  It did not even look the same.  It had really been built up commercially and it was almost impossible to get to the beach unless you went through a hotel.  The hotels also were much bigger and finer it seemed and a lot more emphasis on designer shops.  It was all very nice but very expensive looking also.

Looking at the murals at the Punch Bowl

We had a great time at the cheesecake factory.  It is so fun in Hawaii because so many things are open air because the climate is so mild.  We also ended up sitting next to the live entertainment.  I don't know who they were but they were good at singing the songs that Larry and I grew up with and some other easy listening.

View from the deck at the Punch Bowl

Going Hawaiian on the North West Shore

Holly had to work on Sunday so we went to church with BJ.  I was thrilled that he attends church in the same building that we went to when I was there before.  Again it was fun because so many of the classrooms and the library and such are around an open courtyard.  BJ was excited to introduce us to the missionary couple in their ward because the Elder was also the Car Czar for their mission.  They had fun exchanging war stories for a few minutes.  His wife was a mission nurse so we did not have much in common with our jobs but she was fun to talk to.

Before church BJ took us on a short scenic drive that took us to the top of the mountain there in Honolulu.  It is a beautiful scenic drive and we took some pictures of the city down below.  It is very wooded with different types of greenery and a beautiful place to be.  It only took about 45 minutes for the complete drive including the overlooks that we got out and took pictures at.

At the Hawaiian Village

After we had lunch, BJ took us to the Punch Bowl Memorial Cemetary in Honolulu.  It as interesting to see all the plaques and different tributes that have been placed there.  It was particularly interesting because back in the Fall we had gone to the Museum of the Pacific War in Fredricksburg, Texas so this seemed to be a continuation of the story.  There are many murals that depict the battles of World War II and the Korean War.  There is even some memorials for the Vietnam War.  It was really interesting and it was a beautiful day to be there.  They had some construction going on so some places were torn up but on the whole it was very beautiful and informative.

Benihanas- Our Chef

On Monday BJ and Holly took us up to the North Shore on the West side of the island.  It was a rainy day and so the water was very rough but we got a few pictures of us on the shore.  We stopped at the Dole Pineapple Plantation and got some treats and looked at some of the information about the pineapple growing process and the founder of Dole.  We even shipped pineapple to Nathan for Christmas as that is what he wanted but by the time we got there it was not going to be shipped until New Year's. There was a little trailer off to the side of the road further up from Dole that sold "a great shrimp dinner," BJ and Holly said, and so we got our lunch there.  It was raining so hard that we had to  to eat it in the car but the food was great.

Holly and BJ for her birthday dinner

At the Visitor's Center with Maryn

At the temple visitor center

In front of the Hawaiian Temple in Laie

June with a warrior from Fiji for my Mother

As it was Holly's birthday we went to her favorite to eat that night, Benihanas.  It was really fun.  We walked around on Waikiki for a while and BJ took some pictures and then we went to the Benihanas in the Hawaiian Village by the Hilton there.  It was fun.  We got right in.  The people sitting with us at the table were from Denmark and they spoke English fortunately and so we talked to them for a while and spent a lot of time talking to them about the church.  This all started because I told them that my son BJ and all my children were of Danish ancestry and then we talked about BJ's mission to Italy.  They took a "He is the Gift" Pass along card and we told them that they could learn more at that website.  As usual the food was wonderful there and they brought Holly a special birthday treat in a little statue so it was a fun night all together.

On Tuesday BJ and Holly accommodated us and took us to the Polynesian Cultural Center on the Eastern side of the North Shore by Laie, Hawaii.  When we first got there we went to the Hawaiian Temple visitors center.  My niece Maryn Jenkins is serving a mission there and after a few minutes they found her and we were able to talk to her for a about 20 minutes and get some pictures with her.  While we were waiting we took some pictures and saw a movie about the beginnings of the Church in Laie.  It was a great experience.  We also met the brother of my sister Annette's roommate, Carolyn Priday, who was there on a mission.

One of the many groups dancing on the canal parade

A group from Samoa in the parade

After the temple we were able to get into the Cultural Center.  It is so amazing.  I was so glad that BJ and Holly went with us because it has changed quite a bit since I was there last.  We mapped out a plan and we were able to see just about all the villages  and then we went to the Luau.  It was a great luau.  Much more impressive entertainment than we had 25 years ago.  It has really gone to professional grade.  After that we had a few more minutes and we got pictures with the Christmas lights and then we went to the night program for the evening.  It seemed like the program was about the same but it was still amazing and the performers are so good.  It  was a late night by the time we drove home but it was a fun day and I was so excited that we were able to share it with BJ and Holly.

Tahitian Courting dance before the wedding

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay

On the 24th, Christmas Eve, is was still a little cool but BJ and Holly wanted to go to Hanama Bay and go snorkeling, so we went.  There was a really long line and we had to wait for the safety movie but once we got to the beach it was fun.  It was kind of cold but BJ wanted us to try the snorkeling first and he had new gear that Holly had bought him for Christmas.  We put the gear on but when we got in the water it was cold and I didn't want to get in but BJ just jumped into the water and said that you have to just go all in.  Larry was able to do that and he was off and swimming.  That was the motivating factor for me because the theme of the mission is to jump "all in" and I thought that President Slaughter would be disappointed if I didn't have the courage to go "all in" so I finally just dove in and tried to swim.  At first it was hard.  The fins were hard to use and I kept getting water in my air pipe.  I don't think we used fins 25 years ago.  But finally when I was having a hard time I said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to help me to relax.  I finally got into the frame of mind that when I felt like I was falling or I couldn't breath, I just relaxed and floated on my back and things were fine.  I really enjoyed it and it made me feel good when BJ said that he was proud of me and Larry for trying it because some people that had come to visit would not even try it.

Holly, BJ, June and Larry at the Hawaii Bowl

We had to hurry after snorkeling and we changed and made it to the Hawaii Bowl about a quarter late.  It was fun to be there and the game was interesting somewhat but it was not a game that several hundred people wanted to be to as the stands were very empty.  But we had a good time being with BJ and Holly and now I can say I have been to a bowl game!!

One of the many displays at the Honolulu City Grounds

We had dinner at the apartment and then Holly and BJ were excited to go and see the Christmas Lights in Honolulu at the city offices.  The have several big displays and the offices foyer is decorated with many different trees that the different departments in the city offices had made sort of like the festival of trees and they were all displayed.  It was fun to see all the different displays and I guess for Holly it fulfilled a tradition in her family of going to see the lights on Christmas Eve.  We went home and went to bed after reading the Christmas Story from the Scriptures.

Mele Kalikimaka at the Honolulu City Grounds

The Albatross nesting

Christmas Day Holly had to work.  We slept in as there were no children excited to open presents and when we got up BJ wanted to know if we would like to go on a hike along the West Shore to the tip.  Of course we were game and so we all got ready and started out.  I was thinking that this was going to be a 30 minute hike the way BJ talked so I was surprised when it took from about 10 to 3 p.m.  But it was fun.  It was a beautiful day! There was lots of the lava rocks along the shore and it was so beautiful looking at the ocean.  We saw a type of Albatross nesting and they were not even afraid and when we finally got to the shore on the end there was a mother seal with her baby resting in the sun.  They are a type of seal that lives alone not in communities and are often found there.  We ate the foods we had brought in an area away from them and then we went back and the Father was just returning from somewhere and trying to get onto the rock with them.  BJ got some good pictures of them and they did not seem to be afraid of humans at all.  The people were within 10 ft of them sometimes and they just laid there.  We took lots of pictures and then headed back.  I was really tired when we got back but I felt good because BJ had said that it was a 3 mile hike and we had completed it.  When we got in the car BJ said, Mom I lied, it was a 5 mile hike."  That made me feel good because Larry and I had completed it with no major problems.  We went home and slept for 2 hours but we made it.

Father Monk Seal climbing onto the rock by the baby in white

We all worked together to make dinner and then BJ went to pick up Holly at work.  When they finally made it home we had a great dinner and then we opened presents.  It was a fun evening.  We had a good time together.

Merry Christmas Hawaiian Style

Beautiful Beach day

On the Friday the 26th we were supposed to fly out at midnight so we spent the last day seeing a few things that we had not seen yet.  There was a beach that BJ and Holly wanted us to see and there was a place they liked to eat there so we went there for Breakfast.  It was called Boots and Kimo's Homestyle Kitchen.  We waited in line for an hour or more to get in but the pancakes were worth it.  The had a macadamia nut pancake syrup that was to die for.  The also had interesting ometlets like spam and other canned meats.  Larry got an omlet, I got both and then could not eat it all.  I got one with jalapenos and salsa and it was way too hot!

On the deck of the Missouri

Symbol marking the spot where the agreement was signed at the end of WWII

Larry and I getting into the spirit of the 40's

After a wonderful breakfast they took us to the beach  I don't remember the name but we got a picture there and the day was beautiful.  It was a very picturesque spot but we did not have time to stay long.  We ran some errands to get ready for us and BJ and Holly to go.  We went to the USS Missouri for the last thing that we would see on Hawaii.  After talking to John Trolinger it was interesting to see the ship up close and interesting to get a glimpse of what ship life would have been like.  I also learned that their were more countries than the United States and Japan that signed the document for the end of World War II. I had never realized that.  Larry purchased a book there about the Arizona and Pearl Harbor and the Missouri and we have read it now we are home and we have learned much more about that incident in history.

What is left above water of the USS Utah

We all went home and packed and BJ took their suitcases to the airport with Holly and then he got their tickets while Holly came back and got us.  We were able to get there and check in and see each other for a few minutes and then they had to go one way on their trip to Utah and we went another way on our trip back to San Antonio.  Our flight went well and we made it home to Texas about 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon.  The moving Elders were able to pick us up again and took us home.  Nathan was there as he had arrived home the night before.  It felt good to be home but we felt like we had experienced a wonderful vacation.  Larry was saying it was the best vacation we have ever been on.  I think I agree.

Christmas Conference in the TSAM

On the 17th of December we had a Christmas Party/Conference with all the missionaries in the mission.  Because we have about 260 at the time it is hard for all of the missionaries to come in from all over the mission and get together so this was a special occasion for all of us to see everyone.

All of the missionaries in the TSAM

It was a cold day.  The temperature had taken a dive just the night before and the wind was blowing.  We had pictures early in the morning hoping to get them before the rain came and we just barely made it.  It was cold standing out in the parking lot waiting for our turn for pictures durning the hour we were there. 

Brother and Sister Zilker, D.Williams, Adair, Antuar, Greer, President and Sister Slaughter, Presser, Clark, M.Williams, and Studevant

We had to get up early to get Nathan on a plane for Utah so it was an early morning for us to begin with. 

All of the TSAMers that served under the former Mission President, President Jones that are still here

Elder and Sister Williams daughter Kim Park owns a photography studio and takes pictures professionally so they had her take the pictures.  They were taken outside on the sloping landscape of the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute building.  That is where they also held the conference.

All of the Elders in the mission

After taking the pictures we were able to go inside and visit for awhile.  A couple of senior missionaries had made presents for all the Senior Missionaries that they asked me to pass out anonymously so I made my way through the halls of missionaries talking and visiting and getting last minute hugs and finding the Senior Missionaries to give them their gift of a pair of earrings and a bell in a small brocade bag.  As I love to talk this was a fun time for me. 

All of the Sisters in the mission

We had a great conference.  President Slaughter talked about how Christ is God and gave several examples from the scriptures where it says this.  He pointed out that he was the only person who could have completed the atonement because of that fact.

Mission Leadership, Front row is the Assistants to the President and the President with the Sister Trainer Leader Leaders

We had a great lunch.  There is a member of the church that likes to prepare barbecue with all the sides for groups of  people several times a year.  He does not do it as a business but it is run as professional as a business.  It was wonderful barbecue that they prepared and I don't think I have had any better in Texas.

After lunch they had a slide show of all the missionaries from pictures that they have sent in and a talent show.  There are some very talented missionaries in the TSAM and it was really entertaining.  Many people have great talents in singing and playing instruments but there were some really clever skits and comedy pieces as well.

After that they had a closing in the Chapel and we all went home about 3 or 4 pm.  Larry and I immediately went to the apartment to pack for our trip to Hawaii to see BJ graduate as we were leaving in the morning early- about 8:15 a.m.  We still had several things to do to be ready.

December 14th and before

This blog is going to be mostly pictures with the explanation of some of the things that went on in the last two weeks.  I have got so behind it would be impossible to remember everything and they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

 Nathan flew in on Dec. 3 about 1:30 p.m.  It was good to have him back.  He was tired but he was not as tired as when he rode the bus.

Maggie dancing in front if the stage before the program.

 December 5th we had the kids for the weekend.  That night on Friday the Woodlake Ward had their Christmas Party.  It was really well planned and we had a lot of fun.  David wanted to go to a school dance while we were there.

On the 6th of December we gave Maggie her presents even though her birthday was not until the 8th.  That gave her a chance to play with them before they had to go back to Sara's.  Nathan had bought her a My little Pony beauty parlor that she can comb the mane and tail of the pony.  She had got a sweatshirt with a pony on it when we went shopping for clothes and so he got the same pony to match it.  Larry and I had ordered a dress like Elsa wore in Frozen for Maggie.  When she first opened it she threw it down like she did not like it because she was more interested in the pony but we finally were able to get her to open the dress and then she didn't want to take it off.  Maggie is a born dancer and she had so much fun dancing around the places we had to go and at church when she wore it that it was fun to watch.

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All of the primary children singing a song for the program.  Maggie and Isaac are on the end furthest away.

Nathan and Sammy playing on Nathan's phone

Some of the Priesthood singing their song.  Larry in the middle Bishop Alonzo to his right facing the picture.

Members performing the program.

Santa was there with an elf for pictures.  Isaac, Maggie and Sammy on Santa's lap

Maggie playing with her pony with Isaac

Maggie with her pony and her Elsa Dress

 

Maggie dancing in her Elsa Dress

 On Monday night Maggie's birthday Nathan got her and the boys from 6-8 p.m.  We went to Ihop because Maggie wanted to eat pancakes and bacon.  We really had a good time.  The kids normally do not eat half of the food Nathan buys for them but Isaac and Sammy ate all their chicken strips and fries and wanted more.  So Nathan ordered them more. 

Maggie had chosen a dinner with Belgian waffles and scrambled eggs and bacon. She ate all the eggs and the bacon and said that she was full but when the boys were getting seconds she wanted seconds of the eggs.  I told her that the boys got seconds because they ate their whole meal.  Her eyes lighted up and she started to eat her Belgian waffle.  We had told them it was her birthday so they said that they would bring her a Sundae for her birthday.  After she finished her meal I asked her if she wanted the sundae like they had promised her or some more scrambled eggs.  She said the eggs.  They brought her a big plate of eggs.  Probably 4 or more eggs.  I didn't think that she would finish them but she did.  It was amazing how the kids ate there so we may be going there again with the kids.  Nathan was really pleased with the night and how well it went.

Maggie showing off the picture she colored at the restaurant.  David to the side

Isaac and Sammy with their pictures

Maggie with her second plate of eggs.

Sammy showing Nathan his picture he colored

our waiter bringing drinks.  He was so good.

Our birthday party Grandpa Larry, Nathan, Sammy, Isaac, David and Maggie

Brother and Sister Williams, Sister Aly Davis, Sister and Brother Presser

Same as above with Sister Jackson added in the center.

Our Christmas stockings

Our pitiful little tree and poinsetta

On the first week of December I had MLC to prepare for.  That is where I get all the supplies ready to send out to the different zones according to the things they order.  It takes two or three full days to get ready.  Then after that the next week we have had transfer week.  When it is transfer week we are busy everyday with something that needs to be done besides the regular office work.  I always get behind on Baptisms needing recorded on that week and I am still trying to get caught up.  Sister Aly Davis was one of my favorite missionaires that went home this time.  She has Rhumatoid Arthritis but she never let it slow her down.  She was always smiling and working hard for the work.  She has a very strong testimony of the word.  She came in and gave us all cards and so we took pictures of her with us and then one with her companion in one also.

Maggie and Nathan at Bingo night

Nathan, David and Isaac at Bingo

The twelfth of December we had Bingo night again with the kids and so we went and had a good time.  Again the kids ate fairly well but it was Pizza night so they always like Pizza but maybe they are growing now too.  They have the Wounded Warrior Family support Center decorated to the hilt.  They also gave all the kids and Nathan a christmas stocking so we actually have some Christmas Decoration.  We haven't bothered to put up much because we are going to Hawaii this week to see BJ graduated and Nathan is going to Utah to spend Christmas with Marcy and her family. Nathan did talk us into getting a small tree and the ward gave us a Poinsetta after the Christmas Party to take home.

What kind of catepiller?

My grandchildren think that the caterpillar that I took a picture of is highly poisonous.  I have a hard time thinking that the apartment management would let them be crawling around if they are as poisonous as they say.  They call them pus caterpillars.  If anyone know what they are I would appreciate a comment.

November 30th and before

The driveway to John and Judy's, Pleasure Hill Drive

We are on our way home from a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with John and Judy Trolinger.  We definitely had a weekend of R&R.

This morning we went to church at the Kerrville Ward with John and Judy.  They had some good speakers.  The Youth Speaker talked about the importance of Family Home Evening.  She gave examples from and article in the Ensign that showed how different families have implemented FHE to fit their needs and pointed out that most of the families were families with special circumstances. 

Friday was a beautiful day on Pleasure Hill Road

The Guadalupe River near John and Judy's

The first speaker was a woman that was originally lived in Texas growing up and then followed her husband to Australia where they had 10 children and then after all that he left her for someone else.  She has come to Texas to help her sick Mother with her three youngest children.  She talked about an article that I cannot remember but she bore a strong testimony of how the atonement of Christ had helped her to overcome her broken heart and move on in life. 

Larry at the Guadalupe River

 The last speaker was an older man who had been a Sergeant Major in the Army.  He worked in a hospital and he told of experiences working with people in the army.  He reminded me of John when he is telling us about his military experiences.  His talk was based on a talk by the President of the Romania mission, Craig Hansen that was given in 2003. I was hoping to find it to link here but I am not finding it with google or the search on lds.org.

We went to lunch after church and after we were talking for a while and Larry was quite tired and he finally announced that he was going to go lay down for a while.  That kind of broke up the discussion for a while and after looking at the “He is the gift” website at Christmas.mormon.org I decided to go and join him.  We slept until about 5:00 p.m. and then we decided to get up and get going.  I was worrying about driving in the dark but Larry says that did not bother him.  So we are driving home in the dark after wishing John and Judy goodbye and packing the car.

Nathan in Las Vegas on the strip

Marcy's family at her sister's vow renewal being funny

Nathan and Marcy with her sister and her husband

Nathan just called and it was good to talk to him.  He was excited about seeing 5 of his brothers and sisters this weekend in Utah and having a party with them on Friday night.  Most of them he has not seen since the stroke.  He also got to go to see his cousins Marcus Hadlock and Carin Fausett .  They also went to see Grandma Jenkins in Lehi.   Most of the time he is riding in a car there and has to get out and walk into the houses so it is good therapy for him.  He called to say that he was going to go to Utah for Christmas also.  They spent Thanksgiving with Marcy’s family and also went to Las Vegas on Monday for her sisters vow renewal.  He looks so good in the pictures that they have sent I think this trip has been good for him.  I am thrilled with this new circumstance.

This week was a short week at the Mission Office.  Larry had a number of accidents over the weekend that he had to work on and I had plenty of my work to catch up on.  We went to Weight Watchers to weigh in before we went there because the Assistants are always using the computers.  It was a good week for Larry but not for me.  I gained back the two pounds that I lost last week.  Larry lost 4 pounds. After that we went to the office and were there until about 6:00 p.m.

There was a fairly violent storm on Saturday night the weekend before and on Sunday our TV had quit working.  We called AT&T and after resetting several things the TV was working again.  So we relaxed together and watched TV for Family Home Evening.  Not the best idea but it was relaxing and fun to do together

Unique soda machine at Torchy's Tacos

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Tuesday we to another zone training at the Oak Hills zone meeting at the chapel at Convict Hill.  We did not take time to sight see but we did go to a Torchy's Tacos.  They had the most creative tacos I have ever seen.  And they even had their own brand of soft drinks.  It was a really fun experience.

Allison and Mike caught unawares

Wednesday we went early to pickup the pies that the young women in Woodlake ward were selling for a fundraiser.  It was a huge relief not to have to make pies this year and I had tasted a sample and they were good.  Then we went to the office to finish up what we could before we left for the day.  We had thought about getting away at about 2:00 p.m. but we were a little later than that.  Fortunately I was able to get all the referrals in for the day.  We went home and packed and finally were able to leave.

John, Judy in background, Kyler and Allison

Of course there was a traffic jam on I-10 so Larry went off on some of the frontage road.  All of the freeways in Texas have frontage roads on either side that follow along and provide turn a rounds.  We have come to really like that feature most of the time. We learned in the process that the famous barbecue place around here, Rudy’s, started in Leon Springs.

Larry and I at the Guadalupe River Club on the shore of the Guadalupe River

We got to John and Judy’s about 6:00 p.m.  We talked for a while and then we went to dinner at a local restaurant that we like called Billy Gene’s.  We stayed up talking for a while and then we went to bed.

Thursday we slept in.  It felt so good. John and Judy said that this could be our R & R  place for the weekend and we took them up on it.  I am finishing this up almost two weeks later so I cannot remember what we did in the morning and early afternoon but we did work on the dinner some, Judy had all the traditional Thanksgiving food and I had brought the pies.  It was a very good dinner and of course I ate too much pie.  I was really impressed with the pies that the young women had made.  And I do not impress easily when it comes to pie.  We had also ordered two quiches and had those for breakfast.

The view of the river from the deck

John and Judy(caught Judy with her mouth full!)

Michelle, Erick, Kirsten, Maren and Nathan

Judy had invited all their family to come but David and Jane did not show up and texted that they would not be coming at the last minute so that put a small damper on things at first but Mike came with his kids and that was fun to see them again.  We had a great talk with them.  It was interesting that Mike’s daughter Allison who is 17 did not remember that we have been there for other times in her life.  She only remembered that she had met us in the summer when we met them for lunch.  It was fun talking to her.  She is a very articulate teen and carries on a good conversation with adults.  She has joined the Navy and is attending classes right now to get her ready for when she graduates.  As John spent his major portion of his career in the Navy that is good but he is really concerned for the job she has chosen because she is so small and she could get hurt easily.  Mike’s son Kyler is 12 and was quieter but he did not spend all his time trying to avoid us either.  As always it is fun to talk to Mike as he is a police officer for the San Antonio police department.  But he isn’t just any officer.  He flies helicopter patrol for them most of the time.

Michelle and Dan, Heather and Erick, Kirsten, Maren and Landon, Nathan and Marcy

Friday and Saturday we spent with John and Judy going to restaurants that they recommended and riding around Kerrville.  They showed us the VA hospital and we drove out to find a road that we have been trying to find a referral on.  We spent a lot of time talking and learning from each other.

In Utah 5 of our 8 children got together at Heather's dads house on Friday night after Thanksgiving and had a party.  They sent pictures of all of them and it was so good to see so many of our children together again.  I think they had a good time from the looks on their faces.  We also had a lot of grandchildren there.  Everyone seemed to like Marcy very much.

Our Grandchildren at the Party

Well hope this finds you all well.  It seems like we have covered the week.