Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my hubbie, Lee who is the best father/grandfather/husband ever!! Seriously, he is so into his kids and grandkids it is crazy. I knew when I started dating him and watched him interact with little kids that he was a keeper and he is! (Plus he's hot still-at 56!!)

Happy Father's Day to my dad, Patrick Gerald Pomeroy, who has been a great dad and example of integrity and morality to me. Love you tons dad!

Happy Father's Day to Charlie"Beans" Iorg, my father-in-law-another great dad. Thanks for teaching Lee how to be such a loving, great dad. You are a wonderful dad in law!!

Happy Father's Day to Chris, Matt, Jody and Alan-the other fathers in our family-equally great dads. We are blessed to have all of you in our lives.

Happy Birthday Rylee Roo!

Happy Birthday shout out to Miss Rylee Alexandra Edmondson who turned 1 today! We love this little girl so much. She has tons of personality and is just as cute as can be. Happy day Roo girl!

CRAZY LIFE

Okay, I officially believe I have a crazy life lately. I work one week and then am gone a week and it keeps repeating itself. In most ways it is lots of fun but I am getting soooo tired too. I am never just home, catching up on things (like sleep and housekeeping). When I got back from Kasey's, I worked a week and was on call (and worked some) the weekend. I left Sunday afternoon for Kelly's where I picked up Alex and the next morning we drove her back to Provo. Stayed 2 nights and met her friends (adorable girls, cute boy) and flew back to Kelly's. Stayed a night there and we drove back to McKinleyville Thursday night. Friday morning two little cuties (Madison and Kyle) came for the weekend.
We had so much fun with them. Madison and Ammon are the best of buddies. Actually she keeps trying to talk him into being her boyfriend but he's not buying that. Kyle is the biggest love ever, his smile melts me all the time. Cohen is still the craziest nut alive and Rylee is just perfect. Each night all of them but Rylee would lay in my bed with me and we'd watch a movie. Madison, Ammon and Kyle all wanted to lay by me (Cohen could care less) so usually one was watching the movie on top of me. One by one they'd all fall asleep. We'd put them on the floor for bed but by morning 1-3 would be in bed with us. Not the best nights sleep.
I am now on my work week and another on call weekend. I'm hoping Lee will take the trailer up to Trinity on Monday for me. The only problem I have, is no one to go up there with. I may stay a night or two by myself and come home for a couple of days. Then we'll go to Kelly's for Ammon's birthday or back up to the lake. Then it's work for a week and off to London for two weeks and the birth of baby Phillips. Oh, and sometime in between now and then Kasey and kids will come visit (hopefully!) before they move to Alaska. Whew!!! Do I live a busy life or what?????

Iowa

I just completed my last trip to Iowa that I'll probably ever make. Kasey and family are moving in a few weeks and I can't imagine any other reason to visit there again. I had a great and productive trip (we did lots of packing for their move). Lee was there half the time, Alex was there a couple of days at the start of my trip. The weather started getting humid yesterday so it was a good time to leave.

Sienna gave me the same act she gave Kelly and Alex. When I got in the van she put her blanket over her face and would just peek out. If I looked at her she'd hide again. We dropped the kids off at their weekly babysitting group and Kasey, Alex and I went to a restaurant for some divine Chicken Marsala. Once we got home, Sienna was all over me from then on. I called her the Poker because if I was busy she'd come up and poke me to remind me she was still there. She was always climbing into my lap if I was sitting down and giving me hugs and kisses. She is such a cuddler and so, so beautiful. I just love looking at her dimple! She always wanted Grandma to brush her teeth every night too. One of the things that was so cute is she sleeps in the computer room next to where I slept. Every morning she'd wake up, get out of bed and open the door a little, check us out, and close the door again. She'd open it up again after a few minutes, come kiss my arm and head upstars to Kelly. So cute.

Crazy Lexy Lu (Alexa) is just that-crazy. She talks so fast, so often and so dramatically that all you can do is just laugh. Her favorite thing to do is for us to go on a walk, get a treat at the gast station and then go to the park where she swings from bar to bar on the jungle gym till her hands are calloused. Someday you'll have to ask her why she loves the monkey bars so much-it is hilarious!

Kaden is so handsome and so smart. He can read like crazy now-sounds out everything. Lee took him to a minor league baseball game and he broke the bank with all the food he ate. He loved hanging out with Grandpa. We got to see him play ice hockey and also baseball. He is so cute and is a good hitter. Alexa also played t-ball (when she wasn't goofing off on the field that is). I took Alexa to see Speedracer and Kaden to see Narnia. Speedracer was boring but I enjoyed Narnia. Lee took them fishing at a nearby pond and they caught a fish!

Kasey looks beautiful and it was fun to hang out with her, shop and eat. We only saw Matt for a little while one day and then we sent them off to a night on their own to celebrate Matt's graduation. Although we did a lot of work, I also had a lot of fun in Iowa. I won't really miss Iowa but I already miss Kasey and company. I can't wait to know for sure where they will be heading.

3 HOURS

That's how long I have here in the Sacramento Airport until I board my plane back to McKinleyville. This part of the airport is especially small with only about 6 gates and one little restaurant/bar. It is going to be boooooooorrrrriiingg. I've already traveled for 5 hours from Kasey's. This is the part I hate about traveling especially coming from Humboldt County. I always have long, boring layovers. Usually it is at the San Francisco Airport though and that is not so bad because there are places I can walk, good eating places and lots of people watching. I guess I'll play Scrabble and blog about my trip to Kasey's and maybe go get a new book. And I just broke a long fingernail and don't have a file so I can hunt one down too. Don't you just hate layovers???

Crazy Cohen

Alex brought Cohen up with her this weekend. That kid is really a laugh a minute. He has absolutely NO idea he is little and we are big. He has no problem telling us off if we do something he doesn't like. We went to a Redwood Park one day and after we unbuckled him he was off-to the large slide. And never looked back and I mean he didn't even look to see if we had come along too. He was having a great time with himself. We could have dropped him off and picked him up 2 hours later and he would have been fine. After about 15 minutes we finally called to him so he would know where we were sitting but he never acknowledged us until we left about an hour later.

Sunday he wanted me to lay down with him for his nap (he always wants to lay in my room with me). I fell sound asleep too. I heard some soft sound and thought I'd just peek one eye open and check things out. Cohen was about 1 inch from my face, standing on the ground before me. He scared me to death!! I was NOT expecting to see anyone that close to me.

He loves my pantry. He is in it 24/7 looking for chocolate (or any other sweet). He is his grandmother's child I guess. One day I found him breaking big sticks I have in a floor vase in my room. I wasn't too thrilled and asked him what he was doing. He turned around with my reading glasses on him and said he was Harry Potter and was making a wand so he could go abracadabra! Seriously, I had a laugh fest this weekend. He talks a mile a minute, all the time, even to himself and is hilarious. Love you Cohey!

Observations at 55

When I was 30 I thought 55 was ancient. Not so anymore. I turned 55 today. Here are some of my thoughts about reaching the age of 55.

1. I still think in my head like I'm 30 or 20. I still initially think a new style would look cute on my 30ish body and then I remember I no longer have a 30ish body. It's the pits. I hate the ody you get around age 50 when everything starts to sag and you realize you are definitely your mother.

2. Wrinkles stink. Please pass along any ways to get rid of them.

3. I thought at age 55 I'd be so much more wise, so much more perfect. I still don't put off the "natural man" as much as I thought I'd be doing by now and I am still, too often, an "enemy to God". I still have trouble remembering morning prayers and scripture study is still sometimes a struggle (even though I really love the scriptures)! I really thought I'd be more perfect by now!!

4. I am trying to make healthier food choices. That does not mean no chocolate. I still have chocolate every day, just less. I still love me some McDonald's quarter pounders but I only have one once a month.

5. I hate having to watch what I eat. Until the age of 40, I could just about eat anything I want. I miss those days.

6. There still is never enough hours in a day.

7. I am approaching the age when more and more people you know die. I hate this. I really miss my mom but don't want to join her too soon. I am comforted to know of God's Plan of Salvation.

8. One of the few good things about this age is the opportunity to travel more, which I love.

9. I still am a night owl. I love to stay up late and sleep in till about 8:00 or 9:00. I love a quiet house late at night by myself to read or watch tv.

10. I order fish at a restaurant now instead of steak or prime rib like I did when I was 30 and it's a matter of preference not a health choice.

11. I have become more of a loner. I love quiet time to myself more and don't need to be in a big group like I did when I was younger.

12. I really do love my job as a nurse in the endoscopy department and probably would get bored if I didn't work at all. Every other week is perfect. I am so glad I went back to school when Alex went to preschool.

13. My favorite time of year is still Trinity Lake time.

14. My husband really is my best friend. (My daughters are right there also). As annoying as he can sometimes be, he is funny and fun to be with and being empty nesters is okay most of the time (except when I get crazy wanting to hold and kiss a granchild). I am amazed how patient he is with my annoying habits and irritations because he is not known for his patience.

15. Family is everything. My children, their spouses and my granchildren are my life. I crave being with them, treasure them and love them with all my heart. I also love the family I was born into and Lee's family.

16. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has enriched my life, made my joys more wonderful, my sorrows bearable and been a rock and guide in my life. I cannot imagine my life without it.

17. I've made pretty good choices and been very blessed. There is not much I would change about my life.

p.s. It gets harder and harder to find pictures of yourself you would publish!

Deja Vu

One of the activities we did when our kids were young was to pack them all up along with numerous relatives who used to live in the area, hot dogs, potato salad and sodas and head to the beach. After talking about doing that again numerous times, we finally did this weekend when Kelly and Jody and kids and Alex came to visit. What a sweet experience it was to see Ammon and Cohen loving the beach experience and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows by the fire. They loved it and so did we. I can't believe it was so many years ago when we did it with Chris, Kasey, Kelly Lindsey and Alex. Time goes by way too fast. We will be doing this a lot more in the future when grandkids come to visit. Isn't it amazing how good a hot dog tastes when you roast it on a stick?

Thanks for coming this weekend family and celebrating my birthday early. We had Chicken Garlic Pasta and German Chocolate Cake, two of my favorite things. It was a great weekend complete with gopher hunting and hide and seek!

The End

The end of this fabulous vacation in Cabo is upon us.
That means:
1. The end of shrimp tempura tacos poolside
2. The end of blackjack games each day at 4:00
3. The end of virgin pina coladas a couple times a day-how fattening are they?
4. The end of spa smells and towels folded into animals. Actually I bought the lavender scent and went to a folding towel class (not that I plan to fold many into animals)
5. The end of using pesos and hearing Spanish spoken daily.
6. The end of getting to wear sandals and shorts daily (until lake time)
7. The end of manicured desert gardens and raked beaches.
8. The end of getting to hang out with our new best friends Kelly and Jody (who are out on a special beachside dinner Jody ordered for their anniversary. Happy 6th Kelly and Jody!)
9. The end of eating what I want for a while. Back to dieting-ugh!
10. The end of seeing blue skies every day, reading all the time and getting up when I want to and having fun vacationing with Mr. Lee.

It's been an ideal vacation. Relaxing, beautiful and fun. Cabo, I'll miss you!!!

It's Official

Lee and I both agree that the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica in Cabo is our favorite hotel/resort . The resort is beautiful, food is great, activities are fun (blackjack, water aerobics, cooking classes-shrimp tacos yesterday, ymmm!, dance classes, spanish classes, ping pong tournaments, walks, etc), amazing spa, incredible staff and wonderful smells all make it fabulous!! Because it is for age 16 and older, it is so quiet and relaxing. The most amazing thing is that it is our favorite place and we paid the least for it. I would absolutely return, even at the normal price.

Lee and Jody are off surfing today. Kelly and I are heading to the pool. The only downside of the trip is my sunburn. Despite putting on sunblock, I burned. The sun is so much more powerful here and I forget to reapply. I even pre-tanned because I wanted to make sure I didn't burn. Today I am staying under the umbrella.

Massages

Kelly and I had our $130 massages ($100 paid from timeshare presentation) today. I love massages. I now believe there are massages and there are massages. Massages at a 4-5 star hotel in an amazing spa are a total experience. We were greeted at the door, given robes and sandals and after we dressed, led to a beautiful room with the sounds of nature and wonderful smells to wait our masseuses. There were comfy chairs, ice water and juices and dried fruit to nibble on. They gave us hot neck wraps that were infused with lavender. Then came the massages. Amazing! After the massage, we went to the warm jacuzzi, cold plunge and steam room where cucumbers on ice awaited our eyes. It was beautifully decorated in a minamalistic Zen style with candles lit. For the first time, since Kelly was under two we shared a bath in the buff! We then had warm showers in the dressing/bath area that had everything to meet our every need. I will never look at a massage the same way now. Give me the complete spa experience every time!

p.s. Funny story I forgot to tell about our trip here. When you arrive, you are hit by every timeshare presentation available at the airport. I knew to avoid them but accidentally got grabbed by a girl I thought was trying to explain how to find our driver to the hotel. Once I realized who she really was I cut her off and told her I wasn't interested and needed to get out to our driver. I could tell she was really mad that I wouldn't keep listening but didn't know how mad until Lee came out laughing. He said that she said, "Hey mister! Find a new wife!"

Total Zen

That's how I would explain this trip, this hotel. From the moment we walked into the hotel we felt like we were in a holistic retreat. Candles, lanterns everywhere. Water coming off walls, fountains everywhere and the wonderful smells of lavender, mint, eucalyptus. Infinity swimming pools with swim up bars and the best fish tacos ever.Everyone remembers your name and service is impeccable. This place is a true oasis of peace.

Yesterday was our first full day. We started it out by attending a time share presentation that took 90 minutes. We agreed to do it because the incentives were amazing. We got $100 spa certificate (Kelly and I are getting full body massages tomorrow morning for an hour) and $200 in certificates to use at the restaurants. There are two here and 3-4 at the sister hotel next door to choose from and the food is good! We then headed poolside and spent a great afternoon intermixed with ping pong, beach volleyball (not me) and blackjack. They have a blackjack tournament every afternoon for free drinks. We've won 4 virgin pina colada's so far. We went into town for dinner and a walk on the marina.

Today we went to breakfast (eggs benedict and banana french toast) and then out to the pool. More blackjack, water aerobics, long walk on the beach and Lee and Jody rented waverunners.

The weather is perfect, in the low 90's. Tonight we are going to play some games, walk on the beach and have a great dinner. Having a great time-wish you were all here!

Pictures of us on the trip will be later as we all forgot to bring camera cords to computers.

Did I mention we got this amazing place for $299 a week when the expedia rate is $237 a night?

93

That's the average weather when we are in Cabo this next week. Can't wait. It has been freezing here. It says it is in the 50's but the wind has been blowing crazy and today it is raining. Is it any wonder I can't wait to get out and warm this body up? I've had my pedicure, a base tan courtesy of the tanning booth (which I never go to unless it's for a trip-so I don't burn on the trip) and a new bathing suit. I did the Cabbage Soup Diet last week and lost an extra 5 lbs. so I won't look better (not good, just a little better) in my bathing suit. I am ready for fun in the sun!

P.S. Lee and I saw the movie 21 on Friday night. Go see it-it was really good.

Seattle

Lee and I came to Seattle yesterday to visit Chris, Kalie, Madison, and Kyle. The drive here isn't bad at all. It is really a pretty drive. We stopped in Portland for the night and divided the drive up. Madison and Kyle are to die for. Seriously, they are so cute. The cutest thing about them, even beyond how adorable they look, is how affectionate they are. They are right by us all the time with hugs, holding our hands and planning fun activities. I've played Candyland 9-10 times (only one twice!), colored, fed some ducks in a park and even played at the playground. Tonight we are going to take them to see the movie Nim's Island. Last night we went to PF Chang's-love that place. Tonight we are going to grill filets. Today Kalie and I went into Seattle to a place called Trophy Cupcakes that was featured on Martha Stewart last week. Ymmmmmm! Great cupcakes. We are having a great time.

Motherhood

I got another week of motherhood as I took care of Ammon and Cohen last week while Kelly and Jody went to Utah. I love my grandchildren sooo much and am always glad to spend that one on one time with any of them. Here's the things I noticed about motherhood that never change:

1. It is exhausting. But even though it is exhausting and you should go to bed right after you get them to bed, it is tempting (and I fall into temptation) to stay up later just to enjoy a few moments of quiet to yourself. The same thing happens with nap time. You know you should take a nap but reading a book just seems to call you. Just as you put it down to catch a quick nap, someone wakes up.

2. Forget cleaning. As you are cleaning one mess, they are making another.

3. At a certain age, around 4, all little boys love potty talk. Ammon has reached that age. He loves to walk in the room with his pants hanging around his leg and see if you are shocked that you see his underwear. He also delights in trying to see his grandma in the shower. Gross! I now have to lock the door and can hear him outside saying, "Let me in grandma, I promise I won't look. I promise I won't laugh!"

4. Kids love to go to McDonald's and Burger King. The trick is to get them to eat any food there. They are there for the play equipment and the toys.

5. It is still hard to get kids to eat what you are eating. Dinosaur chicken for Ammon and macaroni and cheese for Cohen are always good bets. Trying to get variety in their diet and healthier food is usually a no go.

6. Kids love to go get toys and videos. That means you get to stand in aisles for a long time while they painstakingly try to decide what to get.

7. Sick children are the saddest thing. Cohen got a bad case of gastroenteritis and was a puking, pooping machine on Saturday. He would not talk and just laid around and slept. Totally not Cohen and so sad. Today, Monday, he is still sick.

8 "I love you dama" (Cohen) or "I love you to outerspace and infinity" (Ammon) will get you every time.

Happy Birthday Pit Stop

I had to wake up at 5:00 this morning to catch my plane from Mesa to Stockton. It was going to be a long day and I knew I wouldn't be home until about 7:30 at night. I was dreading it. I was able to stop in Windsor and take Kelly out to lunch for her birthday though-a great pit stop! I got quick hugs and kisses from the kids and got to spend about an hour and a half with one of my favorite friends-Kellbell. The lunch was okay but spending time with the birthday girl was great!! I love my Kellbell so much and always have so much fun with her. Hope you had a great day, Kelly!

Mesa

I am in Mesa, Arizona where I was raised. I am loving it. The weather is amazing, in the high 70's and 80's. I am wearing shorts and sandals and got a pedicure today. I love staying at Julie's. Emily had a welcome poster on my bed for me. We are eating salads at all my favorite places and having such a great time! Yesterday, after she picked me up we stopped at a great shopping area called San Tan Village before we did anything. I got a cute skirt and top at Banana Republic. We went to Rumbi's and shared an amazing salad. That night we went to Pei Wei's with my dad. We went to the temple last night and saw some amazing photograph's by an Arizona artist on Christ. They will be for sale someday and I want some. They are photos of the people who will be acting in the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple this week.

Today we did our pedicures/manicures and had a salad at Bajio with chicken, mango salsa, etc. I also had a shrimp taco and it was amazingly wonderful. Tonight we are going to Wayne and Becky's for Elli's birthday party. In the next few days we will be laying out at a pool, shopping more, going to the temple, going to the Easter Pageant, seeing the play The Color Purple, going to a movie and eating out a lot. I love being with my sister so this is an amazing vacation in amazing weather.

Experiences

One of my favorite things in life is new experiences. Any experience. It can be going to a new place to eat, visiting a new place, even just seeing a movie. I especially enjoy experiences with family members. Experiences by myself are empowering to me though. yesterday I had one of those solo experiences by myself. I got up at 5:00 am at Kelly's and got ready and then drove to Stockton, California to catch a no-frills airline to Mesa, Arizona. A couple months ago I heard about Allegiant Airlines flying from Stockton to Mesa for only $35 each way so I booked a ticket. Yesterday I hit the SF rush hour traffic though and thought I might miss my flight. There would be no rebooking because they onlyfly Mondays and Fidays there. I got through rush hour traffic and got to Oakland and found out I still had over 60 miles to go. I really didn't think I had so far to go. I was really speeding because I didn't want to miss my flight. (Actually got there with an hour to spare). I finally got there to this tiny airport in the middle of famland and thought I'd arrived to a foreing country. Spanish is spoken more than English-at least at the airport. Got checked in and had a great flight. Of course with Allegiant you pay $5.00 each segment to get a reserved seat, $5.00 each segment for each bag you check in and buy your own beverages/treats from the stewardesses. Still, the entire ticket was $125. A good bargain, unless you count the gas money I spent to drive 6 1/2 hours from my home. But then, I got to spend time at Kelly's and got to have the experience of driving myself to Stockton and trying out a new airline. Well worth it.

Back in Santa Rosa and Laryngitis

I came down yesterday because I fly out for Arizona to see my Arizona family tomorrow morning. This is the longest I've ever gone not seeing Kelly's kids. I was so anxious to get here! Ammon is as cute and sweet as ever, Cohen is just as crazy and Rylee has really grown up! She now has two teeth, her hair lies down and she crawls. It is crazy how much they can change in just a month. She has always been adorable but now she is off the charts. So full of personality and fun. It is so nice to be with all of them again.

I am now on my 4th day of laryngitis and an upper respiratory infection with an obnoxious cough. Actually the last two days I can speak a little. The first two I couldn't speak at all. It is so annoying to not be able to answer the phone or call anyone. I actually miss my own, regular voice! Today I didn't stay for Relief Society in Kelly's ward because she teaches young woman's and I'd have to go by myself and can't talk that good yet. I feel like I sound like a transvestite. Not a good thing.

London and Paris in March

I returned on Sunday from my trip to London and Paris. It was pretty cold both places so I lived in my black wool coat and scarf. It was nice to put them away. Despite the cold and a little rain, I had a great time with Lindsey, Alex, Izzy and Alan. Lindsey is the best tour guide in the world. Despite being 20 weeks pregnant, she walked my socks off. I ate whatever I wanted too and didn't gain an ounce though so it was worth it! Lindsey did a great job describing our trip in detail so please go to her blog for the narrative and pictures. I am so annoyed-I took a lot of pictures on this stupid camera we had around the house and can't upload them to this computer!!

Trip highlights:

1. Listening to Izzy say "hello (or hallo) in her little English accent to us and everyone else everywhere we went. She is the cutest, little social bug.

2. Hanging out with Lindsey and Alex, lots of girl talk, lots of laughing!

3. Eating pastries in Paris, especially the apricot ones-ymmm!

4. Crepes in London and Paris.

5. The Museum D'Orsay in Paris. It is a gorgeous building in and of itself.

6. Wandering the streets of Paris, seeing local establishments, hearing the locals talk and laughing at our inability to say a word of French!

7. Facts of life talk in the Louvre. Picture a young girl contemplating marriage, a lot of nude statues and the questions that arose. It was hilarious!

8. Eating at Nando's. Nothing fancy, just comfort food.

9. The Bourough Market in London on Saturday-why is food always one of my highlights?

10. Seeing Les Miserables for the 3rd time.

11. The town of Bath. Gorgeous even on a rainy, cold day. The delicious Italian restaurant we ate at there.

12. Watching Alan dance with Izzy. He is a wonderful dad.

and the list could go on and on.....

Great trip!!! I'll be back in June for babysitting and the arrival of young Mr. Phillips.