One Last Visit!

Since our season passes to Universal Studios expire next month, we decided to make one last trip there today. We didn't do anything we hadn't already done on past visits, but we still had a great time.

On our last trip to Universal Studios, Alan rented a wheelchair for me because of my bad back which prevents me from walking long distances and standing in long lines. To save money, he rented the kind where he had to push me around. This time, however, I talked him into getting the electric scooter instead. This was soooo much better. The seat was a lot more comfortable and Alan didn't have to push me around. Now, that's a win for both of us!

This was the best ride in the park.

 Alan said he had a hard time keeping up with me.

I have determined that I have a pride problem. Even though it was a lot more comfortable for me to be in the chair, I was embarrassed to have to use it. I feel way too young to have a mobility problem. It does have its perks, however. The handicapped spots for each of the shows was right up front, so the views were fantastic.

We didn't do much in Harry Potter World today, but we did get this one picture. Oh, the good 'ol Hogwarts Express.

Our biggest disappointment today was the discovery that the Jurassic Park ride had closed down last September to make way for an updated version dubbed the Jurassic World ride. That was our favorite ride at the park, too!!!

Our biggest joy today was that the weather was perfect (75 degrees) and that the park wasn't very crowded. During previous visits, the park was quite crowded. Today we breezed through everything. It was such a blessing. I've decided that January is the perfect month to visit theme parks.

Well, Universal Studios, it was a fun year getting to know you better. I doubt we will ever see each other again but it was nice while it lasted. 

Border Walls

There is a big controversy going on in our country right now. There is a crisis at our southern border where thousands of individuals attempt to enter into our country illegally every single day. President Trump wants to build a wall to stem the flow, but the democrats in congress don't want a wall. They say that walls don't work. Really???

To say that walls don't work is simply a lame argument. Walls keep prisoners in prison, they keep intruders from entering the property of the rich and the famous, and they keep countries safe from invasion. Our country has gone WAY too long without securing its borders.

What ever happened to common sense? It seems like we are living in an upside down world. Common sense says that a wall is needed, yet many are opposed to the idea.

I hope President Trump gets his wall. Otherwise, all of the drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal immigration will continue to bring this country down. We are a nation of laws, yet for some reason the uber liberals in this country don't want the laws enforced. They say it is immoral to build a wall and keep anyone who wants to from entering this country. Lame, simply lame! Open borders is a recipe for the destruction of this country. God help us!

BUILD THE WALL!!!!!

Happy 16th, Ethan!

Sixteen years ago today I became a grandmother for the first time. Ethan Matthew Stott was born on January 9th, 2003

Now, that cute little baby boy has grown into a wonderful young man with many talents.

Some of Ethan's interests are:

Pokemon

Video Games

Scouts

Church 

Art

Playing Instruments

Of these interests, I think playing instruments is his biggest love at this time. I recently sent him a text asking for a list of the instruments he plays. Here is his list:

Piano

Alto saxophone

Tenor saxophone

Oboe

Trombone

&amp English Horn.

This month he is going to start learning to play the guitar. This makes me very happy since I love the guitar so much. In fact, I left my spare guitar at their house so he won't have to purchase one for now.

Last Saturday, since Alan and I were in Utah for my parent's 100th birthday celebration, we were able to attend an honors band concert that Ethan was involved with. This honors band consists of the best band students from a few high schools in the area. Ethan played the oboe in this band. Eric told me that the conductor of the band, who conducts on the college level at the University of Utah, needed someone to play the oboe solo. Since he doesn't know the skill level of the students, he asked all the oboists to play the solo part for him. Ethan was the only student who could pull it off, so he ended up doing the solo in the performance. I was so proud of him!

It is rare to get a smile out of this very shy boy for a picture, but here is one for you. This was taken just after the performance.

A very happy 16th birthday to you, Ethan. Time just keeps marching on. You will be driving soon, heading off to college/mission, and then who knows where life will lead you. You are a wonderful young man! Sure do love you!

Celebrating A Century - Happy Birthday Mom & Dad

Although my parents were born in different years, my Dad was only 9 days older than my mom. Dad was born on December 29th 1918 and Mom was born on January 7, 1919.

Since it has been 100 years since their births, my siblings and I wanted to celebrate that triumphant event by throwing a birthday bash for them. We decided to hold it on Friday, January 4th - between both of their birthdays so as not to favor one parent over the other.

Kent and Ann agreed to host it at their house since they are the most centrally located of all of us. Alan and I flew up early Friday morning so we could be there in plenty of time to join in on the festivities. 

All seven of us and our spouses were able to attend.

(bottom row: Ann, Kathryn, Joan, Janice, Gayle, Lynda, Jane; 

top row: Kent, Phil, Alan, Leonard, Scott, Neal, and Ken)

We had a great time together. The first thing we did was have a great meal. Kent & Ann provided the meat (barbecued pork tenderloin) and the potatoes (Garlic mashed). Both were excellent. Gayle provided rolls, Janice provided a salad, Neal and Phil provided fruit, and Jane and I provided the dessert. Everything tasted great. 

With full tummies, we played a game that Phil taught us called "Three Buck Chuck". This is a game none of us had played before except for Phil and Kathryn.

Rules: Everyone starts with 3 one dollar bills. This is what you do with your dollar bills when it is your turn to roll the dice (you roll as many die as dollars you have in your stack)

Eventually, the dollar bills end up in the pot and the last person standing wins the whole pot. For Phil, who won, that meant he ended up winning $42. Not bad. Alan almost won, but he rolled a 4 so we had to start the game over again. That way, we got to play it twice.

After that, we gathered in the family room to play a game I put together.

Prior to the party, I had e-mailed everyone to ask them to tell me one thing they learned from Dad (Paul) and one thing they learned from Mom (Lois). I printed up all the answers and then everyone had to guess who said what. It was a lot of fun.

We started with Mom and this shows the correct answers on the left:

Then we did the same thing for Dad. Here are the answers:

Kent won round one about Mom with 7 correct answers. Pretty amazing. For round two about Dad, there was a tie at 5 correct answers each between Janice and Kent (again). The prize was a $10 Amazon gift card. Kent ended up with two of them. It's good that I had brought three gift cards in case there was a tie.

This game kind of led into us doing a lot of sharing of stories and reminiscing about growing up as the children of Paul and Lois Burton. We each have so many fond memories about growing up at the Power Plant. We were definitely "free range" children living in a pretty dangerous place. I'm surprised we all survived long enough to reach adulthood. I have talked about this in a previous post (August 3, 2015) so I won't reiterate here.

I love each one of my siblings as well as the remarkable individuals they each married. We all get along splendidly, so it is such a pleasure to spend time socializing with them. I wish we could get together more often. Who knows how much longer it will be before one of us is called home. I dread that day, but know it will happen eventually.