Series of Unfortunate Events

 

I had scheduled a return flight home on Allegiant Airlines from Southern California (Santa Ana John Wayne Airport) for Monday, June 19th after Cheryl and I finished our road trip to Arizona. Little did I know the series of unfortunate events that would hinder me getting home that night.

I had an 8:20 p.m. flight - the only one available. I like morning flights because they seem to be more on-time. The later the flight during the day, the more chance that there will be a delay. I was hoping for a nice, on-time flight, but noticed on the flight board that the flight was delayed. We had to wait for the plane to arrive from another airport. Even after it landed and everyone had deplaned, they still didn't have us start boarding and "delayed" was still clearly displayed on the flight board.

I texted Cheryl a few times to let her know that my flight was delayed just in case she needed to return to the airport to retrieve me. However, she never responded to any of my texts. In hindsight, I should have texted or called Parker to let him know what was going on.

Finally, at about 9:15, they allowed us to board, but even after we boarded, we weren't leaving. We didn't know what was going on. I was seated on row 2, so I had a clear view of what was going on in the front of the plane. Finally, the pilot communicated to us what was happening. Evidently, they had experienced a number of delays during the day and the pilots, who are only allowed a certain number of flying hours per day, had almost reached their limit. They had tried other options - like flying to Vegas and have other pilots fly us to Provo, but that didn't work out. They were trying to think of any solution to get us to our final destination, all without any luck.

To complicate things, the John Wayne Airport, doesn't allow any flights to take off or land after 10 p.m. It is a city of Santa Ana ordinance. The clock was ticking to get off the ground quickly.

Finally, at about 9:50, the pilot spoke to us again informing us that they were going to try to take off. He said they had only a 6 minute window to leave the gate, taxi to the runway, and take off. If they couldn't do it within that 6-minute window, they would have to return to the gate. They had waited as long as they could in order to try to avoid waiting behind other airlines wanting to take off. 

The plane finally started to taxi and I was hopeful that our airplane could actually get off the ground, but that was not the case. Evidently, a different plane got there just ahead of us and took off, which delayed our departure past the 6-minute window. We now knew that we would have to return to the gate and there was no chance of flying to Provo that night.

I was finally able to reach Cheryl to let her know that my flight was cancelled. She said her phone had died! She also said that she would return to the airport to pick me up. Although it was late, by the time we reached their home, Parker had already booked me another flight for the following morning. Allegiant doesn't fly on Tuesdays, so I couldn't fly home with them. There were no flights at at the John Wayne Airport that were under $600, so Parker got me a flight out of Long Beach. He even upgraded me to First Class, which was very nice. Much nicer seat with great leg room.

Fortunately, Parker wasn't out of town. He travels a lot for his work, but with him being home, Cheryl was able to leave the two sleeping kids with him so she could pick me up. I consider that a definite tender mercy. I don't know what I would have done if Parker wasn't home!

Since Allegiant cancelled our flight, we were each awarded with a $200 cash compensation plus a $150 voucher to use on a future Allegiant flight. Unfortunately, it is non-transferrable. Otherwise, I would let either Jared or Kyle use it to fly from AZ to Utah for a visit. This compensation helped ease the pain and stress from the cancellation, but I would much rather have been able to fly home that night.

My flight home the next day went without a hitch, thank goodness. Since I was flying Delta this time, we flew into Salt Lake City instead of Provo. This was my first experience in the new Salt Lake Airport. It seemed like I had to walk about 5 miles from the gate to baggage claim. Even with the people movers, it was very hard on my poor, arthritic ridden body - especially my right knee, which is still recovering from my arthroscopic surgery last March 10th. 

IT WAS SURE GREAT TO FINALLY BE HOME AGAIN!

Saratoga Springs Temple Open House

 One of my biggest loves on this earth is visiting the Lord's LDS Temples. A new temple was built not far from our house (15 miles from us) in Saratoga Springs. We already have three temples close to us (Oquirrh Mountain Temple, Jordan River Temple, and the Draper Temple), but it's fun to get another one so close.

The Saratoga Springs Temple isn't dedicated yet, nor is it open for sacred ordinances to be performed there, but it has been open to anyone in the public who would like to take a tour of the beautiful edifice.

We were invited by the Bleaks, along with the Airds and Fosters, to attend an Open House there on June 9th, which we did. It was so much fun to be there with my sisters and their husbands. It is a beautiful temple, but different in fabric and color design than any other temple I've ever seen.

The back side of the temple

It was very windy there that day!

The front of the temple

Such a beautiful House of the Lord. Can't wait to someday to an endowment session or other ordinances there.

After we completed the tour, we all came back to our house for a "Fillet Mignon" steak dinner. I taught my sisters how to cook the steak since none of them had ever cooked fillet mignon before. We all pitched in on the meal and it turned out delicious and we all enjoyed one another's company.

Senior Solo and Senior Showcase Recital

 On June 8th, Ella and Livi performed at their dance school's end of school year recital. It was fun to attend and both girls did a great job. They danced in several different dances. There was a Disney theme. In the story of Snow White, Livi was one of the dwarfs (Happy) and Ella was the Evil Queen. 

Every year, at this end of school year recital, the graduating seniors get to perform a "Senior Solo." Ella did a terrific job on her solo. So enjoyable to watch!

Another dance of Livi's

The next day, Ella was spotlighted at her Senior Piano Showcase Recital. This was held in her honor and she played roughly 12 numbers. She is an excellent pianist. I believe she has been playing for about 12 years. She played some very difficult numbers and her fingers had to play at lightening speed. Such an accomplished young pianist. I was very impressed. She did a narration between numbers and was very eloquent in her delivery describing the songs she would be playing and why she chose those songs.

At one point in the recital, Ella was joined by her friend Olivia 

for a piano duet that was hilarious!

Now that Ella has graduated from High School, she is preparing to go to college this fall at Utah State University where she received a full-ride scholarship. She will be missed around here, but we know that she is moving on to bigger and better things in life. 

WE WISH HER WELL AS SHE BEINGS THIS NEW JOURNEY IN LIFE!

Road Trip

I flew down to California to join Cheryl, Kessler, and Wesley on a road trip to Arizona. The first night, we stayed at Kyle's house. Emily was up in Flagstaff attending summer classes to get her masters degree in speech pathology. (They are on a path to divorce, but papers haven't been filed yet.) 

The kids really enjoyed the pool, along with Cheryl's friend Jenn, her husband, Daniel, and their two little girls. 

Milo had a new trick - standing on the basketball hoop and jumping into the water.

Clara spent a lot of time in the spa

The kids also enjoyed jumping and playing on the trampoline together.

The next day we drove to Surprise, AZ  to attend Heather Lee Bradbury Aguilara's Open House. Heather married Michael Aguilara on May 25th in Colorado. She lost her first husband, Sundan Bradbury, two years ago in a tragic motorcycle accident. I'm so glad that Heather has found a new love in Michael. I was very impressed with him and feel that they will live a long, happy life together -- in Texas.

Friends since the age of three!

The Open House was held in the most amazing back yard I've ever seen in person. Evidently, it belongs to a ward member of Heather's near Surprise, AZ. It had a very nice pool, a sunken trampoline, beach volleyball court, and basketball court along with amazing landscape and other features.

Kyle, Milo, and Clara were able to join us at the Open House as well as Bearizona the next day. It was nice to have them join our road trip.

We all stayed at a hotel in Surprise and then traveled to Bearizona, by Flagstaff, the next day. We had a great time driving through the Wildlife Park and visiting their walk-through "zoo" of several other animals not included in the drive-through section. Animals we saw included black bear; wolves; badger; bison; burro; beaver; bighorn sheep; bobcat; turkey; python; deer; grizzly bear; jaguar; javelina; donkey; porcupine; river otters; leopard frog; prairie dog; pronghorn sheep; raccoon; red fox; reindeer; elk;  and mountain goat.

The sea otters were particularly fun to watch. So active, and one kept posing on this rock for all the cameras.

The petting zoo area was a hit for the little kids.

We ate lunch at this café inside the Park. Afterwards, we lost Kessler for a short period of time. Cheryl thought he was with Kyle and Emily, but he had lost sight of them and went into a souvenir store, where he was found by Cheryl.

Close to Bearizona is an adventure park where they have a Canyon Coaster you can ride down the mountain. 

Emily rode down with Kessler, Milo rode alone, and Kyle rode with Clara. 

Lined up and ready to go!

Kessler and Emily

Milo

Clara & Kyle

They all said they had a good time...except Clara thought it was kind of scary. Cheryl couldn't ride because of her pregnancy nor I because of my back, hip, and knee problems, so we stayed back to watch after Wesley.

Cheryl and I then continued our road-trip to Kingman, AZ before heading back to CA the next morning. The kids were pretty good in the car, but being cooped up in car seats for that long of a time is difficult. I had to sit in the back seat between their two car seats to keep them entertained, so it all worked out. I had forgotten how much fun it was to travel with small children. It's so much easier when it's just Alan and I driving long distances.

 

Home Improvements

 Soon we will begin the process of remodeling our kitchen, laundry room, and half bath. I'm certainly not looking forward to the 5-6 weeks it will take for the work to be done, but I'm really looking forward to seeing the final result. We are excited about our color pallet and hope that everything comes together like we hope it will.

Here is our color pallet:

The cabinets will be white except for the island, which will be a slate blue color. The floor is the sample at the bottom left side of the picture and the backsplash will be the grey subway tile at the top. the multi-patterned tile will be behind the cooktop and around the hood. I think it will turn out looking pretty fantastic.

After putting this color pallet together, we realized that our current table, chairs, and bar stools would need to be replaced. We are currently in the process of trying to sell them. This is what they look like:

Although the table and chairs have sentimental value for me, it is time for us to part ways. They have sentimental value because this is what I purchased with some of the inheritance money I received when dad passed away in 2009. Whenever I look at the set, it reminds me of my dad.

This new set arrived today. It is going to look so much nicer in our new kitchen.

We also got these barstools. Hopefully, they match well enough with the table and chairs.

Our countertop will be Quartz. It will have blue and grey veins running through it. I think it will look beautiful - so much nicer than the black granite pictured above. This isn't a great picture of it because you can't see the color of the veins well, but the picture shows how well it will go with our color pallet.

The kitchen remodel is costing us much more than we anticipated, especially when you add in all the appliances and furniture. Isn't it always that way? However, I'm sure we will be pleased with the final result. Things will look better and function better than it does now. I've never really liked this kitchen much and I'm thrilled to be getting a new improved one soon.

We are in the process of turning our basement into a make-shift kitchen for the weeks the kitchen is being remodeled. It will be a pain to do our cooking down there, but at least it will just be temporary.

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We also needed to get a new water fountain for the back yard since our other one got cracked and wouldn't hold any water. We installed it just a few days ago. I love it and think it's perfect for our yard.

Night Shot:

It is so relaxing to sit in the back yard and listen to the water trickling down like a little a little river or creek and it looks so nice when its all lit up.

I LOVE OUR BACKYARD! It brings me so much joy.

Sibling Get-together

 Gayle hosted a dinner last Friday for all of my siblings and their spouses - all 14 of us!. It was such a fun evening. After a delicious "Cafe Rio" type dinner, we went into the living room where we sang to some fun songs on Gayle's refurbished player piano.

As a welcome-home surprise gift for Gayle at the end of their mission, Scott had her heirloom antique player piano refurbished. This was my grandmother's piano that my mother inherited from her and passed on to Gayle. It went from this:

to this:

It is such a beautiful piano now. This picture doesn't do it justice. Where the player part of the piano didn't work before, it now works beautifully. Here's some photos of us singing together.

Sadly, Phil and Kathryn had already left by the time we 

decided to take this group photo.  (Left to right: Scott, Gayle, Kent, Ann, Leonard, Janice, Alan, Joan, Ken, Jane, Neal, Lynda.

I so enjoy spending any time I can with my siblings and their spouses. We don't know how many more years we all have together before one of us passes to the other side of the veil. We are all getting up there in age and are experiencing many difficult physical and medical problems, especially Lynda who is still battling leukemia. My heart swells with love for each of these family members. I am truly blessed! FAMILIES TRULY ARE FOREVER!!!