Yellowstone

Poor me.

I had to endure a miserable weekend. I suppose someone had to do it.

Todd and I were forced to visit Yellowstone without our children and stay in this really hideous cabin.


From this view, it's difficult to notice the fireplace and jetted tub. Misery!











Pretty awful. I'm surprised they're still in business.










Then - we were made to endure really horrible scenic views like these:


























As if that wasn't enough, we had to view wildlife in abundance.

Like Buffalo













And elk









And a bald eagle.













And a grizzly.









Okay - all kidding aside - this was an incredible weekend! Seeing a grizzly in the wild was beyond our wildest imagination. The reason the picture is so fuzzy is because Todd and I were so excited that we couldn't hold still long enough to take a decent shot. Now we know why pictures of Elvis and Bigfoot are always blurry! Seriously, we were bumbling nerds.

We had incidents this weekend, as usual, because we somehow attract strange things everywhere we go!

Such as:

*The poor gentleman that had a heart attack in the booth across from us while we were eating dinner. The ambulance came and whisked him off. Unfortunately, I have no idea how it turned out.

*The straw that was jammed into the roof of my mouth because I forgot to take it out of my mouth while getting into the car. Yeah, that was fun.

*The disgusting motel we checked into (then immediately checked out of) to save a few bucks. WOW - I have never seen anything like it....and I'm not a picky girl!

Incidents aside, this was an awesome weekend.

Hey Todd - let's go again!

Total geekdom

I live on a mountain that is about 20 minutes away from a grocery store. For four years I have laboriously traveled the well-worn roads to buy food, muttering and sputtering angrily under my breath at the sheer inconvenience of it all!

So, imagine my joy when I learned that a new store was being built at the bottom of the hill - a mere 10 minutes away. Further - imagine the shrieks and excitement my family endured several months ago when I learned that the new store to be built was a Harmon's.


The only store I will frequent is Harmon's. Why, you ask? I'll list the reasons in order of importance:

• Because Harmons has good prices.
• They have a very user friendly layout and I know where everything is.
• I'm a creature of habit.
• It's right next to Little Caesar's - hence, Crazy Bread.
• They offer discounts on gas.
• They have friendly people.
• They have Boar's Head meat.
• They have a drive-up window for prescriptions. (WOW I'm old).
• They load my groceries for me (wait, maybe this should be first).
• Bean doesn't shop there (wait, maybe this should be first). I'm clearly still fuming over his Dan Fogelberg comment.

But I digress.

Today was the grand opening and guess who was there with an idiotic, half-dazed perma-smile? Me. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.

Yes, I took my camera with me to the grand opening of Harmon's.

Wouldn't you?

Another angle of it's spectacular grandeur.

This picture was taken as I was pulling into their drive and load area. I was giggling like a little girl.

Today, the world was beautiful.

New member of the family

Isn't she lovely?

Happy Anniversary!

Two very wonderful people met about 47 years ago. The man thought the woman was very cute - she liked to dance, laugh, play piano and had a lot of friends (and admirers). The woman thought the man was tall, blonde, and devastatingly handsome. He loved to make her laugh. He liked to draw, paint, write, and was the life of the party. They decided to get married 46 years ago and start their lives together.

I'm glad they did because they are my parents and I'm lucky to have them. They are kind, generous, and loving to their 4 children, 9 grand children, and 7 great-grand children.

Oh, and guess what my dad surprised my mom with for the big day - a brand new, CUTE, fire-engine red Mini Cooper!

Happy Anniversary!!

Uproarious laughter

This guy has provided hours of entertainment in the Watson home. He is hilarious!

Enjoy.



and

Elora's Birthday

Elora turned 18 on Tuesday. She is an adult. She will graduate from high school in one month and will start college in the fall.

Okay - each of the statements above was NOT FUN to write!

I first met her when she was just 8 years old (wasn't that just last week)? I was dating her dad and he invited me over to his house for dinner. I arrived at his house and a very cute little brown-haired girl shyly opened the door. I asked her if she was Larissa. She said in the cutest little voice that I'll never forget, "No, I'm Elora."

She was wearing a dress and invited me into the living room to sit down. She said the chef (Todd) was still making dinner but would I like to look at a menu. She and Darren had made a homemade menu and I was able to select my dinner of choice.

She and Darren had soft music playing in the background and treated me like a queen. Elora served my meal and tried to be very formal and lady-like. Adorable!!

But that's not all - this is where it gets good!!

After dinner I heard her whisper to Todd and ask if she could go ride her bike. He told her she could but she had to change into her play clothes. She bolted to her room.

I was NOT prepared for what I saw next!

Apparently she forgot that she left her play clothes in the bathroom - which was down the hall from her bedroom. Rather than take the time to put on a robe or cover up in some way - she decided to make a mad dash to the bathroom. But since she didn't have one stitch of clothing on - I guess it could be said that she streaked to the bathroom!

I was sitting on the couch, trying to be ever so lady-like and make a good impression when I saw the flesh-colored blur, aka Elora, out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't stop the cackling laughter that escaped from my throat. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen.

I was hooked. Elora was adorable. It was her eyes...her shyness that got to me.

She is a true joy. She is sweet and smart and loyal and pretty and talented and funny and her smile is as big as Texas. There is nothing better than trying to get her to laugh so hard that she squeaks.

Happy 18th birthday. Please don't forget us little people as you pursue your dreams!

You are loved.


Eating her birthday dinner at her favorite restaurant.



From left to right:
Larissa, Elora, Egads-who is that?!, Todd, and Connor

Dan Fogelberg

Wow.

I went to Dan Fogelberg's website to see if he had a concert tour this summer. I found out that he passed away last December from prostate cancer. HUH? How did I not know this?

Todd and I saw him at a Deer Valley concert when we were first married. It was incredible to say the least. In my opinion there is no greater singer/songwriter.

I am heartbroken.

Here is one of his more famous songs:




And here is my favorite Fogelberg song.