More Birthday Fun

On Monday, August 6, 2012, we checked into the Green Valley Resort in Henderson.  We booked two rooms for two nights.  Natalie and her family were in one room.  Steve, Julie, and I shared the second room.  Our stayvacation was completely fun and the best birthday I can remember.  Everyone had a great time, and I couldn't be happier how I celebrated my 60th birthday!

In the lobby for check-in at 3:00 pm;
let the fun begin!

Ellsworths entering Room 8116 ready
for the party to begin

Dad in our room getting ready to go to the pool
Monday afternoon after checking in

We stayed in the East Tower;
it took us a few minutes or so to figure our
way around this rather confusing
hotel floor plan!

Natalie, Thomas, and Cali poolside; the cabanas and
hotel are in the background

There were lots of shallow pools for sitting and sunbathing;
here's Julie and me

Ashton, Natalie, and Cali enjoying
the jacuzzi

Monday night Thomas and Dad went to
Cafe Rio and brought us our dinner poolside

The next morning which was my birthday I was completely
surprised to find out that my family had reserved a
cabana for us to use at Green Valley Resort for the entire day!

Steve and I posing with all the cute decorations
inside the cabana

On the counter in the cabana were four sheets of
paper.  The title on the first page read
"60 Reasons Why We Love Mom."  Everyone had
contributed reasons.  I felt totally loved!
Included in the cabana rental was a fruit tray, nuts, tons
of drinks, chips and dip.  How cool to have a TV to watch
when we needed a rest from the sun!

Our cabana was surrounded by palm trees

Julie and Natalie enjoyed the cabana as Baby Ben
enjoyed his bottle

Julie, Natalie, Ben, Weston, and Steve

This is the view from our cabana; we even had a
small pool right in front of our cabana

Cali, Thomas, and Ashton in the pool by our cabana;
it sat up a level from the regular big pool below

The view from our cabana looking left

My girls gave me a basket of things that I like.  It included
too many things to list here, but they gave me lugguage
tags because I like to travel and a photo album because
 I like to take pictures to name a few.  They also gave me a
gift card from Brighton so now I will be able
 to finish my "family" bracelet.

About 8 pm on my birthday we headed to
The Cheesecake Factory for a late dinner.

On Wednesday, August 8, Thomas and Steve took care
of the kids while Julie, Natalie, and I were pampered
at The Spa at GVR.

Outside the spa at GVR

This picture was taken by The Spa with the vineyard and hotel
in the background.

When I got home from our two-day birthday adventure,
I put all of the things on my dining room table that the
girls gave me for my birthday present.  As you can see,
they thought of lots of things I like.  Thanks to everyone
for making this such a special birthday.  It was fabulous!

Celebrating 60 Years

My birthday plans changed several times over the course of the last few months, but eventually a plan was formulated that seemed fun.  On Friday, August 3rd, Linda and Kristi Reed took me out to lunch at The Tea Room which is inside an antique store on the east side of Las Vegas.  Linda gave me two new charms for my family charm bracelet that I am in the process of putting together, and Kristi gave me two necklaces with matching earrings.  It was a fun afternoon filled with good conversation and good food.

Linda, Kristi, and the Birthday Girl

The sandwiches were egg, tuna, chicken,
and cucumber.  I had Berry, Berry
decaffeinated tea.  The desserts were
brownies, pumpkin spice squares, and
an apple crisp square of some sort.

Enjoying Time With Julie

Although the circumstances that brought Julie back to Las Vegas are tragic, I am grateful for the time that I have been able to spend with her as she tries to recover and find her way on a new path.  She moved into a townhouse while I was at the annual Anderson sister weekend in June this year.  As the hot summer days of Las Vegas were upon us, we have enjoyed swimming at her complex numerous times plus having some meals together.  It's nice to have someone to sit with at church again as well as having her go with me occasionally to have pedicures.  I love all of my daughters, and I am grateful when I can share time with them.  Life is short; I cherish family time.

This picture was taken the day Julie
signed a 7-month contract for
her townhouse.  We parked outside the clubhouse. 

This picture was taken from the balcony of the
clubhouse on the day Julie signed her contract.

This picture was taken in August; the first time
Julie cooked in her new place.  Steve and I
were lucky to have that "first" invitation.

It seems so good to see Julie's place filled with
familiar furniture and furnishings.  She has a
very nice, comfortable home.

This picture was taken another day when Natalie and her
family came over to swim and have pizza for dinner.

Ben, Weston, me, Steve, and Thomas
enjoying the pool

Sisters are a Blessing

Linda golfing during Anderson Sister Weekend in CA

I have been thinking how blessed I am to have been born into a large family with six girls and two brothers.  Time has changed things for now.  My parents, my brother Wayne, and my sister Barbara are in heaven.  Three of my sisters and my brother Richard live out of state.  Linda is my only sister that still lives in Las Vegas.  It's odd that the Anderson family doesn't seem so large anymore when I think it's just Linda and me in Las Vegas.  I am grateful that she lives here and that we have enjoyed such a nice relationship.

Today Linda and I went to the temple, ate lunch in the temple cafeteria, and then ended our activities with a shopping trip to Target.  Last week she invited me over for dinner with her family.  We have some additional things planned next week as we wind up summer before school starts.  We decided to go to the cemetery and visit the graves of Dad, Mom, and Wayne.  We are also going to have "tea" at a local restaurant next week to celebrate my 60th birthday.  Sometimes over the years I have felt that I really didn't have too many friends, but actually having Linda as my sister has also given me a great friend.  Sisters truly are a blessing!

We Need Modern Pioneers

Today in Sacrament Meeting the emphasis was on our Mormon pioneer heritage.  The Bishop gave a very inspiring talk.  He gave me a lot to think about.  Below is a quote from the Bishop's talk by President Monson that touched me.  Since Pioneer Day is July 24th, this Tuesday, I am including it in my blog as I give tribute to so many who sacrificed so much in order for me and many others to have the Gospel in our lives at this time in the world's history.

President Monson said, "The passage of time makes us forget, and we lose our appreciation for those who walked the path of pain, leaving behind a tear-marked trail of nameless graves.  But what of today's challenges?  Are there no rocky roads to travel, no rugged mountains to climb, no trails to blaze, no rivers to forge?  Or is there a very real need today for that pioneer spirit to guide us away from the dangers that threaten our society?"

"Standards of morality are lowering.  Today there are more people in jail, in reformatories, and in trouble than ever before.  From small to great, crime spirals upward.  Decency appears to head rapidly downward.  Many seek the thrills of the moment while sacrificing the joys of eternity.  We conquer space but cannot control self.  Thus we forfeit peace."

"Can we somehow find the courage and that steadfastness of purpose which characterized the pioneers of a former generation?  Can you and I, in actual fact, be pioneers today?  A dictionary defines a pioneer as 'one who goes before, showing others the way to follow.'  Oh, how the word needs pioneers today?"

I hope I can be a pioneer blazing the way for my children and their children.  How great and how true are the words of our beloved prophet, President Monson.  I love the challenge I sense in his words!

Cali's 6th Birthday

Cali turned six on July 20, 2012.  We went to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate.  Cali and Ashton had a lot of fun.  I gave Cali her birthday presents from us as well as Heather's presents which we had brought back from St. Louis a few days before.  Cali was very happy.  The next day Natalie had planned a friend's birthday party for Cali.  Natalie planned every detail perfectly.  I helped her set the table for the "tea party."  After tea the girls got their makeup done, their nails polished, and their hair curled.  They all looked beautiful especially since most of them also wore princess outfits.  When the parents arrived, we had a fashion show and Cali opened her gifts.  It was a fun birthday party.

Cali with Ben and Weston at CEC

Ashton and Thomas at CEC

Natalie, Cali, Ben and Weston at CEC

The next day at Cali's "tea party."

A view of the table ready for "tea."

Another view of the table ready for "tea"

It was finally noon and friends and cousins arrived for "tea."

I feel very blessed to have such a
sweet granddaughter who invited me
to her birthday party!

Cali is about ready to make a wish and blow
the candle out!

Natalie, Grandma Jerry, and Cali's friends

We moved into the office for makeup, nail polish, and hairdos.

Lots of presents!

Thomas was the MC for the fashion show while each of the
girls stepped out on the "red carpet" for their moment
in the spotlight.  Too cute and totally fun to watch!

Swimming Time in Missouri

Heather, Chad and their family are members of a local community pool in their neighborhood.  It reminded me of a mini Wet 'N Wild from days gone by in Las Vegas.  I was surprised how big it was and how warm the water felt.  It was absolutely the best thing we did while in Missouri.  Of the eight days we spent in the St. Louis area this time, we went to either the Ballwin or Chesterfield pool four times.  Each time we spent about three hours.  It was relaxing and fun.  I wish Las Vegas had a facility similar to the one that Heather and her family get to enjoy every day of summer.  I don't understand why Missouri can afford such a nice recreational area for their residents while Nevada seems to be very, very broke!

Here's Skye waiting her turn on the tree swing

There goes Skye!

There goes Dane!

Here's Skye trying to climb the rock wall.

Here's Kyra just about to the top of the rock wall.

Dane had lots of fun jumping off the diving board
time after time.  He never seemed to get tired!

There goes Dane!

Here's Kyra taking a turn on the tree rope.

Here's Skye and Heather enjoying some
cuddling time.  I didn't get a picture of the lazy river, but
that was my favorite part of both the Ballwin and
Chesterfield Aquatic Center.

Bowling Time in Missouri

One afternoon to avoid the hot, humid summer weather of Missouri, we decided to go bowling.  It was a good decision.  We had lots of fun, and it was great to be out of the summer rays!

Heather, Steve, Dane, Kyra and Skye

Skye and Grandpa Steve

Skye, Kyra, Dane, and Grandma Steve

Proof that I actually beat Grandpa in at least
one bowling game!

Dane, Kyra, Skye and Grandma