FERGUSON FUN AND THE ALAMO

Mom and pop Vinton arrived in San Antonio on Halloween. April prepared a "scarry" dinner with a mummy meatloaf, ghostly potatoes, and shredded brains. The beverage was witch's brew

Three precious boys enjoying the magic of Halloween

Oh my goodness, is she cute or what?

The next day we visited the beautiful Guadalupe river.

Two kings!

Look at that limestone ledge. This area of Texas is defined by limestone and scrub oak. Isn't little Eliza so precious!

Fall beauty on the Guadalupe River

Mason's 5th birthday. He wanted to go to Jim's diner for dinner, then to 'Pump it up' to jump on the huge inflated slides & such, and then home for a bath and birthday cake. They pronounced the fun place "Pump it Ump" so that's what we all called it.

Future blackmail material?

Gee, thanks mom for the perfect black sonic cake!

Next day, on to the Alamo to learn some history and see the city.

Then, it was time for Grandpa's birthday too. Lots of decorations and balloons (left over from Mason's, of course) and he had to go on a treasure hunt to find his gifts. Also, he was required to break through the papered-over doorway to enter the kitchen for his birthday breakfast.

The weather was fantastic and we drove to New Brunsfel for the day. There are many German towns on the outskirts of San Antonio. It's a cute touristy place. This park sported many many ducks, geese, and even a fearsome turkey!

What is Eliza looking at. A muskrat begging food!

Two cutie-pies!

Grandpa put little sunny Mason up in a tree and left him there. I think Mason loved it.

On the final day, we had lunch with Isaac and Ethan at their school.
The weather was so delightful, and our vacation was relaxing and fun and full of new adventures. Thanks April and Dave for a wonderful time in Texas.

Monte Cristo end of September

TAKING GRANNY TO THE PARK

Matt (Maughan) and Matt (Vinton) ... one the pipe and tin-whistler, and the other the drummer ... gave us a great concert at the Orem Water Conservacy Park Friday night. They are good! We took Grandma Slater (who now lives in Orem at Summerfield Manor) and she enjoyed it. It was a beautiful summer eve in the garden, with fun music and good company. Thanks Matts!!

Odds and Ends

Well, it's been a crazy year. Retirement, travel & visiting, 6 month mission, more travel & visiting, sell house, move out of state, and fix up a new house and yard. We are tired, but happy to be able to see the kids and grand-kids more often. Here are a few highlights of recent months:

Rick & Claudia watched our two Vinton grandchildren in Logan for about 5 days. Here is silly lil sis when we were playing with her hairstyle. Isn't she cute.

Such a pretty, spunky little girl. She's our first grand-daughter after a bunch of grand-sons. She's a real girl in every way, and so fun.

Grandpa playing with the 3 Logan grandchildren. The little guy on his lap belongs to Liz and Luke.

Our two Provo grandsons helping Grandpa plant our orchard. Emily is expecting a little girl! That will make 3 grand-daughters and 7 grand-sons!

Fun in the wheel-barrow. Remember our dad doing this with us, and us doing it with our children? The tradition continues.

Aunt Opal turned 90 years old in April, and we celebrated with her and her family in Denver. The night before the party, Susan and Layne and Claudia decorated these beautiful cakes for her. We filled the room with yellow roses ... her favorite.

Rick, Greg, Uncle Al, Uncle Ovid, Aunt Opal, and Aunt Betty.

Opal and her son Gerry.

When we returned to our new home after the party, Rick continued with the removing of/and painting-over of wall paper. Here, he's working on the living room. Do you like his duck-tape patch on the knee of his favorite jeans?

Our house had to be emptied so we could replace the carpet. Here is what the interior of our new house looks like now. And tomorrow night we are expecting family to arrive for an Easter celebration of at least 11 people!!! Yikes.

Our bathroom.

Our bedroom.

Our front/living room.

The dining area.

The kitchen.

Some of the furniture stuffed into the garage.

We've kind of been without a real & settled home for more than a year. I can now empathize a little with those who do not have a home. And I know we will really appreciate when we have a settled, comfortable home and more regular life schedule ... if that is what happens. No guarantees in this life ... only blessings, and we have lots of those!