Andrew is 21

Andrew Erik McDonald is 21 years old  today. He is my oldest grandchild from Karina and Dan, Oh, how I remember the day he was born in Iowa! I quickly learned that being a grandma was going to be one of the best times I have ever had. Since I was teaching full time and year round, I  cherished the time I could be with him. Several memories come to mind. First the Drew bop dance which all of us adults danced while trying to figure out how to comfort our first born. Born into love and joy with so many of us sharing time and talents. One time I taught yoga at his class and he sat right up in front as my model student and demonstrated most of the asanas.  He honored me by modeling proper behavior and showing love and respect.
When I finally retired and finished serving our first mission, we moved close to these grandkids and have been able to see Andrew grow up to help in the family, and mature into a responsible worker and advancing in a job he has held over a year.. He works as a scheduling coordinator at a call center.
Andrew likes the quite one on one times. His gaming skills and focus are way better than mine. He is a skilled pianist, All the cats love him.
When we all went to Costa Rica this summer, we were lucky to have Andrew stay in our villa. He stay out of the sun, but loved all the new food experiences we had.

Here is Andrew with our car Oreo. He shows his love and care and we  love AND care Andrew. We are so happy to have him in our family

honoring families

 Visiting St.George, Utah this weekend, we honored the life of Andrew John McDonald. He is the father in law of my oldest daughter, Karina McDonald. At our temples we honor those who have passed and learn more about our life's purpose. We always love to visit temples where ever we go around the world. When we enter we feel so peaceful as we worship in a peaceful respectful atmosphere of love. This week I got to ponder the lives of two good friends who have passed from this life. The time of reflection of their lives has lead to the reflection of my life and what I can do to continue to try to do my best to honor my Savoir  Jesus Christ, my family past and present and serve those around me. I love my family and know that as I try to do my best, to repent of my mistakes and strive to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that I can be happy . At the temple I can learn more every time I go.

sharing the cold chill with the warm hearts in Michigan

Our traditional New Years Eve /birthday bash with the Mercado's in Michigan began with a delightful road trip to Chicago. The freeway all the way drive allowed
for a jump start to all the latest news of Val and the kids. We spent two days visiting the city by way of the Museum of Science and Industry.The building reminded me of so many of the beautiful historic sights inn Philadelphia and we all loved the displays.

It was Karissa's birthday the next day and we celebrated by a movie and our fav food. Even Erik got really into the food with his chop sticks!

Something took over my body and I was hit with a fever that took me downn for the rest of the trip. Lucky for me, I had enough yarn to make two lap blankets for the boys

There is no place I would rather be sick than feeling the love of the family and having the great food that Val prepared.

Luck for both of us, we love to try new and very different health recipes. Too bad I couldn't contribute as much cooking but I did make my quinoa bread and cookies which of  course only Really HEALTHy people like 

Christmas 2017

Twas a month before Christmas and our tree is up,
we left early to enjoy Thanksgiving with family ,friends and sup.
For a much needed road trip,which took us far far away,
to our roots in California, cherished friends, family and ocean bay.

This summer Jim climbed the roof to install solar panels,
while I calmly knitted away his burial flannels!!
Costa Rica reunion had so many high lights;
volcanoes, monkeys,waves and awesome sights.

Our service is spent with our BYU Pathway Connect Mission.
Again helping young adults grow and find education fun.

We send our LOVE to LIGHT the WAY

Retracing our footsteps

Thanksgiving time reminds us that we are thankful for family, friends, food, fun, and faith. We celebrated with a road trip starting North to Reno, leaving in snow and rain, even having to stop and get warmer gear ie cute scarf in Reno. Then we traveled through the beautiful Mountains through Donner pass and into Brentwood California using the back roads following the Sacramento River

Of course Jim loved seeing the use of Solar power and even a solar field!

This drive along the river was colorful and new to us.

We loved visiting with Clark and Jill and learning how to play Golf, a card game.

Boys will be boys,

Charice and Clay are living in Clovis, which is near Fresno, near Yosemite. Addison and Abby loved doing hair and I was lucky to get a massage from Charice, so I felt really pampered!  

Too bad the Thanksgiving Photos are not on my photo, We had a great feast with Clay frying the turkey. We also found some fun stores in the city and started our Christmas shopping,, shhhh! I wont give away any secrets but, we did get a big bang out of it! Next day we drove mostly west to the beach, It brought back memories of visiting Loraine and Bob and all of the "cousins"

Pismo Beach was almost 90 degrees! Heavenly! I didnt want to leave, but I was looking forward to Solvang, a cute Scandinavian town where we went on our honeymoon. Only this time, I had already been to Denmark so I wasnt as impressed! We went swimming at the local Y and walked and talked about old times and memories.

Our next drive took us to Venture where Jim had many memories with his family. My feet were starting to hurt so, off to buy new shoes in Thousand Oaks and have a great visit with the Dittmans. Saturday and Sunday we visited my old stomping grounds, Simi Valley. Memories shared with dear friends mostly after ward hopping to both Erringer an Township building. I left feeling sad and happy. Sad to leave so many good friends and happy that I can share my time with grandchildren and serve missions with Jim. The last part of our trip as we headed North was with our dear friends, the Hanks, who lived right off the I 15 and we continue North and the Warnicks in Las Vegas. When we got to the Hanks we shared Mission stories from Philadelphia and our European missions. And when we got to Las Vegas Loraine and I laughed as we shared memories of our first trip to Europe in 1973! SOOO all and all it was a memorable trip  with love, fun, food and faith shared with friends and family.

colorful October

The traditional visit to see the harvest colors started early as did our biannual church Conference in Salt Lake City. This year we were lucky to see the last session in person because my brother Craig's son Austin is singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We experienced joyful sounds and colors this month  

My Cousin Annette moved just South of us.!

Missionary reunions! This one celebrates Switzerland, honoring the Todds, who returned from work on the Paris Temple and our beloved Murdocks who will be serving again in New Zealand 

Many sporting events,  Here is Orem girls Cross country with Mariah

Birthday boy, Jake and Layla at David Larkins wedding

Every month I get to play with out youngest grandson Ike

Nattie taught us how to make our pumpkins glow with crayons, fire under the direction of grandpa

Logan crossed the finish line 4 th in the state and is now being recruited by various colleges,!  

it is a balancing act trying to keep up with all the kids and their activities but, we love it and certainly miss not celebrating with Emily and Victoria who also have birthdays this month, Happy Harvest to ALL, We had great color this year

end of a great summer and start of a new school year

 I have always loved school. I love the time of year with color and weather changing. That is one reason why going to visit family with rain is enjoyable for me. We spent our last official holiday, Labor day, in Michigan. The kids and mom are all excited to start the new school year, that makes four different school in the Mercado family. Karina and  6 of hers started school in Aug with 6 different schools, including Karina continuing with her nursing education.
And Jim and I have started another year serving with the Pathwayconnect mission as part of BYU Pathway Worldwide. The name has changed several times, but it continues to be the very affordable online education program associated with BYU I . We meet with our students once a week and help them with their classes. Each semester they have an Institute class and either Life skills, English or Math. I do the homework right along side of them.