We arrived back in Oregon City on October 2nd at 4 pm after the typical long distance flight over the polar cap. It was so good to get home. As we went through all of the control points at the airport, in the distance we could see the family all gathered together. I had envisioned the grandchildren running towards us and me kneeling and taking an action shot of them. Well---they did run towards us but there was not time to photo document anything. There were tons of hugs and kisses and everything. Our homecoming was everything we could have asked for.
Our first Oregon City sunrise.
The first week was busy, and I suffered jet lag. For three nights I would go to bed, take an ambien and still wake up at 2 or 3 am fully awake. Finally, by Sunday I woke up at a reasonable time.
First to get used to was the new kitchen. It is delightful!!! I had wanted to have new cabinets, counter tops, and floor for years, but we were always too busy. Then Jessica asked, "Mom, do you want us to remodel your kitchen while you are o your mission?! Well - YES. She and I discussed what should happen and then she started making decisions. She did a great job and all of the siblings helped too. Mostly, they moved everything out of the kitchen, did demolition and clean up, painting; Malcolm did the plumbing. I think, in hindsight, maybe Jessica would have been so eager to volunteer, but I am certainly glad she did. The best things about the remodel are the sink and the numerous lights which make it so one can actually see in the kitchen. The worst tings about the kitchen is that not everything that was boxed and moved to the basement has not been brought back up. Food preparation is a bit difficult because I don't know where dishes and what not are in the cupboards, and if they're not in the kitchen, I don't know where they are in the basement. Ahhh, the perils of remodeling.
Our crop of grapes was/is ready for harvest, and we began the tasks of picking, plucking, and steaming the juice. Over Wednesday and Thursday Dad and I did about 40 quarts of juice. I loved being able to wash the jars in the new big sink.
Friday was a hike day!!. Bev is the Stake YM Secretary, and she along with Jen Isom (the State YM Pres) were trying to choose an appropriate hike for the Stake Laurel High Adventure activity which will be in July 2019. Bev wanted to do Paradise Park, and I suggested Twin Lakes. If the weather appearedd to be good, we planned to do Paradise Park, but the weather report for Friday showed snow and temperatures of 32 degrees at Timberline Lodge. Obviously, our destination was changed to Twin Lakes because the elevation is so much lover than Mr Hood's timberline.
No trip up to Government Camp can begin without stopping at Joe's Doughnuts. At last, an American style doughnut that is actually sweet and soft.
The day was cold cloudy and drizzly. We hiked to Lower Twin Lake, then to Upper Twin Lake which Jen and Bev decided would be the camp site for the Laurels. Then we headed uphill to Palmeteer Point, the high point. If the sky had not been socked in by clouds, we could have seen Mt Hood peeking over the trees and we could have looked down to see the meadow called Devil's
Half Acre through which Oregon Pioneers traveled on their way to the end of the Oregon Trail in in Oregon City.
Palmeteer Point
Beautiful selfies
A stream
While we were happily hiking Dad filled up the hot tub, and suddenly the tub was filled with grandchildren.....without suits
Saturday was game day!!! - Oregon State versus the Cougars of Washington State.
We went to Rigoberto's for lunch. Jude was mesmerized by the gum ball machine.
We walked through the Memorial Union
Sunday was General Conference. Highlights ---1 - Two hours of Church on Sunday to give more time to teach the gospel in our own homes. 2 - Many talks about Ministering. 3 - Elder Holland talked directly to everyone telling them to 'get over' being offended and having hard feelings and forgive the person or thing that may have caused your trouble 4. - President Nelson basically told us that the name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we should get used to it and stop grousing about the (not the name change) fact that we need to use the original name as given in the Scriptures.
Delicious breakfast - thank you Jessica.
Here is a picture of Abby. She is writing the lyrics for her first song, called "I am a Village Girl".
She isn't actually writing the lyrics, she is drawing a picture of the scene she wants to portray and the lyrics will be written later.
Welcome home you good and faithful servants...
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