Leaving Tucson

Our family finally left Tucson yesterday. It's been really sad saying our goodbyes. I started the tears Sunday when the primary sang a song for us. Then on Wednesday morning, the Parks had us over for a large breakfast of waffles, eggs, and bacon. They have been so wonderful to our family the last 3 years. I will miss them. Then yesterday I cried saying goodbye to the school librarian who I have come to love over the last 2 years and the twin's teachers. What a baby! I always cried saying goodbye to my own teachers when I was in elementary school but never dreamed of getting sad over my kids' teachers. But they were so sweet an going on and on how much they appreciated all I have done for their class this year. Then I had to say goodbye to Ming. What a great friend. It was an emotional day for me and the big kids.

We left right after Eric got out of class yesterday. We drove to just south of Hoover Dam and stayed the night. We woke early this morning and took a tour of the dam.

Next, we drove the Vegas Strip and had lunch at McDonalds. I would go on vacation there, but I don't think I'd ever talk Mario into it. We left the strip and headed for Vegas Temple. The architecture was different than what I'm used to, so it wasn't my favorite Temple, but still beautiful.

Next we headed for St. George. We visited Brigham Young's winter home, the Tabernacle, Temple, and visitor center. I loved St. George. If I had to live in Utah, I think I would choose this area.

This evening we traveled up to Cedar City and stopped for a hotel. The twins braved the cold wind and actually swam for awhile in the pool.

Tomorrow we will head to Park City to check into our condo. We will visit with my parents, cousin Tim, and the Trawicks this weekend. I drop Eric and Cameron off at BYU Monday morning. They are very excited.Then I hope to see Rachelle Acosta next week and Mario flies in late Thursday night. We were planning to go to a water park but it will probably be too cold. We left Tucson with temperatures in the 100's. We came to Utah and we may see snow. We are not prepared.

Mario got our household goods on Monday. So he has been busy getting our house all ready for us. I'm so anxious to get there and see our new home.

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Ming, Hsin-Yu, and CJ

Erin met Hsin-Yu the first day she went to school here in Tucson 3 years ago. She was such a sweet girl and she invited Erin to her birthday party at the Melting Pot like a week or two after meeting her. They have been friends ever since. They only lived 1 short block away so I quickly became friends with her mom, Ming. The twins became friends with the younger brother CJ.
Ming has been so sweet to our family. She has taught Erin how to make Asian food, invited us over many times for lunch or dinner and to swim. When Ming quit working full time, she and I started walking, riding bikes, and going to the gym together.
As going away gifts, Ming made the twins blankets with their favorite things and the big kids pillows to use in the car. Then her husband took our two families to an Asian restaurant for lunch last Saturday. We had Dim Sum which was like bite size popular Asian dishes. So we got to try lots of different Asian foods that we had never had before. Eric, Erin, and Zach did a great job trying all the food. Nathan would only eat the sweet rolls that were filled with a custard like cream. I think he ate 4 or 5 of those.
Ming has been a great friend. She's the type of person that you could ask any favor and she would never say no. She's one of the people I will miss most from Tucson.

Mary Poppins

Last night we finished off our Broadway season tickets. Erin, her friend, Hailey, and I enjoyed Mary Poppins. It was a fantastic show.

Now I'm excited to check out shows in Omaha. Lion King and Beauty and the Beast are two that I may try to get tickets to see.

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We Moved Out

We moved out of our house last week and are now living on base in the TLF. Mario flew in for the week to help with the movers and to give our house back to the landlord. I was so glad to have him back. It was a stressful week. The movers left Friday at 5 and Mario turned the house over to Larry at 7 that evening and then flew back to Omaha with Buzz at 6:45 Saturday morning. I cried for Buzz. He was so scared to be in that kennel that he hasn't used in 7 years. Mario called to tell me that he thinks Buzz is going deaf. That would explain why he doesn't always bark at the doorbell anymore. He is getting so old. How depressing, he had been part of our family for almost 12 years.

We are enjoying TLF and not having to clean other than the dishes. What a nice break. My kids think I stay home all day and watch tv while they are at school. I wish. I still try to volunteer at school and help out friends.

We leave for our vacation to Utah in about 10 days. I'm really excited to finally leave Tucson and be reunited with Mario. I feel bad when people just assume I'm sad about leaving. I couldn't be more excited! But I don't want I offend them by telling them 3 years in the desert is long enough for me. I don't know how people can live here their whole lives. Do they not know that there is so much better out there? But then again, many people think Mario and I are crazy for wanting to retire in Florida. To each his own, I guess.