A Fire, A Finn, A Flea and a Fun Fest (Baby Shower)

On Monday morning Bekie had a blue Popsicle and shared her giraffe tongue.

 Then it was time to leave ... I wanted a picture of the kids in front of the house, so I can remember our magical time in Pottsborro.

 William was so funny dressed as a scare crow, that I needed a close-up too.

 Good bye magical fire fly lane.

 Goodbye sweet cuke eater, your cousin Eleanor loves them too.

We stopped at this antique store on our way, and I found a stunning Edwardian White Cotton Summer gown, with miles of inset lace.

 Just before we got to  Albuquerque Becca called to say that Ashley's house had burned, oh my.  We later saw pictures of the damage to the house, and news that they would be out of the house for four months, while repairs are done.

Tuesday was a long day of driving and worrying about Ashley's family.  

 On Wednesday I worked, and put together a patriotic display, just with stuff I already had in the mall.  I got several compliments on it.  Dad did a shift at the temple both that day and Thursday.

 Thursday morning I cleared out the fairy garden that is situated in the old well. You can see the yellow roof of the house here.

 Tinkerbell got a bath, and is just happy to sit on the bench in her garden and enjoy the flowers.

 Here's a close up for detail.

At work on Thursday I got a call from Robin saying that Jim had passed away.  He had golfed Wednesday and had fallen on the 7th hole, so he'd gone home.  He felt off the rest of the day.  Then that morning he had fallen, and died.  Robin left immediately to be with Lucille.  We feel the loss of this good man keenly, he's been like an uncle to us for the last 25 years. 

I was cheered some later when these cute ladies came into the mall, it turns out that they are the grandmother and great grandmother of Elder Madsen, who served in our ward in Espoo.

After work, Dad came to get me and we headed to Highland to see Titan play ball, then we picked up the three lengths of antique fencing that Becca had used for a Halloween display for a couple of years.  We want to fence across the back driveway so when we have cousin camp we'll have a completely enclosed yard.

 As always it was fun to chat too.

 How cute is this guy?

 Then we headed to Trevor's to take them their edger that had been left behind when they moved.  Now that they have grass it became evident it was missing.

We had a great visit with them in their hammocks.

Then we headed back to Treasures where Dad got his car and headed to the airport to pick up our Finn, Samuel Happonen, who will be staying here for a couple of months.

If you've not seen his Sauna Vid on You Tube, here's a link

 On Friday we had a pile of errands to run, so when Ashley called asking us to entertain Zach for a while (being shut up in a hotel, while his mom tries to work, is evidently even more boring than running errands with your grandparents.)

 Kim drove up while we were there and we got to see her for the first time in almost two years.

We had fun shopping with Zach and going to lunch.  He's getting to be a chatter box, "Can I tell you something" etc.  We loved talking, he's very imaginative, and asks lots of questions.

 We took him home for a while, since we knew we were going back to Orem that night to go to dinner with Kews.  We went to the Red Lobster for the first time in years, yummy.

  Dad and I headed out early on Saturday to set up for a flea market at Treasures for our birthday sale.  The store has been there for twenty years.  There are only four dealers who have been in the store from the start, and I am one of them.  Whoa, who knew it would be such a venture.

Dad came back at noon to take money, so I could go to Brittney's baby shower.

 Spencer came with Brittany and is shown here checking out the goodies.

 Here's Britt's famous Italian Soda Bar, she even had sugar free for me.  But they had me at the pebble ice, thanks Becca for that sweet detail.

 Brittany brought small bottled succulents for favors.

 She also made this huge diaper cake, which has hidden compartments for other baby goodies.

 Britt also order Brittney's favorite Georgetown Cup Cakes from all the way across the country as a surprise. Nell had put together beautiful and whimsical bouquets of flowers, and bought balloons as well.   The setting was charming.  I think the girls did a great job of providing food, flowers and a fun setting to celebrate the birth of our twenty first grandchild.  Now the waiting begins, we'll likely not meet him or her for 6 weeks or more.

 This is the base of the diaper cake, all filled with soft and lovely baby goods.

 Here's Hanna with an Aunt from my side and one from Dad's side. (Nina and Karen)

 Nell and Brittney and Brittany visit with cousins, and Aunt Jo.

We're all so excited to welcome this new little one in to our family.