Memorial Day Fun in Florida

Took the wave runners out in the oceanSaw the beach from a whole new perspective
Next stop .....Cuba

Two Weeks in Utah and Idaho

When we visit our family out west it seems like we pack several trips into one. We did it again this month of May Our first adventure actually started out spending a day with our parents. We brought some Carl's Junior burgers to Kent's parents for lunch, spent a few hours with them and then headed to Judi's parents. We loaded everyone in the car and headed out for some Chinese dinner. The next morning we dropped by Kent's folks again and his dad was feeling better so we loaded his parents and sister Teri in the car and went out to see the Great Salt Lake. Had lunch at Apple Bee's and then said our goodbyes. The next big event was May 7th, Chad's graduation. Chad has been working so hard on his masters and we are so proud of him. He has been working with a professor for the last 5 years on a huge project involving Crickets and finding a fungus to protect farmers plants from them. His Thesis is the size of a book and has a title to match. Development of a Laboratory-Based System for Selecting Insect Pathogenic Fungi with Greatest Potential for Success in the Field. Here are some pictures of the graduation. The Hooding

From Collages Walking

Our next adventure the next day May 8th, Doug and Blake drove down from Idaho early and joined Kent and Chad on the golf course, while Shannon and I took Myra, Lexi and Noah to the Farmers Market. Natalie, Jordyn, James and Michael joined us by noon.

We had a picnic in the park and celebrated Myra's birthday a couple of days early.

From Collages

and ended the evening with a swim in the hotel pool. What a great day.

From Collages

Sunday was Mother's Day, we went to church with Chad's family and then had a wonderful dinner at their home. too soon it was time to leave. Doug, Blake and Jordyn headed to Idaho. Kent, Judi, Natalie, James and Michael headed to SLC. We stopped at Judi's parents, wished her mom a happy mothers day, visited with family and then headed to Kent's parents house where we had desert with his brothers, sisters and parents.

Kent caught a plane and headed back to sunny Florida, Natalie and I spent a couple of days shopping, Natalie had her hair cut and then we headed up to Idaho.

A whole week in Idaho, spent time with Natalie's family, Blake and Jordyn. Went to class with Jordyn one day. Blake and Jordyn came to dinner a few times, we did the park a few times, and one evening we had a hot dog roast at the sand dunes. The next day was Micheal's big number one birthday.

		From Collages

Jordyn and Kelli

James loves the Dunes

Watch James in this video


My part of the trip ended on May 19th with a drive from Idaho to Logan to visit with Chad's family again. I shopped at the cheese factory, and played with my grandchildren, had dinner and visited some more and left very late almost leaving Gypsy behind.
I drove to my parents and we visited until my dad reminded me what time I should be at the airport. I was to late and missed my flight so I spent an extra night with my parents.

From Collages

EASTER WEEKEND

For Easter weekend Kent and I decided to take a road trip to help ease us into the "no Easter with children" empty-nester phase of our life. we started out Friday evening and drove up to St. Augustine, a place we have visited before but thought we would enjoy again. St. Augustine boasts of being the first settlement on the United States continent, settled by Spanish settlers before America was established. (I would need to read up some more for an accurate history) Saturday morning we bought tickets for a tour ride around town and then went back to some of the places that sounded interesting. Here are some pictures.

Magnolia Street

Magnolia trees line the street their branches reaching across to form a canopy and spanish moss hangs from them.
It's really a beautiful street to drive on.

Flagler College

Largest and first indoor pool
picture is taken standing on what would have been the pool deck and looking down into the pool area.

After we finished in St. Augustine we drove west across the state to see the west coast, spending the night in Panama City.

On the way we saw a Piggly Wiggly grocery store and had to take a picture. we used to shop at the Piggly Wiggly in Texas and miss the store.

we stopped at a dock where fishing boats were docked, finished for the day, and enjoyed an amazing sunset. (we only get amazing sunrises on our side of the state)

Easter Sunday we spent the day driving home. We stopped at a unique restaurant for our Easter dinner. You have to enlarge this picture to get an idea of what this restaurant is all about. It boasts of being Italian steak and seafood, but also mentions American, international. and the menu claims our food was prepared by Chef John of England.

All in all we enjoyed the three day trip together and trying out our little convertible. We were a little burnt in spite of the 100 proof sun screen we used and we were really happy that we were only going 87 when the police man pulled us over, but we did get our car up as fast as 120 and could have gone faster so I guess that means another road trip to check her out again. Hope soon.

My Pictures of Jackson

These are just a few of the pictures we took of Jackson while he was in the hospital.

This was the best with Mom and Son
(I think Brandon posted this on his blog as well)

Close up of Jackson holding Daddy's finger

Ali was discharged on Saturday the 20th
The hospital or at least her nurse was real nice to let her stay until after dinner as long as she checked out before the nurses shift was up. This was such a nice thing because otherwise she would be driving 20 minutes each way from home to the hospital to see the baby.

Friend decorated their car

Grammy holding Jackson, Happy Birthday to me : )

Grandad holding Jackson...no birthday ...just because

We are so grateful that Jackson is healthy and well and home, He was discharged on the 24th of March, same day Grandma Bingham arrived. What a treat for everyone. Can't wait to have the family reunion and get all the family together for an updated picture.

Old Is New

Here's some pictures of the "new" car

Two "Holidays"

First I should mention that we had our annual Super Bowl Party

Ok, so only Kent and Judi were there and the team they supported lost but it was a really good game and we had a good time together anyway.

Valentines:

After our Sunday meeting we took a Sunday drive to Naples Florida via Shark Valley.
Some of the creatures we saw.

Mother watching over five babies (by the size they are probably about 3 years old)

camouflaged

Blue Heron

Catch a gator by the tail

driving into the sunset

Another Generation of Alton's

This picture was taken in December 2009.
Pictured in this Photo are:

Richard Alton Keyser - 83

Kent Alton Keyser - 53

Chad Alton Keyser - 30
Noah Alton Keyser - 4 months