Mark and Natalie Come to Visit!

What a special day it was when Mark and Natalie (my sister who is 20 years younger that I) took a day off from Mark's medical convention in Orlando and came to Green Cove Springs to visit this past week. We had such great fun!
We went to World of Golf and had lunch at the Murray Brother's Caddy Shack, then went to the Crab Shack dock to see if any gators were out sunning themselves--unfortunately there weren't any. But they got to see plenty of Florida scenery and some "stuffed" gators! We all took a walk around our neighborhood so they could see Magnolia Point golf course, and then we took them to Ponte Vedre to see where the TPC is played. But the best part was just mingling and laughing together. Thanks, Mark and Natalie, for coming! It was so much fun--please do it again!

Fun Activities with the Grandkids

Since Jeff and Amy have been here, there is never a dull moment or time to wonder what to do. The kids always have great ideas for any minute of the day--they both love to swing in the same swings that every kid in the family has had fun on since Kevin was 2 and Alison was 1. That was when we first got the swing set in Los Angeles--and it was used when we got it then! Isaac springs on me when I walk in the door from work, and we have to go to the computer to sing Thomas the Train sing-a-long songs. (I hear them in my brain all day long!)
A couple of weeks ago we took Jeff and Amy and the two boys to the beach. Garrett went right in and was jumping all the waves. Isaac wasn't so sure about it all, but soon was having a great time while hanging on to my hand.

Getting ready for Halloween has been so much fun.

I took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch while Jeff and Amy went to Gainesville to go to Gator Growl and the Florida-Kentucky game the next day. I was so glad Jeff and Amy were able to stay all night with Craig and Cassie. I think it has been almost two years since they have been away from their kids overnight, so they certainly deserved a break!

We went to Palatka for a big bon fire stake youth party and to the Trunk-or-Treat ward party. They were both great. George wanted to hand out the candy and had all the little kids at the party opening their mouths while throwing M & M's in them. He had as much fun as the kids! And, of course, every night we go to the little park or to the dock to get the rest of the wiggles out before tubby time and bed. I think George and I are as tired as they are!

Family Proclamation at City Hall

George and a man in our ward, Patrick Lockett, were asked by the Stake Public Affairs representative, Sister Carrin, to attend the Green Cove Springs Town Hall meeting where the mayor would be presenting a proclamation for the week of November 16-22 to be Family Week in the city of Green Cove Springs. I was going along just to take pictures for Sister Carrin and ended up being taken up front and given a big hug by the mayor when George proudly announced that we had been married for 40 years! I told the audience we hardly looked that old, right? (Hah hah) Anyway, it was a really nice event where George was able to tell the people there how much our church promotes families and how important it is to have strong families, especially in today's world.

Bring Your Grandparents to Lunch Day!

We did it! We finally have a grandchild living near us so that we could attend lunch with them on Grandparent's Day. George and I went to school and had lunch with Garrett. He seemed to really enjoy having us there. We got to meet his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Helock, and also were able to tell the District School Foods Manager, Wimberly Brackett, what a great job she is doing and what fun it was to be there. Thanks for the great day, Garrett!

Why didn't George have to wear the big orange dot? (Photo courtesy of Wimberly)Not with my mouth full!!! (Photo courtesy of Wimberly)

The Barlows Have Arrived!

On Sunday, September 28th, Jeff, Amy, Garrett, and Isaac arrived in Florida after a long two-day trip from Dallas. Jeff's brother, Mike, drove one big rental truck while Jeff drove the other. That helped out so much! Also, Cassie flew to Louisiana to see her family, then Amy picked her up after driving for five hours alone with her two young ones, and was she ever glad that Cassie agreed to drive with her! That was life-saving, or should I say "sanity saving"?!!

It took us two days to unload both trucks into two big storage units. One unit was up an elevator and then down a huge hall, through three more doors and halls, to finally get to the unit. It was certainly a challenge! The first day Craig and Cassie helped tremendously until the very late hours when they had to drive back to Gainesville. The next day we had more helpers which included the missionaries from our ward and a nice young couple. The whole thing was certainly a gigantic job--but mission accomplished! Then Amy tore into the two spare bedrooms where she put beds for the two boys to sleep in and then Jeff and Amy in the other. We are all like snug little bugs in a rug!

We are so excited to have them stay with us while they are getting settled in Florida. George and I can't believe we will finally be able to go to "Bring Your Grandparents to Lunch" day at school. We've never been able to do that!

We quickly got Jeff and Amy acclimated to Green Cove Springs by taking them to "Soul Food" day. It was lots of fun and we bought the most wonderful pound cake there --it brought back memories of George's mother's. She was the best at making pound cake!

Oh, yes, in case everyone hasn't heard--Amy and Jeff are expecting a baby girl in March! Isn't that exciting! Girls are really in short supply in our family!