A Big Day for Lauran

This is it!



Papa, Lauran, sister Lyndan & Nan



Even Maggie was excited for Lauran



Go Red Raiders



On November 9th, my great niece Lauran, signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball for Texas Tech. Most of the family was there, Lauran's past and current coaches were there and a whole bunch of friends turned out to cheer her on. Nice speeches were given, lots of pictures were taken and Lauran signed on the dotted line. This summer she will head to Lubec Texas to become a Red Raider. We're all so proud of her, and not just because she's an awesome softball player. Lauran is a really exceptional young woman and we can't wait to watch her show those Texas girls what an Oregon girl is all about.

Las Vegas # 2

The whole crazy group



The Lloyds



The Lloyd boys




Dad & Marek checking out the garages on qualification day





Ashley Judd was at the track cheering on husband, Dario Franchitti



Dad's pal from the old days in Phoenix, Mario Andretti



Al took alot of pictures of Danica Patrick



The boys on race day



The sisters-in-law at the Bellagio



The Oregon Gang at the Dam



Dad & I standing on Hoover Dam


I'm going to blog fast. Our internet hasn't been working for 2 weeks abd it has been SO frustrating. Even my genius son-in-law was baffled. But right now, at 8:00pm, it's up and running. Whoop whoop!

5 days after we returned home from the State Farm Convention in Vegas, we headed back for a long weekend with my brothers and their spouses and my Dad. What started out to be a boys get-away dedicated to the last Indy Car race of the year, morphed into a family reunion of sorts. It was the first tme in 12+ years that we have all been together. We have all seen each other often but not all of us at the same time and in the same place. It was so fun. Suzie and I spent 8 hours on Friday sitting in the shade poolside talking our heads off. She had her Christmas cards to address and I had my Bible study to do and neither project ever left our bag. Then on Saturday we all hung out during the day and then had a Las Vegas buffet dinner. We found a quiet corner and spent almost 3 hours catching up, eating too much and laughing. On Sunday, it was breakfast & shopping with Robin and Kerry and then more pool time with Suzie.The boys headed out to the track for what was supposed to be a glorious day of racing. However on the 12th lap there was a terrible 15 car accident and 32 year old Dan Weldon was killed. It was awful to say the least.
The weekend ended with some sight seeing and a yummy dinner at a new resturant in the Paris Hotel. Farewells and hugs on Monday morning and we all went our seperate ways. Marek & Suzie and Dad and I had a late evening flight so we jumped in the car and explored the new bridge and Hoover Dam.
All in all it was a really fun time and I loved reconnecting with my brothers and sisters in law. I hope it's not another 12 years before we can do it again.

Las Vegas # 1

Hello Vegas!



Checkin' out Hoover Dam



Dinner with Don & Cheri at Toby Keith's BBQ joint



Outside New York New York



Caesar's has an awesome pool. This week the weather failed me.



The Conservatory at the Bellagio



The lobby of the gorgeous Bellagio



Last week, Al and I flew to Las Vegas for a State Farm Convention. As I have been to MANY such events, and Al is required to go, I had 3 glorious days all to my self. With the weather report predicting sun sun sun, I was looking forward to lots of pool time and some good shopping. Tuesday was wonderful! I spent many hours at the pool (in the shade) and then went to the sales showcase with Al late in the afternoon. Delish meal with friends that evening and a walk through the Forum Shops to cap off the evening. Wednesday I awoke to a familiar pitter patter on the window of our room. Knowing it was too early for Santa and his 8 tiny reindeer, I knew that the rain had come. How can this be? It's the desert! It never rains in the desert! But alas, rain it was. So, for the next 2 days I shopped. For me, for the kids and g-kids, for now and for Christmas. Lots of fun stuff and some pretty good deals.

After convention, Al and I stayed 2 additional days to hang out with our friends Don & Cheri. We went to the lovely conservatory at the Bellagio and then went to the "Bodies" exhibit at the Luxor. If you haven't seen this, look for it and go! It is a fantastic look at how wonderfully God made us. It will amaze you...I promise. The next day we rented a car and went out to see the new Memorial Bridge that has replaced the drive over the Hoover Dam. After 9/11 security closed the dam for car traffic and tours. Now you drive over a crazy high bridge to get into Arizona. Scary to look at from below, but driving across it is easy. You don't even know you're a million miles from the canyon pit.

So even though it rained for most of the week, all is not lost. This Thursday, Al and I, along with my Dad and my brother Marek and his wife Suzie, are headed back to Vegas to meet up with my 2 brothers and thier wives who will be coming in from Phoenix. Stay tuned for Las Vegas # 2.

Leftovers

My sweet grandbabies


Porter sang Happy Birthday to Nammie while playing the guitar. So so cute!



Shopping in Portland as part of my birthday celebration


I can't remember if this aircraft is a B-17 0r a B-24. So fun to crawl around these vintage WWII planes at the Salem Airport.


Can you imagine sitting in one of these during a dog fight? NO THANK YOU!



Porter & Maggie spent a morning in Corvallis decked out in their Beaver gear. The quizzical looks on their faces reflect the outlook for the OSU football season



Bubble Boys



Happy 82nd Dad.

Oregon State Fair

Our 37th State FairHonoring Oregon's fallen soldiers
Just a portion of the gorgeous gardens
The art of glass blowing in the Artisan Village
Maggie lovin' her first State Fair
Gigantic sandbox at the Recreation Station
City kids checking out the cows
Mags and me trying to decide on what to eat for lunch
The cutest "colts" in the horse barn
AJ & MA stollin' in the Ag Barn
JJ & Finn check out Native American life

Finn & Nammie Do San Diego, Jana too.

At the beginning of August, Jana attended a conference in San Diego. Like last year, I went along as Finn's nanny. Watching a four month old was easy. We spent most days at the mall doing what I wanted to do. Finn could sleep right through my marathon shopping. Taking a 16 month old this year was quite a bit different. We spent our days doing what Finn wanted to do. In the mornings while Jana got ready for her day, Finn & I would head to the hotel lobby for coffee with the staff. Robert the bellman, Antonio the concierge and Annabelle our sweet housekeeper loved visiting with happy charming Finn. After coffee we would go to the restaurant for breakfast where Finn was treated like royalty. The minute we were seated scrambled eggs and fresh fruit showed up in front of Finn. The wait staff hovered and met his every need. By the end of the 8 days, the staff would sit with us when they weren't busy. And believe me, they weren't there because of me. Everyone loved Finn. After breakfast we would go exploring.We walked and ran and jumped and balanced and climbed all over the lovely hotel grounds. We covered miles and miles I'm sure. After a light lunch it was nap time. Whew! For both Finn & I! At 5:00 when Jana got back, we'd jump on the Trolley and all see the sights of San Diego that we didn't see the year before. Old Town, Balboa Park, Mission Valley Mall, Seaport Village and the famous zoo. We became experts at navigating the San Diego transit system. After sightseeing and dinner, it was back to the hotel for a good nights sleep. All and all it was a wonderful week and I loved hanging with Finn and all his new BFFs.

King of the Town & Country

Exploring at warp speed

Finn loves to swim

Waiting for coffee with the hotel staff

Old Town

Are we having fun yet?

We loved the bigger animals

I'm with ya Finn