I missed one of the highlights of the summer on my last blog post. Scott, Patti, Brad and I not just raced, but FINISHED, a half-marathon. It was a great experience even though I couldn't bend down to sit on the toilet for three days after. Scott and I hope to do another one.
On September 13, 2013, beautiful Adelaide Jean Gessell entered the world. We were able to go back on September 25th and spend 10 glorious days. She is so cute! We had such a good time.
Bryce and Alicia blessed Addy while we were there. What a treat!
We made one outing to Mt. Auburn cemetery. Huge! Could walk for miles. This was at the tower looking out over Boston.
Started and finished a quilt in just a couple of months. It was for Kathy Jacobson because she left Vernal and moved to Glendive, Montana, which is much more out of the way than even Vernal is. We will miss her and her family. I obviously work much better when I have a deadline!
Brock came and spent a month with us, hoping to work while he was here but not doing a lot of that. He drove to Vernal and then a week later we drove back to Mesquite for Thanksgiving. It was a very nice weekend, even though Dayton's death made the mood a little somber. Glad that Dave was able to come down also. Just had to get the picture of Brock actually doing some house work.
Then everyone came back for Christmas. We had them all for a week. After we picked up Brock from the airport on Christmas Eve, we went to dinner and then walked around Temple Square. Back to the airport at 10 for Bryce and Alicia. We were so lucky that everyone's flights were on time. After a quick stop at Denny's, we headed home. Made it about 2 a.m. Adelaide was the perfect guest while she was here. She likes some people better than others.
The Burts drove out here for the Christmas party . Alicia spent the day before they came making a birthday cake for Halli. It is from Monsters High. The cake was so cute and more importantly was delicious!
This is how a lot of the time together was spent. A puzzle - with a wager.
The girls at the hotel - loved having everyone here. I hope that my next house has a little larger family room. Now I know why we do everything at Patti's house.
Got an early start on Christmas gifts in 2013. Finished this afghan for Alicia probably in the spring.
Finished this one for Bryce on probably December 23rd. Loved doing them.
Didn't do much for this little girl for Christmas this year. But already have ideas for next year - this is going to be fun!! Making plans to go back and see her again hopefully in the spring. Grateful for technology that allows me to look at videos over and over again and see pictures of all the cute things she is doing.
to this...
The after picture. It looks beautiful. Probably hard to tell but Scott really did a good job on it. And we can tell a huge difference. Never again. I have learned that I don't want another two story house that requires painting or a house with a lot of trim.
Vicki and Lynn came out for a weekend and helped us get started on the yard. Lynn and Scott worked on the stop and waste valve, finding it and fixing it while Vicki and I had fun planning. Sorry to say this is where the yard work has stopped. We haven't had time to get back to it. 
In May I went back and did some grandma time in Boston. No sightseeing other than in Harvard Square and some good food and walking around Harvard and visiting Walden Pond. Just got to play with Addy.
We got to have everyone in Vernal in July. Had a great time. Red Fleet Reservoir. Loved the paddleboarding, especially Brock in his levis. Addy loved the water. Hard to believe in May when I was in Boston she wouldn't even sit down in the bathtub. She screamed. 
Family fun with the Burts on July 5th. Brad built a large Kerplunk game. Didn't get played much but we'll use it some time. Took a family picture that turned out pretty good. We're a casual crew, no matching outfits or anything here. This was even taken after the kids had been swimming. We missed Jeremy and Mackenzie and family and Brett but were grateful for all the others that made such an effort to get there. We have an awesome family. Celebrated a little early Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary. They've done good.
On to Bodie Island Lighthouse. This is a national park and the ranger did an good tour. Again climbed to the top. That same day we decided to head south on the Outer Banks and take a ferry to Ocracoke Island for another light house. We waited for about an hour and a half for the ferry to take about 36 cars for a 40 minute ferry ride. 
Ocracoke Lighthouse. The National Park Service owns the island except for Ocracoke Village. Lots of shops, restaurants. Had some great food at Jason's and then got back in line for the ferry back. Not a very long wait for the return trip.
Ocracoke Beach. Miles and miles of it...
The next morning we made a stop at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. I never thought I would make it to this lighthouse, never thought there would be a reason to be in NC. It is a very massive, impressive lighthouse. You can see me at the bottom. Another hike to the top. Three lighthouse hikes in three days. My legs were doing pretty good by the last one. 
On the way back to Bryce's we hit Roanoke Marshes Light in Manteo. That was a beautiful little town. Then as I'm driving and just as Scott is falling asleep I see a sight for another lighthouse in Plymouth. Quick detour and we saw the Roanoke River Lighthouse. It was closed. I would have liked more information. It looks like it was moved across the sound onto private land at some point. 
Bryce took us on a tour of Duke. Duke Chapel. It is a beautiful campus and city. Can't wait to see more.
Our last night was spent at the Durham Bulls Ball Park. We took turns taking Addy for walks. It is a beautiful ball park and only a few minutes from their place. 
