March 2019 in Review

I didn't plan on letting so much time lapse between posts but it's now the end of April and I'm trying to remember the month of March...I'm going to get back on track.  

The state basketball championship tournament is held in Boise, ID every year and draws large crowds from all over the state.  This year was no exception.  The kids enjoyed a little break from the regular school routine as I drove them to Boise to support our fellow Bobcats.  Aaron flew into Boise after finishing meetings in Detroit and joined us where we were staying at a hotel near the arena.   

Aaron ran into an old college buddy - Jason Warr

When we weren't watching basketball games, the younger kids enjoyed practicing their swimming skills at the hotel pool (recently finished private lessons).  The older kids kicked around with friends as half our hometown relocated to the Boise area for a few days.  The other favorite activity was shopping at the mall - the girls especially pushed for that (and they insisted on a few items for me too).  I don't care much for shopping but forced myself to get involved anyway:).

lunch at Cheesecake Factory near the mall

Madison Bobcats brought home a 2nd place finish.

Quinn - painting during PTO sponsored art class

 

Quinn - next to Coach Nielsen after final game of rec basketball season.

 

Basketball season wrapped up for Quinn by mid-March. And then it was "March Madness" and everyone was interested in the results.  We were also ready for good weather to return! 

Brinley and her college roommates decided not to wait around for warmer temperatures but went south looking for it.  They played in St. George and Las Vegas on St. Patrick's Day weekend and really enjoyed setting aside their textbooks for sunshine and the great outdoors.

hiking - nature's best relaxation therapy

 

We concluded the PTO sponsored art classes and held the annual Art Show on March 21.  It has been rewarding to work with Daniel Hidalgo (professional artist) these past several years as I have been in charge of coordinating this program.  Since this is Quinn's final year at Hibbard Elementary, I'm happily passing the reigns on to someone else.

Quinn & Daniel

 

Heather, Brinley, Aaron

It was a peaceful though wet and windy day on March 22, 2019 when Aaron and I joined Brinley at the Rexburg Temple where she received her own endowments in preparation for her missionary service to Texas. Everyone in the temple was so helpful and kind and made it a wonderful experience for all of us.  Hilary was able to join us for lunch at Fresco's after dropping Jenna off at her ballroom competition being held nearby.  They stayed the night at our place before I headed to SL with Brinley and Haley the next morning.

Hilary, Brinley, Heather, Aaron

 

In Salt Lake, we were able to finish up some missionary shopping (shoes/dresses) and the girl's attended a concert Saturday evening.  Tanner joined us for dinner at Kneader's in City Creek and gave me a tour of the Pathway Worldwide office space where he has been working since January.  He has had some wonderful experiences and will conclude his internship mid-April. 

Breanna, Heather, Brinley, Breanna & twins (Ryker/Tyler)

On our way home, we stopped in Layton so Brinley and Breanna (cousin) could say their good-byes.  Breanna's family is moving to Kentucky for employment and this was the last time they would see each other for a while.  Breanna has always been a sweet older cousin for Brin to look up to over the years. 

Brinley w/Ryker?, Breanna, Haley w/Tyler?

March felt like a very full month with time spent in activities/areas with no pics.  We hosted several FHE groups and got our taco soup dinner routine down pat.  Aaron addressed various topics in his ward and I joined him for a Q&A session with the students that proved to be enlightening and felt successful on many accounts.  Anna started out with the track team then switched to give tennis a try instead.  Jantzen began working out at The Alley but was sidelined with a back injury we've been working through.  There have been Dr. and dental appointments, scouts, piano lessons, YM/YW activities, dance practice, cleaning the office, zone appointments, ministering to do, travel/Bishop stuff for Aaron and further exploring land opportunities around us.  It was refreshing to take a step away from it all and head to San Antonio for a few days with Quinn and Elsie.

My travel buddies to Texas.

The older four children have all had a chance to spend time with Tif, Shawn & Abigail in TX during the summer.  When a job change began to materialize for Shawn, I knew they wouldn't be living in San Antonio for another summer so we expedited the process and made plans for a spring break visit instead.  I figured their house would sell quickly (and it did) and fortunately, the timing worked out so I could help out a bit (packing/cleaning).  It was a surreal kind of weekend for them as we "played by day and packed by night" - literally.  I think having cousins around helped soften the challenge of moving from the only home/ward/community Abigail has ever known.  Even still, I could feel their heartache watching them say good-bye to dear friends during our time together.

Quinn, Abigail, Elsie - kept themselves quite entertained

  

Incredible Pizza Company - food, fun & games

 

I've met a handful of Tif's friends over the years and was surprised to recall that I had not actually been to San Antonio since her 40th birthday bash (nearly 8 years ago). I enjoyed meeting Janna's family as they met us at Six Flags for part of the day and also joined us for a Sunday 'meal of randomness' as we cleaned out fridge/freezer/pantry:).  Tif has season passes and it just so happened to be "bring a friend for free" weekend so that took care of Quinn & Elsie.  Janna was gracious to share the love and extend her special pass privileges to us so I, too, got in for free.  It was seriously amazing that our entire park day (with meals & souvenirs) cost about $30.  Oh yeah!  

Tif, Abigail, Elsie, Quinn, Heather

 

We arrived at opening and since it was a school day in Texas, the crowds were not bad.  In fact, we ran through the first several rides!  Janna joined me for "Iron Rattler" while Tiffany took care of the water bottles - haha!  After lunch (Primo's Pizza), the crowds started to fill in but that wasn't a deterrent for the kids.  I lost count of the number of rides we packed in but Hilary would have been proud.  We didn't leave until after dinner at Bubba's (burgers) and still managed to box up Tif's kitchen and dog watch, Max, when we returned home. 

Elsie, Abigail, Quinn

Once again, the timing was perfect as Tif watched for Groupon deals to come around for the San Antonio city passes.  We purchased ours online and were able to choose from a variety of discounted activities for the kids to enjoy during our extended weekend visit.

 

We packed our lunch and jackets for a day at Sea World on Saturday.  It was a windy, cooler day for Texas and that seemed to keep crazy crowds at bay though there were still a lot of people.  We managed to see five shows (Clyde & Seamore, Otter & Sea Lion, Beluga whales & dolphins, Orca whales and birds) and check out the penguins, dolphins and lots of other cool sea creatures.  Of course, the highlight for the kids were the RIDES!  I admit to enjoying the "Steel Eel" a handful of times myself but the water ride they did at the end - no thanks.  It was too cold for me!

Orca whale show

Quinn's bed on the floor in Abigail's room w/me

 Monday we visited "The Alamo" and rode the hop-on-hop-off bus around the downtown area.  We walked around El Mercado (shopping area) and ate lunch at MiTierra's - best salsa ever!  We rode an elevator up to the top of the Tower of Americas building which was built for the 1968 World Fair and watched a 4-D show entitled "Sky Over Texas".  The kids chose to visit Ripley's Haunted House and Tif bravely led the way through that disappointing selection.  After walking along the famed Riverwalk area, we finished off our adventures at the K-1 Speedway where the kids raced go-karts.  It was an action-packed day and we ended with dinner at Red Robbin's with Shawn.

cold at the top of the bus

view from Tower of Americas

lunch at Mi Tierra's

The Riverwalk

Go-kart racing at the speedway

 

Shawn, Abigail and Tif
Good-bye to 16419 Drum Oak!

 

Evidence of our work...we really did pack (and play).

 

It was a fun challenge to pack and clean and eat our way out of this house.  We washed bedding and cleaned bathrooms before stopping at McAllister Park for Abigail's last playgroup with her homeschool buddies.  It was a joy for me to meet Tif's friends Jenna, Holly and see Janna once more before Tif drove us to the airport.  The moving van came the next morning.  Tif, Abigail and Shawn made the 6+ hr drive to their new home in Bullard, TX.  Throughout the weekend, I was reminded of an important life lesson once again - good friends can be made wherever you live.  Best wishes to your new adventures Salter family!