Girls...Shopping...and 3 days outta town!

Lisa, Rose and I planned for a few weeks to go south to the Layton Utah area and shop at Tai Pan Trading, Rod Works, Hobby Lobby, Kohl's, maybe a mall or two. Lisa scored us base housing so we had a room to rest our wearing feet after marathon shopping.

We arrived Friday evening, checked in and found TLF (temporary living facility in military lingo). We walked into a rather dark building, through the water sprinklers, and after we opened the door, realized there was no power. No electricity, with 3 chicks and luggage, and tired of driving and needing our sleep to power shop on Saturday. When given lemons we made lemonade (or in our case, purchased adult beverages at the base shopette). We found a deserted parking lot near TLF with a beautiful view of the lights of the Utah valley, we parked the truck, dropped the tailgate and enjoyed the evening with wine, beer, and Lays potato chips. The power was restored around 1130 pm just in time for us to get in a few zzz's.

Saturday we started early at Tai Pan, and spent 3 1/2 HOURS looking, touching, and making HARD decisions of what we needed. My main goal was to buy for Suzanne's new home since she has had her hands full with Allee and not much time to get her house decorated since they moved in the week before Allee M was born (yes, I was given a budget and prayed I stayed within her budget). We spent 13 hours out and about, shopping, eating and enjoying ourselves! We got back to TLF, tired but continued our girl chats until 1:30 am. We had SO much to talk about I guess, and laughed til our bellies hurt. The plan was to hit a big new mall on the way out of Utah this morning, but after checking our receipts and how much damage we did with our cash, we headed back to Idaho. Happy with our finds, but ready to get back to reality.

Great food, great deals, but more importantly, great friends! It was a great weekend!

The pick-up was loaded, and barely enough room for our luggage. We drove Fred's L O N G bed Ford F-350 one-ton pick-up thinking we had plenty of room...

A treasure found at Tai Pan. If you haven't made the pilgrimage, you gotta go!

The grasses near our tailgate spot, and the lights of the Salt Lake Valley

Tailgate, late night style, and with no electricity.

Lisa scored points with Rose and I for buying the last cork skewer from the product display. Good thinkin' Lisa!

August with Allee

Allee... Allee M ... Allee McGrubor... AlleeGator ... the baby has many names. Allee Maree IS the cutest grand daughter I could ever imagine! Allee is 3 months old in August!

Allee and her daddy relaxing

Allee being a wee bit shy...

Allee taking her walk down the burp path

Suzanne and Allee on the night Allee grasped her first object, a cute Garanimal given to her by Aunt Rose

3 Generations - Moon and Bettie would be so happy.

We love Allee's BIG smile!

Daddy and Allee at the BSU BBQ

Allee's a Bronco Baby and attending her first BAA Bronco event in the SUB

Grandpa Fred, Allee and Suzanne with the 2010 Boise State Football team in the background.

Allee - such a pretty girl at 3 months. She's a keeper!

Family Visits Aug 2010

We had a family party to welcome our Louisanian, Scott and his girlfriend Elaine. It was Elaine's first visit west and we gave her a western Idaho welcome! It was Allee's introduction day as well with many of the Prouty's. Kristina and Anastacia were here as well to meet the family.

Dinner at PF Changs - Quinn, Vicky, Fred, Scott, Elaine, Wesley and Wes

Suzanne, Allee and Grandpa Steve

Robyn, Fred, Scott, Mitch and Quinn

Kristina, Robyn, Vicky and Elaine

Can I Say It's Hot and Humid in Florida...in July?

I forgot how hot and humid July days (and nights) can be in Florida. But none the less, the week was great on the Gulf of Mexico. The sand was still white, and powdery like sugar. The coast was clear! No oil from the BP oil leak thank goodness. I ventured to the Atlantic side for the first time since 1966, and believe me, the Gulf of Mexico coast gets a 5 star vote from me. I like beaches and sand and water on the Gulf the VERY best!