It's May of 2021

 The end of May brought new neighbors for us - Anita and Joe Walker and John and Carol Padilla.  They bought Terry and Annette Larson's home and moved in just before Memorial Day.  It will be a nice time having family close like this.  We have shared meals already and will share lots of things in the future.  We even have John and Carol going to the movies with us on Tuesdays.  Anita comes when she is not working.  I look forward to getting to know Joe; a very talented guy.

News from the Family March and April 2021

 I've never been much of a gun person, but I felt it was time to buy a gun.  We bought two .22 caliber pistols.  This is mine; a 1911 Browning.  Just a little gun for my little hands.

Kacy lost her first tooth in March.  She is very proud.

Just this last week, April 23rd, Kacy participated in her first dance competition.  Wow, what a beautiful young lady.  Does she have to grow up so quickly?

It was hat day at pre-school for Lauren, Brookelyn and Jesse.  It's been fun to hear them read, also.  They call me on Facetime and read to me.  They are certainly ready for kindergarten.  Jesse is playing baseball, the girls are playing basketball.  Curt said that Brookie dunked the ball at their last game.

The end of March, the house next door to us (south - Terry and Annette's) went up for sale.  Anita and Carol have been looking for a home to build or buy for over 6 months and so we had them rush down.  It was one in Brio they had considered building - until the lot bidding process went into effect.  So, because we knew Larsen's we were able to get them a preferred buyer status.  That didn't stop the price bidding on the home.  Within 24 hours, there were 30 bids, 10 were more or less cash offers.  The final price was $625,000.  That's ridiculous for this home, but that's the market today.  Too many California and Washington buyers coming in with cash and escalating the prices.  Anyway, they are going to be our next door neighbors.  They move in May 27.  Welcome neighbors.

Adrian and Todd are taking the boys to CanCun in mid-May.  She can't wipe the smile off Cameron and Taylor's faces because the trip came with scuba diving lessons.  It's a dream come true.

Wrapping Up Yuma for 2021

 The girls decided we wanted to take the rzrs out for a "just girls" drive.  We just went in some small foothills, but it was lots of fun.  All the men were nervous because in a couple of days we were going to travel to Ocotillo Springs, California, on a very long ride.  They did not want to fix anything.  We didn't either, so we were careful.

These are just some fun pictures of our girl ride:

From left to right:  Wendy Poll, Christy Davis, Sue Adams, Kathryn Monfredi, Lori Simonsen, Me, Rozanne Christensen.

This may look like an accident waiting to happen, but it's just getting Wendy up from sitting on the ground; she couldn't get up on her own!!!

Our last big ride was Ocotillo Springs.  These are some pictures from that ride and our last 2021 Yuma fling.

Theron is standing in the Pumpkin Patch.  All the rocks are round.  A little like Goblin Valley.

As you can see, the landscape is rocky, dusty, and dry - much like most of California right now.

Every good group has to line up for the photo op. Ours is 6th from the left.

 

Tyce Neal Schaefermeyer - Baptized March 6, 2021

 We left Tucson on Thursday, March 4, and drove to Yuma where we picked up some vanilla and things and headed for St. George.  We arrived about 8:30 pm, slept in our own bed in our house that doesn't wiggle back and forth, planted our garden on Friday and then left for Adrian's.  We got to Adrian's around 5ish and then on Saturday was Tyce's big day -- HIS BAPTISM into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We were so excited that we could attend during this Covid lockdown.  Grandparents and immediate family were the extent of the people present.  Perhaps there is a special blessing from this limited group; it makes the baptism the focus rather than the party afterward.  Brittney could relax a little and focus on just one thing.  For each of their kids, Marc and Brittney have had special pictures taken at a Temple.  These are Tyce's special pictures.  What a handsome young man!!!!

Marc baptized him and Ali and Mason were able to be the witnesses.  I love that the Church has changed the witness guidelines.  Ali commented that she was excited and it was special to her to witness her brother's baptism.  That says a lot!  These are the pictures just before the baptism and then all of us waving at those who joined by Zoom.  It was mentioned that Brittney's brother, Brandon, was participating in a snow cave campout in Washington.  

Three generation of Schaefermeyers.

Yes, Tyce has arms.  I think he just has his hands behind his back.  He was a little anxious, but he made it.

Tuscon - March 2021

 Sometimes when you are living life by fifth wheel trailer in Yuma, Arizona, you have to get away.  Our group did just that March 1-4.  Us, Davis', Polls and Simonsens left for a short trip to Tuscon - a getaway.  Reid Brown was kind enough to schedule two suites at World Mark for us.  It was a little pay back for our help to he and Nel on their computer, phones and shed.  Yuma has been a continuing minister assignment and it is great that we all help each other.

The first day, we visited the Titan Missile silo - thought long and hard about those cold war days and how close the world came to nuclear war on several occasions.

The next day we traveled to Bisbee, Arizona, to tour a mine, visit Tombstone, and walk Boothill.  We scheduled these activities and you never know how others will enjoy them; but, we all did and things were fun.  It was the first long trip to an unknown place that we have taken the Tesla so we found out that we could travel long distances and get there and back.  It just took an extra hour of charging.  Charging is not always fast and easy, but you can get it done with some planning.

The mine tour was really quite fun in that we got to ride a real mine train in and out.  In Bisbee, they mined copper and there are about 2500 miles of tunnels under the ground in this area.  Watch where you build a house on this holey ground.

Theron, as always, found the one place that miners love - the potty car.  He was the only one brave enough to sit on it for a photo.

Over the years, we have visited many, many, many a mine.  They all have the same thing in common - they are underground, you have to wear a hardhat and they are dark.  This one had a flexible air pipe much like the one Theron sewed for the Iron Mask mine in Roosevelt.

After the mine, we walked the town and drove to Tombstone.  The town of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holladay.  Because of Covid, the town was not bustling like it has in past years.  The cowboys had all gone away to safer places I guess.  We were left with a lone gunslinger.

Boothill Cemetery is just up the street and to be honest I wasn't enthused to go there, but we did and it was very interesting.  So many people buried in the cemetery had either died from gun shot wounds or hanging.  What a way to go.

Back in Tucson, we passed the Temple.  It was completed in 2017 and there are only live ordinances performed there as of this writing.  I really can't wait for the Temples to open again.  Then I remember that my recommend has expired and I really need to get on this.  It has been forever since I did not have a current recommend.

Ali is in the double digits this year -- 10

 Happy 10th Birthday to this lovely girl.  Ali is so outgoing and loves to make friends with anyone.  She is quite the preteen and only requested clothes and shoes for her birthday.  She loves tennis and making art.  She still has such a love for animals and wants to be a dog walker and groomer when she grows up.  Happy Birthday Ali-gator!  

What a wonderful tribute to Ali from her parents (Brittney mostly).  Ali is a wonderful young lady and we are so grateful for her smile, her laugh, her bubbly personality.  With love on your birthday, Grandma and Grandpa.

It's Great to be 8 - Happy Birthday Tyce

 This is what his parent's (Brittney) wrote about Tyce for this great and eventful birthday:

Happy 8th Birthday to this dude!  Tyce is so fierce in all that he does.  He always gives everything he has to whatever he is doing.  He loves his friends and ripping anything apart.  He loves science and wants to be a fireman whe he grows up.  He still gives the best hugs! (Grandma Schaefermeyer agrees, I love my Tyce hugs.)  He has worked so hard at school this year and we couldn't be prouder!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa love your energy Tyce and we love your enthusiasm for life.  Keep up the joy in your journey.