"Shop til You Die???"

So Robby and I went shopping today to get the rest of his things for his mission! He was starting to tire out! Finally he said, "Shop 'til you drop! I shopped 'til I died!" I thought it was pretty funny! It didn't stop me...we had to continue on and we got it done! Now it's happy packing. All this stuff he needs to bring and yet we can't exceed the weight or size! Good Luck to us!!!

I THINK WE MADE IT!!!

Ron and Andrea (my brother) and their family!

My cousin, Gordon and his family!

Lisa and 3 of her 4 girls and Matt, Aubrey's boyfriend

One of my favorite cousins, Gina (Gordon is her brother) and me!

Gina's boy received a mission call to the Peru Lima Mission and enters the MTC in May

My Mom and Dad and my all-time favorite Uncle and Aunt!!! (Gina and Gordon's parents)

It was a very fun and exciting day!!! We had almost 200 people come over to the house, with the last group arriving at 8:20 p.m, and the last person leaving at 8:55 p.m. Thank you all for coming and supporting Robby!!!! A big thank you to Andrea for not only overseeing the kitchen and food while we visited and showed the house to everyone, but for making at least 15 doz. plus cookies! They were great and everyone enjoyed! Thanks to Lisa Jackson for bringing the vegetable trays that served the almost 200 people! I can't believe all the hard work and efforts of Andrea and Lisa. Thank you so very much! My only regret is that I didn't take any pictures of the rest of our guests...especially, my friend from the 1st grade (Monica) and her husband to Robin, who we have been friends for almost 30 years to my newest friends (Wenda, Jennifer Shellee, Ceceila, Christine, Marianne, etc.)! Could you all come back so that we can take pictures! I can't believe I forgot to take pictures! Thank you for your support and contributions.

THE NOOK AREA~

LOOKING FROM THE BACK OF THE "GREAT ROOM!"

OUR NEW TILE! I LOVE IT! I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH IT!

LOOKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE "GREAT ROOM"

CAN YOU SEE THE PAINT! I DON'T THINK SO...BUT IT IS GREAT. IT'S CALLED WATER CHESTNUT! I LOVE IT!

Okay...I forgot and did it wrong. I wanted the pictures of the house first and then the family pictures - oh well...

SO AFTER 4 WEEKS OF HARD LABOR, SICKNESS AND LONG HOURS...I THINK WE MADE IT! THANK YOU, DANNY, WHO PUT IN SEVERAL LONG HOURS AND THRU SICKNESS, BRUCE, WHO GOT TO WORK AT 4 A.M. SO THAT HE COULD TAKE OFF AT 11 A.M. TO HELP DANNY PAINT AND TO ROBBY, WHO HAD NOTHING ELSE TO DO BUT HELP DANNY, I THINK WE DID IT!!!!!

I KNOW I AM LATE IN POSTING THESE PICTURES (MOST OF YOU SAW THE ALMOST COMPLETED PROJECT - STILL HAVE WORK TO DO), BUT I JUST WANTED TO THANK "MY BOYS" FOR WORKING HARD. DANNY STARTED PAINTING THE WALLS AND I FELT THEY WERE TOO DARK. HE DIDN'T COMPLAIN THAT IT WOULD DELAY, HE JUST SAID YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF HOURS TO DECIDE! BRUCE CAME HOME AND WE DECIDED IT WAS TOO DARK. THE NEXT DAY, AFTER 2 COATS OF PRIMER...WE HAVE THESE WALLS AND I LOVE THEM. EVERYDAY I WOULD COME HOME FROM WORK AND TELL DANNY HOW "CALMING IT FELT IN HERE." DANNY'S RESPONSE WAS, "I WISHED I FELT CALM." DANNY DID A GREAT JOB AND IT WAS A GREAT FAREWELL PARTY!

THANKS TO RACHEL FOR COMING SATURDAY AND HELPING ME CLEAN!!!!! MAN RACHIES WORKED HARD! TRAVIS...HE HAD TO TAKE A TEST AND CAME LATER (EARLY EVENING OR LATE AFTERNOON) WITH ENERGY, THAT IT ENERGIZED US AGAIN. HE GOT THE CHAIRS FROM THE GRAVES WITH ROBBY, CLEANED THE CHAIRS AND WASHED THE WINDOWS FROM THE OUTSIDE! THANKS! AT 7:30 PM., WE WERE EXHAUSTED. BRUCE HAD MADE DINNER AND OUR HOME LOOKED LIKE WE WOULD BE UP ALL NIGHT! I ALWAYS SAID WE'D BE DONE BY 11:55 P.M. AT 11:40 P.M., WE WERE COMPLETELY DONE! THE 5 OF US TALKED FOR AN HOUR WHEN BRUCE SAID HE NEEDED TO GET TO BED AND THEN THE 4 OF US STAYED UP AND TALKED UNTIL ABOUT 2 P.M, MOSTLY WATCHING ROBBY PACE AROUND! PRETTY FUNNY!!!

Temple Day!

Bruce, Robby and Me~

Grandpa Black and Matt, my nephew at Olive Garden!

Chase & Emily (Bruce's niece) and Lisa and Dave (Bruce's Brother)

Aime and Andy (my nephew)

Grandma & Grandpa Black

Travis Rachel and Robby

Ron, my brother, Andrea, his wife and Grandma Black

The whole bunch! Aubrey and Brittany, who haven't gone thru the temple yet, joined us for lunch at Olive Garden. Matt, however, (Aubrey's boyfriend) came to the temple. Thanks, Matt, for coming!

Grandpa Jackson, Matt and Aubrey, Brittany!

Granpa & Grandma Black, Rachel & Travis

Grandpa & Grandma Black, Robby, and Grandpa Jackson

Grandma Black telling Robby how proud she is (I think!)

Travis, Rachel, Robby, Me and Bruce

The whole Jackson and Black Family (18 total) in support of Robby! The other exciting news was that Rachel and Travis were asked to be the witness couple for the session. We all thought that was SO EXCITING that Rachel and Travis were asked to do this. Danny and Ryan thought it best to support Robby by working on our home. Thanks Danny and Ryan for your sacrifice

Everyone but Aubrey & Brittany (had to get back to school) were here for ordination!

Grandpa Jackson, Bruce, Robby, Me, and Grandma & Grandpa Black

Grandma Black, Robby and Grandpa Black
We were told later that we can't take pictures in the chapel, Ooops, Diane in trouble again!

Sunday, March 1, at 4:30 pm, Robby was ordained an Elder. A very special time. Thank you all for coming both days to help celebrate! After the ordination, Grandma Black hasn't been feeling well and we decided to hurry and meet at our house and give Grandma a blessing. With the help of Robby's Uncle Ron, Robby annointed the oil. He was very nervous, but did an excellent job. He was wearing his white shirt and tie and basketball shorts (he started changing his clothes before we could tell him he was going to annoint - see Rachel's blog). Again, thank you for coming and sharing with us this special day!

Priesthood Ordination and Temple Endowment!

Matt (my nephew), Aime & Andy (my nephew & wife) and Ron, my brother

Me, Grandma & Grandpa Black, Travis, Rachel & Bruce

Grandpa Jackson and Robby, of course

Danny & Ryan Buffington (Bruce's nephews and carpenters!!!)

Emily, Aubrey (Bruce's nieces) and Aubrey's boyfriend, Matt, Dave (Bruce's Brother, Lisa and Bruce's neice Brittany!

Robby was ordained an Elder March 1, 2009. Because we are remodeling our home, we decided to celebrate this great occasion at Sizzler's (Robby's favorite restaurant) Saturday night! We had 20 people help to celebrate this special day. The next day, after Church, Robby was ordained by his Dad! It was a teary eye time! We are so proud of Robby and all of his decisions he has made!

My good friend, Lou - MISS YA!!

Marina del Rey Beach!

Venice Beach! - You gotta love it!

Disneyland, of course!

Mickey Mouse!

Venice Beach - these small homes start @ $400,000!!

CALIFORNIA, HERE WE COME!

Well, actually we came and went! Robby wanted to go to California before he started his mission. So, we packed up and drove Friday night to Primm Valley (40 minutes outside of Las Vegas - California side) and got up early Saturday and drove the rest of the way into California. We stayed at a hotel near Marina del Rey and Venice Beach, which we really loved. This guy in the 1800's had/bought this beach area and traveled to Venice, Italy. Loved the area and tried to build his beach the same way (you'll see pictures). It didn't work out, probably ran out of money and gave it back to California. California calls it Venice Beach! We loved it. It had a board walk with several different vendors and the beach area was great! We also took a tour of L.A., shopped on Rodeo Drive (which they were very nice - went to Niketown, of course). Went to Kodak Theater, where the Oscars were held the day before. We drove there Sunday late afternoon and got as close as we could. We saw all the Limo's driving in and the traffic cops were also dressed in Tux and white gloves. The biggest thing Robby wanted to do is see a game in the Staples Center (well he really wanted to see a Laker's game, but they weren't playing). So we got tickets to the Clippers game and got to go inside the Staples Center!!! Clippers won (they played Golden State). Tuesday, we went to Disneyland and spent the day there. We started to get bored (I think we've been there too many times). But we stayed until it closed! Then Wednesday, we drove back home. Stopped in Mesquite to see my good friend, Lou (I used to work with her and we both quit - I for another job - Lou for Mesquite). We didn't stay long, but we did see their new home that they bought! I'm coming again, Lou, when I can stay longer. It was a lot of fun and enjoyed spending time with just the 3 of us (of course we missed Rachel and Travis). We decided that when Robby returns, we need to spend a week with all.

ARE WE GOING TO BE READY!!!

So, after 10 years of discussion, we finally decided to "tear down the wall" and combine our front room and family room into a "Great Room!" The first picture is Robby knocking a hole in the wall and while we were in California, Bruce nephews tore down the wall! Danny also added a half a wall to the nook area (4th picture) so that we could tile the kitchen and nook area and put a couch there if we wanted to! The 2nd picture is taken standing from the back and the 3rd picture is standing from the front door (love the fridge, stove and dishwasher in the great room) The 5th picture is the tile we chose with dark grout (it's a taupe cloudy tile - I love it) We will paint the walls taupe (Danny textured the walls). So the big question is...WILL WE BE READY BY MARCH 22ND FOR ROBBY'S FAREWELL AND OPEN HOUSE????? Only time will tell