Home Sweet Home
Four wheel drive
Hotel interests
Being with our kids...all of them
True meaning of Christmas
Short and (Bitter)Sweet
12 years ago
Friday, December 26, 2008
Sunny Christmas for the Nelsons!
Ahh! A beautiful sunny blue sky, kids playing in the white sandy beaches. Cabo San Lucas. No, not really. The sunny blue sky but the white sandy beach was really 8 inches of snow in Richland! And that is where we spent Christmas 2008.
The "Sweet Story to tell" as Braden puts it began Sunday morning when there was a snowstorm in Richland. Church was cancelled and we thought we were getting an early start on our trip to Portland. We were to fly out Sunday night to San Diego and get on a cruise to Mexico Monday with Brett's parents, sister, and brother and family. We had planned this trip for several months and were really looking forward to some time as a family without the stress of meal planning, etc. The we thought we could get out of the Tri-Cities and into Portland where it usually was just rain. About partway to The Dalles, Oregon, we got a voice message that our flight had been cancelled. The message didn't say we were changed to another flight, just cancelled. Then the road was closed on the Oregon side to Portland. We found a bridge to the Washington side and continued, albeit at a slower pace, toward Portland. The snow just kept coming down and as we came to the outskirts of Vancouver, two police cars closed the road behind us. No going back now! But we weren't planning on going back for another week, after some sun and fun!
We got to the airport 2 hours before the originally scheduled flight and 6 1/2 hours after leaving Richland. While some of us waited in the "no waiting zone", Brett and Jack went into the airport to see what could be arranged. There was still 20 hours before the cruise left San Diego. The Portland airport was all but shut down. Very few flights were leaving and nothing that all 13, or even some of us, could get on to get to California. So we got a hotel in Vancouver for the night and set to work on the internet and phones to try to find a flight that would get us into San Diego by 1:30. The options were few. We decided to get up early (most of us were sleeping in our clothes anyway because we didn't want to repack and shuffle the luggage) and head to the airport to see what could be done.
After a restless night and a quick Holiday Inn Express breakfast, we headed down the snowy roads back to the airport. Yes, it was STILL snowing. Again, we waited in the departure and arrival lanes while Brett and Jack went in to wait in lines. The lines were so long, that by the time they would have gotten to the front to talk to someone, it would be too late to make it to San Diego on time. There were hardly any flights leaving Portland and Brett's sister Judy was not able to get her plane out oof Spokand with it's connecting flight through Seattle. We were dead in the snow.
So onto the deserted Portland streets we went. There was an IKEA and a shopping mall nearby and we thought we could pass some time there waiting for the roads back home to open. Unfortunately, they didn't open for another hour and it was questionable whether any employees would be able to make it into work. The radio reports said the in the Metro Portland area you should have chains on if you were going anywhere. Our two vehicles (Kevin's family and Jack and Valerie, and our family) both had four wheel drive and fairly new tires on. There was about 3-4 inches of packed snow with 1 inch of ice underneath it on the freeways. The side roads were much worse: they are not used to this kind of snowfall in Portland. We headed for where the freeway home was closed to find a hotel and wait it out. We ended up in Gresham at a full-service Holiday Inn. Kevin's car got stuck twice in a Safeway parking lot that we were going to get directions. We had a hard time getting back out on the street and made an illegal left turn and ran some stop lights just because we were afraid to stop. (Not great example to our eager young drivers, especially Cameron!)
When we got to the hotel, the restaurant was not open due to no employees to man it. The staff was really nice, however and found a banquet room for us to use to play cards, visit, or whatever. There was a pool and the girls had fun swimming. We had brought our swimsuits, after all!
We cooled our heels most of the day, reading, playing games or napping. Just like we would have on the cruise! The only difference being the steady falling snow, the 20 degree temperature and lack of food.
We found a pizza place where two courageous employees had braved the storm and had nothing to do but cook pizzas for stranded travelers. We dined in high style! The food and company was great!
The next morning we (Brett's family) traveled back to Vancouver (to get a forgotten back pack in the first hotel). Then we traveled on the Washington state side of the river until Hood River where we crossed over into Oregon and finished traveling home. Again, it took us about 6 hours to make a 3 1/2 hour trip. Kevin's family and parents traveled on the Oregon side, but only ended up 1/2 hour ahead of us due to the crazy number of trucks back on the roads again.
We have never seen so much snow fall so quickly where people are not used to it. We just watched it with amazement. The situation was so surreal, odd, unbelieveable we didn't know what to think! Our goals for this trip were to spend some time together and not have to do much cooking or catering. Mission accomplished in a way we would never have imagined! Our kids were pleasant under the circumstances, and we laughed alot together. We watched a DVD on our laptap one night and Darci caught up to where we were as a family on a season of "24" while we drove.
We are so grateful to our kids for their patience, to our family for their love and kindness and to our Heavenly Father for his safe guidance.
We have had a GREAT Christmas and are so happy we are all home, safe and sound!
The "Sweet Story to tell" as Braden puts it began Sunday morning when there was a snowstorm in Richland. Church was cancelled and we thought we were getting an early start on our trip to Portland. We were to fly out Sunday night to San Diego and get on a cruise to Mexico Monday with Brett's parents, sister, and brother and family. We had planned this trip for several months and were really looking forward to some time as a family without the stress of meal planning, etc. The we thought we could get out of the Tri-Cities and into Portland where it usually was just rain. About partway to The Dalles, Oregon, we got a voice message that our flight had been cancelled. The message didn't say we were changed to another flight, just cancelled. Then the road was closed on the Oregon side to Portland. We found a bridge to the Washington side and continued, albeit at a slower pace, toward Portland. The snow just kept coming down and as we came to the outskirts of Vancouver, two police cars closed the road behind us. No going back now! But we weren't planning on going back for another week, after some sun and fun!
We got to the airport 2 hours before the originally scheduled flight and 6 1/2 hours after leaving Richland. While some of us waited in the "no waiting zone", Brett and Jack went into the airport to see what could be arranged. There was still 20 hours before the cruise left San Diego. The Portland airport was all but shut down. Very few flights were leaving and nothing that all 13, or even some of us, could get on to get to California. So we got a hotel in Vancouver for the night and set to work on the internet and phones to try to find a flight that would get us into San Diego by 1:30. The options were few. We decided to get up early (most of us were sleeping in our clothes anyway because we didn't want to repack and shuffle the luggage) and head to the airport to see what could be done.
After a restless night and a quick Holiday Inn Express breakfast, we headed down the snowy roads back to the airport. Yes, it was STILL snowing. Again, we waited in the departure and arrival lanes while Brett and Jack went in to wait in lines. The lines were so long, that by the time they would have gotten to the front to talk to someone, it would be too late to make it to San Diego on time. There were hardly any flights leaving Portland and Brett's sister Judy was not able to get her plane out oof Spokand with it's connecting flight through Seattle. We were dead in the snow.
So onto the deserted Portland streets we went. There was an IKEA and a shopping mall nearby and we thought we could pass some time there waiting for the roads back home to open. Unfortunately, they didn't open for another hour and it was questionable whether any employees would be able to make it into work. The radio reports said the in the Metro Portland area you should have chains on if you were going anywhere. Our two vehicles (Kevin's family and Jack and Valerie, and our family) both had four wheel drive and fairly new tires on. There was about 3-4 inches of packed snow with 1 inch of ice underneath it on the freeways. The side roads were much worse: they are not used to this kind of snowfall in Portland. We headed for where the freeway home was closed to find a hotel and wait it out. We ended up in Gresham at a full-service Holiday Inn. Kevin's car got stuck twice in a Safeway parking lot that we were going to get directions. We had a hard time getting back out on the street and made an illegal left turn and ran some stop lights just because we were afraid to stop. (Not great example to our eager young drivers, especially Cameron!)
When we got to the hotel, the restaurant was not open due to no employees to man it. The staff was really nice, however and found a banquet room for us to use to play cards, visit, or whatever. There was a pool and the girls had fun swimming. We had brought our swimsuits, after all!
We cooled our heels most of the day, reading, playing games or napping. Just like we would have on the cruise! The only difference being the steady falling snow, the 20 degree temperature and lack of food.
We found a pizza place where two courageous employees had braved the storm and had nothing to do but cook pizzas for stranded travelers. We dined in high style! The food and company was great!
The next morning we (Brett's family) traveled back to Vancouver (to get a forgotten back pack in the first hotel). Then we traveled on the Washington state side of the river until Hood River where we crossed over into Oregon and finished traveling home. Again, it took us about 6 hours to make a 3 1/2 hour trip. Kevin's family and parents traveled on the Oregon side, but only ended up 1/2 hour ahead of us due to the crazy number of trucks back on the roads again.
We have never seen so much snow fall so quickly where people are not used to it. We just watched it with amazement. The situation was so surreal, odd, unbelieveable we didn't know what to think! Our goals for this trip were to spend some time together and not have to do much cooking or catering. Mission accomplished in a way we would never have imagined! Our kids were pleasant under the circumstances, and we laughed alot together. We watched a DVD on our laptap one night and Darci caught up to where we were as a family on a season of "24" while we drove.
We are so grateful to our kids for their patience, to our family for their love and kindness and to our Heavenly Father for his safe guidance.
We have had a GREAT Christmas and are so happy we are all home, safe and sound!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
I am going to BURST!
Okay, so I changed my mind, I decided to give my baby hat to Sis. Graves for Joshua.
I am so excited I can't hold it in. I am going to Juggle in front of my whole school, AND I am going to perform at our school's Christmas sing-along. AND I am going to sing at the church Christmas party, AND I get to have one of my best friends Kelsey over on Friday. AND I get to watch ELF on Friday too. AND I get to go to Circus club on Friday. AND I am going to get Smithar dollars for doing a fire drill. Eric cut his chin open, and Caleb sprained his ankle. ~Melissa
I am so excited I can't hold it in. I am going to Juggle in front of my whole school, AND I am going to perform at our school's Christmas sing-along. AND I am going to sing at the church Christmas party, AND I get to have one of my best friends Kelsey over on Friday. AND I get to watch ELF on Friday too. AND I get to go to Circus club on Friday. AND I am going to get Smithar dollars for doing a fire drill. Eric cut his chin open, and Caleb sprained his ankle. ~Melissa
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tender Mercies 12/3
*Kids who give FHE lessons to fulfill Duty to God, Achievement Day requirements
*Christmas lights in the dark of Winter
*Talented people who play the piano and are willing to share
*Braden can eat small soft foods as long as he doesn't bite down
*A mom who taught me to sew
*Dark Chocolate pnut M & Ms (o.k., not a tender mercy but really good anyway!)
*Christmas lights in the dark of Winter
*Talented people who play the piano and are willing to share
*Braden can eat small soft foods as long as he doesn't bite down
*A mom who taught me to sew
*Dark Chocolate pnut M & Ms (o.k., not a tender mercy but really good anyway!)
-Peggy
Friday, November 28, 2008
I finished my baby hat!
Today I finished a baby hat that I was making for one of the Pratt twins. I am going to make another one for the other twin. The hats are white and VERY VERY thick. The yarn I used is kind of silky.~Melissa
Monday, November 24, 2008
No School
Today I don't have school! I am going to read a lot today. I just got to the point in tennis shoes among the nephites #3 were Doug Bowman was laying on the floor of his house with two holes in his stomach, and Jim got in his car, there was a gun on the seat and police are arresting him.~Melissa
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Megan birthday party
Today was Megan's birthday party! It was a great one. She was very surprised when Dad came in with a pair of stilts just for her! We went swimming at the Holiday Inn and Gram and Gramp were there and guess what? So was Aunt Janet. I played with Megan all day today and before the party we made shrinky dinks. They are pieces of paper that you have to trace a picture on to and put it into the oven, then it shrinks and crumples up and gets straitened out and it is really tall. I made a bunch of ones that are perfect for a charm bracelet. I went to Megan and Ashley's conferences at the school. I saw Kelsey (my friend a school) on the hill. And after Megans party we went to DQ to get a gift card for a girl that Kolby is going to a movie with for her birthday party. and we got a free cone, mom bought a cup of onion rings and I saw Austin! So I saw both the people that sit at my table at school.(Kelsey and Austin)-Melissa
Braden has survived! The long anticipated surgery has been accomplished! Braden went into KGH (Kennewick General Hospital) at 6 am Thursday morning to have "orthonagstic" surgery. He began this long road in 4th grade when normal orthodontics would not correct his overbite. Dr. Crawford did the surgery and said everything was very successful. Braden went into surgery at 7:30 am, and we got to see him in the recovery room 3 hours later at about 11:00. He was really groggy. His face wasn't very swollen, and I was so happy to see him o.k. There were lots of wires and cords attached to him as they checked on his vitals. He was put into the ICU unit of the hospital because they are remodeling and that was where they had room. This was very nice, he had a private room and his own nurse. The nurses were really good and took great care of him. Of course, they enjoyed having a 17 year old as opposed to a 70 year old! His mouth is rubber banded shut to teach his jaw where to close. He also had a morphine pump that he could push every 7 minutes. It was a game to him: if it beeped at him, he lost and couldn't have more medicine, and if it didn't beep, he won more medicine! He dozed in and out most of the day. We fed him water with a syringe. Because he had an IV in, we weren't worried about hydration. In the afternoon, some friends from school came by to visit. Casey Hare, Eric Turner, Merilee Strong, and Mindy Strong brought him some pudding and a Snowboarding magazine (which Dr. Crawford pointed out was a definite NO-NO). The heart monitor spiked when girls walked into the room! There was also a canine visitor. A beautiful brindle boxer and his handler were visiting patients. Cameron, Kolby and Melissa came with Brett to see him around dinner. Braden likes the visitors.Early Friday morning, he was taken off the pump and other tubes. He was given Lortab in a liquid form. He got to have some yogurt (with the syringe) and he really liked the chicken broth! Oh, so good! When I left him Thursday night, it was really hard. I knew he was in good hands and that he would be fine, but I still wanted to stay with him and make sure. I also know how yucky it is to be alone in the hospital through the night. It is very lonely. He said he watched ESPN a little, slept a little, and laid there.
At 1:00, Dr. Crawford came by and checked him out. He said he could go home and gave him some prescriptions. He also said he would continue to swell. It is hard to believe he could swell more. He didn't swell at first. We could even still see his dimples! (Much to my relief!) But sure enough, he has continued to swell. He is also bruising where he is swollen. Dr. Crawford said that some people are bruisers, and evidently he is. He is now home and playing host to visitors. We are so relieved that the surgery went well and he is doing so great! We love him!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Although this is me playing soccer, I just had my first 7th grade basketball game. I scored 6 points, grabbed 3 rebounds and had several assists. Mom says, "Kolby is just an athletic animal!" I played point guard most of the game, but was wing for about 2 minutes. We beat Chief Jo, 27-13. Only half of my team played in the game. My team is split into two teams of about 9 and those two groups switch off playing every other game.
P.S. Darci- I am pretty sure I have a bunch of grammatical errors and such, so please don't waste your time editing them!
-Kolby
I can do the stilts!
Braden suc
cessfully ended his High School XC career at a Banquet Thursday night. He was honored for being a team captain and won the Most Inspirational award which was voted on by his teammates. He also won the Bomber of the Meet at the Nike Pre-National Meet in Portland, Oregon earlier in the season. I thought he should have won every award possible for all the sacrifices he made to run, but I'm just his mom. His best 5k time was 17:28 or something ridiculous like that. He now is looking forward to winter conditioning and preparing for the spring track season. He wants to run (and he is very good at) the 800 and 400. Oh, and he has to have jaw surgery first and recover from it. That is scheduled next week (Nov. 20th). We will have an early Turkey Day on Sunday for him. Back to XC, I loved watching him run, and was really proud of how hard (that cannot be emphasized enough) he worked. He was a great example of dedication (did I mean obsession?) to everyone. Maybe he will run a marathon someday and I can watch him then. For now, I look forward to track season, too. Mom
cessfully ended his High School XC career at a Banquet Thursday night. He was honored for being a team captain and won the Most Inspirational award which was voted on by his teammates. He also won the Bomber of the Meet at the Nike Pre-National Meet in Portland, Oregon earlier in the season. I thought he should have won every award possible for all the sacrifices he made to run, but I'm just his mom. His best 5k time was 17:28 or something ridiculous like that. He now is looking forward to winter conditioning and preparing for the spring track season. He wants to run (and he is very good at) the 800 and 400. Oh, and he has to have jaw surgery first and recover from it. That is scheduled next week (Nov. 20th). We will have an early Turkey Day on Sunday for him. Back to XC, I loved watching him run, and was really proud of how hard (that cannot be emphasized enough) he worked. He was a great example of dedication (did I mean obsession?) to everyone. Maybe he will run a marathon someday and I can watch him then. For now, I look forward to track season, too. Mom
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Hello from Provo everyone! I played with the blog and had some fun with making it cute. Mom will appreciate it at least. ( : I'm exhausted after a long day though so I'm off to bed. Good luck with school and work and housekeeping and sports and seminary and everything else that all of you do! Love you all.
- Darci
- Darci
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