The Clinger Family

We went to North Pole, CO awhile back, during our "stay-cation" and had a great time. Here are some pictures from my phone from that day. And just a little piece of trivia, did you know that the song, All by myself, is actually a Rachmaninoff concerto? It's the Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18: II. Adagio Sostenato .

Violet's first ride on a Merry-Go-Round. She loved it of course and didn't want to get off.

Poor Karl, it was a tight squeeze and I was done with round and round rides.

The awesomest picture ever!

So, today I decided I wanted to see what Violets hair would look like curled, so I did pin curls on her. It's going to take some practice to get them to look more ringlety, but that's why I did it on a Monday morning, and not a Saturday night, before church!

BEFORE

AFTER

I just told her to smile, she doesn't even know she's funny looking yet.

Now she does!

Right before Halloween, probably around the 28th or 29th, we got a huge snow storm. I've been wanting to post these pictures, but on the 31st we got a phone call from Texas, saying that Karl's paternal grandma, Angelita, was dying and asking for him. With that kind of message, we packed up, got an oil change and headed straight to Texas, driving 20 straight hours through the night, arriving the next morning around 9:30 am. We made it on time, and were able to visit her while she was still awake and lucid. We stayed at the Holiday Inn on the bay, which is right across the street from the Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital. It was beautiful, the weather was mild and temperate, and it was wonderful to be around so much family. She fell asleep shortly after we arrived, and barely regained consciousness for the week that we were there. We finally decided that we would leave on Sunday, come what may, and miss the funeral. That day came, and early that morning she passed peacefully in her sleep. We were happy to see her, and happy for her. It was a wonderful trip, regardless of the circumstances. We took our time coming home, stopping in New Mexico at the Carlsbad Caverns, which was AWESOME, and Roswell, which was not. For a little town that thrives on tourism, they could really use a lesson on merchandise, customer service, and marketing. It was aweful. But the caverns truly were magnificent, I would recommend a trip there to anyone.

We were only home for about a week before we left again for Thanksgiving in San Diego. That was also a great trip. We spent time with both our families, and the boys really enjoyed playing with their cousins, Taylor, Alexis, Hailey, and Sandra. I enjoyed visiting with my edible nephew James, and kissable sister Lainey Rose. Such wonderful babies. On the way home, we went through NV and UT, and stopped at Cove Fort, which was a small fort run by the Hinkley family during the time of Brigham Young. It was really cool, and worth a stop if you're driving through there. We also drove through the mountains, which was absolutely beautiful, even at night.

So now we're home, after traveling about 80 hours in one months time, and we are thankful to be so. We are also grateful for so much loving family that we are able to visit with and make memories with, that we have places to go, and people to see throughout the country. I am excited for what next year brings, as we already have some trips in the planning stages.