John and Kathryn Ann had a delightful trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, visiting family from October 19 to October 24, 2012.
We were blessed with our 12th grandchild on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. Ivy Elizabeth Rogers was born to Mike and Desi Rogers in the Avista Hospital in Louisville, Boulder, Colorado at 1:27 PM. She weighed only 4 pounds 3 ounces and was 17.5 inches long. She was induced early because of Desi's serious problems with kidney stones. Mother and baby are doing well. She is welcomed by her siblings Emily Jean 6, Mordecai John 4, and Ruby Marie 20 months.
We were excited to visit Melody and Brandon for the first time since they moved to Las Vegas in June, 2012. They rent a condo in a very large complex on the intersection of Durango and West Charleston. They live on the second floor of this building on the right side.
The buildings are very close together with desert landscaping. Melody and Brandon have a lovely three bedroom, two bathroom apartment complete with fireplace.
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| It was Fossil Day at Red Rock and they had lots of interesting exhibits. |
I was amazed at how densely the population lived. In this area of Las Vegas it was commercial or huge apartment or condo complexes.
We enjoyed driving around the loop and hiking in Red Rock Canyon to a little waterfall.
Brandon is doing his residency in Internal Medicine at Valley Hospital Medical Center.
We went to the Old Mormon Fort. Las Vegas was originally settled by the Mormons. When we went to this location about 20 years ago there was hardly a wall left. Now they have created a nice visitors' center. We were invited to have a meal with the homeless in the area but we declined.
Sunday morning, we attended stake conference with Melody and Brandon. Brandon did a beautiful job of playing for the meeting on the pipe organ and also sang with the choir.
Melody and Brandon in their home. Brandon drove us wherever we went while we stayed with them and Melody prepared delicious meals. We had fun playing games and laughing together.
They have a very convenient kitchen with granite counter tops.
Sunday afternoon we went to Wagner's for dinner. Their home is one of the few with grass. They have a trampoline, a basketball court, and fun swings and slides outside for the little ones as well as lots of activities inside. Woody and his first wife had 11 children and now their posterity numbers 50. The home comfortably accommodates the entire family.
Woody and Jan Rasband Wagner were married about six years ago in the Las Vegas Temple after the death of his first wife. Jan's ability to care for nice things, her gracious social skills, and the happy marriage they enjoy has made her loved and appreciated by all of their family. She is a superb hostess!
Janice Rasband Wagner and Kathryn Ann Rasband Rogers. We are first cousins.
Wagners have a elegant grand piano and Brandon shared his talents on the piano. John and Brandon also sang. We had such a fun evening together visiting and getting better acquainted.
Monday morning we went to the chocolate factory then toured the cactus gardens. They weren't actually making chocolates while we were there but they did give us samples.
They have started decorating the cacti with half a million lights.
Later we went to the Clark County Museum in Henderson. It was an interesting place. Nevada became a state on October 31 so they celebrate on the last Friday in October with a state holiday. At the museum they put ghoulish mannequins into some of exhibits. They have period furnished houses, trains, farming and mining equipment, as well as pictures and history of the Las Vegas casinos and Hoover Dam.
Monday afternoon we drove to St. George and visit with Orr and Mavis Hill until Wednesday. Uncle Orr recently celebrated his 90th birthday and their 66th wedding anniversary. December 1 she will be 86. We had such good time together. They provided delicious food in their elegant home. Together we watched the presidential debate, went shopping and ran errands, shared family stories, and took them to vote. John took Orr on walks through the mall and down the pathway near the Virgin River. We cherished the opportunity to spend time with this happy, beloved couple
Orr and Mavis Hill--August 28, 1946.
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| David and John Rogers in Dave's home in St. George. |
Dave and Tam just extended their patio which looks out on to the golf course. The water feature is soothing.
This Hakata doll was produced in the area of Japan where Dave and Tam served their mission. The white doll in the picture above was a gift for their 50th wedding anniversary. Tam especially loved this because of the umbrella. Exquisite umbrellas are ubiquitous in that area of Japan. We had a yummy meal with them then enjoyed their mission pictures, keepsakes, and experiences. They attended their grandson's Colton's missionary farewell on October 21 prior to leaving for the New Zealand Auckland Mission in November.
We had a wonderful trip and were treated with great love and kindness wherever we went. It was a bit of heaven to spend time with our family and make even more tender memories.
