Uncle T and Aunty P

Over 60 years ago, a young navy gentleman met a cute Hawaiian gal. 

 He walked miles to court her.  They fell in love.  

Her father (a branch president) interviewed him and prepared him to receive priesthood responsibilities, to help him to be worthy to be with his precious daughter.

They married!

The navy gentleman had a pretty cousin living on a farm on the outskirts of town, living with her widowed father.  The cute Hawaiian gal had many handsome, fun, loving brothers.  

Maybe, one of them would like to go on a blind date?

Yes, one would. 

The blind date was to a Christmas dance in a small mining town, Conda, about 2 miles from Soda Springs, ID on December 24, 1952.   It was a memorable night for all and the beginning of a long distance correspondence courtship.  In April 1954, an Idahoan farm girl and an Hawaiian military (Air Force) young man married.   These are my (Very Involved Mother's) parents.  

And it was because of my second cousin/uncle and my aunty that my parents ever met.  

I am forever grateful to them.

On March 29, we celebrated the life of this Aunty.  

(My cousin/uncle died about 10 years before his loving wife.)  

She lived 86 years. It was a beautiful service.  

The time spent with cousins and aunties will be a wonderful memory for me.

These are 12 of my 55 first cousins on my father's side.

Me, my mother and my sister, K.

Other Happenings on this Quick Trip

I haven't seen snow in a LONG time.  

So guess what happened while we were in Soda?

It snowed!

Growing up, almost every summer, my family would travel to Soda Springs for family reunions.  I have many fond memories of camping at Eight Mile or visiting aunts, uncles and cousins at Hooper Springs.

We always enjoyed visiting the man-controlled geyser in town (see below).

Finally, we got to visit the matron of honor at my parent's wedding, my Aunt I.

She's 10 years older than my mother.  We were so happy to see her.  

We'd heard that she was not doing well, but that day, we were surprised to see her energy up!

We had a wonderful time visiting with her.  

We also visited my Aunt V.  She looked to be doing well too!

She was pleasantly surprised by our impromptu visit.

That was my trip with my Mom, the "farm girl" from Idaho.

We visited 4 states (Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona or 5 if you count California) in 5 days!

And I even got to see (fly over) the Grand Canyon!  

A first for Very Involved Mom.