The Powder-Blue Suit

Have you ever seen two little boys more alike??


















Brian was a child of the eighties, and his powder-blue suit tells the tale! (Jeff owned one himself and wore it the first time I met him at Sunday dinner in our apartment. It was his "I'm not a missionary anymore" suit!) When Tyler came down our pew in Sacrament Meeting Sunday wearing the suit, I couldn't believe my eyes! He looked like Brian reincarnated!

But, alas. A boy of the eighties can only do a "pretty smile" for so long. As can a child of the twenty-first century...Like father like son...

I'm so glad I saved the powder-blue suit. Mock it all you want, siblings!!

A Fun Weekend

Amy brought her roommates , Kaylee (from Iowa) and Aleks (from Alaska) home for the weekend.

Neither roommate had ever been to Las Vegas before so they took in all the sights on the Strip. They visited the conservatory and the dancing fountains at the Bellagio, the shops and moving statues at the Forum in Caesar's Palace, and were serenaded on a gondola ride at the Venetian.

Sunday we went to church, had the family over for dinner, visited and played "Apples to Apples" and watched "Father Goose."

Monday they had to drive back to school, but before they left we walked across Hoover Dam.

Living so close to the dam, we tend to take this engineering marvel for granted. It does us good to visit with guests once in a while to remember how incredible it really is! Over 700' high, built in the 1930's, finished BEFORE deadline, and under budget. You don't hear things like THAT anymore! What an amazing piece of engineering and construction it is!

Kaylee took this cute family photo of us on the dam.

The girls made it home safely and it was fun to have them visit!

I am a Nosy Nerd

Okay, I admit it. I am nosy. Or maybe I am just interested in other people's lives. I have saved every Christmas newsletter I've ever gotten. And scrapbooked them.
During the first years of my marriage, when I used to write letters to my best friend from junior high and high school, I saved ALL the letters she wrote to me and kept them in this binder.

Obviously, I still have them.

I also love reading books about real people and their lives.


So I think that is why I love the world of blogging so much. I absolutely hate it that as I get older, my circle of family and friends has gotten so big that it is pretty much impossible to keep up with everyone. These are all people I love so much, that I wish I could talk to each of them every day and see what is going on in their lives. Impossible though. BUT! Pretty much every day I check my children's blogs (not that I don't talk to THEM every day...) and I check the blogs of friends, nieces, nephews (and yes, I admit it-acquaintances!, sometimes even strangers!) about once a week.

Through blogs I can know that my-husband's-brother's-daughter's- daughter Jessica got three stitches in her forehead this week. I can know that my husband's-sister's- son's-daughter Rachel is already lobbying to go to Disneyland at one year old! I can know that my husband's-sister's-daughter's-daughter knows her Gramma Joy WOULD give her cake for breakfast when her mother WON'T (mean Mommy!) I can know the funny things Amy hears in passing people on campus at BYU - things she would probably not think to tell me when we talk on the phone.

I can learn how to cook yummy food like Pioneer Woman. I can see a really funny video of little Charlie biting his brother. I can learn to make a really cool cat from a cast-off sock and glove. Heck, I can even learn what some stitcher in Finland made for her Christmas ornament exchange...(Okay, I know that's a bit extreme. Sometimes I need to set a limit for myself on how long I can follow tangents on blogs.)

I do love the photos, thoughts, and insights I get from blogging. I love that I get to know people better this way.

I know some people think blogging is dumb and self-centered. But. I am a nosy nerd. I love it!

Big Girls

Julie and Madison on their way to Catalina Island Marine Institute for three days - "alone!"

Maddie, Julie, and Ally were "the little girls" for so long; it's still hard to think of them as BIG! However, I must resign myself to the idea that Maddie will be a (gulp) TEENager this year! Julie will turn TWELVE in May and "Little" Ally will be TEN in June. They truly are growing up into sweet, lovely young ladies.

Sending them off "alone" to Sea Camp was still difficult...although they were both so excited they could hardly stand it. I can't wait to hear about their adventures when they get back.

President Hinckley's Funeral

When I heard last Sunday evening that President Hinckley had passed away at home with his family, I hardly even felt a little sad. I was so happy he had gone peacefully, surrounded by those he loved, without pain and with his dignity. I knew he was so anxious to see Marjorie, his sweet wife of 66+ years. I knew he was being welcomed home, to a place where he was loved and cherished. I knew he had fought a good fight on the earth and that it was his time to go. I knew I would miss him, but I honestly didn't feel sad.

Today, as I watched his funeral on TV and listened to the many wonderful things said about him I couldn't have agreed more. President Hinckley was a great man. He was a great prophet. He led the Church in new directions - smaller temples in greater numbers, increased emphasis on missionary work, a greater public awareness through media campaigns, to mention a few. I knew I would miss his leadership, but I didn't feel sad.

He loved people and let them know it. He was sensitive to the needs of others. He exemplified the love of Christ for those around him. His unshakable testimony in a loving God and our savior, Jesus Christ was an example to all of us. I am so thankful for him. I knew I would miss him, but I didn't feel sad.

But, during the closing song of the funeral, as they showed video clips of President Hinckley smiling, going about his business, shaking hands with all ages, shoveling dirt, watching programs, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, showing his love for others...I finally realized that I was sad. I am sad that he won't be here any more for me to enjoy. Sad that I'll never hear him tell another joke in General Conference. Sad that I won't see his smiling face anymore. Sad that I won't see him "waving his cane" instead of using it to walk. Sad that I won't have his love and guidance for ME in MY life. Sad that he is gone and I am still here. Not sad for him. Sad for me. I will miss you, President Hinckley. Thank you for your love and example. Thank you for your service.

Valley of Fire

We spent a fun day off from school and work yesterday. Dad drove Maddie, Julie, Ally, Jimmy, Allyson, Sydney, and me to Valley of Fire in the motorhome for the day. The weather was cold and clear, the scenery was beautiful, the company was great, the picnic was yummy, the exercise was good and not TOO strenuous, and a good time was had by all!
Nobody thought to bring the baby backpack (!) so we had to take turns carrying Sydney on our short jaunts into the red rocks. Good thing she's little and there were so many willing participants. Thanks, Julie!

Ally feels victorious after scrambling up some large rocks!

Walking and exploring...

You've heard of cliff-diving into the lake? These guys are "rock jumping" into the sand. Allyson FLIES!
Little Ally takes her turn...

...and Sydney scoots off too!

Maddie jumps! (I'll probably be in trouble for posting this one. This part of the trip was quite warm and Maddie had just shed her two sweatshirts and sweater. She won't appreciated being posted in her undershirt!! Sorry, Maddie.)

We loved all the fun cubby holes in the rocks.

Julie and Ally climbed to these high ones.

Dad took us up a short but very difficult climb, through an arch, and around a bend to this really cool "stairway to heaven." This picture doesn't do it justice, but it was a steep and scary climb.

Good thing we had Dad to hold the staircase open for us!

We remembered this natural stage at the Seven Sisters formation as about three times this big, but it was still roomy enough for this lovely rendition of the can-can. Even Jimmy joined in. Later he said, "I don't why I did that..." The girls enjoyed it!

By the end of the day the girls (Maddie especially) were exhausted.


They did manage to summon up enough energy for one last show with Allyson.

I'm so grateful and glad that we live in a place where we can get out and enjoy the beauties of God's creations in the middle of winter! It makes those hot, hot summers worthwhile!

Jeff Won

Okay, it may be January 20, but I still had one Christmas post I needed to make that I never got to. Jeff and I had decided that since we have everything we could possibly ever need, we wouldn't get each other any presents for Christmas. Then we relented and decided instead that we would have a contest and see which of us could get the best present for the other for under $20.

Jeff went to Hallmark and enlisted the help of Caitlin, Amy's friend from high school. They wandered around until he found the Willow Tree figurines. Since he knew how much I LOVE my Willow Tree nativity set, he figured that might be a good present. But how could he decide which one? Caitlin suggested the new ox and goat to supplement the nativity, but Dad wasn't sure...They seemed so...mundane. Amy was shopping in Henderson with a friend (we're talking Christmas Eve day here, of course!) Dad called Amy and told her his dilemma. She was on her way home, so he told her to stop by and help him decide. In the meantime he studied them all seriously. By the time Amy and Mandy arrived (and finished hugging Caitlin-all three were home from college!) Dad had already made his choice.

He showed them the above figurine. It is called "Love" and Jeff picked it out because "she will think it is sweet." He's right. I do. I love it and have given it a special place in the dining room. I think he is sweet too, and I appreciate all his effort to find something I would love. Thanks, hon.


PS-My contest gift was a weather forecasting clock for the Mt. Pleasant home. It was cool, but not even one bit "sweet." (And really, it was disqualified - because it was $29.99...)