Monday, August 30, 2010
Long Lost Friend!
Today I found a long lost friend in Pennsylvania! I located him just about 45 minutes away from our very first meeting. McKay says he is in all the grocery stores around here. Whenever I would visit the east coast, I would keep an eye out for him. Tiffany used to bring him home with her when she lived in New Jersey. Then suddenly, he disappeared. I could find the brand but not the chocolate filled only some inferior flavor or option. Today I found the "real deal." I was so happy to be reunited. I'm glad he's not gone forever. Of course he shows up just when I'm resolving to cut back on the sweets. Oh well, next week.
Heather & Aaron's New Home!
Here are some pictures I took of Heather and Aaron's new home on our last visit. Since you are all wanting to see it, I thought I would give you a glimpse of this gorgeous home.
The kitchen is still missing the doors but the pantry next to Steve looks awesome since it's just part of the cabinetry.
Cold water from your own drinking fountain in the hall.
Family room TV screen and built-ins.
Upstairs laundry/kids clothes closet area. The washer and dryer will be stacked.
Tanner's built-in bed/dresser.
Jantzen has a built-in bed too.
The girl's bathroom has special places for blow dryers and curling irons. Nice.
Upstairs hallway and railing.
Music room/Living room.
Family room fireplace with window seats.
Master bedroom tub and one vanity.
The kitchen is still missing the doors but the pantry next to Steve looks awesome since it's just part of the cabinetry.
Cold water from your own drinking fountain in the hall.
Family room TV screen and built-ins.
Upstairs laundry/kids clothes closet area. The washer and dryer will be stacked.
Tanner's built-in bed/dresser.
Jantzen has a built-in bed too.
The girl's bathroom has special places for blow dryers and curling irons. Nice.
Upstairs hallway and railing.
Music room/Living room.
Family room fireplace with window seats.
Master bedroom tub and one vanity.
Celebrate 62!
Hooray! Last week we celebrated the day that Steve's retirement is fully vested with his employer. He was hoping to retire by the time he got here, but I think he's having just too much fun flying all over the western half of the country. Anyway, this is a great milestone for him. Now he can make the choice. It's up to him. It was not just his "Fully Vested" day. It was also his 62nd birthday! 
As you can see, we celebrated by sharing a yummy chocolate cupcake from Great Harvest Bakery. We didn't go out to eat but cooked up some stir fry at home instead. I think he was a little excited with his new MultiMaster tool, however! It even comes with accessories and it's own carrying case.
The day before, we were in Idaho babysitting while Heather and Aaron prepared their new house for carpet. We did some serious weeding in our yard and then took the kids to the county fair and out for lunch.
Grandkids love it when Grandpa reads with them.
Here we admire one of Brinley's projects displayed in the 4-H area of the fair. She competed in several categories and did well in all of them including sewing a skirt, modeling it in the Style Review, a microwave cooking demonstration, an art display. Great job, Brinley. We were very impressed. The kids loved the balloons, freeze pops, animal displays and especially the mini donuts.
Here everyone enjoys the video Tanner created spotlighting his troop's scout camp adventure.
The day before, we were in Idaho babysitting while Heather and Aaron prepared their new house for carpet. We did some serious weeding in our yard and then took the kids to the county fair and out for lunch.
Grandkids love it when Grandpa reads with them.
Here we admire one of Brinley's projects displayed in the 4-H area of the fair. She competed in several categories and did well in all of them including sewing a skirt, modeling it in the Style Review, a microwave cooking demonstration, an art display. Great job, Brinley. We were very impressed. The kids loved the balloons, freeze pops, animal displays and especially the mini donuts.
Here everyone enjoys the video Tanner created spotlighting his troop's scout camp adventure.
On our way home, we stopped at Perkins Restaurant and met up with Jackie, Val & Karstan. We sat at one of Jamie's tables so we could be served by the best waitress. She also had some exciting news--she's engaged to be married. They have chosen Nov. 6th. I'll add some pictures later. Jackie sent me some so I need to find them.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday Was A Special Day, It's The Day We...
Drove north and crammed a lot of fun events into a single day. We drove to Hilary and Adam's to put the final touches on our plan. Then off we were to the county fair. We found a perfect, free parking place in the shade, less then one block from the entrance to the fair. That was awesome! We spent some time looking at the displays of homecrafted, homemade, homegrown and homebaked items. It was like going back in time 50 years. We browsed the local vendor displays where the kids got free balloons and chocolate milk and we got ideas for a fireplace on our patio someday. The kids also got some blue cotton candy which most of us enjoyed. All of this time we are checking out the eatery options. We wanted to make the most of our lunch experience. You know that we are all about the food which ended up including 3 ears of corn, lemonade slushes, a gyro, barbecued ribs, a honeybutter scone, and a hamburger.
After about 2 1/2 hours of the fair, we loaded up and drove to a park to crash a family reunion. Actually we were invited. Hilary lives down the street from one of my teenage best friend's daughter. Their family was having the reunion. One of Steve's best teenage friends married into the same family. In our college days we had remained pretty close too, but our wandering ways had interfered with keeping in touch. To make a long story shorter, Hilary helped us re-connect and they invited us to their reunion. We made arrangements to stop by during the last 1/2 hour so we could visit.
We are older and hopefully wiser now, but we all married well and are still committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and our families. Our friend, Randy, is retiring at the end of the month and will be going on a mission in January. They have 25 grandkids and their oldest grandson is leaving on a mission this fall. How did they get so old? It was so fun to get back together. One couple lives in Idaho and the other in Utah. We are hoping to connect again soon.
This is Colleen, my friend Janet's mother. She was one of my mother, Aloha's, dear friends. She was given the assignment by my mother to find my dad a new wife after she died. And she did. Colleen and her sister were responsible for getting my Dad and Ann together. If there was anyone who was like a second mother to me, it was probably Colleen. Her sweetheart passed away a couple of weeks ago and I had missed the funeral so I was glad she came along even though it wasn't her side of the family.
After about 2 1/2 hours of the fair, we loaded up and drove to a park to crash a family reunion. Actually we were invited. Hilary lives down the street from one of my teenage best friend's daughter. Their family was having the reunion. One of Steve's best teenage friends married into the same family. In our college days we had remained pretty close too, but our wandering ways had interfered with keeping in touch. To make a long story shorter, Hilary helped us re-connect and they invited us to their reunion. We made arrangements to stop by during the last 1/2 hour so we could visit.
We are older and hopefully wiser now, but we all married well and are still committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and our families. Our friend, Randy, is retiring at the end of the month and will be going on a mission in January. They have 25 grandkids and their oldest grandson is leaving on a mission this fall. How did they get so old? It was so fun to get back together. One couple lives in Idaho and the other in Utah. We are hoping to connect again soon.
This is Colleen, my friend Janet's mother. She was one of my mother, Aloha's, dear friends. She was given the assignment by my mother to find my dad a new wife after she died. And she did. Colleen and her sister were responsible for getting my Dad and Ann together. If there was anyone who was like a second mother to me, it was probably Colleen. Her sweetheart passed away a couple of weeks ago and I had missed the funeral so I was glad she came along even though it wasn't her side of the family.
Dale, Janet's dad was influential in my life as well. They are wonderful people.
After the reunion, we headed back to Hilary's to celebrate some birthdays. Britton will be 9 on Friday and Steve will be 62 on Sat.. Therefore, I baked a cake and we had pizza and sang Happy Birthday a couple of times. The cake doesn't look like much, but with a 1/2 cup of butter and some pudding, it was actually yummy.
However, Britton and his family are ice cream people. So he picked out a fancy ice cream flavor called Play Dough. It looked just like play dough. I don't know what it tasted like because the cake was so yummy I skipped the play dough. The kids loved it.
After the reunion, we headed back to Hilary's to celebrate some birthdays. Britton will be 9 on Friday and Steve will be 62 on Sat.. Therefore, I baked a cake and we had pizza and sang Happy Birthday a couple of times. The cake doesn't look like much, but with a 1/2 cup of butter and some pudding, it was actually yummy.
However, Britton and his family are ice cream people. So he picked out a fancy ice cream flavor called Play Dough. It looked just like play dough. I don't know what it tasted like because the cake was so yummy I skipped the play dough. The kids loved it.
After the party, we had to head for home. We each had to drive a vehicle home because we were bringing the pickup back to get it inspected and licensed and then let our friends, Dave and Marie, use it for a couple of weeks to move.
It was a most enjoyable day! We enjoyed the family, friends, food and fun! I think these 4 F's make an A+.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Who Skinned The Cat?
I did. Every other week or so we get out the clippers and I trim Steve's hair. I brought the stool into the bathroom and suggested that even though it had only been a week, I thought it needed trimming on top. Usually Steve puts on the guard and then I trim. We don't use a guard for the top, I just trim it to the scalp, but we use a 1/4" guard for the sides. 
The guard was already on so assuming that Steve had put it there, I picked it up and started trimming the sides. Quite a bit of hair came off which surprised me. I quickly realized it was the wrong guard. I tried to blend it but it was too late. So he got skinned like he's never been "skinned" before. I put a big piece of McGyver's tape on the "right" guard so hopefully we won't make that mistake again. Well like Steve says, the only difference between a good hair cut and a bad one is two weeks. Let's hope so.
Yesterday in between client appointments, Steve and I decided to check out a few of the homes in the Parade of Homes. On our way to the SW quadrant of the valley, we spotted a brand new "Now Open" In and Out Burger! There were so many cars, we had to park in a dirt lot next door which was actually marked for parking. Obviously, they were expecting a big crowd and they got it. There were a swarm of workers in white uniforms and red caps and aprons. They came out to the cars and the outside tables and were very efficient and happy as they served the customers quickly. I was pretty amazed at how fast we got our food. We liked the burgers with the tomatoes and grilled onions, but didn't care for their fries or shakes. I'm glad we got to try it out, but I don't think that we will hurry back anytime soon.
This was one of our favorite homes so far. Many of the homes were too dark and some had really contemporary decor with lots of bright colors. I guess we are awfully traditional. We like those with lots of light and the restful, peaceful colors.
Yesterday in between client appointments, Steve and I decided to check out a few of the homes in the Parade of Homes. On our way to the SW quadrant of the valley, we spotted a brand new "Now Open" In and Out Burger! There were so many cars, we had to park in a dirt lot next door which was actually marked for parking. Obviously, they were expecting a big crowd and they got it. There were a swarm of workers in white uniforms and red caps and aprons. They came out to the cars and the outside tables and were very efficient and happy as they served the customers quickly. I was pretty amazed at how fast we got our food. We liked the burgers with the tomatoes and grilled onions, but didn't care for their fries or shakes. I'm glad we got to try it out, but I don't think that we will hurry back anytime soon.
This was one of our favorite homes so far. Many of the homes were too dark and some had really contemporary decor with lots of bright colors. I guess we are awfully traditional. We like those with lots of light and the restful, peaceful colors.
Today our Sunday School lesson was on work. Steve taught them the 8 "W's" of success. " Work will win when wishy-washy wishing won't." Our kids love Steve. Who doesn't?
After church we had missionaries over to dinner. They were very nice young men. One from Boston, one from Virginia and one from Ogden who is waiting for his visa to go to Mexico. I'm not sure if they liked the chicken cacciatori but they loved the bread sticks with Jackie Jam and 2 of them asked for seconds on the peach dessert. I think that they got filled up. It's always nice to have the missionaries and their humble spirit in our home. May God bless them!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
God's Hand in the Founding of America
This is the presidency message from our Relief Society Newsletter for July. I just wanted to share it.
"As we look around us and see corruption, dishonesty, immorality, laziness, greed etc. it is so discouraging and yet we know that this great land of America was founded, and will be preserved through righteousness. We have the responsibility to reverse trends and help bring back righteousness.
Alexis de Tocqueville, a famous French historian wrote 'I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world of commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.' "
May God continue to bless America!
"As we look around us and see corruption, dishonesty, immorality, laziness, greed etc. it is so discouraging and yet we know that this great land of America was founded, and will be preserved through righteousness. We have the responsibility to reverse trends and help bring back righteousness.
Alexis de Tocqueville, a famous French historian wrote 'I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world of commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.' "
May God continue to bless America!
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