I LOVE WINTER!

I LOVE WINTER!
Ice Castle in Midway, Utah

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Little Red Hen and the California Wave House

I need to preface this next blog with the story of the Little Red Hen.  Remember that one?  My favorite children's story and one that I repeat constantly to my own. 


There once was a little hen who had some chicks. One day, she wanted to bake some bread. So she invited the animals on the farm to help her plant the seeds, water, harvest, and grind the wheat to bake the bread.


However, each animal declined to help with the project so she and her chicks did all the work.


When it came time to eat the bread, all the farm animals eagerly waited for their portion.  But did the wise little hen offer her precious loaf of bread to them?  Nope. She and her little chicks devoured the whole thing right in front of them.



So what does this story have to do with the California Wave House?  Well, there once was a little mother who, with her flock of children, agreed that the next family trip to California would be one that everyone would have to earn.  (Because the little mother was getting tired of the children only wanting to do the fun things with the family but not do any of the work or take care of their responsibilities).  So, for the next two months, three of the four children worked diligently in making sure their rooms were clean, piano was practiced, and homework done without any nagging from their little mother. However, at the "end of the day", just like one of those farm animals who refused to help out with the chores thinking they'd get a slice of the loaf of bread anyway, one of those four sweet children had not kept his end of the bargain and therefore did not earn the priviledge of going on the trip.

So, in the following pictures you will see only three of the four children having the time of their lives in this most fun and anticipated activity. And thanks to Aunt Amy, who most generously gave each child Christmas money to pay for their tickets, did they have the best time ever.











(And as the fourth child? Well, so far...no missing assignments, test scores are up, bedroom is immaculate, and he just finished practicing the piano and has headed out the door to Mutual. Hmmm, that wise little hen knew what she was doing after all!)
Bran-man, we love you!  You'll get it...just hang in there!
(And like Bishop Burton said his his talk this last conference, these life lessons are more agonizing for the parents than they are for the child.  Boy is that ever true!  But, I know he'll thank me for it one day!)

Monday, January 11, 2010

Raul DiBlasio



My favorite piano composer.  He was born in Argentina, but didn't become famous until after he moved to Chile.  Enjoy!

More posts are coming soon

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

In memory of Jim

On Tuesday morning December 29, a dear friend of ours suddenly and unexpectedly passed away leaving behind not only his wife Miyo and daughters Jamie, Leslie, and a son Brett who is serving a mission in Korea, but a mourning commuinty of neighbors and a host of "proficient" tennis players. I am posting some video clips from a fishing trip that our families took together in remembrance. My boys still talk about it to this day.


Jim, coach, friend, there aren't words to describe how much we will miss you!




Saturday, December 26, 2009

What are friends made of?...

Sugar and spice
and everything nice.
That's what friends are made of!

Once a month, I get together with the best kind of ladies. We say we're only going to lunch for an hour and it ALWAYS ends up being at least two.
(Who are we kidding?)

And once a week, after a grueling game of tennis we somehow manage to drag ourselves to a restaurant for lunch (below, at the Cowboy Grub).  I'm tellin' ya, it's tough...all that laughin' and jokin' around can really put a thick layer of sweat on!  (Tennis?  Ya, there's some of that going on too..)

At the end of this year, FRIENDS are what I've been the most grateful for...they last forever and I never have to dust them!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Brian's Baptism

Brian was baptized and confirmed a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
on Saturday, December 5 by David.



A bitter sweet day...Our last...no more...but how exciting!

After the baptism, we all went back to our house for lunch. 

Dave just can't get enough of these cute little nieces!



Neither can Bradley

Okay, neither can Morgan



The Patriarchs

David's grandma has been to all of our kid's baptisms.  David went to Ogden to pick her up on Friday, we took her to a Christmas concert that night.  She slept the night in Morgan's room and after the baptism on Satuday, (and a good long nap) David took her out to dinner at the Lion House before taking her back to Ogden later that night.

Uncle Lee and Grami.

Rock and Linda (Brian's adopted grandparents) also have been to all four baptisms over the years.  They're our best friends and we love them SO DEARLY!!!



Just gotta love those cousins!
We feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family so close by to be able to share wonderful moments and make lasting memories.  Brian will remember this day with a smile.