Fun on the Town

Well, yes we headed out on the 4 day weekend to do some business for Brent...and I got to go along and have some fun. Las Vegas is a money pit, but I don't gamble too much, it's just that we like to see the shows! We stayed at the Golden Nugget, we love it there, not too busy and great rooms. Found this place one December when we went to the National Finals Rodeo with LeAnne and Norman a few years ago.

They have great small theater that we have seen a few shows in. Very intimate and you really can see the performer. This time we saw "Defending the Caveman!" Yep Brent dragged me there by the hair, caveman style! Really funny and also enlightening for both of us, mostly the caveman...or maybe me too!

We swam with the sharks in their shark tank and have to admit, it was a wee bit cold so loved their big hot tub. It is really cool to see a shark up close and personal and see all his rows of teeth, big and spikey, from underneath him. Glad we had heavy duty glass between us. Too bad the pic don't show the sharks! They have a glass water slide that runs right down through the shark tank, pretty fun!


The best of the fun was seeing the play Mamma Mia ! It was so good. It was the reason we went to Vegas, what a treat for me! What a fun show. Love Abba and the play is better than the movie, but loved that too!


After we left Vegas we checked out some sites for work in St George, then over to Kanab. Boy that is an interesting and beautiful town. We had Chicken Fried's at the famous diner there where all the cowboy movie stars ate. Good and fast service. Then to see a sunset glowing on the red bluffs, and turning all the cliffs on fire. So beautiful! We went to their movie house to see a 30's western, but the little old lady, and I do mean old, decided to show Pajama Game instead. Half of the 10 patrons left. I would rather have seen Tex Ritter in the show "the Utah Trail", but instead we got Doris Day. It just wasn't worth getting our $2.00 back and then go and watch TV. We decided Kanab was an interesting and kind of weird town.


Then we headed home and made a stop at the Coral Pink Sand dunes, we had tried to go there years ago, but it was getting late and we hardly had any gas, so decided to be safe and skipped the extra ride. But we were prepared this time, early in the day and lots of gas! In fact we were so prepared that we made a stop after we left and scooped up some of the pink sand to put into our little turtle sand box for the grandkids to enjoy! Lovely sight to see.



By the Way..... A GREAT BIG THANKS TO ALL YOU VETS AND THE SERVICE YOU HAVE GIVEN FOR US... Especially to my Dad, my brother and our son. Your sacrifices are appreciated now and for all our future generations.

Twilighter

Yep, I read the first one last week, and will read the rest. It's a fun light escape and so much better than any Anne Rice wrote. Been told by Carol to read them and I always obey my big sister! So take the quiz and see who you are!


Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Halloween Bugs

Cutest bugs in the world were our grandkids.... 2 spiders and one beautiful butterfly! Aren't they the cutest? Sure makes a holiday fun! Who's the scariest, Brent or the twins.

Emmalee Marie

Such a little sweet sugar cookie! Shane and Ashley had our little darling on September 25th. 6 pounds 12 ounces and truly a bundle of joy! So lucky to have the special opportunity to have them living with us during this time. It has been great! Both are wonderful parents and so cute with her. It is such a gratifying feeling seeing their love as a family.

Trippin' Again!

Myrtle Beach

Yep, we've been on a trip to South Carolina and boy was it fun. We first hit Charleston and took in the sights and history. Loved riding in the horse drawn carriage and being transported back in time and seeing all the beautiful homes and haunts, markets and the pigs statues in front of the home of the Piggly Wiggly store owners. Saw Fort Sumpter from a distance and love the ocean.

We ate in the most quaint, busy, side-of-the road restaurant. I had an orange Nehi drink and seafood. Lots of fun, had to park down the lane and walk a block, there were so many people there to get into this little spot.

In our 7th floor condo on the beach, at Myrtle Beach, the sights went on forever. Boy, oh boy do I love the ocean and the sunrises. We only had to go down the elevator, pass the pool and walk on the 15 foot boardwalk to get our toes in the sand. Just perfect place to stay.

We saw the group Alabama and a few other shows while we were there, but the best is the golfing.... 200+ courses in the area. Brent went 4 times and I went once. It was a fun time. The Witch Golf Course had swamps you drove through between holes and critters making all kinds of noise, and they preface your round with "Don't try and retrieve any balls in the water or woods."... And we could see why. But I didn't see any alligators in the ponds. Brent saw one on another course.

We saw the most beautiful gardens with statues and glorious art just hanging out at Brookgreen gardens. We had a river ride to see the old rice fields and then to the zoo on the plantation. Most huge spiders ever! Got to see a super long alligator, birds and foxes and so many more.

I even saw my first cardinal! Been on that quest since I was a little girl, so check that one off the list of lifetime "must see's"!

Everything there is cooked Calabash style, lightly floured and then fried. Some was good and some wasn't. We took a trip up to the border of North Carolina and had more Calabash at the original Calabash, NC! I loved that one, but Brent didn't, but that is because he only like buffets!
But we were both Calabashed out by the last day (The Giant Crab buffet did it for me!). So we hit Jimmy Buiffet's Margaritaville just hours before the real hurricane landed. Lucky we were out and had flown away on our way home by then. It hit just a few miles from our condo. So that was fun, too!

Labor Day was a fun time to go.
LOVE TO GO TRIPPIN!

Best of Times

Boy, oh boy, what a fun and relaxing evening up at the Red Butte Gardens last night. We got to see the Rhubarb Tour, sponsored by Ketchup! We love Garrison Keillor's ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ radio show and even the movie. He has such a great way of looking at life's happenings. I really loved his ode to Dad. Touching and of course got me all misty. Several years ago for Brent’s birthday we went to see him in concert with the Utah Symphony and really enjoyed that. The music, the stories, the sound affects, the venue, the weather, the night sky and especially my companion were all perfect. Couldn’t ask for a nicer time!

No One to Blame But Me!

I just hate haircuts!

Just mine, of course. It always takes weeks to get over one, no actually months, this time! I loved to cut hair, but always wanted it to be just what the customer wanted and usually got it right. Problem with me is those spur of the moment ideas and choices and knowing it will grow, eventually. Got daring and had an A-line, but whew, way to short, guess I will like it by December! But the one good thing is that my neck is way-cool!

Another funny thing happened to me earlier this summer, I wanted to go strawberry blonde and ended up with the color of a copper penny, just had to add some drabber and wait for it to all wash out in a week. Pretty funny, but you have to get your jollies where you can! I have always said it is better to wear funny socks and color your hair, because it would be really dumb to change husbands!

Blessings

I am grateful for my sis and good doctors and hospitals. It has been 3 weeks and finally Carol is out of the hospital and at home. Pretty tough and extremely lucky to be getting over an aneurism on your aorta. Glad this is behind us now and she can start to live her life again. Blessings and Thanks!

Just Beauty!

I think I'll never regret getting up early to see a glorious morning sunrise or working late enough to drive home in the orange hues of a beautiful sunset or sitting on a cruise deck or some balcony with Brent to see the fading orb drop into the sea. Just Beauty! And God has even given us rainbows when we are lucky enough to see them.

And then there are fireworks! LOVE them, and all that goes with them; the cool dusky air, the smell of the grass, the anticipation of waiting, all of those new glow-in-the-dark halo's and light sabers and the smell of the park food. I especially love the sounds and giggles of all the children playing with the adults muffled chatter in the background. Then, all are silent followed by an "ooohh" or an "awe" and when the first flash, crackle and pop displays a multitude of bright colors filling the child in all of us with wonder. Who can't love the falling glitter and the surprise of extra explosions at the end when you thought that one was done... All the bangs and the smell of gun powder in the fading brilliance and twinkling bits. It’s a bit of heaven on earth for a half hour. Sometimes, we even get music to synchronize with the blast and flood of colors in the night sky. I can't wait for the 4th of July family celebration in the park!

Fathers

Oh how lucky I am to have had a wonderful father, miss him and appreciate his sense of humor and of course all he taught me to make me whom I am today. GO CARDS!

But then there is the man that made me a mother, dear Brent. We've been together so long, I don't remember life without him and can't imagine one. Little did I know that love-at-first-sight existed or could mean such long-lasting love and a joyous life for me. He is a truly great husband and father. I remember one time one of my friends said years ago, just how lucky I was to have both the best husband and father in one man. Yes, I DO know just how fortunate that first glance at him was, all those years ago, but who would have known we all were to be so blessed?

He is a great example of how to love a woman and how to be a real father. He has shown hard and constant exemplary work in all he does, and is always steady and stable in his own goals and unique zest for life. No one loves with so much heart, be it his love for me, the kids or our grand kids. It's actually in everything he does, just like the joy he shows when he's singing and yodeling with me in the car.

No matter what sport he tries, his love of life is clearly visible, whether it is sculling on the Great Salt Lake, pitching in a softball game, training for a marathon or swinging his clubs in golf. He truly does enjoys any sport he tries, and keeps on trying to get better (no matter how early the hour may be....). And then he still has to put up with me... takes such a huge heart. You just can't help but love and admire him! GO ZIPPY!

Easy to Love

I woke up today thinking how easy Mary is to Love.


All she asks for is a little respect for her talents and contributions, a little compassion for her feelings and desires and a little appreciation for her efforts.


In return I get the partner in everything we do for for our whole life and eternity.


I get understanding, appreciation, love, respect, support. She laughs at my jokes, navigates when we drive together, cares about my job, cooks my favorite foods, scratches my back and forgives me when I mow down her plants in the back yard.


I think that all in all, I win.

Me

Happy Mother's Day
OK so I was thinking ahead, by about a month when we were at Costco one day and I tried to get Mom to get a set of golf clubs. "Get them for me for Mother's Day" she said. So today, Saturday, I go to Costco ( disguised as a trip to get gas) and they are not open yet, so we go together this afternoon and low and behold, she still lets me get them for her.

Now, some of you may think this was nothing but imposing my will on her - but believe me - and I guess the old adage of getting other presents you would want if you were them, still holds true.

So we bring them home and go into the back yard to try them out and she hits balls from the back patio into the back of the yard and has the idea to go and hit them back towards the house. She happens to hit her best hit of the day and lofts a nice 7 iron from the back property line and sales the ball into the area above where the fireplace vent is, above the deck, between all the nice picture windows in the family room and bounces it off the stucco. At which point Roy brings out the wiffle balls, because he was standing in the kitchen door way when the ball bounced off the wall.

This present goes along way to match getting bowling balls and sleeping bags, now our lives have changed and it will be fun to find some golf courses where we can hack around the course just enjoy being together and laugh and drive golf carts and have fun - together.

Happy Birthday Brent!

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart, the man of my dreams and heart.
We had a BBQ yesterday, not for his birthday.... (really, just a coincidence!! right???)... he hates to have the lime-light on him, but he sure did get some fun presents. The day was 'beauty' as he says, just a perfect sunny afternoon with family and friends. He loves to cook for a crowd and we all had a good time. So much fun watching the grandkids loving our back yard and rolling down the hill.
Now to get to the chicken dinner he loves on his birthday.

Thrilled X4

Just want to brag on the kids!

We were thrilled to see Justin take the next step in his education and career preparation. He was accepted to the Masters program at BYU, in Education Administration. It is a two year course and he will be very busy will all his teaching duties, coaching responsibilities and family commitments. He begins this May. We feel that BYU only has a small inkling of how smart their decision to admit him, really is. He is a fine man in his own right, made better by the support of his Ashley and their kids.

Shane will graduate from the University of Utah with his Masters degree in Social Work. He has worked hard to accomplish this and is looking forward to now getting on with all the other exciting possibilities that lay ahead for him and his Ashley.

Jamie, Tommy’s better half, will also graduate in May from the University of Utah with her degree in Accounting. She has accomplished this while maintaining her career and her home life, including remodeling their home, finding time to play and of course, taking care of our granddogs. The two of them set some big goals and are now enjoying the rewards of meeting and exceeding their goals.

Roy defines the term dedicated. He is now one of the top outside sales people at Home Depot, in Utah. He is now seeing good results from his 12 hour days, six day weeks that he has put into the job, this spring.

All our kids and their wives and families bring a lot of joy in our lives. As proud parents, we want to offer our congrats for their achievements. I wonder what comes next????

St Patty's Day Celebration

We had our traditional St Patrick's Day party last night. For probably 10 years we get family and friends over to Brent's sister LeAnne's house for corned beef and cabbage and lots of other good Irish and green foods.

Then we all watch the 1952 movie "The Quiet Man" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. It turns out we are like a cult watching it, in the same way that others watch "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". We especially like it when we have an engaged couple or newlyweds with us, so they can be properly indoctrinated, too.

We all get a hoot out of it and even sing along or at certain parts in unison we all start chanting, dum dum, dum dum, dum dum, didly dee dee, dum dum..... during the scene where he is pulling Mary Kate back to her brother or the big fight scene. Oh so many memorable quotes. For those of us who are true coinsures, most of those quotes just pop out, like "Woman of the house!" or "No patty-fingers, if you please." or " He'll regret it till his dying day, if ever he lives that long." and they just go on and on. So enjoyable!

The day usually starts out at the SLC St Patrick's day parade, then the fair with Irish food for lunch. Through the years, LeAnne has gathered up lots of hats, necklaces, lighted bow-ties, pins and anything to do with St Patty's day and we all get very festive for the occasion, even face painting and green tats. The last couple of years Clint, LeAnne's son and our nephew wears his kilt, and did I day he is learning to play bag pipes...maybe a concert some day. Not sure if he wears it in the proper manner.

You should rent it and watch it for St Patrick's Day and I know it would be a fun time for all!

Cat & Mouse

I bet this may have happened to you all too frequently and surely not at the best time, if you are owned by a cat. Here you are being oh, so, productive on your computer, just typing away and 'plop', you hear the feet pounce on the desk, then a wet nose nudge on you hand and your hand skittles over the keyboard, where they should not be. Then trying to undo and retrieve what should have been there the first time and yep, the furry paws walk on the keyboard again, and a whole new bunch of strokes are auto-cat-ically or kitty-magically added to your screen.

Cats love mice (Spot's breath smells like it) and he really loves to niggle your hand when you are using yours, making you not too effective on your purpose at hand. You just barely get that back under control and wait, then there is the paw reaching out to you or the feel of the rough tongue lick on the hand.

Yep, you have to give in and give him a quick scratch behind the ears and you are rewarded with that loud vibrating purr machine, volume turned up... and the serene green eyes looking up at you. Now a peaceful moment as Spot lies down luckily not on your keyboard, but next to your left hand covering the sheets you needed to see, so he can nudge and lick when he feels like it. Then after a few cat moments, he gets up and saunters off and out of the room with a polite "meow". Sure do love having critters, even if it is not your choice when they want some lovin'.

Wild Horses in the Big Horn Range in Wyoming

Really saw them and they were beautiful. Saw 100's of antelope and more deer than I could count. This is just off the road between Worland and Meteetsee. The scenery has a beauty all of it's own