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