Welcome Home Hannah - at least for this weekend!

Hannah is arriving tomorrow a.m. and will be here until Tuesday a.m. when she departs for London via Atlanta, Georgia. We are excited to see her - and look forward to her adventures in jolly old England!! (I'm frankly jealous!!)

Sunday we're having a crowd for dinner so Hannah can see everyone. We'll snap some photos so you can "wish you were here!" In the meantime, here's a shot of Hannah's middle school promotion, some kind of program at Mayflower and one of my fave shots of Hannah the Toddler!!

A Riddle for You

Here is question for all of you.
I am trying to guess the name my friend is planning on using for her new baby boy. Here is the criteria.

It starts with an N
It is more or less than 6 letters, but not 6 letters
It can have or be a nickname
It is not a last name
It may be comsidered slightly nerdy
It was also the name of a General Authority, not an Apostle, who is not currently serving
Her grandmother approved

It is not Rumplestiltskin.

Any guesses?

Easter

Sorry these went a bit wonky - it is rather late. (best british accent there)
Esme' getting ready to hunt.
Dawn, doing what parents do best, document.




Kaahl and Annika






Noah and Summer

2 final pix

Calvin saying hi.
Henry in the tree. He was a good climber.

part three

  

Phoebe's Spring Break part deux

 
Phoebe and the kids at the Malibu Pier. 

A Visit From Phoebe

Phoebe was here last week, but it's been busy and hectic and I haven't posted anything about it! That is not to say that we didn't love having her and the boys here - even if it was quick!!

It was her spring break, but we were in Boston, so she spent the first half of her trip in Malibu with Bonny and family. They had a great time there at the beach and other assorted spots.

They came to Monrovia on Wednesday afternoon - and since Harry and Dawn and kids are living with us now, she and the boys bunked out in the Presidential Suite in the garage. Calvin warmed up pretty quickly - which is always nice. They headed back Friday a.m. and we are looking forward to seeing them again over Memorial Day weekend.

The shot of Phoebe is probably not a fave of hers - it was bed hair at its best - she'd just gotten up and I was heading off to school, but I wanted one with her and Henry and Calvin. The shot of Noah and Porter features the motorized wheelchair that we are storing here for Harry and Dawn. Well, it's not really for them - it's for Marjorie to use when she's here and they want to go to the mall or Disneyland or something. But Noah and Porter were having a fine time with it.

I Wish I Was in Dixie

Matt and I went down to Dixie this weekend. Matt's brother Brian has a timeshare in Washington (just outside of St. George, for the uninitiated), so we cut out from work early on Friday and headed down to share the time, trying to ignore pesky thoughts of impending finals (Matt's sooner than mine--his start on Wednesday).

In the fashion of the St. George I remember from my youth, we lounged by the pool all day Saturday and spent the evening eating ice cream, watching TV, and chatting. Today we made the rounds to the SG temple, Brigham Young's winter home, and the SG tabernacle. And church fit in there somewhere too. Good fun all around.

This time last year we spent a weekend there and I, very stupidly, got the kind of sunburn that takes a few years off your skin's life (or your own life). I actually had chills for several days. I am usually very careful but I got cocky and forgot how harsh the sun is there, plus didn't factor in that it was April and I hadn't seen much sun in months, being an office slave and all. It was actually very scary and I felt very dumb. This year I went nuts with the sunscreen and was happily left unscathed. Well, not as unscathed as I would have been had I stayed inside all day, but you know what I mean. I had flashbacks from my lifeguarding summers--reapplying the 'screen every hour; walking around the pool deck with Matt's T-shirt on over my suit, eyeing the kids to make sure no one stayed under for too long.

Also I'd like to point out my new shirt, a personalized B-day present from Hannah. Hannah's got quite the racket going with her very cute hand-embellished clothing. I'll say I knew her when.

Also I'd like to point out that Matt's head looks photoshopped onto this picture.

Hope you all had a dandy weekend!

Calling all relatives of Chuck Taylor!

Check out my blog for details on Chuck's baptism Saturday.

Cartoon of the Day

Saw this in the times yesterday and couldn't resist.

This is a birthday card . . .

I went looking for memorable photos of Bruce - of which we have many I am sure. But got distracted by these two - memorable (a) because one represents when the family circle first included Bruce and (2) the other represents the new generation joining the circle.

So Happy Birthday Bruce - the circle keeps growing - and we're glad you got things going!!

It's All I Can Do

...Borrow a picture of Bruce from Bonny's blog, that is.

I'm not insinuating that this is all Bruce can do. I just saw an opportunity to reference The Cars and took it.



Happy Birthday, Bruce!

May your day be full of things you love.

Crabbe and Goyle

  

Bon Anniversaire a ma chere fille!

I have been waiting to post this on Eliza's bday!! Hope it's a happy one - we are all thinking about you and talking about all the other significant anniversaries on this date: 1775 - "shot heard round the world," 1943 - Warsaw Ghetto uprising, 1995 - Oklahoma City bombing, not sure of the year, but apparently it's Wynnona Ryder's bday too. And it's Dee's birthday too!

But most importantly, it's Eliza's day - we are certainly glad she came into all of our lives! As the years moved along after Phoebe was born, we wondered if any more little spirits would come to our home - so we were overjoyed to welcome Eliza on that rainy April day 23 years ago!

To Eliza!!

Happy Birthday Eliza

 

You are the queen. 

"All ashore that's coming ashore. . . "

The title doesn't really fit - that's not what they said at the airport - but they meant the same thing! The trip is over - we are back home - the bags are unpacked - there are 6 messages on the voice mail - a stack of mail to open -and tomorrow is another work day!

Our last day in Boston was lazy and fun. We didn't leave the hotel until 12 - Harry was stiff, but put cold water on his legs - apparently that really helps - but he wasn't rushing around! Then we met up with our friend Terry at Durgens of South Park for "Yankee Pot Roast" for lunch. Then walked to the north end and the harbor - it was a beautiful day - the forecast had been rain, but there were blue skies and white puffy clouds - it was cool, chilly even - I've dragged my fleece jacket to Boston every year - and never needed it - I could have used it this time!

Harry took a shot of the orginal State Capital building - in contrast to the modern skyscrapers all around it. And some of the beautiful color that has been popping up just while we were there. And there's a shot of us at Durgens - and sitting on a bench with the statue of one of the famous mayors of Boston - but I can't remember his name!

And then we watched a juggler in front of Quincy Market - they have "performers" there all the time - it's a fun place.

Then we bid Terry adieu, collected our bags and our car, returned it to Hertz and got to the airport rather early - I got my book done before we even took off! But I read magazines, crocheted and managed to find 3 episodes of MASH and 3 of Law and Order on the JetBlue mini TV's - so the flight wasn't so bad.

Came home to an orderly house, Eve's gracious "I missed you!!" and some great enchiladas from Dawn!

Business as usual is the order of the day - alas!!

Evening News

It's 7 p.m. here in Boston - and the race for 2006 is over. Dad is feeling glad that he was able to finish. His time wasn't good - in fact, it's his worse time ever - 4:08 - but he was glad he was able to finish. He walked mile 24 and 25 and was able to run the last mile. His legs just gave out he said. He feels that being sick and not being able to eat and "carbo load" played a big part in his weakness. He was afraid if he kept trying to run, that he might do some damage. He is very sore now but hasn't had trouble with cramping, oddly enough.

I snapped him coming across the street to our meeting spot. And then an "after" shot of him resting on the bed.

But he's already talking about next year!

A Word from Boston

I am having the worst time getting this posted! Maybe it's this new hotel or something!

Dad's projected finish time has gotten longer - he usually starts out too fast - at least that is what he says. His projected finishing time is now 3:37 - still not too bad.

He felt fine when I dropped him off. It is overcast and cool - like 55ish - I have been walking around Quincy Market and Faneuiel Hall (I think I spelled that wrong!) since I got here to our cool hotel - on a small, old, narrow cobblestone street! I navigated turnpikes, tollbooths and narrow city streets under construction to find it on the first try! I even amaze myself!

I am not going to the race route - I will do the waiting at the park near the finish - last year the subways were so crowded he had to wait an hour for me. It seems more crowded this year than last - maybe it's the Easter crowds - it's the local Spring Break.

I snapped a couple of mimes and some dressed up Minutemen for your viewing pleasure.

Stay tuned for a dinner hour wrap up - with interviews!

Update, for those of you who have asked

And also, one would surmise, for those of you who have not asked but are reading this anyway.

Matt and I will be down in CA during the week of the 4th of July. 99.9% sure of that at this point. So, hope to see you then!

We're thinking we'll leave for D.C. in early August. Matt's taking the bar the last week in July.

Run and not be weary...

I just checked dad on the website, he got to the 5K point in 24:07. He's bib #9184


GO DAD!

"On your marks, get set . . ."

Getting down to zero hour. Or more precisesly, to 12 noon tomorrow!

We went to Central Falls, Rhode Island to attend church and visit Frances and Dee - who we had to remember to call Elder and Sister Doney!

After church - an excellent sacrament meeting BTW - a very small choir seemed to come up out of the congregation - some seemed to stand up to join in as an afterthought - but they were wonderful - they sounded bigger than they were. Good talks too.

Sunday School - taught by a less than one year convert we had met last year before she was baptized - was great too. And R.S. was in Portuguese - with English translation. An interesting experience. It was the same teacher as last year - a lovely woman.

Then back to the Doney's small, basement apartment for good food and good conversation - there were 6 elders there and another couple missionary. We had our friend Terry Harris with us - Harry Terrill and Terry Harris - try introducing that pair of names to someone!

Frances had plastic eggs full of jelly beans for our Easter treats too! It's nice to be thought of!

Then we took Terry back to his hotel in Boston - and searched around until we found the place where we will stay tomorrow night. I have to drop Dad off in Hopkinton, then drive to Boston, park the car, check in, and wait for the race to begin - and end!

The first two years, I went to different points of the race and saw Dad twice. But for the last two years, I have gone, but somehow missed him. And gotten back to our meeting spot late - after running 26.2 miles, you are ready to head back to your hotel and all the comforts awaiting you there - a hot tub to soak in, some carbs to replenish the 1000's you have just expended, somewhere to collapse - so I guess I will just sit in the park and wait for him. The subways are crazier than they were last year even - that's why I've been late getting to the end of the race. And I'm the one with the room key!!

My phone is set up to let me know where he is at different points. And hopefully I can check in early and set up the computer to see how he's doing.

Here are shots of us and the Doney's - and our friend Terry. And you can see my Easter dress too! Dad wore his runner's tie! We were quite festive!

Dear Family:

Happy Easter.

Love,
Me

"Who was that masked man?"

We set out around noon to go to Boston to the Expo to get Dad's bib number and packet to run. We were also going to meet our friend Terry of Shreveport - a fellow BYU alum and English major - he's an English prof at LSUS.

We stopped first in Hopkinton - where I took a photo of Dad in his tee shirt that says Hopkinton on it - but you probably can't see it. But this is where the race begins.

As we tooled along through towns like Ashland, Framingham, Natick and Wellesley, Dad said, "This is so easy, why is running it so hard?" And he made jokes about the town names, like "If I ever lived in Natick and had an auto business, I would call it Natickmatic whatever." Also in Natick is a small building where Henry Wilson, the 20th vice -president of the U.S. was taught to be a cobbler. Hence the title of this post - as in, who ever remembers the vice presidents?

Wellesley is BEAUTIFUL - maybe it's the Beverly Hills of Massachusetts. And the college there is beautiful too - wonderful old buildings. I snapped shots from the car, but they certainly do not do it justice. And everywhere there is yellow - everyone around here seems to plant yellow daffodils - gorgeous! And there is a yellow blossomed bush everywhere - everything else is still waiting to bloom.

We left the car in Woodland - a little past the race's halfway point - and parked the car and took the "T" in to the Boston World Trade Center for the expo. Addidas had everyone's number on a big wall with pens for you to sign - hopefully you can read what Dad wrote. We met up with Terry and I took a random shot of the expo - it is huge - and full of people and free samples to eat - it you are into soy chips, gatorade and gel and bars.

There is also a shot of a sign on a church - you will recognize the sentiment. And we walked across the finish line - Dad said it looks different when you aren't running over it.

Then we carbo loaded at Chillis - and drove home. Made a stop at the market to get race munchies for tomorrow and Monday morning.

And in honor of Easter,Dad got me a bag of Circus Peanuts!