Neal's Retirement Party

 UVU planned a very nice retirement party for Neal.  

The party was held on the fourth floor in the reception room.  They had amazing refreshments.   I should have taken a picture of the all the variety of foods they had.  It was really nice.  Mallory and I were there right at 3:00 and Neal already had some people there that he was talking to.  He had a steady stream of people come until about 4:30 and then things slowed down a bit.  He was happy that his siblings, their spouses, his children and grandchildren came to celebrate with him.  It was a really nice party and he felt happy and honored.

I had to take a picture of the new Orem temple across from UVU.  The room we were in had all the windows on the West side and the temple was majestic looking.

In this picture we added Nita, Nanette and Craig

Nila, her husband Kent and Richard

Richard, Nadine, Nanette, Lyndsy and Nita

Ned came just in time to be in this picture.

This was a darling planter that Nita and Nanette gave Neal for his retirement gift.  

When it was all said and done, I think Neal was more than please at the turn out of people to wish him well.  Happy retirement dear!!!

An Unexpected Gift

 

In case you might be wondering what this gift is, I'll tell you.  The last time Mallory was here she brought me this present that she had ordered for me and my new puppy to be.  It is a little container that houses poop bags.  It attaches to the leash so when you are walking your puppy and they have to take care of things, you can also take care of things.  There is a small opening at the bottom that you pull out one bag as needed.  How clever is that.  But, because I don't have a puppy as of yet, I have this little bag sitting by my computer waiting for the day when I get my puppy and get to take him for his first official walk.  Thanks, Mallory.  I can't wait to put it to use. 

Temple Day

 Mallory and I decided that it would be fun to set aside a time each month to go to the temple together.  There are many temples to choose from across the valley and into Orem, Provo and Payson.  Yesterday Mallory made appointments for us to attend the Draper Temple.  I like to refer to it as the Corner Canyon Temple and I've heard a lot of people say that but it is officially the Draper Temple.  Our session appointment was for 2:00.  Mallory me me at my house at 12:30.  She got Brinkley all settled and we left about 12:50.  It was a beautiful but rather chilly Spring day.  The session was beautiful.  I LOVE the new changes that have been made in the endowment.  Before I left for the temple, I had prayed that I would feel the spirit and just maybe feel the presence of my mother, Lila Mae and Annette.  As I stepped into the Celestial Room there was such an incredible feeling of peace and comfort.  Mallory and I sat there for a few minutes just absorbing the peace and quiet and for me, feeling and knowing that mother and my siblings were there and watching over me.  Beautiful experience.

Mallory said she had a feeling that I would want a picture and she was right, as always.  I do feel bad because she seems to be the one who is always assigned to take the selfie.  She hates that, but often it is just the two of us and so she becomes the designated selfie taker!  But, there are always nice people around who are willing to step up and help.  As we were outside the temple and nice couple came up and we asked them if they would take a picture and they kindly consented.  

You can tell by the smiles on my face that going to the temple with my sweet granddaughter is certainly a blessing in my life.  Thanks Mallory for keeping me on the straight and narrow!  

Beautiful Pink Roses

 Mallory came by the house conference weekend and brought me a gorgeous bouquet of light pink roses.  I LOVE pink roses.  They are my favorite and so beautiful.  I was deeply touched by her thoughtfulness and the unexpected surprise.  I should take a picture of them now.  It has been over a week and they are still gorgeous.  They almost look artificial but then you touch them realize they are real.  

Easter Sunday Gathering

 This year we had a smaller group that came for Easter dinner.  Mindy's group opted to have their Easter celebration with her family.  Tucker's family spent their Easter at home in California.  Derek in China.  Spencer in Colorado.  Lyndsy doing the wilderness program.  So that left Lynda Ann's family and Maren's family.  Our total was 14 people.  We had the usual Honey Baked Ham, (Greg's favorite), baked potatoes, and carrots along with a bundt cake and ice cream.  This cake was the center piece for the table.  I bought it at Nothing Bundt Cakes.  It was a chocolate chocolate chip bundt cake and it was delicious besides looking darling on the table.

Table setting for Easter Dinner

All of us showing our eggs and getting ready for the the traditional egg contest.  It is always fun and always surprising as to which egg will last not getting cracked!  Neal is holding up my BYU egg and his Utah egg.  

Greg was over on the couch so I had to get a picture of him with his contest egg.

Some of the action.  Maren and Lynda Ann.  I don't remember who won out of the two.  It is also a decision made as to who will hit and who will just hold.  Love this tradition every year.

As the egg contest went along.  It came down to Boston and his grandpa.  Boston had both ends of his egg that weren't crack and Neal had one end of his egg that was cracked.  We all thought for sure that Boston would win the coveted contest and have his name added to the egg trophy.  After all, he had two ends of his egg intact.  Well .  . . . . .  I will also say here that everyone was rooting for Boston.

But against all odds and actually kind of sad, Neal's egg out lasted the hits from Boston's egg.  Neal felt badly and wanted to let Boston be the winner but Neal's name went on the trophy for 2023.

The happy winner.

With all the fun and laughter that comes with the gathering of family we still need to remember the real reason we celebrate Easter.  Easter is still that wonderous miracle it was on that early morning centuries ago when our Savior left the tomb.  Our hearts should swell with joy when we think of the triumph of His Resurrection.  Eastertime is a time of rebirth.  It means Spring is in the air.  We sense the stirring of new life everywhere.  Eastertime is sunshine and showers and blue skies.  Most of all Eastertime is a refreshing of the soul, a renewal of our love for our Heavenly Father who gave his only begotten son for our redemption.  The greatest blessing that Easter brings is the belief in a risen Christ.  Easter is the time for rejoicing.  

My Mini Zoo

 Not only do we have three squirrels that we are feeding along with numerous birds but we also have two ducks that like hanging around our yard and in our bushes.  Mallory took Brinkley out to get some exercise and saw these cute duck prints in the snow.  We both had to chuckle at how what a cute pattern their feet made in the snow.

You have to admit they are pretty darn cute.  So perfect they almost look like someone actually drew them in the snow, but not so.  

Mallory came to Stansbury for the Easter weekend and stopped by my house to help me make some marsh mellow Easter nests.  We had such a fun time and the nests turned out perfect.  Thanks Mallory for all your help.  She had made them the night before to give to the people she worked with.  Of course they were a big hit with her co-workers.  Next year we will have to get more creative and color some coconut with green food coloring and use that for grass in the nest.  These are the three I took to my ministering sisters.

These are the ones that we made to set on the table for our Easter dinner.  Seriously could not have made these without Mallory's expertise.