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.  

Mallory's Award and Dinner

 Last Tuesday evening, Mallory went to the banquet for the Honors Society.  she was recognized for academic achievement in her first year at BYU.  She also found out that she will get cords and a medallion to wear at graduation - when she graduates.  So very proud of you Mallory!!

A Random Surprise

 I love it when I get a random text from Jamie telling me that I can expect a random package on my porch in the next couple days.  This is the text that I got from her:  "I sent you something very random from Walmart and it will come by Tuesday.  Just so you know where the random thing came from!"  So Tuesday I check the front porch and sure enough, there was a package waiting for me.  This is what she sent me.

OMGOSH!  If you've never tasted these, then you should.  They are delicious.  I think Neal and I downed half the package the first day.  Thanks, Jamie, for a wonderful random surprise.  

My Mini Zoo

 I came home the other day from running errands.  Had to get some more food for the bird and the squirrels.  I drove in the garage and before going in the house decided to check the front porch.  Jamie had alerted me that she was sending me a random surprise.  As I rounded the corner to the steps I hear this loud "watch where you are going" quack!  I look down and right at my feet is this big mallard.  He isn't moving and he is loudly telling me that he got there first.  I smiled and said, "Sorry Mr. Mallard."  As I turned to go back in the garage I hear another loud quacking and I see his little partner in crime nestled in the leaves right by the front steps.  Goodness.  I laughed at them both and thought to myself that I was now running a small zoo.  Squirrels (Chip, Dale and Nancy), tons of birds at the bird feeder and now two ducks taking up home in my yard.  I've also seen Quail coming in and out of the bushes along the North side of our home.  Glad they like to hang around here because I love seeing them.

He was originally standing right on the porch and then stepped back to the lawn.

His female friend :-)

Long Awaited Chandeliers

 Neal and I haven't like the light fixtures that have been hanging over our table and in the entrance hall since we moved in here 23 years ago.  But, there always seemed to be other things that needed taken care of before replacing light fixtures.  Besides, I didn't really know what I wanted and spending hours in a lighting store trying to decide of fixtures just didn't appeal to me.  I'm not a very patient shopper.  A few months ago we were at a friends home and I saw her chandeliers and immediately fell in love with them.  We found out where they bought them and the rest is history.  Of course they were on back order so we had to wait 3 months to get them.  When they finally came, we then had to get Mike Dowse (our brother-in-law and electrician) to get us scheduled in his already very busy days.  Last week, he called and said if I was home he would come right then.  Honestly, if I had been in St. George, I would have hustled home to meet him.  So excited and happy that we now have beautiful light fixtures and the added feature (thanks to Mike) a dimmer for the one over the table.

The entrance hall fixture is smaller.  Mike had to actually ask Neal to go back in his office because Neal was making him a bit nervous.  Probably giving out directions!?  Hahahaha

Story of the Bowl

 While Abby, Annie and I were shopping we came across these stainless steel mixing bowls of three or four different sizes.  Annie has always wanted a great big one like mine and we've tried to find one, but to no avail.  When we saw these, we both decided that we needed to get it.  Of course it would be an adventure having it as a carry on.  We knew that from the beginning.  These mixing bowls are 16 and a half inches wide at the top so obviously they aren't going to fit in our small suitcases.  But it was a find that we couldn't pass up so we bought it.  The thing that made me laugh so hard in the store was when you pushed on the bottom of the bowl it made a metal twang sound and it was loud!  It just struck my funny bone and laugh I did.  Annie and Abby were laughing too but not as hard as I was.

The story continues.  The next morning as Annie and I were walking to go into the airport a security guard came up beside us and said, "That is the biggest bowl I've ever seen."  Then he laughed and said, "If someone gives you a bad time about the bowl you just hit them over the head with it and I'll stand behind you!"  He continued making funny comments about the bowl as we walked in the airport.  Annie checked us in and then we check our luggage and headed toward security.  We could hear comments hear and there about the bowl as we walked along.  Honestly, people just couldn't help but notice it.  Annie put the bowl upside down on the conveyer belt.  Nothing was said until we got through the other side to pick it up and the security guy looked at us and said, "Well, that's not the craziest thing I've seen come through here."  We both laughed and headed on our way.  Seriously, how often do you get a comment from anyone in the security section?  Pretty rare unless they are yelling at you to do something.  

From there we headed to our gate and, of course, heard comments here and there about the bowl.  Even getting on the plane, the stewardess smiled and made a comment as well.  It fit perfectly in the overhead so it was hidden through both flights home.  Again when we got off the plane in Salt Lake people looked and commented to each other.  

The bowl made it home safely.  Annie told her kids about the bowl and Emmi said, "Why do you always find some weird buy when you travel?"  It is true.  It is rare that Annie and I don't find something that we just have to have that is going to cause us some grief traveling home with it.  But want and creativity to get it home always wins.  I think Emmi also asked Annie what her plans were with the bowl that big and Annie told her Thanksgiving stuffing, batches of puppy chow, 10x recipe of banana bread, etc.  It is amazing how often I use my own big mixing bowl.  

So, that is the story of our latest adventure bringing home another "weird find"!  

Thanks to Lynda Ann for planning such a fun trip and having me tag along.  She literally takes care of everything including me.  What a grand time we had.  And thanks to Abby for hosting us and driving us all over the place.  Love you both!

LA Trip Continued

 After we had our pizza, we visited a couple stores to get some things for Abby.  I totally lost it at one store.  I really can't explain what set me off because you had to be there but Abby took some pictures of me laughing so hard that I had to sit on a suit case.  I also found the picture that Abby took of Annie eating the corn from the vendor.  Her first bite pretty much covered her mouth and the end of her nose.  Yes, we laughed at her.

After we were finished shopping we met Antonio back at Abby's apartment.  It was raining but we wanted to see the Griffith Observatory in Hollywood so we headed in that direction.  It was so worth seeing it and being there even in the rain.  I was able to get a couple pictures of the Hollywood sign across the valley.  The clouds lifted for just a very few minutes.

Looking out over the city of Los Angeles.  

We stopped at a Latino Restaurant and had a late dinner and then home to snuggle down for a short night's sleep.  Abby had to be to work by 7:00 and needed to drop Annie and I off at the airport on the way so we were up by 5:00 a.m.  

It was an amazing and very fast trip but we were able to see most of what we wanted during our short visit.  I think next time, weather permitting, we will climb up to the Hollywood sign.  That would be a fun adventure.  I still have to report of the big silver bowl that set me off at the store, but that will have to come in the 3rd addition.