Travels for the Weekend

We had a fun weekend. On Friday, we headed to Las Vegas to celebrate Kurtis' birthday and to watch Maurice play his football game. He's a great player. Big/Tall/on offense and defense. We also got to enjoy the company of Jill, Jonathan & Samantha. Russ & Kori, Garrett, Grant & Gracie, Kurt & Tina, Max, Ashton, Cameron & Macy. We had cake for Kurt that Tina made for us. We then headed to San Diego. Stayed over night at a hotel, then traveled the rest of the way on Saturday morning. We found our hotel and then were driven to the Fashion Mall where we caught the trolley that took us straight to the Qualcomm Stadium. It is a massive stadium, where the San Diego Chargers play their games. We sat in the sun for awhile, but were so hot, we moved over to the other side, with mostly San Diego fans, but shady. BYU has played better, but they won 39-28. The stadium was mostly full except for the top two or three layers. We went back to the mall by way of the trolley, walked around the huge mall then called our motel and they came and picked us up and took us back to the hotel. Next morning, we ate at the hotel, quite a lucious meal, and got packed and headed for the San Diego temple. Then home. We looked for a church as we were dressed to go to church, but didn't find one, so we drove home in our Sunday clothes and arrived in the evening about 8:00. I would have liked to stay another day, so we could go see some of SanDiego sights, but because we had to be back to work on Monday, we didn't. We drove almost 1000 miles to see BYU play their game against San Diego. Maybe some other time we'll get to do something else in San D. Oh, and shoot, we forgot our camera so we don't have any pictures.

I went Las Vegas to watch Jonathan play football and the next day we went to see Max play soccer. After that we headed over to Cafe Rio, then the big boys-well Maurice, had to go practice football, we watched BYU play Tulane, then I headed home. Fun to see a few of the family!!

Soccer game in Las Vegas

Summer to Fall

The summer is coming to a close, and fall is on its way. Summer activities have been so fun, though we weren't able to see all our children. We had alot of fun with those whom we did get together with. It was especially fun to go to Panguitch Lake and campout. Fun to learn a little more about each of us. We got to have some company come here, visit and leave too soon, but we're always hoping for more visits.
I sure am glad that I was invited and could go to the Organ Workshop in Provo in July. It has really put me on a new level of determination to improve my musical talents. Few as they are, it won't be too hard to do better.
Now that the college has begun, it gets Paul and I back at work there. He's teaching 2 pre-calc classes and I'm supervising student teachers.
We watched BYU play Saturday and win Oklahoma! What a game! We watched it again on KBYU last night. Still fun to watch. We are going to San Diego to watch BYU play there in a month or so. I love to go to the actual games.
We plan on going to watch Maurice and Jonathan play football, too. Hope it works out that we can because we have a heavy schedule with teaching the "Strenghtening Marriage" in our Stake on Thursday evenings, Paul doing the clock for Dixie High School games, and then our responsibilities as "Shepherds" for the single 18-30 year olds in our ward, plus our college work, keeps us quite busy.
So this fall, our days will be full. Just like summer was and still is.

Summer to Fall

June was here and now its gone

The first of the month, we went down to Las Vegas to say farewell to Nathan and Shannon before they headed to Maryland. Oh so far away. But they seem to be enjoying the new area.
Two new babies arrived this month: Taylor Brooks and Brooks Madrid.
We traveled to Parowan to one of our Branch boys wedding reception.
The CCRSEA had their get to tegther up in Rockville. It's a nice park. It would nice for a family reunion.
We had a a nice trip up to Manti to see the Manti Pageant. It brought back memories of when we went there to see Kurtis perform as Zarahemnah a few years ago. It was a very cold night, but the pageant was great. We also went to Gunnison to a wedding reception of another one of our Branch boys. Also to Richfield to watch Barry run the relay at the Hershey State Track Meet. His team got 3rd. The next day we went to Fredonia and were there to see Bennett sustained and set apart as a 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric.
Then the next to last day of the month went with Kalynn and Barry to the Shakespeare play in Cedar City, Comedy of Errors.
We also had some birthdays in June, my brother Roger and Uncle Ray. Laura, Charlie, Polly, Brady Samantha Gracie and Kalynn. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL!
Guess whose birthdays are in July!:}

Travel On

This past two weeks we have gone on some quick trips here and there.
We drove up to Grafton (in Rockville) and walked around the cemetary and
the old buildings that are there. The headstones say killed by Indians and
stuff like that.
We went to PineValley and drove around until we found Steve and Toni's
cabin they are building. Teria's Dad was there and let us walk through it.
What a place it will be when finished.
We drove to Mesquite and checked out Sun City Mesquite behind the new Walmart
there. We had no idea Mesquite had grown so large. We ate at Casa Blanca.
We took a couple days and drove up to Navajo Lake and walked around, then to
Duck Creek, and on to Bryce Canyon. The Hoo Doos are amazing. We ate at Rubys
Inn and stayed at Bryce Canyon Resort after which we drove to Zion Nat'l Park
took the shuttle up to the end of the shuttle service and walked up to the
entrance to the Narrows. The water was ice cold and flowing quite heavily, so
the Narrows were closed to hiking. We wouldn't have gone anyway.
We were invited to Ashton's kindergarten graduation in Las Vegas, so we spent
part of the day at his school and then out to lunch for pizza, went to one
store and then traveled back home.
A few days later,(yesterday)Paul and I again hopped in the car and drove
to Lehman Caves in Nevada. That is an amazing place, too. Stalgtites and
Stalagmites galore. We drove from there to Delta and stayed at an old motel
which Mary and Lori and Dori were staying at. They had been there for several
days out exploring in the desert. We ate breakfast the next morning at the
"Rancher" then headed home. Jessica was here from up North and wondered where we were
but Dorene and she went and had pedicures and shopped until we returned.

Four Wheeling & Flying

This past week my sister Mary came down to the Tri State Jamboree. She was here for three days and was four wheeling all day on Thursday and Friday and Saturday. The first day out as they were arriving back to finish up her trip for the day,she discovered the CV boot was busted, and because of all the other problems she'd had with her old 4 wheeler, she decided to traded it in for a new Honda 4 wheeler.Anyway, each evening we'd go walking, visit, crochet,etc., then she'd be gone for the day, and we'd do it all over again. We were going to go to Las Vegas Saturday after she got home, but their trip that day was alot longer than she anticipated and so we didn't get to go. Saturday morning, Walter called and talked Grandpa and I into going flying with him, so we boarded the little 4 seater plane and flew over to Enterprise, over Pine Valley,across Quail Lake and Sand Hollow Reservoirs, and over some of Hurricane and Leeds areas. We had headsets on, so we could talk to each other and also hear air traffic reports. It was a beautiful day to see some of the St. George area from way up in the sky. Mary was pretty beat when she arrived home each night, so we really didn't get to go do anything else, but we've decided we will figure out another time when she can come to St. G and we'll do some of the other things we didn't get to do.
I'm also glad to have my mid'term evaluations done, but now I have to start preparing for the final evaluations which I can start in the next couple of weeks. My last day of Student Teaching evaluations is April 24th.

Having Fun

I just found some pictures of myself and my two sisters.
So I decided that it would be fun to put them on the blog.
We had such a fun time growing up together.
Life was great then. Of course, it is now, too, but in a
different way. Now we're old ladies, grandparents and
even great grandparents. Now,the young kids will enjoy their
own family times, having fun!

What's New?

Well, February has had some mighty different weather. I guess Spring isn't on its way, as yet. We had a fun BBQ last night over at Dorene's but it was too cold to be outside. Snow on PineValley and all around. But it gives us the water we need for the summer-when its really Hot. I've been busy doing some sewing, mostly quilts, especially the mystery quilt with the Quilt Works. It has some pretty tricky parts, but it will be fun to see what the finished project will look like. At least, I'm learning some new things rather than just square blocks.
Today, I am going to be giving blood at the donation place. Yikes! I don't know how people go and give plasma once or twice a week. I guess the money makes it worth it.
I have to go to schools now to observe student teachers. It is very interesting to go into their classrooms, but it does make them very nervous.
We are discussing The Last Lecture in our book club on Thursday. He has some great insights. We are attending the CCRSEA meeting at Old Main this month. It will be fun to see what they've done inside the building, since good Old Dixie Days of years ago. That's where I went to assemblies and classes when I attended Dixie College. Sam Brooks was the first student to enroll there for the first classes ever conducted at Dixie College and where the arch, that is still there at the entrance, was built with the help of Grandpa George Brooks. I don't know exactly if he designed it or built it or both.
The new Doctrine & Covenants class begins this week. It is so nice to learn more insights there, to help strengthen your understanding of all those messages.
Oh, and the Bishop and Branch Presidents dinner is this week over at Staheli's Catering or whatever it is called. Stake President Doty and his counselors do this every year. It is a really nice evening we enjoy with all those fine people.
Well, that's what's new this week. Needless to say, we don't get bored.

It's February

I'm glad to already have February here. It makes the Spring look closer, and here in St. George, it is already looking a little like Spring is on its way. We have mostly warm during the day, but still get pretty cold at night. Our heater comes on alot, still, but still seems warmer.We have lots of birthdays coming in February: Kori, Donna, Garrett, Emily, Liam, Cooper, Jack, Tina, Ashton,and Kaylee. Plus in there Valentines Day will be popping in. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND VALENTINES DAY AND MAYBE EVEN SPRING. I start Supervising Student teacher this month, too, so that keeps me busy running to different schools in the county. But supervising is alot different that teaching, so I'm happy to do it.There's a different level of stress.

Grow Old

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His Hand
Who saith "A whole I planned,
Youth show but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!"
Robert Browning

SIMPLE GIFTS

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you
ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the
place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and
delight.
When true simplicity is
gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't
be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our
delight,
'Til by turning, turning we
come round right.

Life

Life is wonderful. But sometimes sad, when you don't
get to see much of your children,or grandchildren.
I think everyone is so caught up in their activities,
that we forget to do much connecting. Maybe as spring
arrives, we can do more to be involved with each
other.
I read a Swedish Proverb which says:
Fear less, hope more;
Eat less, chew more;
Whine less,breath more;
Talk less, say more;
Love more,
And all good things will be yours.
So I read another little proverb or whatever:
Happiness comes when we stop wailing about the
troubles we have and offer thanks for all the
troubles we don't have.
It's a good day!

tOdAy's ThE dAy

i
mY CLOTHES ARE NOT FITTING, i CAN'T FIND ANYTHING IN MY CLOSET TO WEAR THAT i'M USED TO WEARING, SO i'M GOING ON A DIET. mAYBE IF i WRITE IT HERE, i'LL COMMIT MY SELF TO WATCHING HOW i EAT. i ATE ENOUGH JUNK DURING tHE hOLIDAYS TO cHANGE MY cOMFORT zONE iN mY cLOTHES, sO hERE gOES.