Provo Canyon

Despite the crazy snow storm we had on Monday, May 24 . . . FIVE days later we were able to spend the afternoon in the canyon! Without coats or snow!

We went up to South Fork Park to check it out for a possible family reunion site.

Side note -- for posterity purposes -- South Fork was the park our Singles Ward was at when I "noticed" this cute boy in our ward that was so nice.  We were playing cards with a group and he was so nice to all the girls.  There was something about him that caught my eye.  I wanted to get to know him better.  Mark recalls the Ward Activity, but does not recall me at all.  But within a few months he knew exactly who I was and the rest is history!

Ashley, Jessica, John, Mark, and JaCee made it across the river! And survived the very cold water.

We then drove down to Bridal Veil Falls and hiked up to the base of the falls.  I know, it really isn't a hike, but for us it was!

I tried to describe to my kids how it used to look before the avalanche in 1996.  I just tried to find a picture online of it before, but cannot.  In its glory it was majestic.  It is still a beautiful site to see but makes me sad for what it used to look like.

But the kids still had fun.  Especially since their cousin, JaCee, got to join us for the weekend.

The Graduate

Yes, I know it is hard to believe, but it is true.  Our oldest has graduated from Elementary School!

The school/parents planned a really nice event. I was one of the slacker parents that just showed up and did not contribute. But I did help tie the balloons on so they didn't fly away, does that count?

One cake has all the girls names on it and the other has all the boys names on it. The benefit of having one of the parents work in a bakery.

Here is the beautiful Jessica with her teacher. Mr. E., the bee man.  In his spare time he raises bees.

We are so proud of our Straight A girl. She is smart and beautiful all at once.  She even tested out of 7th grade algebra for next year, smartie pants! We've about reached the end of our helping her with Math homework.

Grandma Pat was there.  Grandma & Grandpa P would have been there, but Mark was editing their social life and did not mention the event to them. It was for their own good.  They may forgive him in a few years.

We also snuck a picture with her Math Teacher, Miss Robinson.  Thank you for answering all her questions this year!

It was held in the morning so the parents could take their kids out to lunch afterwards.  Because she is her father's daughter she had a hard time selecting someplace to go. But in the end we headed to Cafe Rio, because she is her mother's daughter and loves Mexican!

Watch out . . . here comes Jr. High!!!!!!!!!!

What does the Weather Man Know????

This was our Magnolia Tree on April 17 in full bloom.  Isn't she a site to see!

AND this was the same tree on MAY 24, more than a MONTH later

YES, this is the same year.  The weather man for-casted rain for Monday, May 24th.  I was ready for some rain.  The forth grade field trip could still go to This is the Place with a little rain.  They could still go with a lot of rain.

BUT . . this was no Spring Storm.  We had a good 4 inches on the ground and it was coming down fast and hard.  This was wet snow.  So wet it took out a lot of trees.  Including a few branches off our front tree

Normally you can easily walk underneath those limbs that are touching the ground.  But notice in the top left corner of this picture THE BEAST in the back yard is standing strong and tall.  The tree we would like to take out won't come down and the trees we love were almost lost.  Where is the justice!

Needless to say, there was no forth grade field trip that day.  There was no sixth grade picnic in the park that day.  There were multiple car accidents, luckily not involving anyone we know that day.  The only saving grace was it was all gone by the next day.  The weather man did report that it was the most snow we have gotten that late in the year in a very long time.

Bucket List

One of the things I have always wanted to do is to see a Cirque Du Soleil show in person.  A friend introduced me to their music about 20 years ago when they were not very well known.  I should have gone then . . . when it was cheaper!

When Pampered Chef announced that part of the incentive trip to Disney World was seeing the Cirque show I was so excited. I worked hard to make sure I earned the trip, even postponing my hernia surgery so I could do one more show to earn the trip.  Then we find out it was going to be dark the nights we were in Orlando. Pampered Chef compensated by giving us a Disney Gift Card for the trip instead, but that meant I still would not see them.

Then . . . I find out they are coming to Salt Lake City, yipee!!! So we got the tickets and made it our anniversary gift to each other this year.

Mark and I had a fun night. Of course we went out to dinner first before heading to the E-Center. They were everything I had expected.  And if you don't know what they are it is hard to explain.  But if you ever get a chance I highly recommend seeing a show!

Hello . . . Goodbye

Little did I know back in July of 1993 when I bought my one and only brand new, off the lot car that I (we) would get so much use out of it.  But 17 years and 165,000 miles later it has finally come time to part.

This beautiful dark green top of the line Camry served me well.  I bought it back when I was much younger. Back when I had a career. Back in the hey days of WordPerfect. Back when my paycheck was a lot more money than it is now. I didn't realize that replacing it would make me sad, but it did.  I realized it was the last piece of my single life that was still around. It represented my career as a Software Tester. Yes, I realize I haven't been driving it for the last 9 years. The mini van has replaced it as the car I drive. But it was still in my life, still a part of me. No, Mark was not so emotionally tied to this car.  It was just the car he got to drive after we got the mini van. It has served us well, but it has come time to move on.

Move on to this . . .

Surprise! Another Camry! This beautiful 2007 has taken the place of the 1993 Camry. Not fresh off the lot, but still a nice looking car. We were torn between this car and a Hyundai Sonota, but the Camry won out. Hard to think this will probably be the car Jessica gets to drive in a few years, yikes!

But it does my heart good to know my old Camry is still a little part of the family. Mark's nephew, Daniel, is now the proud owner. Hopefully it will be a great College car for him!

Girls Night Out (or in)

Our neighborhood started hosting a "Girls Night Out" every month. Someone in the neighborhood hosts it and we all come over. Nothing is too structured or planned. But it usually does involve food and visiting. May was my month to host, so it was my "Girls Night In" instead of "Out" that month. It turned out to be a night to remember.

When the night begins with this, how can it go wrong?  This is our fearless leader, Janae, that started this tradition about six months ago.

And who would not LOVE these sweet gals.  Sue, Susan & Leona! You ladies left way too early.  The fun had just begun.

The central theme was chocolate because it was at my house and I could pick the theme and I love chocolate even if I am on a diet. Nothing can go wrong if there is a chocolate fountain in the middle of the table.  Angie, Joell, Aubrie, and Laurel were relaxing before things got truly out of hand.

Angie was showing us how much fun she is having!  Thanks for coming Angie! Good thing Melissa didn't have to catch her!

By this point a few of us were getting "drunk" on chocolate.  Susan, Kristen, Janae, Julie, Steacey, and Cheryl had all migrated to the table.  Notice we gave up on the fountain and took it apart so you could really get to the chocolate.

4 pounds of chocolate, 3 hours, 15 women later we had a BLAST! Angela, Aubrie, Joell, Laurel, Susan, Kristen, Julie and Steacey.  It may look calm and relaxing, but I haven't laughed that hard for that long since college.  Rumor has it you could hear us half way down the block.

Thanks ladies for making my night!  Have fun without me in June and hopefully I'll be able to join you again in July! Anyone in the neighborhood is welcome, so make sure you don't miss one of these fun nights.