Once there was a snowman...

Well we got dumped on by another storm here in Utah. Not so fun for those of us that have to drive in it or shovel our driveways but Riley has been having the best time. Riley woke me up this morning and told me that it was Christmas again because it was snowing and that we had to go into the basement and pull out all the Christmas decorations to put back up. Fortunately I was able to pesuade him that this wasn't the best idea. He sure loves playing in the snow. He followed grandpa around while shoveling, throwing snowballs at him. I tried to distract him by taking him into the backyard and building a snowman. Here is our attempt.

Grandpa didn't think that Riley would be able to look back on our measly attempt at building a snowman with pride when he got older so when the driveway was done, he came back and showed us how to really do it.
I have a lot to learn. :) But Mom assures me that Riley is young and I have many such winters ahead of me to practice. Love you all!

Mom and Dad's New Bathroom

At the beginning of August, Casey re-tiled Mom and Dad's bathroom. Since they have yet to post any pictures, I snapped a few and loaded them on here so Adam and Rachel can see what an awesome job Casey did.



Looks awesome huh? My house next, Casey!

Ok - Ok Here you go.

Dad's A B C's.

A- Attached or single: Attached for 31 years.
B- Best Friend: Mom - No one else would put up with me for this long.
C- Cake or Pie: Pie!
D- Day of choice: Saturday. I can do what ever I want........well actually I can do what ever mom wants.
E- Essential Item: Music. Couldn't live with out it.
F- Favorite Color: Blue
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Yuk to both.
H- Hometown: Born in Loa but have actually lived longer in Santaquin.
I- Indulgence(s): Travel. I would be on the go all the time if I could afford it.
J- January or July: July. I hate snow.
K- Kids: 4 - All my children. (Oh sounds like a soap operea.)
L: Life is Incomplete Without: Family and friends. Ditto Ditto Ditto.
M- Marriage Date: April 29, 1976.
N -Number of Siblings: 2 brothers, (One living one deceased.) 1 sister.
O- Oranges or Apples: Apples of course. I live in Santaquin, the apple capital of Utah.
P- Phobias or Fears: Dieing a long slow death. I want to blow out not rust out.
Q- Quote: I have 2. Scarlet O Hara's statment in "Gone With the Wind" "I'll worry about that tomorrow and also Thora Ross use to say - "Nothing can be sliced so thin that it doesn't have two sides."
R- Reason To Smile: Spending time with Good Friends and Family.
S- Season: Spring. I love to watch the world wake up after a long winters sleep.
T- Tag Three: Casey, Reed & Mom.
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I am the world largest source of natural gas. Oh wait you already knew that didn't you.
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: Meat - Meat - Meat.
W- Worst Habit: Farting in bed.
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: I've never had either one.
Y- Your Favorite Food: Anything Italian
Z- Zodiac: Aries

Cinderella

Tonight, Mom, Dad, Reed and I went to the "soft" opening of the new Provo Arts Center, aka the result of all the construction above and around my work. "Soft" was how it was described by the individual doing an introduction. Apparently, the official "hard" opening of the Arts Center is in September. Tonight we watched the Utah Regional Ballet production of Cinderella. I loved it. I cannot express fully in words how much I love to watch people dance. It is as if I can feel their movements in my soul and I get lost in watching the incredible turns and steps. To see displays of grace and elegance through movement that can portray emotion clearly enough to tell a story stirs inside me some incredible feelings. So, needless to say, even though it was not THE most incredible performance I have ever seen it was enough to transport me into their world when the lights went down. And how can anyone not like that?

I Left My Heart (& a whole lot of money) In San Francisco

MAY 3 2007
DAY 1

On May 3rd Mom & I along with Ned & Fayrine ventured off on a trip to San Francisco. I guess we were hungry for Adam & sour dough bread. Here we are at the Salt Lake Airport. It was cold, rainy and miserable that day. We began to wonder if the weather would ruin our trip since every trip we have planned this year so far has been plagued with cold weather (St George for the 1/2 marathon to celebrate Mom's birthday & also Las Vegas to celebrate Rachel's Birthday.) None the less we girded up our loins and the other parts of our anatomy that have started to sag and forged ahead.

We arrived at the Oakland Airport and Adam was there to pick us up. We all piled into his Mazda and headed to his house in Rohnert Park. It was about an hour drive but we made it there in good shape. We hauled all our luggage into Adam's house and then went to an Italian Resturant for dinner. It was really good food. Adam is such a great host.
MAY 4TH

DAY 2

The next morning we got up and headed into San Francisco for a fun day of sight seeing. Here is the Golden Gate Bridge as we were crossing over into San Francisco

Adam took us on a little tour of the city and then took us down Lombard Street. What fun. Of course when we got to the bottom we had to get out and take pictures. Geez I'm sure we looked like a bunch of tourists but we didn't care. We were having too much fun.


Next we went down to Fishermans warf, parked the car and had a look around.

There we saw a whole bunch of seals that moved into the warf after the last earthquake and have stayed there ever since. The seals are the ones on the rafts. That is Adam & Mom on the left.
A quick trip to Ghirardelli Square for some chocolate and Mom was in 7th heaven.
This is a picture of the legendary "Bush Man Of Fishermans Warf." He sits on a bucket in the middle of the sidewalk holding some bushes in front of him and when people walk by he jumps out and scares them. It was a hoot to watch.

Here we are at A T & T park.......home of the San Francisco Giants. This made us think of Ryan.
On the hill behind us is Coit Tower. Erected in honor of a Mrs. Coit who left her fortune to the San Francisco fire department. It was built to resemble the end of a fire hose.

This is the entry way to Pier 39. Here you will find nice shops, resturants and fresh produce with strawberries about the size of apples.
A drive through Golden Gate Park and then a quick stop at the beach and our day was pretty well done.

May 5th - Day 3

Adam had to get some work done today so we took his car and ventured off to San Francisco on our own. We basically drove straight to Fishermans Warf parked the car and got out and kissed the ground. We had booked tickets to go to Alcatraz Island. Here is Ned and Fayrine & Mom on the ferry waiting to go to prison.

Here is a shifty looking in mate we ran into at the Prison. She tells us that she's inocent. What do you think?

This is a view of San Francisco from Alcatraz Island.

After the tour of Alcatraz we came back to Fishermans Warf and did some power shopping. Later that afternoon we got in the car and drove up to Gearry Street where the Curran Theater is located. What an expierence. I was driving Ned had the map and was navigating. Lynn & Fayrine were watching for stop lights, stop signs and one way streets & screaming about every other minute as we climbed up the hill and then shot down the other side. We finally made it and we ate dinner at this cool bar just down the street from the theater. The play was wonderful and over too soon. We made it out of the city and back to Adams alive, so I guess we did ok.

May 6 - Day 4

Adam took us back into the city and we rode the Trolley cars up to China Town.

We strolled down through China town. Here are Adam & Mom at the gates to China Town.

This is a view looking down the street of China town. Kinda cool huh.

After China Town we tried to jump back on a trolley but because of some kind of problem they were temporarily out of order so we walked back to the Warf and had lunch. Then Adam took us back to Airport and put us on our plane for home. What a great trip. Thanks Adam - we love you. Dad & Mom

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Mom and Dad are off to see Adam in San Francisco with Ned and Fayrine. They will have lots of fun, get to spend some time with Adam and come back and share wonderful stories.

31 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG

Today is April 29th. 31 years ago today Lynn & I were married for time & eternity, for better or worse, till death do us part, or until one of us kills the other. (Fortunately we haven't had many of those days.) I just wanted to let you all know that even after 31 years I still love her and I find great comfort in knowing that she still loves me. Oh we drive each other crazy once in a while but the truth of the matter is that there is no one that I would rather spend my life with than her. We enjoy each others company and senses of humor. We do many things together such as our little trips and antiquing (aka junk collecting), but we also allow each other room to breathe and have our own interest and hobbies. I guess that is what life is all about. She is definitely the apple of my eye. I truly love her. Dad

A FUN TRIP TO ST. GEORGE

On April 14th we went to St. George with Ned and Fayrine to the Tuacan Theatre to see "Air Supply" in concert. Of course it took an entire day to get there because we had to stop in Scipio for Pepsi to go with all the snack food we brought with us.......we hit a couple of antique stores on the way down..........had to stop in Beaver for squeeky cheese............Stopped in Cedar City for mexican food & finally made it to St. George by dinner time but for some reason we weren't hungry (go figure) so we went shopping at the outlet mall and then went to the concert. Had a wonderful time. The weather was good and so was the concert. Air Supply is old, gray and don't move around the stage too fast but boy can they still sing. It was great. You could tell it was an old crowd because no one had lighters to light and hold up and sway with the music. Iguess by the time you hit our age your lucky if you remember to bring your wife with you let alone a lighter. After the concert we went to Pizza Hut for Pizza and then went back to the motel and took a bottle of TUMS and went to bed. Oh the joys of old age. The next morning we went to Mesquite for breakfast and then headed home. We had a great time and have planned another trip for May 3-6. We are going to San Francisco to see Adam and to go to "Jersey Boys" (broadway play about Frankie Vallie and the "Four Seasons"). Should be fun. I love you all. Dad

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

SPRING HAS SPRUNGCHRIST HAS RIZ........

LOOK HOW PRETTY

THIS FLOWER IS!!!!!

I just wanted to share a few of the flowers from the yard with everyone and to tell you all how much I love you. Dad

Ray Ray
Here are the pictures from the Disney on Ice and the Birthday Party that you requested I hope that you enjoy them as much as we have.