Thanksgiving Point, Etc

After a hard day of work on Saturday (Carl at a job fair and Pat cleaning the house while Carl was at work) we decided we needed some fun. So we went to the Thanksgiving Point Gardens. We had never been there and it was quite nice. I (Carl) liked with waterfalls. I liked how it made my stomach feel as I leaned over the bridge and looked at all water cascading over the rocks. NOT!! Warning!! You kids WILL NOT lean over any edges or try to push each other off cliffs while we are in Yellowstone for our Reunion!

We then went to Provo and had dinner with Curtis and Shandy. We had a nice evening and afternoon.

Here are some pictures of Thanksgiving Point Gardens.

New Car Maybe

We are seriously considering getting a new Toyota Prius (Thanks Jon & Kristi). We would trade in Mom's Hyundi. The question is... We can't decide which color so we need all your help.

Here are the choices:
Super White; Classic Silver Metalic; Magnetic Gray; Driftwood Pearl; Barcelona Red Metallic; Silver Pine Mica; Seaside Pearl or Black.

55 MPG on the highway sure sounds good!

Saturday Night in the Park

We were in charge of the Ward BBQ yesterday. The weather was perfect, we had a big crowd and the hamburgers & Hotdogs were delicious. It is hard to buy for a large group when you are not sure how many will be attending. So we took our best shot, and at the end, we had 40 hamburgers left over and one package of 8 hot dogs. So, I would say we guessed pretty close! We didn't put together a committed to plan, we just did it ourselves this time. We did make a few basic assignments (like water balloons which resulted in a great water fight). We were tired at the end of the event.

Our LIttle Garden

Here is a picture of our little garden. We have Radishes, Rhubarb, Chives, Asparagus, and 2 really big Onions that were left over from last year. They survived the winter, and are really growing. Pat is thinning the Radishes so they can grow bigger. Carl is putting the Tomato Cages around the Tomatoes. We also have a Tomatillo growing along with Zinnias. We have a Clematis growing up the fence. So, pretty much in our "little garden' I'd say! What else do you do when you get old?

New Living Room Photo

After helping Darren with his family room wall, we felt nervy enough to beg Darren for another photo in color that would go well with the living room paint, and we have to tell you, it looks grand. Thanks, Darren for sharing your talent.

Memorial Day Weekend

We went to Darren's over the Memorial Day Weekend. We took Carson with us. We had a grand time. We helped Darren and Susan fix the wall in their family room. When we got done, it looked awesome. Darren is watching us work. Susan sister Tracie was a big help too. We went to the Annis Cemetary where Carl's mom and dad are burried. We put some flowers on their graves and on Keith's grave. Les and Gay met us there. It was a great weekend. Darren and Susan fed us good. Lots of good food on the BBQ.

Mothers Day "n Stuff

Today is Mothers Day. Here is what Pat is doing as I am cooking dinner! I also fixed her Breakfast consisting of Cream of Wheat Cereal, eggs with onions and tomatoes topped with cheese, slice of ham, toast with strawberry jam (thanks Carrie), and home canned grape juice. She thought I rocked! Pat rocks too!!!

For Dinner we are having chicken on the grill, baked potatoes, peas and Angel Food Cake (topped with crushed pineapple, pudding and Cool Whip). Sam is bringing the other items for dinner.

Here are a couple of other pictures. The tomatoes are planted and another picture of some yellow flowers in the yard.

Darren Inspired Us

So,for dinner tonight we had grilled vegetables along with hot dogs. Here are a couple of pictures of the affair. We BBQ'd the following:
Portabella Mushrooms, Tomatillos, Asparagus, Yams, Red Peppers and Green Peppers. We also had Zucchini, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Onions and Hot Dogs. We finished off the meal with Grilled Pineapple. It was all yummy.

I took the day off work to drive Carrie around to the Dr. and other places she needed to go because her back hurt and she could not drive.

New Things

Here are photos of new office furniture (thanks, Mike and Kim, for the idea). To quote Nalani, "It looks real nice." At Carrie's urging, Pat got her hair done at a "real" salon, and this was the result. It's spiky and brushed up in the back, and straightened in front--real mod! Now she just has to learn how to do it herself. She better--with the cost of the cut and hair products, a major investment has been made!

Double Party Boy

Carl wasn't satisfied with one party--he wanted two! So, Saturday, 4/22, we had some friends from Verizon over, and on Sunday it was family. On Saturday we had a "make-your-own-Calzone" session. Everyone was amazed that you could actually make your own dough! They asked if I had bought the dough or "got it out of a can!" I guess it's easier to impress people than I (Pat) thought! On Sunday Jed and Sam were the chefs--Jed asked that I take a photo of his best side, so I think I did! It was great to hear Cody's infectious laugh again--I'm telling you when he and Curtis get together, it's a riot!

Before and After

We are DONE! Well, almost. We still need to hang pictures. So, here are pictures just as we finished putting the finishing touches on the moulding, and pictures of the room back together. We did all this tonight, and it is late, and we are tired. Thanks Sam for helping us move some heavy stuff.

The Final Touches

Thanks to Sam's help tonight, we got the Crown Moulding hung in the living room. It looks awesome! Now, all that is left is the touch-up and caulking all the moulding. Yeah! I know, it looks like the picture is blurry. That is simply because we were working so fast the camera could not capture the image. (Do you buy that story Darren?)

April Variety Show

It's a typical spring in the Intermountain West. We went from a beautiful, although windy, Easter Sunday, to a blizzard. Carl always says it snows close to his birthday (April 23, also Nalani's birthday), and this year was no exception!

Let Us All Press On...

The painting project has moved into the living room and hall. Paint color was a major decision. I (Pat)was a bit nervous that the paint color (barley)was too dark, then I decided, no, it's great. Was feeling just fine about it then my Visiting Teacher, who is big into Fung Shui, looked at the paint sample and said "hmmm, pretty dark," and I was all nervous again. However, I've learned to trust Carl's taste in paint color, and he was right again. It looks wonderful. Can't wait for you all to see the difference. Also, in the middle of the job, Morris came to pick up the rest of his belongings, so we took his photo, too. In case you hadn't heard, his current plan is to go to Bible College in Redding, California, to become a pastor.

Flowers and Snow

Woke up today, April 7th to Flowers and Snow. How cool is that?

Easter Candy

Easter is almost here, and there is some good candy out there! We recently bought Strawberry Cream Robin Eggs. They are the best! (Susan, pretend like you did not see this blog)

Reunion Continued

Just had a chat with Darren. He checked out the Days Inn in West Yellowstone and it had a much better deal, plus it has a swimming pool with slide. I have gone ahead and booked it, and don't laugh at us old folks--our AARP rate gave us a good price. It should be around $90.00 per night, plus a bit extra for kids.

Planning Our Reunion

Pat has been madly perusing web sites for a good, reasonable hotel in West Yellowstone for the dates July 19-21 (two nights). The best one that is available seems to be the Best Western Desert Inn. Cost is approximately $130 per night (I'm checking on a group rate). There is an indoor swimming pool and hot tub, continental breakfast, IMAX theater three blocks away, plus close to all the activities in Yellowstone Park. Give us your thoughts, because we need to book soon. The accommodations in the Park go quickly. We can come back to SLC for other activities. We think the Days of '47 Parade will be on Monday, July 24, if we want to attend that together, also. This is all preliminary planning, so give us your thoughts. We chose weekdays because they are a bit cheaper.

Conference Weekend Continued

Here are a few more, plus Pat doing dishes.

Conference Weekend

Watched Conference then all the kids and grandkids come over (except Mike and family). Had dinner, and after the diswasher was all loaded, Pat did the pans. Here is a picture of her washing the pans. The kids were running all over, so Pat suggested we go to a park so they could run. We found a little playground close, and boy did the kids have fun. As you can see, the big kids had fun too. We love our family!!!