Summertime Backyard

Here are some random shots of the back yard, thought I would give you something to look at besides food. It has been so blasted hot here in SLC it's a miracle we have been able to keep anything alive. There is no end to the heat wave we are having in the near future. I guess on the positive note, when it is below freezing in January and I am getting rid of the snow off the driveway, I can look back to July and wish it was a bit warmer. Whatever!

Here is the side yeard ont he East. You can't see it, but we have a "baby" nectarine tree with three nectarines on it.

One of the Whisky Barrells

Morning Glory (the good kind)

Another pot with Sweet Potato Vines

A flower on the Trumpet Vine

Purple Daylillys and Black Eyed Susans

Tin Foil Dinners Aren't Just for Camping!

Another "food blog" from the Clark/Sweet clan. Tin foil dinners on the barbecue grill are superb! We each made our own, and they were masterpieces! Fresth pineapple slices sprinkled with brown sugar then grilled are to die for!! (In this first photo you also get a great glimpse of the "Bell thumbs!") Anyway, a great time was had by all.

Wheeler Farm

As you can tell from Carrie's blog, Wheeler Farm is a favorite! After Parker's "Cars" party, we checked out the ducks, geese, turkeys, pigs, horses, cows and rabbits!

Celebration Time

We just celebrated 39 great years together on June 29. Who would have thought that 39 years ago on June 29, 1968, it would snow in the morning and be hot by the time we came out of the Idaho Falls Temple --only in Idaho! Anyway, we celebrated last night with dear friends Glendon and Lanay Manwaring at the Mandarin Restaurant in Bountiful. They almost had to kick us out because we visited and talked until dark, then went for dessert at Dairy Queen in Centerville!! Due to our advanced years we had lots of ailments, aches and pains to discuss, plus getting caught up on kids and grandkids!!

Also included here is Parker on his 3rd birthday in his new "Cars" pajamas that his Aunt Fern gave him (she knows how to gain points...)--what a great kid!

Las Vegas Weekend

We piled into the Sweets' van once again, and headed down to Las Vegas on probably the hottest weekend Las Vegas has had this year! I think the car temperature gauge showed 111 degrees at one point. We didn't do a lot of the Las Vegas things, but what we did was super! Carrie's boss graciously let us stay at her house, which is so nice. We had planned to use the pool, but things weren't working right, so all the kids could do was gaze at the green, algae-filled water. It was okay, though. We went through the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Hotel Convention Center. It was amazing. Lot of jellyfish, sting rays (which the kids could pet), etc. After dark we went to the water show at the Bellagio, which is incredible. It was still so hot--over 100° even then so we went back to the house.

We visited Carl's brother and his wife, Fred and Janice, who live in a beautiful gated community in Henderson. Janice recently had to have one of her legs amputated and is trying to recover. They are such gracious hosts and took to dinner at an amazing buffet in a very nice hotel away from the strip. (The boys also got to play in Fred's pool, so that made up for the algae.) Great photographers we are--we forgot our camera when we went to Fred's and downtown, but here is what we have... You'll see Carson disappointedly gazing at the green pool.

Sunday-Let The Good Times Roll

Ahhh...we taught our last class (for this time around) of our Marriage and Family class today. Since reading the Sunday paper is part of our life (we're among the older, you know), I (Pat) thought I'd post a typical Carl Sunday photo! Tonight was the monthly cousins dinner at Curtis and Shandy's--always good times and good food. We tell Dexter he is turning into a Junior Cody with his cool plaid shirt, and Grandpa was right there with his, too. Shandy and Curtis had a potato bar with choices galore. After dinner Carson and Parker discovered Cody's motorcycle helmets, and being the good sport he is, Cody let the boys enjoy them. Those boys love Cody!

Ikea Comes to Utah!

One of the biggest events to happen in Draper, Utah, ever is about to take place...Ikea is opening their store here on May 23. Carrie, the boys, and I drove by the new store tonight. We had heard on the radio and TV that people had been camped out since Monday so they could be among the first to get in. The first 100 get a $40 chair or some such item...not sure that would be worth camping out for, but the adventurous folk do, so I say, "go for it!" Here are some photos of the store and the Ikea groupies. There was a local rock radio station there blaring their music--that would be enough to make me give up! Since Carl and Sam are in Indiana, Carrie is getting a babysitter on Thursday, so Carrie, Fern, and I can go shopping in the wild world of Ikea!! I'll bet Amelia wishes she could go with us!

Flower Planting-It Takes 3

One of the beastly things about aging is the old joints don't bend so easily. How great to have a daughter who will jump right in and help the old folks!

What we don't have a photo of is me (Pat) trying to deal with a broken/leaking sprinkler head while Carl and Sam are in Indiana. The up side is that I can now turn the water on and off with the 5-foot "key" and am headed to Lowe's tomorrow for a dealie that will cap off that sprinkler until Carl is home! The down side is that I am dragging around a hose to water since we can't have the water on or we'll fill the neighbor's basement. Back to the up side...so glad Carl and Sam can give Mike and Kim a hand in helping with the finish work on the addition to their home. I'll go back out in the fall when the work is done and enjoy the fruits of their labors!

It's Great To Be A Mom!

Mother's Day is always a treat for me--having such a creative husband and fun kids makes it the best! Just being able to talk to each one is my favorite part of the day.

Carl has decided that I need to get funky--now aren't those earrings "me!" Just kidding...these were a WalMart $3.00 bargain and will be great at Halloween. The real gift of jewelry is on order.

Breakfast was sliced fruit topped with yogurt, breakfast quesadillas, juice, and Dillatante Chocolate-covered cherries, strawberries, and blueberries!
This beautiful basket of flowers was delivered on Saturday from those great Indiana Clarks!
Carrie and I shared Mother's Day, and I'm here to tell you, our husbands know how to cook (well, and kiss, also)! Note the steak and potatoes--they were to die for!
Now the dilemma is how to compete with all this for Father's Day!

Spring at Work

I have to constantly remind myself not to take where I work for granted. The grounds around the Church Office Building are incredible and constantly changing. Friday the grounds personnel were taking out all the tulips, and when I go to work tomorrow, there will be thousands of new petunias, geraniums and other annuals newly planted! Hundreds of members volunteer to help with the grounds work, including YW/YM groups, YSA, Relief Societies, etc. The real wonder of the Church at Headquarters is there are hundreds of volunteers and missionaries helping the work go forth. These photos don't do the flowers justice, but you get the idea! I wish I could say that was me in the middle photo...

Birthday Boy

Carl had another birthday (thank goodness), and of course the day included food! This year it was homemade Calzones. We were trying to replicate those we enjoyed at the little restaurant in Ephrata when were in Washington for Grandpa Bell's funeral, and we actually came fairly close! Pesto and chicken Calzones are awesome! Carl got a gigantuan clock to hand outside, so we should never be late for anything because you can see what time it is from 500 feet!! No bush is safe in our yard because he also got a Hedgehog trimmer. Also some great Lowe's gift cards for the many projects that continue.

Add marinara sauce for dipping, and yum!

Cards and gift cards

Where's my pie?!!!

Wedding Trips-The Best

This family has way too much fun (no, not true, you can never have too much fun). This trip was no exception. You've seen bride and groom photos on other blogs, so here are a few random shots. The only thing that would have made it more fun is if Mike, Kim, and girls could have been there!

Mr. Studly in his new sports jacket!

Aren't they classy!

There's Mr. GQ again!

It's over--so there!! Mmmm, Susan, feeling a little festive?!

Carrots and Skiing Create Colorful Faces!

Daurell brought David down for General Conference, specifically the Priesthood session (I'm sure you'll see their matching pink ties and black suits on Jana's blog). David came back on Cloud 9 as he was able to shake the hand of several General Authorities. Then a day of skiing at Park City on Monday. Between David's sunburn and Dexter's carrots, it provided some colorful photos. Oh, and Daurell enjoying hot fudge. What you don't see is him eating the rest of the hot fudge straight out of the jar after the ice cream was gone. We talked our hearts out--and loved it!

A-h-h-h Those Faces...

We've been in touch with some awesome people over the past few weeks. Just wanted to share some random photos.

Venice Larson Hammond-my dear friend from Quincy days.

Yep, Darren, that's how you get rid of trash on the farm!

It was a bit chilly, but Barb always has a smile!

How lucky to have two crazy/wonderful sisters!