International Women's Day

Plowguy on KSL News!

Kid History 3

Source: youtube.com via Chanelle on Pinterest

Best Way to Meet the Lord

From one of my favorite movies...

I KNEW it!!

Stuck on an Escalator

Just a little reminder...

Attend the temple this month!

Define Necessity

Makes you re-evaluate Christmas, doesn't it?

Farley Family Reunion

One of my very favorite plays!!

So True!

Chelsea's great Halloween makeup

My Student Secretary - Jake Hunsaker!

Revelation of the Pyramids

Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford

How Come?

Why don't people update their blogs? Was it just a fad at the beginning and now it's too much work to post something once in awhile? I don't have room to talk, but then I've never been very consistent with my journal writing, either.

I miss being able to keep up with my family and friends through their blogs :-(

Happy Birthday to ME!

Here's the fabulous birthday cake Chelsea made for me. It was not only beautiful, but delicious, too, with ganache and butter cream with walnut fillings. Kat and Chelsea made Cafe Rio salads for dinner - Yum! We had such a good time.

2011 YETI

Another fabulous event in the City of Woodland Hills which was directed by Dennis.

A real "journal-enhancing" experience!

Tom Hanks - Pageant Dad

The Beauty of Mathematics

Knees

I had my knee scoped to repair a torn meniscus on Monday, December 27th. I hoped it would be completely repaired and that everything would be back to normal. Or better. Bad news: I need a total knee replacement sometime soon. My knee hurts all the time and today Dr. Nelson gave me a cortizone shot, which has helped tremendously. I have another appointment in two weeks to see how it's doing. He didn't seem too positive when I asked if either exercise (biking, eliptical) would strengthen my knee or if glucosomine would help. Looks like I have a course correction coming up. No more walking/running. I'll sure miss participating in the 5-ks.

A Digital Nativity

A Digital Nativity

Cookin' Cousins

The Silent Monks - Hallelujah Chorus

Hunger Games Preview - Warning Graphic!

The Story of Jonah - like you've never heard it before!

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Yep...I'm a Mormon!

Justin

We lost our dear son, Justin, on Tuesday July 6, 2010. He was suffering from depression, and though he fought it so hard, it was not enough. His funeral was held on Wednesday, July 14th at the Maple Canyon Ward chapel in Woodland Hills. We miss him more than he ever dreamed.

Happy Independence Day!

I love the 4th of July. When I was growing up in Sunnyvale, California, my dad would help us up onto the roof top and we'd spread out a blanket where we could sit and watch the fireworks around the valley as well as the Blue Angels flight show from Moffitt Field Naval Station. It brings back memories of barbeques in the back yard with hamburgers, chips, and lemonade. I love to go to the giant Freedom Festival parade in Provo. This year Den and I will run in the Freedom Run 5-K, then go to the parade, and end up boating at Utah Lake with a picnic with the family. Have a great day - and may the Fourth be with you!

Kanab 2010

We had such a fantastic time in Kanab over Memorial Day weekend. Den & I met Shawn, Jenny & kids and Chelsea and baby Ty at the Brown's condo which we rented for 4 nights. We spent a couple of days hiking in Zion's Canyon, then after all the kids left Sunday morning, we spent a day in Grand Canyon and a day in Bryce Canyon. Such a memorable trip!

Baby Ty

We are so excited to tend Baby Ty this weekend while Chelsea & Skyler are in Hawaii. We don't have anything planned, except to play with him every day. Oh, except maybe Monday morning - I've been called to Jury Duty and unless the case is dismissed, I will be in court.

General Petraeus Speaks at BYU

General Petraeus' Top 10 reasons BYU grads make good soldiers:

10 — They have already been on many a mission.

9 — Army chow is no problem for folks accustomed to eating green Jell-o and shredded carrots.

8 — It's not a problem if they don't know what rank someone is, they just refer to them as Brother or Sister so-and-so.

7 — They never go AWOL. They just call it being less active.

6 — They will seize any objective swiftly if you tell them refreshments will be served.

5 — They know how to make things happen. In fact if you ever need a base built quickly in a barren wasteland, stride out to where you want them to start, plant your walking stick down and say in a loud voice, "This is the place."

4 — They have innovative ideas for handling insurgents — like assigning them home teachers.

3 — They always have a years' supply of provisions on hand.

2 — They are the world's most reliable designated drivers.

1 — They understand how far Iraq has come over the last seven years, and they think that Iraq's old spot in the "Axis of Evil" can now be filled by the University of Utah.

Canyonlands Half Marathon 2010

Dennis and I competed in the Canyonlands Half Marathon 2010 in Moab - he ran the half marathon and I competed in the 5-mile run with Chelsea as my coach/trainer. What a great time we had, even though we about froze to death up the canyon waiting for the race to begin.

Yeti Marathon scheduled in Woodland Hills

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Going to the Temple

This evening we're going to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple with the Terrys to do endowments for the family. So glad it's not snowing so Den can go. Seems like we always have to plan our activities around the weather.

My Two Favorite Groups and My Favorite Hymn

It's SAD when Christmas is over...

I love the days between Christmas and New Years Eve - mostly because all of my family is around me and we can really relax and enjoy one another. Christmas was wonderful again this year. My sweet husband never ceases to amaze me with the thoughtful gifts he gives me. And my children are so generous and thoughtful, too. How lucky and blessed I am to have such a great family.

We're looking forward to a better and happier 2010. This past year has been very hard for us in several ways and now we're looking for the silver lining in the dark clouds. So grateful for the gospel and the Savior's atoning sacrifice in our lives.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Not done with our shopping yet, not done with all the gingerbread boys yet, not done with all the decorating yet, but loving every minute of it! Can't wait for Jenny, Shawn and the kids to come.

Balloon Regatta!

We had such a great time at the Balloon Regatta in Page this weekend. We watched the balloons launch and fly each morning and on Saturday night they were all lined up on Lake Powell Blvd. Thanks, Wilsons, for a really fun weekend!

The Princess is Sleeping

A big snow storm is coming in today, so I got to work early before it hit and parked in the underground parking. Good thinking, huh?!

Today Greg Mortensen is coming to BYU for our Forum. He wrote "Three Cups of Tea" - should be a very good turnout in the Marriott Center.

The Story of My Life

2006-11-17

Click here to view these pictures larger

Saturday Afternoon Trail Ride

We had such a good time on our trail ride with the Deweys this afternoon. The weather was cool and perfect for horse back riding. We rode for about 2 hours up South Fork in Provo Canyon - the leaves were gorgeous. We saw an elk on the mountain and I got to pet a tame deer. What a great afternoon - thanks, Steve & Emily!

Fall is Here!

There's supposed to be a big change in the weather. 85 degrees today, strong winds this afternoon, and a temperature drop to the 40's tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the cooler weather, but I'M NOT READY FOR SNOW YET.

Elder Enzio Busche

Pat & Kat's Wedding

We are so thrilled that Pat married Kat Mays on Saturday September 5th. Our yard looked great and the reception was so much fun! We had a cotton candy machine and a photo booth, and, except for hurricane-force winds and downpour for the first 15 minutes of the reception, everything went exceptionally well. Chelsea and Jenny made the chocolate wedding cake.

We are so happy to have Kat and Tayla in our family now - they are darling and wonderful and they fit right in!

Scofield Cabin

Just got home from a fun weekend at Chelsea & Skyler's cabin at Scofield Reservoir.
Saturday was bright and sunny, but a little breezy. We took the boat out and Den did some fancy skiing.

No one else was brave enough to face the water which was 19 degrees colder than our August trip to Lake Powell. Two month old Baby Ty was happy as long as the engine was running and he was all bundled up in his hoodie and blankets.











Wesley really liked being on the boat, but we couldn't coax
him into the water. I don't blame him!














Early this morning everyone except Jessie, Kadence and I went fishing - they just about froze to death, but Skyler caught a fish. So the outing was a great success!!




Later we took a hike along the Lower Fish Creek and saw some beautiful scenery - Wes and Kadence saw a deer and a fox running across the trail. Thanks, Chelsea & Skyler, for a wonderful weekend!

I Love VT

I visit the most wonderful sisters: Anna Poulsen and Dolly Scharf. My fabulous partner is Rachel Beckstrand, who is darling. My own Visiting Teachers NEVER MISS A VISIT and I love them to death: Bunnie German and Susan Self. They give me the lesson and then we spend the rest of the time talking about guns and preparedness!!

As in the Days of Noah

Fabulous Lake Powell vacation

Just got home from another wonderful week at Lake Powell. Wesley tore up the water on his kneeboard.


Just about everyone climbed through the "crack".

Three week old Baby Ty loved being on our new 22' open bow Cobalt as long as the motor was

running and the wind blew on him. He did pretty well for his first time at Lake Powell on the Leisure Princess.

Dennis, Jake and Megan climbed up and down the Moki Steps.



Our party consisted of
Dennis & Joyce
Chelsea & Ty
Justin, Jessie, Wesley, Kadence
Uncle Christopher, Nick, Jake and Megan





Looking forward to another week next year. Great weather, great food, great skiing/boarding, great company. Anyone wanna come?!!

Need a good laugh today?

We Have a Baby!!

Ty Danford Evans was born this morning at 5:27 am, after a 13 hour labor. Poor Chels! He weighs 7 lbs 1 oz and is 19.5 inches long. He is, of course, beautiful! I got to hold him this morning when he was only 2 hours old.

Grateful for Pioneer Ancestry

President David O. McKay told of the experience of some of those early saints in the Martin handcart company. Many of these early converts had emigrated from Europe and were too poor to buy oxen or horses and a wagon. They were forced by their poverty to pull handcarts containing all of their belongings across the plains by their own brute strength. President McKay related an occurrence which took place some years after the heroic exodus:

“A teacher, conducting a class, said it was unwise ever to attempt, even to permit them [the Martin handcart company] to come across the plains under such conditions.”

Then President McKay quoted an observer who was present in that class: “Some sharp criticism of the Church and its leaders was being indulged in for permitting any company of converts to venture across the plains with no more supplies or protection than a handcart caravan afforded.

An old man in the corner … sat silent and listened as long as he could stand it, then he arose and said things that no person who heard him will ever forget. His face was white with emotion, yet he spoke calmly, deliberately, but with great earnestness and sincerity.

“In substance he said, ‘I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts mean nothing here, for they give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the Handcart Company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife was in it and Sister Nellie Unthank whom you have cited was there, too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? …

“ ‘I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it.’ ”

He continues: “ ‘I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.“ ‘Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company.’ ”

Makes you proud to be an American

Hoorah for Den - he did it again - winning first place in his age group in Provo's Freedom Festival's 5K. He runs less than a 7 minute mile.

And the winners are...

Wesley: 2nd place in his age group
Dennis: 1st place in his age group
Joyce: 1st place in her age group (can you BELIEVE it???)

We ran the CUCIL this morning in Provo along with Justin, Jessie, and Lori. Kadence rode in the stroller when she wasn't running - the wrong way sometimes. We all won prizes, too:

Dennis: lube job
Joyce: dinner for two at Applebee's
Lori: lube job
Justin: family pass to Boondock's
Jessie: Marie Calendar's pie
Wesley: Hogle Zoo pass for two adults and four kids
Kadence: family pass to Jumping Jacks

We made out like bandits!

Oh yes, a hot tub in my room...

I'm staying at the Landmark Inn in Park City, right up the street from the outlet mall. I do have to spend some of the time working, and the rest of the time I can play.

Den came up with me yesterday and had to leave early this morning for work. I'm waiting for him to come back up today and we'll go to dinner.