Den, Kat, Tayla and I went to the Draper Temple Open House yesterday. It was a gorgeous day - sunny and warm with the snow glistening on the ground. We drove to a chapel near the temple where we watched a video on the importance of temples to members of the Church. Then we boarded a bus which took us up the hill to the temple. It's smaller than other temples, which is the way the Church is building them now so that they can build more temples and accommodate more people. There is no cafeteria or clothing rental there.

The tour was a silent one with a brochure and signs to follow. I was so impressed with the beautiful chandeliers - I've never seen ones that picked up all the colors like those. Of course the spirit was so strong there. I need to attend the temple more often - good goal for this year.

Afterwards we met Pat at The Outback for an early dinner. Gotta remember not to order the Chicken Fetuccini again - dry and tasteless!

I Got My CCP!

Becky Poulter and I went to Rangemasters in Springville Thursday evening and completed the Concealed Carry Permit class. Mike S., the instructor, spoke really fast, was really funny, and taught us more than we really wanted to know! When Mike was drawing pictures on the chalkboard showing us where to aim on a person, or where to cut with a knife, I couldn't believe we were learning this stuff - it was against everything I'd ever been taught or brought up with.

We got fingerprinted and photographed and I sent all the paperwork into the Criminal Bureau of Investigation the next morning. After a background check by the FBI, I'll receive my card in about two months. This is my second background check - the first one was when I was a volunteer for the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympics - so maybe this one will go a little faster.

Schow Family Portrait

Family photos from Dave & Von's photo booth.

Dave & Von's Wedding

Jessie & I flew to California this weekend for Dave & Von's wedding - it was so beautiful! We attended the rehearsal on Friday and then the wedding and reception/dinner. It was so good to see Robert and Patricia there, as well as Katie and Rob (their new baby, Giovanni, is absolutely darling!).

Dave & Von had a white candle imprinted with the names of the family members who have passed away - a special touch.

They rented a "photo booth" where we could have our pictures taken - so we all scrunched in for a Schow Family portrait. There was lots of dancing (see Robert's moves above) with great 80's music and an over-the-top DJ.

I was feeling a little bit sorry for Jessie at the wedding because she didn't know very many people - until I realized I didn't know any more than she did!

We stayed at Mary's house and between wedding-doings we went to the Winchester Mystery House, spent a couple of hours (not really, but we COULD have) at DSW shoe shopping, went to Valley Fair Mall, and made a last-minute run to Le Boulanger for wonderful sourdough bread and Dutch Crunch rolls to take home in our carry-ons and a couple of sandwiches for us to eat on the plane.

Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful

We celebrated Kat's birthday at Tepanyaki's with a great show as well as good food. Wesley even enjoyed his eel - eek! - he said it tasted like chicken. We're so glad we could get together to celebrate Kat's special day. Happy Birthday, Kat! (and birthday or not - DON'T go with PACO!!!)

Target Practice

Den and I had our first "target practice" date Friday night at Rangemasters in Springville. I shot 75 rounds on my new .38 special - my Christmas gift from Den. We spent most of the evening trying to adjust the laser sighting - it needs a little more work but we'll save that for our next date. I need to go buy some more ammo - 105s this time - the 130s have too much of a kick for me right now.

2008 in Review