Happy Anniversary!!

I think the party's still going on!!  Congrats you two on 4 years of wedded bliss!!

Party Time!

Phoebe posted on her blog some photos from Agnes' 5th b-day party.  She commented that she remembered having such a wonderful 5th b-day party, that she wanted the same for Agnes!  Well, here are the photos from her party - doesn't look nearly so clever and splendid as the one she threw for Agnes - but beauty must be in the eye of the beholder!!

I can't even remember the names of all these kids - on the couch is Chad Burdette, Jenny Dequer Graves, Phoebe, Jill Stewart, unknown, and on the floor, the only one I can identify by name is Celeste Coleman, sitting on the end.  Some of the kids lived on our street.

 I was early pregnant with Eliza and feeling queasy - I'm pretty sure we played "Pin the Tail" on something too.

That's Amy in the striped shorts, and Harry F. in the foreground - I'm sure I had them helping too.

I searched and searched for one of my fave photos of Phoebe - in her party dress by a laundry basket full of balloons - not sure what we did with them.  But I can't find it.  Maybe she has it.  I made the dress from a Vogue pattern - I still have the pattern - and she still has the dress!

All my kids do wonderful parties - for birthdays, showers, weddings, whatever kinds of occasions.  Clever decor, wonderful food, charming favors - they didn't get it from me.

But if you're ever invited to one of their events, be sure to go - you'll be glad you did!

Farewell to a classy lady!

I really liked Nora Ephron.  Loved her writing - and all that said about her.  Especially loved I Feel Bad About My Neck.  I didn't know any woman could so accurately say it so well for so many of us!!

Loved her films too.  I'm one of those people who can say lines and act out scenes from Sleepless in Seattle.  (I don't care what the critics say about its "fluffiness!"  Life needs some fluff!)

And all the photos I saw of her showed a pretty attractive neck!

Another book read - summer, ah summer, the reader's paradise!!

I was tempted to put this "review" on our book blog - and then noticed that the last time I posted was in January - and no one else has posted since then - and the book I wrote about was another by the same author!!  Perhaps no one reads that blog.

I have loved the two previous Kate Morton novels I have read.  I skimmed some reviews of this book and found them to be mostly negative.  Perhaps if it hadn't been summertime, I might have been negative too. The complaints were that the story bogged down, the parts in the present were boring,  perhaps expectations were too high.

I was up until 2 a.m. plowing through the end of this one.  Finally got too tired to go on, so stayed in bed when I woke up and finished it.

What I like about her stories are that they are compelling - you want to keep reading - but she does provide some natural breaks quite frequently, so you can put it down.

Thus far I have never totally "figured out" the plot ahead of time.  I have made some good guesses - but they weren't quite on the money.  I like that quality - keeps me reading.

I'm not a fan of romance or historical novels in general, but the element of romance in these stories is more implied than explicit, which makes them more interesting for me.  The historical aspects are well-researched.  When I read through the acknowledgement pages, I was tempted to go to some of sources - maybe I still will!  It seems like she is exploring other areas of history that have not been used as much.  This story involves London children being sent to live in the country after World War II started.  I have read one other novel about that time period and found it very intriguing.

Wonder what she will write about next time?  I'm sure I will be eager to get hold of it!

Latest summer read -

I just finished this - I love the Flavia De Luce stories - although the last one wasn't quite up to par.  This one made up for it though - lots of great elements - an old British estate, film stars of the 30s and 40s, a murder to solve, Christmas time ambiance, and of course, all the requisite chemistry questions Flavia manages to include.

If you haven't read these, start with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - and go from there!!

Weekend wrap-up comes again!

 Friday we went and saw Brave with Eve, Porter and Harry - had a quick lunch, went swimming, took the boys home - Eve was at gymnastics by then - and decided to check out the street fair.  I had not realized how very congested the street fair can be - or maybe I'd just forgotten!  We got some flowers for Jonah's grave and went and put them on it. 

Then we needed dinner, so we headed to IHOP - breakfast for dinner - my favorite!

 We borrowed Sunday clothes for the little girls and shopped for Sunday clothes for Ara - and managed to look our best for Anne's funeral on Saturday.  It was a lovely service - a fitting tribute to a wonderful woman.  

Afterwards I took the girls home and then headed home myself.  It was a long, tedious trip - traffic as usual - but I was telling Harry that it wasn't as bad as it could have been - since I was alone in the car, I put Pete Seeger in the cd player and "sang along" for the whole ride - I love singing old folk songs - but not everyone does!!  It was great fun to have the girls here - it seemed a bit lonely when I got back home to the empty house!!

When I got to Monrovia, I went and bid farewell to Harry and Dawn and crew as they headed off for Utah.  Then since I was in the neighborhood, I just had to get a sandwich from Market Grill for dinner!!  Harry got home about 8 from the job site.  He's headed there early tomorrow a.m. too - I think we will all be glad to get this job wrapped up!!

Tonight we headed out to GH and visited with Joan, Fred, Scott, Brianna and boys - they are on their way to Kansas for Scott's new assignment - it was great to visit with them - and to get to know their little boys!

Not sure of my agenda for tomorrow - but I think it will involve sleeping in!! 

Life and loss

I received word from Bruce today that their good friend Anne Andrus had died at 10:30 this morning after a long, difficult battle with cancer.  I did not know her well - mostly through Bonny - but as her struggle ensued, she shared her spirit and feelings with many via her long, thoughtful emails.  It was an honor to be included in this sharing of experiences.  I found myself wondering how I would stand up to such trying conditions.

She sought the prayers and faith of all who would contribute.  What a generous soul - to give so many the opportunity to grow spiritually as we strove to be faithful and prayerful in her behalf.

Her husband commented that it was a blessing to see her released from her pain and suffering.  But it was also wrenching to have this half of his union gone from this earthly sphere.  Their family blog is called "Six in the world," and now is called "Five in the world and one in heaven."

Our prayers will continue as the family moves forward in the world while such a big part of their world is in heaven.  How wonderful to know that families are forever!

Summer marches along!

Alice is back in Utah, but we had fun heading out Malibu way and enjoying the beach - even with gray skies!!  Donna took a day off work and we had a fine time!

Also enjoyed a brief visit from Marjorie!!

Enjoyed celebrating Father's Day with the family.

Porter and Harry are honing their tether-ball skills - maybe we'll need a tournament come Christmas time!

And tonight we had a 49th birthday party for David Card - complete with a Mimi cake from Dawn!!  Not sure what Isla's facial expression means - although she did con one of the M and M packets from David!!

We have 3 of the Bolander beauties with us this week - planning some good times - we'll keep you posted.

Some fathers I know and love!!

Sort of in the vein of "if you give a mouse a cookie," when I start thinking about the great dads I know, it can start off a chain of musings, especially if I am scrolling through photos at the same time.  Of course there's the dad of our children - a wonderful father and grandfather too.

And my own dad was a great dad and grandad and great-granddad!!  As the years go by, more and more memories re-surface and I am grateful for the years we had with him.

 

Our son Harry is a wonderful father - and showed such courage and compassion as he and Dawn helped Jonah navigate his brief sojourn here on earth.

 

Our beloved "Pop," the "other" Grandpa Terrill, was here only a relatively short time in the grand scheme of things - and all the kids and grandkids did not get the opportunity to know him as well - but his influence is always with us.  And that is a blessing.

It has been so great to watch our wonderful sons-in-law become fathers - as we often say, we couldn't have done a better job if we'd picked them ourselves.  Matt is so patient and calm - a good role model for all dads.

 

When they talk about "hands on" dads, they must be thinking of David -nothing gets past his eagle eye - and he's a good sport about it all.

 

The stories about my Grandpa Clayton are legion - and he certainly had flaws - but they were never apparent as he interacted with us.  He called me "his little Relief Society President" and instilled in me the belief that I could achieve whatever I wanted to achieve.  (Not that I wanted to be a R.S. President - he just told me I was good at "taking charge" and so to be sure I was ready for whatever came my way!)

 

My Grandpa Stevens was somewhat "crusty" as they say, but I only remember his kindness and gentleness with me.  Anyone who will spend Christmas afternoon teaching a little girl to roller skate is wonderful in my book!

Bruce is a great dad - and a great "father" to his ward family - we could all learn much from his example.  We appreciate his "pioneer" spirit in our family - I often say he set a gold standard for us all to follow!!

Since we're mentioning all the other men in the family, don't want to leave out Robbie or Noah - potential dads who bring a spirit of love to our family.  Robbie is a natural with kids - maybe it's because he has that wonderful "forever kid" gene somewhere in his genetic makeup!!

 

We love Noah - and love that he cares about all the "kids" in the family!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads everywhere - but especially to all the great dads we call family!

Gettting summer going -

It's been hectic for the first few days of summer vacation - I've been hanging out at Harry and Dawn's or at Mom's!!  For those not in the know, Dawn had gall bladder surgery last week.  She is doing well - and I've been threatening her with dire consequences if she didn't take it easy!!

Sunday we all went out to Claremont for Porter's piano recital - and he did a great job!  In fact, in my unbiased opinion, he did the best job of all the students - and Dawn agreed with me!!

Alice and I hung out with Dawn and the kids too - Alice also did a little tutorial on the serger Dawn got last year - watch for a plethora of projects to be coming soon!  Not sure why the kids made those faces - and Harry was at his preschool.

Mary is off to Indiana, but we did get in some visiting.  Tomorrow we head out to Bonny's.  Not sure when I will start my projects - or my summer reading.  

Never a dull moment anyway!

Happy Day to Baby Lars!!

Perhaps I should say "little boy Lars" rather than "Baby Lars," since he's a year old today!!

Seems like it was just yesterday that we got the call,  and I boarded a plane for Virginia and got to spend the first 3 weeks of his life with him and his family.  And we've gotten to see him often - he was born in June, and we saw him in August, October, November, December, and March!!  What a treat.

Happy day to you little boy - we'll be writing up your baptism before we know it!!

"Down in the Valley"

We left for Yosemite on Tuesday morning to attend the wedding of Jenny and Allen.  We got there just in time for the barbecue at the Wawona Hotel.  After that there was a barn dance - complete with costumes - I should have gotten a shot of me in my Pioneer Day dress - still fits after 15 years - that's an accomplishment!

Dad could not be dissuaded from wearing his "teeth" - and using my suitcase strap for a suspender!!  It was lots of fun to square dance and do the Virginia Reel - nice to know that those skills come back quickly!!  Had live music too - banjo, fiddle, base, guitar, and accordian!  Jenny and Allen know how to throw a party!

 The wedding was Wednesday in the little church in the meadow in Yosemite Valley.  We went there in a  motor coach - a nice bus - and then after the ceremony, we went on an open air tram tour of the Valley - quite spectacular.  Jenny and Allen had filled backpacks with a fleece blanket, snacks and water - so we were plenty comfy - even dressed up in our Sunday clothes!  (The bride and groom were taking photos while we toured.)

I should have taken more photos - the reception was at the Ahwahnee Hotel - and it was lovely - good food, some wonderful new friends in the form of Allen's family, thoughtful toasts, and dancing - and of course it was great to see all the Dequers!  (We stayed in a "cabin" with them - a 3500 sq. foot "cabin!")

Dad and I drove home today, Thursday,  and I have the last day of school tomorrow - need to pack up my room for the summer.

Ah, summer!

Move over Brady boys!

This photo is so 70's!!  Gotta love the world of fashion!!!

It was a quiet week in Lake Primrose!!  Friday night we walked to the movies.  Saturday night we ate dinner early - had a barbecue with just the two of us - kind of fun.  Sunday I went to church with Mom and Donna - had a nice visit after.  Then tonight I helped Dad with the refreshments for the Seminary graduation.  He's the new Seminary principal!  I love it - I'm married to a principal!

And tomorrow starts the last week of school!!

Yippee!!

Friday Night at the Movies

(Just noticed that I uploaded a movie poster in French!!  It's called Snow White and the Huntsman.)

Dad felt like going to the movies tonight - and he'd heard this movie being discussed on NPR - so we walked downtown and took in a show!!

The LA Times kind of panned it - as did NPR - but Dad said, "I wasn't interested in great art.  I just wanted to go to the show and be entertained."  It's not a bad film - but I probably won't be motivated to ever see it again!

It's a bit long too - in case that bothers you!

It's a little Harry Potterish too - with the dark, evil motif contrasted with the good.

So you can decide!