CJ's Birthday

Today was CJ's birthday.  He turned a whopping 15.  I can't believe it.  It seems like just a year or two ago he was 8. 

He got a new iPod screen for his birthday, and a couple of books.  He seemed excited to start reading them. 

Happy Birthday son!  We love you.



Family Pictures

Last year when Ann was here we were not able to schedule in family pictures. This year I wanted to make sure we did.

I contacted Jostlyn, Ann's friend, who did them a couple of months ago and worked out a trade. I did a bunch of crocheting for her. She wanted blankets, hats and crowns for newborn shoots.

We had suggested driving down to Mesquite for our shoot. We wanted to shoot at the Casablanca. She had never shot down there. They have a really cool waterfall, gazebo and fountains.

We went down and had a lot of fun. I can't wait to see our pictures. We got several types of scenery in one small area. Jostlyn always does a great job.

Time To Go

Mom and I got up and dressed.  Packed and checked out of the hotel.  Drove to the airport and turned in the car.  Waited for mom's plane.  She was out first.  It was a little close, but she made it.  I had to wait a couple of hours for my flight. 

I had driven up to Cedar City this time so I wouldn't have to fight the crowds going into Saint George.  I was so glad I did.  The flight to Cedar was tight, but I got on by the skin of my teeth.  I wouldn't have made the Saint George flight.  Good planning on my part.  I was home by 3:00.

Tamara's Wedding

By the time we got back from Toole it was time to go back to the hotel and get ready for the wedding.

The real reason I came to Salt Lake, other than running away, was to come to a wedding.  Tamara Jensen was getting married.  I worked with her for almost 5 years at JB's resturant.  We got really close.  When she called and told me she was engaged I told her I would come up for the wedding.

I changed and left.  I had googled the directions and it was supposed to be a 20 minute drive.  It was a good thing I left early.  I got me lost twice.  I think because it seemed to be in a newer area.  I finally got there.  Just in time. 

Tamara made a beautiful bride and she was glowing.  I am so happy for her.

Quilt Shops

Mom and I came down off the mountain and headed to the first quilt shop.  We stopped in at Elaine's Quilt Block in Cottonwood Heights.  It was a cool shop.  They had a room that they had all Civil War patterns and quilts. 

I did buy a pattern there.  It was for a Halloween quilt, which in all reality I will probably never make.  I liked the pattern though and could see it done in other fabrics.  Here is a picture of it.
                                  
We then meandered around until we found Quilts Etc.  It was on two sides of the street.  I could have honestly spent a whole day in there and not been unhappy.  Unfortunately we were running out of time.  I was looking for a pattern for my quilt teacher and we had to go to Toole, that was about a 45 minute drive.  We found it though. 

Park City

Mom and I got up this morning and drove to Park City to take pictures and browse in the shops.  We stopped in several and just looked around.  Ate lunch on Main Street. 

I had read on the internet about a scenic drive called Guardsman Pass.  We decided to take that too.

I learned another photography lesson.  Take the picture when you have the chance even if you plan on going back.  I saw a farm going into Park City that had a cool old fashioned barn with a huge flag hanging on it.  I thought we would get it on the way out.  The pass took us to a completely different area and I couldn't go back.  Next time I will take the shot when I see it.

Temple Square

After dinner we walked around Temple Square.  I wanted to take pictures of the temple at sunset.  We had to hurry a little bit.  Here is what I came out with.

  

PF Changs

Mom has never been to PF Changs and it is one of my favorites.  It is so yummy.  There was one a couple of blocks from the hotel.  We went over for dinner. 

We shared the lettuce wrap appetizer and then we tried the Spicy Chicken that is one of the resturant favorites.  Last time I got it in Vegas, it wasn't too hot.  This one had tons of red pepper flakes in it.  We ate it, but we also ate a lot of rice with it.  Whoever cooked it had a heavy hand. 

When we were getting ready to go, the server asked how everything was.  I mentioned that I thought it was way too hot.  He sent the manager over and he took care of that for us.  That was not my intention.  We ate all of it, and we intended to pay for it.  I just thought they ought to mention it to the cook.  We had both had water to drink and so we actually had a very inexpensive dinner.  Even though it was hot it was still good.  I love Chinese food!

Running Away

I have been planning this trip for over a month and it is finally here.  A couple of days ago mom decided to come with me.  She decided she needed to run away too.  I couldn't have been more happy.  She and I both flew up to SLC, Utah and met in the airport.  She came in about 20 minutes after I did.  Neither of us had problems with our flight which was great.

We picked up our rental car, and then went to a resturant and ate breakfast.  We were both starving.  We sat and planned a little bit of what we wanted to do.  Okay, I admit it.  It was more my planning and mom being a good sport about it. 

Our first stop was the LDS Church Museum.  The exhibit was the entries for the annual art contest.  The theme this year was "Make Known His Marvelous Works".  It was a wonderful exhibit.  I was especially stricken with the quilts that had been entered.  I took pictures of all of them.  They were amazing.  I doubt I will ever be close to that good, but I can appreciate the talent.

 This was the first one we saw.  It was supposed to represent the pearly gates of heaven.

 Stunning!  This was Antelope Canyon.

 This was dedicated to the temple obviously.  I really liked the way she took different elements and incorporated them into the blocks.  This one had most of the stitching in gold thread. Having worked with it before. I can tell you that it is very, very picky. It is hard to work with.
                             This was probably the most simple of all of them, but I really liked it.  It was the way the Lord and Church have communicated with us through the years.

 This one blew me away.  The grape and leaf border was done in batik which was beautiful.  The stitching on this one was also all done in gold thread.  
                        
 This one of course is of a pioneer woman.  A little more impressionistic, but lovely colors.

 This were the Young Women Values.

I think that this one was different parts of family and church.