Blossoming even as we gaze

For years getting the kids ready for church on Sunday morning has been a big trial. We had to drag them out of bed, feed them, dress them, change their diapers, etc... It's still hard to get up early, but today all three of the older kids got themselves ready with no complaints. It made me think how much the kids are growing up. Lisette told us months ago that she was "too old for tucking in."

I'll try not to wax too sentimental, but I'm afraid these sweet children of mine are growing up way to fast. I guess that's a big incentive to 'live in the moment' and enjoy them right here and right now.

I remember once when I went hometeaching with my dad and for part of his lesson he talked about the song "Sunrise, Sunset" from "Fiddler On The Roof." I think his point was that your children grow up while you're not looking, so enjoy them and teach them while you still can.

(Tevye)
Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?

(Golde)
I don't remember growing older
When did they?

(Tevye)
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he get to be so tall?

(Golde)
Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small?

Speaking of Fiddler On The Roof, I remember seeing it several times growing up. My dad had the soundtrack on vinyl and I remember my dad really liking it. Which brings me to a funny story they tell about me when I was very young.

I was with my parents at the Weber State library and we were all listening to something different on headphones. I just happened to be listening to the soundtrack of what? You named it: Fiddler on the Roof. So we're all just listening to our own thing when my parents start to nice that a lot of other people in the library are looking over at us with big grins on their faces. Then they take off their headphones to hear me belting out, "If I were a rich man, yabba dabba, dabba doobie, dabba doo!"

Pickle pie

My parents are in town visiting from Alaska. Although Alaska has it's nature adventures, I think Dad has really missed the southern Utah desert. As soon as he arrived Joy and Dad went down to enjoy the beautiful sites on the Colorado plateau. In one weekend they went to Arches National Park, Goblin Valley, and Capitol Reef National Park; quite the whirlwind trip.

For years Dad has told us about this cool restaurant in Bicknell (near Capitol Reef) that has unusual pies. This time they brought some pies from the Sunglow Motel and Cafe home to share with us. They were as delicious as they were unique.

My favorite was the buttermilk pie, which had a nice clean lemon taste, however the pinto bean pie was a close second. Lisette's favorite was the pickle pie, and everyone liked the oatmeal pie.

These were first class pies; the crust was just right and the fillings were excellent. Thanks for sharing, Dad!

Couple of the hour

Yesterday we had had a wedding and a baby shower for Ruth and Darius. The rest of our family was finally able to meet Darius, and they weren't disappointed. We're so glad that Ruth found such a fine gentleman that takes good care of her. They are such a kind and loving pair. I absolutely can't wait for their baby; he or she is going to be über cute. I mean just look the parents!

Mom and Connie got this fabulous wedding cake that was very elegant (and tasty, too.) Darius cooked up some jambalaya and their was plenty of cornbread.

Clair made a great MC for the night. We did a quick round of Mafia and we were totally bamboozled by the chosen mafia; we had no clue. Speaking of cute babies, Makenna was completely adorable laughing loudly every time we did. Everyone is anxiously awaiting for this years rendition of the "Thanksgiving Song."

Mom hosted the ever-popular Newlywed Game where we found out that Clair has lots of holey socks, Bobby is the only guy Carrie ever gave her real phone number to, Darius likes to ride horses, and I have a diaper in the glove compartment.


My lovely wife Melinda had a good time (probably laughing at me for taking so many pictures.) I used her mom's cool new digital camera and her dad's big flash attachment. Only problem is it makes me want to get a new camera.

Michel brought 3 of her girls and Joy brought Olive, her dog. Olive is my little canine friend. My little hairy, loose-skinned, drooling buddy. We all talked about how we met our significant other. Michel didn't let me forget about the time she made Brent a chessecake to impress him and I pulled the instant mix box out of the trash. Whoa, I was such rude little punk then!


Carrie and Bobby were very gracious to host the party at their house. They have these super high-tech light switches which people kept leaning into and turning out all the lights. I would hazard a guess that their was some smooching going on during those dark episodes.

I got to meet Bobby's mom and dad; Bob and DJ (I don't know if I spelled that right?) Their first "meeting" was pretty funny - Bob and his friends drove up to DJ and her friends and honked at them and drove away. Then DJ met him later and said, "Hey that was you!"

We had a great time. It was cool to have everyone together (though we did miss James who is in China.) Ruth is going to make a great mom and we're so happy to have Darius as a part of our family. Because so many of us are far apart now, it's extra special when we do get together.