Magical May

I'm calling this month Magical May because a BIG event happened in England to start it off. Any guesses what that event was? Prince Harry (son of Prince Charles, who’s mother is the Queen of England) married an actress, Meghan Markle, from the United States, who is biracial, was an actress, from the United States, and a commoner. This is big for the Windsor family heritage! I watched the wedding and it was definitely different than other weddings that have been performed in their church. It was quite long because both the Episcopalian (Meghan's religion) and Catholic (Prince Harry's religion) churches had a part on the ceremony  It had a lot of pomp and tradition, flowers, and famous actresses and actors, as well as family and royalty. I hope all goes well for the couple and their families.

 Prince Harry with his brother, Prince William and their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

Meghan Markel's mother, Doria Ragland. (Meghan had been married before)

Look at that veil!!

It's official.

And they ride off in a horse drawn carriage!

I finished up doing my “Service Job” (DIBELS) as Dale, calls it. Our supervisor, Sara Krebs, is retiring and so we won’t be working with her next year. I really enjoyed working with her, and so I offered to get her a retirement gift from the DIBELS crew. I ended up getting her a nice succulent plant arrangement and an Air Plant arrangement in a glass bowl. There were both way cool looking and she loved them! She’s a co-worker, that I’ll miss. I wish her the best.

I did quite a bit of ushering at the Eccles this month, but they were all worthwhile and entertaining. I ushered for Hot Sardines, a fun rag-time and jazz type era group that was so good, I loved their music and style. I also ushered for Enlighten Ballroom, a local dance company, A Older Gentleman’s Murder, a comedy, and Dance Source, another local dance group. Quite the variety this month at the Eccles.

Dale and I were invited to go watch the Jazz in a play-off game by the Worker’s Comp Group. We were treated quite well with box seats, finger foods, drinks, and a t-shirt, but the Jazz lost  big to the Houston Rockets. We were in good company though, and had a good out, so we fared better than the Jazz did.

I had my follow-up appointment with Dr. Rigby on my foot and was given the all’s clear signal. Now I can get out and go more, so watch out, here I come!!

It’s been a slow process, but we finally got ARS here to get the basement bedroom sheetrock fixed, the spackle done, the baseboards back on, and the room painted. The guys also came and got working on getting the tile floor in. The washroom, hall, ½ bathroom, and foyer got a re-do and it looks great, finally. This project took a lot longer than I thought it would, but I’m glad we’re put back together again.

I served in the Logan Temples clothing rental area, as well as in the Youth Center. It’s always a treat for me to serve in the temple.

We had all of the kid’s here for Mother’s Day. We did up some Spare Ribs on the grill and dutch oven potatoes, had a couple of salads, and a roll, with pie for dessert. I love it when the kids pull together. They were great to help get the meal going and helped with clean up as well. The kids gave Dale and I some good camp chairs as a combined Mother’s and Father’s Day gift, then Danica and Jason gave me a plant, and Garrett and Zandra gave me some earrings from London and a fingernail kit, so my fingernails will look all fancy. Nate called and we talked for a bit as well. I always love it when I can hear from he and Kim. It was a fun day. I felt loved and very blessed.

I feel Mother's Day means even more to me since my mom has passed away. She definitely was a gem. I sure miss her, but like the saying goes on the plate I have in our house, "When someone you love is in heaven, you have heaven in your home". 

 I helped my friend, Kris Bullock, decorate for her daughter, Cami’s, wedding, helped in the kitchen, and then helped with the take down. I really enjoy helping out like this, and creating a fun atmosphere with what they have to work with. The couple had been married a week earlier and were just doing a reception. It was so nice not having the pressure of trying to fit it all in, in one day.

The Cache County School District purchased a new building to be their main office and this month they finally got to start moving in. I helped Dale get his office set up, put things on the wall and got a few plants, and new pictures to liven up his office. It's a lot nicer and will be so much nicer than their old building.

Dale’s getting the hang of being called Bishop Hansen and really got the ball thrown at him. The ward was in charge of the first big meal for 300 people, after the Stake Softball game. I went grocery shopping with him and then helped cut up fruit for it. The couples in the ward are so great to help out and are fun to get to know. I think we’ll enjoy this new calling.

Nate went with some buddies and climbed Mt. Adams, around Mt. Rainer, and then did some back-country skiing. He still loves to play in the snow and loves to climb.

Kim had a big month by exiting her 20’s by getting her 1^st trad climbing lead in Index, followed Nate up off-width climbs, living in a van for a few days from crag to crag, hiking through rainforests in Washington, chilling with friends lakeside, in Bellingham, WA and just enjoying good company.

 I’d say turning 30 isn’t stopping her drive. Happy Birthday Kim!!

Langston graduated from The All Academy Pre-school. Way to go Langston!!

He has loved going there and it made it even funner because Amie was helping in the pre-school. 

Timber!!!! Matt got into the lumber jack mode again and he and a neighbor cut down another big pine tree in their yard because it was leaning into the other two trees and a hazard. It really opened up their yard and it's looking more open and bright. A lot of people in the neighborhood have noticed their hard work too and commented to them how nice their yard is looking. Hard work pays off.

I went on a school field trip to the Stokes Nature Center with Kennlyn's class to help her teacher with the kids. She has a fun teacher and class. We learned about animals and plants in the area, went on the River Trail and had lunch at Second Dam's picnic area. They also played some learning games. I was glad I could go help out..

The Mallory’s came over and planted our garden while Dale and I were at a neighborhood party at the Latvakoski’s, some neighbors that moved to the area above us a while back. After we got back we took the boat out to Benson to see if had the get-up and go that Dale was hoping our other boat had. Dale’s been working on it to get it in better condition. It definitely does!! We’re going to have some fun times!

When we got back we went and visited the Logan cemetery and put flowers on the graves of my folks, my step-grandma, Eva Petersen, my second mom, Aunt Vonda, and Dale’s grand-parents. 

On Memorial Day we met the Mallory’s at the Hyde Park Civic Center for their famous Lion’s Benefit Pancake Breakfast. The funds from this event were for a family where the father has cancer. After we had our fill we went and put flowers on the graves in the Hyde Park cemetery, where my dad’s parents and great-grandparents are buried. Then we went to Smithfield where we put flowers on Dale’s grandparents grave with the Mallory’s as well. Dale also showed the kids where his Uncles are buried.

Matt and Amie had bought another kayak and so we decided to take their four and our three and go kayaking out in the marshes along the Valley View Highway. We saw birds and huge carp that Jaxson caught with his hands because it has been injured. It got blowing pretty good, so we cut our kayak trip short, but we had a good time. We stopped and picked up some pizza and had that for dinner at the Mallory’s. Then we watched a movie with the kids. 

Andrew and Lindsay invited us to go watch Titan play in his first soccer game this season. It was fun watching him run around and I think he’s getting the idea of the game. Way to go Titan! He had quite the cheering section on the side-lines.

Andrew and Lindsay’s house in Richmond, is moving right along. We went out there with them to see the progress that’s being made. It’s pretty much framed in and the roof will be on next.

Exciting times for them!

Eloise tried to hide in Andrew's suitcase when it was time for Andrew to head back to work. I'd say she loves her dad.

Lindsay got asked to model for a new swimwear company, naniswimwear. I'd say she's still got it!

Luke and Zandra both celebrated their birthdays this month as well. Luke turned one year old!! They came here and did a party because Garrett’s Sky View High School’s 5 year class reunion was the same night here in the valley. Luke’s big brown eyes sure lit up when they did the candles. Happy Birthday Luke!!

Garrett and Zandra celebrated Zandra’s birthday a bit quieter, by going out on the town.  

Zandra's mom, Gloria Dennis, came and spent some time with them so she could her grandma fix. I don't blame her, she's got some pretty cute grand kids.

Garrett’s been busy helping peoples dreams come true by helping them get into a home. His hard work has paid off as well as his association with different realtors.

Jason's was keeping busy tracking the Utah Jazz in the  play-offs, on the TV or in the Vivint Smart Home Arena with family or friends. Both he and Danica went to as many games as they could. The Jazz did good, but didn’t get past the second round. The Houston Rockets were just too much for them. Maybe next time.

Danica claims that she was in heaven after attending a concert put on by PINK with Jason. They both loved it!

Danica and Jason headed south again to spend Memorial Day weekend with his dad and some of his siblings. They made the most of it and did some hiking, climbing, golfing, and got in some good food as well.

Memories were made by all this month and the magic of those memories will continue on in our hearts.