March Madness

 We're starting off the month by finishing our Girls trip to Las Vegas.... We slept in and pampered ourselves some by doing facials and foot masks (Amie doesn't look like she was enjoying it, but she was, the mask just made her look scary).

After getting cleaned up, we walked along the strip stopping for some breakfast and at some of the stores and to see some of the sights in the Mandalay Bay, The Luxor, and The Flamingo on our way to go see "The Blue Man Group". These guys were good, but we weren't as impressed or entertained with them as we were during the "WOW" show. We played arcade games to pass time as well. Amie & Danica were killing it on a shooting baskets game. 

From there we went to a "Tournament of the Kings" dinner and show. This was fun and got us in the mood for our upcoming Hansen Family Reunion that Nate & Diana are planning, with a stay in a castle on Orca Island in the San Juan Islands. The horses were well groomed and trained and the riders were the Kings from different countries. We had a meal of chicken, roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, a roll, and an apple fritter for dessert, w/water. They did jousting, and other activities. There were also ladies dancing. It was nice. We got a picture after of us with the Prince and his page.

Walking to the show we saw a beautiful sunset too!

We had an earlier flight out, getting us back home around 3:00pm.after Dale picked us up from the airport and dropped Danica off at her place. Matt had dinner all ready for Dale, Amie & I at their house too! It was a quick trip, but fun. Here's to a great year Amie and to 40 more years of making the most out of life.

We weren't home long and woke up to around 3-4 inches of snow on the ground and then the next day sunshine. So pretty, and so needed. We had a couple of other storms and also rain this month as well.

Dale and I went to see the USU vs Air Force game (which they won by 40 pts.), this was a great way to end our season and take us into the first round of the NCAA Basketball tournament. It was also Sr. Night so that topped off the evening. 

USU played UCLA for their first game and ended up losing by 12 points. They came back from almost 35 points in the second half because of a dry spell on 3 pointers, but didn't get those last critical buckets. Sad deal, but for a new coach, and a new team, not bad. We'll be anxious to see if Coach Calhoun stays with the guys for next year. I hope he does. 

I ushered at the Eccles Theater for the "Theater of Ukraine's State Ballet of Swan Lake", "Chicago", and Cache Valley Civic Ballet's "Sleeping Beauty". I thoroughly enjoyed the ballets, and I liked the singing and dancing in Chicago, but not the storyline that went with it. One of the benefits of ushering, no loss if you don't care for a show. 

I served in the Logan Temple Youth Center for a cute family of eight. They had adopted 6 of their 8 children. The youngest being 4 yrs. old. His older 14 yr. old sister was able to be at the altar with him to help him if needed. He was so inquisitive about everything, and so easy to talk to. You could feel the love the other kids had for their youngest brother. The Spirit was strong in the room during his sealing too. I was also able to do initiatory and sealings this month in the temple as well. What a blessing to live close to a temple.

 

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I cooked up some corned beef, cabbage, and carrots, and some roasted potatoes. Then we added green & yellow jell-o jiggler squares, a green salad, rolls, and brownies w/ice cream with the help of Danica and Amie. We played Bingo, and Left, Right, Center with gold coins to add some fun. June loved getting the gold coins!

I was able to get together with my Golden Girls (minus Jeanette Petersen)for dinner at El Sol, where we ate, visited, and caught up on everyone's comings and goings. This will be the last time we'll have Teresa Maughan with us until she and her husband get back from Nauvoo, IL where they'll be serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm blessed in the friend department.

Towards the end of the month, Dale and I were invited by Dale's sister, Sue McGregor, to go hear the United States Air Force Band which consists of six preforming groups, and The Singing Sergeants are part of the group. They sure could sing and preform. It was not only entertaining, but patriotic as well. Our own Craig Jessop, the conductor of our local American Festival Chorus, preformed with this group and was honored. It was very nice.

 

Matt planned a food drive for the students at Heritage Elementary school and got a great response! The guy at the Food Bank that picked up the items that their school had collected, told Matt that his school always collects a great amount of food for those in need and was very grateful for his efforts.

Kennlyn went on her first official Girl's Choice Dance date with a group of friends. Her second dance. Looks like she picked a nice guy to go with, and doesn't she look adorable. They painted pictures and played games to add to the fun.

Kennlyn also was a guest player for a soccer game that her grandpa and grandma were able to go watch. She got their second goal and they won 5-1. Amie helped coach as well. They make a good team, don't you think?

Elder Mallory learned how to brush his teeth the right way, because the mission has had a lot of the missionaries getting sick. He learned that Mexico has a "Day of the Coconut" and to celebrate, the town had a candy that was a mile long out by the side of the street. 

He is learning to rely on and pray more for guidance from the Holy Ghost as well. 

He's learning that things don't always go the way you think they will and that you have to just try, and try again when it comes to working with and teaching people. 

His companion got transferred, and he stayed and will be a trainer to his new companion. Their hard work is paying off, they got a baptism. He said that it's crazy how you can have a crap week and then an awesome week. A lot of his district is leaving so he's a bit sad, but he's still going to give it his best. 

Sounds like Jaxson's learning a lot of lessons about life.

He also celebrated his birthday and we were able to visit with him via Face Time the week of this birthday. He's looking good and continuing to make the most of each day. Happy Birthday Elder Mallory, we love you!

Langston, Mazin, Matt and Dale took advantage of a good day and went to the Willow Park pond and threw in their fishing lines and they each caught some fish! First time out fishing in open water for them. Nice catch guys!

Andrew and Lindsay took their kids to Disneyland before the madness begins during Spring Break. They met up with friends, Dylan Harman and JJ Hansen and their families. They all had a great time. 

They stopped in St. George at the Sand dunes for a little break and to get their wiggles out. 

The kids love Disneyland now, almost as much as Andrew & Lindsay. 

Because Jorie and Luke played soccer and Garrett coached Jorie's team, they got tickets to go to a RSL soccer game. Their team also got to carry different flags as they walked around the soccer field. What a fun experience for all.

Garrett and Zandra took the opportunity to take their kids on a trip to Italy. They got to visit the Colosseum in the center of Rome. It is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheater in the world, despite it's age; where it was built in 72 AD. It's one of the eight wonders of the world.

They also got to see Florence, and the Statue of David. Zandra said they were heautiful and truly breathtaking, and wonderful. They are getting in all the sights that they can. More on their trip to come in next months post......

The Hassell's got the whole family out on the mountain and took advantage of the new snow that we had. June & Brooks loved it. I'm sure all were tired and maybe a little sunburnt after an afternoon on the slopes though, but memories were made. 

Danica posted this on Facebook to share what Jason's been up to.... "From day one of meeting Jason Hassell, I knew he was someone who was going to be and do great things. Jason’s hard work over the years has really been able to show just how incredible he is! The drive that this man has is incredible! He was asked to be a speaker in this years Guild Leadership Conference, and he gave an inspiring speech! Love you babe! So proud of you"!

Danica's been getting creative and started up a new project for people to take advantage of. She draws a flower bouquet with flowers for the month their kids are born. They're pretty cool too. I hope this new gift idea takes off for her.

June celebrated her 3rd birthday with family and friends at the "Fly High" trampoline park. The cousins and friends loved all the place had to offer; the parents loved watching and visiting; and June loved the ice cream, cake, and the presents she woke up to and received at her party. Happy Birthday June!!

Danica also took June & Brooks to Hogle Zoo and met some friends on one of the sunnier days we had. They all loved it, especially Brooks because it was his first zoo experience where he could run around.

In world news the Carolinas have had wildfires burning due to the dry conditions in their mountain areas as well as from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Table Rock in South Carolina, which was started by hikers has had 8,679 acres burned so far and still isn't contained. In North Carolina, the areas hardest hit are in the areas they call the Black Cove Complex Fire and the Deep Woods Fires which have burned over 3,288 acres so far, and is still not contained. This fire was started by a downed powerline. My heart goes out to those who again have been hit hard by disaster.

My sister, DeAnn and her husband, Steve, moved to South Carolina last fall and since being there have had a hurricane, snow, and now fires. Although where they are living they haven't been affected directly really, they realize how very easily they could have been and feel very blessed.

This is from a news article: At the end of the month, Myanmar (formerly Burma) and neighboring Thailand were struck by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake. The earthquake, with its epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, occurred at noon GMT and was followed by a strong aftershock measuring 6.4. 

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake had its epicenter in Myanmar, but the tremors were also felt in Thailand, India, and China. 

Again, my heart and prayers go out to those affected by this terrible incident. It was reported that 694 have been killed and 1,670 have been injured and the count will likely rise. 

Looking at these pictures definitely tugs at your heart. I can only imagine the heartache, shock, and dismay they must feel. May God bless them.

Marchs lion hasn't left yet, it's mad! I'm praying April will bring on the lamb.