Millcreek

Last evening the Lang's went up Millcreek Canyon for dinner. Dave and his family are visiting from Guam and so this gave us a chance to be together. We had a great time talking, eating, playing games, and exploring. Thanks to mom for organizing everything!!!

Madison

Lexi-a-loungin'

Grandpa Lang & Sidney

Cousins!!! (Madi & Lexi)

Chan & Dave

Steve (I don't think he'll like this photo!)

Dylan & Grandma Lang

P.S. Photographers for the evening were Alexis Lang and Madison Lang

Labor of Love...

Maintaining my status as 'favorite aunt' is not always easy, but I diligently work at it. The past few days I have spent time with nieces Alexis and Madison (both 11) - although Madison can never be talked into sleeping over. We spent one day at Grandma and Grandpa Lang's where we swam, played games with Grandma & Grandpa and ate a great steak dinner. Friday we went swimming at Steiner and made tote bags. They even worked at learning a duet on the piano. (You know the one... Heart and Soul.)


My two nieces are learning to sew very well. I was so surprised that Madison sewed straight seams this time. Last October, well, let's just say they were not very straight!

There really are four hands at this piano!

Madison with her tote!

Cute Cousins - Alexis and Madison

Madi & Lexi at Steiner

Alexis with her new tote!

Last but not least, I have video of a couple of their jumps from the high dive. Both were too chicken to dive from the high dive (okay, I would be too!) but they did dive from the low dive!

Flip Flops?

When I married Mike, I had no idea how important his flip flops were to him, but I quickly found out. He doesn't like to walk around in bare feet or even in stocking feet. It is either shoes or flip flops.

Shortly after we married, I asked him one evening to get up and shut the window. Mike arose, put on his flip flops and walked three steps - yes three steps - to close the window. Needless to say, I busted up laughing. That's when I knew that flip flops were serious business! But, the upside to this is I always know where Mike's at when he's wearing them. Flip flops really 'flip flop'!

Last evening, Mike 'lost' his flip flops. He was hunting all over the house before he asked me if I had seen them...

Where are my flip flops?

Look where they were found!

Flip flops!!!

Stash...

A couple of weeks ago when our niece, Lexi, stayed with us. Lexi purchased fabric so I could make her a bag. I finished the bag last week and had left over fabric. Today she was at our home for a couple of hours and came across some fabric that I had not used. She quickly and deftly asked if I had bought the fabric or she had. When I answered that it was her fabric, she was so excited. Alexis now has her first piece of 'stash' fabric. For any quilter or sewer, you know what that means.... There is more fabric to come!

Lexi, proudly holding her first fabric 'stash'!

P.S. I must also mention that about a year ago Mike and I were working on our will. Alexis somehow found out about and asked, "Sidney, can I inherit your fabric?" Well, since she's the first to ask, the stash is hers! (Note for other family members, if there is some of ours that you would like to inherit, you need to let Mike or I know. It may be 40-50 years until you inherit it, but it will be 'free'!)

Odds and Ends

Okay, a few more comments about our recent vacation

Treasures...

I loved being on the beach and finding beautiful shells or uniquely colored shells. I brought them home to combine with the shells I gathered while in Guam in September 2006. I just finished putting them in the glass jar and placing them back on the mantel.

$$$$ Mexican Salesmen $$$$...

Thursday when we arrived in Puerto Penasco, Mike and I went down to the Old Port area where the outdoor vendors are located. These vendors were on the beaches, at every place we stopped. I just couldn't get away from these guys and ended up with all of this stuff. Yet, there is only one item I really wanted...

Which item is the one I REALLY wanted?

Green Pitcher

Blue Glass pitcher (the back one)

Apple Platter

Earrings

Fabric Store...

No vacation is complete without finding a quilt store to visit. I wanted to go to the store in Sedona, but of course, we arrived at 5:15pm and it closed at 5:00pm. (Quilting stores have banker hours.) On our drive home I stopped in at a store in Panguitch, the Scrappy Apple Yard, or some name like that. Of course, I bought fabric, in addition to the Mexican purchases...

Here is what Mike purchased on our trip...

Yep, that's right. Absolutely NOTHING!

What does this tell you about the two of us? Okay, don't answer that question!

Vacation Highlights - The End...

Sunsets...

One thing on my 'to do' list was to see SUNSETS (plural here) while we were on vacation! Saturday evening, after a nap, Mike said, "Let's go to Mirador Beach and watch the sunset." We did and it was absolutely wonderful.

Note: Mike and I tried diligently, and I mean diligently, to arrange for a Sunset Cruise. It just wouldn't work for us. I have to admit, that just being on the beach was MUCH BETTER! After the sunset, we decided to have dinner via one of the street vendors. Manny's Beach Club also had a vendor and so we bought two large beef burritos and two beef tacos for dinner. The cost $8.00. This was the BEST FOOD we ate the entire trip! And who can beat the price. It was delicious!!!

Sunday evening we decided to sunset at Sandy Beach (I prefer this beach because it IS sandy. Mirador is ground up sea shells - see jelly fish picture for proof!)

We went to Playa Bonita and had a couple of soft drinks and an appetizer - thinking we were going back to Manny's vendor for dinner again - WRONG. We were stuffed with the appetizer! We were seranaded by a Mariachi Band. They kept asking us if we wanted 'romantica'. Of course we did!

Afterward, we took several pictures...

'Mike loves Sidney'

As with all vacations, the must come to an end. We left Puerto Penasca Monday morning and drove to Kanab. We stayed at the Perry Lodge, which over the years has lodged many movie stars. We happened to stay in the Gabby Hayes room. I have no idea who this guy is but Mike does.

No, Mike doesn't have a wierd smile. He is imitating the 'spoof' of Gabby Hayes in Blazing Saddles. (Mike loves spoof movies, I do not. Speak to him for a personal 'imitation' of Gabby Hayes!)

We drove home along highway 89. I had forgotten how beautiful the drive is. We were at Richfield and saw a sign for a Chinese Buffet. We looked at each other and both repeated the sign. We knew we were exiting! Chinese Buffets are something 'we do'!

We arrived back in Salt Lake about 5:15pm and found our home and 'crops' doing well. We have two tomatoes that are turning, Vidali onions that are growing VERY LARGE - we'll be harvesting a few soon! - and flowers on our squash plants. Plus, Mike's lone tomatoe plant is thriving! Yea!!!

The Car...

Well, this was the first road trip for our new car. It performed wonderfully except, I think we may have a slow leak in the back driverside tire. I'll get that checked out!

Gas mileage - Well I have a theory... When Mike drives, its over 38 MPG, when Sidney drives, it's a lot lower. What does that say? I'll let you interpret...

Overall Car Experience - I missed cruise control, a place to rest my arm - although a pillow in between our two seats does work - and power locks and windows. Otherwise, we have a great car to travel in.

Mexico Gas Prices - Yes, we purchased gas in Mexico for $2.50 a gallon. When did $2.50 a gallon get one all excited about gas prices?!?

The Trunk/Hatchback - Mike was all concerned that we'd not be able to fit much into our trunk, but we did. It holds much more than either of us expected!

Vacation Highlights - Puerto Penasco

Puerto Penasco, Mexico...

We stayed in a nice one bedroom condo a block from Mirador Beach and had an ocean view and breeze! The breeze was important as it was VERY HUMID down there, but who noticed, because we were either in the pool, the ocean, or home in air conditioning! We did absolutely nothing, which was VERY IMPORTANT to me!

Jelly Fish

Okay, we are at the beach less than an hour and a jelly fish stings me on my wedding ring finger. It HURT! Luckily, it was a very small fish with a long tenicle - picture below - but the sting lasted for 1 1/2 hours. I never saw another jelly fish afterwards. (I did see two others before the sting.)

Pelicans

There were an abundance of pelicans at the beach. I'd never seen so many of them. It was so fun to watch them dive for their food. Their heads took on this odd posture just as they were ready to dive!

What We Do Best...

Church...

We attend one of the two Puerto Penasco Branches. We actually arose early and went to 9:00am meetings! It was the BEST EXPERIENCE. I didn't understand a word of Sacrament meeting, but the thought that kept coming to my mind was, "Be Still, and Know that I am God". I was still and I felt the spirit of the meeting. Attending this branch was one of the highlights of our trip for both Mike and I. They had an English speaking Sunday School class and then a translator in Relief Society (no translator in priesthood, which was fine with Mike).

A funny story... Many of you know that I enjoy singing and I have a loud voice. We were singing out of a Spanish hymnbook - which was really fun - but I wasn't singing very loudly, at least in my opinion. In priesthood meeting, Mike introduced himself in Spanish [former missionary in the Argentine mission 1967-1969]. Mike told them that he was from Salt Lake City. The Hermano (brother in Spanish?) conducting asked him if his wife [me!] was a a member of the Tabernacle Choir. My wonderful husband responded, "No, but she should be!" Wasn't that nice of Mike to say? I love music, but I don't ever think I'll ever become a member of the choir. (I actually began the audition process about eight years ago and was rejected on the first round. But I'm glad because I know myself and I know that Mike and I would have never met had I become a member of the choir. I'm so glad that our Heavenly Father had a better plan for me!!!)

Vacation Highlights - Part 3

The Drive from Gilbert, Arizona....

We left Gilbert around 11:00am after dropping by the grocery store for food and filling the gas tank. Luckily for us, gas averaged $4.10 a gallon for this trip. A steep increase from our $2.12 - $2.19 when we went to Alaska in July 2005

Rain...

I was always taught that it never rains in the desert. But on this trip, we ran into a few sprinkles and road signs warning us about flash flooding. Mike and I decided that we needed a picture to document our 'rain'.

A couple of miles down the road, we ran into the REAL RAIN, and then we found the 'flash floods'. Again, pictures to document our adventure. (The flooding was no more than 6 inches on the road, so it wasn't too scary!)

Our view going through one of the 'Gully Washes' as Mike called them!

As we reached then end of the rain, we had a beautiful view of the Ajo Mountains (Ajo = Garlic in Spanish).

Vacation Highlights - Part 2

After leaving Blanding, we drove through Monument Valley to Flagstaff, and then took highway 89A to Sedona. I'd been wanting to visit this town for a long time and Mike - again the good man that he is - agreed for the detour! All I can say about the trip is that drive was beautiful. The town, we'll I'm not that impressed. We stayed about a hour. Some of you may feel that it's a great town, but honestly, the beauty of that area is just a spectacular as anything we have in Utah.

Overlook at Cottonwood Creek on 89A. We drove down the switchbacks to the bottom of the canyon before we entered into Sedona.

Mike viewing pictures of famous movies that were filmed in Sedona. The movie industry gave Sedona its start.

After leaving Sedona, we headed down to the Phoenix area. Longtime friend, Wendi [Horrocks] Webster lives in Gilbert. I'm made arrangements for Mike and I to stay with her and her family. We arrived about 8:00pm and visited for a while and then Mike and I were off to bed...

Sidney and Wendi

Milo Webster, the cat. This picture does not due Milo justice! I cracked up when I saw him lying on the floor like this. He looked just like a SEA OTTER!!! He cracked me up, so I had to add him to our vacation photos!

Vacation Highlights

Well, our vacation worked! I feel completely relaxed and I am still not sure that I feel like answering the phone or responding to emails. It may take a few days for me to get back into the routine... I want to stay in this uncomplicated, unneeded state!

A few highlights and pictures...

Blanding...

• I was able to go swimming at the Blanding Pool! (The pool is directly across the street from Mike's parent's home. It is such a treat to just walk across the street and go swimming each day!)
• Mike and I were able to visit with Mike's brother Kirk, who was in town visiting. (We purposefully planned our trip to coincide with his!)
• The BEST homemade ice cream of all time - Raspberry-lime!
• Visiting with Mike's parents
• Pretty much doing absolutely nothing!
  

A 'low point' for us was the fact that we missed all the family who had been in town for the 4th of July. We honestly thought we'd see a few nieces and nephews, and their children, but they had all left by the time we arrived - which 11:30am on Sunday morning by the way!!! We even missed Kevin, aka Elder Christensen, who recently returned - July 2nd - from serving in Armenia. Who would have thought he'd want to go to Orem to spend time with friends, former companions, and other family members?!?

Yes, I think I am funny... Mike walking from the 'rest stop' men's room!

Doug, Kirk, Mike and Caroline

Caroline holding Mike's Novel

P.S. Thanks to Scot and Julene who provided accommodations and breakfast for us! We had our own personal B&B!

Some Things Never Change...

While in Blanding last week, Julene (Scot's wife) pulled out this photo from their wedding in 1978. The 'brothers' were doing a pose...

1978 - Scot, Mike, and Kirk

30 years later... They haven't changed a bit!

The Three Amigos

I Love FIREWORKS!!!

I love fireworks! This evening, my fireworks plans didn't work out, but luckily, because of where we live, I was able to view the Sugarhouse Park fireworks from my patio. I can even hear the 'boom' as the fireworks are lit! I had a quite evening at home as Mike was called to work an overtime shift. I watched the movie We Are Marshall and viewed fireworks.

Fireworks from our patio!

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down...

Okay, right up front, I am making a disclaimer. If anything I say hurts your feelings, I'm apologizing up front.

This morning I went down to The Wooden Spoon in American Fork with friend Deeann Reynolds. She told me she'd driven by our old [since January we've been in a new 'old' building for church] building this morning and the demolition team was there tearing it down. When we came back from American Fork, we drove by the building. As soon as Deeann dropped me off, I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures.

West side of building is complete demolished.

The 'white wall' is the east wall of what was once the cultural hall.

East side - Front of the chapel and in the back, the remains of the cultural hall.

A closer look... The roof is off the cultural hall and overflow areas and probably some of the back of chapel.

Now, you are probably wondering, "Why the disclaimer?" Well, here's the history. Last January - January 13th - to be exact. Mike and I were having a nice mini-vacation in Blanding when I received a phone call late Sunday afternoon. I was told that in church that day it had been announced that two wards in our stake were being dissolved, making five wards from seven and that the Texas Street Building - this building here - would be closed down and demolished. It shocked EVERYONE. Our ward was not dissolved, but 225 members were moved into the Foothill 3rd Ward. Many people were irritated about the building being demolished as well has having to move to another building - which was actually older. People were upset because they couldn't walk to church (the other building is three blocks away!) Many people had built this building with their sweat, tears, and dollars. For me personally, I didn't have any attachment to this building. Plus, I'm a person who follows rules. If I am told to go to a new building, I'll go. Not a big deal. Plus, I'd rather see the money spent on new temples or buildings in other areas where the church is growing rather than seeing this building remodeled, again. I've pretty much kept this all to myself, unless someone felt the same why I did. I've lived outside of Utah, I know what it is like to drive miles to church. I'm okay with sacrificing a building. (Note: Because of the construction of the new junior high to the west of the building, the building ground had actually shifted and the walls attached to the roof in the chapel had actually come apart by 1 1/2 inches, plus numerous other things... but of course, some people think the building should kept, period.)

It just so happens I am the 'lucky' individual that has been serving as Relief Society President during all of this and some people haven't been very nice or kind regarding all of these changes. I've HEARD IT ALL. So, I've had the attitude all along that "I will be so grateful when the building comes down because then these people will know it is final." Some people were holding so much hope. But frankly, it is just a building and as Annette Powell told me, and I absolutely agree, "This building filled the measure of its creation." I absolutely believe those words. So, with those 'last words', let me leave you with this last picture...

As Deeann and I drove by the building this afternoon I noticed that these day lillies were in bloom. I thought, "Amid all of the demolition, there are these day lillies, still blooming" It was a 'sign' if you will that life goes on, the gospel goes on, and despite the building being demolished, everyone and everything else lives on. We will be victors over the death of this building!!!

Hip Hip Horray for the Day Lillies!