California Dreamin Part I

I really wanted to go to California for my aunt and uncle's vow renewal ceremony. Tim was busy with work and was worried about his mom so I didn't think it was in the cards. Tim came home from work on Thursday and asked me if I had packed my bag. He had re-scheduled a few things and Johnnie Belle was feeling better. So I quickly got ready and we left early Friday morning. My aunt and uncle live about 2 hours from Bakersfield so we decided it would be fun to visit Mark and Dianna on our way there and see where they have been living for the past five years.

They have a very nice home.

Mark is known for being very tidy and as you can see everything is in its place in the garage.

 Coast and Lisa ~ Coast has really grown, I haven't seen him for about 5 months.

It just so happened that all of Mark and Dianna's children were also coming to Bakersfield. There son Brian will return from a mission to Canada on Thursday so they were gathering to welcome him home. It was so fun to see Lisa and her family and Jodi and her family. Julie and Eric were coming later. Thankfully I just saw them in Cheyenne.

Coast smiled and jabbered, he's so cute!

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Jodi, but this is her handsome son C.J. with me and Coast.

I haven't seen Rosie for almost 2 years, she's so adorable.

Grandpa Mark and Rose

Dianna made a yummy dinner for us and as always Mark was right there helping her clean up.

Chase and C.J. playing with Jodi's i-Phone. They will have another brother or sister come January. We are so happy for Jodi and Chris!

The toy closet!

With 11 grandchildren there at the same time, every corner of Mark and Dianna's home was being used, even the closets were turned into bedrooms!

Grandpa Mark and Coast, Coast is at that stage were his hands are his favorite toys!

Tim had a nice pool side visit with his brother Saturday morning.

Mark is the institute director in Bakersfield. He has a lot of responsibilities and is a great teacher. He teaches college age students doctrines and principles found in the scriptures. Institute is a great way for students to meet people, have fun and grow spiritually. It's always fun to see him interact with the kids. He relates well with all of them, it's his gift!

Mark's office

We saw a lot of oil wells and...

almonds trees around Bakersfield. We got to try the almonds and they are so fresh and flavorful.

Thank you Mark and Dianna for your hospitality, we enjoyed seeing you and your sweet family!

Quote for the Week - Believe

 "Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith."

—Thomas S. Monson

Tying the knot... again!

My aunt and uncle will be tying the knot again and renewing their vows. The ceremony will be on Saturday, July 28th which happens to be their 28th wedding anniversary. Tim and I want to celebrate with them so we are on our way to California!

 Uncle Dale and Aunt Alene

Have you ever wondered where the expression "Tie the Knot" came from? One possibly actually goes back to medieval and Pagan rituals of marriage or traditions in some cultures where the bride and groom have a cord tied around their wrists during the ceremony to show that they are bound together for life from that point forward.

I'm looking forward to seeing my California people along with some from Oklahoma too!

Sundance With Friends

I enjoyed a lovely evening with friends at one of the most charming and beautiful spots in Utah.

We saw the play Seven Brides for Seven Brothers on the outdoor stage at the Sundance Resort. The movie version (1954) was one of my favorites when I was younger!

The actors were amazing and we laughed and sang along with some of the songs. My favorites are "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" and "Glad That You Were Born."

 Good friends... Susan ~ Joanne ~ Elaine ~ Melody

Mr. Donny Osmond was sitting a few rows behind us!

More friends Holly and Rachel ~ Rachel is getting married in a few weeks. Wow, she will be a beautiful bride!

It's a lively and fun play, so go see it!

Wordless Wednesday - Poppies

Pioneer Day 2012

We all have ancestors we revere who helped pave the way for the lives we live today. We celebrate the faith and diligence of the early Latter-day Saints who crossed the plains and entered the Great Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.

I love the Pioneer Day concert and was happy that I got tickets this year.

I invited my friends Lorie and Whitney to go with me. Whitney and her husband will be moving to Pennsylvania in a few days. It was wonderful to spend some time with her before she goes. We had dinner at the DoDo and then hurried to Salt Lake for the concert.

Guest soloist Katherine Jenkins ~ This was Katherine first visit to Salt Lake City. She is from Wales and has a gorgeous mezzo-soprano voice.  

I loved watching Katherine on last season of Dancing with the Stars. She said that dancing took her so far away from her comfort zone but she was great and took second place.

We had a fun surprise when Dancing with the Stars professional dancer and former partner with Katherine, Mark Ballas walked on the stage. 

They hadn't seen each other for two months and Mark flew in just for the concert. They danced the Paso Doble, what a treat!  

Katherine and Mark

Derek Hough, another DWTS pro was in the audience, I would have loved to see him dance also!

The concert theme, "The Joy of Song," was exactly that. Katherine sang many of my favorite songs...  "I Could Have Danced All Night" (from "My Fair Lady"), "The Prayer" and "You’ll Never Walk Alone" (from "Carousel"). 

Katherine said, "There's something about music, especially when it's, obviously, set with words, that can make you feel something so deeply that can move you to tears and wake you up."

She said she has always loved to sing for as long as she can remember, "whether it's being a small child and learning nursery rhymes to learning opera arias, it's something that's always made me really, really happy. And words alone may not do that, but music can touch me to my core and make me feel something very different."

What a beautiful night and what a performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and from Katherine Jenkins!

Quote for the Week - Heart

So there's this boy...

He kinda stole my heart,

He calls me "Grandma"

Just 3 Words