Spring Break has Come and Gone

This past week was Spring Break. It is my first as the Dean, and certainly different than the ones I have experienced in the past. For one thing, I had various meetings going on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday which meant that it was not much of a break. By Thursday afternoon, I was feeling pretty fed up with it all, so I headed south around 1:00 PM, hooked up to the boat (it is so nice to have it garaged in St. George and out of the weather), and headed to Sand Hollow. The water temp is about 53 °F, so the fishing was very slooooow. I had one bite, and caught one fish while I was drop shotting. I would ordinarily call the outing a bust, but I needed so badly to get out, that I consider it a success.



While I was having a mental health break, Bubb was keeping an eye on Drewfy and Sister so Dan could go to Stake Temple Night. When I got home, Bubby was putting Sister down for the night, and Drewfy was playing lock blocks in the living room. We hung together for a few minutes, and then he went to bed, too. Daniel just came to our house when he got back, and slept in the basement with Drewfy.

We woke up to snow on Friday morning, which needed to be shoveled before Bubb could go for her swim. I had decided not to go to the office on Friday, so I was feeling pretty relaxed about the morning. After a breakfast of ham and scrambled eggs for the kids and the interested adults, we enjoyed a little leisure time. I can't remember what the afternoon activities were, but they included an outing to Pizza Factory with Dan and the kids. Drewfy insisted on his own pizza, with pineapple and ham, but of course couldn't eat it all. It took a little coaxing to get him to share with the Bubb, but he eventually did. Bubb and I ended the evening with a trip to the Centrum to watch the Lady 'Birds wage gymnastic war against Cal State Fullerton. We won easily.

On Saturday, Drewfy and Sister came early so their dad could go pick up the weekly coop basket of produce. We got to video conference with Booty, Laur, and Leego (as he is calling himself). It was fun to talk to them. The highlight was watching Leo take down a Clementine tangerine without any assistance. He eats them like an apple rejecting the peelings as he goes along. What a funny guy. I also finally got my taxes organized enough to turn over to the accountant.

By Saturday night, Bubb was not feeling all that well, for some reason. We did our bit by singing in the ward choir during the adult meeting of Stake Conference, and then we came home and went to bed.

On Sunday, Dan had a 7:30 AM priesthood leadership meeting, so Drewfy and Sister came calling. Bubb woke up under the weather, so while she sat in her blue Lazy Boy, squinting and holding her head, the kids played in the living room. Dan, Sister, and I went to the 10 AM session, and Drewfy stayed home and "took care" of his Bubb (which is what he is calling her these days). I am sure that he enjoyed himself far more than he would have at conference. Sister was delightful at the meeting. She likes to stand in the aisle and dance to the hymns.

We had just enough time to eat a hurried dinner before Drewfy and Dan drove to St. George to pick up Rosalyn from the shuttle. Sister took a nap, and she was so happy to have her mom back when she woke.

It didn't seem like a very eventful weekend, but as I recount it, we did get quite a bit accomplished. We both commented that Dan is a real trooper to take sole custody of his kids for four days. He did really well, and with the exception of a couple of mental health breaks, stayed right in the game. I am not sure I was tough enough to do it when my kids were the ages of Drewfy and Sister. Way to go, Dan.

Buboppy

Spring reak has Come and Gone

Chasing the Green

Bubby and I decided that rather than drive home on the Saturday night through the dark and potential stormy weather, we would sleep in St. George. When we awoke on Sunday morning, we remembered that we had lost an hour to DST during the night, and so we had to rush to get back to home and be on-time for choir practice. We saw about six cars off the road due to slippery conditions, so we were about 15 minutes late for choir, but we made it.

Unfortunately, we had about 7-8 inches of snow on the driveway and walks and forty-five minutes between choir and church. I shoveled while Bubby did some calling and did her hair. She shoveled while I dressed for church. All we were able to do was dig out the driveway so we could park the truck and take the car to church. I finished the sidewalks after the Block.

Later that evening, after a wonderful pasta and meatballs dinner, complete with lemon sour cream and pecan-cream cheese pie, Bubb and I got our recommends signed, visited with the Bells, and headed back down to the Condo.

Monday there was a campus-wide power outage planned and that left me without a need to go to work. Bubby was anxious to be in St. George on a nice day, so we spent Sunday night there. On Monday morning we went to the earliest temple session possible, had breakfast at the Fairway Grill (by the way, I concur, it was a bit overpriced), did some shopping at Costco, bought and In n Out for Bubb, and decided to go for a ride.



Bubby wanted to drive over Utah hill and down the Beaver Dam slope. She was hoping that there would be some vegetation in bloom. However, we are about six weeks too early, and the only thing we found was these tiny blossoms on a specimen of turpentine bush. On the up side, the sun was out, it was beautiful, and we had a grand time together.



Here is photogenic Bubb in her latest piece of SUU wear. Daniel and I picked it out and I gave it to her for her birthday. She is "quite pleased" with it, which makes me happy, too.

Buboppy

Wedding Fun

On Saturday, Bubby and I had the opportunity to participate in Maddie and Mark's sealing in the St. George Temple. Dan and Rosalyn came down too, and one of the Miner girls babysat while we all attended. While we waited on the Temple grounds (16 brides that day), I took the opportunity to photograph anyone who would hold still. Here is Emily with her Grandpa Phil.



Grown up Cammie with Grandpa Phil (she is a senior this year and planning on DSC).



Bubby and one of her favorite nephews, the ever charming Jason.



Markus with Grandma Garling. Speaking of grown up, check him out!



Here is the happy couple, resplendent in their finery. They look really cute together.



Although not old enough to have married children, Cindy and Ray seem to be taking it all in stride. Of course there isn't much that rankles Ray.



While we were supposed to be taking a photo of this cute family with their camera, we sneaked in a photo with our camera. Handsome family, don't you think?



One of the nice surprises of the day was a visit from Uncle Dave, Aunt Maren, and DB. What a treat to visit with them. We got to talk, went out to dinner, and general enjoyed the opportunity.




Here is our family's end of the reception line. The event was catered and very nicely done. We had Mr. Toad's wild ride trying to find the church, but all is well that ends well.



My Ted was at the reception with Jasper in matching Buzz Lightyear PJs. Thanks to Aunt Gaye. They looked great and couldn't have been cuter.



Finally, Maddie's Grandma Margie made this beautiful quilt for the Happy Couple. Bubby couldn't resist a photo, so I shared it.

All and all, a grand occasion. One that we will all remember for a long time. For Cindy and Ray's sakes, we hope it won't be repeated any time soon.

Buboppy

Bubby on her Birthday

OK, I realize that it has been quite a spell since we have posted, and of course the last post went un-illustrated. However, I do have photos, and multiple posts, so I had better get started.

To begin Bubby's birthday week, we had the pleasure of Daniel and Rosalyn's company for Sunday dinner. I think we had a piece of red meat for dinner. Of course the real joy of the occasion can be seen in the photos, below.



Sister, as she is currently being called, wore this pretty frock to church, but before she came over, she changed out her shoes.



These little turquoise beauties are part of a Disney princess collection. I think these are supposed to be Jasmine endorsed. Don't you think they look stunning on Miss Thang's dainty feet?



For her birthday, Bubby asked Rosalyn to remake the dried floral display that has for so long graced our white rock fireplace. Here Rosalyn shows off her efforts.



Of course Bubb immediately put it in place. She is very pleased with how it looks and has thanked Rosalyn on numerous occasions. It is so nice to have talented members of our family.



Bubby had to provide the lesson for RS that Sunday. She talked about miracles and tender mercies, using the incipient arrival of spring as an example. She found this lovely clutch of tulips at the grocery store, and used them as part of her "podium-scape" during her lesson. Although I wasn't present, I understand from some who were that she did a very nice job.



On the actual day of her birthday, Bubby was in charge of a formal (proper?) tea party for the RS ladies. The beautiful scones on this tray were prepared for that event. They were consumed by the RS sisters with clotted cream and homemade lemon curd. Bubb said her one regret about the event was that she didn't get to instruct the ladies about the proper preparation of a scone before it is consumed. The scones were simply placed on the tables with small bowls of the appropriate accessories. She is convinced that many of the women don't have her cosmopolitan experience with all things British.

My major disappointment with the event was that our bishop would not allow the ladies to drink their beverages from fine china. He did not want there to be the slightest appearance of actual tea being consumed at a RS event. Coward!



We will close this post with a photo of Bubb ready to go to the event. She has donned her hat and gloves and looks properly prepared for a good time with the sisters. What a wonderful way to spend her birthday. We all hope she enjoyed every moment.

Buboppy

Spring is in the air!

While we have no photos to show, we can't let the past week pass without noting the inevitable signs of approaching spring. We had a cloudy, stormy weekend, however, there was not much new snow accumulation. I only had to scrap about 1/2 an inch off the driveway on Sunday morning. Evidence 1: Despite the stormy conditions, this turned out to be a very good melting weekend. As Bubb and I took our morning stroll, we couldn't help but notice how much snow had melted over the weekend. Today's temperature is supposed to make 50 °F, balmy spring weather in Cedar City.

Evidence 2: As Bubby was raking and hacking the bushes in Daniel and Rosalyn's yard last week. She noticed some bulbs sprouting under the cover of some decaying leaves.

Finally, Evidence 3: Spring will soon be here. When I got in my car to drive to work at 6:30 this morning, it was already leaking daylight over the mountains. Longer days are the surest sign that spring is coming.

Of course, this has seemed like a particularly long winter, and we will undoubtedly still have some storms, but the promise of spring sunshine, flowers, and warmth can't help but lift one's spirits. Best of all, my friend Richard has agreed to help me get the boat ready, including mounting an additional sonar on the trolling motor so I can see fish from the front of the boat. I am so ready to catch some fish.

Bubb and I went to the movies and saw "Dear John" this weekend, she liked it. We did some shopping, cleaning, chores, and worked on our taxes, too. We did a double header basketball game on Saturday, T-Bird gymnastics on Friday (we lost to Boise State by a couple of 10ths), and had a relaxing Sunday, which included dinner with Daniel and Rosalyn, and one last home teaching visit.

We will get the taxes finished and in the capable hands of our accountant this week. We are planning a trip to St. George on Friday afternoon, which includes a temple session. Bubb has invited Dan and Rosalyn down for a Saturday morning session while we watch the kids.

One final, funny story. During the week, Bubby was visiting Andrew and Evelyn. In her usual manner, she was encouraging Andrew to pick up after himself, and he announced, "You're the worst one!" Bubby asked, "The worst what?" "The worst grandma! You always make me clean up!" She is quite proud, and in fact informed Drewfy that if he felt that way, perhaps she shouldn't come back and play on Tuesday and Thursday. You should have seen him back peddling. Not quite what he had in mind.

Buboppy