New Hats and New Shoes

We took a minute and went to the Ribbon and Lace store, next to the Old Dutch store on Highland Drive. Of course Sarah was in heaven. They had about a thousand different ribbon and lace choices and Sarah immediately began accessorizing outfits for her girls. While we were there Sarah and Bubby noticed some cute knitted hats for little girls. They wanted $40 for them. Bubby examined them closely for a couple of minutes, made a few notes, and when we got home she duplicated them for Sarah's girls. Although I know Sarah would rather you see The Ly with a clean face, she was loving her hat. Her pretty eyes were sparkling during the entire photo shoot. Either you get the pretty eyes or a clean face, but you can't have both.

Andrew emerged from downstairs at one point wearing princess shoes from Katie's vast collection. I think he might need some quality male bonding time with his Dad and Poppy. I can't wait until he is old enough to take fishing.

I tried to get the three little ones to pose for me but Andrew kept throwing his head back and saying, "Cheese!" I think he missed the point. Lots of fun for the cousins.

Andrew wanted a new hat, too, but I didn't think pink and frilly was his best choice. They found some cool black yarn with a silver sparkle in it, and Bubby crocheted one for him on our way home early Sunday morning. We will put it in the mail tomorrow morning. We had breakfast on our way home with items we purchased Saturday night at Whole Foods (they have bought-out Wild Oats in SLC). Bubby had a bran muffin and sparkling cider and I had a pecan sticky bun that was philo based. We each had a macaroon (to die for) as well. We were back in Cedar City by 9:30 AM and both made our 11:00 AM Sunday responsibilities.

Buboppy

An Unscheduled Visit to Sugarhouse

We drove to SLC after our luncheon with Barb. The drive was blissfully uneventful and we listened to "Not a Penny More", a long time Jeffery Archer favorite. We crashed at Babsy's after a nice burrito dinner and in the morning we had fun visiting with the kids. Lydia was caught enjoying a conversation heart in this photo.

We drove down to the new IHC facility in Murray this morning to see Liza. Theodore Roosevelt Davis Eves was born yesterday. He was 8 lbs. 14 oz. and 23 inches long. He looks just like he should (like Jasper's brother). While we were visiting Mr. Ted, Jasper arrived and was really excited to see his Mom.

Bubby says that Ted is a substantial package, and seems pretty docile. He likes to eat, and didn't seem to mind that Jasper was getting intimately acquainted with him during our visit. Congratulations to Jason and Liza. We also saw a photo of Mike and Melissa's baby Audry. She was born 8 weeks early because Melissa had serious high blood pressure and they were worried about her health. If we had just a little more time we would make the trek out to Saratoga Springs to check on things. Grandma Brenda is in town, and we're sure that all is well in hand.

We had lunch at the OG (probably the worst service and overall experience, ever) and then went across the street to feed the ducks, geese, and gulls in Sugarhouse Park. Before our lunch, I got this photo of Andrew in his winter attire, complete with his Jarjar Binks band aide.

Katie got way into the duck activities and seemed to enjoy herself. As soon as we got out of the car, the livestock all ran to greet us and see what we had brought to eat.

Although I took about a thousand photos, I thought this one of everyone engaged in duck feeding was worth posting.

We all had a good laugh at The Ly. She took a breadstick to feed the fowl, but every time she broke a piece off, it ended up in her mouth. That is why I have titled the above photo "Lydia Feeds the Ducks".

Buboppy

Happy Birthday Barb

We were finally able to match schedules and take Ms. Barbara out to lunch yesterday. We had a lovely visit to Costa Vida, and Barb was our guest. We had lots of laughs, even if the event was short. Every time I go in there I am reminded of how good it is. Although I would prefer real Mex like Alvaro's or Alberto's, I do like the fresh Mex, particularly a small pork salad.

Buboppy

Happy Valentines' Day

When we woke up this morning there was about eight inches of snow on the ground. It didn't hit until 7:00 PM, but it really came down. The wind drifted it around to the point that shoveling was no fun. Bubby helped me, and we quit after 45 minutes.

We dressed and had breakfast at the Main Street Grill. The special was an avocado and bacon omelet which the chef split between two plates. It was very nice to just sit after all of that shoveling. Our furnace was issuing a natural gas smell, and I called the repair guys. Before they came out, they suggested that I check the vents on the roof. With so much snow, perhaps one was clogged. I checked it out, and things had warmed up enough that I didn't have to get on the snow covered roof. The smell is gone. Anyway, their suggestion saved us the cost of a service call.

When I got home from the office, Bubby had made a dinner of old favorites. Clam chowdah, heart-shaped biscuits, and apricot jam. Very nice.

You can tell from the photo I am looking forward to digging in. She even tried to keep the dishes up while she was cooking so there wouldn't be so many to do after dinner. I hardly got my hands wet.

Bubby got a bag from Clark and Linford Jewelers for her valentine. I made her guess what it was, and she was pretty nearly perfect. I guess after 35 years, you kind of know one another. It seems like its hard to surprise her anymore. Of course, she was excited to open the bag and its contents even though she knew what was contained therein.

So here they are. Bubby has declared them "modern", but "dainty". I think they look nice and I hope she will get lots of wear out of them. I am thinking of going into the gold jewelery resale business. She has so much, and only wears a few things. I am thinking I could sell what doesn't get used and buy a bigger bass boat, or at least fancy front-end electronics for the one I have.

Buboppy

Another Week

We have had a quiet week, with little out of the ordinary. We have spent a couple of nights trying to put our taxes together. It is time to get them to the accountant. I did go to the doctor yesterday to get some help from drugs. My congestion has just not broken up, so I am on an antibiotic. I can feel a difference with only two doses.

I got conference tickets at my meeting on Tuesday. Our opportunities are dwindling, and President Wilson encouraged me to take them . We have seats for Saturday afternoon (2 seats), Priesthood (3 seats), and Sunday morning (4 seats). I got enough for Sunday to take Jakey, if he wants to go. I am sure we will stay with Babsy this trip. I am also hoping that Daniel and Bean will go to Priesthood with me.
Bubby and I went to "27 Dresses" yesterday afternoon. Very chickish, but she liked it. We also had hot-'n-sour soup and gyoza to celebrate Chinese New Year. Bubby went to quilt club last night, and got the latest from Big K on her trip to visit Booty and Laurie.

We drove down to St. George to do a session and ran into Marty as we were going in. We had to take this photo of snow in the shade in front of the Temple. It is very novel for St. George. We did the OG afterwards, and Marty joined us. It turns out she is a fool for egg plant parmesan! Bubby had the usual soup, salad, and breadsticks and I had some mushroom stuffed ravioli. It was fun. Afterward, Bubby wanted to peruse the new Gymboree outlet, and she found things for all for whom she was shopping.

Worldwide Training this morning was really good. I asked President Wilson on Tuesday night if we were going to have to do prayers and opening/closing hymns. He couldn't remember, and we had passed the instructions along to our techie high councilor, so we didn't prepare. Of course we were caught short when the broadcast started. The sister sitting in front of us offered to play the piano, I led, and Presidents Wilson and Froyd offered the prayers. We survived. We spent the day outside as much as possible. It is a glorious day, with temperatures in the low 50s. I finally got the Christmas lights down, and assorted other outside jobs. We washed the truck, and I found a new purple necktie to wear with my green suit.

The T-Birds are playing a double header this evening. Bubby says her butt is already sore. We are going to made a Wendy's run between games.

Buboppy

A Late Breaking Announcement

The image in this posting is no less than Laur's pelvis. The mass in the upper left of the cavity is Number 6 grandchild (Eveylyn is Number 5), whom at this point we are calling The Gummy Bear. Congratulations to Matt and Laurie on a September baby. Unfortunately it will be a Texacan, but we will love it all the more.

Be sure and send your congratulations their way. We are very excited and of course they are, too.

Buboppy

A Sick Week

Bubby and I have spent most of this week fighting our colds. We both started on Tuesday and have had to medicate to get through the week. We had evening activities nearly every day including, SWATC Student Recognition (their commencement), home teaching, and a department party last evening. I was supposed to participate in an interview to call a new bishop on Wednesday, but forgot in our illness and overall busyness this week. Never fear, the call was extended in my absence.

Our department party turned out pretty nice. We used the FACS living room, and Rhonda really decorated things up nice. We had an excellent turnout (only one faculty member didn't come), and a very pleasant evening together. We played the"stick-a-name-on-your-back-and-try-to-find-out-who-you-are-by-asking-only-questions-that-can-be-answered-with-a-"yes"-or-"no"" game. The names were all physical scientists and inventors. It made people start talking to each other from the minute they walked in the door, and set the tone for the evening. The Department bought the meat and starch and the faculty brought potluck items. It was very nice. We played a little physical science pictionary to wind things up, and it was a very pleasant evening.

Bubb and I slept in. We have missed some sleep this week because of our colds. We watched the funeral (a very fitting tribute to a great man), and just got back from shopping. We will work on our taxes, go to a matinee and out to dinner tonight. Then we have the final installment of "Prime Suspect 2" to watch (which we love), and we will rest before Sunday.

We hope all of our faithful readers are doing well and enjoyed the past week. We love you all and look forward to our next meeting. It won't be long before we are in Dallas with Booty and Laur, and we are starting to get pretty excited about that. But we have to get through stake conference, an APPL convention in Denver, and RMGSA in Las Vegas before we get to go. By the way, Bubb was asked to speak at the Stake Relief Society Birthday Party in March. She has to tell what Relief Society has meant to her. Should be pretty easy.

Love,

Buboppy