HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAEVE!!

Maeve is the well-adjusted middle child. We love her so much.

When she was a baby, she was so cuddly and loving and we couldn't bear to leave her even when we were given a trip to Hawaii. The company didn't want us to bring a baby so we had to pay $800 (hard earned dollars in the 70's)to take her with us on a different flight. It was well worth it to have her with us.

Maeve is also an amazing, talented young woman. She conquered New York City on a shoe string. Even Osama Bin Ladin couldn't stop her while she was at work in lower Manhattan on 9/11. She is a world traveler that loves home. Maeve and Brad are a match made in heaven. Have a fun time in California and know that we love and appreciate all you do for us.

First Day of School with "All My Children"

School began at East Layton Elementary on August 29th. I have 600 beautiful children to work with every day. I get lots of hugs and plenty of fun along with rigorous days that are never boring. We held an opening flag ceremony and the Superintendent of Davis Schools, Dr. Bryan Bowles came to visit us. He was impressed with the respectful way our children behaved and I was so proud and happy to be their principal.

SHOCKING AND SUBLIME!

HAPPY 32ND BIRTHDAY MICAH! My oldest son, Micah, is brilliant, funny, wild, on the edge, caring, passionate, outspoken, spiritual, hyper, hardworking, loving, knowledgeable beyond belief, too honest, perceptive, generous, productive, exuberant, more hilarious than any stand-up comedian, continually serves others, and is always always spontaneous, just to name a few of his qualities. We celebrated Micah and Maeve's birthday at the Mandarin on Saturday. Most people try to look good when we take pictures but Micah wanted to look like Fu Man Chu. Lisa is totally accepting and happy with whatever Micah does. She truly loves, supports, and enjoys him.This is Micah's beautiful family. On Sunday, in between interviewing the Elders, regular meetings, and conducting in Priesthood, Micah and Lisa spoke in Sacrament Meeting. Lisa's talk was a personal, heartfelt talk about their family history and keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. Micah's talk was riveting, not a single person was distracted partly because everyone was listening to see what was coming next. People were laughing hard and probably too loudly for a Sacrament Meeting talk on "How the Sunday Block Meetings Help Families." His talk was humorus and meaningful. He got our attention in a big way, took us down his path, and finally brought closure in a very spiritual way.
I love you Micah, even though you criticized the cake I personally made especially for you because the frosting was "too semi sweet chocolate" and the angel food cake wasn't homemade!!! Oh, and the homemade muffins had nuts in them, not to mention the beef stroganoff and veggies.

HAPPY 85TH "GLO"!!

Yes, it is amazing to realize that Glo is really 85 years old. She lives in her Bountiful home, has lots of younger friends that she parties with and despite Macular Degeneration---still drives??? We all met on her birthday at the Cinegrill for Italian food. She has many events this week because of birthday, sometimes going out two times a day. We love Glo and even when she has her "Queen Mum" moments we are always making memories.
Apparently Nonny was excited to be there!! Kelsee was very tolerant and Molly was just glad to be out and about!!!
Maeve and Brad were in awe at the twins, Ozzy and Oli!Michael was excited to be eating at his favorite place!! Julie and Reed enjoyed watching him.

AFTER

Michael and I recently celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary. We didn't go on an amazing trip BUT on the spur of the moment we bought a new couch at Z Gallery for our bedroom. We have slowly been replacing our old modge podge furniture with stuff we really like. Z Gallery takes forever to deliver so we made a goal to paint our bedroom before the new couch came. Z Gallery called us on Wednesday and told us that it would be delivered Thursday!!! We were so shocked because we have waited months for other items we have ordered, so we quickly gave away our old white chair and couch to Marie and Shawn (a hand me down from Shelly), called Micah and told him he needed to help us get the "cow out of the quagmire" and help us paint. We ran to the paint store and I told them I wanted the Restoration Hardware Silver Sage only more intense and they mixed it right up!! Next we hauled everything we could out of our room and happily many items never returned. Micah came over and we had a late nighter with Micah doing most of the work because he didn 't trust either of us with a roller. The color is so tranquil and serene I absolutely love it. These pictures don't really show off the great color it is so come over and see it. Micah did an amazing job. The next day I stayed home most of the day waiting for the sectional to arrive and putting things back together. We LOVE our new retreat. Thank you Micah.

FARMERS MARKET

On Saturday I met Maeve and Brad at the Farmer's Market at Pioneer Park. The day was overcast so the weather was a little cooler and so many people flocked there. We walked around and bought beautiful produce, grazed on delicious pasties, breads, fruit and cheese, and listened to Rich play. Soon we got a call from Carly and Oliver telling us they were walking down to meet us. Shortly after that Ty called Carly and told her that he and Holly were coming. It was fun to be with the kids. After some tamales and tacos, the gals all went to see "Becoming Jane" about Jane Austen's life. Carly was stunned and depressed at the end because Jane's life didn't exactly end like her books. Brad took all our produce home and shot some photos while Ty and Oliver went rock climbing. On Sunday I cooked the yellow and zucchini squash, the asian green beans, fresh corn on the cob, multi grain rolls, and yukon gold scalloped potatoes. Mike threw on some steaks, and I sliced fresh tomatoes and cukes from our garden. It was a farm fresh meal!

We chatted with Shirley and her friend Lisa while Rich played.

This taco/tamale stand was a big hit.

Holly is always cool.

Ty is always calm.

BEFORE AND AFTER

As soon as school was out this summer, I had some pretty aggressive laser skin resurfacing done by dermatologist Dr. Mark Taylor at the Gateway Aesthetic Institute. The first picture shows the deep wrinkles I was getting especially around my mouth. I felt like I was looking older than my years and losing my eyes to overhanging lids like my mother had. Even though there was a lot of care required at home after the 3 hour process in his office, I can honestly say that there was no pain, I was just uncomfortable for a few days. The second picture was taken the end of July and Mia has been curious so I thought I would just put it out there. Each month it gets better and better. Dr. Taylor is one of the very few doctors in the west that has the CO2 laser and is trained to use it. He told me I looked spectacular and put me on his website.
During the healing process, I have used many different creams that were exotic and very expensive. One was an $85 cream called Creme De La Copper, and actually had copper as an ingredient! I can tell you that the cream pictured above is the very best of all. A beautiful young looking friend of mine told me about it. Cetaphil costs about $10 for a BIG tub and you can get it at the grocery store or Walgreens. I hope all you young girls moisturize your face morning and night. I was so surprised when one of my daughters told me that she didn't! I also use sunscreen and avoid the sun when I can. Now I seriously don't worry about how I look and just enjoy my work, my life and my family.

Happy Birthday Bree Bree!

Happy Birthday darling granddaughter! We love you and had fun at your party.
Halle was finally feeling better and she was excited for Brea to have a special day.

Glo and Ty relax waiting for the Chinese food to be served.

Maeve and Big Mike cuddle while they watch all the fun!

Kelsee and Ian sample all the fun goodies at the chocolate fountain.

Brea received many fun gifts but none cuter that this "Marc Jacobs" headband designed and crafted by Maeve! "High School Musical" items were also a hit. I don't dare list all the items or someone reading this might think she is spoiled but she is actually VERY sweet and caring.

SUNDAY SERMONETTES

We went to the beautiful Joseph Smith Building chapel on Sunday to hear Carly and Oliver talk in Sacrament Meeting. It was a special experience. The sacrament was blessed and passed by very senior citizens. One of them was Elder Sonntag who had sold Michael my oval diamond engagement ring over 36 years ago and May McConkie led the singing. Oliver's Grandpa Sam and Marian were also there. Carly talked on perserverence and spoke with conviction and scriptural references. Oliver spoke fluently and with enthusiasm about the Gifts of the Spirit. The spirit was there and the talks were excellent. They told me afterwards that they felt like they had thrown their talks together because of all they had going on this week but really they did great. Sacrament meeting was out 15 minutes early! It was a parent payoff day. Grandpa Sam is convinced that Oliver is going to be a prophet someday. I just know that they are wonderful examples.

Thirty Six Years and Still Ticking!!

Thirty six years ago on August 3rd, 1971, Michael and I were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. It was a misty summer morning. The temple had been closed for extensive renovations and had just opened to a record number of couples who had been waiting all summer to get married. The temple was very busy and bustling. Michael was awake all night before wondering if the day would really come as we had been engaged since January. He picked me up very early at my parents new home in Bountiful and our families followed us there in separate cars. I first took out my endowments that morning surrounded by our family and friends. When we were finally sealed everyone was in white in the beautiful gold and white sealing room except our bishop who came from work in a black suit just for the ceremony!

We were married by Selvoy Boyer, who was later the temple president. He shook his finger at Michael and told him to make sure he took care of me. I loved everything about the temple. I was in such a bridal daze that I didn't even think it was odd that there was scaffolding in the Celestial Room. The room was so beautiful that I didn't notice that there was evidence that craftsmen were still putting the finishing touches on the gold leafing. Gold leaves were indeed falling from the ceiling and my aunt Bettie, from Texas, caught one in midair and put it in her pocket for her mutual class to see back in Houston.

We had a magnificent wedding breakfast at the "Roof" at Hotel Utah. We also spent our first night there in a room overlooking the temple. That evening we had our reception at my parents new home. My dad was still finishing the landscaping and an outdoor seating area when the first guests arrived! My bridesmaids were my sisters and Julie, all dressed in matching peach dresses and a first and maybe a last, the guys were dressed in brown tuxes! Everything we did was unique for the day--my oval diamond, my engraved handwritten invitations, Michael's onyx and diamond ring, the flower wristlets for the bridesmaids, my cake decorated with sugared fruit, our informal wedding line, our thank you notes with our pictures on them, etc. These things had not really been done before and we really were ahead of our time in some ways. We celebrated our honeymoon in Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, and Monterey. The first meal I served Michael when we returned was the leftover ribbon sandwiches (totally common for the day) from our wedding reception that my mother had frozen. He only let me do that one night! I thought we had to eat them until they were gone because I didn't dare spend any money. I learned how to cook and I now know how to spend money.

Thirty six years later, we still go on dates every week and love to be together. We have known the highs and lows of life, but we really have had mostly highs. There has never been a day go by in our 36 years together that Michael has not told me he loved me and that I was beautiful. Our relationships with each other, our children, our grandchildren, and the gospel are the most important things in our life.