BOLT!

Carly and I took Carter for his first-ever 3D experience last Saturday night. We went to the sneak peak preview of Bolt. It was so much fun; we loved the movie. Check out the 3D glasses. Like Rhino...we're in stealth mode.

Birthday Boy!

Michael's birthday is November 9 - he turned 52. But look how young; how fun and how cute he is. We celebrated with a 3-day bash. Went to the Ogden Temple; then dinner; then to my Mom's for a sleepover. The next day, Michael and Mom golfed 18-holes at Eagle Mountain (I lazed about) and then she took us to dinner at Maddox. We went back to Mom's to open presents - she gave him a nice, big fishing tackle box to get everything organized to which Mike said, "My wife will be happy about this one." - He knows me so well. I planned a 10-question trivia game for him. If he got 3 questions right he got gift #1 which was certificates to KFC (I don't get it but as long as he's happy...). If Michael got 5 questions right he got gift #2 - that would be two DVD's - August Rush and 21; finally if he got more than 5 questions right he got the Wii Tiger Woods Golf game. I am pleased to report that he was successful in obtaining all three birthday presents. Sunday we had the family over to celebrate Michael's birthday (and Lindie's too) with dinner and cake. I hope he enjoyed it as much as I did. So Michael, who's record did Mark McGuire beat with 70 home run record? 

Quirky. Quirky. Quirky.

Okay, I am just now getting around to my list of six quirks. As I was reviewing the many (so many more than six) quirks I have with Michael, he decided that he too wanted in on the game. So here you have it:

Christine's Quirks

1) I can't explain it but I must, absolutely must, have mayonnaise in my food storage. I am always worried about running out of mayonnaise. Right now, we have six jars on the shelf...not nearly enough.

2) I cannot pay full-price for anything anymore (thank you Michael). I either have to make the purchase on sale or have a coupon; which makes things extremely difficult at the doctor and dentist office.

3) I must have nightlights strategically placed in the bathrooms and the kitchen.

4) I am pill-popping challenged. I never can finish a prescription, remember to take a daily multi-vitamin or other supplements. I do, however, manage to remember to eat chocolate everyday.

5) My favorite fragrance is dirt. Imagine the smell of rain as it hits the dusty pavement.

6) I, too, am addicted to tweezing (not plucking Andrea, tweezing). Although I'm not in the bathroom tweezing everyday - I want to be - it takes an immense amount of self-control. The kind I obviously cannot muster for chocolate.

Michael's Quirks

1) Michael is the King of Paper Piles. He has them everywhere. Newspapers, coupons, ads, mail, email print-outs, magazines, gum wrappers and occasional coins, golf tees and stress balls thrown into the mix.

2) Michael believes that life is a competition. If you don't know what I'm referring to just play about 3 minutes of Wii with him.

3) Michael lays territorial rights to every crossword or sudoku puzzle within a 1-mile radius. It's best to not even touch the paper until he's looked at it first.

4) Michael likes leftovers (which works out well for me). Actually, he just has a hard time with waste of any kind.

5) It is very challenging for Michael to go to any restaurant without a coupon in hand. 

6) Michael is a bit of a procrastinator. In fact he told me that lives by the rule: why do today what you can put off until tomorrow. Please refer to Quirk #1.     

Day of Love

Early on a beautiful Fall morning, November 1, Michael Jon and Christine Anne were sealed for time and all eternity in the Jordan River Temple. It is difficult to find words to express the sights, sounds and feelings of that day. Thanks to the continuing love and support of family; thanks to Bishop Fogg for guidance; and heart-felt gratitude to Brother Joel Leetham for officiating. I have written a poem that...closely resembles the feelings of my heart.

Everlasting.

This moment, this day

an expanse of hearts.

Mortal eyes clouded,

yet seeing.

Revelation opening

an expanse of Heaven.

Your hand in mine

receiving and giving.

Everlasting.

Roughing It

My Dad and Pam have some property located near Fruitland and boy do they have some big plans. My Dad has been working hard for the past few summers to get the land cleared and to get some basic improvements in. He's done about 90 percent of the work - which isn't bad for a 70-year-old man!

Next year, he plans to put up the shell of the cabin and then over the following years he'll finishing it off. Dad's been asking us for some time to come up and spend a few days at the property - we finally made the trip. Amazing. The land is so beautiful in its own way. The cedars, rolling hills and Tabiona mountains in the background create a surreal, serene environment. 

We really had a wonderful time. First we drove to the Vernal Temple to attend a session (have to get another white push pin in the map don't-cha know). Then we headed back to Fruitland for a day-and-a-half of camping, ATV riding, fishing and just plain lazing about. Thanks Dad. We love your vision of how this place is going to look and we know you are doing all of this to leave a legacy to your posterity. We promise you'll have a lot more help in the future.

Picture Perfect

Carly invited me to go along with her and Carter to have their pictures taken by this talented photographer who flew in from California. The setting was an orchard in Provo. Everything was perfect - the light, the colors and the deer that just happened to be wandering through the orchard eating apples. I took a couple of pictures but check out the shot that Carter took of me. That boy's definitely got talent!

Birthdays & Baptism

On Saturday, October 11th, Makayla I and celebrated our birthday. I am so lucky to share this special day with such a beautiful granddaughter. Makayla turned eight today and so we enjoyed the double-whammy of birthday par-tays and the sacred and wonderful occasion of her baptism. What a wonderful, memorable day!