In the Dump

We took 3 loads to the dump today. The first two were cardboard boxes, and the last one was giant bags of bubble wrap. We wondered why so many cars wanted to follow us with this load. I didn't realize how slightly obscene it looks!

The first two loads went to North Pointe transfer station in Lindon, but the third one went to Dunn Transfer station in Orem. The second facility was pretty seedy. It was a real dump!

We stopped by to see Brittany and Mabel in the afternoon. We dropped off a couple of bikes and made a trip to Deseret Industries to drop off a desk for Brittany and John. We at dinner at JCW's Burger Boys. It was good food and good entertainment watching Mabel sucking on her lemon!

Brittany also took us to a pastry shop on Center street where Ed and I got to try our first Kro-nut (croissant donut). I split a delicious dulce de leche one with Brittany! Thank heavens they don't have those in Alpine!

Sweet is the Work

Ed and I went to an investment luncheon yesterday, where I learned a lot about taxes and land, as well as lemon cake. I was amazed at the delicate sugar shell around the dessert! I've got to learn to make one of those!

Afterwards, we borrowed the pickup from Tim, our financial adviser and took a giant load of cardboard moving boxes to the dump!

In the afternoon Ed's new John Deere lawnmower was delivered. He's excited to be back in business! The lawn did amazingly well for not being mowed in three weeks, but it will look great after a fresh cut!

Happy Birthday John!

Last night we joined the Nuttall's to celebrate John's birthday dinner. His mom knows how to do a birthday right, complete with balloon and a birthday crown!

I also got a new chicken buttermilk marinade recipe from her! As soon as we get a BBQ Ed can try it out!

John and Brittany's friends Eric and Emily were also there, as well as their nephew, Blake.

But, the day was really about Mabel. She's starting to get around really well, even kneeling and trying to stand up. In 2 more weeks she'll be celebrating a special birthday, as well!

Lunch at Barbara's

After church yesterday we stopped at my sister, Barbara's beautiful new house in South Jordan. Her son, Eli, who lives a few houses away stopped by to have his mom remove his stitches. That is a trusting son!

Barbara fed us a delicious lasagna and made me want to go home and fry up some more red cabbage. Mmmmm.

Verlene hustled us off to the airport, being nervous about getting through the security line. She was amazed how easy it was to get to her gate compared to the ordeal at Denver International Airport!

It was just like old times--being with my Colorado sisters. We'll give Verlene a few more years before we start pressuring her to join us here!

Goodbye, Bryant!

It was sad to say goodbye to my cousin, Bryant Porter before I even got to see him again. I was looking forward to reconnecting with him and his family now that we've moved to Utah. He was born one month before I was, and was a cousin I especially enjoyed from the early years in West Yellowstone where his family displayed their dinosaurs during the summer.

For his obituary, see: http://www.memorialutah.com/obituary/redwood/bryant-elbert-porter/

Bryant's four children and wife all spoke at the funeral Saturday and told about how he passed away suddenly from a heart attack after a fun day of water skiing with family. I enjoyed learning more about him from the personal stories they told.

One thing that impressed me was that he was always happy, and ever willing to serve others.

At the luncheon afterwards I enjoyed visiting with my Brady cousins, some of whom I hadn't seen in 40 years!

Cousins Sandy and Charlene had changed very little since I lived with them briefly in California in 1978!

It was fun to be together with my mom and 4 sisters, Verlene, Annette, Barbara and Joan. (We missed our brothers.)

Afterwards we gathered at my new house for some more visiting and snacking.

Annette brought a few of her grandchildren along with her. Cooper was terrified of Coda, so needed some special attention.

Coda was terrified of Cooper, as well, and stayed close to Ed for protection!

It was a sad day, but filled with wonderful memories. It made us all realize how precious life is and how grateful we should be for the moments we share with each other.

First Guest in the Jungle Room

We got the guest room put together just in time for our first overnight visitor--my sister Verlene! Coda was also happy to see her! She flew in from Colorado to attend the funeral of our cousin, Bryant Saturday.

It rained for the first time since we've been in Utah, and Ed enjoyed taking Verlene for a tour of our back yard in the cool evening air. (See little tiny green people in the middle.)

Don't Let Your Babies Play with Pinecones

We dropped by to see Mabel last night, to find she was just recovering from a face plant into a pine cone. She was scratched up on her left cheek, and not taking it lightly! Who knew pine cones could be so dangerous?

We had the pool table reassembled yesterday, and decided to go with a new color of felt. It's called Aztec, and we thought it added a real touch of class to the basement family room!

Ed put together the California Closet unit yesterday--our music storage cabinets. I emptied 18 boxes of books into them! One box is still missing. I hope the movers are enjoying my guitar and violin music!

The garage is the only room we haven't organized yet, but until we get rid of cardboard mountain we can't do anything in there! Anybody need some slightly used moving boxes?