Furlough Friday

So today was a day off from school for Melody and I - a furlough day. At this point in the year I really don't mind. With only two weeks left in the school year, many of the students have checked out mentally, and their teacher is struggling just a bit with that too.

Anyway, we slept in this morning, went to Thrifty Bargain and grocery shopping. We each took care of odds and ends of things that needed to be done, and watched "The Return of Nanny McPhee." (Both of those Nanny McPhee movies have been pretty good)

This evening I built a fire and we roasted hot dogs. The picture below is not of us, but is very similar. ;-)

Actually, this one is more accurate

And one more - I could totally beat this guy in a hot dog eating contest!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things (Photos)

These are some of the photos I like best from the weekend of Emily's weeding. The two sweet little girls below were so much fun to have around. I' feel sorry that Pam and Rob have to put up with kids that are so much like their silly grandpa. Which reminds me that to them I'm not grandpa, but "grandma - the boy one." Another phrase oft heard by Melody was: "where's your boy?" And "Where's the boy grandma?" I love these girls. At least as much as all my other grandkids.

Lucy loves to pose;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;Molly loves to walk on the walls

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Here they are - in step, heads down, arms swinging.

After the temple we met at the Black Bear Dinner.
(Lucy's the one on the left)

Beautiful girls;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;And what's that growing out of their heads?
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Nathan and Emily

The Hall side of the new family;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;The Halls and the Bates and the Bates

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Emily and her sisters.

The Whole Fam-Damily

Mom and Pam catching up on things;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;Kim and David looking sharp
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We had tons of fun, but man, it was a busy time. And it really hasn't let up since. A busy week last week, and a very busy weekend this past weekend. We had a special priesthood leaders training with visiting General Authorities Elder Christofferson, Elder Hallstrom, and Bishop McMullin. I was responsible for helping host the event and it was really and great day. Add to that, three wedding receptions, a Ward Conference, and all the regular weekend duties made things tight.

A Visit from the Frozen North

Trevor and Michelle brought their family for a visit last weekend, and we had a blast with them! Below are some of my favorite photos from their time with us.

Feeding time at the zoo. This is clearly the easiest way to feed the twins, set them on the table and start shoveling.

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At Fairytale Town Atticus was a little tentative at first, but really enjoyed two or three of the items.

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The Twins laughing it up, and Atticus getting a drink. We have a similar photo with Chris' kids on these chairs.

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Atticus living large on the tire swing and the trampoline in our back yard. And on a tractor at Fairytale Town.

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Elizabeth trying on Trevor's hat - and Jane being held by grandpa. These two look cute no matter what they do.

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Our beautiful baby girl with her two beautiful baby girls.



While riding in the car on the way home from In-N-Out Burger.

Bike Around the Buttes Day

Mike and Martha made it out here in great shape and after a day or two of preparation and relaxation, Mike and I donned our riding gear, loaded up the bikes and did the ride. 17.5 miles in a nice leisurely hour and a half. Of course they always have aid stations along the way with fruit and water and rice cakes, and whatnot. (It's not an event without food) Below you see the kind of views we had throughout the ride. (That's Mike on the left)

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After the ride they was a good lunch of hot dogs or chicken (or both), potato salad, green salad, lemonade and a cookie. We were feeling pretty good and wished we had done the 40 mile ride, so later in the day, we gathered Melody and Martha and drove up to Scott's Flat/Five Mile House outside of Grass Valley to the head of the Pioneer Trail. The intent was for us to ride the 6 miles up to White Cloud Campground while the ladies took a walk along the same forest path.

But the going was pretty tough because of the wet ground, mud, and ultimately snow - which grew deeper and more pervasive the further we went. There were many downed trees to be portaged around too. After 2.5-3 miles we gave up and rode Hwy 20 back to the starting point. You see a bit of the snow on the left, and on the right you can see the deep trail left by pioneer wagons over 150 years ago.

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It really was a lot of fun. Later that evening we had a cook-out at Rich & Joanne's (more hot dogs, yumm!) and on Sunday we all met again at our house for french toast, fruit and bacon. I hope Mike and Martha had as good a time as I had. The best part of the bike riding was the fun conversation all along the route. We'll have to do it again sometime.

Changes pt. 2

So the trees have been gone for a week, the fence was moved over 30 yards, and the pavement has been cut. The ground has been torn up and reworked into the basic elevations for the drive-through lanes and side walk. Should be done in a few weeks.

Looking North toward the school from the intersection of Teesdale and Phillips

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Looking South toward Teesdale

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Bike Around Marysville

Next weekend is the annual "Bike Around the Buttes" ride to benefit the local diabetes foundation. I have ridden this before (both the 40 mile and the 17.5 mile). One reason is because it's such a beautiful ride, if the weather is nice. Anther reason is because I have a student with diabetes who's mother is one of the organizers. The biggest reason this year is that my brother Mike is coming all the way out from Utah to ride the 17.5 mile route with me. That makes me happy.

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So this morning, my not as big brother Rich and I rode around Marysville as a warm up. Just east of our houses you can get on the levee and ride up and over the the 5th Street Bridge, then go up past Marysville cemetery and the high school and around to the recycle plant on Hwy 20, then back through Riverfront Park - all on the levees. From the park you get back on the bridge and ride home the way you came. It's a nice 15 mile loop and good prep for next week.

Changes All Around

I came home a couple of days ago to find a door hanger informing us that the "Phillips Road School Improvement Project" was beginning and that we would be experiencing equipment and delays over the course of the next few weeks.

Looking North East from the corner of Phillips and Teesdale

I'd never heard of the "Phillips Road School Improvement Project" before now, but the first manifestation of it is the removal of all the trees that lined the Phillips Rd. road side of Lincrest School's playground as seen below.

Looking North;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;Looking South

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It appears that the intent is to create a parking lot, or at least a drive-though area for student drop off and pick up. This has been need for way too long. . . but I can help but regret the loss of the shade trees.

I'll try to keep you posted on future developments.