Lazy days of Fall

This bush is on the left side of our garage. In the summer it is just a boring green bush but come fall, it turns into a burning red color. It is gorgeous.


Friday night Liz came over on the way to Logan. She wanted to have a late/early birthday dinner with us. She turned 33 yestereday. Happy Birthday, Liz! We went to P.F. Changs for dinner. It was yummy.

Saturday morning we drove Jorge to Ivory Ridge Tennis club where he started his trip to Vegas to a "Great Pumpkin" tournament. After that we drove to Alpine and Highland in the search of a new house. Yes, we are house hunting. Found a great $1.3 million dollar house that is move-in ready...just missing the 1.3.

After Alex was able to drive the car around the Alpine neighborhoods, we headed back home so Rod and Alex can go to the BYU-UNLV football game while I decided to cook and clean and bake. Didn't do any of it but layed on the bed and watched the football game instead. BYU won. Lucky!

We got invited to a surprise party of Steve V. on Saturday night. It was a fun party with lots of treats. This is where I was supposed to bake for but I decided that we would take a box of donuts there instead. Others had baked. Did I feel ashamed or guilty? Not one bit.

Sunday we got news from Vegas that Jorge had won the first game and lost the second one. Consolation game today at 11am. If he wins that game, he continues to play in the losers bracket. Good luck, Jorge!

What a lazy weekend. Got nothing accomplished. Now gearing up for a busy week. Yes, I'm bracing myself.

Necessary Vainness

Chewed up fingernails=ugly hands


Beautiful set of new nails=tolerable hands

Kodály Zoltán and other fond memories of years past

Last night we attended the Mountain View High School choir concert. While I was sitting there listening to the performances, I listened very closely this one particular song and I thought, "that composer style is so familiar to me, why is that?" Then I looked at the program in the dark and noticed to my delight that yes, in fact, I was correct in recognizing it. It was Kodály Zoltán (here in the U.S. it is Zoltan Kodaly). You might ask why I recognized it. Well, I sang in a Finnish Conservatory Choir for 10 years when I was young, and our director, Akos Papp, was Hungarian like Kodály Zoltán. Our director used many of Kodály Zoltán's compositions in our repertoire and many of our choir camps were dedicated to learning his music pedagogy that included the hand signs and other methods.

I truly enjoyed this fabulous concert that brought back so many fond memories from my choir days.


Alex, Chloe and Misty at the concert.
Yet again, the many faces of Alex.


Four of my Young Women performed in the various choirs. Here is Katy (marked with a black arrow).


The Chamber Choir. Erika on the left, Katie on the right.

A Capella Choir. Hannah and Katy sang in this choir.

He asked, She said YES!

Alissa and Austin were engaged on Saturday, October 18th. Wedding is planned for sometime in May. Congratulations!!


Daddy and daughter, Craig and McKenna. Craig's eyes match his shirt.


Our most handsome son, Alex

The most beautiful Elle.

Megan is going to China for 5 months in January to teach some cute Chinese kids.

Little bit of culture, little bit of fun, and lots of food

I had a doctor's appointment in Salt Lake this morning, so I decided to take Alex and his friend Jake with me so we can make it a day. After the doctor told me that I looked great and that he is going to make me skinny and energetic (doesn't everyone need a doctor like him?), we headed out to breakfast. Some time ago Alex was watching the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" when they showed this Diner in Holladay called "The Blue Plate". We decided to head up there, and were seated promptly even though the place was packed. Alex chose the Chicken Tamale, Jake the Classic Blue Plate and I chose the Salmon Benedict. It was very close I didn't swallow my tongue. It was SO yummy. They are in the corner of 2100 South and 2100 East. Highly recommended for that old timer diner experience.


Alex and Jake at Blue Plate waiting for their breakfast.


After the hearty breakfast we decided to go and tour SLC. First stop was the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. I shared my classic story of the building when Alex was a year old and my mom and cousin, Sirkka were visiting us. We took them to this building and when the elevator doors opened on the 10th floor, I couldn't find Alex anywhere. I totally panicked and told Rod that I can't find Alex. Rod told me that I (meaning me) had him. I told him, totally panicking and looking around that I don't have him. He had to take my head, twist it to the left so I can see Alex glued to my hip. You can't imagine the relief I felt. I'm sure you mothers can relate. Those kids are like growths and you don't even notice that they are there.


Alex and I overlooking the Salt Lake Temple.

Next stop was the walking tour in the Conference Center. Here Alex and Jake, and the huge organ pipes in the background. This Conference Center auditorium seats 21, 000 people.

Jake and Alex among the finest men on earth. The First Presidency of our Church: President Monson in the middle, President Eyring on the left, and President Uchtdorf on the right.

Alex and Jake on the roof of the Conference Center.

Alex and Salt Lake City in the background.

Next stop was the Beehive House. Alex said that he has never been there. Funny thing is that every time we have visitors, I take them to the Beehive House. Alex has never been with us when we do the tours through Salt Lake. Sorry Alex. He said he liked it, and thought it was a "mansion" and "so huge". Our tour guides were a sister missionary from the U.S. and a sister missionary from Tonga.

The next stop was in Park City at the outlet stores. Sorry, no pictures of trying of the shoes, or the pants, or the stinky sales clerk at Nike who kept hovering next to us. I finally had to keep my hand over my nose or I would have barfed. No doubt, shower was not in his mind when he got up this morning. Amazingly, I didn't go to any of MY stores. Just Nike and Adidas.

Last stop was at Loco Lizard and we got to sit in our usual booth. I ordered my usual: Enchiladas Suizas and again, I am lucky I still have a tongue in my mouth.

Ok, I lied. That wasn't the last stop. Of course we had to go to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to get the caramel apples...and all the chocolate you can possibly fit into a small bag. I thought I was going to explode on the way home. I almost choked when we listened Brian Reagan's comedy hour. And now, I have to go fill my prescription so I can become skinny. Otherwise, it is sardines and prunes all the way.

Let them eat cake

Chili's Tripple Dipper: $9.79
Cajun Ribeye: $14.99
Molten Chocolate Cake: $5.89

Lunch with mom during fall break: Priceless

FORTYFIVE

What does Forty Five mean to me:

F-Family. I lived with my mom, dad and sister for 23 years. I have been with Rod for 22 years. Both amazing and wonderful experiences. But seriously, I would have never survived Finland this long. Thanks Rod for rescuing me.

O-Olli is my dad's name, who passed away 11 years ago. He would have been 89 this year. Brilliant, funny, sociable, extremely fast runner, liked by many. Looked at other people's travel pictures and decided that now that he has seen the pictures, he doesn't have to travel there.

R-Riitta is my sister's name. She is 2 years older than I. Still lives in our hometown. She is hardworking and never misses a day at work. She is a lot like my dad. Definitely liked by many. Has a big group of friends she hangs out with. Has a HUGE collection of books in her bookcase (all the books I've read over 22 years now adorn her bookshelves). Avid reader. Spat on my face when I was brought home from the hospital. Loves detective shows on TV.

T-Tuovi is my mom's name. She is the most incredible woman I know. A great example of strength, endurance and love. Definitely the most technologically advanced 81-year old. Truly amazing woman. Keeps busy every day. When tired, decides to clean the house. Brilliant mind. Huge group of friends. Loved by many. A great supporter of many organizations. Never heard her sing, and neither will you. Cracks jokes in the back of the ambulance when she thinks she is having a heart attack. The funniest woman.

Y-Yellow is my favorite color.

F-Footprint is hopefully left in Alex, as he honors the heritages he carries on.

I-Incredible two men I share my life with. Rod=Love, the best husband a woman can have, the best dad a son can have. Alex, the funniest guy, ever. A great future leader of many. What an athlete! Smart and quick mind, great chef, finds a solution to any problem. Great faith. Calms me down.

V-Vegan/Vegetarian. I aim to be one again, soon. Just for a reason that meat and my intestines don't mix. I was probably the only person who gained weight on Atkins diet. Thanks to my mother's side of lengthy intestines...well, you don't want to know.

E-Eternity is reserved for me and my family. Heaven can wait while I enjoy my life here on earth with my loved ones.


Alex and I at dinner last night. Sushi!!!


Rod and Alex at Happy Sumo.


My most handsome husband and I.


Alex's Funky and Buffalo rolls.


Our Playboy, Sunset and White Tiger Rolls. YUM!!!

It was such a fun birthday. Thanks everyone for birthday wishes!

AM Birthday Loot

From top to bottom:

-Marimekko night gown (if you couldn't guess from the stripes...LOVE these colors-thanks Äiti)

-Alexander McCall Smith: "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" series-thanks Äiti and Annu for the recommendation

-Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows: "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" Thanks Kristine for the recommendation.

-Diane Johnson: "Lulu in Marrakech"-Saw it on Amazon, and thought it was interesting.

-Ilkka Remes: "Pyörre"-Saw it on Suomalainen Kirjakauppa, and told Äiti to get it. Thanks!

-Pirjo Tuominen:"Kotiopettaja"-Saw it also on Suomalainen, and again Äiti got the message.

-Candice Bushnell: "One Fifth Avenue"-Nothing but trash, but sometimes a girl needs to read something trashy to counter-balance all the knowledge she's getting from the other educational books.

So far, my birthday morning has been excellent. I was woken up by 3 singing men with breakfast, cards and gifts in their hands. Rod made a fabulous Frittata with asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, turkey, bell pepper and smoked Gouda. It was SO delicious. I truly feel special.

Weekend in numbers

Alex:
Friday night bike ride to the scout camp: 15 miles
Saturday morning hike up at scout camp, in the snow: 4 miles
Saturday afternoon bike ride back home , in the snow: 15 miles
Bones that hurt in the bum: 2 (or are there more than two, I'm not up on anatomy)

Rod:
Friday night car ride to the scout camp: 15 miles
Night slept in the comfort of the Suburban: 1
Saturday afternoon car ride back home: 15 miles
Trips to the outhouse in the middle of the night (without a flash light, and hovering over the potty) when diarrhea hit (most likely from the scouts' food): 1

Jorge:
Saturday tennis match: 7-6, 6-1
Tennis balls stuck to the net: 1
Congratulations given after the match at the gym: 10
Cookies eaten after the match: 5 (at least)

Marja:
Loads of laundry: 6
Pages read from the current book: 49
Children baby-sat: 1 (Maya-loved it)
TV shows watched from DVR: 7
Temperature inside without the heater turned on: 61
Extra comforters and blankets on the bed: 1
Temperature inside after the heater was turned on: 70
Gifts received from mom for my birthday: 3+ lots of chocolate


This is what the Timpanogos mountain looks like this morning after the weekend snow storm

8 minute corn maze

Last night we had a combined activity with the Young Men and Young Women in our ward. Every October we go to the Hee-Haw Farms in Pleasant Grove. When we got there, there was hardly anybody there, so we felt like we had the place to ourselves.

I took some of the people with me who were not so comfortable in the dark corn maze, and guided them through it in 8 minutes. Thank goodness for a good sense of direction and navigation skills. Or was it because I went through the same maze on Monday with Rod? Maybe it is my good memory, after all.


Kate, Chloe, Hannah and I


Chloe, Hannah and Kate with an attitude


Hay, hay, hayride with Jace, Spencer, Graham, Jason, Jared and Elijah

The other side of the hayride trailer: Chloe, Rachel, Misty, Hallie, Erika, Drew, Jeanne and Pete.

Was it a scary hayride, Alex?

Chloe, Hannah and Kate, again.