Open House Tour

Last night we took all the Young Men and Young Women to the Draper Temple Open House. We arrived to the stake center where we, after a brief movie about temples, loaded into the busses and rode to the temple. The temple was packed but we were able to enjoy every part of the temple. The celestial room was gorgeous with a huge crystal chandelier that took our breath away. Also, when we went to the bridal room, the girls couldn't believe how beautiful it was. For sure they all promised to get married in the temple. I think I got a few invites to their future weddings.


Night view of the temple


Hannah, Chloe, Kaylee, Kate and Alex in the reception area after the tour.


The whole gang. Thank you all for making the night so special for all of us.

Poor (un)Fortunate Souls

Her concert was postponed from November to last night. We got to the Energy Solutions Arena with an hour to spare and started climbing the 45 degree angle stairs to the upper bowl. Our tickets indicated that we had seats on the 22nd row. The numbering stopped at 21 which meant that we had nothing behind us but a cement wall. Fortunately we were able to see the stage with our binoculars.

Look at the unhappy faces. First of all, they didn't want to come to the concert, and when they found out that we were literally on the top row, the gnashing of teeth started. Alex's nose was bleeding from the high altitude.

Lucky for me, I brought the binoculars.

After sitting there a while and lamenting that you don't get much for $58, the warm-up guy, Gordy Brown started performing. Suddenly, I got a tap on my shoulder. I looked up and there was a lady with 4 tickets in her hand saying that there are some unfilled seats available, and asked if we would like to take them. Sure, anything is better than the top row. She explained that the seats were on the lower bowl, row 8. We got up, took the elevator downstairs and found our portal. We thought that "wow, row 8, that's like really close to the front." Alex found our row, which was the FRONT ROW RIGHT BY THE STAGE!!!

We started the night with nobody behind us and ended up with everybody behind us.

Sure, they are happy now! The best seats in the house. How did we get so lucky!!!

Then the concert started and

it was CELINE DION's concert

We were about 3 feet away from her.

Singing "Taking Chances"


Had to check out the shoes. Fabulous!


Jorge hanging out with Celine


So was Alex. Not bored anymore.

Second outfit change.

She came to sing to us almost every time.


3rd outfit change. Still wearing stilettos. Unbelievable.


"Prayer" Duet with Andrea Bocelli. So touching and beautiful.


Another great song and great shoes. 4th outfit change.

This is where Celine sings to us once more and shakes Alex's hand.

First encore song with a new gold outfit.

Last song of the evening with candles burning all around.

Sorry Steve you couldn't make it. We had a great time.

SICK, SICK, SICK, SICK, SICK

That's how many days Alex and Jorge have been sick this week. Jorge went back to school today but Alex still had a 102 F fever today. One of these days the medication will kick in, and our lives will be back to normal. And sun was shining today, so things are looking up. I think I can finally go get my car washed.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Mountain View High School had a choir concert featuring Alex Boyé last night. The whole night was dedicated to Disney music. It was one of the greatest concerts I have gone to at MV.


Kenny Millard performing his "Night on Bald Mountain" piano solo.


Alex Boyé performing "Lion King" with the choir.

Twins turn 44

Last night we celebrated Rod and Whitney's 44th birthday (Whitney wants you to know that she is only 29 and Rod is only 35). It was a fun night with just four of us having a nice quiet dinner until the piano player stopped playing and we were the last ones to walk out from Chef's Table at wee hours of 9:25pm.


Rod (not wearing the same jacket as last year..I checked) and Whitney getting ready for a facebook picture moment. I'm so going to post this on my page.


Handsome Rod and beautiful Whitney, the best of friends.

Have you Ever...

been to a party when you walk into the room and:

-A Guy who greets you wears a full-blown Viking gear, complete with a metal helmet and a carved-out cow horn.
-There is a guy who only wears ski underwear, head to toe, that is flaming red.
-The same guy gives you chocolates and you wonder where those chocolates have been.
-All 200 people in the room wear a Norwegian wool sweater.
-There are dogs everywhere.
-70- year old man introduces you to everyone as his girlfriend.
-Half of the 200 people are blind.
-There is a lady on the stage who is chanting in Norwegian and pops balloons at the end.
-Most of the 200 people and the dogs get up and start "a snake" around the room by dancing to the tunes of John Denver.

Yep, I went to that party last Friday night. I had a great time. Wish you were there.

The Viking guy from the distance.

My old neighbor and "date" for the night, Dale from Minnesota.

Hot date with three international characters

Yesterday I had a super hot date.

May I introduce the three international characters to you?

First one was an American (not very international, but let's say he was well-traveled)....I'll just call him by his last name..Ruger. When I met him and shook his hand, it was like I had known him forever. Like an old, old friend. He wasn't aggressive, just nice and smooth, a real straight shooter, a western cowboy. Ruger wore black on top and brown on the bottom. I was excited to meet him because I had never met anyone like him. He was quiet and conversation was slow, but I enjoyed it so much. Nice to meet you Mr. Ruger.





Meet Mr. Ruger.




I was super excited to meet Walther. All black-wearing German. I was surprised how comfortable the handshake was. His hand fit mine perfectly. Walther was easygoing even though he stuttered on a second word. But when he got passed the second word and after I nudged him a little bit, the conversation was smooth and accurate.


Meet Mr. Walther.



My third meeting was with Mr. Springfield. He asked me to call him "9". An arrogant and silver-haired Croatian. I didn't like his handshake. It was cold and and my hand didn't grip well. BUT, I fell in love even though "9" was loud and boisterous. Our conversation was smooth and automatic. His speech was like rapid fire. A great conversationalist. "9" didn't disappont me once.


And here is Mr. Springfield.


My result with Mr. Springfield. It shoots 15, yet 7 out of 15 in the same hole is not bad.

Thanks to my boss, Rob, for a great meeting. Sorry we didn't meet Mr. Glock this time.

Alex is a Star

Court of Honor was held last night. Alex received his Cooking merit badge and advanced in his rank to Star. Next rank advancement is Life and then Eagle. His drivers license is depended on receiving his Eagle Scout.


Alex is receiving his Cooking merit badge from the Scoutmaster.


Alex received his Life rank advancement. Sam Sorensen (next to Alex) received his First Class.

Seen around town

What the heck?? A Corvette pulling a trailer? Niiiiccceeeeee!!!! Redneck.

The Trophy has a New Home

Yesterday was the big Super Bowl party at the Jennings' house in Layton. Before we went there we visited Tai's new house. She has a beautiful and gorgeous house.

As usual, we (mostly Rod and I) ate until we almost blew up. The game (didn't see much of it because I was chatting with Tai and Dianne and whoever happened to be in the kitchen watching me eat) was exciting to the last seconds when Steelers took the Cardinals 27-24.


And there are starving kids in Africa. Look at the amount of food. All of it is not even in the picture. Here is Mike scooping himself some dip and dip and some more dip.


Why don't you relax, Rod? Rod's taking it easy on the "love" seat


Hey you all match! This crowd is ready for some 3-D commercials Pepsi style.

Who gets the trophy?? Only Jordan and Tai rooted for Steelers, rest of us for Cardinals. We were not smart enough to spread the bets around.

Jordan takes the trophy home this year and he wasn't even watching the game, just put his score down and left for the entire game and came back with Nicole right after the game was over. His motto was:"Who needs to watch it to win it!" I bet he is thinking about Nicole when he is kissing his trophy.

For sure the Larsens are bringing the trophy home next year, for sure, for sure!

Thanks Tim and Dianne for another fun night! See you at the wedding or the baby blessing...I hope.

And then to some deep thoughts:

-Now that Brooke and Andy have been married for a couple of years and expecting a baby, how come they were not making out on the "love seat" throughout the entire game? We missed it.

Why Diet 7Up with Pomegranite is not available year round?

-How come Hilary and Bill and the kids didn't come over? We miss them.

-Where was Sarah?

-Why did I eat so much?

-Why did I keep eating after I was already so full?

-Why did I eat dessert?

-I will never forget Carolyn and Jay's names again.

-We will be eternal friends with Tim, Dianne, Hilary, Bill, Tai, Mike, Brooke, Andy, Jordan, Andrew and their chosen future wives. They are all the greatest! Lucky for us that Dianne made such great cookies in 1991 that we became such great friends. If the coookies had been crappy, we wouldn't be having these parties. It is all about the food, after all.