TIME FOR ANOTHER POST...

Christmas is over and it has been a very fun filled and busy January! Matti, Jon and the kiddos arrived the first week of the month and filled our quiet little home with alot of energy and laughter. Here are a few pictures of the events. Jen showed up around the middle of the month to celebrate the Christmas we miss together this year. Jon left after the first week, but fortunately Matti and the little ones, Eden (2) and Tex (10 months) stayed on. One of Matti's best friends, Stephanie even showed up for a few days from the Dallas area. Sadly for me they returned to their island home last Thursday and all was quiet again. Thanks you guys for all the wonderful memories...

I am still enjoying our Mesa retreat and was thrilled to see that the blue hibiscus I planted last May has FINALLY bloomed! I will include a picture;-)

Looking ahead, we are thrilled about a visit from Tom's sister, Sandi and brother, Larry toward the end of February. Your rooms are ready when you are and excitement builds with each day!

I am pleased to say I have started working on a New Year's resolution (I generally don't even bother making them!) But, this year I hope to get all my old family album pictures scanned onto my computer in hopes that "one or more" of my children will pick up the ball and help me work on our family history...are you paying attention kids? The only real downside to it all is realizing how YOUNG I once looked! Wow where do the years go?

Also have been reading some good books while re cooperating from a nasty "bug" I picked up. About two thirds of the way through "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett and recently finished "The Good Thief" and a real favorite "Lantern in Her Hand" for this month's book club. I can recommend all three to anyone who is looking for a good read.

Watching a beautiful orange sunset off of my back patio as I type this...something you can almost always count on in Mesa;-) Hope you will come and enjoy it with me sometime soon!

Thanks Matti for helping me add some new music to my blog! Love and miss you guys:(

Yes, I know it's winter...but...

You may think I have totally lost it and perhaps I have, but isn't there something wonderful about the August wallpaper I have for my laptop?

Just to convince you I am aware it is winter and the Christmas season I am including some snapshots I have taken around my house. We may not have snow in Arizona (thank goodness!!!) but we definitely have the Christmas spirit! They literally plaster the homes in lights here. When I am out walking in the mornings most places just appear simply decorated, but at night it is a cross between Vegas and Disneyland;-) Some of the families really get into the lights and how fun it is to see! Our home is one of the simpler ones, but we are loving it just the same;-)

I have always believed Christmas should be "magical" and so my tree reflects those feelings. I have included a few pictures of my elf/fairy tree just to let some of you know how much I appreciate your additions from the past. Each one is special to me;-)

Hoping you have a wonder New Year ahead. Thanks to each of you for making our 2009 so filled with loving and cherished memories!

Time to catch up...

I have been so busy lately living life that I have not taken time to share any of it with you. My children are starting to get concerned so I guess I had better do an update;-)

Thanksgiving came and went so quickly. Jen came home to join us and we were able to get the tree decorated. I must admit it was wonderful to have our dinner beside the swimming pool and enjoy the flowers in the back yard.

We also took time to tour the beautiful Christmas lights around the Mesa Temple. Gorgeous! Amy and I got to see all the many workers and heavy equipment putting them in place when she was here a few weeks earlier. This is definitely my way of enjoying the winter season!

Shortly after our Thanksgiving celebration it was time for another trip to St. George to work on the Vista Charter School project. I was also able to catch two of Jen's ballet performances. A tribute to the LDS Prophets and Nutcracker which was gorgeous. Jen did a terrific job in both. I was only sorry I was not able to get some pictures of the Nutcracker costuming...but because they are copy protected, no photography is allowed. One of her best friends Laura Taylor flew in for her performance as well. I will include some pictures. The tallest gal in the picture is Jen's roommate Caroline, a real sweetheart and the young man Jen's friend Paul Cochran. We all went out to celebrate at Chile's after the Nutcracker. It was actually snowing when we left the theater which just seemed to be a fitting addition to a beautiful evening:-)

My last day in St. George I was greeted with an icy snow storm. That was definitely enough to do me for the year. OK, so call me a wimp;-)

It was a week of hard work and fun and it is nice to be back to my Arizona sunshine!

St. George

Still Has the Charm!

No matter how much I love Mesa, I have to admit that I still hold a permanent place in my heart for St. George, Utah. The vistas and red rock cliffs are magical!

I had a few free hours Thursday afternoon and went on a downtown walking tour. I thought perhaps those of you who feel the way I do about this beautiful little city would appreciate the review and for those of you who have never been there...you are missing out on something very special. Here are a few of my favoite places like the St. George Temple, Bear Paw restaurant and one of the best little inspirational shops, Urban Renewal Consignments. It was also fun to spend some time with Jen. I have included a picture of her with a few of her ballet students at Vista.

I hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane as well as the beautiful fall colors. What a special way of remembering our blessings this Thanksgiving season:-)

Vista

Vista Visit....

Thought you might like a sneak preview of the new Vista Charter School that I am working on as a design consultant;-) Right now it is only K-6, but as you can see by the artist rendering, they will soon be adding the middle school. Although it is not an easy project...it is certainly a fun challenge! It will be a "paperless" school rich in technology, music, dance and theater. Teaching our children a new way to "apply, analyze and create".

The photo above is of me with my "boss" Steve Goodman who is the Principal of Vista and one of the major "brains" behind the unique concept of this school. We are having breakfast with Jen (who teaches ballet at Vista) at one of my all time favorite places...The Bear Paw. If you have ever had one of their breakfasts you know what I mean!

As you can see it is located in one of the most beautiful spots in St. George (Ivin's really) near Tuacahn Amphitheater and Split Rock on Snow Canyon Road. Wow the pictures just don't do justice to the real thing! Lucky kids;-)

The following YouTube video was produced by Jordon, Utah School District and was one of the inspirations for Vista. I thought you might enjoy seeing the future we plan for our kids in St. George and hopefully many more Vistas to come. You may want to mute the music on my blog before watching the video.