Friday, January 29, 2010

Visitor's from the far east.

My best friend Trevor and his new wife Dilyafruz (Dee) recently stopped by for a visit, which is kinda a big deal since they live in southern China. Trevor moved there a few years ago to teach English and met Dee, a native of Uzbekistan, while there. They got married just last summer on an island in the south China sea. This is the first time I have met Dee and it was great to finally meet her. She had some trouble getting a travel visa for the states; they thought she was going to try and stay in the country for some reason. They flew over for a month long visit although they only stayed with us in for a couple nights. They are off visiting Trevor's dad in Montana right now and we will see them again for a couple nights before they fly back to China. Last time Trevor was in the states for a visit I didn't take any photos, so I'm glad I remembered to pull out the camera this time.

Trevor and Dee in front of the Temple. Dee really wanted to see Temple square since it's famous and all. Although we did get accosted every time we lingered in one place for too long. I was also told that the end of the world is nigh and I better repent and get back into the church before it was too late, Cara was told she better join so she can save my soul or something like that.


Dee loved our little Aven.


Here's all of us on our front porch dead flowers and snow shovel included at no extra charge. :)
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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Questions and Answers

I have a new Special Ed. student in one of my art classes. A para-educator accompanies him to class everyday and helped him fill out this questionnaire by writing his answers for him. How could you not love this kid?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Memories

I got the chance to spend some time with my two oldest friends, Michelle and Rachael, this last Saturday and it brought back a few memories. It has probably been several years since I have been with them both at the same time. I've known these girls since I was 4, Rachael was 3, and Michelle was 5. Their family lived across the street from mine in West Jordan. After about 25 years in that neighborhood my mom moved to Sugarhouse and their parents moved to Erda- truly the end of an era.

Rachael is married with 4 little ones and Michelle is getting married in just a few short weeks. It's so comforting to feel such a strong connection to the past. There are so many people who have been a part of my life in one way or another that I know I will never see or cross paths with again. Those parts of my past seem to fade away. Seeing old friends like Michelle and Rachael, even if it's not very often, seems to refresh my memories and keep them alive: The "drug free club", selling candy we'd bought at the Holiday Oil in front of my house for a 5 cent mark-up, playing every sport possible with the sports fanatic boys who lived next door, riding our bikes up the dirt hill, decorating the whole house in ribbons to make a My Little Pony castle, and a million more, of course.

Me, Rachael, Michelle

In 1989 my parents got brave enough to take my two friends to our Flaming Gorge cabin for the weekend. You gotta love how all three of us are wearing those horrid pleated pants that were so popular back then.

Even back then we were total babes.

The weekend we took them to the cabin we were visited by a black bear who walked along the railings, eating little pieces of pancake we had left out for the birds and chewing on the corners of our American flag. If I remember correctly Rachael was pretty scared.

It's always nice to be re-visited by such fond memories.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Christmas Video

I tested out our new camcorder that we got for Christmas, Enjoy.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Aven's First Christmas

I am finally getting around to posting some pictures from Aven's first Christmas . . .

Wearing a gold bow and a darling white outfit given to her by my Aunt Ann.

"Performing" at her daycare Christmas pageant. She was mostly interested in eating the garland hung around the edge of the stage.

Opening presents Christmas morning.

Eating presents Christmas morning.

She made out like a bandit.

Ian made me delicious dairy-free cupcakes as one of my presents- yum!

The day after Christmas we drove down to my dad's house in Redmond. Here we are standing in his backyard. It was very cold but very beautiful.

We certainly enjoyed having a baby to share Christmas with this year- what a joy.