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| Bruce and Mary Lee, Jan. 16, 2010 |
Family, Friends, and Fun
Saturday, February 26, 2011
13th Anniversary celebration
For the record, we also celebrated our 13th anniversary in 2010. I made one of Dad's favorite desserts, an apple pie, and Dad brought me flowers. (Thanks to Craig for being our photographer.)
14th Anniversary Celebration
We celebrated our14 years of marriage at the temple on Saturday, Jan. 15th this year, since our anniversary fell on Sunday. We did sealings--a great way to remember the covenants we have made.
Here's our "official" anniversary portrait on Sunday.
I think it will be fun some day to see the progression of all our anniversary pictures....or maybe not :). Maybe Dad will continue to look like he's 26 and I will...not. In any case, I'm sure glad I married this wonderful man!
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| Dad and Mary Lee near Ken's condo in Mesa |
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| Bruce and Mary Lee, Jan. 16, 2011. Yep, that's a Pashmina shawl from Jerusalem! |
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Burning the Christmas Tree
This post documents a long-standing family tradition: the burning of the Christmas tree, which is a lot more exciting than taking all the ornaments off and putting them away.
Craig prepares to light the tree.
Bruce tries to light both sides.
Quick! Get out of the way!
The tree is consumed.
Craig checks something...to see if it's still hot?!
A great beginning to a new year.
Craig prepares to light the tree.
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| 5:47 p.m |
Craig lights the top, but it soon goes out.
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| 50 seconds later |
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| 58 seconds later |
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| 1 second later |
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| 1 minute, 8 seconds later |
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| 1 minute later. Total time elapsed is 2 minutes 54 seconds! |
What good could come of this?
Recently we had a hard freeze in Tucson. The temperature dropped all the way to 3 degrees with wind chill. (Okay, those of you living north of here can stop snickering. It was cold for us!)
Heeding the warning of the impending freeze, Dad ran out to buy a couple of small space heaters to put under the citrus trees in an attempt to keep them from freezing. It didn't work, but we were sure glad to have those heaters when our gas was shut off the next day--along with about 30,000 other homes!
So we had no gas and no hot water for about three days. Dad got to escape to the office every day and enjoy the heat there, while I managed to stay toasty warm by using the space heater in the bedroom and keeping the door closed. We heated up water on the stove for our baths, which wasn't so bad, except for the very refreshing rinse at the end with water from the tap.
Our adventure ended Saturday afternoon when the Southwest Gas man came to light our pilot lights. On Monday morning I began picking grapefruit and oranges as fast as I could, knowing they wouldn't last long on the tree. Usually, we can eat it at our leisure until about May or so.
As I picked the fruit, I thought, "What good could come of this?" It occurred to me (likely it wasn't my idea) that we could call our neighbors and see if they wanted any fruit, and take bags of fruit to the Empty Nesters get together that evening. So we did. Everyone was really happy to have it. We gave fruit to five neighbors (Merricks, Duerkson-Finnegans, Dahlkes, Raus, and Holmans) and about the same number of ward members.
A lot of good came of the freeze!
Heeding the warning of the impending freeze, Dad ran out to buy a couple of small space heaters to put under the citrus trees in an attempt to keep them from freezing. It didn't work, but we were sure glad to have those heaters when our gas was shut off the next day--along with about 30,000 other homes!
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| Our sad citrus trees with frozen leaves. We hope the trees make it. |
So we had no gas and no hot water for about three days. Dad got to escape to the office every day and enjoy the heat there, while I managed to stay toasty warm by using the space heater in the bedroom and keeping the door closed. We heated up water on the stove for our baths, which wasn't so bad, except for the very refreshing rinse at the end with water from the tap.
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| Dad staying warm in Michelle's quilt a few days before the big freeze. He loves his quilt! |
Our adventure ended Saturday afternoon when the Southwest Gas man came to light our pilot lights. On Monday morning I began picking grapefruit and oranges as fast as I could, knowing they wouldn't last long on the tree. Usually, we can eat it at our leisure until about May or so.
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| Two hours worth of harvest |
As I picked the fruit, I thought, "What good could come of this?" It occurred to me (likely it wasn't my idea) that we could call our neighbors and see if they wanted any fruit, and take bags of fruit to the Empty Nesters get together that evening. So we did. Everyone was really happy to have it. We gave fruit to five neighbors (Merricks, Duerkson-Finnegans, Dahlkes, Raus, and Holmans) and about the same number of ward members.
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| See the bee? Several of my bags were buzzing with trapped bees. It was a warm day--about 70 degrees! |
A lot of good came of the freeze!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Christmas With a Capital B-R-R-R
What do you do when you are together with family and the weather outside is so cold that you can't shovel the snow in shorts? Why, you go swimming outside of course. It is really a magical experience when the snow falls gently around and ice starts to form in your hair and the steam from the hot pools makes it hard to see more than ten feet.
At Heise Hot Springs, about 30 miles from Idaho Falls, it was freezing cold as we hurried from the locker room to the pool--you know how it feels when your feet ache just touching the cold concrete, well it was just like that only colder with skiffs of snow at the edges of the pool deck. Even though the temperature in the main pool was 92 degrees, it still felt a little chilly when we jumped out of the 15 degree air. We learned a little trick: After swimming around for awhile, if you get out of the pool and stand at the edge of the pool with your arms outstretched for the count of twelve, when you jump back into the pool it feels nice and warm. (I think it works because by then your brain is as numb as your body.)
Beware of beautiful damsels daring you to stay out in the cold for the count of 100; and then beware of letting Bryan do the counting: 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 M i s s i s s i p p i. I couldn't believe how slow Bryan and Josh were. While there were dilly-dallying around standing in the cold for the count, I managed to jump in twice before they could even do once. And of course were the daredevils rewarded with hot apple pie or hot chocolate? No way! The reward was an ice cold DQ Blizzard (new definition of 'brain freeze). 'Who'd-a-figured?
The second pool was at about 104 degrees and it was toasty. It felt s-o-o-o good to ease into the pool and just cook with the Cooks. Camille wisely stayed home with Tytan, but we missed them both. We wondered how Tytan would handle something as radical as swimming in the winter time.
We were lucky to have Mary Lee's active camera finger operating. She captured the event just right. It is amazing that the lens of the camera didn't fog up. (And it just isn't fair that Josh and Michelle are so doggone photogenic.)
At Heise Hot Springs, about 30 miles from Idaho Falls, it was freezing cold as we hurried from the locker room to the pool--you know how it feels when your feet ache just touching the cold concrete, well it was just like that only colder with skiffs of snow at the edges of the pool deck. Even though the temperature in the main pool was 92 degrees, it still felt a little chilly when we jumped out of the 15 degree air. We learned a little trick: After swimming around for awhile, if you get out of the pool and stand at the edge of the pool with your arms outstretched for the count of twelve, when you jump back into the pool it feels nice and warm. (I think it works because by then your brain is as numb as your body.)
Beware of beautiful damsels daring you to stay out in the cold for the count of 100; and then beware of letting Bryan do the counting: 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 M i s s i s s i p p i. I couldn't believe how slow Bryan and Josh were. While there were dilly-dallying around standing in the cold for the count, I managed to jump in twice before they could even do once. And of course were the daredevils rewarded with hot apple pie or hot chocolate? No way! The reward was an ice cold DQ Blizzard (new definition of 'brain freeze). 'Who'd-a-figured?
The second pool was at about 104 degrees and it was toasty. It felt s-o-o-o good to ease into the pool and just cook with the Cooks. Camille wisely stayed home with Tytan, but we missed them both. We wondered how Tytan would handle something as radical as swimming in the winter time.
We were lucky to have Mary Lee's active camera finger operating. She captured the event just right. It is amazing that the lens of the camera didn't fog up. (And it just isn't fair that Josh and Michelle are so doggone photogenic.)
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Indiana Visit
Nathan and Megan went all out for our visit a couple of weeks ago, arranging for the first real snow fall of the season the morning after we arrived.
We went to Ali's basketball game on Saturday morning. She did great! She made two baskets and a free throw, plus lots of assists, blocks, etc. Way to hustle, Ali! After the game, we went to Dunkin' Donuts to celebrate.
In the afternoon, Dad, Nathan, Ali and Kait played "Pac-Man" in the snow. You'll have to ask Dad for an explanation. Apparently it's a modern version of "Fox and Geese" or something. (I never played that one either. The most we ever did in the snow growing up was build a snowman!)
The highlight and purpose for our trip was Avery Rae Call's blessing on Sunday. It was a wonderful, sweet event to be long remembered.
Nathan gave Ava a beautiful blessing. He told her of the love of her family, blessed her with the love and joy of learning, to have the desire to gain a testimony, and the desire to be married in the temple and to keep herself worthy.
We enjoyed dinner that evening with the Carlsons and the Dowlings, Megan's sister and her family.
It was 8 degrees (but with the wind chill 8 below) when Kait and Ali got on the bus Monday morning.
While Kait and Ali were at school, Grandma and Grandpa chilled with Max and Ava.
Dad replaced a hard-to-reach bulb in the living room ceiling fan. High ceilings are great until the light burns out!
Ava is well--and gently--loved by her big sisters and brother!
Another highlight of our trip was participating in evening scripture study. This wonderful tradition, not always easy to implement, is already blessing the family in many ways. Ali and Kait are amazing readers and Max does a good job repeating his verse after his mom or dad. I actually struggled a bit because the print was so small :). (Kait is in a reading group by herself at school and her teacher meets with her out in the hallway. A few weeks ago, the teacher had her read a story to the whole class.)
We had lots of fun making bread and rolls. Ali, Kait, and Max became experts at making the tied roll design (Megan, too)! As I recall, we made about six loaves of bread and about 80 rolls. Am I right, Megan?! And last week, Megan made another triple batch. Dare I say it? She's on a roll!
Children don't need expensive toys....Got a spare piece of carpet?!
Max and I had a lot of fun playing this hide and seek game--he never seemed to tire of it. And I never tired of his joy at being discovered!
We went to Ali's basketball game on Saturday morning. She did great! She made two baskets and a free throw, plus lots of assists, blocks, etc. Way to hustle, Ali! After the game, we went to Dunkin' Donuts to celebrate.
In the afternoon, Dad, Nathan, Ali and Kait played "Pac-Man" in the snow. You'll have to ask Dad for an explanation. Apparently it's a modern version of "Fox and Geese" or something. (I never played that one either. The most we ever did in the snow growing up was build a snowman!)
The highlight and purpose for our trip was Avery Rae Call's blessing on Sunday. It was a wonderful, sweet event to be long remembered.
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| Avery Rae Call in her blessing dress from G&G Call, lying on the hand crocheted baby blanket from Grandma Carlson |
Nathan gave Ava a beautiful blessing. He told her of the love of her family, blessed her with the love and joy of learning, to have the desire to gain a testimony, and the desire to be married in the temple and to keep herself worthy.
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| Beautiful mother and daughter! |
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| Ava's loving family--lots of personality! |
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| Grandpa and Grandma were very happy to be there, too! |
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| Kaitlyn's Star of the Week poster |
It was 8 degrees (but with the wind chill 8 below) when Kait and Ali got on the bus Monday morning.
While Kait and Ali were at school, Grandma and Grandpa chilled with Max and Ava.
Dad replaced a hard-to-reach bulb in the living room ceiling fan. High ceilings are great until the light burns out!
Ava is well--and gently--loved by her big sisters and brother!
Another highlight of our trip was participating in evening scripture study. This wonderful tradition, not always easy to implement, is already blessing the family in many ways. Ali and Kait are amazing readers and Max does a good job repeating his verse after his mom or dad. I actually struggled a bit because the print was so small :). (Kait is in a reading group by herself at school and her teacher meets with her out in the hallway. A few weeks ago, the teacher had her read a story to the whole class.)
We had lots of fun making bread and rolls. Ali, Kait, and Max became experts at making the tied roll design (Megan, too)! As I recall, we made about six loaves of bread and about 80 rolls. Am I right, Megan?! And last week, Megan made another triple batch. Dare I say it? She's on a roll!
Children don't need expensive toys....Got a spare piece of carpet?!
Max and I had a lot of fun playing this hide and seek game--he never seemed to tire of it. And I never tired of his joy at being discovered!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Old Shirts
It is a second day of trauma in the Call household. Yesterday, to the sound of the death march, and yielding to pressure from the matriarch of the family, I somberly carried my old favorite (but now worn out) shirt all the way from our bedroom to the trash can in the garage. In its blue and white window pane pattern were folded memories of excitement (when I first bought it about 15 years ago), fear (when for a moment I was out of control and partially flexed before I realized that if I fully flexed I would have shredded my shirt altogether), and satisfaction (when I carefully stitched up the holes so that the repair was essentially invisible to the naked eye). It had been a good shirt. It was the kind that did not show wrinkles much at all and did not require ironing or any other special care after washing. It had been loyal to me through thick and thin (and it was more on the thin side of late) and it was comfortable to have around. The edges were worn and lacked the crisp texture of years ago and new holes had appeared because of the inadvertent strains of use. It was indeed with a heavy heart that I gently deposited it in the garbage bin knowing that I would never see it again.
Today the trauma continued. I had returned home from church wearing the last of my missionary white shirts. Although it was “permanent pressed” when Mom and Dad bought it, the treatment had long since left its fibers. The shoulder seams rode high on my shoulders as if from a different era when shirts were supposed to fit rather than drape. Although generally white, it was no longer as bright as it had been and the body of the fabric was limp and lifeless--some would even say it looked wrinkled. It had served me well as I walked from door to door to door in Italy. When my feet were sore and my socks worn out, my shirt was still strong and resilient. When it was soaked by the rains of fall, or steamed in the humidity of summer, there was no complaint, just silent resolve to keep doing its job. It was there when I offered to help a couple of young college students with their calculus and they thought they would humiliate me with the perplexity of the problem. It stayed with me when I calmly explained a trigonometric transform that led to the solution easily and quickly. And when my pride almost led me to say some haughty remark, it teamed up with my tie to choke away any untoward comment. After other shirts had long since given up because of stain or stress, this one had “hung in there” quietly in the closet ready at a moment’s notice to again come to my aid. Just moments ago, I gently laid it to rest beside its younger, casual brother in the silent darkness.
Watch out Penney’s here I come! Shopping Spree! Yippee!
Today the trauma continued. I had returned home from church wearing the last of my missionary white shirts. Although it was “permanent pressed” when Mom and Dad bought it, the treatment had long since left its fibers. The shoulder seams rode high on my shoulders as if from a different era when shirts were supposed to fit rather than drape. Although generally white, it was no longer as bright as it had been and the body of the fabric was limp and lifeless--some would even say it looked wrinkled. It had served me well as I walked from door to door to door in Italy. When my feet were sore and my socks worn out, my shirt was still strong and resilient. When it was soaked by the rains of fall, or steamed in the humidity of summer, there was no complaint, just silent resolve to keep doing its job. It was there when I offered to help a couple of young college students with their calculus and they thought they would humiliate me with the perplexity of the problem. It stayed with me when I calmly explained a trigonometric transform that led to the solution easily and quickly. And when my pride almost led me to say some haughty remark, it teamed up with my tie to choke away any untoward comment. After other shirts had long since given up because of stain or stress, this one had “hung in there” quietly in the closet ready at a moment’s notice to again come to my aid. Just moments ago, I gently laid it to rest beside its younger, casual brother in the silent darkness.
Watch out Penney’s here I come! Shopping Spree! Yippee!
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