A wonderful weekend with the Provo Cooks

Michelle and Josh arrived in early evening, Friday, May 27th.  We enjoyed a relaxed dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Old Pueblo Grille.

The next morning, Dad and I challenged Josh and Michelle to racquetball.  Dad was the real challenge; I was happy when I could return the ball. 

Family racquetball challenge at Udall Park

Such intense activity required an equally intense cooling off activity, which Dad, Michelle and Josh enjoyed in the pool at Ventana Vista Condominiums, site of our newest rental unit (still un-rented, as of yet), located about a half-mile from our house.  Michelle and Josh were impressed with the facilities, which include a tennis court, workout room, pool table and large screen TV, and a large large meeting hall and kitchen.



Michelle and baby are looking mighty fine--Dad and Josh, too!



Marco . .  Polo.   Marco . . . Polo.   Marco. . . Polo.  (I don't know who came up with that game but when I do I am going to throw him (or her) in.

Startled by the camera.

One of Michelle's closest friends growing up, Christina Heaton, married Kyle Kreig on Saturday evening at the El Conquistador resort.  Michelle was the hit vocalist at the wedding!

Mr.and Mrs. Christiana and Kyle Kreig

Christina and Michelle:  Friends at sunset.

Sunday morning we enjoyed a traditional Call family breakfast on the patio, including homemade blueberry muffins.

On Memorial Day, we went to Kartchner Caverns and since we couldn't take our cameras into the caves, we re-enacted our experience below:

Fun in Nauvoo with the Indiana Calls

We were very grateful that Nathan and Megan braved the six and a half hour drive from Greenwood to Nauvoo to attend the Scott reunion.

Avery and Kaitlyn with Megan, Alison, and Max with Nathan, after our meeting in the Seventies Hall

In the evening we enjoyed a delicious BBQ, followed by some family talent.  Nathan wowed 'em with an improvisation on his guitar.

Ali filming her dad on her new iPod Touch.  Carrie Scott assisting.

More cousins sang, then Carrie and Nathan closed the show with some rousing numbers.  Kaitlyn and Eliza  stole the show!

It's not as warm in Idaho Falls

A few weeks ago, we flew up to Idaho Falls to celebrate Grandpa Call's birthday and Easter, and to help put in their spring garden.  As an added bonus, Camille, Bryan and Tytan, and Michelle and Josh drove up to join in the work and the fun!

As we were flying in we were amazed to see snow all over the place.  However, there was a precise line across one of the farms where the snow stopped and the brown earth began.  It was amazing.  I had never seen such a clean line before, but this one went on for at least a mile.  Mom and Dad picked us up early Friday afternoon and we were worried that we might not be able to do anything because of the snow. It had snowed two inches the night before!  Camille and Bryan arrived a short time later and Michelle and Josh came later that evening. 

Bryan is studying for the GMAT.  He bravely set up his laptop at the hub of the action and somehow managed to divide his attention between GMAT sample problems and what was happening around him.  His multi-tasking and concentration abilities are impressive!



Bryan hits the GMAT books

 By Saturday morning, the snow had mostly melted, but the soil still needed to dry out a bit, so we took advantage of the time to see the fascinating "Bodies" exhibit at the Museum of Idaho (see details about the exhibit at http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/.  It is hard to see how anyone can suppose that the intricacies of the human body were somehow an accident of nature rather than part of a grand Divine design.

         It is hard to tell if we were coming or going.  But I am sure it was one or the other.  (I think.)

    Josh jumped in and finished the tilling.  His big smile is proof of his superb acting ability.  He even made it look easy.

When you get two architects together you can be sure that everything will line up in every direction.  We did have a bit of frustration with those rapsberries.  They just would not stay pumb and straight.

When we saw how successful Josh was at looking happy, we had to try our best to do the same.  It looks like we were able to pull of a pretty convincing bluff.

The help from Bryan and Josh was absolutely tremendous.  We would not have been able to complete everything without them.  Camille and Michelle have certainly got good taste.

It is impossible to do anything in this family without others pitching in.  It was great.

When the tilling was done, Bryan leveled the playing field phylosophically as well as actually.  It was the best looking garden ever.

Michelle and Camille did their job looking stunning as usual. 

Tytan and Bryan on the hunt.

Oooh!  Look what I found. 

Hey, Grandpa, you are not going to get these eggs away from me.  You will never catch me!

I remember cramming in College before a test.  I was able to get a whole year of study into just a few hours.  I used those cramming skills to plant the garden, but was surprised to learn that we couldn't plant in the morning and harvest in the afternoon.  You can see I was all dressed for the occasion.  Hmm.  Maybe a little water will help.

Boy oh boy.  Mom certainly makes good strawberry shortcake.

It was a Happy Birthday and a Happy Easter.  We all had a great time.  We have the best family ever!

A big announcement and fun times with the Cook families

Bruce planting our garden on March 28th

Thanks to my wonderful husband who works so hard to provide for our family (plus doing our taxes, trimming trees, tilling and planting the garden, fixing things around the house, and many, many other helpful tasks), I was able to go to Salt Lake on March 31st for General Conference and the week following.  While it is always a privilege to attend Conference, the best part of the trip was being with family!

On Tuesday morning, Camille, Tytan and I visited my sister-in-law, Marilyn, and met the newest member of the extended Scott family, Calvin Watkins Scott, born March 8, 2011.  Eliza, now his "big" sister, joined us after returning from pre-school.

Calvin Watkins Scott

Camille brought lunch for us:  delicious Thai chicken and peanuts on noodles and granola yogurt parfait with strawberries.  Thank you, Camille!  In fact, I liked the yogurt parfait so much that I served it to the women who came to book group at our house last night.

Tytan at the wheel leaving the Scott's house

Tytan really seems to like the cap we gave him!  No doubt he'll be wearing a lot of baseball caps and other hats and helmets throughout his life.

That evening Josh and Michelle joined us at Camille's and Bryan's house.  They are trying to decide whether to stay in their current apartment or move to a bigger place, closer to Josh's work in American Fork.  Camille and Bryan suggested some online sites for them to check out.

Camille, Michelle and Josh look at housing possibilities while Tytan tries to figure out how to get into the game.

Now you may very well ask, why would Josh and Michelle consider moving closer to Josh's work, when Michelle's elementary school is located in Springville, in the opposite direction?  Well, Michelle doesn't plan to teach next fall.  Why?  Because she's looking forward to being a full-time mom after Oct. 8th!

YES, JOSH AND MICHELLE ARE GOING TO HAVE THEIR FIRST CHILD THIS FALL!!!  We are thrilled for them.  They are going to be fabulous parents...just like the rest of our children.

Speaking of wonderful grandchildren, I got to watch Tytan for most of Thursday while Camille made a rare and much-appreciated (I'm sure) appearance at L3. 

Tytan and I had a great time together.  Here are some photos to prove it--and to show I'm only being objective when I say he is one of the cutest and smartest grandchild around.  In fact, his only competition at present seems to be concentrated in Indianapolis....

Tytan explains what he was trying to portray in his latest masterpiece.  Note how he is holding the pen with no coaching.

A budding architect--taking after Grandpa

Tytan and I went to Story Time at the Herriman Library. While most of the children played or read books with their moms when we arrived, oblivious to everyone else, Tytan sat quietly and intently watched what everyone else was doing. He really enjoyed the stories and songs.

Placing puzzle pieces

Getting hands stamped

Michelle and Josh had brought up cookies for dinner earlier in the week, and as soon as I opened the cupboard to look for a snack, Tytan spotted them and exclaimed urgently, "Tootie!  Tootie!"

Not sure who taught Tytan to dunk, but that seemed what he wanted to do, so I put some milk in a bowl for him.

The fine art of dunking

Oops!  What do I do now?

Looking forward to the next time Tytan and I get to play.  Camille reports that Tytan has been signing "Grandma" and "Grandpa."  Sounds like it's time for another visit soon!

Date for Craig

I'll post the photos and Craig can provide the commentary someday...

First course at Sakura

Chef Show

So many choices at Beyond Bread

Enough with the pictures...I can't wait much longer!

Like Father, Like Son

We enjoyed having Craig home with us last year.  Craig and Dad make quite a pair!

Togetherness on a Sunday afternoon

TBTI

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.)

Bruce and Mary Lee, Jan. 16, 2010