We're having a "Going to Utah" party!

Berlynn: Guess what - we're having a "Going to Utah" party.
Me: You are?
Berlynn: Yes, and do you want to know who is coming?
Me: Yes, who is coming to your party?
Berlynn: ALL of my friends - and Annie, and Cameron.
Me: Oh, I'm so excited for you to come to Utah.
Berlynn: I know, and we're bringing Ezra too.

1) The house sold (4 or 5 days!)
2) They got what they needed out of it
3) Move-out date extended to April 24th
4) Jamie's Pre-school ends April 23rd
5) Brandon graduates on May 14th
6) THEY'RE COMING HOME!

CONGRATULATIONS BRANDON & JAMIE!

Family Home Evening FUN!

Heather put together this great, fun activity for all of us tonight - thanks to Matt's skill in making the frames, Steven's connections for the sheet metal, Dad's precision with the metal cutter and everyone else's contributions - we had a really successful, "MAGNETIC" night!

Here is Kathy working diligently on her frame while Tiffany is deciding what to start on first. Heather is just all smiles because we are all together!

Michelle popped in for a second to say hi -

Peter joined the ladies tonight, and Amy multi-tasked with Elly

Holly, Wendy, me, Tiffany, Peter and Amy -Tiffany modge podging a "match book cover" mirror keepsake from some of the match book covers they inherited from Grandpa Ernie Summers' collection (clever!) -
One of my finished projects (without the sheet metal) Lots of beautiful smiles

The BEST babysitter/entertainer EVER! Thanks Mom for keeping the kids occupied -

(Jake, Elly, Mom, Sydney, Connor)

THANKS AGAIN HEATHER & MATT!

Thanks Larry

Today we just heard the news that Larry H. Miller had passed away from complications of Type 2 Diabetes. He has struggled with his health for the last year after he suffered a heart attack and bleeding ulcers. In January of this year, he had both legs amputated below the knee in an effort to improve his quality of life - but it was not to be so. I love the Utah Jazz - and Larry Miller was the one who took a chance to keep a professional basketball team here in Utah - when NOBODY said it could be done successfully. He has also contributed SO much to our State and Church, he put his money where it could best be utilized, he was a good man. His death will surely leave a big hole in our hearts, community and State so I want to say, "Thanks Larry"

1944 - 2009

Girls Night Out

Tonight we had a "Girls Night Out" and went to see Woods Cross High's school play, which was -
They put on another great performance, the scenery, chorography, and cast did an excellent job, although I thought the beast could have been a bit better (Gaston and Belle were really good). Annie sat through the whole thing and I think she liked it too. It was nice to be together with Mom, Marisa and Annie.
A really special thanks to Tim for watching little Cate so we could do this. Let's go again!

Here we go again -

The Survivor Tocantins seasons has begun and I'm not sure, but I think I am the lone survivor to out-wit, out-play and out-last in our family survivor fan club. I have really enjoyed these sasons throughout the years but can't help wondering if I am the only one who waits with great anticipation to see who the NEXT great MORMON representative on survivor will be. CBS has had tremendous good luck in choosing to air some interesting LDS folk for the world to see. This season - it is... Tyson Apostol, from Lindon, Utah, a professional cyclist, a "straight" LDS man this time (first one on the show), a returned missionary infact - whose first act was to shed his clothing and tell the females - "you can go ahead and look". Wow, first impressions mean a lot. He says he feels his 2-year missionary experience will play a key role in helping him go all the way. Gee, go all the way where? I sure hope that's not ALL he learned from his missionary experiences.....he has already been dubbed "the villian" by Jeff Probst so let's see just what else he has up his sleeve, oops, he isn't wearing any. Ok then, we'll have to see just how far his missionary experiences take him. Then there was -

Todd Herzog, who went on to become the sole survivor of the China series. I actually thought he played a pretty good game, but was and forever will be annoyed at his "my mom's gonna kill me" comments when he got drunk after a reward challenge. Are you only worried about your mom, Todd??? Todd did not openly advertise that he was gay, or even LDS, in fact, if it hadn't of been in his bio, I'm not sure anyone would think otherwise - maybe that's a good thing, but maybe it's not. Ok, then there was everyone's favorite, wide open gay mormon...

Rafe Judkins, formerly of Murray, but who moved with his parents and 22 siblings (j/k) to Pennsylvania. He was just a great guy and made it to the final 4 (Guatemala season). Oh, I remember well the fireside chats he had with the other competitors about how he couldn't wait to marry (another man), adopt and hold his own Family Home Evenings. Overall, though, Rafe was about as honest a player that has been on the show, everyone liked him - but didn't understand him. But everyone's sweetheart still has to be -

Naleh Dennis (Season 4, Marquesas) - the one who made the phrase "Oh my heck" famous. See made it to the final 2. Let's see, modest bathing suits, chooses her BOM as her "treasured item", encouraged and uplifted all those around her, left a big lasting positive impression on everyone. Well, maybe that's why CBS looks for LDS people to have on the show. We seem to do well, we are good competitors, place high in the game, are entertaining, congenial and - what do you know - "peculiar".

HAPPY LOVE DAY!

Roses are red -

Violets are blue -

This poem is very old -

But my love is still true!

The Shack

For my siblings, I'm sure when you saw the title, you instantly thought back to that little room under the stairs in our old home that we loved dearly; had so many great memories in; and in later years, where Santa used to stash the "goods". But actually, this is the title of a book I was asked to read (written by William P Young). It was very interesting and I'm wondering if anyone else in the family has read it. It is a story of a man's experiences with forgiveness and his dealings with God. It is a Christian book, with Christian principles which I found I had a lot more in common with than not. Well, other than the whole chapter he spends trying to explain the "Trinity" and how it works but still leaves you TOTALLY confused (oh how thankful for Joseph Smith and the truths of the first vision) and God's continued references to Adam & Eve blowing it in the Garden of Eden (duh - hello, it was the plan all along). But rather than get caught up in the differences in doctrine, I found the book to be quite enjoyable and even able to help grow my own faith in certain ways. I have the book, if anyone is interested, it is a quick read and I doubt you would be disappointed.

A visit from our girls

Tonight we were treated with a visit from Annie and Cate while their parents had a little time to themselves. Little Catie just turned 6 months old this week and is sitting, rolling, laughing and chewing on just about anything she can get her little hands on! Here she is listening to Annie playing a tune on the guitar (I had to "remove" the batteries from it a little later, if you catch my drift!).

Annie playing a game on the computer - I am so impressed with how proficient she is at it (Berlynn too). Annie is getting a good start now to carry on the "Les Olson" family tradition!

We baked cookies - she was very disappointed we didn't "make" them though. Don't worry, I was watching little Catie in the sink!

Cate and Papa having a good conversation -
Cate has been experimenting with "eating" rice cereal. She doesn't quite get the concept of it yet though and it is so hilarious to feed her - her little tongue just goes crazy trying to figure out what to do with it and most of it ends up pushed out of her mouth. I don't remember my kids, or grandkids before her having such a difficult time and I hope you don't consider this taking advantage of my precious little grand daughter, but it is so funny I had to snap some pictures of her busy little tongue at work -

Oh sweet Catie Pie, she'll get it when she's ready. We had a good time with them tonight - thanks for dropping them by!

Great Scott!

Do you not just love the great Michael Scott? Perhaps it's because I have lived so much of my life in an office setting I can really relate to this show. Unfortunately, it is so true in so many ways...but NOT like at Layton Roofing Dad, you ran a great ship and were NOT like Michael Scott in any way! There were 2 little segments from Mr. Scott during last week's episode that especially tickled my funny bone and I have laughed about all week, I have to share in case you missed it -

"Nobody should have to go to work thinking 'Ok, this is the place I might die today', that's what hospitals are for. An office is for not dying. An office is a place to live life to the fullest - to the max. An office is a place where all your dreams come true!"

"Remember when people used to say 'boss' when they were describing something really cool? Like, 'Those shoulder pads are really boss man' or 'look at that perm, it's really boss'. That's what made me want to become a boss, and I looked so good in perm and shoulder pads!"

Words of wisdom to think about from Michael Scott!

I am totally responsible

I just have to confess, I am totally responsible for the Steelers win over the Cardinals. You can either thank me or curse me -

Here's what happened. I wanted the Cardinals. I was so discouraged at the way they were playing, I turned the channel to watch something else - America's Funniest Home Video's maybe. Well, after a while I turned it back to see if Rush Limbaugh's prediction of the score would be somewhere near reality when....much to my surprise and amazement - the Cardinals had overtaken the lead, and there was only 1 minute left. I was ELATED!!! Then, I feel totally responsible for what happened next and apologize to all the Cardinal fans. I watched the final minute - only to watch the Steelers throw that stinking touchdown and ultimately win the game. UUGGGHHRRR - this is definately NOT my year in sports!