My Heart Leaps Up

Trees "Get It."

2012-02-14T11:24:00.000-08:00

I like trees because they seem more resigned to the

way they have to live than other things do.

~Willa Cather~

This one seems "resigned" to love.

And, I like to think of "resigned," at least in this

instance, as meaning "content."

(Taken in Mariposa, on the way to Yosemite.)

Happy February.

Comfort and Joy

2012-01-29T16:20:00.000-08:00

Annual Adult Christmas Party

I loved Christmas this year a little extra. We had

several occasions to have lots of people in our home,

and it just felt good. So much good noise.

Then, the party would end and the door would

open and close, taking people with it.

Even though my family lives close by, the times we

are able to all get together seem to happen less

frequently because, well, no excuse seems valid.

But. It just doesn't happen often enough.

It finally dawned on me that I loved Christmas

a little extra this year because of our time together.

Mom and Dad host a Christmas dinner

and party for us, their children, every year. We

eat, laugh, and exchange gifts.

Mom and Dad always prepare the meal.

Eventually you realize that the reason God didn't

always answer your prayers is that He was

answering your mom's prayers.

~Robert Brault~

Seriously? It happened again. Creed looked just

like dad at last years dinner. All dad is missing

is the jingle bell around his neck and you two

would be identical...shirts, vests, glasses,

and well, yes, the hair.

After a good dinner one can forgive anybody,

even one's own relatives.

~Oscar Wilde~

Molly and Matt

Steve and Bev

Dad's church tie. Tied by dad, for Creed.

Then, Rick painted it into a painting for Creed.

Rick and Deb

Creed and Ellen

I'm glad I take images like this one. Just a random

photo. But when I look at it I can feel that room.

Score! Tickets to a Sharks game from Steve and Bev.

Twentieth Annual Cousin Cookie Day

This is Davis.

This is Davis' Gummie Cookie.

Twenty-one Gummie's. We counted.

Ann, with Eliza, Benjamin, and Kate.

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that

the simplest things--not the great occasions--

give off the greatest glow of happiness.

~Bob Hope~

Anne Marie and Hailey

Anne Marie and Jeffrey

Michael

After decorating the cookies, we always have pizza

and ice cream cake to celebrate Ty's birthday.

(This year we tried to burn the house down.)

Ashton

And then we decorate and eat more cookies!

Emily

Eliza

Christmas Eve All-Family Party

We rotate from year to year hosting the party

This year, it was in our home.

Emily

We eat anywhere we can find a spot!

Lyn and Anne Marie

Game #1: Two people stand back

to back. Each person held a tray with several

Christmas items on it. One was organized and the other

was not. The goal was to describe to your partner

where to place each object so that both of the trays

would match. First team finished were the winners.

Yup! They match! We have a winner!

Spencer

Game #2: Pass a bowl around with dice. If you throw the

number six you jump into the circle, put the Santa hat

and gloves on and try to unwrap as much of a multi-

layered Christmas gift as you can. If you are the person

that is opening it when the last layer is gone,

you get to keep the gift.

(In this case, Belgian Chocolates.)

One of my favorite visuals from that night was seeing

Emily yank that hat off from behind Jeffrey

when she rolled a six. Jeff had just gotten started.

Every single time Grandma got a turn to unwrap,

somebody else would roll a six right as she

finished getting the gloves on. If even!

Game #3: "Right/Left" game. Everyone brought

a $5.00 gift. I read a little Christmas story that was

full of the words "Left" and "Right." Every time I said

the words 'left' or 'right' each person passed the package

they were holding in that particular direction.

Pretty fun when you get going fast. When the

story was over you opened the gift you

were left holding.

Anne Marie got just what she's always wanted.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas

tree: the presence of a happy family

all wrapped up in each other.

~Burton Hillis~

(Mark...how's that Barry Manilow CD?)

Ellen got $5.00 worth of chicken legs.

Thank you Mark and Jeffrey.

Pretty dang fun.

A little music.

Cousin Laurie told a story, lifted from

Garrison Keillor. What a scream! We agree

she must return for an encore. Fun to have her,

Greg, and Anna share part of the evening with us.

My mother read from Luke II, a tradition we repeat

year after year. We also enjoyed one of the

beautiful videos the Church recently made

about the coming forth of the Savior.

And finally,...the exchanging of cousin and

giving of grandparent gifts.

Rick painted this painting of the first vision

for Scott. Called "Light Exactly." It

is really lovely.

The Three Musketeers

Even though Spence, Mark and Chase are "too old"

to participate in the cousin gifts anymore...

they continue to exchange with each other.

Pretty fun.

(Oh Spence...Sleepless in Seattle.

Just what you wanted.)

What a beautiful noise.

~Neil Diamond~

(Anne Marie, I wanted to send you some of that

'noise' via video. It's not working. Sorry.)

Traditional Christmas Eve P.J's this year

meant retro-U.S. soccer shirts for the boys.

Anne Marie gave Ty the sweater.

Ty gave Anne Marie the scarf.

Call gave Chase a skateboard. Giants colors.

Call had it put together just for Chase.

We were so happy Call and Whitney were able

to share a week with us after christmas.

TWO girls getting ready in my home. Fun!

We tried to take a photo with all of us

to record that we were all together.

Another day I may do a blog only

consisting of the 12 shots before getting

this one. What a scream.

Love this. Call with the train.

New Years Eve at Matt and Molly's

Hyer and Falke kids

Our kids have been life-long friends with the

Falke kids. We were tickled to squeeze a night

in together while every single one of them were home.

Brad and Kristy, Marie and Kris

Kylie, Chase, Anne Marie, Ty,

Abby, Macy, Whitney and Call.

Oh, the comfort--the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe

with a person--having neither to weigh thoughts nor

measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as

they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a

faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is

worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness

blow the rest away.

~Dinah Craik~

Oakland Temple

Four days after Christmas we went to the

temple for Hailey Holtzclaw's wedding.

Mr. and Mrs. Zack Morey

Life long friends. There were seven girls. Ever since

elementary school they have called themselves "The

Snails." A cafeteria worker dubbed them that

because they were always the last to leave the

lunch room. They have been the epitome of

"true friends" for years.

Kylie, Anne Marie, and Christy Lewis Martinez

(Also Snails.)

Myself and Marilyn Stokes.

Marilyn introduced Hailey to the Gospel. She used

to bring her to church when she was just a young girl.

Hayley was baptized when she was 12, served a mission,

and now has been married in the temple. Marilyn has

always played unique and special roll in Hailey's life.

Kylie and Anne Marie

It was a wonderful Christmas Season.

It's Been Especially Lovely Around Here.

2011-12-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

Home

Fall in Turlock has been especially beautiful this year.

The crisp air, autumn colors, and breezy days

have been brilliant. In this post, I've included some

random pictures from around our home especially

for Anne Marie. Occasionally, she will text and

"need" a photo texted to her from some particular

viewpoint around home. We all have days when

our heart just needs a dose of home, don't we?

How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of

light and color are their last days.

~John Burroughs.~

Looking out the front window.

From the front porch.

Thanksgiving Day at Grandma and Grandpa's

Autumn is a second spring when every

leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus~

Emily, Brent and Davis

Forever on Thanksgiving Day the heart

will find the pathway home.

~Wilbur D. Nesbit~

Doug and Ty

Mark, Jeffrey, and Scott

Kelly, Matt, Ty, Doug, and Chase

Steve and Bev's Family

**Look at those trees of Mom and Dad's!**

Brad and Melissa's little Cole.

And, thank you for a house full of people I love.

~Ward Elliot Hour~

Kris, Michael, Scott R., Scott S. and Doug

Matt, Nathan, Kelly, Grandpa, and Michelle

You have a choice: You can raise kids or you can

live in a home where nothing touches the

floor but the furniture.

~Robert Brault~

My home is not a place,

it is people.

~Lois McMaster Bujold~

Grandma knows how to make eating in the garage fancy!

Emily

I remember one Christmas being told there was no

Santa Claus, and the next Easter being told that there

was no Easter Bunny, and I remember how I feared, as

Thanksgiving approached, that they would tell me there

was no Grandmother.

~Robert Brault~

There's no place like home.

And, Beyond Thanksgiving...

Kris, Marie, Dad and Mom

San Francisco Symphony to hear/see Yo Yo Ma.

Kris and I snuck away for a weekend in

Half Moon Bay. We stayed at the Oceana,

pictured behind us.

The best thing to hold onto in life

is each other.

~Audrey Hepburn~

Just a cute little tea towel I saw that weekend.

I liked the sentiment it displayed!

We planted this grafted apple vine in our backyard

during the summer. Each branch has a different variety

of apple. We have: Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Fuji,

Red Delicious, Gala, and Gravensteine.

The apples were ripe just in time for me to pick them

and use them in my Apple/Yam recipe for Thanksgiving!

The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and

dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes (apples!)

as if it had nothing else in the universe to do.

~Galileo~

The Primary children learned Praise to the Man this

year for their Sacrament Meeting Program. One

Sunday they invited Ty to play it on the bagpipes

for them. LOVE how some of them are

plugging their ears.

This is my very first rosebush.

I love that it peeks in through my kitchen window.

Our little backyard corner. We fixed a few

things up before Call and Whitney's open house.

This is "Puppers" speaking. Where's Anne Marie?

Speaking of her...if you'd like to catch up on how

she's doing in Boston, go here: SewPurple.

It Was A Very Good Year...

2011-11-26T20:17:00.001-08:00

Turlock High School Varsity and Junior Varsity

Soccer Teams both won

Central California Championships this year.

A first!

At their celebration dinner last week Ty was honored

for being selected to the 'second team' by all

of the coaches in the league. Pretty fun.

And, he received 'all academic' recognition as well.

Go Dogs! Go Ty!

Good guys are a dime a dozen, but

an aggressive leader is priceless.

~Red Blaik~

"All Things Bear Record..."

2011-11-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

Recently, Call has been experimenting with

a camera. Several of his photos brought certain

scriptures of personal significance to my mind.

And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given

a law unto all things, by which they move

in their times and their seasons;

And their courses are fixed, even the courses of

the heavens and the earth, which

comprehend the earth and all the planets.

And they give light to each other in their times and in

their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their

days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years--

all these are one year with God, but not with man.

The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his

light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night,

and the stars also give their light, as they roll

upon their wings in their glory, in the

midst of the power of God.

Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may

understand? Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any

man who hath seen any or the least of these hath

seen God moving in his majesty and power.

~Doctrine and Covenants 88:42-47~

And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things

are created and made to bear record of me, both things

which are temporal, and things which are spiritual;

things which are in the heavens above...

...and things which are on the earth, and things

which are in the earth, and things

which are under the earth...

...both above and beneath:

all things bear record of me.

~Moses 6:63~

And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you

seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and

whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by

my word, saith the Lord, it shall be

eternally bound in the heavens.

~D&C 132:46~

When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers,

the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels,

and hast crowned him with glory and honor.

Thou madest him to have dominion over the

works of thy hands; thou hast put all

things under his feet.

~Psalm 8:3-6~

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are

your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as

the heavens are higher than the earth, so are

my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

~Isaiah 55:8-9~

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear

heard, neither have entered into the heart

of man, the things which God hath

prepared for them that love him.

~1 Corinthians 2:9~

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness

in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a

love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press

foreward, feasting upon the word of Christ,

and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the

Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the

way; and there is none other way nor name given

under heaven whereby man can be saved in the

kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine

of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which

is one God, without end. Amen.

~2 Nephi:20-21~

Soccer Season

2011-10-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

This photo of Ty appeared in our local paper

a couple of weeks ago. Then...

...this one appeared on Wednesday following

the game against their rivals.

Third time this year he's had his photo in the paper, and

as you can read below, he was quoted once again.

Kinda fun.

By the way...the "future" Merced game they refer to

was played yesterday. Ty scored...

but it ended in a 3-3 tie again.

They needed this win.

After enduring an uncharacteristic stretch of two ties and a loss in the four previous games, the Turlock High boys soccer players redeemed themselves in Tuesday night’s matchup with crosstown rival Pitman High en route to a 4-0 win in Central California Conference action. Four different players scored at Debely Stadium in front of hundreds of fans, as three of goals came in the second half.

The victory also sets up another chance for redemption. On Thursday night, the Bulldogs (16-1-2, 7-1-1 CCC) will host Merced High — the only team to give Turlock a loss this season. The meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Debely Stadium.

“They took it to us last time,” said coach Doug Sperry about the Bears, who also forced a tie with his Bulldogs in the Pitman Pride Cup in August. “It’s something we haven’t forgotten. We look forward to get back out there and win.”

It wasn’t until the 14th minute that the Bulldogs scored against Pitman, whom they easily eclipsed 5-0 on Sept. 22. Junior forward Ty Hyer timed just right a pass directed toward the goal and two Pitman defenders, including the goalkeeper — as he headed the ball for the early score. That kind of determination and persistence continued in the second half, when Isaias Castellanos, Ricky Bravo and Roberto Covarrubias each wrapped up the evening game with a goal apiece.

The Turlock defense didn’t allow the Pitman offense to have many scoring opportunities in the second half. It wasn’t until less than 20 minutes left that the Pride truly advanced past midfield.

Pitman’s best chance at scoring happened early in the first half, when Tommy Vieira raced past a couple of Turlock defenders to fire a shot. But goalkeeper Flavio Castro got in the way, as he dove and deflected the ball.

This wasn’t the Pride’s night.

It was Turlock’s.

After settling for two ties with Atwater High and Golden Valley High and suffering through the 4-0 defeat by Merced, the Bulldogs are anxious for some redemption. The Bears are next.

“It reminded that we needed to come out harder the next time,” Hyer said about losing to Merced. “I think we can do it. We just have to be confident. This was a good win for us, to build our confidence.”

And...off the record...

his mother tells us that Ty is very fun to watch.

He is very fast on his feet. She enjoys seeing him play and

will miss these days when they come to an end.

Mr. and Mrs. Call Dale Hyer

2011-09-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

Mr. and Mrs. Call Dale Hyer

August 25, 2011

C.S. Lewis wrote:

I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures

are not substitutes for joy.

The wedding and accompanying festivities for

Call and Whitney were, for me, moments

of genuine, cup-overflowing, and

heart warming joy.

Here's a glimpse:

Following the sealing, family and friends

wait for them to exit the Salt Lake City Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints

Adding to the joy...Call's Grandpa Rowan

(my father) was able to perform their sealing.

Anne Marie, Aunt Zan, Aunt Mary, Aunt Catherine

Call greets Erik Arakelian and Tyler Eggleston

who drove from California to share in the joy.

Tyler, Call, Erik

Brothers

One half of me is yours, the other half yours...

Mine own, I would say; but if mine,

then yours,

And so all yours!

~Shakespeare~

Cousins of Whitney help lift her train.

Whitney's mother, Julie Overman

and her Grandparents, John and Jane Overman.

Members of the Rowan and Hyer families.

To us, family means putting your arms

around each other and being there.

~Barbara Bush~

There is no actual law that says that a

person of inner beauty cannot also

maintain an appearance.

Robert Brault

Our family with our Grandparents

How our new family looks!

Ty and Abby got a hold of the camera.

It would be unusual if some of Ty's humor

escaped the day.

Temple Gangstas...

Doesn't sound quite right, does it?

Honestly. You two crack me up.

Abby is now going to school in Provo...sad

day for us!

(Thanks for a few of your photos, Falke's.)

Whitney and Call with Grandparents

Erik, Abby, Ty, Kylie, Anne Marie, Tyler

LUNCHEON IN THE

JOSEPH SMITH MEMORIAL BUILDING

Scott, Uncle Matt, Grandpa and Grandma Rowan,

Anne Marie, Karin and Ben

Whitney's best friend, Monique Schurtz (in mint

green dress) and her family. Life long friends.

Aunts, Uncles, and cousins of Whitney's

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Catherine,

Aunt Zan and Uncle Dodd,

Aunt Mary (standing) and Uncle Ric (walking)

and Grandma Hyer.

Brad Falke and Call

The Falke's and their kids have been

dear friends since we moved to Turlock.

Very special for Call to have them

there on this important day...

..Twas like having a little slice of home

for us to have them there...

And then...there's these people.

Steve and Denise Stiles, our Bishop in

Turlock joined us for this special time.

Can you believe it?

Just wonderful.

I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance,

A church filled with family and friends.

I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for,

He said one that would make me his wife.

~Unknown~

Call with his especially dear cousin, Jeffrey Rowan.

One of the reasons the wedding was at the

end of August was so Jeffrey could be there. He

returned from his mission in Guatemala

about 36 hours prior to the wedding.

Wow.

RECEPTION AT WADLEY FARMS

LINDON, UTAH

Being the mother of the groom, I did not capture

all of the photos I would have liked to. However,

all things considered, I didn't do too bad!

Wadley Farms was the most perfectly beautiful

venue I have ever seen for a reception.

The Overman's provided the most gorgeous

wedding reception for Whitney and Call.

The gal with the camera is Brooke...Whitney's

official bridal photographer.

http://www.blushbybk.com/blog/

There is a bond forged between people who

hid under the same bed from

the same parents.

~Robert Brault~

When you realize you want to spend the rest of

your life with somebody, you want the rest

of your life to start as soon as possible.

~Nora Ephron~

Dale Boman and Glenna Bradford.

Two of my best friends. I sang with them in college.

They were on their way to

MoTab Choir Practice...but made time to stop in.

It was so fun but frustrating at the same time!

So many dear friends dropped in...if only

I had an entire hour for each one!

But, what joy to have so many dear

friends come to share this time!

Thank you.

Anne Marie and Jeffrey

Anne Marie, Call, Whitney, Monique

You are, and always have been,

my dream.

~Nicholas Sparks~

Kris' cousin, Kenny Allen. He helped set

me up with Kris a hundred years ago!

The Overman's

Grant, Hayley, and Monet' Rowan

Greeting the Huntingtons

Creed and Ellen and Ann and kids

Ikwo and Dinah Ibiam and

darling family!

Sue Spencer and Ryan and Kelly Severson

Turlock...you did well representing yourself!

My brother, Steve and our cousin Karin Warner

with her daughter and grandchild.

Tim and Agnes Reynolds and

their adorable family.

(Another dear friend, Pia Jones Todd, can be seen on the

far right in the background. What a fun visit

Kris and I had with her. Thank you to all

for making such a great effort to come see us!)

Kristy Falke, Anne Marie, Marilyn Stokes

and Janae Cox. Is this fun, or what??

Kris' cousin's Annette Morley, Karen Hinckley,

Debbie Corbridge, and his Aunt Ilene.

Kylie and Anne Marie

Been a long day.

Shoes off!

Grandpa and Grandma Rowan

Most special that Grandpa

performed their sealing.

If you live to be a hundred, I want to live

to be a hundred minus one day so

I never have to live without you.

~A.A. Milne~

True love stories

never have endings.

~Richard Bach~

In the end you don't so much find

yourself as you find someone

who knows who you are.

~R.B.~

I felt it shelter to speak to you.

~Dickinson~

******************

OPEN HOUSE IN TURLOCK

Cakes and desserts

Dianne Kroutil, Claire Nees, Debbie Blank,

Jeanine Bean, and not pictured, Denise Stiles...

They took care of everything in the kitchen.

Everything.

How do you thank goodness

and kindness like you see in those faces?

Mother's of the bride and groom!

Hanna Mangrum and Emily Fife were

so great to help me.

My neighbor, Ben.

Some of Call's old friends

Julie's sister Jamie and her friends,

Carol and Bessie made the trip to CA with her.

It was really delightful to have them in

our home. They were a lot of fun.

Trip over love, you can get up.

Fall in love and you fall forever.

I love having our home filled with people like

it was that evening. It was overwhelming

to feel so much love, support and just

plain happiness for Call and Whitney.

Growing up...Call was supposed to marry Macy

Falke! :) Good buddies for a long time!

My cousin, Laurie Eichert and brother Matt and Molly.

And...the last party comes to an end!

We love you, and welcome to

the family Whitney!

We are so grateful you are part of us.

So grateful Call has you.

So grateful you have Call.

What a sweet match.

(Engagement photos appear in post below)

...And They Got Engaged

2011-09-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time...

Call and Whitney fell in love

and became engaged to be married.

"Their" song:

Honey you are a rock

Upon which I stand.

And I came here to talk

I hope you understand

Those green eyes

Yeah, the spotlight shines upon you

And how could

Anybody deny you?

I came here with a load

And it feels so much lighter

now I've met you.

And honey you should know

That I could never go on without you.

Green eyes...

Honey you are the sea upon which I float.

Those green eyes...

You're the one that I wanted to find.

I came here with a load,

And it feels so much lighter

now I've met you.

Those green eyes,

Yeah, the spotlight shines upon you.

You're the one...

...that I wanted to find.

~Coldplay's "Green Eyes"

(All photos by: Blush Photography.)

Twenty-Eight.

2011-08-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

Kris and Marie Hyer

August 20, 1983

The Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-Day Saints Oakland Temple

Our wedding was many years ago.

The celebration continues

to this day.

~Gene Perret~

Happy Anniversary to us.

A Family Enterprise in Enterprise. Part One.

2011-08-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

In July we joined the Hyer family in

Enterprise, Utah for a family reunion.

Uncle Dodd has property there and is developing

his farm/ranch with great passion!

Kris with his mother and siblings,

Dodd, Mary, and Kevin.

Everyone arrived at various times. We enjoyed

fantastic hamburgers and shakes in

Enterprise our first evening there.

Dodd

Sam, Peter, Chandler, and Alina

Alina Castor

(Annalise and Sam's daughter)

If you haven't time to respond to a tug at

your pants leg, your schedule is too crowded.

~Robert Brault~

Coulson, Call, Ty

We played a lot!

Dallin, Coulson, Call and Whitney

Thanks to Zan and Dodd and ALL of their

hard work, we ate well, too!

They completely out-did themselves

on every level.

As a child my family's menu consisted of two

choices: Take it or Leave it.

~Buddy Hackett~

Cousins off to paintball!

Looks pretty legit, huh?

Several of the boys have spent lots of hours

working on the ranch planting trees, making

fences...and creating a paintball space!

Call and Ty

Loading up...

GO!!

Sam, Dallin, Ty, Coulson, and Call

Dallin

All life is an experiment. The more experiments

you make, the better.

~Emerson~

Sam was always on the winning team so the last

round was everyone against Sam...

"Uncle"

Part Two of:

A Family Enterprise in Enterprise

to follow...

Sweet Is The Peace The Gospel Brings.

2011-07-11T15:49:00.000-07:00

Every day is a good day,

some are just a little better than others.

~Jeff Garthwaite~

Call was ordained an Elder by

Kris this past weekend in Utah.

In this photo:

Call's Bishop from Turlock, Steve Stiles, his wife

Denise and their daughter, Camille.

Call's future mother-in-law, Julie Overman

and his fiance', Whitney Overman.

Call, Kris, Marie and Ty.

"If you remember it without tears,

it wasn't happiness."

R.B.

I was the recipient of Call's first blessing.

I will never remember that without tears.

Three good men.

Sweet Bishop Stiles came from California.

It takes awhile, but eventually we realize that

the people who were always there for the

special occasions of our [life] had

other things to do.

~Robert Brault~

Whitney and Call.

Just a great match. What a blessing.

My heart leaps up...

A little REAL Salt Lake Soccer!

Ty, Kris, and Call.

(ty, you even have one of your Calle

shirts on! Funny!)

"There's A Time to Laugh..." And Play!

2011-06-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Camille Stiles and Ty

...A time to laugh...

~Ecclesiastes 3:4

Steve/Bishop teaching Ty how to drive the boat.

These kids are so blessed to have such good friends.

Kris

Marie and Denise

Each friend represents a world in us, a

world possibly not born until they

arrive. ~Anais Nin~

I love this thought. I think it is so true that each

friendship is unique and individual...fulfilling

different spirit-needs as it unfolds.

Mr. Ty. I love his smile.

His is a happy spirit. Our home

loves the laughter and fun he fills it with.

Go Camille!

Rebecca, Derek, baby Hannah!, Spencer, Anne Marie

My sister-in-law (I think after all these years

the "in-law" part should be dropped), Ellen, hosted

a nice lunch while some of the cousins were

in town. We met Becca's Hannah for the first time.

Marie, Debbie Holtzclaw (master hostess), Marilyn Stokes,

Stephanie Bjarnason, Debbie Blank, Kristie Liston,

and Kristy Falke...a.k.a.

The Housewives of Turlock, California.

Not really, but we joked that that's what we looked like

with our wonderful Mango Cider, so we took a

photo in the mirror. Our dear friend, Marilyn, who

moved away about 14 years ago was in town. Debbie

hosted a beautiful luncheon for us so we could celebrate

our friendship and love for Marilyn. We came. We

stayed. And stayed. And stayed. Thanks, Deb.

Marilyn...come back.

Friends "fall in like" with as profound a thud as

romantic partners fall in love.

~Letty Cottin Pogrebin

Deb made delicious chicken salad and served

a wonderful strawberry/cookie dessert.

Ty, Marie, Kris

Ward Temple Day

The Tilby's came to play!

After a fun dinner we played

a round or two of Bolo Toss.

Kris and Dallin

"We are the Champions!"

Landon wanted to watch how the milkshakes

were made. It was so weird...just lifting

that cute little guy up onto the counter

brought back a flood of feelings for me.

Kris playing his bagpipes in the backyard at Cambria

And, to continue with the Scottish theme...

Cairn!

(In simple terms, Cairn is Irish or Scottish Gaelic

for a man-made pile of stones.)

Well, in this case...it is topped with a wad of

dried twigs and seaweed. Location considered...

it seemed appropriate!

Happy 50th Birthday to me! I have never needed

an excuse to splurge on chocolate or ice

cream...but this was awesome.

The beach is in our blood. Everyone in our family

returns to the beach instinctively, just

like the sea turtles. ~Sandy Archibald~

Why do we love the sea? It is because it has

some potent power to make us think

things we like to think.

~Robert Henri~

Anne Marie and Kris after the

Wildflower Ride they participated in.

It was 50 miles...they said they rode

one year for each year I had lived!

Through the vineyards of that beautiful place.

Sitting in the house one afternoon, we clearly spotted

whales spouting in the distance. We grabbed the binoculars

and ran out onto the ranch and watched several

groups of Mama's and babies migrating.

"They Started It."

2011-06-06T13:52:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa

Bob and Donna

I guess you could say that what you are

about to view below is all of their fault.

They started it.

Pine Mountain, 2011

Thomas starts things off by catching a fish.

Emily

To trade a childhood wonder for a plausible explanation...

is there a w0rst trade one makes in life?

~Robert Brault~

I made the traditional breakfast Kris usually provides.

He was 'on the road' with Anne Marie...headed

for Boston where she began her studies this week.

Christy, Brent, and Craig.

Each year Pine Mountain sort of has its own

personality, depending on who shows up.

We really missed some of our "regulars" but were

tickled to have others join us that up until

now, had been unable to come.

Or...in other words...

If minutes were kept of a family gathering; they would

show that "members not present" and "subjects

discussed" were one and the same.

~Robert Brault~

Ty and Call

Never too chilly for ice cream!

Craig

There are no seven wonders in the eyes of a

child. There are seven million.

~Walt Streightiff~

Jamin and Ann's Kate, Eliza, and Benjamin

Eliza has her very own little business selling

bread. It was more than popular!

REALLY good.

Molly and Emily

Chad, Christy, and Benjamin

Thomas, Ashton, and Brent

Karin and Ben, Scott, Call

Grandpa asked Uncle Matt to share the poem

The Cremation of Sam McGee

Robert W. Service

Years ago, when Uncle Matt was just about twelve

years old, he and Grandpa were together on a scout

campout when some began telling stories around

the campfire. Uncle Matt surprised everyone

there by having this poem memorized, and dad

has always remembered that. I wish I had

not stopped the video. The humorous text

in its entirety can be found here.

Sunday morning "non-Church" services. :) :)

Ya had to be there...

Grandpa shares with the family his annual

update on each and every one of you...

Eliza shares how she makes her amazing crunchy bread.

Kate, Ann, Benjamin, Ashton, and Eliza

Some have been to the mountain. I have been

to my knees by the side of my bed.

~Robert Brault~

Yup. I know they have. Every day. For all of us.

Doug, Ty, Karin and Ben, and Scott

Davis fishing...

...and then reporting to Emily just how big

that fish really was.

No joke. The same fish was caught at

least 30 times. It's a Pine Mountain tradition!

Ashton

Sometimes our hearts get tangled

and our souls a little off-kilter.

...family can set us right

and help guide us back to the light.

~Sara Christann~

Ty, Doug, Scott, and Call

Ashton and Brent

Laughter is the sun that drives winter

from the human face.

~Victor Hugo~

Call and Scott

Uncle Matt and kids

Let the games begin! What would we do

each year without Uncle Matt and Aunt

Molly preparing and providing such

fun for all of us?

Ellen preparing "Cut the flour."

Playing a round of "Cut the flour."

Stacking the cups...

First one to get five ping-pong

balls to go into the cup wins.

I love Benjamin's face...

Jamin...the Professor...tries to "invent"

(I call it cheating) a way to being the first to

stack five ding-dong's on his forehead.

This time, one at a time...

The great advantage of living in a large family is

that early lesson of life's essential unfairness.

~Nancy Mitford~

The first to bounce five balls off of their

partner's board and into the bucket wins.

Another round...

The first to stack five dice on their

tongue depressor wins.

Who will win...

Another round...

The first to transfer the bubble gum

from top to bottom wins.

Father against son.

Brother on brother.

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung

into a kaleidescope of new possibilities.

~Jean Houston~

Call and Scott

Laughter is an instant vacation.

~Milton Berle~

Matt "set up" a little surprise

for these two...

GET READY TO RUUUUUUMMMMMMBLE!!!

ZZZZZZZZ- Ball gets explained.

We learned that Ben is competitive. Here, he

reminds us that this is just a practice round.

Game on!

(Fun round!)

...and here was Emily while Z-ball

was going on.

Down to the final four!

Final Two.

The Z-ball trophy has been

a staple in the Hyer home since day 1.

You'll have to watch and find

out if the reign continues.

Until next year...

The Best Days

2011-06-01T20:14:00.001-07:00

She made it.

A new life begins here.

New Home.

2011-05-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

I love the new home this volunteer from

last year's planting moved in to.

A garden is never so good as

it will be next year.

~Thomas Cooper~

"You Color My Black And White World."

2011-05-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

Call Hyer and Whitney Overman became

engaged Saturday, May 7th,

while hiking in the Provo Canyon!

She's a "keeper" and we couldn't be more thrilled

with the sweetness and goodness they bring to one another.

(Thanks to Uncle Ric...our resident

family jeweler for making the perfect ring

for the newest member-to-be of our family.

She doesn't look very tickeled with it,

does she??? Ha!)

For his site, go here.

Sunday, the day after they became engaged.

They will be married in the Salt Lake Temple

the last week of August.

We, the First Presidency and the Council

of the Twelve Apostles of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man

and a woman is ordained of God and that

the family is central to the Creator's plan

for the eternal destiny of His children.

They met almost two years ago while

attending Southern Utah University

in Cedar City, Utah.

One year ago during Spring Break.

Whatever our souls are made of,

his and mine are the same.

~Emily Bronte~

We tried really hard this past Christmas morning

to make sure she felt right at home!

Go Giants.

Do I love you because you're beautiful;

Or are you beautiful because I love you?

~Rogers and Hammerstein~

from, Cinderella...of course!

Yosemite. Welcome to the family, Whit...

and the places we love to play!

You color my black and white world...

~Gary Go~

I Win.

2011-05-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Mom and I last year at a Relief Society event.

Love that. Love her.

Mother's Day is good...because of her.

If the whole world were put into one scale,

and my mother in the other,

the whole world would 'kick the beam.'

~Henry Bickersteth~

A Big Thing To Me.

2011-04-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may

look back and realize they were the big things.

~Robert Brault~

Last night at about 11:00 P.M. my nineteen year old son,

Call, texted me this photo. He said that a few months back he

walked by some bulbs in a store, thought of me, and

decided to purchase and plant them. Here they are

in beautiful bloom. Made me a bit teary.

Happy early Mother's Day to me.

Perhaps my love for flowers...born from

my own dear mother's love for flowers...seemed like a

'little thing' as my children were growing. Last

night (and years later), it felt like a

big thing to me.

~Extended family update below~

The Roads Being Taken.

2011-04-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

This is a record breaking photo-post covering Ty's Prom,

Chase in Brasil, Call in Utah, and Anne Marie's path to

finding just the right graduate program for her.

It's a simple way to share our photos with family members

who may be interested, a.k.a. Grandparents! Anyone else

brave enough to venture in can scroll as fast as your heart desires!

Hunter Mangrum and Camille Stiles,

Abby Falke and Ty Hyer.

Love seeing good ol' friends simply

having a great time!

Beautiful!

Chase in Fortaleza, Brasil where he flew in the private

jet of one of his students and wife, who were

going home for Carnival. Poor guy.

And below, with friends.

Balcony Video

Two of the students that Chase basically follows

around for a couple of hours each day, helping them

with their conversational English.

I can tell that this experience is helping Chase

determine the direction he next wants to

focus his educational pursuits in.

Brasilian Sunset

Seize every opportunity along the way, for how

sad it would be if the road you chose

became the road not taken.

~R.B.~

Call and Whitney in Utah

For Call's ACN website

go here.

First Stop...

George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

Anne Marie found herself in the position of having several

wonderful options for graduate school. She and I visited a

few of them recently so she could find the right fit for her.

We did not visit Columbia University, in New York because

the other options seemed more inviting to her.

Boston Univeristy

Boston, Massachusetts

The open houses were very helpful. Viewing

the facilities and meeting the doctors

and clinicians was great.

Massachusettes General Hospital

Institute of Health Professions

~An academic affiliate of

Massachusettes General Hospital~

(This is the only Speech-Language Pathology

program in the United States that is

not affiliated directly with a university,

having been founded by a hospital instead.)

Emerson College

Boston, Massachusettes

So, here we are...starting our tour of campuses

off right, with a trip to DC Cupcakes of TLC fame.

Yes. All they are cracked up to be.

(We saw the Sister missionaries here. Classic.)

Unbelievable. We were there during the

Cherry Blossom Festival.

(Jefferson Memorial in background.)

We found out that the White

House is, indeed...White.

Four hours to visit the Smithsonian Institution.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

The Wright Brother's original plane.

Isn't is astonishing that all these secrets have

been preserved for so many years just so

we could discover them!

~Orville Wright~

Ever since Kris and I visited Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

in 1990, I have wanted to see the Wright Brother's plane.

It was thrilling. Absolutely thrilling beyond words.

Julia Child's kitchen

Above all, have a good time!

~J. Child~

I don't need to label these. Right???

~There's no place like home.~

L. Frank Baum

One of the most treasured icons in the Smithsonian is the

top hat Abraham Lincoln wore to the Ford's Theatre on

the night he was assassinated on April 14, 1865.

The thin black mourning ribbon at the base

of the hat was added upon the death of his

11 year old son, Willie, in 1862.

"Just" a photo of some clothing.

But, it was beyond fascinating to me

to see them. Made these "history book"

individuals feel more present and real.

Very real physical reminders of

great men from days past.

Haven't we all grown up seeing this image?

Surreal seeing it next to the clothing.

Washington Monument

White House at dusk.

My friend, Jeanine, suggested we take a night

tour of the monuments if we had time. So

glad we took her suggestion. It was cold

and there is no way we could have made it to

all of them had we not done that. Extra

beautiful with the lights at night.

(Anne Marie's photo)

Washington Monument AND Cherry Blossoms!

Lincoln Memorial

It was massive! So strange to see it...not on

a penny or re-created Disneyland style!!! :)

I felt reverence for God as I read the

inscriptions on the walls within the memorial.

W.W. II Memorial

Pillars like those in the background encircle

the entire area. Each one has the name of a different

state chiseled into it with a beautiful

permanent stone wreath as part of the decoration.

We ran into these missionaries at the Jefferson

Memorial. They were all heading for

home the next morning.

Cute boys.

Though confined to our destiny, we do

get to pick the color scheme.

~Robert Brault~

This will be her new home for the next two years!

Massachusetts General Hospital,

Institute of Health Professions.

Ranking third on the U.S. News and World Report's

Honor Roll for best hospital and hospital affiliate's

for 2010-2011...it's an impressive facility.

And. The faculty was "human" and kind.

MGH is located in the old Boston Naval

Yard in Charlestown. The building behind her

is where she will be going to school.

The windows of the building look out on this.

In her words..."I feel like the Lord

has placed me here."

Worth the trip to know and feel that way.

Little Italy, in the North End.

Friends told us about Mike's Pastry in the North

End. See the strings coming down from the ceiling?

They pack your pastries in one of the blue boxes

and then tie it up with string.

(Brown paper packages tied up with string...)

Harvard Campus

Anne Marie's heaven?

Ha! This store had two massive windows with

sewing machines as an eye catcher. We were told

by the employees that the company owns 50%

of the Singer sewing machines ever made which

they dress the windows of their businesses' with.

Went to General Conference in the

church building located in Cambridge.

Boston Museum of Art

It was raining...so we opted for an indoor

activity vs. the outdoor excursion we had planned.

Dave Chihuly.

Master of Glass

He has been compared to the great Venetian

glassmakers, as well as the Tiffany glass artisans.

This was the tragedy: The actual Chihuly exhibit

opened four days after we left!!! UGH.

We were, however, able to see four

"teasers" that were on display.

I came around the corner and this glass tree literally
made me gasp. Breathtaking. Having a father that
loves glass and creates his own lovely pieces...
Chihuly was a no-brainer of interest to us.

Each "stem" is individual and separate. Chihuly has

a team that helps create and assemble his pieces.

Go here and click on the very first

show that is listed (Through the Looking Glass).

This is the one currently showing in Boston. You can

access videos and all kinds of good stuff. Or, click on

"installations" to the left of the page and feast

your eyes on various other exhibitions.

I want my work to appear like it came from

nature, so that if someone found it on a

beach or in the forest, they might think

it belonged there.

~Chihuly~

Monet

I have seen other versions of this Renoir in France.

Anne Marie's cousin, Michelle Rowan Sorensen

lives in Boston. Her husband, Scott, graduates from

Harvard Business School next month. She met

us for lunch and a little fun one day.

Yeah!

I bought shower caps for the ladies! Haha!

A fun little shop in Beacon Hill.

Classic Beacon Hill housing. Gorgeous.

Michelle and Scott's little Nathan. He had to

hold that little golf club all night long. We

enjoyed seeing their apartment as well as the

gorgeous Harvard Business School. WOW. It's nice to

get a first-hand glimpse of the lives your family members

lead. Thanks to Scott and Michelle for being our Taxi

that evening...and for carving out a moment for us!

All in all a good time! Productive...

accomplishing what we went to do, with

some fun along the way!

"So Many out-of-the-way-things Had Happened Lately..."

2011-03-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

For, you see, so many out-of-the-way-things had

happened lately that Alice had begun

t0 think that very few things indeed

were really impossible.

~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland~

Last weekend Ty participated for the

first time with the Pipeband he belongs

to: Callanish Pipeband.

(Wearing their new casual hats with the

name of the band inscribed on them.)

Here, Ryan "schools" Ty on how to wear his

'hose.' What a nice group of people! They

were joking with him by saying "Now that

you can play the bagpipes...the next thing we

need to teach you is how to SIT in a kilt!"

The director of the band, Matt Hirsch, is the fellow

in the front row with the green hat on. His wife,

Amy is the gal playing the drums...last one

in the middle row. Matt is also Kris and

Ty's private bagpipe teacher. They just have

the best time with him. Lots of fun...

Remember. From this...

...to this. Awesome.

Only by going too far can one possibly

find out how far one can go.

~Reuben Bajada~

Interesting to observe what was,

for me, a new musical forum.

Matt checking to see if each

set of pipes is in tune.

(Ty...middle row, third one in.)

If you will do what most people won't, for the next

couple of years, you can do what most people

can't do for the rest of your life.

~T. Harv Eker~

Each "routine" contains a particular set

of songs. This one includes Scotland

the Brave...a.k.a. Praise to the Man

by some. :)

"The Queen" of the Sonora Celtic Faire.

A film crew from National Geographic was at

the faire filming the Western United States

Ultimate Jousting Competition for a new

reality T.V. series called Knights of Mayhem.

(The Knight in black was the current U.S. champion.)

The film crew got what they came for...

plenty of drama, injuries, and individuals

that were hospitalized. The whole thing was

a bit disturbing to me, personally. Reminded

me of when we attended a bull fight in Spain.

Why?

...For, you see, so many out-of-the-way

things had happened lately....

Chase made it to Brasil and already has several

students that he is teaching/tutoring in English.

Some of his students include an international

business lawyer, a married couple that

are both physicians, some school kids, and two girls

he was hired to just sort of "follow around" for two

hours every day correcting and helping them

with their conversational English.

(Pictured with Chase is Diego, an exchange student

from Quito, Ecuador. They live in the same building.

Diego has been a helpful to Chase by showing

him around and helping Chase get

acclimated to his new surroundings.)

In front of the State Courts.

Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco California.

For Christmas we gifted a few family members

tickets to the symphony. Last weekend we

enjoyed Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony and

A Midsummer Night's Dream.

...so many out-of-the-way things

had happened lately...

Ty, on bended knee asks his sister, Abby Falke

to prom. No, in reality they are not genetically linked,

but they are brother and sister just the same.

Who could resist a scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream?

Ty will really miss his sweet buddy when she

heads off to the big BYU in Provo next year.

One of Anne Marie's little autistic babes. She

loves working with these little children.

Her current status:

*Accepted to George Washington Univ. (Washington, D.C.)

*Accepted to Massachusetts General Hospital,

Institute of Sciences. (Boston, MA.)

*Accepted to Emerson College. (Boston, MA.)

*On wait list for Boston University. (Boston, MA.)

(This is for graduate school in Speech and

Language Pathology.)

She and I will be taking a trip back east soon

to see these campuses and attend various

open houses for prospective incoming students.

For, you see, so many out-of-the-way things

had happened lately that [THE HYER'S]

had begun to think that very few things indeed

were really impossible.

Call sliced his finger open trying to create a new

notch on his belt. Only four stitches...but a week

later, it does appear there may be nerve damage.

He is actually seeing a specialist about it today.

Sometimes I think my life would make a

great T.V. movie. It even has the part

where they say "Standby...We are

experiencing temporary difficulties."

~Robert Brault~

*For the full drama report go here.

El Capitan Reflection

Kris recently 'ran' up to Yosemite for one

more day of photos. Beautiful, aren't they?

Bridal Veil Falls with Flowing River

What is this life, if full of care, we have

no time to stand and stare?

~W.H. Davies~

Not a Passing Phase

2011-03-01T15:46:00.000-08:00

Ty, on Christmas morning/Birthday in

2005, we think. He had been asking for

bagpipes...and this was my pitiful attempt

to bring a moment of fun to what I

was sure was a "passing phase."

Everyone keeps asking "where did this thing for the

bagpipes come from?" Even Ty isn't exactly sure he

can put his finger on the reason for his desire to play

the pipes. As a musician myself, I've decided there

doesn't need to be a reason. I love to sing. It fills

a part of my soul that would be otherwise, empty. The

pipes are something Ty is passionate about. He,

loves to play the bagpipes and can often be found

scouring sites for new music while at the same time

listening to various bands, competitions, and events.

A mother's musical dream has come true:

She does not need to prod her child to practice.

Sunday morning.

I can't tell you how much fun

it is to watch this relationship deepen,

and to observe the discovery and

development of this whole "phase" progress.

If thy neighbor offend thee, give each

of his children bagpipes.

~Scottish Proverb~

Playing: The Rowan Tree

Are we not two volumes of one book?

~Marceline Des-Valmore~

Perfect caption...because these two quite

possibly could have been where the

phrase "two peas in a pod" originated.

Gotta love the purple and pink earplugs.

Ty received his bag with the name

of the local Pipeband he belongs

to inscribed on it.

Father and son putting on the new bag cover.

Twelve clansmen and one

bagpipe make a rebellion.

~Sir Walter Scott~

Ty came home from band practice last night

finally wearing his own kilt! Isn't it awesome?

Tell me...how many 16 year old guys do you know

that would find this as cool as he did? Below is a

video of him playing for us last night for the first

time in his kilt. Whoever can name the song,

instead of purchasing a star in your name from

one of those Star Observatory companies...

we'll have a planet named after you!

(He's been looking up music that is used

in the Nauvoo summer church pagaent.)

They only have nine notes. Just how difficult

could the pipes be to learn?

~Aspiring Piper~

So, why is it that this instrument really seems

to be no "passing phase" with him?

I will offer this: he is the great great great great

grandson of Matthew Rowan who was born in

Jordanhill Renfrew Scotland, in April, of 1827.

Perhaps his soul genuinely feels a pull

towards the Scottish Highlands!

(That's Anne Marie's voice you hear following

Ty's playing. She was 'watching' via

Facetime on the iphone. Crazy

that we can do such a thing.)

Kris and Ty love their teacher, Matt Hirsch.

For the Pipeband's website go here. Ty will be

participating with them

in the up-coming Sonora Celtic Faire.

Who woulda' thunk? We've had flute, piano,

voice, drums, piano, drums, piano, guitar, and piano

lessons in this family. This is a chapter

I never anticipated. What a kick.

Men are like bagpipes--no sound comes

from them until they're full.

~Irish Proberb~

The Trance Called Yosemite, a Week Later

2011-02-21T14:36:00.001-08:00

The original The Trance Called Yosemite

photos appear in the post prior to this one.

But, it snowed last week. So, eight days following

the lovely photos Kris captured which I shared in

the original post, he had to return to the place which

inspired John Muir to record the thought:

This Grand Show is Eternal...

just to prove him right.

El Capitan With Snow

2-19-2011

Noble mountains rise close about me,

and far southward are the highest of the

range with glaciers on their sides.

A stream sings lonley.

~John Muir~

Merced River...

Which eight days ago was snow-free.

(See below.)

How deeply with beauty

is beauty overlaid!

~John Muir~

The Trance Called Yosemite

2011-02-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

Photos taken by Kris,

February 11, 2011

Leaning Tower Peak

Located directly south of Bridal Veil Falls.

Bridal Veil is right in between Leaning

Tower Peak and Cathedral Rocks.

...All things denote their is a God; yea, even

the earth, and all things that

are upon the face of it...

~Alma 30:44~

...Small lakes abound in all sorts of situations, --on

ridges, along mountain sides, and in piles of

moraine boulders, most of them mere pools...

How pure their waters are, clear as crystal

in polished stone basins!

~John Muir~

Moraine: ridge, or mass of rocks...carried

and deposited directly by a glacier.

Merced River

There is simply something so colorful

about black and white.

~Dale Boman~

Bridal Veil Falls

The snow is melting into music.

~John Muir~

These beautiful days must enrich all my life. They

do not exist as mere pictures...but they saturate

themselves into every part of the body

and live always.

~John Muir~

Merced River

Glacial lakes...strung together like beads on the

bright ribbons of their feeding. Streams pour, white

and gray with foam and spray, from one to the

other, their perfect mirror stillness making

impressive contrasts with the grand blare

and glare of the connecting cataracts.

~John Muir~

For my part, I should like to stay here

all winter or all my life

or even all eternity.

~John Muir~

Love and Loyalty Taken to the Extreme

2011-02-14T09:26:00.001-08:00

My parents. Bob and Donna.

Recently, mom had rotator cuff surgery. Dad

had the same surgery three weeks later.

I sent this photo to my siblings

and to the grandchildren inviting them to

respond with "captions" to this funny, but not funny,

but no-getting-around-it...funny photo.

In order for the captions to be better understood and

appreciated by any 'outsiders' let me tell you a

Readers Digest version of a well known family love story.

Mom and dad have been married for 61 years.

However, they have been sweethearts since the second

grade. They have in their possession, childhood gifts they

exchanged, a few gradeschool love notes...and lots more

than a few love letters written in adulthood while

separated during dad's time spent in the mission field.

One paragraph from my father's journal:

In Ririe elementary school in year 1935, the

second-grade classroom was on the school building's

west side. The room had two doors: on its east side,

a double door connecting to the eighth grade classroom,

and on the north side an entrance door to and from the

school playground. The teacher was Mrs. Velda Lovell.

I shall never forget Mrs. Lovell or the second-grade

class. The 1935-36 school year was under way and

class for the day started when, through the outside

entrance door, Donna's mother brought in Donna

and introduced her to Mrs. Lovell and to us students.

Donna's father had come to Ririe to become its new

high school principal.

Why I recall the event in such detail I cannot

explain, except that seeing Donna that first day

ignited within me something wonderful

and unquenchable.

While Donna's mother and Mrs. Lovell talked,

arranging for Donna to join the class, the rest

of us watched and listened intently,

I more than anyone else.

From first sight, my feelings for her have

been different than ever they have been

for anyone else.

Following, are the captions submitted

by various family members for this

Valentine's Day post:

Matt (son)

1. We've made up now. But that was one

heck of a fight!

2. We should be ready for the start of the season

in April. But with the injuries and all,

The Giants are playing hardball

with our contracts.

3. We've been together 60+ years, we may

as well do this together also.

Michael (grandson)

Two love birds with wounded wings.

Rachael (granddaughter)

Once you've been together so long you really

do start to feel each other's pain.

Spencer (grandson)

I heard Chuck Norris could throw a fastball

100 mph. I THREW Chuck Norris 100 mph...

and tore my rotator cuff in the process.

Anne Marie (granddaughter)

Oh my gosh. Do they have to do

EVERYTHING together? Priceless.

Kris (son-in-law)

So I see they got the two-for-one senior

citizen's rotator cuff special. His and hers!

Ganon (grandson)

He's been following her every move

since the 2nd grade.

Ty (grandson)

GrandmandGrandpa Ali!

Chase (grandson)

Maybe paying the extra money for lessons

on HOW to snowboard wouldn't have

been such a bad idea after all...

Mark (grandson)

"Birds of a feather..."

Ellen (daughter-in-law)

Comrades in arms. Isn't this taking the

unity in marriage thing one step (arm)

too far???

Brad (grandson)

Years ago in North Carolina Grandpa took us to

Pinehurst to golf. I was probably 10 years old

at the time. Of course he let me drive him around

in the golf cart the whole round, even though he

was probably terrified. We were going down a

big hill and went around a sharp turn...I looked

over and Grandpa was hanging out of the golf cart

with one hand. Luckily, he was able to pull himself

back inside. I remember thinking he would

be mad, but he just laughed and said "you better

start driving a little slower, Brad." I just hope

that sharp turn didn't have anything to do

with Grandpa's recent surgery!

Second part of story: Matt (cousin) was driving

Uncle Rick in the other cart and they ran into a tree

and had to pay for a new golf cart. Haha.

Those were the days. Thanks, Grandpa

for the memories!!

What a great example this family has been

blessed with of what real love truly is.

~Happy Valentine's Day~

It's Been An Eventful Week. Or Two. Or Three.

2011-02-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

Chase arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil last Saturday. He

graduated from the U of U last summer in English,

and will be teaching English in Brazil for about a

year. He lives about five blocks from this

street, Avenida Paulista, where the Sau Paulo Museum

of Art (building in red) is located.

Checking in at the S.F. airport...

with his Giants hat on.

Of course.

He was really excited for the opportunity, and

we are looking forward to hearing about

his experiences. He's been wanting to do this,

or something like it for some time.

Happy for him.

Ty...feeling fairly confident having just passed

his behind the wheel driving test.

Our fourth licensed driver.

We had a couple of bales of hay in our truck for a

few weeks, left over from the Young Men snow

camp out. Here's a photo of Ty and a friend having

just "hayed" another friends truck. (Just left the

bale of hay on the truck.) Of course, the next day

at school, it had been transferred to yet another

truck. A new form of toilet papering a yard?

A few months ago I posted a photo of a desk that

Call was in the beginning stages of making. Here

is his finished product. Pretty nice I'd say, having

just made it "from his head!"

Whitney and Call last week in Park City.

Anne Marie in a giant bubble with

one of "her" autistic babes.

Great news! Anne Marie was accepted yesterday

to George Washington University,

in Washington D.C. for graduate school in

Speech and Language Pathology. She applied to a

few other schools, too, so it is not definite where

she will be headed. However, this was her

first response...and what a happy one!

Currently she is employed through the Wasatch

Mental Health District and is an aid in a

classroom of autistic children. For her most

current, and very sweet post of her at work

go here.

Tied together by stuff too difficult to

explain to someone new.

~Brian Andreas~

(Kris and I last Sunday. And, not that we were thinking

of untying ourselves...but all of the stuff that ties

us together are all of those kids talked about

before this photo of the two of us. We

look kind of tired, huh?)

Kris serves in the Young Men's

organization in our ward.

Hunter, Jerry, Ty, and Chad during their

snow camp out two weeks ago.

It always takes him a little while to get used to

his body after he's been sleeping.

~Brian Andreas~

Uh, yeah. Especially if it was sleeping in the snow.

Was it the warm drink or the cold air that fogged

the glasses? Those who really know Kris,

know how he just loves the cold.

This was craziness. THE Chris Botti, came to

Turlock and performed at our Community

Theatre. An absolute thrilling evening.

Yes...he signed two CD's for me that night.

His sound is indescribable. I didn't know that

the trumpet could be as warm and hypnotic

as a well played violin, a well trained

voice, a perfectly played cello, or a piano that

has a true artist touching its keys.

But, brilliance and finesse is just that...

no matter the instrument.

The gal singing this song has sung with

the Rolling Stones for the last 18 years. Here, she is

singing a song from Chris Botti's latest CD...Italia.

Andrea Bocelli actually sings it on the CD. This

gals range was phenomenal. I enjoyed her higher

voice much more than I did her lower range show cased

here, however, you can hear the entire ensemble

in this clip...and the warmth of Chris Botti

on display. (He re-enters again,

midway through.)

Haha! Trumpet Tricks.

Playing off each other here...

The drummer was amazing. The pianist was

wonderful, the violinist, bass, and guitarist

were fabulous. Because my mother had just

had shoulder surgery...my folks were unable to join us

as planned. I immediately came home from this concert and

bought tickets for his July concert at Davies Symphony

Hall in San Francisco. Guess I'm a 'groupie' now.

Wanted my folks to be able to hear him.

Can't WAIT to hear who he

will bring as his guest artists. When he performed

and recorded his Live in Boston CD,

Yo Yo Ma and Sting were two of his

guests...to name a few. I'm banking on S.F.

bringing in a few big names to be with him!

It was a ridiculously amazing concert :) :)

For his official website, go here.

If you are a lover of music...you really should

visit the site. Maybe he's coming YOUR way...

and the quality of sound on the website is

much better than from my little camera.