Windy Day on Antelope Island - Mid-May 2011

We saw one lonely antelope on Antelope Island and he was not playing.

We went there to see Buffalo, but after driving all over the Island, even out to the ranch and over to the corrals, these on the skyline were all we found.

We took our traditional annual trip to Antelope Island with our traditional Kentucky Fried Chicken, now known as KFC.

The chicken was delicious, but I have never been on any picnic with that much wind. Not a good thing.

The best part was being with Cherie, Kari and their family. We always love being with them.

After we ate the chicken, I walked out to the water line with Hayden, Katelyn, Paige and Spencer. We thought we would die before we got there because we were all barefoot and didn't realize, until it was too late, that the rocks on the beach were really sharp and they went on and on forever. Next time we will wear shoes.

As soon as we got to the water's edge, the boys entertained themselves

and us by skipping rocks. Well there certainly were plenty of rocks to skip.

There was still a lot of snow on the mountains in Davis County. 

Other than the wind, it was a beautiful day.

Spring on Temple Square & the Plaza

We wondered if spring would ever come this year, but it did, 

in fits and starts, 

between snow storms. 

But when it was here, it was spectacular.

It is so rewarding to be serving as a Church-service Missionary (CSM) in the Church Office Building. When I started on January 24th, I thought I would have a routine, no-responsibility clerical job two days a week. It did become boring by the end of February, too routine, but I didn't say anything. On  March 7th Elder Parry and Joel moved me to be the CSM Communications and Training Coordinator and asked me to work three days a week so I am there Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It is much more interesting work, but also very demanding and beyond my expertise. I hope I can learn to do all they want me to do and to do it well. It is wonderful to be a CSM. It gives me purpose and direction; it challenges me; it provides an avenue for meaningful service, and it brings me many spiritual experiences, often in unexpected ways.  I certainly recognize the hand of the Lord in my life as I do this work. 

Austin's Lacrosse Game

L.E.G.E.N.D.!!!

Our dear granddaughter,

Emily Dawn Bailey,

performed her Senior Recital at 
Utah State University on March 17th
and it was amazing, to say the least.

She had family and friends come from St. George, Provo, Brigham City, Salt Lake and, of course, Bountiful. Her piano instructors and professors came as well as some of the young students she teaches.  Everyone loved her performance and it was such a privilege to be there.

Tom & Julie brought flowers as did many others. She is indeed loved.

Julie is one Mom who deserves so much credit for such a wonderful  milestone. She spent countless hours taking Emily to piano lessons, sitting through those lessons so she could learn to help Emily and then more time helping Emily learn, to say nothing of the financial sacrifices she so willing made. 

Emily had a passion for piano from the time she was five years old. No one had to tell her to practice. In fact she was upset when she was unable to practice as much as she wanted. The music in Emily came from deep inside her and was a solace to her in times of stress. She practiced every morning at 5:00 for many, many years. No one had to tell her to, she just loved the piano.

I was excited that Chantel was able to come with Chase, Ciera, Zack and Tanner. It was good to see them even if it was for only a short time. 

What a great family! They are so much fun and they make me happy.

I am so glad I have been able to live by these girls. That Julie moved to Bountiful when Lauren was a baby has been a blessing in my life. I don't think grandchildren truly understand how much grandmothers love them. They are wonderful. 

But somehow I think Emily was happiest that Paul was there. In fact on the program, under the last piece, she had printed, "Piece dedicated to Paul Reinhardt". He didn't know she had done that until he arrived at the concert hall. He said, "It almost made me cry." 

Our beautiful, radiant Emily.

We are so proud of you.

Here is her program:


Prelude and Fugue in D Minor by J.S. Bach
from the Well-Tempered Klavier, Bk. I


Piano Sonata in A Major, K. 331 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
I. Andante grazioso
II. Menuetto
III. Alla Turca: Allegretto


Seven, Op. 30 by Robert Muczynski
I. Allegro giocoso
II. Allegro moderato III
III. Andante espressivo


First Arabesque by Claude Debussy


Nocturne in C Minor, Op. 48. 48 No. 1 by Frederic Chopin

Katelyn's Lacrosse Game

Such cute, good girls.

It was fun to go to Katelyn's Lacrosse game even though they lost.

I can't believe she graduates next year.

Our Winter Wonderland

The heavens dropped everything on us yesterday. I even had to abandon my car at St. Olaf's because I couldn't make it up the hill. But it is safely home this morning.

Wayne is making a path for the school children to traverse. It is melting so fast all the beauty will soon be gone. That is also one of the joys of a spring storm. It doesn't linger.

Don't We Live in a Beautiful Area!

Such a lovely sunset from our house this evening.