Springbreak Phase 1

On Wednesday we took a little trip to Springdale, Utah.  I really like our visits there.  It's a nice little shot of spring for our winter blues.  When we left our house there was snow on the ground.  Yep, this was just what we needed.  When we got as far as LaVerkin the kids got really excited.  They really like that area and thought it was just so beautiful.

Dennis was going to a Planning Conference there and was asked to speak this time.   While we were there we found out that the Zion 100 was taking place that weekend.  Runners going 100 miles around Zion's park. Kind of an impressive feat. We stayed at a hotel walking distance from the conference building.  We saw some fun turkeys on our walk back and forth. There was a really fun park next to the building so I could listen to Dennis' class while the kids played outside.  We spent so much time outside while we were there! It was wonderful.

We had a fun time walking around working on the picture scavenger hunt that Afton and I put together. There were several "rock collections" that we visited.  Some pretty amazing geods.  We also made it out to visit the pioneer ghost town of Grafton - "that wasn't very scary" Khora told Dennis. We spent quite a bit of time at the park next to the conference. I got some reading done and the kids had a blast playing around. Bonnie was up high on the play ground at one point and she was singing "I'm on top of the world, I can see everything!" and it the next breath she said, "But mom, I can't get down." Comic timing right there!!  They recruited a couple kids there to play a game of "infection", which is like tag but everyone is it.

We were also able to see the movie Mr. Peabody and Sherman on the Zion Canyon giant screen. It's six stories high.  Dennis got our family tickets from the conference!  We all enjoyed this movie in 3D. I think Bonnie sat through the entire movie with the glasses on.  This was an especially good treat because in April we have been taking an Entertainment diet.  

15th Anniversary Activities

The Utah County Women's Legislative Council asked Dennis to speak about Urban sprawl at their monthly meeting. Since it was on our anniversary I went with. He was one of 4 people on the panel and had only 10 minutes for his presentation, but had lots of questions afterwards.  He had a very nice power point put together and it was very popular. Someone asked me if I was his girlfriend.  I smiled and said "Why yes I am!" She said she thought we were so cute together!

They held it at Chuck O-Rama and we came a little early planning to eat before the meeting. It didn't really work out the way we planned though. We ended up paying $19 and eating just salads.  Yippy! :)   Dennis made it up to me by taking me to Gloria's in downtown Provo for some Italian cake! I don't remember what it was called, something Italian sounding, but it reminded me of warm Hostess cupcakes only more. . . Italian.   We walked across the street to check out this quaint little flower shop and he surprised me with a big beautiful bouquet of 15 roses that he had pre-ordered.  He doesn't surprise me often, but he's done it a couple times this month!

Little side note on this woman's group, because I found them very interesting.  It had the feel of DUP, with the same demographics - well maybe a bit more "affluent" than our local DUP camp members, but the rest is spot on.  Their purpose is to educate women on what is going on at our local government. Every month they invited two sides to speak about a specific issue. They are very educated and active women.  They immediately started "recruiting me".  One women told me that "Dennis needs to run for office".  I told her I don't know when he'd have the time."  I could literally see the light go on when she realized that he was supporting a very young family still, and in a very different place in life than she was.  I think I may or may not now be a member of the group since they have my email address. . . they are very . . . persistent, and excited about politics. I was invited to a meeting next month where "All the big wigs are going to be speaking". The governor and senators etc. . .  and I was told "and they come because they know that we will show respect."  I think that was a warning??!!  Understood.  ?! I kind of laughed at that.  I'm such a threat!!  hahaha

Local Politics

Dennis got out of school Thursday night so we could go to our local caucus meeting.  It was an excused absence. We were read a letter at church, (I actually heard it 3x's),  from the Church leaders urging us to be active in what ever political party we belong to. There were a couple people who wanted to nominate Dennis for different seats, but because of his job he didn't feel comfortable with it. I don't think there is anything illegal, just his personal preference.  As a city employee, as well as assistant city manager, he felt like it was his duty to represent all of Santaquin City and not just our part of it, also the state meetings were during our trip to Atlanta. So they nominated me instead, for a county delegate seat.  HUGE surprise there! I think it might have been the first popularity vote I have actually won too! I definitely didn't seek it out, not at all in my comfort zone, but I said OK anyway when I was nominated. Our meetings are not at all like you see in SLC or even Provo for that matter. It's very Santaquin style, laid back and enjoyable. There was one point where I whispered to Dennis that we need some women up there though. There ended up being 3 of us, yay!  I was chosen to be one of 7 county delegates for our precinct SQ01. (There are three precincts in Santaquin). I'm not big into politics, but I think this will be a good experience and very educational.  I'll put in my time. 

4H

Feb 10 - We registered Afton for 4H.  A young couple from our old 5th ward is doing a class on raising farm animals and gardening.  She set a goal this year to learn more about gardening so this class was perfect.  She is also excited because I think they are having the kids each raise a lamb that they can show at the fair if they want to.  I was excited because I was hoping that this meant that we could finally get chickens.  She starts that class this week.

March 13 - Afton has been getting ready for her rabbit project. It's going to be Mini Rex rabbits.  She is making plans to build a hutch with her dad.  The kids are keeping him working in the garage!  There is a lot of sawdust building up out there.

March 24 - Afton loves, loves, loves 4H.  She looks forward to playing with the sheep every week.  Dennis took the girls out Friday night and bought materials for a rabbit hutch. All day Saturday we were working on this hutch.  It turned out so nice!!  I think every one did something to help. I have attached two pictures that Dennis took when it was done.   She has made two very good friends with girls in our ward that go to 4H. She is a very friendly and accepting person. One of the moms said to me, I'm so glad that Afton came over to play.  I think the ice is broken with these two quiet girls.  It's been fun having her in our home laughing and playing.

The door latches and tar on the legs were finally finished on Tuesday.  So now we just need bunnies.  Harder than I thought.  I've been trying to find information about raising for show and 4H and you need to buy from a breeder, because it's not just a pet.

While we were working on the hutch, Bonnie found a nice pile of mud to play in.  She was having a blast!

Last Saturday Afton and a friend of hers went out to the animal care facility to practice with their animals.  It was actually very funny to watch. Afton got peed on and McKinzie got bumped in the nose and knocked on her bumb.  They had a blast though, lots of laughing and smiles!  While we were there the local sister missionaries stopped by. One of the sisters is from Africa (I think she said Africa) and had never seen sheep before.  She really wanted to pet one so the girls held one still for her.  It was enjoyable to watch! Lots of good experiences in 4H!  

Watermelon Baby!

Bonnie has been asking for watermelon for a couple weeks now.  I kept telling her that we can eat watermelon when it gets really hot outside in the summer.  We went to Costco the other day and what did they have?  These big beautiful seedless watermelons. I'm cautious of out of season fruit, but because she wanted it so bad, I decided to pick one up. You know what, it was actually very yummy!  I think Bonnie ate 1/3 of it all by herself. What do you know, you can have watermelon in March.

My Birthday

My 39th Bday

My birthday came around again this year. I turned 39 on 03/09.  Funny huh!  It's weird to think that I only have one more year in the fabulous 30's. The kids wanted to give me my presents on Saturday. A beautiful spring bouquet of flowers.  I have loved them.  They are so refreshing! Afton and Dennis picked out this pretty white shirt with beautiful yellow and blue embroidery on it. It matches a couple of my skirts perfectly.

Dennis also took me out to Cafe Rio my absolute favorite place to eat out.  I always get the chicken or pork salad.  The house dressing is so yummy!  And I love having left overs the next day. We did a little window shopping for a new laptop.  I think I know what I want now I just have to find it - at a great price!!

It also happened to be YW New Beginnings on Sunday night and I accompanied a song for the girls to sing.  Here is the link if you want to see a video of the song on the church website.  I think it's fabulous! Come Unto Christ The girls did such a great job that they have asked them to sing it in sacrament meeting. I love playing for them because I get to hear them sing. I've found that no matter what happens at practice they always do such a great job in the end the last practice we had was beautiful.  Good things always happen in YW's. It's pretty great that way.

WWII

I have been fascinated with this time period lately.  I'm not sure why exactly, but I just can't get enough!

I have been watching documentaries, movies, reading books all about different aspects of this war. There are incredible people, Winston Churchill, General Patton, Eisenhower, and President Roosevelt. Others I'm just beginning to discover.

The Ghost Army

• During World War II, a hand-picked group of American GI's undertook a bizarre mission: create a traveling road show of deception on the battlefields of Europe, with the German Army as their audience. The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops used inflatable rubber tanks, sound trucks, and dazzling performance art to bluff the enemy again and again, often right along the front lines. Many of the men picked to carry out these dangerous deception missions were artists. Some went on to become famous, including fashion designer Bill Blass. In their spare time, they painted and sketched their way across Europe, creating a unique and moving visual record of their war. Their secret mission was kept hushed up for nearly 50 years after the war's end.
  - Written by Rick Beyer

A while back Dennis was telling me about this documentary that he watched.  I was fascinated that artists were sought out for this special mission.  It was the first things to open my eyes to art and war.  It would not be the last.

I was reading a biography about Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, and I learned that during WWII he served with a unit that created films for the military.  They were usually instructional videos, but I had no idea this was done.  Another example of artist during war. Then of course all the propaganda posters and things.  for good or bad they were a huge part in the war effort.

The Monument Men

Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, the film is an action drama focusing on an unlikely World War II platoon, tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. It would be an impossible mission: with the art trapped behind enemy lines, and with the German army under orders to destroy everything as the Reich fell, how could these guys - seven museum directors, curators, and art historians, all more familiar with Michelangelo than the M-1 - possibly hope to succeed? But as the Monuments Men, as they were called, found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of 1000 years of culture, they would risk their lives to protect and defend mankind's greatest achievements. 

Release date: February 7, 2014 (USA)

Director: George Clooney

Running time: 118 minutes

MPAA rating: PG-13

Story by: Robert M. Edsel, Bret Witter

This movie got me thinking about my exposure.  I am beginning to believe that the more exposure we experience to those things that are uplifting and good in this world the fuller our lives are. I was amazed at the offensive and defensive in motives, and strategy for art during the war. Why was it that the first things to be destroyed when conquering a people was their histories. Very impressive.  I also remembered learning about the spe

The Rape of Europa

"The Rape of Europa" is a documentary about Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring and the Nazi's large-scale theft of European art--and the Allies effort to preserve and return it. In a journey through seven countries, the chronicle takes the audience into the violent whirlwind of fanaticism, greed, and warfare that threatened to wipe out the artistic heritage of Europe. For twelve long years, the Nazis looted and destroyed art on a scale unprecedented in history. But young art professionals, as well as ordinary heroes, from truck drivers to department store clerks, fought back with an extraordinary effort to safeguard, rescue and return the millions of lost, hidden and stolen treasures.

Release date: September 14, 2007 (USA)

The Rape of Europa was really interesting.  I've seen lately how valued artist were, from their secret missions of deception, to the "Monuments Men".  I thought I knew so much about it because, we hear so much about it, but wow!!  I had no idea the Nazi's were "collecting" art.  I had no idea that Hitler studied art himself.  Some of the first things they destroyed when conquering a country was their histories, monuments, architecture, artwork.  Amazing to me.

The King's Speech

After the death of his father King George V and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII, Bertie who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue. After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill, the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle.

Release date: September 6, 2010 (USA)

Director: Tom Hooper

Screenplay: David Seidler

Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture

MPAA rating: R, PG-13

I watched "The King's Speech", not realizing that it was rated R.  Which was such a shame because it was a great film. Justifying the rating because it uses the "F" word, albeit as part of his therapy because he doesn't stammer when he swears.  And you kind of know it's coming, so it doesn't feel like swearing really.
 I thought of this quote, from Harry Potter. 
"It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well." 
— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7))

I've been interested in seeing the movie Schindlers List for some time now.  It's also rated R for obvious reasons. But I really want to see it to see the good that people do during horrific times.  I think it would be inspiring.