Big Band Flashback

The Lawrence Welk Show is one of those childhood memories that I was reminded of recently. While we were in Boise last weekend, Aubri and Annette were caught singing the show's closing song to Malachi just before bedtime. I couldn't get it out of my head--SERIOUSLY! We all grew up watching the show at Grandma & Grandpa McNeels and now it's just a part of us. Finally, after days of singing it, I purchased it on iTunes yesterday just so I could learn the words. It's a catchy little number and now every night before I go to bed Lawrence and his big band sing me to sleep. I can't think of a better way to end my day.Good night, sleep tight and pleasant dreams to you
Here's a wish and prayer that every dream comes true
And though it's always sweet sorrow to part
I know you'll always remain in my heart

Good night, sleep tight and pleasant dreams to you
Here's a wish and a prayer that every dream comes true
And now 'til we meet again

Adios, au revior, auf weidersehen.....Good Night!

The Rains Came Down. . .

After my trip to Chicago, I needed a day just to get myself back in order. You know what it's like to have missed your entire weekend and feel like the laundry, dishes and errands are suffocating? It stinks. So, I spent most of Tuesday doing all of those things I kept telling myself could wait until after Chicago. I even had a little bit of time to go to the park, sip my diet Squirt & finish my book. After about 30 minutes of sun, a young man came up to me to let me know that they were testing some sprinklers at the bottom of the hill. "They shouldn't bother you," he said, "but I just wanted to let you know." How thoughtful. So, I continued to sit at my leisure and soak in the goodness that is summer. The sprinklers never "bothered" me, but about 10 minutes later I was "bothered" by the eruption of water shooting out of the pipe a few feet from my sunning oasis. So, I'm totally soaked. If you can imagine something like a fire hydrant shooting in your face, you might have some idea of the damn (I mean damp) scene. I picked myself up and toted my dripping self home . . . Tuesday ended up feeling less than orderly.

Oh, To Be a Kid Again

I spent part of my weekend playing with Luke, Grant, Brooke, Ali & Will. We had a great time and you want to know why? I kept trying to remember what it felt like to be a kid. It was kind of hard at first, but it didn't take long to get the hang of it. First, I remembered that I didn't like naggy adults. I recall a great desire to be treated like a grown-up. I just wanted to play & be happy. Without letting any of my five friends "get away" with too much, I just relaxed and enjoyed myself. We tried to fold an origami Big Bird. We posted silling scary things on my blog. We ate an entire tin of popcorn and didn't really care how much of it ended up on the floor. We watched lots of movies. We colored Christmas pictures. Ali & I played holiday piano duets. Brooke made a spectacular lunch of peanut butter, banana, honey, etc. sandwiches. Everyone slept under the tree in sleeping bags. Luke & Grant were really helpful. They're cool & fun to hang out with. Will cuddled on my lap & made me laugh. Gracie (the cat) kept her distance. We played a few rounds of Disney Trivial Pursuit. We made icees from the semi-freshly fallen snow & then followed that up with some hot cocoa. The truth? I was a little disappointed when Lori & Alan returned home. It meant my weekend of child-like behavior was over. The good news is that everyone was alive & happy. I hope that means I'll be invited back for another super-duper sleepover.

Looking Forward

Sometimes, when I'm not certain why I own such a high-tech and, well, bitchin' camera, I capture a shot like this.

I have a couple of crazy weeks coming up. Okay--so the rest of the year is completely filled up and I wonder how it gets this way. I suppose my job has something to do with it. Afterall, next week is BYU Homecoming. Perhaps a pending trip to our Nation's Capitol could steal a week. We have General Conference, a family wedding, Kimmy's big birthday, several stake activities, blah, blah, blah. The good news is that I'm excited to have so much to look forward to. I'm counting down the days to our Holiday Hawaiian Style (did I mention we're going back to Hawaii for Christmas?) I'm anticipating the goodness that is Thanksgiving in Blackfoot. The changing leaves make a canyon photoshoot necessary. A few more BYU football games--including a potential trip to San Diego to see the Cougs face the Aztecs (start praying for some wins). Afterall, isn't that what life is all about--making memories with those you love? Here's to lots of memories yet to be made in 2007.