Today we have initiated the newest fudgepan licker generation. We made fudge and I am gratified that this new generation was as enthusiastic as the generation prior. It was a delightful experience for me and I can't wait to corrupt the others (Alex, Ryanne, Darien and Marius.)

A New Generation of Fudgepan lickers

Handcart Days in Bountiful

In younger days, this was an event we took the children to see, along with the parade which happens the evening before.

I was lucky enough to have Darien and Marius with me this time as we explored the various options at the Bountiful City Park.

My favorite parts were the actual pioneer activities which included carding wool and watching it be spun into yarn, the Indian flute demonstration by Nino Reyos who performed in the 2002 Olympic torch ceremonies, and the double man saw trial (completed expertly by the boys).

I think the boys like the ponies. However, there was a fiddler there who was letting the kids take a try at playing the fiddle. Both boys gave it a whirl. It was delightful.

When we were done, we were dehydrated, but had a good time.

As I look through the family photos, I have found a few of our "Dog of Blessed Memory", Choochi (formal name Duchess).

She was acquired by Tamara who stole her from an abusive situation. (Tenderheart Pab). For the first two years of her life she chewed everything and anything that came in her path; from tooth brush to hairbrush to mascara to my favorite little wooden stool made by Jeffrey in junior high wood shop, and everything in between.

When she turned two she suddenly became the most marvelous companion and friend to everyone in the house. We nearly didn't make it through her baby stage, but are so glad we did. She had a great sense of humor too, as witnessed by friends who told stories of her sneaking up and giving a loud and scary bark (in the dark), then walking away quite pleased at the reaction.

We only had her two more years, but they were great years. We were all devastated at her passing and mourn her still. She is, by far, my favorite dog of life.

More random thoughts...er, photos

This is Jeff at Disneyland in 1988 on tour with Viewmont High School Madrigals. I love it.

David and Matthew 1980

Here we are playing with the Fisher Price village. Backdrop is the notoriously hideous carpet/mirror/striped wallpaper which was in style during the first year or so of it's 15 year reign.

Note the chubb on Matt. I love it.

The infamous "sticky beards"!

Where did the sticky paper come from? An art project, turned into a new concept. Do you love the look on their faces? I chuckle out loud.

I have other pictures with more sticky beard stuff on Jeff's face. I will find them, I know.

California - 19 something - I will figure it out

We actually went to Disneyland one summer! Do you love the hair on these darling boys? I do. What handsome little guys they were.

Here are some pictures from a day at the zoo...1980-what? Tamara and Joanne, Aaron, David and Matthew.

We referred to the younger three boys as "the little boys". Ren was probably 10 or 11 when he asked me, "Mom, how long are you going to call us the little boys?" I hadn't opened my eyes to the fact that the ice cream cone was melting.

The perfect Lagoon Day

A trip to Lagoon with Matt's family was a real treat. We were there as the park opened and were able to walk onto lots of rides.

You will notice the picture of sleeping Coleman. What an angel. He slept and ate and slept.

Aiden rode the Skyride with me while Cacia, Grace and Cole walked up the park. It was fun to spot them below where they were waiting to wave to us.

Cacia took Aiden and Grace on the Tilt-a-Whirl. Aiden loved it and rode it once alone with his mom, then adding Grace. I hope you can see her darling face in the picture. I think she will like it better next year.

The trip to Thanksgiving Point was quite an adventure. First we viewed the film "Giants of Patagonia" on the Imax screen. We then tripped through the museum with a stop first at the Design a Dinosaur and then the water erosion table. There the boys could make their own islands, lakes and streams with sand, miniature trees and dinosaurs.

After viewing more bone dinosaurs (as opposed to dinosaurs with skin) we headed to the "quarry" taking time to excavate some dinosaur bones. The Junior Paleo lab was our last stop where they made a T-Rex tooth casting and a Raptor claw. They were a little sad that the castings they poured had to dry for a day and that they had to take home a casting made by someone from the day before. Somehow that didn't settle well with either Darien or Marius.

The ambiance sounds that were played in the largest room was a little on the foreboding side...bordering on the creepy side. Some of us couldn't wait to get out of that room.

What a great day for me. I hope the boys had fun, as well. I know I did. (Big sigh) I love it!

Erosion table exploits