THE HAPPY COUPLE

Erik and Addie

Alyson asked Erik for a do over and he sweetly obliged his Sister

"Isn't love Grand?" It changes Everything

Even kindergarteners, when the subject of love is obvious, will utter the universal,

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Anytime Chuck entered my classroom, with both of us well into our 60s, they would shriek our the expected, Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

We must be hardwired to appreciate and desire to be Loved

Thank you Alyson for emailing these adorable pictures of your brother

and your future sister in Law

HERE WE COME......CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU

These kids and Aunt Alisa are already on their way to Arizona. They want to go to the park and go swimming with all of you.

Nicole, Brendon, Hayden, Alisa, and Blake

Emily we have missed you and look forward to seeing you.

Hope you can come swimming. We love you.

Brooklyn, I am looking forward to coming to your dance Class.

Paige, may I take you to school, see your classroom and meet your Teacher?

Peyton, I want to see you get onto the bus with your backpack. I will drive to your school and visit you classroom.

Is Tuesday a good day for everyone?

We love you and love spending time with you.

Logan, shall we go to the park together?

I will push you in the stroller.

We love you Logan.

We can't wait to see all three of you on Sunday.

How about a walk down by the golf course together?

Maybe Dad will go and shoot off some rockets. That would be fun.

We love all three of you.

JACK, I'VE MISSED YOU

Jack, your mother is not the only one who loves You

Poppy and I are anxious to see you in 2 Days

May I take you to school on Wednesday Morning?

Perhaps I could also drive Skyler and Charlie to School on Wednesday

By the way, I love your red Scarf

You look like the red Baron

MISCHIEVOUS MACY

Macy hides from the camera behind her mother's Chair

OUR LITTLE DANCER

Aubrey

Performed last evening at the Rose Wagner Theatre

Salt Lake City

Aubrey danced with three other Students

They performed three Dances

Aubrey's movements are precise and controlled

Her arms are graceful and Expressive

Her face is exquisite and her expression tells the Story

It is obvious to the viewer that Aubrey is enjoying her Dance

Therefore so do We

1ST AMENDMENT RIGHT.....TO PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLE

Wasatch High School students assemble across Highway 40 from the Wasatch County Administration Building to protest charges again their high school teacher and football Coach

Rushed in mass when the Coach's truck entered the parking Lot

Coach North thanked the students for their support and asked them to return to Class

Law enforcement joined the coach and spoke for several Minutes

Coach got back into his truck and backed Away

Law Enforcement was Everywhere

Utah Highway Patrol, Wasatch County Sherrif, Heber City Police

Students crossed Center Street (street out to our home) and walked back toward Wasatch High

KSL TV Followed

(as did I)

Fox News was on hand outside the front of the High School

Beautiful new Wasatch High School

Morning at our house, is predictable....fed the dogs, read the SL Tribune, eat bacon, yogart, and grapefruit and discuss the prospects for the day. Chuck then heads to the computer and I pick up a magazine for more indept reading....Vogue, Traditional Home, Southern Living, Time, Smithsonian, People, or Country. As Chuck scrolled through KSL, he noticed that Wasatch students were assembling in downtown Heber to protest the arrest and misdemeanor charge against their popular football coach and teacher of twenty years. It said 400-500 students were protesting. Wellllllll....those who know me, know that I am already on my way. I grabbed my camera and jumped into the truck lest I miss this opportunity to see democracy in action.

There were students, 500? don't know, but there were many and they were peaceful. Actually, I was impressed that even in the hinterland where many believe that the populous walk in lockstep, these students were exercising their First Amendment Rights to free speech and to assemble peacefully.

These citizens of tomorrow inspired me. I don't know whether their cause is just, but I do know that they understood their right to protest an issue they thought was unjust.

GROCERY STORE FLOWERS

Yellow and hot pink Alstroemeria

Red roses and red and yellow Alstroemeria

Blood Red Alstroemeria

Yellow Alstroemeria

I had every intention of going down to Costco before our little party yesterday, but by 2:00 I realized that I was out of time. So, I headed down to Smith's Market in hopes of purchasing several bunches of Asiatic lilies. To my dismay, there were no lilies, so I had to settle for roses and alstroemeria which actually are bunches of tiny lily like flowers on a tall stem. If you are not a flower lover and have no interest in the history of flowers, stop reading.

All alstroemeria originated in South America and grew generally as wild flowers. The Dutch company Royal van Zanten hybridized these flowers and eventually developed the flower that we see in flower shops today...tall sturdy stems and beautiful colors. If you have alstroemeria in your garden, it is probably one of various shades of pink. The van Zanten Co. developed beautiful reds, yellows, and whites. This Co. leases alstroemeria plants to growers around the world and charges a yearly fee. They keep careful tabs on how many plants a grower has and have sterilized their prize colors so that these plants cannot be propagated. You would think that this flower would be expensive, but it is one of the least expensive flowers available at the market.....$3.99 a bunch yesterday at Smiths... I bought 4 bunches. The roses were$10.99 for a bunch of 12 with no filler...I bought 2 bunches. So, for $36 I was able to put together 4 arrangements. All were in clear glass vases and required almost no arranging....just a quick cut with my clippers and the removal of a guard petal or two. Remember, no leaves below the waterline and change the water every two to three days. Nothing will bring you more joy than fresh flowers in your home.

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

Last evening Erick asked Addie to marry him in this very Spot

Notice the ring box behind the votive Candle

A perfect setting for a perfect Beginning

Rose petals were strewn from the front door to the table Setting

Alyson and Steven hosted an engagement party for Erick and Addie in our home last evening. Erick is Alyson's brother whom we have known him since he was four years old. Eric took Addie to dinner in Park City and then brought her to our home on the pretext of joining a family gathering.

Aly and the kids came out early to get things ready. After all was set at our home, Judy, Aly's mother and all the kids, plus Chuck and I left candles lit and travelled to Midway for dinner. Steven and Parker joined us. While we were away, the happy couple arrived, Erick "popped the question" and Addie accepted. A quick text to Aly and we returned home to congratulate the happy couple. Kandis, John, and children also joined us.

Addie is a beautiful blond from Colorado. She is at least 5 ft.9, gentle personality, stylish and a horseback rider. I love her already. They make a very handsome couple.

The S. Ellis chocolate fountain was flowing, strawberries, pineapple, sponge cake, rice crispy squares, and Oreo cookies were there for the dipping. 7 UP cake and strawberries also tempted the faint of heart. We toasted the couple with Martinelli's and wished them well. The wedding is planned for August.

UPS AND DOWNS

Peyton

This 2 year old is coordinated and Fearless

(now 3)

Should somebody be concerned about skinned knees and chipped Teeth?

Even kids have their "Ups and Downs"

Blake and Brooklyn

Blake followed Brooklyn up and down and up and down and up and down these Steps

Baby lizards live among these Steps

The children never tire of hunting for them and putting them into Jars

Do you love my irises? Come the middle of June

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLES

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLES

Charles enjoys entertaining and cooking for his friends and Family

He is a master at the grill and is a terrific sous chef to Jenny's magic in the Kitchen

Charles and Jack 2 Years

Charles ran in the 24 hour Ragnar race between Ogden and Park City

Summer of 2010

Skyler and Charlie cheered him On

Charles loves his Family

Charles, Poppy and I love you and wish you a Happy Birthday. We are proud of the man that you have become and the father and husband that you are to your family.

ARIZONA, WE'VE MISSED YOU

Parker, Summer, Aubrey, Skyler, Macy

A new cast of characters will occupy these seats in two Weeks

Alisa's family will join the Arizona cousins for spring Break

Us Too!

HONESTY IS THE FIRST CHAPTER IN THE BOOK OF WISDOM*

One day last week, as Chuck and I exited the Subway in Park City, a man approached us as we opened the doors to the truck and inquired as to whether we had lost an iPhone. It seems that he had found one in the snow beside the driver's side of our truck. "Are you Chuck Ellis?" he wanted to know. He had called several number, but had not been able to contact any one by the time we arrived. How many of us would have hung around until possibly the owner of one of the nearby cars returned? We were and are incrediably grateful to this honest and kind man.

*Thomas Jefferson

IDAHO MUSIC FESTIVAL

Nicole recently played the piano for the judges at the National Federation of Music Clubs in Boise, Idaho

Junior Festival Primary II

Piano Solo

Nicole played two Pieces

One was a piece of her choice and one was Required

She was judged on memory, accuracy, rhythm, dynamics and Technique

Nicole is able to earn a total of 5 points each year. The points are cumulative year to Year.

When she accumulates 15 points, she will receive the highest award which is a Gold Cup

She has performed for two Years

Nicole is highly motivated to play the piano. When she left for the Festival, she made the comment to her mother, "I love to Play the Piano."

Music to a mother's ear.

ELK, ELK, AND MORE ELK

Yesterday

Our backyard....corn stubble at her feet in my Garden

Cow and her Calf

Swing set to the Right

Fortunately they are not causing any damage to our Property

However, everybody else in the valley is Complaining