Heidi's Pizza

Among Heidi's many talents is making delicious home made pizza. The other night the Auswanderers were invited to have dinner at her house. Becca and I were drawn to the kitchen by the aroma of the freshly cooked pizza.

Now, she doesn't make just one kind of pizza. The night we were there she had three different kinds, including one with kielbasa which Gramma contributed, plus bread sticks. Pizza Hut eat your heart out.

Ben's Concert

On Thursday, 4/28/11, Ben Connelly, our intrepid 8th grader, invited us to attend The Granite Junior Youth Symphony "Spring Concert". The orchestra filled the stage.

Ben was seated at the back of the orchestra (where they seat the best players, I understand). This was the best photo of Ben we could get without a crane. He is second from the right.

Gramma, Ben's Dad and our musician after the concert.

The orchestra played several pieces that we enjoyed including "Grand March from Aida," "Procession of the Sardar". "Sleepers Awake" by JS Bach, and of course "William Tell Overture"

We are very proud of Ben and his mastery of the violin. In the 8th grade Papa's not sure he could even spell "violin"

Thanks to Ben for thoughtfully inviting us to the concert of this select orchestra.

April Snow #2 !!

On our previous "April Snow" post we were whining about snow dusting, and talking about "It isn't sticking". Well, last night it stuck.

When Papa opened the door, here is the sight he saw.

Another phrase we learned: "There will be 1 to 2 inches of snow accumulation on the valley floor" (That's where we are -- right down here on the valley floor)

Even our Boise State football antenna guy got a face full of accumulation

We know that our family members who have settled in this valley and those in Idaho will look at this and laugh and say "This ain't nothing"

But for us Auswanderers it is enough and to spare. Papa knows the drill to get the car on the road. So, deep in our trunk he keeps the snow removal tool, although he hoped not to have to use it.

The good news, the snow did not "stick" to the asphalt, so he didn't have to use salt nor shovel.

On some of the Utah license plates is the phrase "Greatest Snow on Earth". So I guess the lesson is to flourish where you're planted and count your blessings.

Bowling Fun

Yesterday (4/28/11) Ganon's family decided to have a little family fun before he started on a two week business trip to Europe. They invited the Auswanderers to come along to the Fat Cat Bowling Alley in Provo.

Here is GP's aggressive form, shooting the ball down the lane at 18 mph. Of the six bowlers (Papa, David, Rebecca, Sarah and Becca), he had the best score

Little Sarah and David proudly watch their Dad

Of the six bowlers, Becca had the next best score. In Hawaii she enjoyed bowling with the Special Olympics program.

It was there that she developed her form of standing still on the scratch line and rolling the ball from between her legs down the lane at 4 mph. While Ganon's ball sounded like it splintered the pins, Becca's ball seemed to quietly approach the pins and surprise them into falling over

Sarah had a good time. Between her turns she danced to the bowling alley music.

Little Rebecca and David also enjoyed themselves. Heidi selected a support role for herself.

TJ wondered when it would be his turn

Gramma was part of the support team

She and TJ played some fun games on the side

Everyone had a grand time

April Snow!!

Yes, today is the 29th of April. Yes, that's snow that you see dusting the back of Bigfoot.

Yes, that's snow that you see muting the rainbow on our Hawaii plates

The forecast calls for more snow over the next few days. Heidi has taught us a saying that they use in this part of the world to cheer themselves up: "But it's not sticking!"

Easter '11 #2

In Jon and Cathy's yard, daffodils welcome the Easter season (as Jenny, our Pre-Med major would tell you, formerly any plant of the genus "Narcissus" was called a daffodil. These flowers grew by the water and would bend forward toward the water appearing to look at their reflection)

Gramma always enjoys visiting with her firstborn.

Three beauties of the household. Cathy, the Mom is in the middle, if you couldn't tell. Jenny a University of Utah freshman--soon to be a Sophomore, is on the left. Kimberly is a kind, lovely high school Sophomore.

Aaron, a precocious 4th grader, is on the left. He explained "limo long division" to us. Seemly astonished Nathaniel, is involved in a French immersion program at his elementary school. Mon Dieu! Gramma Parrish is on the right

On this Easter Day afternoon, Cathy distributed the treat packages left by the Easter Bunny. Michael, on the left, will graduate from high school on June 3, and attend Utah State in the fall. Benjamin, in brown, is a 9th grader. Kevin Andrew (sometimes known as Andy, we understand) finished his mission in January. He will be attending Redwood Community College.

Cathy prepared a wonderful Easter spread for 13 hungry and appreciative family members. Cathy is an energetic gracious hostess.

What's a family gathering without a formal photograph?

Good times in a home with a sweet spirit!

Easter '11 #1

Today (4/24) was Easter, which unlike Christmas, doesn't always happen on the same date each year. Just how the date is picked each year is fascinating. ( Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the northern hemisphere's vernal equinox). Any questions?

Anyway, we attended church at Kelly's Ward in West Valley. She played her flute beautifully as part of the Easter cantata. And she and Stephanie sang in the choir. Here they are in front of the church.

Becca was very happy to see who she always refers to as "Kelly Ann, she's my sister"

Kelly's children l-to-r Christopher, (wearing his map of Ireland tie; he loves maps), James, Melissa and Stephanie. They were all pleasant and happy.

The children with the Mom (Rycharn was napping, so we may try to Photoshop him into the picture later)

Kelly and Steph with Gramma

The girls with Papa

Papa with his two oldest children. Jon's family also goes to this ward. (Becca took this photo)

Once upon a time Papa and Gramma's family consisted of just these two children

Papa with his Easter date- who is especially pretty on this Easter afternoon. Gramma just seems to get prettier with every passing Easter. Papa is a lucky guy.

A touch of Spring color

Provo yards are making an effort to put winter behind them. Ganon and Heidi have a decorative plum tree in the front yard displaying these beautiful blossoms.

And quietly out of the winter lawn comes these random lavender flowers. Heidi's Dad thinks they are hyacinth

Spring is bustin' out all over. We're rooting for it to bust a little faster !

Ganon and Heidi's new truck

Today was our first chance to get a close look at the new truck. It's an impressive looking forest green 4X4 Ford Ranger

It seats two large people and three smaller ones.

It's 6 foot bed has a nice liner.

This little post does not do justice to the truck. Maybe later we'll get a better look on Heidi's blog. Heidi and Ganon did serious homework before making this purchase. If you get a chance, just ask them a truck question.

(Camera credits-Rebecca Connelly, who continues to impress us with her ability to choose and compose her photographic content)

Heidi & Ganon's Little Ones

Today (4/18/11) was an important day for Papa. While at Heidi and Ganon's house the two little ones came over at separate times to sit on his lap. They tend to be shy and have never gone to Papa much in the past, so this was a big deal to him. Thomas James, who just turned one, known as TJ, is a quiet lad. He spent much of their time together just looking at this strange guy. But he was never afraid. His best word is "Hi," which he and Papa exchanged a couple of times. Notice the cell phone in his hands. It's a real one but not functioning. It's one of his favorite things. His parents say he prefers functioning phones. He is just another example of this media generation

Now here is Sarah Mei. She turned 3 on the 10th of April and she is rapidly mastering the feminine art and science of carrying on a conversation, even when the partner is a dull male. Among other things she told Papa in a quiet voice, "I can stand on one foot and twirl around." Papa said something like "Really?". She would nod yes and move to another topic, "I got a pink animal for my birthday. Girls like pink. I also got a tricycle." She raised her eye brows when all Papa would respond, "Is that right?" Of course it was right! So she tried another topic. She began to tell him about Dora, Diego and Jaguar, characters in one of her favorite animated shows. She was very patient with Papa who, like many men it seems, don't appear to understand much. Papa had a great time being the practice partner.

Gramma's Chicken Salad Surprise

Gramma still has her kitchen skills, although we call the kitchen in the motorhome a "galley". The other day she whipped up this terrific cool, healthy meal using her secret ingredients. Ono!