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Thursday, July 17, 2008
Baby Pictures
For Christmas this last December, Megan spent hours scanning in every negative in our house and then compiled these hundreds of photos onto CDs for each of us. I got sidetracked tonight and started going through some of the old photos. What great memories and how fun it is to see how each of us has changed 25+ years later. I couldn't resist putting up a bunch of the pictures on my web album. Enjoy!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Best Seats in the House
Last week we took our annual girls' trip down to St. George and Cedar City. This year we were only able to spend one day in Cedar City at the Shakespearean Festival but the two shows we saw were wonderful! So, here's a little review/critique of those two shows for all of you contemplating getting your dose of culture in Cedar City this summer.
First, we took in a matinee of Cyrano de Bergerac at the Auditorium Theatre. I really like this play, written by Edmond Rostand. It is a beautiful statement of how we allow our small imperfections get in the way of life. A standing ovation to Brian Vaughn and Melinda Pfundstein, real-life husband and wife, who play Cyrano and Roxane. But regardless of the stunning production and performances, I always think this play has a tragic ending. I hate that Cyrano has to go and die only minutes after Roxane finally realizes he has loved her for the past 15 years. Now that I have spoiled the finale for you, go see it for yourself. Let me know what you think.
Our evening show was The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare at the Adams Theatre. If you have never seen Shakespeare before or are afraid of it, this is the play for you. It is his first comedy play and you can tell he hasn't hit his groove yet of complicated characters and flowery speeches. The language of the show is incredibly easy to understand and the plot is simple yet engaging; so as long as you keep your eyes open you won't get lost. Go! See it! Experience it! Love it! And remember that the best seats in this venue are in the side gallery section...I know, they look like the cheap seats but looks can be deceiving, trust me.
I opted out of Tuacahn in St. George this year but most of the family went to their performances of Sound of Music and Les Miserables. Unfortunately, I don't think they were any too impressed with what they saw but if you're down there it makes for a fun evening activity.
Finally, I thought you would enjoy a look at the progress of my house. It's coming right along!
A front view of the garage.
This is looking into the dining area and stairs.
My back porch. I love that it has three big windows (though this only shows two windows and the door).
And a view from the garage door into the house.
First, we took in a matinee of Cyrano de Bergerac at the Auditorium Theatre. I really like this play, written by Edmond Rostand. It is a beautiful statement of how we allow our small imperfections get in the way of life. A standing ovation to Brian Vaughn and Melinda Pfundstein, real-life husband and wife, who play Cyrano and Roxane. But regardless of the stunning production and performances, I always think this play has a tragic ending. I hate that Cyrano has to go and die only minutes after Roxane finally realizes he has loved her for the past 15 years. Now that I have spoiled the finale for you, go see it for yourself. Let me know what you think.
Our evening show was The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare at the Adams Theatre. If you have never seen Shakespeare before or are afraid of it, this is the play for you. It is his first comedy play and you can tell he hasn't hit his groove yet of complicated characters and flowery speeches. The language of the show is incredibly easy to understand and the plot is simple yet engaging; so as long as you keep your eyes open you won't get lost. Go! See it! Experience it! Love it! And remember that the best seats in this venue are in the side gallery section...I know, they look like the cheap seats but looks can be deceiving, trust me.
I opted out of Tuacahn in St. George this year but most of the family went to their performances of Sound of Music and Les Miserables. Unfortunately, I don't think they were any too impressed with what they saw but if you're down there it makes for a fun evening activity.
Finally, I thought you would enjoy a look at the progress of my house. It's coming right along!
A front view of the garage.
This is looking into the dining area and stairs.
My back porch. I love that it has three big windows (though this only shows two windows and the door).
And a view from the garage door into the house.
Friday, July 11, 2008
A-ll 'B-out C-helsea -- Tagged
A = ADVOCATE FOR: Public TransportationB = BEST FEATURE: My Smile (thanks to Dr. Canland Olsen)
C = COULDN'T DO WITHOUT: Sisters
D = DREAMS AND DESIRES: Husband and lots of Kids, Owning a Reception Center
E = ESSENTIAL ITEM: Earrings (but I find lotion, chapstick, and nail clippers to be equally essential)
F = FAVORITE PAST TIME: Cooking New Recipes
G = GOOD AT: Throwing Parties
H = HAVE NEVER TRIED: Europe, the Pacific Islands, or MatrimonyI = IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS: I’d Change Careers then try Europe and the Pacific Islands
J = JUNKIE FOR: Good romantic comedy movies from 1930s-1950sK = KINDRED SPIRIT: Anne E.
L = LITTLE KNOWN FACT: I have a movie poster of Disney’s Tarzan hanging in my room
M = MEMORABLE MOMENT: Eating lunch with President Howard W. Hunter the week before he became Prophet of the ChurchN = NEVER AGAIN WILL I: Fall for that guy, no matter what he says or does
O = OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE: Turning off my work cell phone
P = PERSON I MOST ADMIRE: Sherry W.
Q = QUOTE: “Eternity is much, much longer than mortality.” Julie B. Beck
R = REASON TO SMILE: 3 Nieces and 3 Nephews and knowing I’m their favorite aunt :)
S = SORRY ABOUT: Some recent episodes of a short temper with family members
T = TAG SOME FRIENDS: Jill, Megan D., Heidi, Amber
U = UNINTERESTED IN: Becoming a CentenarianV = VERY SCARED OF: Not being able to pay the bills
W = WORST HABIT: Biting Hangnails
X = X MARKS MY IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Historical – Boston or Washington DC; Theater – Cedar City or New York City; Scenery – British Isles
Y = YESTERYEAR DECADE OF CHOICE: 1950s – post-WWII, when people dressed up to go to the movies
Z = ZODIAC SIGN: Leo
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Look Who's Here!
So, we've been on our annual vacation in St. George and Cedar City this week. We purposely planned it a whole month early to ensure that Mom would be home for the birth of Daniel's twins. However, they decided that they had had enough womb time and joined our family yesterday.
Say 'Hello' to...
Poor little guys look worse off than they actually are. They have a private room in the Special Care Nursery, which is for babies doing better than those in NICU. They really are doing well but because they are a month early the doctors want to monitor their breathing, etc. Once they go two whole days breathing and eating on their own and sitting in a car seat for 90 minutes they can come home. Megan is doing great and will be released from the hospital tomorrow. We are so excited to have these two new little additions in our family!
Say 'Hello' to...
Coleman Daniel Hinckley
born: July 8, 2008 at 9:18 p.m.
weight & height: 5 lbs & 19 inches
William Cannon Hinckley
born: July 8, 2008 at 9:27 p.m.
weight & height: 4 lbs 13 oz & 19 inches
Poor little guys look worse off than they actually are. They have a private room in the Special Care Nursery, which is for babies doing better than those in NICU. They really are doing well but because they are a month early the doctors want to monitor their breathing, etc. Once they go two whole days breathing and eating on their own and sitting in a car seat for 90 minutes they can come home. Megan is doing great and will be released from the hospital tomorrow. We are so excited to have these two new little additions in our family!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
My Louisiana
I entered a contest earlier this week from the Louisiana tourism people. I had to write a short essay about my experience in Louisiana. If I win I get two tickets to the 2009 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and two nights' stay in Harrah's hotel. Here's what I submitted, including a picture of the scrapbook page to prove it all happened.
My Louisiana has kissable alligators! Not long ago I spent several months in Ville Platte, a small speck on the map between Eunice and Opelousas. One afternoon my friends and I planned a jaunt up the highway to a local alligator farm. It was our lucky day! We just happened to visit on the day the alligators were hatching from their eggs. Each of us handled the little reptiles; so small and innocent yet with razor-sharp teeth. One of my friends attached the alligators to his earlobes like earrings, using their teeth to anchor them on. Let’s just say he was fortunate to still have earlobes when he finally pulled them off. I wasn’t so brave as that but I did plant a kiss on the baby alligator I held, carefully avoiding the claws and teeth. As our visit came to an end we walked down the lane past the swamp where the grown alligators live. They must have smelled our blood as we sauntered by because a dozen ferocious creatures suddenly rose from their hiding places in the mud and scrambled up to the run-down chain link fence as fast as their short legs could carry them. Luckily, they had been fed only the day before or that old wire fence might not have held them back. What an amazing afternoon at the alligator farm that day. One of my favorite stories to tell now is all about the day I kissed an alligator—it usually gets many inquisitive looks!
Cross your fingers and toes and wish very hard that I win and maybe I'll let you come along with me!
My Louisiana has kissable alligators! Not long ago I spent several months in Ville Platte, a small speck on the map between Eunice and Opelousas. One afternoon my friends and I planned a jaunt up the highway to a local alligator farm. It was our lucky day! We just happened to visit on the day the alligators were hatching from their eggs. Each of us handled the little reptiles; so small and innocent yet with razor-sharp teeth. One of my friends attached the alligators to his earlobes like earrings, using their teeth to anchor them on. Let’s just say he was fortunate to still have earlobes when he finally pulled them off. I wasn’t so brave as that but I did plant a kiss on the baby alligator I held, carefully avoiding the claws and teeth. As our visit came to an end we walked down the lane past the swamp where the grown alligators live. They must have smelled our blood as we sauntered by because a dozen ferocious creatures suddenly rose from their hiding places in the mud and scrambled up to the run-down chain link fence as fast as their short legs could carry them. Luckily, they had been fed only the day before or that old wire fence might not have held them back. What an amazing afternoon at the alligator farm that day. One of my favorite stories to tell now is all about the day I kissed an alligator—it usually gets many inquisitive looks!
Cross your fingers and toes and wish very hard that I win and maybe I'll let you come along with me!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Stud Alert
Yesterday I took a drive down to my new house for the first time in over a week. Last Saturday it was just a foundation with plumbing pipes. Look at how much they've worked on it since then!
This is a view from the front. You can see the garage and the wall off to the right is the master bedroom closet. The front door is around to the side of the house.
This view is from the master bedroom looking into the master bathroom and closet. For a cookie-cutter condominium this has a big master bathroom and huge walk-in closet. Good thing since I've got a lot of clothes that will need to go in it.
This is a view out the back. The back of the house has a door and three windows to let in lots of light. Right now you are looking on the soon-to-be parking lot of the church and my backyard.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Drumroll, Please!
Because...
I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!
(Okay, it's really a townhouse/condo, not exactly a house.)
Saturday, after much prayer, fasting, going to the temple, and many days of pondering, I finally bit the bullet, signed my life away and bought a condo in the new Foxboro North community. Starting sometime in late October I will be living at 1151 North Chatteris Drive, North Salt Lake UT 84054. I am thrilled, excited, tickled pink to finally be a homeowner but I am also scared to death. This is a huge financial responsibility. I actually have to create and stick to a budget now. Yikes!
If you are an avid reader of my blog you will remember that I originally put a reservation on the smaller condo but was having second thoughts. Well, I ended up buying the bigger condo. This "Berkley 5" model is 1611 square feet with a spacious 2-car garage. The main floor has a large open kitchen/dining/living room; a half bathroom; laundry room; master bedroom with full bathroom and huge walk-in closet. The second floor has two big bedrooms and a full bathroom. I also have a covered porch out the back door with about 400 square feet of yard.
For now, I'm making lists of all that I need, planning, dreaming, and amassing a growing pile of goods in my parents' basement (to which donations are gratefully accepted ;). I promise to get photos of the weekly progress on the building but today you'll just have to imagine a foundation in the dirt since I didn't have my camera with me on Saturday. Then, once I move in you will all be invited to a housewarming party. It's very exciting!
I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!
(Okay, it's really a townhouse/condo, not exactly a house.)
Saturday, after much prayer, fasting, going to the temple, and many days of pondering, I finally bit the bullet, signed my life away and bought a condo in the new Foxboro North community. Starting sometime in late October I will be living at 1151 North Chatteris Drive, North Salt Lake UT 84054. I am thrilled, excited, tickled pink to finally be a homeowner but I am also scared to death. This is a huge financial responsibility. I actually have to create and stick to a budget now. Yikes!
If you are an avid reader of my blog you will remember that I originally put a reservation on the smaller condo but was having second thoughts. Well, I ended up buying the bigger condo. This "Berkley 5" model is 1611 square feet with a spacious 2-car garage. The main floor has a large open kitchen/dining/living room; a half bathroom; laundry room; master bedroom with full bathroom and huge walk-in closet. The second floor has two big bedrooms and a full bathroom. I also have a covered porch out the back door with about 400 square feet of yard.
For now, I'm making lists of all that I need, planning, dreaming, and amassing a growing pile of goods in my parents' basement (to which donations are gratefully accepted ;). I promise to get photos of the weekly progress on the building but today you'll just have to imagine a foundation in the dirt since I didn't have my camera with me on Saturday. Then, once I move in you will all be invited to a housewarming party. It's very exciting!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Church Endorsement
So, yesterday one of my events at work was a lunchtime meeting titled, "Social Networking." The presentation was given by the Church's CIO (Chief Information Officer), Brother Dehlin, who spent an hour talking about different websites that help us connect and express. He went over Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, ChaCha, LinkedIn, and much more (but note that he does not endorse MySpace). It was a fascinating meeting.
Bro. Dehlin says that this social networking on the Internet has completely changed the traditional friendship and acquaintance. For example, in the past a teenager would go to EFY where they would meet new people but those relationships usually terminated at the end of the week. Now, those teens go home and immediately find their new friends on Facebook and through the years will maintain some sort of contact with them. Coincidentally, yesterday I received a friend request on my Facebook page from a guy I met about 15 years ago at a Youth City Council Conference in St. George. I haven't seen him since those three days ended and yet he remembers me and found me on Facebook. Amazing this social networking thing, isn't it?
During the last portion of his presentation, Bro. Dehlin demonstrated ways we non-talented people can artistically express ourselves on the Internet by posting blogs, photos, video, artwork, etc; including our testimony and belief in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He said that the Church actually did itself a disservice by being wary of the Internet for many years. Unfortunately, during that time anti-Mormons used it as a sounding board to circulate their arguments and persuasions. We have a lot of work ahead to catch up but Bro. Dehlin encouraged us to use the Internet as a missionary tool to spread our testimony of the gospel to anyone who may stumble across our blogs, YouTube videos, or Facebook pages and even showed comments from people who decided to join the Church after viewing a video of someone bearing testimony on the Internet and receiving the witness of the Spirit.
Isn't the Internet cool! Though there is a lot of bad out there on the world wide web it is incredible to see all the good it can do too. What a great blessing it is to live now and have such an exciting medium at our disposal. Use it and use it well!
Bro. Dehlin says that this social networking on the Internet has completely changed the traditional friendship and acquaintance. For example, in the past a teenager would go to EFY where they would meet new people but those relationships usually terminated at the end of the week. Now, those teens go home and immediately find their new friends on Facebook and through the years will maintain some sort of contact with them. Coincidentally, yesterday I received a friend request on my Facebook page from a guy I met about 15 years ago at a Youth City Council Conference in St. George. I haven't seen him since those three days ended and yet he remembers me and found me on Facebook. Amazing this social networking thing, isn't it?During the last portion of his presentation, Bro. Dehlin demonstrated ways we non-talented people can artistically express ourselves on the Internet by posting blogs, photos, video, artwork, etc; including our testimony and belief in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He said that the Church actually did itself a disservice by being wary of the Internet for many years. Unfortunately, during that time anti-Mormons used it as a sounding board to circulate their arguments and persuasions. We have a lot of work ahead to catch up but Bro. Dehlin encouraged us to use the Internet as a missionary tool to spread our testimony of the gospel to anyone who may stumble across our blogs, YouTube videos, or Facebook pages and even showed comments from people who decided to join the Church after viewing a video of someone bearing testimony on the Internet and receiving the witness of the Spirit.
Isn't the Internet cool! Though there is a lot of bad out there on the world wide web it is incredible to see all the good it can do too. What a great blessing it is to live now and have such an exciting medium at our disposal. Use it and use it well!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Newsreel: House Hunting Takes Unexpected Turn
Maybe you've already heard from family or a co-worker, but I am seriously thinking about, and actually trying to buy a condo. Nothing is official yet and there is still a very good chance it won't happen so don't get overly excited.
Here's how it all started and where it now stands...
Last Sunday my Mom and I ended up driving through the brand new development of Foxboro North in North Salt Lake on our way to Jennie's house. We stopped to give ourselves a self-guided tour of the recently framed "Berkley" complex and I really liked what I saw.
Many of you who know me know that I have sworn up and down, right and left that I will not move to Foxboro. It is on the west side of Redwood Road and when I was a kid Redwood Road was the end of civilization in Davis County. I could never bring myself to live in that no-man's wasteland.
But, I really liked these condos and this particular location does have some redeeming qualities. First, it is only a short quarter mile from the main intersection of the highway. Second, there is a traffic light at that intersection. Third, the beautiful clubhouse (that looks more like a distinguished city building with it's grand clock tower; though it also contains a pool, exercise room, and entertaining space) is right across the street. Fourth, there is a church out the back door of the condo. Fifth, these condos have a good-sized private backyard, perfect for BBQ parties and a garden.
So, we returned on Monday for a formal tour and I decided I really liked one of the end units (at 1262 square feet). On Thursday I took my realtor to make a formal offer only to find out that a reservation had already been placed on the unit I like, but I put my name down as a backup reservation anyway. Then, after sleeping on it and mulling it over for the last 24 hours, I think I may prefer the unit at the other end of the complex (1611 square feet and $30,000 more). It would be a financial stretch but I think I could handle it if I had a roommate or two.
But, truthfully, I'm not exactly sure what I should do. I've been praying about it and trying to understand what the Lord would have me do and I feel really good about moving down there; however, there are still a lot of "buts" that keep popping up. I'm sure they'll straighten themselves out one way or another so stay tuned and I'll keep you posted as things develop, if they develop.
(Also, let me know if you or someone you know is looking for a new place to live. You'll have a big bedroom, private bathroom, garage parking, and that clubhouse is just across the street. You won't want to pass this up!)
Here's how it all started and where it now stands...
Last Sunday my Mom and I ended up driving through the brand new development of Foxboro North in North Salt Lake on our way to Jennie's house. We stopped to give ourselves a self-guided tour of the recently framed "Berkley" complex and I really liked what I saw.
Many of you who know me know that I have sworn up and down, right and left that I will not move to Foxboro. It is on the west side of Redwood Road and when I was a kid Redwood Road was the end of civilization in Davis County. I could never bring myself to live in that no-man's wasteland.
But, I really liked these condos and this particular location does have some redeeming qualities. First, it is only a short quarter mile from the main intersection of the highway. Second, there is a traffic light at that intersection. Third, the beautiful clubhouse (that looks more like a distinguished city building with it's grand clock tower; though it also contains a pool, exercise room, and entertaining space) is right across the street. Fourth, there is a church out the back door of the condo. Fifth, these condos have a good-sized private backyard, perfect for BBQ parties and a garden.
So, we returned on Monday for a formal tour and I decided I really liked one of the end units (at 1262 square feet). On Thursday I took my realtor to make a formal offer only to find out that a reservation had already been placed on the unit I like, but I put my name down as a backup reservation anyway. Then, after sleeping on it and mulling it over for the last 24 hours, I think I may prefer the unit at the other end of the complex (1611 square feet and $30,000 more). It would be a financial stretch but I think I could handle it if I had a roommate or two.
But, truthfully, I'm not exactly sure what I should do. I've been praying about it and trying to understand what the Lord would have me do and I feel really good about moving down there; however, there are still a lot of "buts" that keep popping up. I'm sure they'll straighten themselves out one way or another so stay tuned and I'll keep you posted as things develop, if they develop.
(Also, let me know if you or someone you know is looking for a new place to live. You'll have a big bedroom, private bathroom, garage parking, and that clubhouse is just across the street. You won't want to pass this up!)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Just Because
Nothing new or exciting to report in my life today. I just feel like posting a blog. If you're at all like me I like to see new posts on my friends' websites regardless of the length or random information they have to share. So, tonight, enjoy my short random post as well as the picture I found.
This is a painting of a streetcar in New Orleans. I rode on the St. Charles line a couple of times while on my mission. We would park our Ford Focus in a residential area and catch the streetcar on South Carrolton Avenue. The route took us down the middle of St. Charles Avenue, past Tulane and Loyola Universities, through some of the beautiful old architecture and lush green landscaping so characteristic of the city, across from the Uptown Branch LDS meetinghouse, and we would get off at the Canal Street border of the French Quarter. Then we would walk a few blocks to the riverfront or the French Market to hang out and souvenir shop. I loved those P-days. The streetcar is one of my favorite memories of New Orleans--I even brought back a print similar to this painting that now hangs above my bed. Ah, New Orleans!
This is a painting of a streetcar in New Orleans. I rode on the St. Charles line a couple of times while on my mission. We would park our Ford Focus in a residential area and catch the streetcar on South Carrolton Avenue. The route took us down the middle of St. Charles Avenue, past Tulane and Loyola Universities, through some of the beautiful old architecture and lush green landscaping so characteristic of the city, across from the Uptown Branch LDS meetinghouse, and we would get off at the Canal Street border of the French Quarter. Then we would walk a few blocks to the riverfront or the French Market to hang out and souvenir shop. I loved those P-days. The streetcar is one of my favorite memories of New Orleans--I even brought back a print similar to this painting that now hangs above my bed. Ah, New Orleans!
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