Thanksgiving

We had a nice Thanksgiving celebration yesterday. All of the local kids and grandkids were here and we had some great food and fun. Check out the videos - the karaoke was especially "interesting," as I am sure you will confirm.

Trip to Arizona

Mom and I decided to visit Jenna and David and the girls and especially to celebrate Natalie's first birthday. So we packed up and left home on Tuesday 10/27. We drove as far as the Hurricane house and stayed there Tuesday night. Then on Wednesday we took off for Surprise, traveling through Colorado City, Fredonia, Jacob Lake, Flagstaff, and then to Surprise. The trip took a little over 6 hours. We had a great time in Arizona. I played 18 holes of golf at Great Eagle on Thursday with another threesome of "old gentlemen" and then on Friday David stayed home from work and we put in 18 holes at the Arizona Traditions course. We ate out at some great restaurants (Culver's, Ajo Al's, and BJs). We celebrated Natalie's birthday and I must say she really demolished the cake Jenna made for her - it was everywhere! We went to the ward "trunk or treat" at the church parking lot and Mom and I passed out candy while Cyrena and Natalie made the rounds. Natalie was dressed as a cupcake and Cyrena as the candle for the cupcake. I received several calls for contracts during our stay. One from AMD, with a promise of work starting mid-November. Also for a contract at Microsoft. In fact, we drove straight home on Tuesday so I could fly down and visit their facility in Palo Alto for an interview. That was a loooooooonnnnnng day (4:45 AM till midnight - down and back the same day). Have not heard back anything yet.

Fall Leaves in Apline

I took about 15 minutes snap some pictures in our yard. I was really amazed by the variety and color of leaves and foliage. Some leaves are totally green and fresh-looking, while others are vivid yellow, red, orange, and purple. Fall is always a wonderful time for color. Winter, not so much, unless you llike a lot of white. Anyway, enjoy the pictures.

A Few Days in Hurricane

Mom and I went down to the Hurricane home for a few days (Oct 14-17), and were joined there by Debbie, Lynn, and Jacob over UEA. Mom and I drove down on Wed and the Christensens joined us on Thursday. Lynn and I played 18 holes of golf at Sky Mountain golf course near our home. Jocob went with us and was thrilled to drive the golf cart. We thought maybe he would last 9 holes, but as long as he was driving, he was very content! Lynn and I had a great time on this beautiful golf course.

Thursday night we ate at ChuckARama and Jacob must've consumed 3,000 calories. That boy can eat! Friday we drove through Zions park and saw the IMax movie "Wild Ocean" at the park theater. That night we hit Jack in the Box where we enjoyed some tacos and burgers. Debbie ate?? about a dozen tacos - never making their way to her stomach - but he tast buds had a good treat anyway. We call them "spittacos." Saturday we lazed around, packed up, and went to - you guessed it - ChuckARama for lunch. Arrive home around 6 PM Saturday night.

Alpine Loop

We took off at 3 PM today and drove the Alpine Loop, ending up in Heber where we had burgers and fries and a very fine blackberry shake at Grannys (Jenna, remember?). The pics speak for themselves. Worth clicking on and seeing full size.

Golf in Midway

Last Friday I played the Wasatch Lake course in Midway. I picked up Curt at 6 AM and we got there around 7 AM. Our tee time was 7:36. His friend, Reed, from California was visiting, so we played as a threesome. The best part was the scenery (see the pics). I shot a 47 on the front 9 and lucked out with a 38 on the back. It was a great day!!

Trip to New York

Mom and I traveled out to New York, flying out on Friday, September 11th. We arrived in Islip around 5:30 PM and Jeff picked us up at MacArthur airport in Islip, Long Island. We were hungry, so we stopped at Tony's Pizzeria and ordered up some delicious chicken parmigiana sandwiches with marinera sauce and cheese. They were huge and very satisfying. We got a great welcome from the kids and Juliane and had a look at our digs in the newly completed attic. This will be the future home of Michael and Joseph and is really spacious and nice (and isolated). Saturday morning we woke up early and headed out to a soccer game (the ASAP team, starring Christian). It was raining quite a bit, but the game proceeded as usual, and all of were soaked by the time the game was over. We came home and got cleaned up and headed over to the church to set up for the baptism (getting chairs ready and preparing tables of food for afterwards). We had the service in the chapel. I was asked to give the talk on baptism and mom gave the closing prayer after the baptism. Daniel and the Bishop's daughter were baptized. It was great. Doug Jackson and I were witnesses to the baptism.

Afterwards everyone had treats and then we cleaned up and went home. Juliane and Jeff fixed a great dinner of barbequed chicken, asparagus, and potatoes. Along with lemonade and orange soda. It was very delicious.

That night, realtives came over and we visited until late. The next day, Sunday, we had church at 9:30 AM and blessed William Jeffrey Taylor. Juliane bought a new white outfit for him because the one used for the other children was too small.

Then after church, all of the relatives came over to the house and we had Subway sandwiches and potato salad and a great chocolate dessert. Then we visited most of the afternoon and evening and played "speed scrabble."

Monday we went with Juliane and the kids to the Bronx zoo - we walked around and saw lots of neat animals and had lunch there (complete with vanilla/chocolate twist soft serve ice cream in a cup for Grace and Christian). Came home, took a nap and then had a nice dinner of pulled pork sandwiches and fresh vegetables.

Then we went to a park and I hit balls to Michael and Joseph at the ball field. Daniel brought his skateboard and there were swings for the kids to play on.

We came back home and had a family home eveing where I told the childhood portion of my life story and then we had strawberies and whipped cream for dessert.

We have to get up early tomorrow - our plane leaves at 10:50 AM for the trip home.

Handsome Daniel

William Jeffrey Taylor

Grace, the Costume Queen

Christian and Grace at the Bronx Zoo

Ya Think Christian Likes Ice Cream?

How About Grace? This is not ice cream on her arm - only marking pen artwork from earlier in the day.

Grace's Muscles