Another Birthday -- Oh No!!!

Yesterday was my birthday. Luckily I am still not considered elderly. Felt heard on the TV that he is elderly - strange!!!

We had a great birthday - church was good. Better because it was not my week to teach Gospel Doctrine. After church we went home teaching to one sister and then left for Katie and Nate's - she cooked us Sunday birthday dinner. (Katie is our oldest grand daughter and the one who recently married) For those who do not know Katie personally, She is a wonderful person and a fantastic cook! The meal was so yummy. Oh yes, we picked up our grandson Tyler along the way - his folks, Julie and Dave are on vacation in California. He really enjoyed the meal. I think he has been eating cereal while they have been away. After dinner we had birthday cake with strawberries in the layered frosting and some on top of the cake too.

Then she gave me a gift. Now Felt and I do not give gifts to each other any longer, (unless you count our new car?) so this was really fun and special. I just had no idea how special. It was a bound book of letters from my grandchildren (most of them) telling me how much they loved me and sharing some memories they have of being with me along the years. My goodness the tears came when I realised what it was. To top it all off, she had typed up some notes some of the school children had written to me when I retired from Pattie Elementary School some 13 years ago. She kept the same spelling and grammar and they are a hoot to read. We had found some of these when Katie was with us last summer trying to help me toss out things and pack up. She said she would keep them and I had forgotten all about it.


Kate and Nate in their apartment

So for the record being another year older is not too bad. As long as your are not considered Elderly!!!

Summer Culture

I usually do not post with no pictures - but today I wanted to share what a great week of culture we have experienced. Our neighbors across the way told us we could go with them to the final dress rehearsal of the opera "Carmen". To tell the truth, Felt was not all that excited about it but went to go along. We both were so thrilled with the experience. The staging, sets, costumes and the singing were of a caliber we had only seen at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Yes, Felt says he can take going to the Opera now. it really helped that they had an artfully done small projection screen at the very top fo the stage opening where they had in English, what they were singing about.

The next day, yesterday, they took us with them to see the final dress rehearsal of "Camelot". If anything it was more over the top than "Carmen" was, and that is saying alot.

We had been talking about getting tickets to "Camelot: but had not done so yet. Now we may actually pay to see that again.

Now how did they get these tickets??? She has had an 8 week job of sewing costumes for the Opera company. These costumes are fantastic. I definitely would not be in the league to do that. The lead singers were terriffic but so was the supporting cast.

So now you know - if you are reading this - that we have found culture and refinment here in Cache Valley. As we were out today we both commented at different times how much we love living here. The weather, the friends, the church, the community, the opportunites, and the cultural events far surpass any place we have ever lived before. This was the move we were suppoed to make at this time and we have been blessed that Feltus knew that and felt promted to take action. It is wonderful to know you are where you are supposed to be and doing what you are supposed to do.

July 4th celebration with our family!

We were invited to be part of the Calder family July 4th celebration on July 3rd! We drove down to Kaysville and joined Julie and Dave, Justin and Lindsey, Tyler, Rachel and Sarah while we played minature golf . In the evening they had a cookout and we had such a great time eating outdoors in the cool shade. Before dinner Jeff joined us after work. the kids had fun tossing water balloons - and catching them in towels. I had never seen it played that way.

This is a picture of the golfers. left to right: Ruth Ann, Rachel, Julie, Sarah Lindsey, back row are Dave, Justin and Tyler
The game was fun and never got too intense

Dave and Felt watching the grill. Dave did the cooking and Felt supervised.

Saturday, July 4th, we had dinner with some friends here in our community. They used to be in our ward before the boundary changes. They had brauts and fresh corn. We had such a good time. We are enjoying summer in Utah.

Ali and her boys visit

We have just had a wonderful 3 weeks with our family. First Katie's wedding with all of our children and many of our grandchildren in attendance. Ali came down to the lower states from Alaska with her boys. While they were here we went kayaking a couple of times. We enjoyed getting to know her boys better and especially having Ali to ourselves for a few days. Brought back memories of the years it was just the three of us at home.

A picture of Ali and her Dad ready to go to church

Ali and the boys in Kayaks on the water at first Dam in Logan

Ali, Bryson, Hunter and Ruth Ann ready to Kayak.

This is a picture of Scott, Avery and Zane before they returned home from the wedding trip. We hope to see them again before long.