HAPPENINGS

Yesterday my family provided the ROYAL TREATMENT for my birthday.  It began with an early morning knock at our door to find the Hanamaikai clan with a bucket of Einstein Bagels and some very original B'day cards.  Needless to say I was VERY surprised and overjoyed.  The bagels were yummy, the company entertaining and their kindness and good wishes were truly special and filled my heart as well as my tummy.

Then near lunchtime I returned home to find Karli, Kaiya and Taylor with beautiful flowers, birthday hugs and an invitation to lunch. (Allan was a pro at keeping all these secret plans)  We went to our favorite neighborhood Mexican  restaurant and had a fun afternoon eating and chatting and smooching those cute girls.

And that evening Allan had arranged a really fun family dinner at the restaurant of my choice.  It was a wonderful end to a day made special by all the dear family.  I felt truly spoiled and sincerely grateful for such a loving and kind family whom I love so much.

  

PROUD GRANDPARENTS

We are happy to announce the arrival of #14 grandson, Reid Michael Asplund, the fourth son of Aaron and Debbie.  He joined his family last night at a healthy 7 lbs. and 20" as a strawberry blond (which  fits in well in that family of brown, blond and red-heads).  He had experienced some developmental problems early on but we are glad to report that the many prayers in his behalf were answered and all is well.

TERRIFIC CALIFORNIA WEEKEND

We just returned from a hasty but very fun trip to California.  The primary reason for the trip was to celebrate Evan's baptism.  It was "near" perfect except Allan and I kept saying, "If only Bertie were here!!"  We did sorely miss Britt, Quinn and kids.  Evan was Evan--very conscious of the seriousness of this important time in his  young life.   We love this boy so much and are glad that we were "home" to feel of his wonderful spirit as he was baptized and confirmed a member of God's church.

We are so proud of the wonderful way in which Aaron and Debbie are raising their family.  They most definately have their priorities in order!

This family picture is pretty good considering so many young munchkins.  Can anyone photo shop Brittany & Quinn's family into the picture???

We had a couple of marvelous days at the beach--actually I think we got to 5 different beaches with near perfect weather for all fun, sand, surf, boogie boarding, sand digging and more........

And when we weren't at the beach there was much fun to be had--a dinner at McClintock's, fun with cousins and lots of snuggles with Grandma and Grandpa.

Sorry for the overload of pictures, but all this because  "WE 2" found each other just 39 years ago and how our lives have been blessed!

FUN VISIT FROM THE CANADIANS

THIS WEEK ALLAN"S MOM AND BROTHER JIM AND SISTER-IN-LAW DEBBIE STOPPED FOR A VISIT ON THEIR WAY TO ARIZONA.  WE HAD SUCH A NICE FEW DAYS TOGETHER.  WE HAVE NOT SEEN THEM FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS SO WE HAD A LOT TO CATCH UP ON.

ONE EVENING KARLI & CHRIS AND GIRLS AND BRITTANY & QUINN AND KIDS CAME FOR DINNER AND ORGANIZED CHAOS.  ACTUALLY ALL THE KIDS WERE SO DELIGHTFUL AND ENTERTAINED US WITH DANCE, BABBLING, AND MUCH MORE!

ASH RECENTLY CELEBRATED HIS 3RD BIRTHDAY SO WE HAD TO RECOGNIZE THIS BIG EVENT.  HAPPY B'DAY BIG BOY!

WE WENT TO LOGAN ONE DAY TO VISIT SOME RELATIVES AND THEN MET FOR DINNER AT MADDOCKS.  IT WAS A GREAT TIME FOR OUR FAMILY TO BECOME BETTER ACQUAINTED WITH JIM AND GRANDMA ASPLUND.  THOSE VISITS ARE NOW FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

WE ARE ALL PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO CANADA IN SEPTEMBER TO CELEBRATE GRANDMA'S 90TH BIRTHDAY.

Utah Spring-is there such a thing?

Well we are really working on trying to "think Spring" but each week seems to bring something different.  We spent the 3rd week of March working to clean up the beds and plant a few new shrubs and had some decent days of sun.  Since then we have had hail, rain, winds, sun, snow and all that repeated several times.  This is getting mighty FRUSTRATING!!   Makes us want to return to Barbados!

But we still manage to find some wonderful times each week.  We got to exercise our "grandparenting privileges" and keep Kaiya and Taylor one day.  We spent 1/2 the day hiding and finding Easter eggs over and over and over again.  It's pretty amazing how a 2  year old can endlessly repeat the same activity and still be as excited as the first time.

What's a stay at Grandma's without playing dress up.  Somehow I don't think Taylor quite gets the reason for struggling into clothes that are scratchy and then just sitting there!!  Kaiya does relish in her royalty.

And nothing better than listening to Grandpa's stories and digging in the "bean drawer" for secret treasures there.

Easter that falls on General Conference weekend is absolutely the BEST!  It was a marvelous occasion to spend 2 days reflecting on the tender mercies of our Savior and his Atoning sacrifice as we listened to prophets and apostles counsel us on relevant issues we deal with in our lives.  Such a refuge of peace in the troubled world we live in.   Now to follow the challenge of our prophet to
"make the messages of this conference find expression in our actions."

It is so great to be a place in life when I can spend a day with one of my beautiful children at will.  Brittany and I had a fun and chatty lunch/afternoon together laughing and loving (and enjoying Cafe Rio).  It was so nice to be removed from distractions and share these special moments together. 

And of course who could not be HAPPY with Mr. Smily-britches Nahlu and his chubby little snuggles.

                                      Life is so incredibly good--I want to savor each moment.