Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Rockets Red Glare for SNM

I forgot to tell you about our great rocket night for special needs mutual. It was a blast. We made these rockets out of rolled construction paper and hot glued fins on them. {That was my job} We had an airconpressor hooked up to a couple of triggers that would shoot a burst of air into a pvc tube and launch the rockets. We had the church parking lot closed off and what a fun time the guys had. As we were getting things started, I heard the sound of a helicopter coming our way and thought, wouldn't that be cool if he landed in the parking lot. Suddenly there was another helicopter and they were both circling the chapel. And they landed. The one pilot had just got back from Haiti at 1 am and they came to show our kids what helicopters look like up close. It was AMAZING. One young man, an autistic, low functioning kid, walked up to it and watched his movements in the windshield. I just stood an watched him for about 5 minutes. Moving his arm, twisting his hand, up and down. For me it was magic. He has no attention span. The one pilot had been in Haiti flying orphans out of harms way in his 7 passenger copter. I never get over how kind and generous people can be.

"Over the Moon" is Rising!

Diane has had such fun showing off the proto type of her book, "Over the Moon". The book looks really good. One little girl at the school asked her if she were famous now. Another little boy asked her is she were rich. Oh yeah, baby come on. Bring dem early retirement bucks home. One 5th grader asked her how old do you have to be, to be a writer? I find it neat that she is a source of inspiration to some of these kids. Anyway, she has sent the book back to the publisher for their final review and then on to the presses. Congrats to Angie on running the marathon and still having toe nails. The St. George/Washington County Ironman is this Saturday. I was going to do it, but then, I realized what a marshmellow I am. I am more of a "candy man" type. I would be rusted through before I finished the first lap in Sand Hollow. Anyway, the winds of April are blowing through and hope the cooler tempertures will help the atheletes. We are having our neighborhood picnic in the park tonight and I am praying for good weather. We are having mexican food, with a lot of refried beans, so I hope the wind continues to blow lightly. Well, look for Dianes book in a book store near you sometime in July or August.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

OH HAPPY DAY, IT IS HERE!

Oh happy day, it is finally here. Diane is so excited. She had been waiting all week and it came Saturday. I didn't even know she was expecting it until Friday, when she matter of factly, said "did I tell you Tate was sending to me the advanced copy to proof read"? Well it is here and she is excited. It is like Christmas morning and fire works and tickets for another cruise. {This is just in the imagine stage, the cruise I mean.} She is "Over the Moon" excited. And it looks really good. Did I mention that she is so excited? After the proof read, her book will be sent back, corrections made and on to the press. Look for futher notice. In an equalling exciting note for Diane, Devin seems to have found a car and won't be using hers anymore. That thought puts a smile on her face. Hope you have an equally exciting week. Tom

Monday, March 29, 2010

Family Pictures in ZNP

Devin was suppose to land March 10, 2010 at 6:50 PM, but the plane had a great tailwind and he got here 1/2 hour before he was scheduled to land. When we got there he was already in the airport gathering up his luggage. He even waited till the last person to get off the jet and we still missed his grand entry into St. George. Tymon flew into LV that morning, just so he could be here for the great return. Some of Devins friends were there also and after we meet with Prsident Lyman to release Elder Daniels, we all meet at Village Inn for a fun filled time. Did anyone tip that poor waitress? After the meal, Tymon, Devin and the entourage went to save the world from zombies while Diane and I drove to Las Vegas to get Troy. His plane was also early. Go figure. Why aren't my planes ever early? On Saturday we all went to Zion Nation Park for Casey Neiderhauser to take family photos for us. Saturday night we had a BBQ for Devin. All my brothers and sisters came, except Mike and Karen, who were with Preston and Jody, who were expected to deliver baby #2. I really appreciated your coming down for this. So did Devin. Sunday Devin gave a great talk, full of faith and testimony, with a smattering of great missionary experiences. His plans now are to get a job, a car and a girl friend. School starts in the fall. Diane and I loved having the 4 brothers, 2 daughters and our 4 grand sons here. I had forgotten how tired you are at the end of the day when kids are involved.

Devin is definitly home. Yes he is.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

This past weekend we spend at Zion Nation Park in Southern Utah. It was my annual family gathering. All my living brothers and sisters were there, with some of their children and grandchildren. ZNP is a mystical place for me. It is a rarity for it to snow in the park, but it did for us this weekend. I told my family to be sure and bring their cameras. Snow in Zion is a treat. Tracy got a great shot of a 4 point{I think}buck. There were wild turkeys all around. Diane and I got some great shots of waterfalls that are only there when it rains or snows. One was coming out of the face of the cliff, like a faucet. The mist and clouds were so beautiful as they hung over the red cliffs and buttes. If I can get some loaded onto the blog I will. We stayed at the Bumbleberry Inn in Springdale. They gave us a section to ourselves. That was good. No it was great. We didn't have to worry about waking up anyone. The kids had a great time and I was really pleased with how behaved they were and still they had a great time. The rooms were quite large and comfortable. Wilcat Willies was actually closed for the season, yet they opened up to cater a private party for us. They were wonderful. The food was beyond excellent. They had a sage dressing that was really good. There is a small ranch off the main road that has a herd of Elk and Buffalo that the kids got to feed. Connie gave us all "BOOK 1" of mom's journals. That has been a revelation to me. I think that the weekend went all to fast. Oh well, next year will be here sooner than we know. Have fun storming the castle. Tom