David Turns 12

David turned 12 today! To celebrate the day, it was his special request to go roller skating. OMG. If ice skating wasn't bad enough a few years back! The Whitney boys are talented at many things, but any activity that requires them putting on some type of "skates" is usually not good.

Here we are at the Cache Valley Fun park. We soon discovered that rollerskating was one thing that David could "naturally" do better than his big brother.

Poor Josh, he looked like a fish on wheels!


I do say, that my boys at least gave all the onlookers a good chuckle. Their ups & downs ... and more ups & downs... drew quite a little crowd. Luckily, the boys took it all in stride.

Afterwards, we headed home for a David's favorite dinner - homemade pizza. Aunt Molly, was on hand to help us celebrate afterwards with presents, cake, and ice cream.

So what is the best thing about turning 12? David is finally old enough to join the Civil Air Patrol. He has been attending some introductory sessions and will formally enroll next week. He is very very excited.

Sister Time

On my way back from North Carolina... my sister Terry joined me for a quick trip to Logan, UT. Since my flight home had me changing planes in Phoenix (where it was 100 degrees... oh my goodnness), my sister Janet thought she'd give Terry some miles to book a ticket and join me.

While our visit was a little on the short side (Friday night to Sunday night), Terry and I managed to pack in a ton of stuff.

First thing, Saturady morning, we went hiking along the river in Logan Canyon. The Fall colors were spectacular! It was gorgeous and sunny. Could not have asked for better weather.

We then visited every quilting store and fabric shop in town. It's so funny how I have so many quilters in my life, and yet I don't quilt! I think I need to get them all together one day for a Quilting Fest at my house. Terry really enjoyed the different fabrics in the stores up here. (I liken it to my passion at visiting the book sale in Brevard last week.)

We then decided to take in some local food and drink. First stop was to the state liquor store to pick up some Utah wine. We choose to sample Castle Creek Winery's Cabernet Sauvignon. Which apparently recently won a Bronze Medal and was voted "Best of State 2009". With all these samplings of UT wines... I think a fieldtrip to Moab will soon be in order.

Next stop was Aggie Ice Cream. Which on a sunny 70 degree Saturday, was absolutely packed. I have to say... that their ice cream is always good.

After a full day of hiking and shopping. We relaxed with a glass of wine and had homemade deep dish pizza. We then spent the evening playing Mexican Train Dominoes... until everyone was too tired to finish.

Sunday morning, we were up early and heading down to Ogden. Since I had to teach religious school that morning, all we had time for was a quick cup of coffee. Then Terry headed off to Rainbow Gardens (Ogden's biggest gift shop) to kill an hour.

Once we got back home, we decided to take my unruly wiener dogs for an urban walk along the Logan River Trail. Those ning nong dogs had to bark at EVERYONE (on two feet or four) we saw. Terry elected to walk Max, who by the end of the walk was finally under control.

We spent the rest of the day, preparing a proper English Sunday Dinner. Complete with Roast Beef, Popovers (aka Yorkshire Pudding), mashed potatos, and gravy. Yum. The only thing missing was "Trifle" for dessert, which we couldn't make because I don't have any Bryds Custard. I guess I need to find an English shop!

During Terry's time here, we did what sisters love to do. Talk. Talk. Talk. It was wonderful. Thank goodness my hubby and boys left us alone to get our fill of visiting. Seeing as how they hadn't seen me for a week... that was very understanding of them.

As was the case when I had to put my family & friends on the plane last month (after the Bar Mitzvah) it tugged at my heart to say good bye. While I love living here... I so miss all the people that used to live "just down the street" when I lived in Phoenix. However, I do think that Terry liked UT enough to come back again in the future.

P.S. Thanks to Terry, I now know the elevation of Logan (which for some reason everyone in my family keeps asking me.). It is 4775 feet and the mountains behind my house are 9,587 feet.

Nothing Could Be Finer… Than to be in Carolina!

Just got back from a terrific visit to North Carolina, visiting with my dad and Anne. This was the first time I have been out to see them and the first time I’ve ever been to the “Old North State".

My overall impression of NC was very favorable. I couldn’t get over the abundance of trees. It was breath taking. Add in, that my trip coincided with Fall and it’s spectacular tapestry of orange, golds, and reds... making it the perfect time to witness the change in seasons.

Here are some of the highlights of my trip:

• Looking Glass Falls. Absolutely gorgeous!!! (see photo above)
  
• Playing Banagrams, a crazy crossword-like game that I have a passion for, with my dad (…. “peel”).
  
• Getting my first look at my dad’s book (personal memoir and Findlay family history). It was just awesome to see the detail dad has gone into to write his story. It is a legacy that will be appreciated by everyone in our family and generations to come.
  
• Attending the terrific “Brevard Library Book Sale” (which had so many “fabulous” books for sale… that I wishing I had more storage space in my carryon luggage).
  
• Going out to eat at the Twin Dragons Chinese Buffet (which gave the word “fabulous” an even better meaning). I think I am still full!
  
• Returning to the Brevard Library Book Sale two days later... to take advantage of the ½ price discount. More importantly, being fortunate enough to have a dutiful father that allowed his bibliophile daughter to take all the time she wanted to comb each and every bookshelf for treasures. Then spoiling me rotten, by telling me to stock up up to my heart's content. Dad proceeded to pay the bill and ship the entire loot by USPS to Utah. Thank you dad!
  
• Having the opportunity to attend a potluck dinner and lecture seminar at dad and Anne’s church. This gave me the opportunity to meet some of their friends and visit the church that has become such a large part of their life.
  
• Being able to help my dad out with his computer. Over the years, my dad has done so much for me. So, it was a joy to be able to help him out a bit with my computer expertise. It was my small way of “giving back”.
  
• Going out for Mexican Food. Margaritas and Mariachis… what a great combination. I don’t think I have ever seen such a lively rendition of the Macarena.
  
• Spending time getting to know my stepmother. While Anne and my dad have been married for many years now, I can count the number of visits we’ve had on just one hand. So, it was great to finally have a nice chunk of time to get to know each other. Anne and I spent many hours nattering at the breakfast table (not sure if we ever got dressed before noon?). I am grateful that I got to learn about her past, her children, and her present life with my dad. (PS... Anne, thank you so much for the packed lunch you made me for the plane ride home.)
  
• Having two sets of eyes and ears … willing to look at photographs and hear stories about my husband, my kids, and my life in Utah.

All in all, it was truly a wonderful week. I can't even complain about the rain. I loved visiting North Carolina. I loved getting a glimpse of dad and Anne's life in their Brevard home. Which allows me to now visualize what they do each day. I can now understand why they are two of the busiest retirees I know. (I thought you were supposed to slow down when you stopped working?).

I hope that I can get out to North Carolina again one day. Next time, I hope I can bring my boys with me. I think that they too would enjoy the scenery and wonderful family that awaits them there.

First Snow

Well... it's hard to believe that here it is "September" and we had our first snow of the season today.

Yesterday is hot and sunny. Upper 70's, maybe even low 80's. Then last night, a strange wind came in, promising "something wicked this way comes". By 10:00 pm we were hit with rain. That cold, dark, rain... that makes you close all the windows.

Well, it rained all night long. Then this morning... it felt a might bit chilly. Next thing I knew, as I was waiting for the coffee to brew, it started snowing. Wow. Snow in September. Who would have thought could happen?

Of course, since it was about 37 degrees, it wasn't cold enough to stay on the lawn. But you can see that it stayed on that mountain.

I haven't even had a chance to post my Fall "leaves turning colors" photos. It was just starting to get so very pretty around here. I sure hope the premature winter doesn't interupt the show.

Meanwhile, my family is busy in the backyard picking all of our final crops. If we are now so cold it's snowing... we think that we need to just harvest what's left before they all freeze. Joshua just yelled up, "Mom we've got more penguins!" Which is our family code word for giant zuchinni. So I guess we are going to be busy doing more shredding... and making even more zuchinni bread.

Sunday Hike

One of the reasons we moved to Logan, UT, was the appeal of living 1o minutes away from "God's Country".

To me, there is no place more spectacular than the Logan Canyon area. I think it beats Yellowstone hands down... and everyone knows how beautiful that area of the country is.

So, we all thought a hike in the canyon would be a great way to end our weekend.

Unfortunately, we couldn't talk ANY of the kids into coming, so intead it was just the six of us: Janet, Eden, Aram, Molly, Gail, & I. We decided to bring my dogs (Coco & Max) too.

We had the best weather for our hike. It was slightly overcast, but not threatening rain, which is perfect weather for walking.


We decided to do the three mile loop "River Trail".


At some point, we fell into different groups, based upon on hiking speed.



Aram & Molly had an abundance of energy and decided to do an additional three mile uphill hike to a canyon lookout. During this part of the hike, Aram had an awesome experience that sent him back to Chicago revitalized.

One week later... Aram is now pursuing entirely new passions, which includes enrolling in Culinary School. We are all very excited for him. He starts school in two weeks!

Saturday Night in Providence

After eating tons of bagels... it was hard to believe that the boys were ready, willing, and able to move on to supper. But they were. Joshua was thrilled to be out of his dress clothes and back into casual clothing.


In addition to the regulars that were now staying at the house: Gail & Josh Lentz, Aunt Janet, Grandma Pat, Cousin Eden, & Cousin Aram, Aunt Molly, we were now joined by the Tannenholz clan.

Phil & Carolynn arrived with Grandma T. In addition, Brandi & Ava (Devon's grand-daughter) was with them.

Now we really had a full house. But somehow it was organized chaos.

Josh, Eden, David, & Joshua

Gail, Carolynn, & Janet... hop on the computer to reserve seats
for their outgoing flights on Sunday.

Aram kicks back with a bottle of beer.
(Which believe it or not, had a kosher seal.)

The Utah made wine is still flowing... courtesy of Aunt Janet.

Gillian & Mum (aka Grandma Pat) snuggle for the camera.

Grandma Pat & Grandma T.

Grandma Pat, Grandma T, & Molly.

Grandma Pat & Joshua.

Grandpa Phil

Grandma Carolynn, Aunt Molly, & Grandma Pat

Molly & Carolynn

Brandi & Devon

Devon, Ava, & Brandi

Grandpa Devon & Ava

David, Molly, & Ava

Working off dinner... with a game of football.
(Josh, Eden, Aram, & David)

NOTE: The bar mitzvah boy
is probably inside playing his new
Indiana Jones Wii game
he got as a present from his buddy Ryan

Our local bakery did the best they could to spell "Mazel Tov",
which means congratulations in Hebrew.

Kiddush Luncheon in the Garden

Joshua's cousins, Eden & Aram, did a fabulous job of kicking off the kiddush luncheon. First up was Eden, who said the Hebrew prayer over the wine. Then Aram, said the Hebrew blessing over the bread.

(I'm sure that my sister is glad to know that all those years attending Hebrew school were not in vain!)

TRADITION!!! TRADITION!!!

Once the wine/apple juice and challah bread had been blessed and devoured... it was time to move on to the main course. Bagels & cream cheese, champagne & oj (aka mimosas), and all those desserts we'd spent all week baking.

Everyone tucked in and joined in the feast.

Congregants, guests, friends, and family, enjoyed lunch as if they'd know each other forever.

The biggest hit at the sweet table had to be the chocolate filled cream puffs. Which were made by our homeschooling friend (Lina McKinnon). This sweet sweet girl (who is only 14) made 180 cream puffs for the occassion of Joshua's bar mitzvah. They were out of this world.



Here Joshua poses for one last photograph with Judi. Everyone agreed that Judi did an excellent job coleading the Bar Mitzvah service. It's hard to believe that she has not had any formal training... because she really comes across as good as any rabbi.