My Dad's Retirement from the Tabernacle Choir

My Dad has served in the Tab Choir for slightly more than 20 years. They generally "kick you out" after you have either served for 20 years, or if you turn 65. So he was in it for the 20 year thing. And I think he actually served for closer to 22 years, due to some randome scheduling things. But anyway, it was a really neat thing to have as part of our lives for so long, and I know that he will miss it dearly! So we had to throw him a party! Here are some pictures of the party we had, and some of Sunday morning when we went up for his retirement program at the tabernacle.



This table dispalyed only some of the many places he visited with the choir, and people he met while serving. There was also a picture his kids at the age we were when he started. Hard to believe how fast time flies!

Here are the girls saying a few words about our Dad and our Mom, who both sacraficed a lot for the choir.

Walking back to our car.

Temple Square looked so amazing! I wish my yard could look half that amazing!

(And I wish Breanne would have smiled for this photo...oh well.)

Inside the tabernacle.

This picture is kinda fuzzy, because I had my zoom on, and in the super low lighting, it didn't turn out the best, but that man sitting in the middle is President Monson!!! It was really cool to be so close to the prophet. And it was really neat that he was there to personally thank the members who were retiring. It made me realize just what a big deal the whole thing is. I was very grateful for the chance to be so close to, and to be able to hear the voice of the prophet in such a personal setting. He was the one who gave each member thier plaque, and they got a picture with him. I can't wait to see the one my dad got. Pretty cool.

Eli, and the kids....having to be patient through the program.

Cheryl and Eric, Melissa and Jake, Brent and his girl friend Kirsti, and some other aunts and uncles and cousins.....All made it up to Salt Lake to see my Dad. It was really nice.

Jared and the kids, looking for my dad, and watchig the program.

It's a BOY!

I will scan the ultrasound picts soon.
but just wanted everyone to know that.....

IT'S A BOY!

"The Hole"

Life.....
Brings.....
Stuff.....
Like....
This.........

A Broken Sprinkler pipe. Lovely! Not exactly how we wanted to spend the day, but luckily today was actually a pretty nice day to be outside. Not to Hot, not to Cold. And thanks to help from Kip and Jake, Jared's been able to get the problem fixed.

What was interesting was that we had to cut the water off to the house for a couple of hours today, and it really made me aware of how unprepared I am for an emergency where we would not have running water. I think I could handle a power outage. Mostly what you need is to open the windows, and then have flashlights and stuff like that on hand. But to not have plumbing! or the ability to have running water for cooking and cleaning....now that is hard to prepare for. We need to get some of those big buckets, and then I think there is something that could be like a toilet bucket or something. None of this is fun to think about, but definately needs to be.....before it's to late! So here's to one more thing for the "to-do-list". Try to get some more water storage!

And hope that the pipes don't ever give us problems again!

"the After"

HERE IS OUR NICE WHITE KITCHEN! Doesn't it look great!?!! I'm so grateful to Jared who had to take over when I got pregnant. These cabinets were kindof a pain to paint, but it is so worth it. It is a huge improvement that will look a lot better... at least until we can afford to do the kitchen remodel that we really want! But for now, I'm thrilled with my white kitchen cabinets!!!

"the Before"

Here is what the kitchen looked like before the cabinets were painted white, the window treatments came down, and the wall paper came off....

Nelson's Grove Park

Spring Break means some time off to have fun! And we finally got some decent weather. So we went to this fun park.

Easter at Grandma Mortensen's

Because of the weather, the kids went on a scavenger hunt for their treasure! It was a lot of fun. And they were all thrilled with the fun treats and toys that they recieved from Grandma and Grandpa!

And after they went on the treasure hunt, they played out in the hail/snow. What an Easter!!!

Thanks Grandmas!! (I didn't get pictures of all the fun things that Grandma Jardine gave the kids, but she also gave them goodie bags.)

EASTER!

Easter was fun, and IN DOORS this year. Cause it snowed! And was cold....but that didn't stop us from having lots of fun, and doing all the traditional stuff!

Here are the kids decorating their Easter Eggs.

See the snow out the window, behind Eli.... Yep. So the kids had to hunt for Eggs inside the house. They had a ton of fun.

Now it's time to enjoy the treats!!!

"How Sweet It is!".....

"If you give a woman some Cream....."
(Just trying to be cleaver and do a "play on words" with that cute book about giving a mouse a cookie.) Anyway, because we made the butter.... we had some cream that I just couldn't let go to waste, so I figured I would try making caramels. And I must say that for my first try...they turned out fabulous! But maybe that is because I had pretty detailed instructions from my mother-in-law's cook book. Jared loves them!! And I thought they would make for a fun Easter treat. Who knows....Maybe this will become an Easter tradition! They are certainly yummy! Especially when I covered them in some chocolate!!! Wow...the joys of sugar!