What a Fun Weekend!

Alison and Chelsea Gibbs came to stay this weekend. Alison came down from Logan and Chelsea came all the way from Helaman Halls. Katy came home to sleep and the three of them appeared to have a rip-roaring good time. Saturday we went to Janet's for supper, joined by Stephen and Ann. Today (Sunday) the family gathered here for dinner provided by Phillip and Meagan. Phillip made fish and chips; they were excellent. Fred Axelgard, who works with Kris in the mailroom, joined us for dinner and stayed to get some advice on traveling in Europe this summer.

The three were very good to get their homework done

Stephen points out celebrity photos on Janet's wall

Rogues' gallery

Wonderful Wor Wonton Soup

A bit of drawing before the other cousins arrive

The girlies playing a few hands of something

Tucker reading Harold and the Purple Crayon

Kris and Anna editing her manuscript

They are all currently very drawn to The Sound of Music

Phillip batter frying cod

Anna serving fish and chips

This captures the mood of the weekend

Fred and Kris looking at Katy's London scrapbook

The week ahead should be relatively uneventful with little to report. So that's all for now.

OXO

D.

Always Welcome

The Gibbs/Browns have been here. Mike and Linda spent Monday night before returning to NY. Debby and Hilary have also been visiting for a couple of days. Ian, whose airline connections were messed up, even spent a night. They all joined us after the completion of their family gathering in the mountains above Heber. On Tuesday evening when Debby, Hilary, and Ian arrived, they hosted an impromptu birthday celebration here for Ian's younger brother, Brian. Wednesday evening we dined at the Bombay House and, if you can believe it, we actually tried some new dishes. Last night, Thursday, we ate at La Casita . Shopping was minimal, at least for me. That's always a plus.

A yummy Indian nosh

A pretty spring evening in Provo

I didn't try anything new here - why would I?

Luis runs the credit card

Debby, Hilary, and Kris

Today Deb and Hilary are on their way back to Houston, but Alison is coming from Logan today to spend the weekend. The fun never ends. That's all for now.

OXO

D.

Here Comes a Flood: First Wave

There are suddenly lots of things I want to record in this electronic memory book, so watch out for a flood of blog posts.

The first wave of activity made landfall on Friday evening at the Taylor-Woodbury home. We gathered there with the "Dinner Group" for a delicious meal of chicken saltimbocca, brown rice, and baked asparagus prepared by Stephen and Ann and salads, breads, dessert, drinks, etcetera, provided by everyone else. It was delicious, as always, and the company was excellent. With daylight savings and a lighter evening, we didn't break up until 9:30! Now that is a miracle. Vern and Jerry, sintimos sua falta.

Is Rod feeling amorous or is he a blood sucker?

Good eats!

Stephen explaining the evolution of Diane Turner's work

More to come, all posted in reverse order so they will be in chronological order as you read them (I hope).

OXO

D.

Birthday Breakfast: Second Wave

With so many family birthdays in March (Anna has declared June a month of abstinence in the family), it has proven very difficult to properly celebrate. In an effort to kill two birds with one stone, and in a burst of creativity, Anna and Emily decided to have a family breakfast on Saturday morning to celebrate Lizzy and Clara's birthdays. They served breakfast casseroles, fruit, juice, hash browns, and donuts. That was followed by birthday cake and ice cream. The mandatory theme was Disney princess (specifically Belle). The little birthday girls were ravishing in their gowns.

Jayson tends the hash browns

Anders and Meg working on eating breakfast

Oh yes, it was also the only chance to wish Jayson
a happy birthday (15 March)

The old folks (thanks for the photo, Anna)

SOOOOO exciting!

The kek

Each princess did her part

Lizzie with a fist full of dollars

Clara tears into a gift

The party was great fun and a novel solution to a thorny problem, even if cake and ice cream for breakfast seemed like drinking a cocktail before 5:00 (as if I would know anything about that).

OXO

D.

A Splendid Reunion: Third Wave

Both the New York and Texas Gibbs families have been in Utah for a short winter retreat in the mountains above Heber, near the church's new girls camp. They were kind enough to invite us to join them on Saturday. We did our favorite things: eat good food, talk, and play cards.

Deer Creek and Timpanogos on the way to Heber

Alison, Katy, and Chelsea - the cilantro
was for tortilla soup

Katy, Michael, Chelsea, and Linda

Dickie with Debra Sue Darling Gibbs

The cabin belongs to Deb's friends in Texas

Debby and Hilary returning from a walk

The same two on the porch

Phillip, Meg, and Ollie enjoying snacks

A rousing game of Hearts

The Gibbs/Brown girls

Phillip and Rob who refused to pose with
fingers in noses

It feels like family and we had a great time! Thanks for inviting us.

OXO

D.

A Wizard Weekend

From the Urban Dictionary: Wizard

1. An exclamation of joy, similar to "cool" or "great." Origin unknown but it is featured heavily in Lord of the Flies: "We can use Piggy's specs to make a fire." "Wizard!"

It was a great weekend, wizard really. Friday we went to dinner with the Ringers, Taylors, and Taylor-Woodburys at Gloria's Little Italy. It was delicious but expensive. One would do well to order Chinese-restaurant style and share a couple of entrees, which would provide plenty to eat and be more on budget. After dinner we ate delicious gelato at Maestro's and then did the gallery stroll along University Avenue. It was a first and quite fun. The demographic was slightly hippy (where do these people come from?). I regret that I didn't take my camera.

Saturday we traveled to the WVC for Tucker's birthday party. He planned all the activities and turned the Hastings house into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is a bright and creative young feller. Anna provided some delicious burritos and excellent birthday cake. We arrived early enough to help decorate the cake, which is always fun.

The cake is a work in progress

The finished cake -- note Hedwig with a "howler"
in his talons, ready to swoop into the great hall

Snow White is off-theme, but very cute
"I like Snow White." - Clara

The birthday boy with his handmade decorations

"Money is the best gift." - Uncle Rod

Harry Potter or Mad-Eye Moody?

Snow White and Auntie Em

Ready to blow!

Yesterday, Sunday, the whole gang, plus Chelsea Gibbs and Rob and Mia Wai, had dinner at our place. It was the first day of daylight savings and the fun continued a little later into the evening. It's always wizard to get together.

Kris and Anna editing her "work in progress"

The binkers waiting patiently for dessert

Madi and Lucy working on a diversion
for the kids pictured below

Anders, Lizzy, Meg, Ollie, and Anika

That's all for now, but all the Gibbs -- both families -- are coming, so watch out.

OXO

D.

When We're Helping We're Happy

Saturday, the girls gathered to help Millie move a few things into her house and help put stuff away. Uncle Stephen did some technical stuff like plumbing and assembling Holman Hunt's crib. I helped break down boxes and recycle. I know, cushy job, but very important.

Lizzie, Holman Hunt, and Baby Goat Cheese had a great time

Anna, Emily, and Millie solving the world's
problems between jobs

Uncle holds his mouth just right

Clara and Millie on an early-spring afternoon

The Soelberg house is getting close and looking great.

That's all for now.

OXO

D.