So What's Provo, Chopped Liver?

Today in the SL Tribune there was an announcement that the Church is going to remodel the Ogden Temple because, frankly speaking, it isn't very attractive. Well Provo's temple is its twin. So will Provo get a remodel too, or was it just a problem of the Ogden Temple being outclassed by the the Tabernacle next door? I pointed that out after visiting the Ogden Temple last July. If they remodel Ogden and leave Provo as is, there will be some unhappy campers.

Current version

Tabernacle that looks like a temple

The redesign of the temple block

New and improved version

View with emasculated tabernacle sans tower and spire

What think ye? What's good for Ogden is good for Provo?

That's all for now.

OXO

D.

Saint Valentine's Day

I hope you all had a nice Valentine's day. We spent the day at church and with the family who came for Sunday dinner. Grammy made a pile of Valentine's cookies for the binkers and by the time the evening was over, they were all gone: clearly a hit! We missed Katy's chocolate-covered butter this year. Maybe she made it for the Gibbs in Texas.

Heather is a double treat: Valentine's flowers
and a remembrance of Britain

Chelsea and Mia joined us for dinner
and desserts galore

Pippy and Meags

That's all for now.

OXO

D.

Like a Reunion

Today was my nephew George's son Brian B. Taylor's Utah memorial service prior to being buried in the Provo Cemetery. There was a gathering at Berg Mortuary in Orem last night as well.

Brian died 22 January 2010 after an extremely difficult battle with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He was not quite 20 years old. You can read more about him here. His funeral was held in Palo Alto, California last Saturday and today, Utah family and friends gathered to remember his short but remarkable life. It was, as funerals often are, a great experience. His four grandparents spoke and shared memories and convictions of the reality of Christ's gospel. Our Provo 5th Ward rallied around; Bishop Matt (Christensen) conducted and the Relief Society provided a nice meal. These are such great people.

Emily, Colette, Will, and Kris at the mortuary last night

John, AnnMarie, Ann, and Stephen

Katy, Nicole, and Amy

Stephen, David, and Hank

AnneMarie and Emily

Tom, Hank, and Will

The pallbearers waiting for the grandparents to arrive

Tommy and Bishop Christensen

George, Marian, family, et al.

Hansen and Bradley enjoying the spread

George, Ben, and Kris

Tommy, Hank, Colette, Stephen, Ann, Katy, and Zoe

Anna with Scout, Millie, Tim, Shelby,
Tyra, Colton, and Holdie

I'm sorry I didn't know Brian better but it was wonderful to be together for a couple of days with many family members that we don't see often enough.

That's all for now.

OXO

D.

There's Still Snow, Harry

Harry called from Arizona today to see if we still had snow. The answer is yes. Fortunately, most of it is in the mountains. The first photo is of Timpanogos today. The second was taken last week when the mountain was hidden with clouds and the snow in the park was turning to messy puddles.

Today: caked thick as frosting

Last week: covered in plumes of white

I have to admit that this is how I like winter: lots of snow in the mountains and very little in the valleys.

That's all for now.

OXO

D.

Photobooth Classics 2009

Folks have been enjoying themselves on Photobooth throughout the year. Here is a sampling of some the mirth:

Finnigan

Maxwell

Anna

Emily

Meg

Finn

Katy Kathryn

Carrie's Photobooth augmentation

Oliver

Large collars and big hair are hot!

That's all for now.

OXO

D.

Hung, Drawn, and Quartered

The title of this post is a hyberbolical (not diabolical) expression of the fact that we have FINALLY hung some art on the walls of the dining area and the walls of the play room in the basement.

This was an artsy Christmas. Maren, thanks to Katy's good work, was able to get several pieces of art, including some of Katy's original photos, framed and ready for display in her Peoria home. Katy actually constructed four frames for some great photo prints Maren and Gavin bought in London.

For Rob and Anna she took a spectacular photo of Mount Timpanogos that she had matted and mounted with a frame she made herself. It is a really beautiful art piece now.

For us, Katy orchestrated the printing and framing of five photos taken by her and me on our various adventures in England, Italy, France, and Brazil. With the help of Phillip and his magic Little-Giant ladder we hung the blighters this evening. I think they look great. As part of the same gift, Katy photographed, printed, and helped me hang twelve pictures of each one of the binkers (including #12 in utero). Those were hung last week before Katy left for Texas. They look great and make the room feel complete. Here are a few pics of the finished hangings:

Iguaçu Falls, Notting Hill Gate Tube Station,
Parisian pastries, the Duomo of Florence,
and the Royal Naval College at Greenwich

Madeline, Max, and Lucy Jane;
Tucker, Lizzy, and Oliver

Anders, Finn, and Meg;
Harry, Clara, and Baby Young

Special thanks to Katy for her drive and thoughtfulness; she always gives well-chosen and meaningful gifts.

OXO

D.

Dickie Days Are Done

Dickie Days finished with a bang but are now merely a happy memory. The decorations are all packed away for another year and life will return to its normal, less-exciting pace.

The Youngs left for Arizona this morning at 6:00; it is very quiet and we are feeling somewhat melancholy. Tomorrow the new BYU semester starts, Kris goes back to work, and Katy heads to Texas so our minds will be on other matters, but the nest will be extremely empty again.

Phillip, Meagan and kids returned from Hawaii New Years night and so the whole family gathered yesterday (2 January) to celebrate Harry's birthday early -- he will actually complete his first three years on January 11. Later that evening Stephen, Ann, Millie and her kids joined in for a traditional New Years Greek dinner. Everyone contributed and it was fantastic. In addition to delicious food, there was quite a bit of Rock Band played. It turns out that Oliver is very enthusiastic about Eye of the Tiger. What a fun holiday season! Thanks to everyone for wonderful company, fun excursions, cool snow fun, delicious food, great family DVDs, excellent games and puzzles, sleepovers, and movies: a fantastic Christmas celebration!

Partygoers enjoying the Mickey-Mouse themed party --
cake decoration by Auntie Em

Harry was the genial host and Clara was
dressed in her finest party frock

Harry made short work of three flames

Opening gifts

Holdie and Lizzy were fully engaged
in the gift-opening process

The Young boys et al. playing Rock Band

Ollie and the crew performing Eye of the Tiger

Dolamathes: Stephen and Ann, Tzatziki: Emily, Pita: Colton,
Souvlakia: Phil, Spanakopita: Dickie, Pilafi and grape drink: Maren,
Greek Salad: Anna, not pictured butter cookies: Emily,
not pictured Rice Pudding: Millie

Gavin strapping Harry in early this morning

Finn and Gavin ready to go

Things will be a bit more boring now, but I will try to keep you abreast of any newsworthy developments. That, however, is all for now.

OXO

D.