Curtis Miner Architecture Christmas Party 2009

This year our company met at a place in SLC called Bucca de Beppos. It's claimed to be Utah's most authentic Italian Restaurant. I will vouch for the fabuolous food. I brought Annalisa as my guest (also considered her 20th Birthday dinner celebration) and shared the meal with Dallas and Ashlee Nelson. Annalisa helped me find a company gift for the Miner's which they loved, and I really enjoy wrapping up the gifts!

..

..

Birthday Dinner at Tucano's Brazilian Buffet

And a nice time was had by all! With a couple free-bee Birthday coupons, the boys and I enjoyed the fabulous food at Tucano's Brazilian buffet. The variety of meats are served to the table on skewers roasted over a flame. The crowning flavor goes to the roasted pineapple. The hot pineapple with cinnamon sugar seared into the fruit is fantastic. We also love the Brazilian lemon aide served there. It takes your body a couple days to recover from the insult of lots of meat and salt, but it's worth it!

Celebrate...times 3

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

This time of year has many reasons to rejoice....5 birthdays in a short space and Christmas smack between them! We had David and Nick home from Logan for Thanksgiving and took the opportunity to celebrate David's birthday. Since Annalisa's and Morgans are this week, the 2nd and 3rd, we tossed them into the Brithday Bash! One of our favorite dishes is Pumpkin Pie, deep dish style so it served as our Birthday cake and Thanksgiving dessert. After finding no candles, I poked in some sparklers from last 4th of July and the pie was a glittering delight! It was great to spend time together. We shopped for an outside dog house for Bear, I played a game of Othello with David, we cooked and ate a great Thanksgiving meal, and watched a couple movies. Thanks Kids!

'Tis the Season to be Jolly.......fa la la la...

'Tis the Season to start the Holiday magic and start the Christmas cheer. It has been fun to adorn this new house and place our favorite things about. I especially wanted my Holiday decorations out when my college boys came for Thanksgiving. For all of us, it makes the new house feel a little more like home with the familiar Christmas stuff around. Merry Christmas everyone!

Morgan goes to Preference Dance

American Fork High School had it's Preference Dance 2009 (girl asks guy) and Morgan was asked by his friend Brittany.

Morgan and I both forgot to get a corsage and at the last minute on Saturday afternoon went hunting for one. Not to be found! Finally found a place that would make me one for $20. No way, too much! So, I went to Albertsons and found the components and made it myself for $5. Ha! This happened to be during a white out snow storm to boot.

Morgan looked great, as you can see and so did his date. He wore the Tux to church today and looked quite dandy.

I would have to agree with Oma's adage, that I have the best looking children!

Target for Egger - Football Banquet

Friday, Nov. 13th was a pretty eventful day. We discovered the house had been hit again by an egg throwing idiot. This is the third time in 3 weeks. I called the local police and an officer came by and took a report. I decided to make a flyer and I put it on 200 houses in my area calling for a Neighborhood Watch! Later Ethans team held a football banquet and that was alot of fun to see the comraderie and the coach took time to tell something great about each boy. (28) Morgan came and we enjoyed some great food.

Sunday Drive to Logan, UT

With the weather being warm and the time available, Annalisa, Morgan, Ethan and I headed to Logan to see Nick and David. We got to see Nicks apartment, had some lunch together and then went to Davids house and test drove his sweet and nearly done Mustang. He has taken this car from a junk yard disaster to a great sounding and nice looking car. His last investment is to get it painted and his lifelong dream car will be complete. It was terrific to spend the afternoon with my children. Michael and Bridgett wanted to join us, but Bridgett has been plagued with chronic headaches the past week and even had an overnight stay at the Blackfoot hospital. Initially the doctors worried about a Aneurism being the fault, but later, after a CT scan, found a probable deep tissue sinus infection. Even with multiple kinds of drugs, she still is suffering from the migrane level headaches. Wishing you well Bridgett!
A parent loves the little things when time with grown children is possible. Thanks Annie for your company and conversation in the car, and the terrific gift of 'Planet Earth'. Awesome! Thanks Nick for sharing your place and spending time with your family. Thanks David for sharing your sweet spirit and your super car and I especially like your hugs! Ethan and Morgan were great sports and Thanks Morgan for going to the Dr. with Nick and finding out what the rash was on his face. If you recall, Nick had pnenmonia last month and was given anti-biotics. These doses lowered his auto-immune system and he was found to have Shingles! Yes, he had a good case of Chicken Pox as a child, but the Dr. told him a shot of steroids last month probably brought the Shingles to the surface. Go figure!

Friday Night Date

What an eventfull weekend this has been! Friday night I took Morgan to get fitted for a tux and he look quite dashing in his fancy get up! Next weekend is Preference at American Fork High School and his date is Brittney and her twin Stacey will be going with Morgans friend Tyler! Nice double!

Saturday morning I requested Morgans help to put up Christmas lights. With a new house this season, the planning was fun to get the house lit up nice. Ethan had his last Championship game with his Freshman team, and they won 45-12. They were on a 10-0, winninng streak. Even though Ethan still couldn't play he supported his team by going to practises and games for the remaining two months. The last game was as exciting as the others with 80 yard runs/touchdowns, and several interceptions from the AF team.

Saturday night Morgan was again my companion and he went with me to the American Heritage School (private LDS/patriotic school grades K-11, and coincidentally, my employeer, Curtis Miner architecturally designed the school.) A concert was being held there that honored the WWII Veterens through original song & student orchestra and video display. It was very moving and I was so grateful for Morgan coming with me. A family who recently lost their son in Afganistan attended and were honored as well. Curtis and Janine graciously got me tickets and it was such an amazing event with how well the student orchestra performed and the original songs that followed the lives of several real soldiers and their families.

Sunday Drive - Battle Creek Falls

The weather was so great, staying indoors was impossible! After church we packed up the dogs and went to a canyon nearby called Battle Creek. Ethan's dog, Bear loves to fetch anything you throw so the boys had a great time throwing sticks, and discarded water bottles. Bear climbed the steep walls of the canyon and amazingly didn't tumble down. Gretchen did a good job keeping the pace, though she doesn't like to fetch. On the top picture you can see Gretchen walking towards me to Ethans left and Bear is behind Morgan looking for the plastic bottle.

Ethans Halloween Masterpiece

Ethan did a great job of carving his Halloween pumpkin. Our ward did a 'Trunk or Treat" at the church with a chile dinner for the kids and adults. We decorated the back of the Jeep and handed out candy. Saturday Annalisa came over with Chance and Zoe and we had my famous BBQ Baked Beans & bread. It was terrific and later we awaited the throng of kids. Ethan and I set a stuffed spider to drop from the porch overhang when I open the door to greet tricksters. It was pretty funny to tease the kids for their treats. My house didn't get as many kids as anticipated, but enough to make the Spider a hit!

A Walk in the Park

Wild flowers were planted in the park across the street and with the season getting cooler, the Cosmos' have gone crazy! Of course I had to snap a few shots of the awesome colors. I was tempted to post all 2 dozen shots, but I opted for just a couple.

Nothing more beautiful than a face full of flowers.

Ahhhh....the aroma is fantastic.

Sunday Pearls

While sitting in Church this past Sunday a thought came to me that I wanted to share the messages on any given Sunday that touched my understanding. A high counselman spoke and he talked on the subject of obedience. His favorite Old Testiment story is that of Samual, and he gave the ancient prophets biography. Bro. Brown is from Austrailia and it is interesting to hear him speak, but his message was so inspiring. He said relating sacrifice to obedience, "Sacrifice is not doing something hard, it is sacrificing your will to Heavenly Father." If you know me at all, you know I love photo's of nature and capturing the colors that have been painted by the Masters hand. This photo was posted on the internet in a place on KSL.com, called PictureLine. I cruise through the photos people have taken and am so grateful for snapshots of places I'd love to be at. I welcome fall and the glorious season of vibrant colors.

Gave a talk in Church today

A midweek call from the Sunday meeting coordinator put me on the Sacrament Meeting lineup behind a returned missionary. Ok, cool... The topic was a YW theme, Individual Worth. With a little help from the internet I put a talk together. With the missionary giving his report and a musical number, I had 5 minutes remaining to deliver my talk. I gave the 'Cliff note' version and it still came off ok. Lot of people told me I did a great job and they appreciated my message. I'll paste my favorite phrase.

"Individual worth is simply knowing you are a child of God and then acting accordingly. Individual Worth is knowing that you are worth the price the Savior paid for each of us on the cross and in the Garden of Gethsemane. Individual Worth is accepting the gift of the Atonement into our lives. It is telling the Savior that we are indeed worth the price he paid for each of us. He thinks we are worth it, or He wouldn’t have done it. I hope that we can all remember who we truly are, sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father and Mother"

Nick and girlfriend Michelle - Ethan, Annie & I

Nick is feeling the bite of the Love Bug! He recently met Michelle in Logan and they've been fast friends and spending lots of time together. I got to meet her this weekend and we met Annie at her work and then went out for dinner at Red Robin. Annalisa recently got promoted to a FYE management position and works at the Provo Town Mall location. Michelle is very nice, very pretty, and has a great sense of self. She seems very solid and know's who she is. She has my vote!

Morgans Wheels

Morgan's giving his new car a wash down. We made it a family affair and we all detailed it together. I did the vaccuming, and Ethan and Morgan wiped down the interior. The car is a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix. Morgan worked a deal with his Dad and will be looking for a job. A friend worked on flat ironing his hair. It looked pretty cool, but WAY too much work for him to do.

Football Foibles

I really don't know where I get some of these words.....Ha... Ethan is the player on the sidelines wearing the white hat.....oh, and the sling! At practise last week he was doing lineman drills and another player, charged him from his right side and it sent him flying about 5 yards. He landed on his arm and shoulder and that's when he felt it snap. Yep, he knew he broke his collar bone, because he had done it 4 times before. The team had a great game, won 44 to O. Ethan won't be playing anymore this season but he' has alot of team spirit to share! Go Ethan!

Welcome Sign

My pet project for the past couple weeks has been my front door. When I first moved in, the door was chapped and dry from years of exposure and neglect. It was sun bleached to a pale tan. The interior side of the door looks great, the wood being a Knotty Alder. Last spring I stained the door and thought I had a good protective coat, but through the summer the door dried again and the stain would come off on your hands in a powder. I stained it again and it looks terrific. As with my Green Grass, I have taken unusual pleasure in restoring that which was neglected and to make it better. Since I was a child, I loved the painting of the Savior, standing just outside the door, waiting for the knock. I want all who know me, to always feel welcome here. An imaginary "Welcome" sign continues to hang above my door.

Families Forever - Thanks to modern communication!

I have the best family in the world. I love all of them dearly. Specifically, Mom & Dad, my brothers (4) and my sister. Of course, my children as well. As one who finds great joy in developing relationships, I savor the times when I get to speak to any one in my family. Just last night my oldest brother, JEH called and we had a marvelous conversation. He's the most authentic person I know. A couple weeks ago I had opportunity to talk with DMH, another brother. Now he's as real as they get. Before that, my sister and I had a lengthy chat on the phone and I hope she know's how much I love her. In July I got to visit in person with most of my siblings and Wow, am I lucky to be related to people like that. I've had the most fun emailing my Mom and Dad and keeping up with news on the phone. My kids and I often text, email and talk on the phone. Looks like a common thread here is being so grateful for modern communication to keep these family ties alive. I could go into a whole next chapter on how grateful I am for the friends in my life but.....I'll save that for another post, oh yeah, I just did that in the BFF's post! Ha...

(May I most reverently present this photo that belongs to a dear family wherein the Mother recently passed away. This photo symbolizes to me the loving web of families and the eternal round of our Heavenly Fathers Love.)

BFF's 4 Realz

I had a sweet reminder last night. The posts for the Blog doesn't have to be from the present, but pulling pictures from the album is ok too. This is Shanda. She's my BFF and embodies true sisterhood. We met in Idaho about 15 years ago and she's been my Rock during the best of times, the worst of times and everything in between. I am so grateful for the Lords vision to know I needed a friend like her in my life. I've had special friends in the various chapters of my life, SM,DMB,CMW, GKR,WS, TR, LM, SG, AM, AW, DW, JM, CP, CJ, TK, PL. Each has brought a special element to my life and I appreciate each one of you. Shanda, I am so very proud of you. I love you forever my forever friend. A word must be mentioned to Layne, her husband. Thanks Layne for all you are to my family and the support you have been to Shanda. Shanda and I got to go to Hawaii together in 1996 and we've had so much fun together ever since. We shared a pregnancy's together, and raised our children together for years to come. She now lives in Southern Arizona and I miss her alot, but all it takes is a phone call and BAMM!, she's right back inside your heart....not that she ever leaves....but the girl is the BOMB! I am so lucky! I am eternally blessed by all my friendships, THANKS LADIES!

Football Strikes Again.....

Ethans team with American Fork Cavemen, 9th Grade team is doing great! They won 44-7 against Provo High. The team is 5 and 0 so far. Ethan's number is 64. Go Team! Ethan had some great 'sacks' tonight. He plays Lineman Nose Guard.

Tibble Fork Adventure with LM

Our aim was to capture the moment, but we did so much more. LM met at my house this morning and we took the nickel tour. Using teamwork we hooked up the 4 wheeler to the Jeep and headed up the American Fork Canyon to Tibble Fork Reservoir. LM had not been on a 4wheeler before so I told her the basics of being a rider, hold on tight, make your spine like a jelly fish and lean uphill. After riding the trail a while, finding a creek to splash through, we found a great place for a great picnic lunch. Perfect spot....Trees, Shade and a Creek! LM was a quick study and she drove the 4wheeler back down the trail a ways. Couldn't pass up another splash in the creek on the way down. The sites were breathtaking. So glad for the outing and the fun time with LM. Let's go AGAIN!

Labor Day Weekend Hike & Picnic

Gavin decided that wading in the pool of the falls was colder than he figured on. The cool mist sure was refreshing!

Family Adventures - Labor Day Weekend

Organizing a family picnic is a bit of an obstacle, but once you are amongst the tall pines, smelling fresh air laced with the scent of BBQ sauce singed onto hamburgers, sitting with your favorite people in the world...it's all worth it! We gathered at the trail head of the Mnt. Timpanogos just past Aspen Grove on the Sundance Resort highway. Luckily we got a nice picnic table under shady pines and had ourselves a great picnic. We then walked around a huge outdoor amphitheater, and then headed up the trail to the first waterfalls. It's about a mile up a moderately steep incline and we sure appreciated the shady trees! At the falls, Morgan and Ethan and Chance dunked their heads in the water pool at the base of the falls for a quick cool down. The evening was finished with a nice ride along the Scenic Alpine Loop. Mike and Bridgett were on their motorcycle, and Annie and Chance followed in her car.

Ride like the Wind

Michael and Bridgett go for a moonlight ride around town. Mike brought his Road Warrior down for the Labor Day weekend. We made a visit to the Harley Davidson shop in Lindon and after a stroll about, had some 'Sliders' at Marleys. Gavins loved all the bikes and got to ride on a Motor bike with the help of a quarter. Mike loves his dirt bike as well and frequently takes to the mountains, climbing hills and rocky trails. Nice outlet to his weekday job as a banker!

A moment with Morgan

Morgan likes to do lot's of stuff, but I don't have many pictures showing him doing them. He's now half way through his 16th year and is a Jr. in High School. He loves to play basket ball and is so good at XBox, he's getting bored with it. He's gotten so tall this year, now at 6'3", (even taller if you count the poof of his tight curly hair.) Morgan had some great campout's during the summer, one of them floating the rapids in the Snake River near Jackson Hole, WY, and he loved the 4-wheeling adventure in Idaho. School seems to be a breeze for him, and he's wanting to find a job so he can maintain a car. He recently got his braces off and his new smile is a tickles your happy button. Morgan your Mama loves you!

Cousin Hilary's Wedding - July 2009 - Lake Tahoe, NV.

Annalisa stands with her Uncle Dean and Cousin Maggie, and Tiffany. Her cousin Hilary married Eddy at a beautiful location at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Annie is a beautiful woman, going to UVU in Orem, Utah, to become a Social Worker with a focus in Art Therapy. She shares an apartment in Orem with friends and works part time. Her family is very proud of her.

Annie with boyfriend Chance

Annie and Chance have been going out for over a year and life is good for them.

2009 Durocher Family Camp - Big Springs, ID.

Nothing better than finger on the throttle, blazing through the trees, climbing rocky trails and eating dirt! With seven 4-wheelers and a dirt bike, the group of us had a great time at a camp ground called Big Springs, near Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. We had a great camp spot with lots of trees, 2 picnic tables, a fire pit and a creek nearby. The weather was great and cooking over the fire with dutch ovens and hotdog sticks makes for the best of times.

Let's go again, and real soon!

Lagoon Day - "Wicked"

I always smile at this picture. David and Ashlee have just completed the ride called Wicked, at Lagoon in Layton, Utah. And this is them on the ride here at the top. I rode this twice and thought my head was going to fall off my neck! My company at Curtis Miner Architecture hosts a day at Lagoon every summer and boy do we have a blast! Love you Dave & Ashlee!

Boys and their Toys

In a way, our family could be likened to Detroit, Michigan, Motor City of the World. We could be called Motor Family, USA. Posted here is Nicholas with his new Road Warrior Bike in front of his '06 Toyota Tundra. One day during Sunday dinner, we listed 28, now 29 motor vehicles that Nicholas has owned since the age of 16. He is a pro at buying cheap, fixing and selling for a nice profit. David is very good at this as well. Mike has his share of things that go and that reminds me of a song from Sesamie Street a LONG time ago....went like this.....Ohhh we're for a ride....Sally-go-sa-moo.....Going to sail the ocean blue.... Well something like that...I had to knock on some rusty brain cells to get that much figured out. Ha... Of course, I had to have a thrill ride with Nick on his bike. I do love my hair flipping in the wind, which it would have if he didn't make wear the stinkin' helmut!