Temples

So, I saw this really great idea on my niece's blog-- wait, is your nephew's wife your "niece", or your "nephew's wife"...?

Anyway, Nicole did a post on all of the temples in her life, and I thought that it would be fun.


Washington, DC

This is the temple that was closest to us when I first joined the church and for most of my high school years. I grew up in London, Ontario, Canada, and it was a 14-hour trip. Each Spring Break we would have a Temple Trip. It was a fun, four-day excursion to Washington, DC {2 days travel, one day sight-seeing The Mall monuments, and one day at The Temple doing baptisms}. I have such fond memories of this beautiful temple. ♥

Los Angeles, CA

I visited this temple when we were in LA as tourists in 1988. We only visited the Visitor's Center. Very lovely.

Idaho Falls, ID

Back in the Stone Age, when BYU Idaho was called Ricks College, we went for many trips to Idaho Falls to do baptisms. Some of my many memories from Rexburg, Idaho.

Salt Lake City, UT

Sadly, I have never been through this temple. As a college student, I walked the grounds at Christmas {gorgeous beyond words!}, and at General Conference. As an adult, our family walked the grounds during General Conference. I look forward to going through this temple before I am a little old, blue-haired lady!

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I went through this temple during its Open House and also attended its Dedication in 1990. President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated this temple when he was in the First Presidency. ♥ It is gorgeous, as they all are. It was my first time to be through a temple and to see all of the beautiful sealing rooms.

Atlanta, GA

♥♥This is where John and I were married!! ♥♥

♥I was also sealed to my family here.♥

We lived in south Florida {Boynton Beach}at the time, and this was our closest temple. We made several subsequent trips there since John's family lived 2 hours from this temple.

Dallas, TX

This is our home temple. We have lived her since 1993 and have attended this temple ever since. We have had many special memories here. ♥

Orlando, FL

This temple would have come in handy when we lived in Florida! ☺

It was built not long after we left. We have visited it two times; once in 2002 and once again in 2007. Both times we were only on the grounds outside to take pictures. We visited on the sundays during our Disney World trips!

San Antonio, TX

We attended the Open House to this temple. This was a neat experience because we got to go through as a family (minus Nick). It was so amazing walk though the sealing rooms with Maddy and Stephie. ♥ What a wonderful family memory.

Mesa, AZ

This summer when we visit John's dad and step-mom in Arizona, we are going to go to this temple. ♥

We are going to try to take Maddy and Stephie to do baptisms. I am looking very forward to it!

For more information on Temples or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, click the previous words or for MORMON.org click here.

The Dirty Dozen

In an effort to make better choices for our family's food, I have started to buy organic. Well, you thought food prices were high?... try buying organic! wow. At least that is what I thought until I came across this great information.

Here is a list of the produce with consistently the highest pesticide residues. They are called the Dirty Dozen. When possible, at least purchase organics of these items and you will be doing your family a good turn.


Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Pears
Grapes (Imported)
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes

On the flip-side, these are the least contaminated fruits and veggies. Purchase these items in the regular section of the produce department.

Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn (Frozen)
Pineapples
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas (Frozen)
Kiwi Fruit
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Papaya

I am sure that you have noticed that many things are not listed in either list. With those, I buy organic if the price isn't too outrageous or regular if I just really need or want it.

For more information on organics check out Organic.org.

American Idol David Cook!

Okay, so I am almost a week late with this update! wow. I didn't see that coming-- I mean, I pictured myself blogging this ten minutes later. Anyway, life gets in the way sometimes, as it did this past week.

So, I actually 'heard' the results via a text message from my daughter Stephie. I was rocking out at The Police concert, and missed watching the Results Show live.

I was totally excited that David Cook won! Woo Hoo!

Don't get me wrong, I am DEFINITELY a David Archuleta fan, and always will be. He has an amazing, pitch-perfect voice. He sings with great control and emotion, and nearly always moves me with his music.

When it comes to the music that I listen to, David Cook is more my style. There was only one song that I didn't care for in the whole competition. I love the fact that he is a self-proclaimed 'word nerd.' Too cool.

So without further ado, and without much in the way of clever repartee, here is the clip if you missed it. {forward to 2:15 to avoid the pre-results ramble, if you like}

Call the Police, I've Been Stung!

Concert Tickets: $200
Parking: $15
T-shirts: {$ way too much x 2}
A Night Out to see The Police: Priceless

The concert was AMAZING!

They sound so good! Sting's voice is just incredible.
They played all of my favorites. I just couldn't help myself, I had to dance and wave my arms and scream... we can't forget scream! WooHoo!
They had two encores. We clapped and screamed for several minutes and they came out and performed Roxanne, a personal favorite. Wow. Was that cool.
I boogied to Every Little Things She Does is Magic, and Don't Stand So Close to Me.

Rory and Johnny
Leaving for the Concert

Aurora and Kristy
I knew that she and Rob were going, but imagine my surprise to bump into them there!
Note: Kristy has been to every Police concert {and Sting, too I believe} since she was 15 years old!!

Waiting for the Concert to Start

Our View

I am so glad that we went! It truly was fabulous. Happy Birthday, Johnny. And thanks for sharing your present!


On the Sunny Side...

Are You Kidding Me?
So I have officially arrived as a blogger. When I saw a line outside the men's room, I just couldn't help myself! Oh, and there was no line outside the ladies room.
And then it hit me. Beer.

I'm So Excited... and I Just Can't Hide It!

That was Then... This is Now...
I just can't even believe that we are going to see The Police on Wednesday night!!

Remember when I gave John tickets to go to The Police concert for his birthday way back in March??

Well, the time is here at long last.

Well, maybe two more days, but who's counting? Oh yeah, I am!

Da doo doo doo; da da da da! ♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

My 1950's Name

Did you ever wonder what your parents would have named you if you lived in a different decade? Well, here's your chance to find out!Enjoy!

Your 1950s Name is:

Frances Darlene

What's" your 1950s Name?

Okay, I may not be crazy about my 1950's name, but I would love to get my hands on that adorable dress and handbag!

The Perfect Finale

I have been wanting it for months. My absolute two faves to win this American Idol season are David Cook and David Archuleta.
And what to my wondering ears should be heard?... Battle of the Davids. Excellent.

David Archuleta is adorable. Sweet. He has almost perfect pitch every time. He sings beautifully. You name it, he can sing it. He is sweet, he is adorable... wait, am I looping? Here he is with Love Me Tender. Sing it, Davey!♥



David Cook, well, COOKS! He is the most amazing rocker/balladier. wow. He can rock out just about any song- even the most unlikely Andrew Llody Webber or Roberta Flack! He has moved me to tears a few times. This past Tuesday was no exception with First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. I'm telling you. It moved me. (this is the one, Marie ☺)



Next week will be killer! I can't wait to see them battle it out. I think that the cream has definitely risen to the top.

Ever Have One of These Days?

Sometimes I'm the baby. Sometimes I am the cat.

A few Sundays ago, I was the cat.

I straighten my hair. I have it razor-layered at the front/bottom. I don't have a good picture. The one on the sidebar is when it was a lot longer.

Anyway, I was asked why I would EVER cut my hair. It used to look so nice. Now it looks like someone gnawed it. MEOW!

True Story.

My Yard Guy

I have a great resource for you for Garden Design.

My brother Greg has taken the leap and started his own business.  If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and need a little help with Garden Design, Custom Container Work, Tree Planting or Sod, just go ask MyYardGuy.  That's right, MyYardGuy.net.

Greg is a student of landscape design. He has experience managing jobs with a prestigious landscape design firm in Old Fort Worth. He has great resources, a flexible schedule, reasonable rates and a knack for all things Green.

Thanks in advance!

Aurora

Burger Day Festival

So here I am; freshly-arrived in Oklahoma, and ready to get a party on! This is my super-fab Aunt Viv. She is ten years older than me, but we have kids who are similar in age. It is a blast when we get together. She brings out my silly side!

Nicky had a major crush on Aunt Vivi! It was sooo cute! He flirted like crazy with her.

Oh, and note that Froggy is wearing a pullup. He is potty-training, you know. (Nick's idea-- he has pullups on many of his lovies.)

Here is Jack, Stephie and Maddy. They always have a good time together. Jack is a big teddy bear. Everyone loves to be around him. Aliki was MIA at the moment. She had lots of things on the go, but we were able to see her a bit and look forward to more time with her in the summer.

The moment we had all been waiting for... Jack performs with his band, The Merge. Jack composed all of the songs that they played, and I am here to tell you that they were GREAT! It was so amazing to see.

Wide Shot of the Band

Their name on the marquee.

Lilly and Nick on the Ferris Wheel
It surprised me that-- not only did they want to ride it-- but also that no hysterical screaming broke out. I didn't have to have the ride stopped. I didn't have the scale the structure...
I have climbed in one-too-many McDonald's play tubes in my time...

Maddy and Stephie Enjoying the Festival

Stephie won a Fish!! We call him Pablo.
There is more to this story. I'll do Pablo's Perils post tomorrow...

Lilly with Balloon Poodle on a Leash
... so she only really wanted it for a minute, and then I had to carry it... but I had to be careful with it... and I had to be sure not to pop it...

The Monster Line for the Much-Awaited Onion Burger

Mmmm... this bite it for Rebecca, and whomever else requested one!
They were good and greasy... so was the funnel cake, the fries, the sugared almonds...

Jack got a temporary tattoo to commemorate the occasion.

Aunt Viv and Uncle Ray
(thanks for letting us crash the festival, guys!)

Aurora and the Barbie Nash Rambler
There was a car show going on too, but I am not normally drawn to cars. This one, however, had me at Hello.

A Quick Get-Away

And we are off for a little trip up to
"O-O-O-Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain.."

We are going to visit my favorite-aunt-of-all-time Viv! She lives in El Reno with her husband Ray, and her children Aliki and Jack. This weekend is the Burger Day Festival. Yes, as in hamburgers. Yummy. {wait are they on my eating plan?--who cares!} At this great little festival Jack, who is lead-guitar in a band called The Merge, is performing. We are all jazzed to make the trip up there to see them do that thing they do.

So I guess I better finish packing and load up our surrey with the fringe on top!

Have a great weekend!

Farewell, Brooke

Dear Brooke,
We love you. You are amazing. We have loved you from the moment you challenged Simon to bring you over to the dark side.
You have such a wonderfully raspy-sweet voice and you just absolutely ooze niceness. When you are in your groove, you bring out our Inner Hippie. You certainly can do a mean Carly Simon, Carole King and Pat Benatar and yet your are so tender at the piano. You have often brought us to tears.
We are sad to see you go, but hope that in your leaving it means that we will be hearing a CD from you really soon.
With love,
Your Adoring Fans

Sadly, American Idol says good-bye to Brooke White. I have liked her from the beginning. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy.

You're So Vain


Love is a Battlefield


Let It Be