HOLY Papayas

I saw this picture on the Temple's blog, and thought it deserved special attention because of this blog's name.


Where the heck did you find such huge papayas, Ephraim and Melinda?

Witness to a Killing

On Saturday Jaydn and I, as well as Les, Chandler and my Dad went down to the Utah Jazz basketball game. We had dinner at the Olive Garden, and then walked over to the game.

We stopped for a moment at the collection of Ford Mustangs out in front of the arena. Then Chandler's eye caught sight of something even better.

A Ferarri.

See the smile on his face?

Jaydn looks like he's thinking, "oh, the power!! Yes!!!"

We had great seats at the game.

I mean, here's the view from our upper bowl seats. The pictures above were captured with my zoom lens.

Go forth thou bald head, you're too bright!

Jaydn had a blast, but only when he wasn't whacking me in the head with his blow-up noisemakers.

I'm not sure what "A pa mini" means.

The Jazz won, 124-97. A killing. And we loved every minute of it.

Conference Weekend

Conference is a good excuse to get off work early. Especially when you are going to Utah to see family, Mark the Shark, and also have Priesthood tickets.

I was a general grump on the trip down. Large lunch, too much computer research and a 3:30 pm departure turned me into a grump. Nobody was funny. No one had anything good to say. Four hours of driving, humph. Get me out of this car.

Saturday was much better. In the morning we visited Mark and Andrea for breakfast at Andrea's apartment. They are just a cute little engaged couple. Check out their pictures at http://www.mark-and-andrea.blogspot.com/.

After the first Saturday session, I had scheduled for Jessi and I to visit the JRCLS law luncheon at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. But driving into SLC downtown at conference time is ridiculous. So we stopped at a UTA shuttle train station and rode to Temple Square.

I really shouldn't have told Jessi and just about everyone else that a general authority was probably speaking at the luncheon. I think I used the word "probably" when explaining it to people, but I don't think Jessi did. So, a whole bunch of people thought we were going to some big thing (well so did I, actually).

It turned out to be just another big shmooze-fest put on by BYU Law School. Oh sure, there were a few judges and professors, but mostly law students and alumni were there. Once Jessi realized that no general authority would be speaking, I realized that I had turned a few hors d' oeuvres into a really impressive-sounding hot-shot lunch party. Jessi just laughed at me. I felt like "baa-ing" like a sheep. You know those times when you are really glad you are married to your date? This was one of those times.

We took our cheesy picture in front of the Temple (above), and headed back to our car.

I came back with Les, Jared and Chandler and attended the Priesthood Session. We had spectacular seats. I mean, some of the best, I think. We were close enough to see the expressions on the general authorities' faces as they spoke. It is really something that everyone should have the opportunity to experience. Twenty-thousand plus Priesthood holders in one room. During the opening prayer, I could have sworn we had all caught whooping cough or something. When 20,000+ men are completely quiet, all you can hear is the prayer, and a WHOLE bunch of people clearing their throats.

And if you've never seen President Monson wiggle his ears, you missed out. It was hilarious.

So very impressive and spiritual. Twelve-year old deacons taking copious notes. Fathers and sons together receiving guidance at the feet of the prophets. My favorite talk was by President Eyring about the oath and covenant of the Priesthood. Beautiful music. I enjoyed every minute of it.

We watched the Sunday sessions at Jessi's brother's house in Orem. It was a wonderful Conference weekend.

Equal Justice

This, I think, is the latest funny coming out of American Samoa. Whoever said it was difficult to get a public defender needed to move to AS. Usually, your eligibility is based upon your income. Well, in the latest criminal case to hit the headlines, the mayor of the capitol of American Samoa, Pago Pago, was represented in court by a public defender. Sheesh! He must really be hard up for cash!

http://samoanews.com/friday.04042008/story1.html

A Nightmare

Last night I woke up to a blood-curtling scream. "MOM! MOM! MOM!...." I ran into Jaydn's room to see what was wrong. "Why are you screaming?" "I don't know," he says, as he lays his head back on his pillow and goes back to sleep. I walked back into our bedroom and Jessi mumbles, "you should check the chart." Whatever. I'm going back to sleep.

A few minutes later, "MOM! MOM! MOM!!!" This time, I don't respond. Jessi brings Jaydn into our bed.

Next thing I know, Jessi turns to me in the middle of the night and says, "D, E, F, G, A, B, C," and then lays back down. Teaching piano in her sleep or something.

Can you tell they are related?