The Sword Ceremony

Abby has completed all of her requirements in the Noble Youth Commonwealth Sword of Freedom class, which included:

Reading Across Five Aprils

Reading To Kill a Mockingbird

Reading Uncle Tom's Cabin

Memorizing scriptures

Memorizing songs

Memorizing Gettysburg Address

Writing a weekly opinion paper

Among other requirements!

 For completing the semester, the scholars are rewarded with a sword. But more than that, they are rewarded with a deeper knowledge, love and understand of our beloved country and the sacrifices that have been made to keep in 'our' country. May they ever reflect upon the lessons that have been taught and continue their journey on the path of knowledge, wisdom and patriotism!

Fare thee well, Good Sir

Stephen Pratt, 

a wonderful man and friend, 

passed away last month. 

His passing is a great loss to the true lovers of freedom. 

He was a great teacher and patriot. 

He will be missed by many.

Remember my children..

Thank you DeeDee for sharing this on Facebook

Movie Time

This is too funny!

Salt Lake City

 In the morning hours on the day after Christmas, we started our journey to Utah. We took Morgan and Abby to stay with Saint Sandy and then Eric, Emma, Abraham and I headed north.

Eric and I visited and I kept my hands busy with a little bit of knitting.

When we got to Provo, we headed over to hang out and play games with Jamie Garlick, David and Melissa Eggertsen and Mr. & Mrs. Updyke.After that we headed to the hotel and zonked out! Next day...snow.

Eric's case got cancelled that day, so we leisurely strolled into SLC after getting a bite to eat. We decided to take in a movie. Les Miserables was wonderful. Then dinner and check in to the Marriott.

We had an interesting view from the 10th floor.

 Eric stayed busy at work on Friday, so we hung at the hotel room, reading and relaxing with a Starbucks break in the middle of the day. Later in the evening, we walked to City Creek Center and got a delightful Italian dinner and Cheesecake Factory for dessert.

Then Home Again!

Christmas Morning 2012

 

 What a wonderful year and what a glorious Christmas day! 

 We began our morning with some yummy Hot Oatmeal drink and french toast bake.
After our bellies were filled the children opened their stockings to see what Santa had brought for them.
 Then upstairs to get ourselves ready for the day. We left the house at about 1 to go visit the elderly at 2 different retirement homes. We had filled brown paper sacks with some small goodies and passed them out to whomever we saw first. At our first stop there were some ladies who sat and visited with us in the Great Room. It was a very touching experience and also an eyeopening one.How sad it is to be left and forgotten on any day, but most especially on such an important day.
 After our visits were over, we headed back home to start some dinner. Artisan bread with oil and vinegar, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, fruit and cheese... While all of that was being put together, Jamie, Kyle and Moses stopped by to exchange gifts. Then dinner was served and at about 8pm we gathered around the Christmas tree to exchange our gifts to each other. Truly the most wonderful and thoughtful gifts were given this year. Pretty poems and cards, sweet stitches and knots, perplexing puzzles and tasty treats.
 To end the evening we got all cozy and watch George C Scott A Christmas Carol. I couldn't have wished for a better day. Thank you to my dear husband and my sweet children for making it so!

I love the Stache

Enough said.