Tennis

David and I went and played tennis on Friday over at Mountain View. They really have the best courts in Orem. I haven't played in forever and still have my same racket from my sophomore year in high school. I need to get it restrung. The strings are fraying. I had forgotten how much I enjoy playing and how much energy it takes. My arms are sore and I got a blister on my thumb from gripping the racket. It took us a while to get back into it but we got a couple of good rally's going. The balls were a little dead so had to hit it harder. I purchased some new ones last night and can't wait to go again. It is a fun sport and really one you can play forever.

Moroccan

I purchased a food processor and dual grill/griddle for the stove over the weekend. I have wanted both forever and finally got around to buying it. Actually, I have enough points on my credit card for a gift card to cover both.

Anyway, when Tyler was at the doctor I saw a recipe in a magazine for Moroccan Sliders, which is a cake made out of white beans. Similar to making crab cakes or anything like that. They turned out really good. Tyler was out with friends and didn't come home for dinner so he is trying them today. The only ingredient I didn't have was a spice called Harrissi (?). Not sure I would be able to find it anyway. You are supposed to mix it with mayo but I don't like mayo so ate it dry. I told Ty it would probably be good with mozzarella. This is probably the only time I will cook this week but the processor worked great and I love it. I want to make crab cakes. Barefoot Contessa has a good recipe for them.

I called him to come home by ten because I wanted to have scripture study and FHE. He reminded me that we haven't done it in forever. Nice try Ty. Doesn't mean we can't start over. He got home @ 10:15. I told him he needed to be home earlier in the evenings because we have things to get done and we need to finish his online math class. I want to try and get it done over the summer so we don't have to work on it during a busy school year. He got upset that he has a curfew in the summer and is almost eighteen. Sorry, but just because you are out of school doesn't mean you get to stay out from morning til night and play. Unfortunately, there is a lot to do and never enough time to do it. I wish I could get the summer off from school and work. And it is not a curfew. I just don't have any other time to do it and I get too tired later in the evenings.

For FHE we did a couple of YouTube messages. It was so nice & easy and I didn't have to think or plan anything myself. Tyler is going to do the message for next week from his seminary notes.

Saturday

Mutti called and asked if I wanted to go walking up Provo Canyon. She wanted to start walking again and take Ashley. It was overcast and so we took some poncho's with us, which we needed as half way up it started pouring. We walked the upper part from Bridal Veil to Vivian. Ashley loved it and was able to get in and swim. It wasn't very busy because of the weather which was nice.
Afterwards David wanted to go see "Up" so we all went to Ruby River Steakhouse and then to see "Up" in 3D. I had been Ruby River quite a bit with work but it was the others first time. They have really good steak and sourdough bread. Mutti and Michael really liked it and mentioned we should do the next birthday there. Ty's is the next birthday so I guess we are going to Ruby River. Everyone liked "Up." My mom loves it. It is really cute so if you haven't seen it you should.
It was a fun day but other than cleaning house I didn't get anything done. I still have to go grocery shopping and had to get up early Sunday to prepare my lesson for church. They mentioned yesterday that the church has a site on YouTube called "Mormon Messages." I guess it was created to share information about the church but they are interesting even for members and I think will make great family home evening messages. I liked the "Why Mormons Build Temples" and "Elder Christensen - A Book with a Promise." Check it out.

Prom

Ty's pictures from Prom.

Park City

Linda & Mardene
Taking a break

Me & Mardene

Me sitting behind the wheel

Mardene won a year lease on a BMW convertible so we played hooky from work yesterday and went up to Park City and went shopping at the Outlet stores and to lunch. It was so much fun. I wish I could do it every week. Park City wasn't too busy and we had a nice long lunch. Mardene let us drive the BMW. I would have loved to have had it in college. I think it is a great college car. We stopped at Sundance on the way home and put the top down. It was a blast. I have decided that if I get a PhD. degree that I am going to lease a Mercedes convertible as my reward. I don't want it long term but it would be fun for a few years.

Provo Canyon Pictures

Bridal Veil Falls
Provo Trail

Provo River

Provo Trail

Linda and I went walking again on Tuesday. I can't believe how wet it is in June and cool. Today we are in the mid 70's. So unusual for Utah. Everthing is really green still. You wouldn't believe we are living in a desert. Posted some pics of the trail. I love walking on it. We have been going up to Bridal Veil which is about 7 miles round trip. We are going to have to start going to Vivien which I think is 12 miles. Last night we just went over to the track by Mountain View HS. We didn't feel like a long walk.

Walking Provo Canyson

Linda (a friend from work) and I are training to walk the Provo 1/2 marathon in August. We did it last year in 3.20 hours. I realized last week that the 1/2 is only two months away so we have decided to up our mileage and begin walking in the canyon. We decided to start on Thursday. I walked out of my door and it was pouring rain so I called Linda and we decided to go anyway as the weather over the canyon didn't look too bad. That is why I like going with Linda. I would have used the weather as an excuse to stay home. I need someone to force me to do things. We got a little wet on the way up but not too bad. Even worse than the rain were the bugs. They kept pestering me or I just was able to see them better. It's like spiders. There can't be a spider in the house without me seeing it. We walked up to Bridal Veil and back and it was really enjoyable. I don't know anywhere that has a better trail than Provo Canyon. Unfortunately we talk the entire time and don't focus on what we are doing so we always go slow.

Jewelry

I went down to the mall during lunch just to wander and waste time. I had been eyeing a ring for a while and there was an extra 20% off clearanced fine jewelry so after calling Michael and Mutti to get the ok, I purchased it. I helped justify it to myself that I am worth it! Not really, I have called it my graduation gift from graduate school. I have a final next week and then one more class for my MBA and then four more classes for marketing and public administration. I also have to start studying for the GRE again. Once should be enough no matter how old it is and begin my application to BYU. I take it back, I do deserve it. Just thinking of school makes me tired and sick to my stomach. The picture doesn't do it justice. It is really a beautiful ring.

Ty Still Sick

Tyler starting running a fever again yesterday and got up to 102.6. He of course stayed home from church was miserable all day. We finally managed to get it down to under 100 and went for a drive up Provo Canyon last night so he could get out. We were amazed by the new road, the amount of water, and the amount of new construction up the canyon. I couldn't believe how many people are building up there. It is no longer what is was.

Well, this morning Tyler work up and he was back to over 102 degrees so I decided to take him in to see the doctor and managed to get an appointment. Yea, it was the typical. Immediately did a strep test. I knew he didn't have strep but hey, I didn't spend eight years in medical school so what do I know. The test of course came back negative and so it is a virus - you know, the term that gets used when they have no idea what it is.

It is not a virus. That is why I hesitated and didn't take him in two weeks ago when he had the same symptoms and was up to 103 degrees. There is something wrong which his body is reacting to. I think I am going to have to figure this out on my own as the medical profession will never figure it out.

Now Tyler is stuck at home all day again missing out on all the summer activities.

Yard Work

Mutter cleaning up after the dog
Daddy taking it easy while we work. Notice the role of TP.
We can't get him to use kleenex.



Michael working on the futon

Ashley - her tail goes non-stop and annoys us

but she had fun with all the attention

Tyler mowing the grass

Michael, Mutti, Daddy, and I all worked in their yard on Saturday putting in mulch, planting more flowers. Tyler cut the front and back yard. Daddy eventually came out to help and built some more planter boxes. Tyler is going to take one of them for his personal garden. One box was already built and planted. We will have to see how it goes. Michael and I also put together the futon for Grandpa's office. We also cut most of the lilac bushes down. Next week they are coming to cut down the trees and install a new fence and curbing in the back. Michael and I are getting the rest of the back ready to lay rocks. We put down gray paper to prevent the weeds from growing. It was a lot of work and of course we are not finished.

I worked eight hours in the yard and then went home to try and prepare my lesson for church. I have been called to teach Gospel Doctrine - again. This calling is my nemesis. I get it in every ward.

I have the best

brothers in the world. I wasn't feeling well again on Wednesday. Just the usual stress and headaches that are my constant companions. Thursday Michael dropped by before going to the history center and brought me a couple of gifts from he and David and a card. They are the best!

EFY

Tyler went to EFY at BYU last week. I forgot to take a picture of him down at BYU so took one of him unloading his stuff. Although not as great as in past years he still enjoyed it and came home looking really good. He claims to have gained 10 pounds which is a bonus. He purchased a couple of books from the Bookstore and a BYU Dance t-shirt.

Olive Garden

Kate, Kristina, & Michael
Ty & Mutti

Kate with her Princess sunglasses

Kristina and Mutti stopped by Penney's on Saturday after we were done working and we all went to lunch together at the Olive Garden. They had us wait 25 minutes before seating us because they were waiting for one specific table to clear despite the fact the restaurant was empty.

I don't know why but we were all really tired Saturday. Of course it didn't help that the air conditioner at Penney's isn't working and everyone was about to pass out. Tyler and I both fell asleep as soon as we got home (@ 5:00 p.m.). We still had to go shopping. At least the stores were not too busy at 9:30.