Thanks to Darell Outhier and an Opinion

We're in mudslide repair mode, and we thank Darell Outhier for helping us clean and repair the air conditioners. It turned out to be a hard, muddy, job--and Darell made it look easy. We love hearing about the Outhier family when he's here. (Our thoughts and prayers with you this week for Betty's passing.)

We had several inches of mud and debris clogging the cooling coils, etc.
An action shot--Darell knew just what to do.
He did technical stuff, while I dug a trench for the mud and water.

On a completely different subject:

I read this essay by George Will (courtesy of the Newsweek Magazine which Mom and Dad send us at work--thanks!)
Its called High Speed Insolvency--Why Liberals Love Trains

Why do we borrow BILLIONS of dollars to build trains to take us from Point A to Point B more slowly, and at higher cost, than airplanes, and that almost no one uses?
He thinks he has the answer.
What do you think?

Snowy Saddleback Sunday

This was one of those cold, clear winter weekends when the rains left a dusting of snow on Saddleback Mountain.

Taken from the Church parking lot.
From a distance.

This was also a weekend for getting over the remains of a cold and asking penance for passing it along to Robyn. I just read a book called "Ghost Country" by Patrick Lee. Anyone ever heard of it? Its a science fiction/political thriller; it has more plot holes than a rusty colander. New release, bought it in paperback from the drug store. $7.99. What's the cost for an electronic copy?

2011 Tournament of Rooks

OFFICIAL BRAGGING RIGHTS
Here are the results of the 1st Annual Tournament of Rooks
January 1, 2011

1st Place: 2011 Champions

Austin & Rachel

Coulda-Shoulda-Woulda Award
(2nd Place)
Christian/Robyn/Jeff

Biggest Gambler
(Most Points won & lost in a match)
Austin & Rachel

High Bidder Award
(Most points bid for a successful widow)
Jorge/Stephen

Low Bidder Award
(Least points bid for a successful widow)
Greg/Jillair

Lead 'Em and Weep
(Biggest Set)
Ryan/Nathan

Length Is Better Than Strength
(Most trump cards in a hand)
Ryan/Nathan

Hot Hands
(Fastest Dealers)
Jorge/Stephen


"Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever"
Napoleon Bonaparte


Better luck next year!
On sale at Amazon.com:
"How to Rule the World: A Handbook for Aspiring Dictators"


"There is an error in my achievements."
Quote from online blog --complaint about StarCraft II, applies here also

Lots of people couldn't come at the last second due to illness--
We expect the competition to be even tougher next year!
Ciao!

Mudslides December 22, 2010

At dawn on Wednesday, December 22, 2010, we woke to find our yard being inundated, and home threatened, from mud and water pouring from the adjacent slopes. Mudslides! The firefighters came and told the us and the neighbors that they could do nothing. However, we were not alone. Thanks to the scores of church members, family and friends who dropped everything to fight the mud for hours in the rain. We were successful and helped many neighbors. The next day, more helpers came to dig us out. What a blessing you are! My camera broke in the middle of everything, which has slowed down my blogging.

Our back yard and side yard were inundated.
The ladder helped us get over the fence to the slopes.
The sandbags helped direct water and mud to the side of the house with working drains and an outlet to the street.

View of the backyard from upstairs, showing how the mud came down the canyon, overflowed the catch-basin, and moved in our direction.

Some of the many unsung heroes who came to help dig out our neighbors and neighborhood on Thursday, December 23.

Manti Temple Trip for Heather & Scott's Wedding Dec. 16-17-18, 2010

Robyn and I, with Stephen Davis, took a whirlwind trip to the Manti UT Temple, to help Heather and Scott celebrate their wedding. We drove up Thursday, December 16, 2010, with Grandpa Steve and Grandma Marion, in two cars. We stayed at the Historic Manti Inn, right across the street from the Temple. We managed to dodge the bad weather, enjoyed our own temple session in Manti. We especially enjoyed seeing Jill Adams, Clark & DeeAnn Robinson, the extended Henrie clan, and many others!

Stopping briefly to pick up lunch in St George, on the way up to Manti on Thursday.

Heather and Scott arranged for a lovely wedding brunch at the Historic Manti Inn for the bride and groom' s extended family plus friends . Here, the Father of the Bride holds forth on how much he loves his daughter Heather, how great his new son-in-law-to-be Scott is, how wonderful Scott's family is, and so forth. Erin did a fantastic job arranging seating, etc.

After great talks by the wedding party, Brian honored Heather and touched the entire group by singing a song he composed for the occasion. Here Brian introduces the song, pointing out all the portraits Heather had painted on his guitar years ago.

Brian's Ballad: Drawing on his experiences with Alaskan wildlife, Brian sang of the beautiful white Alaska swans who nest and pair for life. Everyone was brushing away tears when he finished.

Heather and Scott

The Boys in Blue, taking care of Heather's nephew Andrew--just outside the Manti Temple.

Robyn and Jeff
In front of the Manti Temple, immediately after the wedding.
Warm on the inside--freezing on the outside!
It was about 15 degrees in the morning!

All in all, a wonderful trip.

Thankful Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

Thanks to Mom and Dad for the wonderful Thanksgiving Day activities at the PV Homestead.

Here are some of the fun things this weekend.

Record Setters at the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
Austin with the new family record 21:30
(Thanks to AAR for correcting the original number I posted)
Eric Nolan with the new Family Ringer Record (20:20)
Eric was running with his "Team Princess" T-Shirt after our family doggie.

Jeff & Robyn and Family at the Turkey Trot
First Race "run" by Grandson Bennett (in the 2nd Seat of the jogger).
Second Race run by Dylan (in the driver's seat of the jogger).

Crossing the finish line at the Turkey Trot...
How many family members can you count?
(I spot 8--Scott T., Brian, Mike, Andrew, Katie, Christian, Heather, Rachel.)
Did I miss anyone?

Decorating the Christmas Tree, two days after Thanksgiving

Helping Babysit Bennett.
He went to sleep after he spit up on my shoulder! Until it was time to eat again.

Looking up funny stuff on the Internet.

Ryan visited with Dylan every chance he could.

Austin and Rachel make it look easy with Baby Bennett, borrowed for a few minutes.

Mom gets one more hug from Ryan, just before he heads back to the Y.

Choo-Choo with Dylan

Dylan took Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Robyn on a train trip.

We boarded at Irvine station, went north through Tustin. At Santa Ana Station we disembarked and waited in the beautiful station courtyard for the return train home. Round trip about 1 hour. We all loved the sights and sounds of a Saturday train ride in sunny Southern CA.

Dylan was impressed at how BIG and LOUD!!! the train is when it pulls into the station.

Dylan loved the scenery as it went by: tunnels (freeway overpasses), street crossings (ding-ding-ding!), and cars whizzing by.

Grandma and Dylan enjoying a quiet moment --on the third level of the train car.

Waiting in Santa Ana for the return ride home.

A nice hug for Grandpa Jeff.