A Taxing Experience

There are those who blog their joys of beach trips, fun dates, new babies or special events but Dad is the only one that has the joy of completing 10, that's right ten, tax returns and sharing it.
3 for Robb (U.S./1040EZ + CA/540NR + UT/TC-40)
3 for Katie (U.S./1040EZ + CA/540NR + UT/TC-40)
2 for Missionary Jeff (U.S./1040EZ + CA/540A)
2 for Mom & Dad (U.S./1040, Sch.A, 8863 + CA/540, )
Yeah, and it's even still March. All 10 have refunds, so I hope I did them all correctly.

Looking Forward to Conference!!!

President Gordon B. Hinckley: "I invite you to listen, listen if you will by the power of the Spirit, to the speakers who will address you during the conference. If you will do so, I do not hesitate to promise that you will be uplifted, your resolution to do what is right will be stronger, you will find solutions to your problems and your needs, and you will be led to thank the Lord for what you have heard."

I love conference weekend. It is a time to renew, recommit and refocus my life. These two quotes are really helping me to prepare for the wonderful feast we are going to partake of.

President Lorenzo Snow "Pray for the Brethren at conference time. When the Brethren arise to speak you should ask the Lord to let them say something that you want to know, that they may suggest something to you that will be of some advantage. If you have any desire to know certain matters that you do not understand, pray that these brethren in their talks may say something that shall enlighten your mind in reference to that which troubles you and we will have a grand and glorious conference, a better one than we have ever had before."

SLIDES

The last thing we did on Robb's birthday was watch slides. After the beach the girls and I went to the Young Women's Broadcast - Arise and Shine!!! Robb and Marybeth went to Ontario Mills Mall and ate at the Rainforest Cafe and when we both got home we watched slides. We are hoping to digitize our slides by taking pictures of them while they are projected. We will need a tri-pod when we really do it - but these two pictures were experiments. The first one is at Aunt Barb's wedding reception. We watched slides from the time Robb was born until Katie was born. Then we slipped in the Georgia slides and I just loved those three boys together. This was at the Long Beach Airport after we flew in.

Malibu Lagoon

We wanted pictures of these kids actually getting wet - and here they are. They are right around the corner from Surf Rider Beach - at the lagoon where the creek comes down from the Malibu Mountains and goes into the ocean.

That is the Malibu pier in the background.

Old Testament Comic

It isn't the most funny comic I have in my file - but I will take it none the less.

The Third Grade Tour

Today was the field trip by the 3rd grade classes from Mayflower Elementary to historic homes. I am right inbetween tours and so I thought I would blog a little about it. Third graders are so darn cute!!!! I was trying to make a mental note of their questions. There were some that were hilarious. They asked about each of you kids - why there are trophies, does someone sleep in this room, why there is an "S" on Sarah's wall and of course THE PEZ MUSEUM!!! Usually I put some old items in that room but I have learned just to let that room be what it is. Robb, you really inspired one boy named Miguel. He is the boy on the front row in the white shirt with grey sweatshirt - he talked to me all the way down the driveway that he is going to start to collect PEZ. Who knows what will become of this visit for him. Thanks dad and girls for all the help in getting ready!!!!

Let's Go Fly A Kite

Robb got a kite for his birthday and he made kite flying look like the easiest activity ever. Robb and Sarah were mostly our master flyers. Nothing like a kite at the beach - ninja turtle no less.

Just Saw Some Cornwalls

I just came home from a "8th Grade to High School" orientation at Clifton. The first thing they did was to show a video to orient the Clifton parents about MHS. The amazing thing is that Robb and Jeffrey were in the video. I can't believe it, but they used Robb playing soccer - Mr. Reale must have given them a tape from way back (when the team was good) and then Jeffrey was on a couple of times for being in Joseph including his solo in "There's One More Angel in Heaven!!!". I was sitting with the Fiores and the Stevensons and we all gasped with excitement. The legacy lives on!!!

Malibu Lagoon and Bird Sanctuary

I don't know if you can see the detail on the above picture, but there were beautiful cranes that filled the Lagoon. Dad, Robb, Marybeth and Sarah strolled over there when we made our way to the beach and caused all the birds to fly away at once. It was a beautiful setting.

Over The Hedge (and through the stores to the Cornwall PEZ museum they will go)

This just in: this may be old news but just in case it isn't and for those that wouldn't know until it appeared on our shelf, these are the latest or some of the latest PEZ to hit the US. I believe it is from an Animated movie that comes out this year and is named Over the Hedge and you can only image why. I wouldn't run to your local Walmarts and Dollar trees just yet, but know that this is to come and to always be one your toes.

I Remember The Day You Were Born!

We started the day out early and with lots of presents!! We haven't had Robb home for his birthday in 5 years or so so it was a special treat. (Robb - I don't know if you saw the birthday message under comments on March 23rd from Eliza Terrill - check it out. ) The girls and I had to run to a choir practice, but when we got home dad had fixed us waffles with whip cream and strawberries that we had bought at the street fair the night before - YUM!!!! During breakfast I recounted the story of his birth - a great story - it should be shared once a year.

I hope that Robbie still likes Rice Krispies with Chocolate on Top - we haven't had them for a long time. Someone must have liked them because they disappeared.

The Adamson House

We decided to go to Malibu for Robb's birthday. That would be something fun to say when they got back to Provo. The first stop was the Adamson House. It is adjacent to Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Lagoon and Bird Sanctuary. It was built in 1930 in the Spanish Colonial style and contains a wealth of exquisite tile produced by the Malibu Potteries. Dad may give us a little bit more history in his comment.

Phase 10

Even Paisley got into the game playing. We had a nice round of Phase 10 while we were waiting for Jason to arrive and to start our Barbeque. I think Marybeth won - although I could be wrong - I had to tend to kitchen duties. Jason, Stefanie and Paisley headed out for a big Whelchel Weekend. Stefanie's nephew James is leaving on a mission to Taiwan so there was the temple, family parties and the "Farewell."

Silly Silly Dad!!!

We do have a very silly silly dad. He had to stick his face up against the window when Rachel and I were taking pictures of Paisley in the Family Room.

Playing with Paisley

When we got back from Santa Anita it was our Paisley Time. We passed her around and around and she was very patient with the whole process.

Robb particularly enjoyed the Paisley time - SORRY KATIE!!!

Paisley really loves her Aunt Rachel.

Clocker's Corner

Robb and Marybeth arrived late on Thursday night and we decided to start Friday off right by having a day at the races. Dad went and picked up Stefanie and Paisley in Sylmar and we met at Clocker's Corner at the Santa Anita Race Track. That beautiful facility is right in our back yard and we haven't been there since Grandpa Hodgkinson heard about the morning workout and took us. We had a lovely complete breakfast and watched the horses and the people - both of which were very entertaining. Dad had to get to work, but the rest of us toured the beautiful grounds and looked at the unique structure.

We even got to see one of the horses that played Sea Biscuit in the movie. The horse really seemed to like Stefanie and Marybeth.

No winning tickets here - although we did push "ONE" button on the betting machines.

It was really sunny - downright hot while we were sitting having breakfast - just what these Provo kids ordered.