Another tradition I have is attending Womens Conference at BYU in Provo Utah. My cousin Kim and I attended BYU together as freshmen, so it brings back fond memories of living together in the dorms. We usually stay in the dorms and eat in the cafeteria where we put on a few pounds during the 3 night stay. I don't remember the food being that good while in school. Well this year there was only 3 of us. My aunt Eleanor couldn't make it due to a last minute surgery. But we still had fun and laughed and had great memories. Over the years we have had my sister Karen, sister in law Sara and Sharon, my HS friend Chris and cousin Lynette attend with us. There has always been the four of us every year, Cousin Kim, my Mom, her sister Eleanor and myself. 
One of the highlights this year was Kim getting the coach of the Highland Rugby team autograph for her son Andrew who plays rugby. He is the guy behind the movie "Forever Strong". He was one of the special guests at the thursday night concert that is held in the Marriott Center. 
Friday night Jamie was having a recital for the performing group "Foot Poetry" that she dances for in Utah. We were so excited to finally get to see her perform with this company. We got a short preview at rehearsal on thursday evening up at BYU. Well it was held at Thanksgiving Point in an outdoor theater for the Tulip Festival. The grounds were absolutely beautiful with flowers and the famous tulips. But it started to pour down and the concert was cancelled. We were so sad to not be able to see her dance. My Uncle Albert and Pat, Uncle Bob, cousing Leslie and her daughter Kenzie drove all the way to see her dance also. We love having family close that are so good to support Jamie and also have her over for meals. 
Great news. They have opened up "The Lady" so you can go to her crown again. Since 9-11 the farthest you could go was the base. We have learned the tricks to get tickets, so let us know at least 2 weeks in advance when you come to visit so we can be sure to get you to the top!!! Our family made the climb back in 1998 and what a memory it was. 
One of the "Must Sees" while visiting NYC is the tour of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We have learned that you park at Liberty State Park on the Jersey side and take the ferry over to the sites. I love the tour of Ellis Island and always get teary eyed hearing the stories of families and what they went through when entering the United States. Relatives on my mothers side eneteredthe country through Ellis Island and almost were sent back because of an eye infection. I've been reading the book Covenant of Fire and have a greater appreciation of what these pioneers in the Martin Handcart went through and their trip across the seas to come to the land of Freedom. This is a picture from Liberty Park in Jersey, so you see the back side of "The Lady". 
Growing up my mother always made a bunny cake for Easter. It was tradition. I loved that cake. It brings back fond memories of easter egg hunts, easter basket contest at the Country Club, a new Easter dress and sunday shoes. So since we had a large group at the house I decided to make the bunny cake. Well it just didn't turn out like the memories I have of it as a child. My mother asked if I made the homemade 7 minute icing...what?...homemade icing....are you crazy? I guess the store bought in the can just didn't cut it this time.
Another Easter tradition is coloring eggs. I have to admit, this is an activity we have not done in years since we usually take our big family trip during easter break. Coloring eggs in Japan, England, Hawaii, Italy, just didn't make the "to do" list while traveling. So when we had the biggest majority of the family here.....guess what?....we colored eggs. 
Graig and his fiance Nicole, arrived on the 9th of April for Easter week. We enjoyed spending time with them and getting to know Nicole. We went into NYC and did the sites there and shopped Chinatown for purses. Nicole and Graig went to Wicked while Mick and I checked out the Metropolitan Museum of Art there in NYC. It was pouring down rain so the museum was a great activity while they were at the play. Nicole loves games so we did one of my favorite activites, that is playing games!!! They headed home on the14th. Graig headed back to school BYU-I and Nicole went with him for job interviews. She was offered a job at Rexburg Elementary teaching 1st grade. What a blessing that is for them. The wedding date has been set for August 6th at the Seattle Temple. Graig is attending BYU-I while Nicole is back home in Maple Valley Washington working and preparing for the wedding.
