Womens Conference

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.

This is us at the concert. We had front row seats which we planned in order to get the autograph. L-R Cousin Kim, myself, Aunt Pat, and my mom. It was a 2 1/2 hour concert that we all enjoyed so much.

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.

It was a wild trip for Janelle and I. We left Jersey two days after company left on April 21st. We flew into Orange County and spent 2 days at the Brea house. Jamie flew in on the evening of the 21st from BYU to be with us. On friday we headed out to Palm Springs to pick up my mom who flew in there from Seattle. We spent two days at the desert home getting it ready for the long hot summer. On saturday evening we headed back to Brea where we attended church on sunday and then monday morning drove to Utah , Janelle, Jamie, Grandma and myself, so jamie could make her 4pm class for Spring semester. We spent time with family and Cousin Kim arrived on wednesday. Kim and my mom flew out of SLC and Jamie stayed for school, so Janelle and I made the trip back to California by ourselves. We made excellent time, getting to St George in 3 1/2 hours from Springville and then it was stop and go and 37 mph headwinds to Orange County after arriving in Vegas. We made it safe and sound and met Mick at the hotel in Anaheim where we spent the next two days doing dentist, doctor, hair, eye and all those appointments that we do while in California. We also were able to secure a place for the open house for graig and nicole. It will be august 22nd at the North Hills swim and tennis club on Woodcrest. It is just up the street 6 houses from the Brea house. A great big Thank You to our neighbor Jane O'Brien for sponsoring us. Come on up on the 22nd for an In and Out Burger.

The three of us then flew out of sunny California on the morning of may 6th to arrive in New Jersey to rain and cooler temperatures. When we left everything was still naked as I call it. Now all the leaves are out, flowers, lilacs and dogwoods are in bloom, and it is beautiful and green.