New Plane

Well, I haven't posted for a long time and I know that most people have given up on reading anything from me, but I had to show my new plane.  I have created a new flying group, or club, the Dixie Flying Association.  There are three members:  myself, Marcus and Emily.  We bought this 1978 Mooney M20J out of Texas from a broker who was handling the sale for the owner who was a military guy in Afghanistan on duty.  Marcus flew the plane back to St. George on Feb 13, which happens to be my wife's birthday.  What a birthday:  she got a pair of new black leather flats and I got this.  It has a terrific autopilot and GPS navigation.  I have flown it 2 times now and will continue lessons with an instructor until he feels I am "good to go."  I plan on flying it to see my brother, Nolan, and his wife, Alda, in Denver.  I plan on taking a CFI along for my first time over the Rockies. 

The plane is so stable and responsive to fly.  I seems easier to land than our Cessna 182 and certainly easier than the 172 which is slower on landing.  Pictured in the co-pilot seat is my high school friend (and fellow pilot) Steve Wideman.  He and his wife, Jerolyn, were down from Northern Utah visiting and, of course, Steve wanted to see the new "ride."  Jerolyn took the picture on my phone.

Lauren and Stacey

We haven't posted for over a year, sorry.  Anyway, we had an outing yesterday at Sand Hallow with Lauren, who lives in Salt Lake and her friend Stacey from Kaysville.  Lauren "walked" in May from the "U" in Communications and Stacey graduated fro the "U" in accounting and now works for the LDS Business College in her chosen field.  We all love Sand Hallow and Janet and I were happy to have two visitors to our "empty nest."

Eli at St. George Park

We took Eli to a city park in St. George today. This park has the most awesome water features that kids can play in to keep cool in the summer. Here are a few photos:

Here is Rachelle with Eli. He loved the waterfall.


Notice how Janet can't keep her eyes off of Eli.


Even Grandpa got to hold Eli after he was tired and wet. A blanket and a hug are necessary after fun in the water. Thanks to Adam, Andrea, Eli, Rachelle, Brad and Lauren for coming down to visit. Lauren is off to London for the summer on a study abroad.

Janet's 29th Birthday (Again)

Yes, today is Janet's birthday. What can I say? I am married to the most wonderful, beautiful,caring and loving wife. She has been there with me through thick and thin. She has given me four beautiful daughters and they are a credit to her name. She is loved by people near and far. She has the respect of old people, young people and babies really love her too. She doesn't have a selfish bone in her body (and what a body it is!) She looks like she did when I married her almost 28 years ago- and she gets better with age. She made a difficult decision at age 18 that has made all the difference in her life- a life of faith, work, observance and sacrifice and she has her eye fixed solidly on the ultimate prize where we can be together forever. Thank you, Janet and happy birthday.

News

Well, Brad and Rachelle got married on December 18 and we couldn't be happier with the entire event. Jon Ostalaza is fitting into our family really well too. This photo is a Christmas time shot taken just before New Years. All the adult guys are tall, except the old man who is shrinking away to a clump of clay. Eli is almost the cutest- next to my wife, of course. The girls remind me of roses amongst the thorns. Janet and I have surely produced some beautiful women - they are good people too. We are so seriously blessed.

RACHELLE IS ENGAGED!!!

It has happened! We are excited to announce the engagement of our third daughter, Rachelle. She and Brad Tilley, of Cedar Hills, will marry on December 18, 2010 in the Saint George Temple. She knew Brad at BYU before he went on his mission to Australia and they found each other again last winter. They have been exclusive since February and Brad popped the question on Saturday, the 18th. We are excited for both of them as they prepare for this most significant day. God bless them as they start their new family together.

Jon Ostalaza

Well, he's here. Jon Ostalaza, age 15. Our newest "member of the family." He is our foreign exchange student for the year and he is from the Basque country of Spain. He speaks Basque as his main language, Spanish (Castillian) as his second language and he is really good already with English as he has taken 8 years in school. His parents are both eye physicians and he has two younger brothers. He is tall for his age and plays basketball. It looks like he is a great kid as we are getting to know him. He will attend Dixie High as a sophomore.