Trips and Celebrations in February

Traveling can be great fun.  Some like the take-offs and some like the landings. 

Traveling to see family and friends is the best but seeing history and nature is also rewarding.

Before you leave, check for ice on your petals.

Or, just be sure you have enough light to see.

Ground travel helps us see the really historical places, like this Temple in St. George built in 1870

Not to mention the new bridge over the Colorado nearing completion within the next two years. 

Monument Valley retains its grandeur year round along with the San Juan river snaking its way back and forth in the intense wind of the Southeast Deserts of Utah.  It reminds us of all those people who came here before and helped us so we could live easier more productive lives.

Commonly known as the Left Glove, these giants remind us we're not the first to be here.

 

Travels can remind us of others who paved the way, no matter what part of life we experience.  Hot Rod Huntley received his thanks as the Jazz continue to show their stuff. 

Most importantly of all was to travel to be with Lizzy and her family for her baptism.  We love you so very much Lizzy.  Being sealed Eternally is what we all seek.  I think being part of your life is just as important as anything Lizzy.  You are an important part of everything you do.

Aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, friends all came to see you and share your commitment to Heavenly Father and be called by His name. 

Teresa and Nate Carstens Wedding

     On Friday March 5th, we flew north over the Grand Canyon to Spokane WA and drove to Richland WA to be with Teresa and Nate for their Wedding.  Teresa and Nate met in Richland after Nate took a job there with a nuclear engineering firm.  Nate had completed his doctorate from MIT.  Their first meeting was two years ago.  Teresa is the oldest of three Akers and Nate is the oldest and youngest in his family.  Friends joined with family for a dinner on Friday before the wedding the next day.  

     Saturday morning we all awoke in the beautiful spot on the Columbia River to enjoy breakfast and a long walk before donning our Sunday best for the 2:30 wedding that afternoon.  It was held in the Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland.  A lovely sight for a wedding.  Family and friends gathered from near and far to enjoy the ceremony and reception following.  

 

    

At an appropriate point in the ceremony Teresa's flower girl niece became a tad bored at the lack of direct personal attention and decided to relax, then lay full out then to whimper as the vows seemed to ignore her and proceed as though planned for others.  The scene is more aptly described in pictorial form above.  

 Proud family smiled for the camera following the ceremony.  There were smiles ranging from large to budding on the faces of Claudia, Kila Benge (Nate's cousin), Beverly and Bruce (aunt and uncle). 

The setting of the reception was adjacent to the hotel facing east to the River.  Large paned glass cast afternoon sunbeams on the party.  We enjoyed an extremely well selected course of Hors d'œuvres accompanied with both spirited and non-spirited beverages.  Hors d' oeuvres (pronounced /ɔrˈdɜrv/; French: [ɔʁˈdœvʁ]  literally "apart from the main work") or appetizers are food items served before the main courses of a meal.  The French (singular and plural) is hors d'œuvre; in English, the œ ligature is usually replaced by the 2-letter sequence "oe" with the plural often written as "hors d'oeuvres" and pronounced /ɔrˈdɜrv/. There are several related terms, such as a one-bite appetizer, as an amuse-bouche....or others.  And they were lovely.  

     Following this usual brief interlude for pictures, we had a lovely dinner catered by Nate's aunt and her two daughters Heather and Melanie.  They did their work with magnificence. Menus adorned the finely decorated round tables 

Nate's family and Linda's care giver were all able to attend.  We were so happy to see them all.  

  

Teresa had prepared every detail and Nate did the gentleman's dance practice so very well and then performed it with precision.  You may even see him counting the steps with his lips. 

 

 

The new Father-in-Law David did likewise as he was ever gracious with Teresa

 

Finally the happy new family finally getting a chance for some nourishment with the setting sun lighting the beautiful park and river bank.  

Cake cutting time.  Nothing too messy but certainly delicious.  We had at least three choices of cake along plus cookies and candy.  Sweet !  

In addition to all the good food, it was a night for dancing and shoes.  This pair was the hit of the night. 

David and his life long friend Chow. 

Let me present the Carstens Siblings Beverly Benge,  David, Claudia Simmons

 

The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state of Oregon before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The river is 1,243 miles (2,000 km) long, and its largest tributary is the Snake River. Its drainage basin is roughly the size of France and extends into seven U.S. states and a Canadian province.

 

Our lovely home away from home looking east.  Very nice place to stay

 

As we drove to Spokane on Sunday, we enjoyed the sights of a crop duster.  I even encouraged Claudia to get closer as he did each pass on this field but she declined.  At one pass I could count the rivets on his underside.  

 

 

Later on Sunday we passed over Sedona shining through the thunder clouds as we approached the airport and home.  The colors were exquisite.  

Fini