Rexbrrrrrrrrg

When we announced we were going to Rexburg for spring break, we had to explain that our nephew was getting married. Otherwise we appeared to just be insane.

But no joke, our super cute nephew Kasey, married a girl almost as adorable as him in the Rexburg Temple. The Temple president lives in her parent's ward and he did the sealing. He was so interesting and funny. I am glad we got to be there.

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood but the wind was freezing. Does the wind ever stop blowing on that hill?

Kurt's just glad he got the photo. I think Kelly is checking out the girl.

The cake was fake, but the top layer was funfetti. How fun is that?

We drove into town Wednesday afternoon from Jackson. There had been snow on the road so we took the car through the car wash. I look in to the window of the gas station and there is Karen McMaster who used to live in our ward. She sees me at the same time. What are the odds, to run into a friend I didn't think we would have time to see? We talk for a few minutes. She tells me she lives near Alex S. up by the Temple. I get back in the car and we decide to drive to the Temple to take a picture. On the way I am calling Alex to see if she can have dinner with us but she has a concert that night. We are almost to the Temple when I ask her where she lives. I tell her we are driving past her apartment building at that moment. She runs over to get her picture taken with Emily.

We have dinner that night with Colleen and Melissa. I have a picture of Colleen on my phone but none of Melissa. Why do I not have a picture of you Melissa? We spent the evening with Jana, Karl and Kelly. We were all staying at the same hotel. Thursday we run into Annalisa, one of my bestest friends from Jenks, at the hotel. She is also staying at the same hotel. I knew she would be, because we talk. Lonny and I went to the Temple which is just so beautiful. Lonny watched the BYU basketball game, we walked around campus, we dropped in to Porters. My friend Marcy, who I have known since I was five years old works there. We talked for awhile. I have only seen her twice in about 25 years so we had things to say.

That evening we attended the wedding dinner. We sat with our nephews, Kurt and Kelly and some of Kasey's friends. The food was delicious at the Manwaring Center. Who knew? We watched Kasey and Amber's video. Remember when Kasey enjoyed cheese and soda?


That night Colleen came to visit at the hotel and I introduced her to Karl and Jana. The next morning Jana and Karl and his relatives were eating breakfast at the hotel. And so was Annalisa, her son, Tyler and her mom. We introduced them all to each other. When I walked into the Temple later that day, the man at the desk looked familiar. I realize he is my friend Marcy's husband. I have only seen him in pictures. I introduce myself and ask him if he didn't have something to do with building the Temple. He said he was the general foreman, I think, and I am so impressed because seriously it is the most beautiful building. My brother-in-law Karl wants to know how I know everyone. That night at the reception, in walks Karen McMaster. So I see her again. Turns out she lives in Amber's parents ward. They are friends. I introduce her to Jana and Karl just to finally convince them I do know everyone. It is kind of odd that Karen is at my nephew's wedding because she is also coming to Geoff and Alayna's wedding. So I saw a lot of people that I know. It was awesome.

Camryn Townsend

We have a new granddaughter! Baby Camryn was born to Miranda and Justin yesterday. We are so excited to see her.

Home Sweet Home

We drove across the country during Spring Break last week. We were mildly concerned about the hazards of winter weather in those states that celebrate snow shoveling season like Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho. Turns out no problem, the blizzard was in OK and we were out of town.

We went to church with these two. I would keep them if I could. I love them.

We were near the Denver Temple so we stopped by.

We were near the Edwards as well, but Emily was sure her parents would be embarrassing (like that has ever happened). We missed you though. (next time.)

From CO we made our way to Jackson, Wyoming. Emily took snowboarding lessons,

while Lonny skied.

The resort was about 20 years past its heyday but the photo below was taken by the entrance to our room. So, can't complain too much, the commute was short. Ski School on the left, ski lift on the right.

Apparently all those really long skis from the seventies are still functional, they keep errant skiers out of your backyard.

Or maybe the elk from dropping their antlers at your backdoor. Although these sell for some big bucks so maybe you should let the big guys enter.

They have an elk preserve in Jackson. Emily tried on the antlers but they weren't that attractive.

We rode on a wagon, pulled by these horses

out to the elk.

There were a bunch. Can you say that about more than bananas?

The elk were like my children, turning their back when I got the camera out.

And fighting, when there was nothing else to do.

Then we found the bighorn sheep.

and then we left town.

To be continued.

Zarahemla or bust

You can blame Lonny that Eric is going to the
Tuxtla Gutierrez Mexico Mission.
Lonny and I have an ongoing debate about where to vacation. He prefers ancient ruins. I prefer clean sheets, food I recognize (just to clarify I can determine if it is a fish or not without the head and tail on my plate) and no lizards under the bed or hanging from the ceiling. Lonny has been trying to convince me for years that Belize and Guatemala would be the trip of a lifetime. I'm not talking cold refreshments or warm sandy beaches. What I really mean is warm Fanta. I remind him that I have been to the Yucatan. I have been to Peru. I have seen a live chicken in the kitchen. I have carried my own roll of tp. Let's go to Balmoral.
We have had the good fortune to vacation where our son's have been on their missions so you can see what this means. A big smile spread across Lonny's face when the realization hit.
Hey Eric, I know where you can get a deal on a hammock.

I could have been a $250aire

but no, I am a $450aire! It's a long story so I'll try to keep it short. I entered a contest last spring(on a girl's blog) to name a pizza restaurant. A friend of hers already had a pizza restaurant but was expanding and needed to change the original name. I submitted a name and then forgot about it. I don't know the girl that has the blog or the guy that owns the restaurant. (thanks M.Smith) I didn't even know where the restaurant was or where the new one would be.

Then I went to UT for Thanksgiving last year.
And I saw this.
And I thought to myself wasn't that my suggestion?

And to make a long story short I am a winner. Or maybe they are. My boys now have $450 worth of pizza! Geoff just emailed this morning and said he had eaten there every day this week. And to think I was worried they would be too self-conscious to claim their pizza. I am going to nominate myself for mother of the year.
Eat at PizzaPieCafe and think of me.