MLK Marade

What is a MLK Marade, you ask?

The state of Utah and U of U hosted a Martin Luther King's Celebration. It included Award Ceremonies, speeches and a march/parade. When they called the authorities and told them of their plans for a MLK March, they were apprehensive! They thought it sounded like a riot in the making! They didn't want to call it parade, because there are too many ordinances for a parade. Thus, Marade.

Paul was asked to give the opening prayer for the marade. It started at Sugar House Park. After that, we walked the 3 1/2 miles to Kingsbury Hall. I felt so civic-ly active!!!! They sang and chanted most of the way.

Haley and Graden came for support!
Here is Paul and Debra Charleston at the beginning of the Marade
Paul and Joe Rogers on the steps of Kingsbury Hall
He is some of the participants at the end of the marade

I Found The Smartest Sister!

I found her! The smartest sister! For those who are not familiar with the search, here's the story.

Quite a few years ago, RB came to the conclusion that Darin was the smartest brother. His thought was since Darin never really went through a rebellion stage, he was the smartest! Well, you can imagine how that went over! All of the brothers argued and told him he was wrong! It has been a source of laughter and jokes for our family! We really got a big kick out of it.

Well, with the vote for the smartest brother, Debra, Andrea and I were wondering who was the smartest sister. We decided it was sister #4.

Well, here she is! I found her - the smartest sister! When she sang the National Anthem yesterday at the Martin Luther King's Day march/parade, I saw the resemblance, I felt the connection and then her name gave it away - The Honorable Judge Shauna GRAVES Robertson. It was a beautiful reunion!
She is not only the smartest sister, she is the most talented. Man, can that woman sing! She did an AMAZING job!!!

Provo, Utah - What a Great Place To Be

Have I ever mentioned that I lived in the Celestial Kingdom of neighborhoods? We not only have AMAZING people living (and used to live) on our street, we are being watch out for! Let me expound.
Paul's cousin, Alan Bliss, just moved back in with us. He just finished Basic Training and is a MEAN, LEAN, FIGHTING MACHINE!!! We're very proud of him!
Yesterday at about 9:30 - 10:00 am-ish, he came home to find out garage door open. Not taking any chances, he took out his knife and searched the home for intruders. Finding no one there, he proceeded to dress for his next appointment. On his way out, he was pulled over by Provo Police and questioned. They told him that there was a report of someone carrying a knife and going through our home. When he explained the situation, they let him go. Paul just happen to be coming home from his monthly blood draw, when he saw 3 squad cars at our home. The police asked him for identification and explained the situation. He assured them that Alan was just protecting us and that it was all good!
After a good laugh, he asked who we should thank for the added security. They told him that the garbage men had reported it! WOW! Guardian angels are EVERYWHERE when you live in the Celestial Kingdom of neighborhoods!

Halloween 2009

I love Halloween! I love the opportunity for one day to pretend! I love the candy! I love the decorations! I love that we get to make fun of scary things! But mostly, I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE- the Trick-or-Treaters! Here are some of the highlights of the day!
First of all, my Cowboy and Indian, Haley and Graden! Look at that belt buckle! That IS the size of Texas!
Here are Carl and Ellie from Up! OK, it's JoRyan and Michelle. No, the costumes didn't come from DI, they came from OUR closets! (Mine and Paul) I don't know if I am proud or embarrassed!

Well, not everyone loves Halloween. Give it a couple of years and I'll be Ben will be like the rest of us. But as for this year, he HATED being a hot dog!

Here is Anna Bug and her beautiful mom, Chardell. She was so cute. She jumped and jumped! Then she'd share her candy and jump some more. She helped me with some of my Trick-or-Treaters. She made my evening!

Here was my midnight (OK, 10:00) surprise! Shalin, Marshall and friends. Marshall claimed that Shalin stole his costume. I don't know-he looks like he is having fun being an UGLY girl!

Tess and Adam not only came Trick-or-Treating, they came to visit the sick. Paul was in bed with the flu, so they went to the door and wished him well. It worked! He doing much better!

We All Miss Alec

They say when your pet acts up, they are not happy! Do you think Jack misses Alec? Yeah, that would be Jacks OWN bed that he ripped up!

But don't worry! He and Paul are really bonding!