Just Married....well, recently married

I promised some wedding pictures a while ago (we have been hoping the official photography pictures would be ready, but we are still waiting), so instead I'm putting up
a few random shots Liz took with her camera. She is a good photographer, too, but we don't have any of our family all together yet. More later.....

It was a great day!

Having their first kiss for the public.

We are pleased to make Irene an official member of our family.
(We have always felt like she belonged anyway.)
They are now back from their honeymoon and getting settled.

A wedding is a good reminder to follow this advice:

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well-being of one's companion."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley

Have a great weekend!
JoAnn

A morning walk....

After my devastating wii fitness test results earlier this summer,
my friend Sheila and I have been getting up early and walking.
Every day.

It hasn't been easy.
At first we had to stop and let our aching hips or knees rest every few minutes.
(Remember, I have the body of a 75 year old!)

But...
We have been faithful about getting up early
(except for Sundays and of course the wedding day)!

We always pass this beautiful American flag blowing in the morning sky.
Usually the sky is full of pink, yellow, and orange as the sun comes out from behind the mountains, but the only day I remembered my camera it was overcast.

We admire the beauty of nature as we catch up on the events in our lives.

We compare the challenges and excitements of working with children.
(We both work at schools.)

We remember good times as our children were growing up.

We watch the baby ducks gain independence from their mothers, too.

We worry about friends who are sick.

These ducks are waiting for their friend whom we call "The Bread Lady"
since she brings a big load of bread every day.
The birds recognize her car and start quacking and gathering long before she gets to the water's edge.

We see a lot of interesting creatures, including these pelicans
and a little red fox who hides in the brush.
(Fortunately, we haven't met any skunks,
although we have smelled evidence of their presence.)

We circle the little lake and then head back home,
invigorated, refreshed, and ready to face another day.

I'm hoping that my body is recovering a bit and that I'll soon be hearing good comments from the wii computer!
(Isn't it sad that a computer can make or break your day?)

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." -John Rohn

"The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results."
-Anthony Robbins

Good advice that I intend to follow!

Have a great day.
JoAnn

*********
P.S.
I love these pictures of the cute McKnight boys!
We're glad you live closer now!
Welcome to Utah!

JoAnn

Salzburg, Austria......what a place!

The other day as I was drooling over some delicious recipes on Mennonite girls can cook, I clicked on a link to Home Again and discovered a post about Salzburg, Austria.

I LOVE Salzburg, Austria!

(I spent a semester there while I was in college.)
Marg, the blogger, had written a great post about the city. Check it out.

I went through some of my old "slides" I'd taken there and had quite a good laugh.
I guess every tourist has to experience some adventures from
The Sound of Music.
Are you ready for a good laugh?
(The hair-do's alone are bad enough!)

Sitting in front of the Hohensalzbug Fortress.


"The hills are alive......" (Yes, I am dancing down the hill!)


We all bought dirndles to wear. Pretty fetching, right?And...
.
Proof that we walked, and walked, and walked.
Salzburg is a city that must be explored on foot or on bicycle.

What a great place! (Sigh....)

If you need me tonight I'll be busy.
I'll be watching Julie Andrews and dreaming.

Remembering the Mormon Pioneers- our heritage

July 24, 1847 was a day of celebration for the Mormon Pioneers as they
arrived in the Salt Lake valley, after a long and difficult covered wagon/hand cart journey across Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming. They had endured great hardships and suffered many losses. Some even gave their lives. They may have left behind most of their possessions,
but they came west with dreams and promises of a better life-
a life of freedom and peace.

We are proud of our ancestors who made the journey and honor them at this time.
Utahn's celebrate with parades, rodeos, family gatherings, fire works, and other celebrations to
honor their sacrifices and courage.

Here is a picture of our family pioneers.
(Liz and Robbie- who went on a pioneer trek youth conference a few years ago.)

Liz represented Margaret Ann Griffiths and Robbie took on the role of Jonathan Clegg, actual pioneer relatives who experienced the hardships of coming in a hand cart company.

The trek was quite an experience for Liz and Robbie- blisters, hot sun, sand in their eyes.
They even got in on a terrible wind storm that destroyed their tents.

Living in this beautiful valley, it is hard to imagine arriving here when there were few trees
and nothing else.
Now it is a beautiful place.

We have a lot to be grateful for!

Campfire "tin foil pizza"

"Tin Foil Pizza"

Since we're planning a family camping trip it's time to start thinking about those menus.
One of my favorite lunches from my girls' camp days is "tin foil" pizza.
It is easy, fun, and tasty.
(And each person makes their own- no complaining about topping choices!)

Start with pita bread, cut in half.

Spread a spoon full of pizza sauce inside the pita bread.

Add your favorite pizza toppings.
This is a great way to use up left over things like ham, olives, mushrooms, etc.

Sprinkle some cheese inside.

Wrap up in tin foil.
(If you don't like ashes, make sure it is double wrapped and completely sealed.)

Bake about 15 minutes in warm coals.
(Every camp out has to have a bonfire!)
Delicious!

Beautiful Utah....a day in the mountains

Today my sister Linda, my son Robbie, and I drove up American Fork Canyon,
scouting out camp grounds for a future family outing.
While the mouth of the canyon is less than an hour away, what a different world it is as you
climb up the hills and leave the noise and city heat behind.

We drove through aspens and pines....

Past little water falls beside the road....

The yellow wild flowers were so pretty...

The rugged mountain peaks were amazing...

This mountain lake (a man made reservoir) had people boating and swimming...

This deer was wandering through the camp ground.

We have so many different canyons close by and they are all beautiful.

These wild poppies were in a different canyon, north of Salt Lake.
Linda took these two pictures up by Huntsville.

Don't you agree that Utah is a beautiful state?

Another year older.....

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!

Happy July birthdays to Heidi (left) and Robbie (right)!
(Katie and Michelle in the middle)


Heidi and Uncle Steve

Robbie and Madison

We have enjoyed the journey with both of you!

(Thanks for being good sports as we
crammed birthday celebrations in between wedding events.)

Hurray!

Yesterday we celebrated the wedding of Andrew and Irene.
It was a great day!
She was a beautiful bride and Andrew looked handsome all dressed up in his tux.
Since we are all too tired today to move (let alone down load pictures)
wedding pics will have to come another day.

Handsome Andrew.... +

Cute Irene.... =

Happy Couple!

(Thanks to everyone who helped with the luncheon and the reception!!!)

Thank you!

"When in doubt about whose turn it is to take out the trash,
go ahead and take it out!"
-Richard Carlson
(Don't Sweat The Small Stuff...and it's all small stuff)

My husband has been picking up a lot of the slack since I have been busy with wedding plans.
I don't usually thank him enough.
I often complain.
I keep creating more jobs for him.



I just wanted to let him know (he reads my blog) that he is appreciated.
Thank you!

This is a picture of him.
Last year our daughter Michelle made this cake recreating an old
Father's Day Card she had drawn in grade school.
(P.S. Do you think he should bring back the mustache?)

How much fun can one weekend hold?

It was a busy (but fun) weekend as we celebrated a bridal shower hosted
by Carolyn, Connie, and Grandma (Naomi).
Thank you! Thank you!
It was fun being with family and friends.
We enjoyed some great food and a lot of visiting time.
Irene got some great gifts, too!
(FYI, Grandma and her sister are 90 and 88 years old. Don't they look amazing? They are on the middle left of the picture.)

We also had a little "bachelorette" party while the guys went out to dinner.
Oh, and Irene now has a back up bridal dress!

Welcome to the family, Irene!