Brussels, Belgium

A somewhat tradition that I started with Alison and a trip to London is the so-called "senior trip". In our family, it is defined as a trip with the senior and their parent. Neil went on a belated senior trip around Paraguay with his two parents following his mission; Shawn went on TWO trips with his dad, to South America for a month, and to Central America for 10 days, and now it is Annie's turn!! She chose Belgium, for who lives in Belgium? Michele Remy, our beloved former exchange student. I must say, aside from the beautiful architecture and fine hosting of Michele and her mother, it has been a lot of fun hearing the constant friendly banter between Michele and Annie. Here are some photos, and you can see their personalities coming through in the pictures.

Hiking the "Y"

My friend Annie Leavitt visited me this week. Annie suggested we do something she has always wanted to do, which was to hike the "Y". Now, I graduated from BYU AND have taught at BYU for six years, and never hiked the "Y". So I said yes! Annie, her two children, Ruth, Sam, and I, and my niece, Andrea hiked the sharply ascending switch-back trail up the mountain close to the BYU campus. I THOUGHT I WOULD THROW UP AND/OR DIE ALL THE WAY UP!! However, Annie was very patient and waited frequently with me while I caught my breath and my heart stopped pounding as hard. We finally made it! Here is the picture to prove it:

Happy 50th birthday!

Okay, so I have totally not been looking forward to this birthday, expecting a "celebration" with black balloons and everything else that reminds me I am old. Instead, I had the best birthday EVER. I GOT A NEW GRANDBABY FOR MY BIRTHDAY! Alison had her second baby and it turned the worst birthday ever into the BEST birthday! Here is my little present: