tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74097350424171741902024-02-07T16:38:48.221-07:00The Daines InkwellWhere Michelle and Chris Daines stretch waaaay beyond our techno comfy zone. We call this "Inkwell" for Michelle's love of calligraphy, Chris's love of poetry, and a near limitless supply of the red stuff (debt!)Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-73259730181830822982011-10-24T21:01:00.002-06:002011-10-24T21:04:09.253-06:00We're Alive!Let's see, it's been over two years since the last post. But we are alive. This is mainly a test, or some activity to keep the blog from cycling out due to inactivity.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-81907035586939813862009-07-19T12:11:00.002-06:002009-07-19T12:13:51.091-06:00SimplicityMichelle spoke in the Summit Creek Branch to day on the topic "Simplify your life." It was wonderful, and as usual extremely well prepared and researched. Now we must live it.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-56067712007373990902009-06-08T18:09:00.003-06:002009-06-08T18:11:23.742-06:00Happy Anniversary -- to Us!Happy Anniversary to us! Happy Anniversary to us! Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary! Happy Anniversary to uuuuuuuus!!! And many morrrrrre!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-90734301051555825782009-04-10T22:31:00.004-06:002009-04-10T22:53:02.258-06:00The Birthday Dance!<p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw-5VhYe684Wk0MWL_AUQXqyITW0RnBICmDBESi8DDc5sHB7NVKAqFKRNF9_pmZHVLd5OfWqDuBCbjkgy58og' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>At Melanie's birthday dinner, Brooklyn Michelle decided to perform for us. She started by singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and it turned out so cute that Melissa couldn't resist getting it all on video. So heeeeere's Brooklyn!!!!</p><p>And here is the encore:</p><p> </p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzuWkk8I5vKf8ApQPdJowveKjmPzBajI_4y1rMMLyygs7rn4p6ElzJgc2BFZApetGTDG77KZ33pCIq-Fh72UA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-9323670049559139952009-02-01T19:08:00.002-07:002009-02-01T19:34:06.871-07:00American Festival Chorus - Night to Celebrate Lincoln<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjuhgfqSWI4TImn7UjuyArq-RemNvLsEDKRd_k0EPG6ycwGflcHjqhHWH9Tz9NP8dTn3JQnE7-UZJ0GwVTrFDu8VLkDNg_JNUnXDLjeYPwpj0WOcUjVX_SiSuw7Kwnf1t8DyZWwMjMl5g/s1600-h/Jan+pictures+-+Chambers+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298019305502197570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjuhgfqSWI4TImn7UjuyArq-RemNvLsEDKRd_k0EPG6ycwGflcHjqhHWH9Tz9NP8dTn3JQnE7-UZJ0GwVTrFDu8VLkDNg_JNUnXDLjeYPwpj0WOcUjVX_SiSuw7Kwnf1t8DyZWwMjMl5g/s320/Jan+pictures+-+Chambers+047.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7TSOBGnX3TXL3jjL_Y8fq788YzRoi-KVgd7nkoTxAe_JEst0mwqvb3JdzmD5gq_e6LNu-1PcEa76Ub1_9NWNX_JEgBfVtrPFbcAWIHPpPVQDfkNqV7rp-_pk7ZcorujEshIUXlH3M-Ss/s1600-h/Jan+pictures+-+Chambers+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298018995042316482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7TSOBGnX3TXL3jjL_Y8fq788YzRoi-KVgd7nkoTxAe_JEst0mwqvb3JdzmD5gq_e6LNu-1PcEa76Ub1_9NWNX_JEgBfVtrPFbcAWIHPpPVQDfkNqV7rp-_pk7ZcorujEshIUXlH3M-Ss/s320/Jan+pictures+-+Chambers+046.jpg" border="0" /></a>
This top picture shows Chris, Melissa and our friend Brenna Clarke after the fantastic performance at the USU Kent Concert Hall. Craig Jessop, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's former director is now directing a community choir here in Logan. He led the choir and Orchestra in a night to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. They had pictures on a screen during the performance that showed pictures from that time period. It was a truly inspiring performance. </div><div> </div><div>Chris auditioned for the choir in January when Melissa told him they needed men. They didn't even audition any women. Luckily, Melissa tried out in August and has already had a semester under the direction of a true master, Dr. Craig Jessop. It was a sold out concert. Senator Bob Bennett came and narrated parts of the performance. They sang such wonderful pieces as Peace Like a River, Shenandoah, America the Beautiful, and the Story of the Battle Hymn, etc. We were thrilled that Melissa's in-laws even came to support her from Pocatello, Idaho! </div><div> </div><div>The bottom picture is Chris just before going to the concert. I had to take a picture to document the occasion. This is his first tuxedo. He had to purchase one as they wear it every time they perform. I think the local men's store in town is glad Craig Jessop came to town and requires only the best. Doesn't he look handsome!!! Wow! Now I may have to have him take a dancing class or two to put this tux to good use!
</div><div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-85098658353317760462008-12-03T18:21:00.002-07:002008-12-03T18:24:20.605-07:00Chris plays tag.Here's my shot at responding to Creighton's tag.
5 (random) things I love about my wife:
1. I love her voice, especially her phone voice – very feminine.
2. I love how she loves babies and small children – Her example is a big reason all of our children are great with small children.
3. I love her commitment – she is diligent and persevering to the core, and unwaveringly faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
4. I love her enthusiasm and drive, including her famous primal scream.
5. I love her strong appreciation and talents for beauty – music, painting, calligraphy, cooking, and making herself, her children, and her home, look and be (more) beautiful.
5 of my favorite movies (not necessarily in order):
1. African Queen, with Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.
2. Hell in the Pacific, with Lee Marvin.
3. Lord of the Rings Trilogy, with Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Liv Tyler, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, etc.
4. Sergeant York, with Gary Cooper.
5. Valdez is Coming with Anthony Quinn.
5 of my favorite foods:
1. Paella Valenciana (make sure it has squid).
2. Michelle’s Four-layer pudding cake.
3. Squirt.
4. Lime sherbet.
5. Michelle’s oven Bar-B-Q chicken.
5 random things I am proud of (that happened before I met Michelle):
1. Being voice for the dedication of the city of Vitoria, Spain to the preaching of the Gospel in 1977.
2. Driving round trip from Logan, Utah to Guatemala City, Guatemala with my brother David, and uncle, aunt, and cousin, in a Dodge Dart in 1975.
3. Climbing to the top of Waynu Picchu, Peru, with a Japanese friend I met the same day in 1971.
4. With a companion from Chile (Roberto Alarcón), laying the brick, including herringbone, kitchen arches, and a three-story chimney stack, in a house in McLean, Virginia, in 1972, and surviving a lightning strike on a scaffold.
5. Helping my brother, David, keep our immediate family’s farm in Weston, Idaho, running while Dad was in southern Chile helping run the extended family’s farm at Lago Ranco, 1968 or 1969.
5 things I am thankful for:
1. I’m with Creighton’s #1 pick, the Atonement and Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Fabulous family, including in-laws (keep it up, Jeff and Joanna, the bar is WAY high).
3. Better-than-I-deserve health, including a good memory (except, Where did I put my keys?)
4. The personal sacrifices, past and present, made in behalf of the freedom I enjoy.
5. Greg Bagley’s slush.
As far as passing it on, I am not sure who is watching. If you catch this tag, please let me know in a comment so I can follow it on your blog!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-53703841886936562592008-11-22T21:02:00.003-07:002008-11-23T00:42:10.888-07:00Joanna's Girl's Choice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0W0mcSCXYs7MmE4lxgMCrulJxzRArz5u7Ugb5xdGAbLtvxatv79FsEEicHTgz88v7hXZR1Ht6mqVpl1q-qhQ1r3lmNqWM8dNV-FGtPdwvzos2uPi2d4qO1xLKGgVvBpp9FKT6aIRUx0Q7/s1600-h/IMG_1468_edited-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271700098483181474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0W0mcSCXYs7MmE4lxgMCrulJxzRArz5u7Ugb5xdGAbLtvxatv79FsEEicHTgz88v7hXZR1Ht6mqVpl1q-qhQ1r3lmNqWM8dNV-FGtPdwvzos2uPi2d4qO1xLKGgVvBpp9FKT6aIRUx0Q7/s320/IMG_1468_edited-1.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZskWE1LCMhh6yxgjr20Ok_0tZfIaSjUWjIZ0VupZc9r6jsrTQYX3uCCPaMcp1u0xpGEf4iW36j0gc6KIlxI1LQgbk1CgLkXLikHg4F-gLxRdUjpAOjBlmEw3F0DtSDD2jROCUruJcido/s1600-h/IMG_1481_edited-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271699589538946626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZskWE1LCMhh6yxgjr20Ok_0tZfIaSjUWjIZ0VupZc9r6jsrTQYX3uCCPaMcp1u0xpGEf4iW36j0gc6KIlxI1LQgbk1CgLkXLikHg4F-gLxRdUjpAOjBlmEw3F0DtSDD2jROCUruJcido/s320/IMG_1481_edited-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Today was the Girl's Choice dance at Sky View High School. Joanna went with a blind date with a guy the girl in blue asked her to ask. She didn't have to twist Joanna's arm too much. She does not like dances and she is not big on dating much yet. I am glad she decided to go and the group looks like they will have fun. P.S. Joanna's eyes turned out really red so we photoshoped them to make her look more like a vampire. Worked eh?
</div><div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-27932016392569397812008-11-02T20:00:00.004-07:002008-12-17T15:45:48.087-07:00Belated Halloween with the Grandkids<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9YcmHxynUfoB_XqmGqLg_ET_3c44DUBrOFnHEJEZDDYdZjtK_FGQ-IiT-wtfTv_uh37Q7rZJR3X4VlWpxNw-3aPOfRxyib_D1S8fWyZhOBWTv401C917gdgV8Yx44hkA22rBuRAUhcX1/s1600-h/October+2008+084.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264262349139045602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9YcmHxynUfoB_XqmGqLg_ET_3c44DUBrOFnHEJEZDDYdZjtK_FGQ-IiT-wtfTv_uh37Q7rZJR3X4VlWpxNw-3aPOfRxyib_D1S8fWyZhOBWTv401C917gdgV8Yx44hkA22rBuRAUhcX1/s320/October+2008+084.jpg" border="0" /></a>
My cute grandchildren came over tonight to show off their Halloween costumes. Christina is the witch, Braden is the choo-choo train driver, and Brooklyn is the bumblebee. Don't they look adorable? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-UbfhNVUR0Mn8562_XY6L8qtEWRkDVShBKHGNOK8Gd5uREvPiloGPeB15O_uhsxRA5emmE69o29pRmGUCvyqE3ek5kN9gSbDq64Mi2L8vtUMOHWJRrebRjrTBcmiLKO_Ku4GUR7J1FF_/s1600-h/October+2008+086.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264264091369758930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-UbfhNVUR0Mn8562_XY6L8qtEWRkDVShBKHGNOK8Gd5uREvPiloGPeB15O_uhsxRA5emmE69o29pRmGUCvyqE3ek5kN9gSbDq64Mi2L8vtUMOHWJRrebRjrTBcmiLKO_Ku4GUR7J1FF_/s320/October+2008+086.jpg" border="0" /></a>
Here is Grandma Daines with all the girls: Melissa, Joanna, Brooklyn, me, Christina and Melanie C.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-31681616532541737712008-09-30T16:17:00.007-06:002008-09-30T16:31:54.193-06:00Mug Shots<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSEqgbmgkxP-l5SFtj8GMYp_mqHZ5fMBQ552tBHaROMpqhUyH_2eAoejiqISkxENq3rmfsMQpejLGu_Gy2-5AzKXVesOdEBMhVZ2t7EqVFwyR-wmZDCODijW880e6zpr5hHXG1hjf0V0w/s1600-h/madmom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251944626555650002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSEqgbmgkxP-l5SFtj8GMYp_mqHZ5fMBQ552tBHaROMpqhUyH_2eAoejiqISkxENq3rmfsMQpejLGu_Gy2-5AzKXVesOdEBMhVZ2t7EqVFwyR-wmZDCODijW880e6zpr5hHXG1hjf0V0w/s320/madmom.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdwvTjpJYffkYtkXI80ipmMFI7CqQo6U1s9t-sFXJX49WFP4laOuqlN3AFCoZSnKFSA0DfMXvDSMH53_MlCcCq4CuKHM4o12YA95ImvPAlUT-5J2jo7U3sEAa5oPrJsNRFvq2aHnoEn2I/s1600-h/madmel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251944381596447986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdwvTjpJYffkYtkXI80ipmMFI7CqQo6U1s9t-sFXJX49WFP4laOuqlN3AFCoZSnKFSA0DfMXvDSMH53_MlCcCq4CuKHM4o12YA95ImvPAlUT-5J2jo7U3sEAa5oPrJsNRFvq2aHnoEn2I/s320/madmel.jpg" border="0" /></a>
Sorry, I couldn't forget the other two main culprits. What would we do without you guys here to boost our spirits? (happy birthday mom!) -JojiChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-54292424456592226082008-09-29T17:33:00.004-06:002008-09-29T17:36:30.963-06:00Distraction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ag5aIYEjoa9jnR6gOavthGoobT8UrSGc4vOW0_4pmYhufelBO9xMqVgj9JSfXyLtEfB2mBZNCtnPaZtgIldRnez-rjaj6xvVt5i9IJwxL9w0b6Vz3fzatONc3WdN-uxzyl9QK8Nd-2Yr/s1600-h/DSCF0149_119.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251590842677876594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ag5aIYEjoa9jnR6gOavthGoobT8UrSGc4vOW0_4pmYhufelBO9xMqVgj9JSfXyLtEfB2mBZNCtnPaZtgIldRnez-rjaj6xvVt5i9IJwxL9w0b6Vz3fzatONc3WdN-uxzyl9QK8Nd-2Yr/s400/DSCF0149_119.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Joji</span> here. I would just like to give a special thanks to Melissa. She really makes a person feel good inside. I especially appreciated the blog her and the rest of the family put up before I ever got home. Happy Melissa Appreciation Day! :)Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-55911540470725345232008-09-27T21:07:00.004-06:002008-09-27T21:13:08.256-06:00Joanna's First Date!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRtzM0nv3WyrYCIpsHrHmKS9MXKA25fdBS1h0-g2ndbl8bbtBUxKpDU2gBW5exSoi45rdL8AXj4PsVaKSPw08s6Y6DnZkH7WxDPsdOMZfo-ZzlNcUUTCzFszBdeIDkmX19I9dPbYWZC5W/s1600-h/Melissa's+Camera+Pictures+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250904196309976418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRtzM0nv3WyrYCIpsHrHmKS9MXKA25fdBS1h0-g2ndbl8bbtBUxKpDU2gBW5exSoi45rdL8AXj4PsVaKSPw08s6Y6DnZkH7WxDPsdOMZfo-ZzlNcUUTCzFszBdeIDkmX19I9dPbYWZC5W/s200/Melissa's+Camera+Pictures+050.jpg" border="0" /></a> SV Homecoming with Jordan Runyan. Fellow band member and even in the same ward!
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD7h8fevGlu8XsX3vpsKI2Y545IIptbYUu2y8pZOQddMmGBeVx6gXe3GywR-UPtn0bFlf1f7H_2QFsh4zj67gVlIM-Z1f-likUQQduSoAENkSvptY7hhcGD9iSEdpw7vKTVJg5Fllajjf/s1600-h/Melissa's+Camera+Pictures+048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250904067481181474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD7h8fevGlu8XsX3vpsKI2Y545IIptbYUu2y8pZOQddMmGBeVx6gXe3GywR-UPtn0bFlf1f7H_2QFsh4zj67gVlIM-Z1f-likUQQduSoAENkSvptY7hhcGD9iSEdpw7vKTVJg5Fllajjf/s200/Melissa's+Camera+Pictures+048.jpg" border="0" /></a> Melissa helped Joanna with her hair. Beautiful as always! Everyone had to get in on the act:)
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNdH2Ce5aGlQS4DeqwdevquJSlss67_EGeX8TFq9h8BNgkPS1DbJRQxwzNErPYKYrky8KhO1fSYIaH5hozeXqRvnO4GjkYIpFphyphenhyphen-t3qUz4s2lUxHwUwVZzdL3ztiPM711enuoKn6XwuR/s1600-h/Melissa's+Camera+Pictures+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250903889330094898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNdH2Ce5aGlQS4DeqwdevquJSlss67_EGeX8TFq9h8BNgkPS1DbJRQxwzNErPYKYrky8KhO1fSYIaH5hozeXqRvnO4GjkYIpFphyphenhyphen-t3qUz4s2lUxHwUwVZzdL3ztiPM711enuoKn6XwuR/s200/Melissa's+Camera+Pictures+044.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div>Joanna doing her favorite thing: Primping (ok, maybe her least favorite thing, but the end result was worth it! Hope you had fun Joanna!</div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-5849651607964261592008-09-15T22:36:00.002-06:002008-09-15T22:40:47.605-06:00And Space To Spare!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHELCbN6yFeyrvcJWMGd7oN7YO-T8IbRttJpWmcuPjS_BA8jrVTnvrSVkev-H9L6HaG-6DTjG1LKLUsKdH0N1-G3cfl-vdFrEvi1_CeqMDGJ0iJEXdd-9Upr7-AdEDhRIiD02piBInLzJP/s1600-h/IMG_1381.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246473777477659842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHELCbN6yFeyrvcJWMGd7oN7YO-T8IbRttJpWmcuPjS_BA8jrVTnvrSVkev-H9L6HaG-6DTjG1LKLUsKdH0N1-G3cfl-vdFrEvi1_CeqMDGJ0iJEXdd-9Upr7-AdEDhRIiD02piBInLzJP/s200/IMG_1381.JPG" border="0" /></a> In our de-junking frenzy, we decided to attack the game closet with toys. Joanna took on the DVDs, games and toys, while Melanie pilfered the VCR videos and will "store" them at her house:) If you ever saw this after the grandkids visit, this is a great improvement! Now hopefully it will all fit in the storage bay.
<div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-68223629183911300902008-07-20T14:55:00.003-06:002008-07-20T15:19:19.117-06:00Pioneer Day MusingsI started a new post this morning, focusing on politics, but it got out of hand. Let's leave it at I am reading some really good thought-provoking stuff. If I put together the provoked thoughts in little article-blurbs, I'll let you know and you can dare to request them, but I won't foist them on you as a post.
Since this week is the 24th of July, it is a good time to reflect on the pioneers. It can be as discouraging as motivating to contemplate all they accomplished in difficult circumstances. So I like hearing the occasional story that reminds me they had weaknesses that they struggled to overcome. This gives me hope, thinking that they weren't perfect, but still achieved worthy goals.
Lorenzo Hill Hatch's diary reveals some of those glimpses. He was a pioneering ace, and his journal records many dramatic stories and grind-it-out hardships. But there are hints of emotional difficulties as well. Lorenzo was on his own while still in his mid-teens. His journal, written long after the death of his parents, mentions his uncle, who appropriated the few earthly goods that should have gone to Lorenzo. You can almost hear Lorenzo's teeth grinding decades later when he writes "He'll have his reward" as a (repeated) punctuation to the recounting of his uncle's misdeeds. It is not for me to judge Lorenzo, but when I think that my Great-Great Grandfather had a tough time letting go of the hurt and anger over an earthly miscarriage of justice, I feel a closer kinship to him as I deal with events that ought not to be. And I get a smidgen of hope that although I may not be able to do things (forgive and let go) better than he did, it may possible to do them faster than he did.
Just a Pioneer Day thought. Love you all!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-80254668096703745852008-07-13T09:01:00.002-06:002008-07-13T09:09:05.947-06:00Where to re-start?It has been a long time since Chris went blogging. I am starting here, and will go the rounds on other blogs and post comments, just to get the blog-fluids flowing again. Sunday is really the only day I can do this - Other days I work a long time and then veg too long a time. Not enough time for connecting to family and friends, so I am grateful for this medium and to have drawn a thick and unwavering line where I can keep a part of a seventh of the fourth commandment. See ya in the comments!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-13370193063794958862008-07-02T21:52:00.006-06:002008-11-18T22:28:41.609-07:00A Day of Craziness<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqJ8vdHS0f7L2izVg-g_-NSM6us76uePZ1PHLu-RcrsPl3sjIeSP-yF2vyt-5vz4D9wTwt3_ilQqGV6JHzxi-zI-CXoKxuuMSVgeaGnDOUWeKBXqrjupFrhjZFCn8FlkOR2Zw0XXFV701/s1600-h/Summer+2008+080.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218631864154548130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqJ8vdHS0f7L2izVg-g_-NSM6us76uePZ1PHLu-RcrsPl3sjIeSP-yF2vyt-5vz4D9wTwt3_ilQqGV6JHzxi-zI-CXoKxuuMSVgeaGnDOUWeKBXqrjupFrhjZFCn8FlkOR2Zw0XXFV701/s200/Summer+2008+080.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<div>The Chambers and Daines got together and had a fun day of making season blocks and we wanted to show you how fun they turned out. We also had fun with the pineapple glasses. Look at Brooklyn, Braden and Christina!!!</div><div> </div></div></div></div>
<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218632281439196754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_1hVHSrxTfNHxQkrX_DileqiXBgE4dLXahVGM-VtMQ7G3N3yIORjv-RwE3gT0v2CqM_s0FfUjb1dndo02GcTzMCsYS9P-pKh_Z6yXaAkVhKYxVvT0sXvfODVgalA4Br6wIUroEI9MLmK/s200/Summer+2008+083.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218632587415426018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4C3Hq1WIgsgz4Cz1b2ImD0wMIGKops8KI59C6oItTPnfjrFMhD8MhHKvmhB99Pouef9xSLiWmnul-V_K0XNYlEf4gFFLOFv-URkHr4NQ2zNYAJs4Xf5PdMEcd0Q9MFSYuveVSEjgZsHbM/s200/Summer+2008+102.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218632908082904002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAWMyx8pbrRV8uW68p5HQmthdqBU4SRVV5i-sggvkrw8mePpsxRFEkkRZ6zoJRMKyF_huCRGvHrJyB2FSmKm5-FphZgx7m0ujTz_y3TgchuB4hWLvehRmz5pOvZ-MIkeAX5gbtu3ZAfvR/s200/Summer+2008+104.jpg" border="0" />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-23591413790890485812008-06-21T16:18:00.005-06:002008-11-18T22:28:42.582-07:00Melissa & Creighton's reception at Mack Park<div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6bR5JO5sputFhapiZvWeLYADK0VX2yRqGzLPiIynlr2U18OpiVIqo5TOCW-SuuRKFuaQEVXuOf9S3I7_gK5pjGNHjg0YJNNU9eM4CHVyn19arYjxjBqpfMaMvnNvMpM6WPvsjddFFnBX/s1600-h/IMG_1185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214463971952232898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6bR5JO5sputFhapiZvWeLYADK0VX2yRqGzLPiIynlr2U18OpiVIqo5TOCW-SuuRKFuaQEVXuOf9S3I7_gK5pjGNHjg0YJNNU9eM4CHVyn19arYjxjBqpfMaMvnNvMpM6WPvsjddFFnBX/s200/IMG_1185.JPG" border="0" /></a> I am trying to get better at learning how to post these. It seems I can't do it until my daughter, Melanie comes over. She walks me through step by step. Maybe when I have done it 10 more times I will remember how. I had to show you one of the pictures from Melissa's wedding reception. It is a bit dark so I will print some more when I have downloaded the latest ones from our photographer. This was such a special day and the rainy day turned out beautiful. This was May 27, 2008. The wedding was the following day. Her reception was in Pocatello, Idaho on May 28, 2008. I will have to include a picture from that reception as well.
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdE8k3tVXdU20o7OB8x3CJVGaPjWJlTNBtZVt76zeEmwVQbev6pjInbGMmCDNS3EQNS0NvDDikcgqqBgnEEnqeS3XBF0NMS8Fl8nPmzsTTBg9so4qQ2RwbK3K4SGZyQETtf0v5Kh9iCX7/s1600-h/IMG_1202.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214465686527052914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdE8k3tVXdU20o7OB8x3CJVGaPjWJlTNBtZVt76zeEmwVQbev6pjInbGMmCDNS3EQNS0NvDDikcgqqBgnEEnqeS3XBF0NMS8Fl8nPmzsTTBg9so4qQ2RwbK3K4SGZyQETtf0v5Kh9iCX7/s200/IMG_1202.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3Eko8Glj6ahEbzx4SOifR8W3NVvN_NNS2GkRoRIUuRs-rsYQzmNmzoZ-SjUQ_dN1N1kewclmd-E285fqUw54DWh_khppDVdLC764cwCk4mPr5dtmrcYiqc1G1U_9m7CLmwVl9BMCPw6g/s1600-h/IMG_1209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214466415380292002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3Eko8Glj6ahEbzx4SOifR8W3NVvN_NNS2GkRoRIUuRs-rsYQzmNmzoZ-SjUQ_dN1N1kewclmd-E285fqUw54DWh_khppDVdLC764cwCk4mPr5dtmrcYiqc1G1U_9m7CLmwVl9BMCPw6g/s200/IMG_1209.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214466944210534386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rc0X3ygK-G7EBZdjSto1S-jlcD6_OvLh4xLA0qhI1m6cenpqXgB4DLq0vJ6BXgA716uUUv9UdQ561KoP25TKQ3TIUI6DdA26tnNDHQrleN_dKsZ-olMnUWS6_FoShlvejVYTiLVN-g6J/s200/IMG_1205.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div>
This was the bridal room at the Mystique Theater. The picture doesn't do the place justice. It looked amazing. I will add the backdrop picture when I get it. It was elegant. What a fun memory.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-55371917879883648892008-05-10T19:11:00.010-06:002008-11-18T22:28:43.376-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj39SEDk-HVIC8cpfFrz9Wod1XUlnMWXAvGETR6Xd-lthRQnDwV8y80vVVzD3zh6kk20uSH2NVkKd98-zKLOW_hh5WVr9EM2kwmzdkVSQT_wXW4oDMwKlBqtiWlsRjYnD4LVyijF5eBL-R/s1600-h/IMG_1214.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198929728737267634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj39SEDk-HVIC8cpfFrz9Wod1XUlnMWXAvGETR6Xd-lthRQnDwV8y80vVVzD3zh6kk20uSH2NVkKd98-zKLOW_hh5WVr9EM2kwmzdkVSQT_wXW4oDMwKlBqtiWlsRjYnD4LVyijF5eBL-R/s200/IMG_1214.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGJsvpbLD0meU6r2NaUcU0ZZl858Nc4i9B7rlIHeTgsoi2aJnHJuG1rgiyq7fhb64WfYxYDBuAAkuGub5VG8wvWu0SR5z2QH6s-LR40jEFYsNyt93Y_TjIfmNDTKQ4f_8J-rND1bi_KKV/s1600-h/IMG_1381.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198928624930672546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGJsvpbLD0meU6r2NaUcU0ZZl858Nc4i9B7rlIHeTgsoi2aJnHJuG1rgiyq7fhb64WfYxYDBuAAkuGub5VG8wvWu0SR5z2QH6s-LR40jEFYsNyt93Y_TjIfmNDTKQ4f_8J-rND1bi_KKV/s200/IMG_1381.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTog5q6KVvzqlimPb_0Dns_a3o2dBFUKwBxEXHoqQNedJj2K6b6m5FldKhfK5QTrsF6gkSKeS1deU3SHk0lbsXbOqg7ih6QJ5YwTXfG-uCaWzMsfoiZ1fz680LEfw-LsKIP239vNmR16-f/s1600-h/IMG_1287.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198927452404600722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="156" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTog5q6KVvzqlimPb_0Dns_a3o2dBFUKwBxEXHoqQNedJj2K6b6m5FldKhfK5QTrsF6gkSKeS1deU3SHk0lbsXbOqg7ih6QJ5YwTXfG-uCaWzMsfoiZ1fz680LEfw-LsKIP239vNmR16-f/s200/IMG_1287.JPG" width="101" border="0" /></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3mIr1mZ95DJhsNntltsirqZ1SPrnfGHI3TrX2-iqX1HHMK7xAg3cmoaJ3S9Ouz5ojDC2ra3y6IkcSueq3kGDbCRlTz3ttjpsjG6HBI83-etJfrU7ncruyjqawsxUsCmsLz1OI5d186GX/s1600-h/IMG_1302.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198926365777874818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="125" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3mIr1mZ95DJhsNntltsirqZ1SPrnfGHI3TrX2-iqX1HHMK7xAg3cmoaJ3S9Ouz5ojDC2ra3y6IkcSueq3kGDbCRlTz3ttjpsjG6HBI83-etJfrU7ncruyjqawsxUsCmsLz1OI5d186GX/s200/IMG_1302.JPG" width="159" border="0" /></a>
<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198925549734088562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="140" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HVkb80XYrhtY45oh_szaM9k-qezoLxpIwsV5RCLCNknhk2403-b0PrlBWRVXhHIB4OBOINT0BEAKqmlqvHVwoUv1qr6AM9Ee8H7QVWmpobV5mpxOJldSgc98FJdd7GAzFUKUyJmjL5ii/s200/IMG_1222.JPG" width="112" border="0" />Hi everyone. Sorry that I've taken so much time but I did try to post a blog a couple of weeks ago. My bad. I am just writing a few of the highlights of DC. #1 The Tidal Basin. This walk was gorgeous!There were cool paddle boats floating in there and that looked fun but I am glad we didn't do that. Sorry that these pictures are messing up but at least you can see them right? #2 Mermaid Man. There was a way cool statue in one of the bridges we walked across. It was the coolest and ugliest thing I've ever seen. #3 Air Force Memorial. As you can see, we have Melanie, Devin, and Dad with the three pillars and the moon in the background. These puppies were massive. #658 The Smithsonian Castle. Wow it was pretty and I was in love. I swore to myself that I am going to live in a castle! I would show more and or tell more but these pictures are being crappy on me. Ha ha so I think I'll go before I punch the wall or something. -Jo (p.s. don't comment on my poor picture inserting. I can do it another route but that takes too long so you can just call me crazy)</div></div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-36216128801972328842008-04-19T22:53:00.011-06:002008-11-18T22:28:44.451-07:00World War II Memorial<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Back to Thursday. The WWII Memorial was the most impressive. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MjI7hDkf-RfXuweH5L1oJ45icdNUs6yEobSupBmDDwrdxxcAftIBrztFSAbtsc-sCeDNPrw0a657Ho8Y4x8-oEaA8yJ1Kd-zfJxDQ7px9x77jr0e-aLxN4bbs6OAvTpQIEJphbAqKRD4/s1600-h/IMG_1196.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191188178542122194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MjI7hDkf-RfXuweH5L1oJ45icdNUs6yEobSupBmDDwrdxxcAftIBrztFSAbtsc-sCeDNPrw0a657Ho8Y4x8-oEaA8yJ1Kd-zfJxDQ7px9x77jr0e-aLxN4bbs6OAvTpQIEJphbAqKRD4/s320/IMG_1196.JPG" border="0" /></a>It sits between the Washington and Lincoln Memorials, but is unobtrusive because of an elliptical shape, sunken in the middle with a large pool with facing fountains. At either end, there is a tower representing a theater of war (Atlantic in this picture ==>). Each of the campaigns is engraved in stone around a smaller fountain at the base of each tower. Here I am standing at the base of the Pacific tower, with a quote from Gen. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvkccBCUebiLQp2kugQy9diV-G9hvrPaVYi8wyYRPIuge_-c36w6ig-Mzjj9za4aZyiy5qUt4OIgjtgHtY_vJehWIp6yqlsr2J171PqibaYuagi3zGts52adbyg1CkspsaNtxg-ARvOis/s1600-h/IMG_1197.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191189239399044322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvkccBCUebiLQp2kugQy9diV-G9hvrPaVYi8wyYRPIuge_-c36w6ig-Mzjj9za4aZyiy5qUt4OIgjtgHtY_vJehWIp6yqlsr2J171PqibaYuagi3zGts52adbyg1CkspsaNtxg-ARvOis/s200/IMG_1197.JPG" border="0" /></a>MacArthur behind, and some of the later campaigns (Iwo) below to my left (<==). Flanking each tower are several (54 or 56) smaller towers, each with a metal garland, and engraved with the name of a State or Territory. Here is Utah's share of the monument. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191191442717267186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsh0McNcOAmtPtf8d9fIq0otgcJfAwPIhfHe0wog50b06AjdjMeRtDLo0D90hany8JdD0w-j5CoVXZOQc89cFZC6UOvkgB3Rjd5UtLSatv3vX2KudTZT4fkU8uM89lutu9htM4ewQo79Y/s200/IMG_1194.JPG" border="0" />In the middle of the monument, as you face the Lincoln Memorial, there was a semi-circular granite wall with lots of gold stars mounted on it. Each star represented 5,000 U.S. Soldiers who lost their lives in that war. At the foot of the fountain below, the large engraving reads "MARK THE PRICE OF FREEDOM"<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191193761999607042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfY2Cw7Qo89ej_u0lVPK7wcdQztMyXH_F-ddPYhMVMyXTb25VLQJ21MVxv1Z3D1xc6RDefqencXoBtV6BaXXwjfXYgMTxM4Mtj11UE6sCXGhkUopKkwn3UARDONCfHNVsmguHlM_EDDUW/s200/IMG_1199.JPG" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">On both sides of the stars were more waterfalls. Here is a shot, looking away from the Washington Monument, that gives you a better overall view.</span>
</div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191194758432019730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo0tuNGwMCcpflm-lwSK5Py634HsJ7R4NICJgpMKf8xLEqxFv1A-kSY9d0kL4ENTw0BbFMnhAnXFzqU-Aiv3-pqkV1Kn63H64kmDgC0cICZS0yZDwkZ9kIX15qDu4xRtqolc2v8d7E3ZA/s400/IMG_1206.JPG" border="0" /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Here are the views on the left of this picture, and on the right.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pLd2sF8IDWBMUXjBRVa4iLQpEOgL8INlUOOrCMGOTVOm_jOe0wzkD_DHqKtUAcKfXFhrRq7SnJhvgxDUJyR1YyC_29DxFK8ARxv_7JohOEgNgal8WjV2rWxRkfutTae1zELJH5GAPjsL/s1600-h/IMG_1204.JPG"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191195668965086498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pLd2sF8IDWBMUXjBRVa4iLQpEOgL8INlUOOrCMGOTVOm_jOe0wzkD_DHqKtUAcKfXFhrRq7SnJhvgxDUJyR1YyC_29DxFK8ARxv_7JohOEgNgal8WjV2rWxRkfutTae1zELJH5GAPjsL/s200/IMG_1204.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWaR2oM42iIQsWG6-K8BlJhrJILHPtgKXRnz7KaRXIi36eGPEa_zqc6A0XlNdylUkX9Q1BuRd4b7wtVmwCQXB5Bwv08azKULdyxOVJTs7bp0jMY2IKx8IcY7b_uhjqegq9Ft33_CsCdnW/s1600-h/IMG_1198.JPG"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191196003972535602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWaR2oM42iIQsWG6-K8BlJhrJILHPtgKXRnz7KaRXIi36eGPEa_zqc6A0XlNdylUkX9Q1BuRd4b7wtVmwCQXB5Bwv08azKULdyxOVJTs7bp0jMY2IKx8IcY7b_uhjqegq9Ft33_CsCdnW/s200/IMG_1198.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> Can you tell we were impressed? From this Memorial, Devin led us toward the tidal basin to see the cherry blossoms, and walk through the FDR Memorial en route to the Jefferson Memorial. Before we could get across the street, though, I was overwhelmed with emotion, and sobbed as I had received a small glimpse and reminder of the tremendous individual sacrifices made by those in military service. The personal losses, like the cumulative good they have done and are still doing for America in particular and the whole earth, cannot be exaggerated.</span></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-888446093187184412008-04-15T21:00:00.009-06:002008-11-18T22:28:45.230-07:00Great time with Devin and Melanie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwWrQA4g-uSIrnJMABsEdHETeeqbLre6NZnE1UJSXo-Nzgi-YTtIWpPIhlYJ8oR_f_yQqJZndGOxllBKt2H1k9Bmkw97mx8_LKKpsAIfAuKzWBDcn5QZBnZlr5mSV84vFxoFSS8KWKsNo/s1600-h/IMG_1164.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189688576582815218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwWrQA4g-uSIrnJMABsEdHETeeqbLre6NZnE1UJSXo-Nzgi-YTtIWpPIhlYJ8oR_f_yQqJZndGOxllBKt2H1k9Bmkw97mx8_LKKpsAIfAuKzWBDcn5QZBnZlr5mSV84vFxoFSS8KWKsNo/s320/IMG_1164.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div><div><div>Our time with Devin and Melanie was Capitol! We will only do a few highlights, but it will take several blogs, partly because the pics are coming in one installment at a time since we are so rusty at blogging. On Thursday morning, we did a walking tour of the monuments, starting at Iwo Jima, right outside Devin and Melanie's apartment. Here's Devin, "flats" & Iwo =>(Melanie was working that morning)</div>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHMJP9p0BpR8d8xACu5PSuFhmN90Gi4_-HQ1eYxPTg_hcYVNE2a3vev1S9UDBwCAvrkX4RkSqQEhZl_yYoocA7wQGg8EhYVL3-vuAT1r5gvS1OfK-WDCKh9Zfc4Y0bgZ8oasGqDgpxxvc/s1600-h/IMG_1160.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189678672388230578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHMJP9p0BpR8d8xACu5PSuFhmN90Gi4_-HQ1eYxPTg_hcYVNE2a3vev1S9UDBwCAvrkX4RkSqQEhZl_yYoocA7wQGg8EhYVL3-vuAT1r5gvS1OfK-WDCKh9Zfc4Y0bgZ8oasGqDgpxxvc/s200/IMG_1160.JPG" border="0" /></a>The monument itself is huge! Check it out. <= </div>
<div>From there, we hiked a loop past the Netherlands Carillion, past Teddy Roosevelt Island, and on to Memorial Bridge. Here is a shot on that leg.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgguLRV69c08QY6TS-IMW7vMbBz1YzEHPcaTSscBEKWgI4jODLxvf6VYho3BXmT403XXF2RgkIeZjE7FWzTsPuGNYuX4Hc7DAeUeyBwDK0d42cBEbaYgw60z67LIEYtjft4-Zdg-g6V3Cj/s1600-h/IMG_1167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189680025302928834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgguLRV69c08QY6TS-IMW7vMbBz1YzEHPcaTSscBEKWgI4jODLxvf6VYho3BXmT403XXF2RgkIeZjE7FWzTsPuGNYuX4Hc7DAeUeyBwDK0d42cBEbaYgw60z67LIEYtjft4-Zdg-g6V3Cj/s200/IMG_1167.JPG" border="0" /></a>We next went to the Vietnam Memorial after crossing the Potomac. The names etched in granite<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQL4ov8X0KnqQcuiTMlUawfJcNCGegfPuCc6wBCFMveKjrcWsuoM2UaE35dSXWtWku4F8Yp5Y7ZnmmiKx2CjnAhWVgKdhzbLFZ6p4-PenVshpOu7SdWwGNzXTDzaPMRET-208jmfJWLx6/s1600-h/IMG_1170.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189685982422568402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQL4ov8X0KnqQcuiTMlUawfJcNCGegfPuCc6wBCFMveKjrcWsuoM2UaE35dSXWtWku4F8Yp5Y7ZnmmiKx2CjnAhWVgKdhzbLFZ6p4-PenVshpOu7SdWwGNzXTDzaPMRET-208jmfJWLx6/s320/IMG_1170.JPG" border="0" /></a> were sobering. Here are Devin and Joanna (reflected in the stone).</div>
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<div>We then doubled back to the Lincoln Memorial. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNmEMwnP8K_UvOh06vgDFil5y9_Nx82ra2HGMLxS1BS90jc681bNV1LA2ctJllFCH77khPWuFSIsxSdcvtVscSY0GjJUwiIzmTit6v0_2mWM0rnjeT4Gx22kZ-gKfLI5GlmjZsejXlEQO/s1600-h/IMG_1177.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189687902272949730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNmEMwnP8K_UvOh06vgDFil5y9_Nx82ra2HGMLxS1BS90jc681bNV1LA2ctJllFCH77khPWuFSIsxSdcvtVscSY0GjJUwiIzmTit6v0_2mWM0rnjeT4Gx22kZ-gKfLI5GlmjZsejXlEQO/s200/IMG_1177.JPG" border="0" /></a>It was wonderful having Devin as a guide. He knew quite a bit about the monuments that made it more interesting and meaningful, like why Lincoln is sitting down. </div><div> </div><div>We walked down to the Korean War Memorial. At this point, our (brand new) camera came down with a case of "lazy eye" (the lens didn't open all the way). So on our next posting we will catch you up on the other happenings, captured on Joanna's and Devin and Melanie's cameras.</div><div> </div><div>We saw the inspiring World War II Memorial, then circled around the Tidal Basin, roamed the sprawling Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, and ended with the majestic Thomas Jefferson Memorial. And that was just the first part of the day! From there, we went to Alexandria where Melanie picked us up for the short trip and fabulous experience at Mount Vernon.</div><div> </div><div>It is impossible to boil this experience down to one or two highlights, even daily ones. Our perspective was elevated, our respect and admiration was deepened for the founders and preservers of this nation and our shared ideals and freedoms, our faith in God and the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was confirmed, and the bonds of our love and affection for Devin and Melanie were strengthened, along with the bright prospect of a new grandchild. It is hard to imagine a better family situation than the one Devin and Melanie are creating.</div></div></div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-73251509463167190962008-02-17T08:36:00.004-07:002008-11-18T22:28:45.785-07:00SnoWorkCan you have too much of a good thing? Well, this last month, we <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-m1-mBbcZwgXZjaTv2ZEZQeX5vFEok238g633XEgjwVmbN6IrhCqqflJTtLBJqJgQrOMh5swhdZTECdhh0txTSOSnspDmBDsbgE-ZyM7_coyNmEEduYHDtdnEtBPKiF_LyLvfwgdmKyq/s1600-h/creighton+and+melissa+148.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167974433743740322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-m1-mBbcZwgXZjaTv2ZEZQeX5vFEok238g633XEgjwVmbN6IrhCqqflJTtLBJqJgQrOMh5swhdZTECdhh0txTSOSnspDmBDsbgE-ZyM7_coyNmEEduYHDtdnEtBPKiF_LyLvfwgdmKyq/s200/creighton+and+melissa+148.jpg" border="0" /></a>have confirmed that you can have more good stuff than you can handle. Take snow, for instance . . . please. The white stuff kept falling and falling and falling. For a week running, my shoveling average was twice per day. Sometimes generous neighbors with four-wheelers helped out, but our walks demand handiwork. Snow accumulated to such a point that there was no where else to put it. In some of the later snowfalls, I would have to walk with a shovel-full to a plac<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEyGkzlN2ypsqqVyhpwhn-sHDbreH4YRRcWF1sEYYlZiqpzQ_FXAUnbQ0mILDZveTMW4E5bEJ83k9CDZObPWQPXxoW4-TtEIY0SBjBnXgqi7FhnSgB95kmXq4Mzn9B1Lvb29P6tmwPz47/s1600-h/creighton+and+melissa+146.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167978286329404850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEyGkzlN2ypsqqVyhpwhn-sHDbreH4YRRcWF1sEYYlZiqpzQ_FXAUnbQ0mILDZveTMW4E5bEJ83k9CDZObPWQPXxoW4-TtEIY0SBjBnXgqi7FhnSgB95kmXq4Mzn9B1Lvb29P6tmwPz47/s200/creighton+and+melissa+146.jpg" border="0" /></a>e where I could drop it, or launch it over my head to have it land on the top of a six-foot-high pile. There is a picket fence to the north of us that is now buried completely. But every time I am tempted to complain, I remember that we are in the fifth or sixth year of a drought. Really, I hear no-one griping about the volume, probably for the same reason. The snow also gives us a better chance to serve and be served. And for a while I enjoyed the illusion that I was lifting weights as much as Michelle does. Last, but certainly not least, Cache Valley has managed to get through the worst season for inversions with only one pollution red day. All in all, the snow is a really good thing. We have just run out of places to put it.
Work! While the snow has been piling up, so has my work. Six-day work-weeks are standard now, peppered with wee-hour marathons. There is not time enough to fit it all in, but while it lasts, I am swinging that sickle! Trying to shoehorn my output into a limited timeframe has helped me be more efficient and better at setting and holding to priorities. My clients are happier, and so am I. The downpour has given me (and Michelle) the confidence to hire more help, namely Jeff and Melissa, and there is a whole new treasure of good things inherent in that situation (potential challenges too, but we'll take them along with the blessings!) And like the snowpack promises overflowing canals and a full harvest, so all of this work bodes well for our cash flow, meeting current needs and retiring debt.
Work is truly a blessing. Snow is truly a blessing. Blessings so voluminous are being poured out, that there is not room enough, nor time enough, to receive them. Thank God!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-22911858640336547472008-02-10T20:56:00.000-07:002008-11-18T22:28:45.890-07:00Mission Reunion<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UDhVriKNhwgizfVWchpYRWgwSXNWWY1vdycEEDYW58bJAmHs9ZIGJ3PnGDZWLZzATnbyMIK_TkzmQcYmBU0o4eze_5pbDpA2OWkVGwH8SNqlEQ6dhiXJhRcOLTYI_8oWmYTBDq5l-shf/s1600-h/IMG_0140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165568036582235538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UDhVriKNhwgizfVWchpYRWgwSXNWWY1vdycEEDYW58bJAmHs9ZIGJ3PnGDZWLZzATnbyMIK_TkzmQcYmBU0o4eze_5pbDpA2OWkVGwH8SNqlEQ6dhiXJhRcOLTYI_8oWmYTBDq5l-shf/s320/IMG_0140.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>This is Melissa, and I figured I'd give a little update from this week. So, last night Creighton and I went to Salt Lake and went out to dinner with a couple of his mission buddies and their fiances. It was really fun to see that they were all getting ready to get married within two and a half weeks that we are. It was fun and I know Creighton enjoyed seeing those guys again. Here's a picture of all of us. On the left is Jesse Nichol and his fiance Brittany, then Creighton and I (the best looking ones there obviously), the Shadd Christensen and his fiance Kate.</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-26933969739954836992008-01-26T17:56:00.000-07:002008-11-18T22:28:46.407-07:00The Proposal!!!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi09DaLFfdjbNMYJwafqSxEaBWtDb7Gi53LmC7Emq53Q_azLdRime1TRZZr750_w5KVGf2sJc5l9yUEcJUOTvQLXKdct4kia42fWoIWZ7sbK1wJBsyffo4wO3hyBKoW6UssQMKdO17jZ1/s1600-h/IMG_0062.JPG"></a>
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASsxDoL1MtdTawxykMnJzeOxQIPxmQBR0bTBTDoDn2kdsYIgLczolTxWHO9u_jOyhDB4-CpUxxzs3mpe1D-YQJu4-qlzeOQ2SMYVPbb9NQYn7Tu-NFseOFcvkNm-iNDDyexJyT3q4Jxu_/s1600-h/IMG_0044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159961714400794738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASsxDoL1MtdTawxykMnJzeOxQIPxmQBR0bTBTDoDn2kdsYIgLczolTxWHO9u_jOyhDB4-CpUxxzs3mpe1D-YQJu4-qlzeOQ2SMYVPbb9NQYn7Tu-NFseOFcvkNm-iNDDyexJyT3q4Jxu_/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" border="0" /></a>I'm so sorry it has taken so long to get this posted! But, better late then never, right? Here's the story. We were heading back from Pocatello from a friend's wedding, and the plan was to go to the Aggie basketball game. However, a call from some of Creighton's friends that were already there told us that they weren't letting anyone else into the game because there were so many people there. With that, we just went to dinner at Iggy's. Neither of us had been there before so we wanted to try something new. We were thrilled with the sports grill because we got to watch the Aggie game while eating dinner. We finished eating our dinner, paid for the meal, then we just sat talking for a little while. Creighton all of a sudden got up from the table to "go to the bathroom". I didn't think anything of it and just sat in the restaurant by myself with nothing to do. Then, probably about 5 minutes later, the waitress comes out with a piece of folded up paper and told me someone wanted to give this to me. Completely clueless I was confused as to who in the restaurant would send me a note and not come up and talk to me. But as soon as I opened the note and recognized Creighton's handwriting, my heart skipped a beat. It was a page-long poem explaining that it was finally the night we would get engaged, that he had already left the restaurant and that he wanted me to go a few places before he actually proposed, so place number one: where we first met. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUyjIDXdQOt6SXp0WM0LF5oFAr34hrwB-ybwEi5gDNlk67FK8-eehCcRJ-gAQHBk3CrqPrwxg8cGp0b3rjuW6fGF-azhcufArryFnvn89I9GO-Ngh_rYvIZ6Lmz1MJO_pmhyX0v1vj8rZ/s1600-h/IMG_0090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159976368829208722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUyjIDXdQOt6SXp0WM0LF5oFAr34hrwB-ybwEi5gDNlk67FK8-eehCcRJ-gAQHBk3CrqPrwxg8cGp0b3rjuW6fGF-azhcufArryFnvn89I9GO-Ngh_rYvIZ6Lmz1MJO_pmhyX0v1vj8rZ/s200/IMG_0090.JPG" border="0" /></a>
<div>Destination number one: Engineering Building at Utah State University. Here I was at Iggy's Sports Grill, and somehow I needed to get up to USU with no phone (I left it in Pocatello earlier that day), and no car! But, the more I thought about it, I realized that before we went into the restaurant, he had me hold his keys in my purse so it didn't "bug" him in his pocket. So, I had his car! I hopped in and "Everything" by Michael Buble was playing which is our song I guess you could say. With transportation and a destination, I went up to the university, where I found Creighton's roommate Brian Sanders standing outside the door with a boquet of roses and an envelope. Brian was really cute and said "Don't tell Creighton but I bought you some flowers." Then he gave me his pocketknife to help me open the envelope, in which was yet another page-long poem guiding me to the place where we had our first kiss, and he had a gift for me there that meant the most to him and that would guide us through our lives. </div>
<div>Destination number two: bench on Cliffside (above the island) that overlooks the temple. This presented somewhat of a problem for me because I had never driven there by myself before so I didn't exactly know how to get there. But after driving for half an hour, I found the bench and Creighton's other roommate, Brian Wilde, sitting there freezing cold holding a gift and another envelope. I sat next to him and opened the present, and to my very pleasant surprise, opened a set of scriptures with the name Melissa D. Lewis inscribed in it. It was so thoughtful! Then I opened the next envelope and the poem told me to go to the place where we first said we loved each other, and I would find him sitting there waiting for me. </div>
<div>Destination number three: bench across from the Logan Temple, overl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXTb5ELqtqF_R_H3xHMS_I_eOc3ec0X8JSOCVaXM5l4dx208TpQ3JE4ThPVXqfgiR0pCujBV41sbuClQ0E8TDWWnfJ7iYivCu3KGklyeV5q5qK-CyupFv9pcswCzcFDNxBRmObYVTtstV/s1600-h/IMG_0069_edited-1.JPG"></a>ooking the island. I knew exactly where to find this so I hurried over as soon as I could so I didn't keep him waiting any longer. I pulled up and there he was sitting in only a sweatshirt! I went over as soon as I could and he stood up to greet me. Ironically enough, there passed by a random <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXGJH_AGAKWEk7IKwcdx1Oe2x9cIIbBu0147VB1FS5mVL6_lgwibd8-9im-YEaq9Ua0THkEo-jvRLzkDLSR6gghvLTcnABdQwESYId2p9_hDxylAdpbUFQrCaVv83GT4kTZVDSsIHzwlo/s1600-h/creighton+and+melissa+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159988502111819938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXGJH_AGAKWEk7IKwcdx1Oe2x9cIIbBu0147VB1FS5mVL6_lgwibd8-9im-YEaq9Ua0THkEo-jvRLzkDLSR6gghvLTcnABdQwESYId2p9_hDxylAdpbUFQrCaVv83GT4kTZVDSsIHzwlo/s320/creighton+and+melissa+047.jpg" border="0" /></a>man walking his dog at about 10:30 p.m. He was whistling taking his sweet time, but Creighton and I found it rather amusing. But as soon as he passed by, Creighton sat me down on the bench and got down on one knee and proposed! After I said yes and we hugged (and exchanged a kiss or two :) he called his friends who were parked close by and came over to take a picture. The very one that is next to this text.</div>
<div>So there you have it! We are set to be married May 28, 2008 in the Logan Temple! I can't express my excitement! I am convinced there is no one better for me. He has treated me better than I've ever been treated by any man. And I simply can't wait to be sealed to him for time and all eternity. He makes me the happiest I've ever been and I hope I can do the same for him. And I hope you can all make it to the wedding and see for yourselves what a fantastic man he really is! </div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-81473376777313176442008-01-24T22:12:00.000-07:002008-01-24T22:37:03.951-07:00Briefly PreoccupiedWriting a "brief" for an appeal is like putting on a trial. Everything and everyone else is put on hold. While I am in the middle of it, I am not hungry or tired. Adrenaline or stupidity or both keep me going. When it is over, there is a let-down, especially when those I have neglected start calling for attention, just about the time I am ready to recover (i.e. crash). I produced two of these in the last eight days, which involved two overnighters, about three too many for my age. One of the other bad side-effects is the penchant for verbosity that lingers on. (See?) I wish, oh, I wish that I poured my soul into projects at home, stuff that really matters, like I do when it comes to preparing a brief. Maybe this blog would read better! Maybe we would figure out how to post pictures. That would be nice, if only for a brief moment.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409735042417174190.post-86963545849893420372008-01-13T16:38:00.000-07:002008-01-13T16:56:29.986-07:00Launch<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">What a beginning! Yesterday, Melissa and Creighton exchanged a ring and an answer. But it was far more romantic than that. Creighton had prepared well to make the moment a memorable one. We will leave it to Melissa to fill you in on the details. Among our favorites was Creighton's gift of a new set of scriptures, complete with the engraved name "Melissa D. Lewis." We are absolutely thrilled! Melissa is tender in years, but she has stuffed more good living into her young life than many people do in half a lifetime. Creighton is young, too, but mature . . . and wise . . . and kind, well beyond his time on the planet. They are and will be a wonderful, powerful, pair. As soon as we figure out the next thing (how to include photos) we will serve you some visuals to go along with this text. Please forgive our fuddy-duddyness.</span>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13197901269855663025noreply@blogger.com4