Goodbye Vanessa

Today was Vanessa's last day teaching our adorable Sunbeam class. Pictured left to right are Owen, Gavin, Dash, Cora, Josh and Amelia. Unfortunately for us, Eliza was visiting her grandmother today. Our lesson was "I Can Be an Example." We gave Vanessa a crown, and ate some delicious and yummy cupcakes with bright pink frosting. The girls liked the color, but the boys didn't understand why there weren't any blue ones. We love our Sunbeam kids. Now it will just be me....we will all miss Vanessa. She is moving to Florida.

Kennedy Walking

Kennedy just learned how to walk, and here she is! Isn't she adorable?

We sent Addison a parcel for his birthday which is October 27th. I asked him what he wanted, and he said a CTR ring and food. The CTR (choose the right) ring is sitting on the tie. Can you believe that it cost $50.00 to send this flat rate box to South Africa???? I was told by other missionary moms that if you put "Jesus" stickers all over the box, it is less likely to be opened by the people at the post office in South Africa, and stolen. Two of the packages that I sent him never made it....Do you think he will like all of this stuff?

You may be wondering how Ricky is doing in Ocala, Florida. Well, here is a link to an interview he did for the news. The video is on the top right, just wait for the commercial to end.



http://city-manager-news.newslib.com/story/683-3242890/


Here is a newspaper article as well. I will keep you posted as to any future news.

As Ocala‘s new manager begins job, retirement of veteran staff is a concern
By Jessica GreeneStar-Banner
Published: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:19 a.m.
OCALA — New City Manager Ricky Horst stepped into his Ocala career on Monday full of optimism and looking for leadership.
Impressed with his proven ability to ignite economic development, the City Council voted unanimously to hire Horst in July. Horst, a father of six, ran the city of South Jordan, Utah, for the past nine years. During his tenure the town's tax-base increased from $700,000 to $7 million, and its population almost doubled, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Horst now plans to draw on that experience to bring growth to Ocala. Monday was his first day as the city's top administrator.
"It was exciting," he said of the day, which began at 6:30 a.m. and was filled with employee meetings. Horst noted that many employees expressed concern over the uncertainty that his new leadership brings.
"I bet 99 percent of our employees will buy into effective, positive change," he said.
Many of those employees, however, will soon be leaving. In March, city leaders identified an early retirement program as a top strategy in tackling its projected $7 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. The program targeted 160 eligible employees in hopes that at least 50 would bite. Three department heads and Assistant City Manager Bill Looney are among the 79 employees who did. The city currently has 1,100 employees.
"A lot of institutional knowledge is going to go out the door," Horst said. So he plans to meet with all 79 aspiring retirees while he can, he said.
"It's a great opportunity for them to say ‘this is what's really on my mind,' " he said.
Some of the positions will be replaced. Many will not. And the vacancies present Horst with the challenge of streamlining city operations.
In addition to the void left by the retirements, the top two positions at Ocala Electric Utility have been vacant for more than four months. Horst established filling the OEU directorship as a top-priority while he was still interviewing for the city manager position.
And although Monday was his first official day on the payroll, Horst has been reviewing candidates for several weeks.
"I think what we need is an administrator that can use the electric utility to help the city realize its vision."
That administrator may be Matthew Brower, currently city manager of Santa Clara, Utah. Horst interviewed Brower on Tuesday and named him a lead candidate. Like the city of Ocala, Santa Clara also operates its own utilities company.
"We may know something by the end of the week," he said regarding the director's position.
Jessica Greene may be reached at 732-7159 or jessica.greene@starbanner.com.

BYU soccer game

Last night, my friends the Vanderveurs, invited me to go to the Bringham Young University Women's soccer game with them. I have always wanted to go to one of their games so I was really excited to go.
Here I am with Sherrie and Kevin. Did I mention that Sherrie is my exercise instructor and has helped me get back in shape over the years. She has lots of people shed many pounds and is a true motivator. She is funny and makes us do 80's moves during class, and sometimes we get second looks from passers by....We can always tell when she has had a "pint" because she overworks us at 5:45 in the morning. Pint being a pint of Hagen Das peanut butter fudge ice cream. Hahaha.



This is part of the stadium, with the beautiful mountains in the background.
The Vanderveur's daughter Alyssa, is on the team. She is their oldest and has been playing soccer since she was a little girl, with her Dad always being her coach. When she was a senior at Bingham High School, she was named the top girl's soccer player in the state. Number 23, with her trademark sideways on the top of her head, ponytail. I'm sometimes surprised when I see her without it.
OUCH!!!!!!

Go get "em Lyssie!
BYU beat Idaho, 2 to 1.
Here is the family after the game. Nick came also, he will be 18 very soon and is a senior at Bingham. Chloe (12), and Raquelle (9), stayed at their grandma's house.
Here I am with the "Star" player.
Alyssa signed autographs after the game to adoring fans. This is a regular ritual. This little girl and her sister climbed up the stands to have Alyssa sign her tee shirt.
We went to The Brick Oven afterwards. It was a fun night for me.

Football Game

Jordan, Vanessa and I went to the centennial football game on Friday night. A hundred years ago, the Bingham HS Miners played the Jordan HS Beetdiggers. It was only fitting that a hundred years later, Bingham would open their game on their new field (covered in turf) against Jordan. They also have a new scoreboard with a video screen. They officially named it the Ron Thorne stadium. Ron Thorne is a developper and all of his five children graduated from Bingham. Rebecca is friends with one of his sons.
This is Sean and Zach. This is right before they went onto the field to perform their half time show.
This is the band, performing their show, the Amazonian Rainforest. Can you see which one is Sean? I couldn't. I kept searching for the trumpet players and trying to see his body shape and size, but it was next to impossible. I never did find him on the field.
The band can't wear their hats while they are playing in the stands, because the feather might get bent. So here is Sean with messed up hair. Not a very good pic, but you get the idea. I have had two people tell me (just last week) that they saw Addison. Well, Addison is in South Africa, so I guess they thought that Sean was Addison!

Here's a picture of us in the stands. The place was packed and it was very uncomfortable being squished in a little space.
By the way, Bingham beat Jordan 27-7. It was exciting. The Channel 2 News helicopter kept flying overhead and filming, I thought the cameraman was going to fall out!
We got home to late to see the news recap. It was a fun night. By the way, did you notice that I'm wearing Gator colors?

The Utah State Fair

Last weekend, Vanessa and I went to the fair together. This sculpture is made entirely of butter. The man inside the refrigerated case is finishing up his sculpture. He does it every year, but this is the first time I have seen it in person.

The big attraction at the fair this year, is the battered and deep fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich! They poured hot chocolate sauce over it and sprinkled it with powdered sugar. It was gooey and melty and oh, so good......Vanessa and I thought it would be fun to have a "deep fried" party and batter and deep fry all sorts of food items.
Vanessa ordered the deep fried "Snickers bar". I had a bite, and the chocolate was completely melted. It was better than the PBJ. They also had deep fried oreo cookies and twinkies. I wonder what deep fried candy corn pumpkins would taste like? Sounds kind of gross actually.

Creations

I have been wanting to sew this yoga bag for a long time, and I finally got it done! There is a pocket along the bottom of the bag where you can put your water bottle, or keys, or whatever. I made this as a gift for a friend whose favorite color is orange. The name of the fabric is "pumpkins gone wild"


I bought this quilt kit a few weeks ago and have been anxious to show you on my blog. I have admired this fabric at the quilt store and one day I found it all half price! I don't know when I'll get it done, but I am going to make it for myself. I think I deserve a treat. I hope to start it soon. I went to my "Thanksgiving" quilt class today, and we only have one more month and the quilt wall hanging will be complete. I will take a picture of it when I get today's blocks done.

Last Supper

We went to Lugano's Restaurant for dinner. All of us were there except Addison, who is in South Africa.
This was the entree that Rebecca, Lindsay and I ordered. It was spaghetti with mussels, clams, shrimp and fish. It was really good! Every time they would bring us plates of bread, there would be loads of olives on the plate as well. yummmmm

I hope you don't get sick of me always taking pictures of food, but when it looks this good, who can resist?
Ricky and I.
Rebecca, Vanessa and Dave.

Bridger being silly with Sean.









Lindsay and Bridger.

Lindsay and Kennedy.

All of us except Vanessa, who took the picture with her pretty blue camera.
Sean and Vanessa.
Rebecca and Dave, with Ricky's eye on them!
Lindsay and Vanessa.


Jordan and Kimalee.