Yeah for Sky Miles!

A few weekends ago, Tom and I flew to Utah for several special events.  We had a couple of hours to kill in SLC before we picked up our niece from the airport so we ate at Ruth's Diner up Emigration Canyon then took a really fun drive.

 Yep, that's the "U" - from the University of Utah.  If we lived in this house, we'd be spray painting that thing BLUE every night!!!

 I told Tom this was the site of a boyfriend break-up for me in college.  It was very awkward back then, but such a beautiful view for me now!  ha ha

 The blossoms were out and it was warming up, despite the cloudy gray skies.

 Our niece, Alex, got engaged that very morning and as we picked her up from the airport, we heard the FULL story of how he proposed.  It was really cute!

 We got to Tom's mother's home and the Roundy's were there.  Amber and Colleen put together the most darling "bridal survival kit" for Alex.  (We all heard they were getting married weeks before but the actual engagement with the ring happened that day!)

 I was so thrilled to give Mary this quilt.  Several weeks ago, I was wondering what I could do to help my sweet mother in law who is struggling with some health problems right now.  Then, I had the idea to make a quilt for her with ALL of her children's names (and their spouses) and her grandchildren's names embroidered on it.  My sister, Melanie, is such a wonderful quilter and she has made a quilt like this one for all the new babies born into our family.  She is super talented and also very generous of her time and means--so I called her up and asked her if she would make this quilt for Mary.  She said, "I would LOVE to do that for Mary!  I have known her for over 20 years now and she is a part of our family.  I am happy to sew this for her!"  

So, I told her what colors would look nice in Mary's TV room and we chose tan, black, cranberry red, and white.  Melanie sent me the fabric squares and I got them embroidered with everyone's name.  In the black center square, it says, "Chamberlain Family."  I told Mary, that when she is getting treatment at the hospital, to bring this quilt and rub her hands over each and every name--because THOSE names are the people who LOVE her and are praying for her recovery.  Hopefully it will give her comfort and bring her happiness during this hard time.  

On Sunday, Tom was able to give his mother a blessing.  It was a beautiful blessing that brought peace and gave council to her.  She was encouraged to fight as hard as she can, to take advantage of every medical opportunity to help her feel better, and also to serve (not physically right now, but spiritually through her faith and her love of the Lord and to serve her family the best she can).  I recorded the blessing and typed it up for her so she can read it over and over.  What a tremendous honor it must be to have your son give you a blessing like that.  I was really proud of Tom.  

Another reason we came to Utah was to see our first "Great Nephew."  Kaden Thomas Roundy is the newest member of our family and he is such a little cutie!  We wanted to support Colleen and her family by coming to his baby blessing. (Kaden was born in time, so even his name is on the quilt!)

Chris MacArthur and his girlfriend, Wendy.  They were so much fun to talk to.

Mary wore a wig to church on Sunday.  While it was extremely uncomfortable for her, it looked beautiful on her.  I was super proud of her coming to the blessing, despite her not feeling her best.  She was such a great sport and didn't want to miss a thing!

 Of course, Colleen threw an incredible luncheon after the blessing and it was so much fun to see all of the family that came.

 This is a really great picture of the 5 Generations.  Those are pretty special moments that not everyone gets to have in their lifetime.

 Colby (the proud father), with his grandfather and baby Kaden.

I snapped a couple of pictures of Mary because she looked so pretty sitting by the plants.  She got a little embarrassed and started to laugh--but it made for some fun pictures!

 After the luncheon, I found this crazy old vacuum and helped clean the floors.  Man, I am so glad I don't have to wear that thing on my back at home.  (I feel for the poor janitor!)

 Here's some of the Chamberlain Family and the 4 Generations below.  I love this picture!

Here are the proud parents, Colby and Brooke. Brooke looked beautiful and loves being a mother.  Colby is totally in love with his little son and who wouldn't be?  How sweet is this little baby?  He was perfect--never squealed or cried during the blessing or at the luncheon.  

 Everyone got to hold him and he just slept like an angel.  (Colleen is in heaven holding him!)

Tom and I felt so blessed that we had enough sky miles to get up there and be a part of these family events.  Family means EVERYTHING to us and we feel so fortunate to have been born into the families we have.  

Life is Good . . .

BYU Weekend!!

Tom and I headed up to Utah last weekend for the Annual BYU Alumni Chapters Conference.  As usual, it was more fun to hang out with Colleen and Wade than actually going to the classes!  This is our fourth year going and we already knew most of the stuff they talked about.  But it is always a great experience to gather with the other chapter chairs and hear what fun activities they are doing.

 We asked Tom and Tamara Dufurd to join us this year at the conference.  They are on our alumni board and will be taking over as chapter presidents by the end of this month.  :)  (this makes me HAPPY . . . after 10 years of being on the board and 4 years of president, it's time!)

 Here are all the AZ people talking with our Regional Chairman.

 Colleen and Wade (Tom's sister) have been the Tucson Chapter Chairs the same amount of time as we have been.  They are also passing the torch to a great couple that has just graduated and moved down to Tucson.  

 Ya like my BYU bracelet and necklace??!!

 I had to take a picture of this!  My brother in law, Tim, has come up with an innovative method for potty training and he is launching them this year in the Macey's stores in Utah.  Yeah Tim!

 Here are some of the cool BYU kids we saw at our BYU Student Luncheon this year.  This is Tyler Day.  Tom went to dental school with his dad.  I used to babysit him!

 Lanae Carmichael, one of my absolute favorite people in the world!

 We had the lunch early this year so the kids could head over to the football game!

 We had 359 kids show up to the lunch!  Yikes!!!

 This was just the first 10 minutes---then the line wrapped around and doubled up.  We BARELY had enough food!!

There is absolutely NO way we could have pulled off that lunch without the help of Colleen's kids.  Amber and Colby ran errands and picked up food for us---they were essential to the success of this event!!  It was so fun to see Tom's mom there too.  She was a great help keeping the buffet table stocked with food!

 This year we got the patio of the Alumni Building which is a really pretty spot, especially with the stadium in the background. 

 We had a drawing of some free stuff (BYU sweatshirts, AZ T-shirts, even some real cactus!)

 Love Love Love the Gillette Twins!  They are our neighbors just returned from their missions.  Incredible boys and such great examples to Kohler.  

 Makinsey Plowman - one of my former beehives now at BYU.  She is a doll!  

Courtney Whidden - also one of my former beehives. (whoa . . . I am getting older)  She is super talented and so sweet!   

 Tom and I LOVE to go on drives, especially in Utah.  There is a development that we found, just past the Sundance exit that has the most gorgeous views!  It's hard to capture the beauty in a cell phone photo, but the colors of the hills were changing to autumn and it was simply breathtaking!

I can't put into words exactly how much I love this place.  My time in Utah, and at BYU specifically, were some of the happiest times of my life.  I stretched, I reached, I grew as an individual, I discovered things about myself that I never knew . . . and most importantly, I met my best friend, my eternal companion there.  This place, for me, is coming HOME.