Congratulations, Mark and Holly!

Mark caught up with Claudia in age today as he celebrated his 55th birthday. You might say that he entered the world of senior citizenship today! We celebrated by having a family dinner on the back patio, complete with a low-carb "cake."

In the evening, we attended a special meeting at the stake center just prior to the General Young Women broadcast, to honor the young women in the stake who had completed requirements for the Young Womanhood Recognition award. Holly was the youngest girl in the stake this year to achieve that award.

We thought you would enjoy another couple of photos of our wonderful grandkids.

There are many more family photos on Mark's Flickr photo page.

Spring has Sprung

We're enjoying the nice spring weather here in Arizona, although today is unseasonably chilly. We are grateful for the rainy weather this winter that has filled our reservoirs and provided the water we so desperately need in the desert. This little cold spell will pass soon.

Our flowers are blooming, weeds are growing and the yard is beckoning. This colorful bed of flowers outside our front door makes us happy every time we step outside.

Petunias are blooming on the back patio ...

... sweet peas are climbing the fence ...

... and we have a gorgeous yellow rose.

"... even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." (Matthew 6.29)

Please visit Mark's Flicker photo stream for more family photos.

Good night, and God Bless!

Thank you, Mama Clod

Just one more post tonight, with a message from Alex Gerber, a young man who graduated from Mesa High School a year before Ryan. The sweet tribute he wrote for Claudia on our white board says it all.

Good night, and God bless!

Happy Birthday, Eve!

Eve's two year birthday will be March 4th (same day as Great Grandma Dixon's birthday), but we celebrated yesterday with a small family party at Dave and Rachel's home.

Eve looks like a beautiful princess, even though she isn't sure she wants that funny thing on her head!

One of her favorite gifts was a telephone fit for a princess.

Dad helped her blow out the birthday candles on the cake Granny made ...

... and Eve's brother and cousin joined in the fun!

More birthday party photos are on Eve's Birthday Party Flickr set.

Good night, and God bless!

The Music Man

The culmination of many weeks of practice and preparation arrived this week with the public production of The Music Man by Taylor Junior High School. We were greatly entertained by the wonderful group of talented young people. We are grateful for them and all the adults who gave of themselves to make this a hugely successful affair.

Holly played one of the "Pick a Little" ladies and townspeople. Isn't she beautiful?

Claudia made Holly's costume and decorated her gorgeous hat.

Claudia also made the suit coat worn by our next door neighbor Derrick Espinoza, standing second from the right. Of the forty cast members, eight lived on our little street. We live right in the midst of a veritable plethora of talent and commitment.

Several more Music Man photos can be seen on Mark's Music Man Flickr set.

Good night and God bless.