ninety-one

Alden Levi celebrates 91 years of living today! How lucky are we? I know that I am supposed to be humble, but I am so PROUD of my DAD. I feel blessed every day as I think of the wonderful parents Heavenly Father sent me to. He is about as celestial as I think we can find living here on this earth :).

Last week I got to spend the day with my parents driving home from Salt Lake City. He is just about the kindest man I have ever spent time with. What a huge heart, and what a wonderful example to me. He never has an unkind word to say about anyone, really, he is funny, he is generous, he is playful, he is wise, he reads his scriptures, he is spiritual, he has been our patriarch through all the highs and lows of life, and we have leaned very heavily on him at times! He is amazing, in every sense of the word. HE IS MY FATHER!, and I LOVE HIM!

Isn't he handsome, at all ages?



this is a little video clip from last years 90th celebration! that cake is on FIRE!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! Here's to enjoying every day of your 92nd year...

Southern California in Winter

Jon and Tod planned this little weekend way back at the beginning of the NBA basketball season. As it turned out, being in California on Monday wasn't easy for Jon, with the timing of the closing of the Sierra deal. But, I'm glad he went. The picture of the brothers (Jon and Bill) is pretty cute. Worth the drive down and back in twenty-four hours I'm sure :). Actually, I think being with the boys was worth it. The picture of the other "brothers" (Adam, Mason, Tod and Colt) watching Kevin Garnet play, is pretty cute too. Mason is married (to a wonderful girl I might add), but Adam, Tod and Colt are all still available I believe. SOOOO...

the saga continues...

Are you kidding me? Is this blue Honda on my blog AGAIN??? yes.

Today Megan came home with a very, very flat tire. I wish I had taken the first picture then. As you know, today was quite a hectic day in Jon's world, but I decided to call to get his advice on the matter. SHOCK! He was in a meeting. I thought about it for awhile, and decided that Megan and I could change the tire and I could have it fixed before Jon ever came home from work. My little bit to help out, even though this didn't fall under my "usual tasks" list. We each have "usual tasks" that were established long ago. At that time I realized if I did something once or twice (put salt in the water softener, change the air filters, take the garbage out) it could quickly become my job. Jon also got stuck with some jobs (doing ALL the yard work, cleaning out the garage...I'm sure he has a longer list) he wishes we would share. I digress.

Anyway, I get Megan to come out and help me, and she has a total lack of faith. "Mom, do you have any idea what you are doing? Put the parking brake on, what is that? How are you going to change the tire, we don't have an extra one?" Hello!!! Have I taught her NOTHING? After loosening the bolts she had to get ready for dance, so I proceeded to get the jack going and who should drive up, but my dear neighbor Keri. She could have quickly closed her garage and pretend she didn't see me, but over she came, to add her cute giggle and lighten my mood, as she could see the humor in yet another Megan car issue. Thanks, Keri!

It actually went very smoothly. Thank goodness Keri was there to help me get the tire off, but other than that NO PROBLEM. Dad, this one was for you...I can still change a flat tire. Now, I know, Jon will quit worrying about me when I am traveling with out him:), and most of all, I hope Megan learned something today. I hope, I hope, I hope. I. hope.

SIGNED, SEALED, IT'S A DONE DEAL!

FINALLY, the buy out of Sierra Health Services by UnitedHealth Group is DONE! I don't know why I'm complaining, it is Jon that has had to live this nightmare for the past year or more. It is amazing all the hoops that had to be jumped through to gain the approval of the federal government. The lawyers, that have jobs, just to assist companies that are being bought and companies that are trying to purchase other companies. It has been a very INTERESTING process!

Tomorrow, Jon goes to work, in his same office, but has a new "boss". My heart is hoping for the best, that it all goes smoothly, that the "boss" is as good as he seemed during the acquisition process. I just keep telling myself that this is what he has been working for for the past several years. Every time that he was missing a family function or vacation and I said, "Oh, something has come up at work.", that was code for, "a company is looking to buy Sierra." When that would happen, life would pretty much stop, and all energy would be focused on making a presentation and trying to get an offer. It was always a big secret, and sometimes it was a little inconvenient, but when things finally worked with United, it was all worth it. I never expected it would take soooooo long to become final. (I am very naive.)

Dr. Marlon has been a wonderful employer. He has been very good to Jon and our family. We have been so blessed.

Here's to a new era, with a new employer. Thanks Jon, for working so hard for those of us at home! WE LOVE YOU!!!
GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!!

good news minute

in my ward relief society we have what they call the "good news minute". they take a minute after the announcements are given and anyone attending can shout out their good news. since i am in young women's, i have decided to incorporate the "good news minute" in my blog each week. and, since i haven't written this week, i have a lot of good news to share this morning!

1- jon got a new car! he will now be conserving gas with the rest of america...the expedition will be sitting on the driveway, waiting to take the family on vacation.

2- my storage room downstairs is cleaned out :)

3- the concrete floor hallway leading to the girls bedrooms has been tiled this week :) (it's only been concrete since october)

#'s 2 & 3 should be finished tomorrow!

4- sadie has not slipped and fallen all week while walking in the ice and snow in utah! (a miracle!)

5- megan got a great grade on her zoology project! (a children's book about SCORPIONS)

6- hailey did a round-off, back-handspring this week in gymnastics! (she was being spotted)

7- my brother brent was a very handsome cowboy on the pbs special friday night. for once, our side came off as the obvious way it should be, the government and simplot guys looked like losers. (not kind, but true!)

8- unlv beat wyoming, in wyoming! (this is BIG)

9- byu lost to san diego state! (sorry allred's) (this is BIGGER!)

just a few tidbits of good news this week in my life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SADIE...

Today Sadie turned 19! If she had been a boy we would be talking about missions, but luckily, we are talking about nursing school:) WE LOVE HER!!!

These are a few of her favorite things:

Favorite time to wake up in the morning- NOON.
Favorite holiday- VALENTINE'S DAY. (I'll be in love one day :)
Favorite season of the year- SUMMER.
Favorite game to play- THE QUIET GAME.
Favorite sport to watch- BASKETBALL.
Favorite TV show- ONE TREE HILL & ER.
Favorite sport to participate in- GHETTO DANCE, aka. HIP HOP. Is that a sport?
Favorite movie- THE BOURNE TRILOGY. (Jason Bourne is my other boyfriend.)
Who is your hero?- KRISTEN LUCY & MY MOM. (She is so funny!)
Favorite Food- MACARONI & TOMATOES.
Favorite subject in school- ANATOMY & MATH cuz I'm good at them.
Favorite activity- SHOOT GUNS.
Favorite family member- LAUREN.
Favorite thing to do in your free time- SIT IN THE SUN IN MY SWIMSUIT READING A GOOD BOOK.
Favorite place in all the world- NEW YORK CITY.
Favorite ice cream- CHOCOLATE & VANILLA SWIRL.
Favorite candy- 3 MUSKETEERS.
FAVORITE SORTS TEAM OF ALL TIME:
1st place: UNLV Basketball
2nd place: Denver, Nuggets baby!
LIST YOUR BOYFRIENDS IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE:
1. T. M. S.
2. Allen Iverson
3. Jason Bourne
4. School Boyfriend
5. Kenyon Martin
6. Michael Umeh
7. Justin Timberlake
8. Colt Brennan
9. Matt Shaw
10. Reggie Bush
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO SHOP FOR: Shoes.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR TO PAINT YOUR NAILS: Black.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ONE TREE HILL CHARACTER: Peyton Sawyer.
TEXTING OR EMAIL: Facebook Comments.
UTAH OR LAS VEGAS: LV; anywhere but Utah.
BRUNETTE OR BLONDE: Brunette=Winter, Blonde= Summer.
ROSES OR TULIPS: Red Roses.
WHO DO YOU WISH WOULD REMEMBER YOUR BIRTHDAY THE MOST? T-rav-is.
HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE: 8
Name them: Dad, Mom, Kristen, Mike Lauren, Tod, Megan, Hailey.
WOULD YOUR BOYFRIEND HAVE A NICE STOMACH OR RIPED ARMS: Preferably both.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF: I'm a peacemaker! (or so I'm told).
WHAT WAS THE LAST ADVICE YOU RECEIVED? "Take control of your own life" - Jon Wayne.
CURRENT MOOD: Content & giddy to not be looking at snow.*

Sadie's Make-Over

Sadie has had basically the same hair style every since she was old enough to have an opinion about how she wanted her hair. She has changed the color on occasion but not the style. (this made her father very happy) Today, after much indecision, she made the leap! (sorry, jon) Katie said she cut 8 inches off! YIKES!!! I think she looks adorable!

happy valentine's day!

we tried camie's cookies. i wondered the whole time i was making them if i should have stuck with my old favorite recipe, but they are very tasty! here's wishing you much happiness on this special, fun day of love!



P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BRYNLEY!!!!!

love history tag!

Since Candice tagged me on January 31, I have been trying to think of five things about myself that every one doesn't already know about me, that would be interesting enough to write about. NOTHING has come to mind! So, Candice, I hope you don't mind if I change the tag up for this time, and make it the LOVE HISTORY TAG! My nephew's wife (on the Bunker side) had this tag on her blog for almost two months I think, so every time I checked on her, I was reminded of it. Here goes:

WHERE DID YOU MEET YOUR HUSBAND?
The first time at a Youth Conference dance. Nothing came from this meeting...he was a big, bad senior, and I was a lowly sophomore. He didn't know I existed.
The next time I was driving out of the parking lot at my Pineview apartment at BYU. He said to his friend (a girl), "isn't that Susan Stewart?"


WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING HE SAID TO YOU?
I have no idea. But the first thing he said to his friend, Pam Myers was, "set me up with Susan and I'll have my friend Phil take you and we can double." Her response, "are you sure you want to go out with Susan Stewart?" no joke! (Pam and I are now friends...no hard feelings!)

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST DATE?
I don't know the exact date, but I believe it was in April of 1981. There were only a few more weeks until my semester was over, and I was heading home for the summer. His idea of a good first date was going swimming at BYU and then dinner and playing raquet ball or something. I put a veto on swimming, especially wearing a zoo-suit (can you seriously believe that?). We ended up having pizza on this double date, but we can't remember what else. What losers:( I remember coming home from that date thinking, "this is someone I could marry." I was scared. I had thought I wanted to be married for a long time, but when he actually appeared I was a little scared. Go figure!

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST KISS?
I think it was after our first date. Jon thinks it was in June. Either way, he has nice big lips, kissing him is always fun :)

LONG/SHORT COURTSHIP/ENGAGEMENT?
I came home in May and we got to know each other through letters and phone calls. He was in Logan at Utah State finishing his quarter. When he came home for the summer, we spent a couple of weeks together and he had plans to go to BYU with his mother for the summer. She was finishing her masters and he was going to take a couple classes. I promptly quit my job at Dillard's, and went back to BYU for summer school myself. (pretty much like a stalker wouldn't you say?:) I remember taking a children's literature class that summer, but the rest was pretty much a blur. We, actually, were the first couple, at least in Alden Stewart's family, to be engaged at the ranch. It was the first of September, and we were married the middle of December. So, we probably dated for three months and were engaged for three months. Pretty short I know, but the engagement was plenty LONG!



















WHERE WERE YOU MARRIED?
St. George, Utah Temple. December 18, 1981. (one week before Christmas. My poor mother!)
I didn't even realize what an overcast day it was, until years later when I realized the tree looked dead and the sky was gray in the pictures. I'm sure my smile and happiness shone so brightly, it seemed to everyone like the sun was out, right?




WHERE DID YOU SPEND YOUR HONEYMOON?
In Coronado Bay, California. It was fun and beautiful, but short. We had a beautiful suite at Caesar's Palace for the first two nights, and then we went to California. We wanted to be home for Christmas eve, so we only had four days. They were memorable though! As a side note, Kristen was born 9 months and 3 days after we were married. (OF COURSE, she was early!!!)

Now I am love history tagging Kacee, Heidi, Jennifer and Keri!

cancun, mexico

jon and i just spent a week in cancun. we gave this trip to each other as an anniversary gift back in december. in reality it was a little vacation planned by jack bickmore (a friend from the olden days:) for four old high school buddies and their wives. only it turned out to be just two old high school buddies and their wives that went. the other two didn't know what they would miss out on!

why was cancun so wonderful? let me count the ways...
one- because jon and i were together. there is always something magical about being away together!
two- i think it had a lot to do with the time of year and the cold, cold weather we left behind, only to find ourselves in a tropical paradise-warm, sweaty and feeling like it was summer.
three- the cool, white sand on the beach/the water temperature of the ocean-(just perfect!)/the color of the water-(all shades of blue)/and how clear the water was-(i could see the bottom all the way out at the booey). i really couldn't keep myself out of the ocean, i was the first one in on our first day, and for those who have been to the beach with me in california, that is really hard to believe isn't it?!
four- the resort we were staying at. good job jack!!! it was beautiful! it was all-inclusive, meaning we paid one price and then had all the bottled water we wanted (important in mexico), all the drinks we wanted at the pool and beach, food anytime we wanted to eat it, a mani/pedi and 25 minute massage, two tours-we chose snorkeling and seeing chichen-itza (the mayan ruins, pronounced cshitzen-izza/or chicken pizza:), beautiful surroundings, great service, and six other properties we could spend time at any time we wanted (they were also beautiful). we liked it ssoooo much we became members...so if you ever want to go to cancun you should call me and go as our guests.
five- laughing with friends as we remembered the olden days, and crazy people, and crazy things jon and jack did together. (julie was a trooper and acted interested any time we reminiced). making new memories together, being friends, talking, laughing, relaxing and having fun.

what were some things that surprised me while we were in cancun?
one- jon can speak spanish!!! i think he even surprised himself how good he was at it. it definately came in handy when we were trying to find the "iglesia de mormones" (the church).
two- going to church where no one speaks english can be a very sweet experience. it was fast sunday and i'm sure your own sacrament meetings were much the same, where each who bore testimony spoke of president gordon b. hinckley, of their love for him and of what a great prophet he was. the spirit touched my heart and, surprise, the tears flowed.
three- i learned crocodiles can run. as we arrived at the resort, jack informed us that their were crocodiles on the golf course, and i guess from my reaction...he felt he needed to constantly remind me about crocodiles and the most amazing thing he told me was that they can run faster than horses. i was glad to get home and "google" crocodiles and learn some facts about how speedy they really were. reasonably fit humans can out run a crocodile by running in a straight line. crocodiles are amazingly quick as they start to attack, but they cannot sustain the physical activity.

anyway, we had a wonderful vacation. we are looking forward to returning with the whole family, hopefully later this year! any questions about a stay for yourself, call me!

EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!!

The weather is warm, the sun is shining, the beach is white sand, the ocean is warm...this is where everyone should be in February!