Rasmania 102

Happy Birthday to Thomas on the 21st This picture was taken in January 1993 by Tom Carlile and given to us after Tom's passing. Dad and I decided that it was too cold and snowy to decorate the grave, but the weather didn't stop other family members from remembering Tom.   Harvey, Mav, Bevy and Max went to a buffet as Elise has memories of eating with Thomas at "Ryans Buffet" in Alpharetta, GA. (long out of business). Adrienne took the kids to send balloons off to Tom, another long-standing tradition. Experience wtih Nick and Sara For Christmas Nick and Sara gave Roy and me an "experience" gift.  We cashed in on it on Friday evening and made homemade pasta together.  It went so smoothly.  I've tried making it before and I didn't have nearly the success we had in the class.  Of course, we had great tools to thin out and cut the pasta. We also made Alfredo sauce.  It was delicious, but how could it not be with an entire cube of butter and heavy cream?...

We had a great time with Ori and Yuna celebrating their 11th birthdays.  Ori's been patient to wait for Yuna to turn 11 so they could go together and pick out their gifts.  Yuna didn't have to wait at all; we went out right on her birthday. This was the dessert they made themselves before the waitress came over to sing to them,  birthday desserts in hand. As if they hadn't eaten enough, the waitress brought them these huge cookie-ice cream sandwiches.  Ori just moved hers around, but Yuna ate quite a bit of hers. Shopping with the birthday girls. Harvey dressed up as "purple."  Earlier he had Elise help him purchase a blue hoody with his own money (and a little bit of Elise's money, too).  When he got home he drew on a face on the hoody in permanent marker because he wanted a costume.  He watches a show called Rainbow Friends.  He wanted to be the blue friend.  Above is a picture of the rainbow friends.  Pretty good for an almost 5 year-...

Last week I requested prayers for Jeff and Emily.  This week I ask that you add Bruce Oblad to your prayers.  He had a small stroke and it was discovered that he has a hole in his heart.   I failed to mention in last week's letter that when I went up to Logan to visit with Crista, I took Greta out for her birthday date.  We had a good time at the Book Table where she carefully chose a couple of gifts; then we went over to Great Harvest and had a treat.  She chose a Valentine cookie to take home.  Greta's birthday is two days after mine.  She turned 8.  We were planning on going to her baptism yesterday, but Greta came down with the flu; so we're now looking at March 8.  Something to look forward to!  Happy Birthday, Greta. Foster can now wear the headband that came with her 6 month Minnie Mouse outfit dad and I got her from Disney World.  She's wearing a hand-me-down trico nightgown from Bridget.  She loves Dallin and kno...

Just a heads up to put Jeff Cook and Emily Cook in your prayers.  Jeff had a stent put into his heart yesterday (Sunday).  He had a 95% blockage in the LAD "widow maker" artery.  (I'm not sure if I have my medical terminology right).  I don't know the whole story, but it sounds like it's a miracle he's still here.  Emily had surgery last Wednesday and is struggling with pain.   ____________ It's amazing how fast a 20-day vacation is relegated to memory.  We had a delightful time and then it was over.  I wanted to add just a couple more pictures from our trip.   This is the conservatory in Melbourne.  Hydrangeas were the flower of the hour.  I have never seen one bloom like the one on the left.  The weather in Australia is obvious perfect for them. The Australia Tennis Open was going on while we were in the city of Melbourne.  We drove by the courts but didn't see much.  We also drove by these temporary bleac...