A P R I L was packed!

Camber has a new job...The Expeditor!  

She is working at new restaurant in SLC called 

Current Fish and Oyster

Every plate passes by her hand and she makes sure that each one looks perfect.

She is so fun to watch :)  And the food!!!!  We loved it!  You won't be disappointed.
{these two photos are borrowed from their website}

 Emily and I shared the Salmon dish and Mark savored the Scallops...

after we sampled chowder, crab cakes and an amazing potato dumpling dish!

Pleased as punch with our choices!                            And there she is...all smiles, as usual!
We'll try dessert next time!

 Easter Sunday

Around our table this year were Grandpa and Grandma Firth, 

Camber, Rickie, Emily, Mark and Leisa.

It was a sweet gathering and a beautiful day.

We drove out to the cemetery and enjoyed the spring weather and reminiscing.

So thankful for the gift our Savior has so freely given us.

Our wedding china :)

We all find such peace here and so much beauty.  

We love our visits, and our boy.

April Birthdays

Happy Birthday Marie!

A chance to gather family and enjoy great food and each other's company.

 Larisa was visiting with her darling daughters, from England!

Smiles all around

And so much love!

Folk Dancers

We left Grandma Marie's party a little early because 

we don't like a miss a chance to see our cute Emily on stage.  

Dancing for Spain this time at the end of year performance for family and friends.

They have some very impressive dancers at BYU. That clogging team!

I'm always keeping an eye out for those pretty Polish costumes!

Where does the time go?  It seems like she was just three 

and twirling around the living room just yesterday.

You are beautiful, Em.

April 19, 2015

Dear Davis, 

25 years ago we welcomed you into our family.  You were just about as perfect as a little one could be.  Such a beautiful, darling baby.  You have taught us so much from the very beginning of your life with us.  And as much as the pain and empty place we all have in our hearts, we are healing in our grief from losing you - way to soon from our lives and continuing to learn from you as we count our many blessings for the joy you continue to bring to our family.  It comes in new ways now and in surprising moments. We hold them close to our hearts.  

This evening Dad and I took a walk in one of your favorite places.

Everything we saw reminded us of you.

There was spring green and new growth everywhere we looked.

Old bricks and stuff ... so much to discover and wonder about.

We love to build cairns, just for you!  

And everywhere we go, we do! 

It always puts a smile on our face.  

 Marking direction and remembrance

I hope you know we feel you near, quite often.

That is a gift, a tender mercy for each of us.

We see why you loved this rocky, beautiful place.  

There is peace in the mountains.

Not long after we lost you, we received a card from a sweet friend that brought such comfort.  She told us that even though you were gone from us for awhile and this life on earth, our relationship with you would continue to grow.  I didn't quite understand how that would work, but she was right!  I can speak only for myself, but I truly feel it has. 

Life isn't the same without you here with us.   But life is beautiful.  We are all learning to live in
a new way with a part of you inside of each of our hearts.  That part of you gives us home and strength.  I know we are looking forward to that day when we will laugh again with you.  When we can have a hug from those strong arms of yours.  Miss you every day.

We love you Davis.

More than words can say.

Love,

Dad and Mom

Ice Skating Review Time!

It's a big deal to skate in front of SO many people!

But we all need a little time in the spotlight...

and to appreciate some lively cheering!

New tricks are fun to show off!

And learning that sometimes,

when we fall

we have people who love us who will help us get back up on our feet.

Life is pretty great most of the time.

Family is what it is all about.  And we are certainly blessed.

Great job Molly and Owen!!  You two are are pretty special xoxo

(and your parents are pretty awesome, too!)

St George

It's always so nice to have an escape from everyday life and get some new perspective and see new new vistas.  We welcomed a trip to St George this past weekend!  A little business tied in along with some much needed down for both of us.

We chose to stay at the  Green Gate Village Historic Inn.  

A charming little B&B. The artist Eric Dowdle painted this rendition of it:

We stayed in the Tolley Cabin, a small two room cabin moved from the Nephi area. 

 The above photo shows the home before it was moved and the family who lived there.  I read about this family and have had a hard time getting them and some of my own ancestors off my mind.  They had 13 children, 10 of whom survived to adulthood.  After the last child was born (if I remember correctly)  the mother had an insect bite that infected her leg such that she had to have it amputated from the knee down.  The boys would sleep out on the screened porch in the winter and in the summer they would find themselves sleeping under an apple tree.  As we relaxed in the our small little room I couldn't help but wonder how people survived back then.  I know my own grandfather lived in a similar sized home with a family about this size, too.  It's quite remarkable to me.  We are truly blessed today. 

We stayed in the far room of the home pictured above.  

I did lots of stitching and  Mark enjoyed some time on his bike.   

We love eating at Benja's for Thai.

I like poking around in some of the little shops ... and there is a real bookstore in St. George - Barnes and Noble!  We sound like we live deprived lives in our little valley!  Not so - but we love exploring!

It's always a treat to attend the St George Temple.  It was the first temple to be completed here in Utah.  One of our friends had recently done a replica of the original table the Celestial Room.  The base was kept, the table top redone.  Another good reason to make a visit.  It was exquisite.

That same friend has built a table that is a very close replica 

of the desk in the Oval Office in the White House.  

Yep, Mark was drooling over the gorgeous wood grain.

 I think he said the Oval Office original has leather around the outside - he chose to do marble.

 And instead of the Presidential Seal, he had the boat five of his 

ancestors came to America on, carved to put on the front.

(Me and my facts, don't quote me, it could have been five families...)

It was a treat to visit their home.  We really have a lot pretty remarkable people in our lives!
They have two special needs daughters and we attended the roadshow for the
special needs mutual one night.  Very, very touching.

The Inn Keeper told us that the little home we stayed in may be one of the most painted buildings 

in Utah.  I'll have to keep my eye out for it now.  This one was hanging in our room.

We enjoyed every breakfast served to us as well as the quiet grounds.
(Breakfast was served in the building with the lights on.)

Spring is certainly on its way!

This is the famed green gate for which the Inn is named after:

 What's the history behind our name "Green Gate" Village?  In 1877, Brigham Young ordered white paint for the newly finished LDS Temple. When the shipment finally arrived by wagon, everyone was disappointed to learn that the paint was green, not white.  Unable to return it, Bro. Brigham gave the green paint to local St. George residents to gild their gates and fences. Only one of those green gates still remains from a 137 years ago and is currently on display in our formal garden.  Other gates surrounding the Village are patterned after this treasured original.

It's back to real life again!

We felt lucky to have some time on the road together with no distractions. 

We live in such a gorgeous state xo