Hope of America!

Yesterday was Spencer's and my 38th wedding anniversary.  Jamie's son, Tyson, also had a school performance which took place down at the BYU Marriot center.  Getting to BYU was a traffic nightmare and took a really long time.  Parking was another nightmare, not to mention finding a place to sit.  I think everyone in Utah was there. 

As soon as I sat down and looked over to the students performing, I saw what I thought was Tyson.  And it was.  My eyes are still pretty good, all considering the distance!

Here he is the middle "white" shirted group.  He is in the 2nd row, 4th from the right. 

Standing up in the red jacket is one of the directors, Alan Osmond

As you can see, the shirts made a flag.  And these were all the students throughout Utah County and all 5th graders.  They had studied American history this year and I can remember Jamie doing a program in 5th grade of a patriotic type very similar but on a very small scale and only her school was involved.

It was a full stadium. 

Grayson was rocking to the music and clapping.  He was a fan of all of this.

Towards the ending, the audience did a "wave" all around the stadium.  It was hard to capture, but you can get the idea, anyway.  And I hope that these young students will someday make their marks in the world, especially my 5th grade grandson, Ty.  I see him going far in life.

Personal Trainer

Well, 2 of my grandkids occupations are set in place.  Logan comes over frequently to "exercise."  He lifts my little weights, does push-ups and jumping jacks.  So I decided I have my own personal trainer now.  And Brecklyn, knows how to give a good massage to relieve those achy shoulders of mine.  Tyson says he wants to be a doctor, and the child definitely has the brains for it.
So I am all set for my OLD AGE!

Happy Belated Easter!

Today is clearly not Easter.  It was last Sunday.  Generally we always have a dinner together, but last week was different.  It was the week we were in Las Vegas for Spencer's mom's funeral.  Needless to say, it was different.  And we weren't back in time to have a dinner here anyway.  So it was today.  The dinner was fine and it actually worked out well because it was stake conference and we got out at 12:00 instead of 4:00 pm.  So we could eat early and be done early.    It was much cooler today than last week, but that is April for ya. 

Food is fun and brings the family together for the fun occasions in life.  If it wasn't so much work, I'd do it everyday!

Omi picked some pretty spring flowers for me.  I have none in my yard.  Aren't they pretty?  Couldn't find my regular vase, though.  It must be buried somewhere....

Livin' in Legoland

Yes, I live in Legoland.  They are everywhere...Yes they are!

And that is just part of the lot.  They run the house and the lives of the males in the family.  But it's a good hobby so I can't complain too much...just a little when I sit on one by accident.

A Sad Week: An Ode To Grandma Nish 1923-2012

Well, 88 years ago, my mother-in-law came to this earth.  She was the daughter of Tatsukuma Yoshizaki and his wife, Naka Moroi.  She was adopted by the Dono family and grew up in Hawaii.  And here she is:

As she got older, she met her soulmate, Arthur Nishimoto.  They were married 26 Jan. 1946 in Honolulu.

They had 5 children, Cas, Spence, Ian, Wells and their only daughter, Erin.

They went on a mission to Japan.  Erin, Wells and Ian went with them.  Arthur was the Mission President.  They were on their mission as Spence and I married.  So they were not there.  But here they are at someone else's wedding....

Here they are with their first two grandchildren, Robbyn and Tige, children of their oldest son, Cas and his wife Lee.  And then our kids came along.  And they had some more and before you knew it there were 15 of them!

Aren't they cuties!










And then after a mission and several more years in Japan, they moved to Utah.  It was during this time that they lived closer by and we could see them on holidays and other occasions.  This was Christmas in South Jordan.
Then they moved to Las Vegas.....And we didn't see them too often any more.
The grandchildren grew up and then they had children.  Jamie's first son was Tyson born 11 years ago.  We were lucky at that time to have grandpa and grandma come up for the blessing. 

Here they are at the Hofheins getting to know the rest of the family.

Occasionlly we went to Vegas and were able to see the rest of the clan.


The years have passed.  This was at last year's family reunion in June.  This is the last time that I saw grandma.  So I am glad so many of the family was there.  Here is a little tribute to you and your posterity. 
Grace Fumiko Dono Nishimoto 1923-29 Mar 2012.
5 children
15 grandchildren
10 1/2 great-grandchildren.

Never To Be Outdone...

Well, I mentioned to Logan that I posted his letter on my blog.  He had put it in my mailbox as a little surprise for me.  When Brecklyn heard that she wanted in on the action.  And said that she wanted hers posted, as well.  So here's to you, Breckie!

Lost in SLC

Yesterday I had a little time to check out the new City Creek Mall.  Wow, what a place.  It is really beautiful.  A really nice place to walk when you have a break from work.  It is amazing.  Here are some photos from my Blackberry.  So they are probably not the best, but it was all I had.

Lots of musical groups can be heard and seen.

The creek runs through much of the mall with pretty fountains throughout.

This pic looks a little fuzzy because I was looking out from the bridge that crosses over Main Street.  There was a glass so it made the picture unclear.

 

It reminds me a little of Europe with all the outdoor eating establishments.

In the background you can see the bridge that I stood at and took a picture looking down on Main Street.  The Mall covers 3 blocks!

The Mall is on the left.  You would never guess from outside what is behind the tall facade!

Here is the Macy's entrance

On the right is Jamie's "store" H&M.  These are widely seen in Europe, Germany and Poland especially.

So here is another outside view.  Beautiful inside and you all need to take a walk through and enjoy the open-air mall with its retractable glass roof.