Saving Tinkerbell

As part of my ongoing effort to raise well-rounded and culturally astute children, I took all three to a BYU Theater production of Peter Pan. My favorite part was watching Eliah save Tinkerbell's life by clapping enthusiastically with the audience to show he believes in fairies. Not! If it had been up to him, Tinkerbell's light would have gone out forever. Oh well. Ana was the only one willing to be photographed at the end of the evening.

Go, Ana!

Lovin' the Camera

I took Ana to get her portrait taken without her two front teeth (just as I've done with my other kids). This is one of my favorite stages of childhood, and I love to mark it. She was very excited to choose her accessories and then really hammed it up for the photographer. These pics were taken by me after the photo session, when we grabbed a bite to eat. She was still in the zone and kept striking poses. Really cute.

Grandma LaPriel's Bday

My grandmother LaPriel Walter was born on January 11, 1911. Today would have been her 100th birthday. We briefly celebrated her life at Evergreen cemetery, where she and Grandpa-Great are buried. I have great memories of my grandmother. She was a strong-minded, confident woman. She was an excellent cook who made even the simplest of meals tantalizing. She spoke her mind, which both impressed and frightened me as a child. As a young adult, I witnessed her courage in the face of affliction as well as her genuine loving nature. She was very kind to Daryl from the start of our relationship. She passed away shortly after we were married, but not before she made a big impression on both of us.

It seemed quite fitting to give Meili her name.