Trip to Italy (for work)

Last fall, Smith sent me to Italy to work with one of our suppliers on a compliance issue. I had been to Italy a couple of times before when I worked for DFG but I didn't think I would get that chance again so I was very surprised. Italy is a very beautiful country with amazing things to see but obviously, for most of the time I was doing things for work. The town I stayed in is called Varese, which is about a half hour north of Milan. Each day after I finished my work responsibilities I would try to take some time to visit some of the local sites, which included Sacro Monte di Varese (a local church/monastery dedicated to the 12 stations of Christ), Palasso Estense (a palace that was located in the town center that is now a public park), The church of San Vittorio, which is the main church located in the heart of the town. The church even has an amazing bell tower that still operates and chimes on the hour and half hour. One of the highlights of my trip was renting a bike and riding around Lake Varese. The trail made a loop around the lake and was approximately 27 km long (I think it took me about 2 hours to ride the circumference).

Below are a few photos of the area where I was..

 This is part of the bike path around the lake Varese

 A random church that I saw while going around the lake

 A fisherman with a pole (not a fishing rod like we use)

 Various houses I saw while touring around the lake

 This was the clock / bell tower that was in the center of the town

 A reflection pond at Palasso Estense

 Swans in a lake that was part of Palasso Estense

The church at the top of Sacro Monte

A monument at the top of Sacro Monte

 An outdoor restaurant in downtown  Varese

 Cobble stone road

More from downtown  Varese with the bell tower in the background

 an overview of the mountains from the top of Sacro Monte

My bike ride route around lake Varese

Valentines and spring

For Valentine's I'm not a big fan of going out to eat because it is so busy and I always feel rushed. When I go out to eat it is also just to enjoy the company of those I am with. This is why I always choose to make a nice meal at home and enjoy it with our loved ones.

Joseph brought me flowers.

 Dressed up for the annual Stake Valentines dance.  This has been a tradition since we moved to Layton many years ago. 

The apricot tree in bloom. This has been a  strange year. We only had two snow storms all winter and it has been the warmest winter we have had since moving to Utah.  The fruit trees have bloomed way to early. We had a hard freeze this past week. It looks like we had some damage to the blossoms but not as bad as it could of been.



catch up from fall 2014

In November Joseph and I made an emergency trip to Missouri when our grandson was hospitalized with shunt failure.  We went out to take care of the other grandkids so Bill and Jessica could be with Alex. We were able to go to Zachary's pack meeting while we were there. 

 The boys in his troop 

He passed off some of his requirements.



He was the distinguished dragon for his class. It was nice to be able to be there with him. The school also had a movie night while we were there that we took the boys to.

Joseph did some yard work while we were there, cutting branches that had broken in previous storms, so the boys were able to have a fire with the smaller branches and roast marshmallows.

Joseph watching How to Train Your Dragon II with Alex (who had just got home from the hospital that day) and Trevor.

Peeko, the miracle cat who had been missing for over a month; through the Lord's timing came home with Alex. He was very happy to be home.

From Missouri we went down to Texas to visit the Hamaker's but for some reason we didn't take any pictures.  We had an early Thanksgiving with them on a night that Jeff was home as he would be working through Thanksgiving. I made apple butter while there as it is Christine's favorite thing to have on her sandwiches (I had made some to take out to them when we went to Texas but in our hurry to get to Missouri I forgot to put that and the grape juice I had made from our own grapes in the car) I also taught Angela how to can, so that she can make her own jams in the future. Store bought jams just simply are not as good.

Last fall Joseph bought me a nice bike. The first new bike I have ever owned.  It is a good way to help me get in better shape and get us out to enjoy the beauties of nature.  This was a lovely day as we took the trail along the Ogden river.

The fall colors were just incredible on this day.

President Obama visits Utah

As some of you may be aware,it was announced two days ago that President Obama would be coming to Utah. His flight would come into Hill Air Force Base.  When I came home from work around 5:00 pm there were cars already lining the road that goes to the burn plant which aligns the east side of the base. The local news reported that the president might be arriving at 8:30. Around 8:00 I asked Debra if she wanted to go with me to go drive by and see the crowds that were gathering. I thought it might be fun to go people watching. I brought my binoculars and camera just in case. When we got to the base, cars were everywhere. There were even armed soldiers at the end of the runway. It was quite the sight. It was about 8:15 and we were just about ready to turn around and go back home when we noticed a large plane coming in from the north. We watched it for a while and thought it was just another plane heading to the Salt Lake City airport but then we noticed it started to bank heading back to the HAFB runway. We kept watching it and sure enough it was Air Force One bringing the President in for his visit. It was very impressive to see. Probably as close as we'll ever get to a president.  It was already sunset so the pictures had very little light but I think they are still okay.

 Anticipating the arrival

 Final approach

All of Layton watching

 If you stand on your car you get a better view

 Everyone had a camera or were using their phones

Ready to go home after our 30 seconds of excitement.