Clean Up Columbia

Saturday we had the opportunity to participate in "Clean Up Columbia" through a group with State Farm. I really hate it when I see trash around the city, so I was happy to do it. We picked up trash along State Farm Parkway. There were some interesting things among the debris-- Madison's favorite was a page of a word search puzzle book. The category was "Dog Show". Gabrielle's favorite item was an old post-it note with "I can fly high like an eagle" written on it. We had lunch at Twin Lakes Recreation area with the Mayor. After lunch we decided to walk the trail around the lake. It was a good day! We hope to do it again next year.

Double Elimination

Did you tune in for the "dramatic double elimination" on American Idol last night??? Lil Rounds was put out of her misery pretty early on in the show, but the other contestants in the bottom, Allison and Anoop, had to wait until the end. Cutie David Archuletta sang the appropriate "Touch My Hand" amidst the cheering girls. Ultimately it was Anoop that had to sing his farewell song, "Dim all the Lights." Matt G, who was saved last week by the judges did well enough this week to save himself. He'll be back next with with rest of the Top 5-- Allison, Danny, Kris, and Adam. Here's where it gets GOOD!

Pie for Sale!

Thinking ahead to Mother's Day, the Young Women in the Bear Creek Ward are selling pies from the Golden Corral. The pies are $9 each and the funds they raise will help them go to girls camp. They will be available on Mother's Day in the following flavors: Strawberry, Coconut Cream, Apple, Cherry, Lemon Cream, Pecan, Peanut Butter and Sugar Free Blueberry. Just give one of my girls a call or see them at church and they will be more than happy to take your order. Thanks!


!!!! Fundraiser Update!!!!!!

Pies are still available! Homemade with fresh ingredients, minus the Golden Corral logo! If I get any more info I'll update here!
Sorry for any confusion! Mother's Day is May 10th-- the second Sunday in May.

Happy Earth Day

Earth Day

So, I've been saving this photo for a while. I thought it was appropriate to post on this Earth Day. We got these reuseable grocery bags at Christmas time at State Farm. I love them because they are about double the size of most bags. I keep them in the back of the car. The trick is actually remembering to bring the bags into the grocery store. So, that's me, just doing my part to save the earth.

Class Trip

Last Friday I went with Gabrielle's 6th grade team to the Winston Churchill Museum and Memorial on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. In the morning we toured the museum. The kids had a scavenger hunt to find the answers to questions about Churchill's life and legacy. It was actually at Westminster College where he gave his famous "Iron Curtain" speech being introduced by President Harry Truman. We ate lunch in the college's dining hall (one kid said it was like eating at Hogwarts. I don't know about that, but it did have a nice ceiling and it was much better food than I had in college). In the afternoon, we got to see the outdoor sculpture Breakthrough. One year after the November 9, 1989, fall of the Berlin Wall, President Ronald Reagan dedicated Breakthrough, an 11-foot-high by 32-foot-long structure sculpted from 8 sections of the Berlin Wall by artist Edwina Sandys, granddaughter of Winston Churchill, as the centerpiece of the Cold War Memorial on the Westminster campus. Following that presentation we toured the beautiful chapel. Twice destroyed by fire, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury uses the phoenix as it's symbol. Dating from the 12th century, it was redesigned by Sir Christopher Wren in 1677 after the Great Fire of London. Left in ruins by World War II, the architectural masterpiece was saved from demolition by the bold idea to move it to the Westminster campus where it was reconstructed and restored. Here are a few pictures from our visit to this amazing historic memorial.

More Idol Good News

This from MTV's website: "In addition to the sounds of disco from the competitors, next week's elimination show will feature music from last season's runner-up, David Archuleta, singing his latest single, "A Little Too Not Over You". Cue the screaming teenage girls!

Saved!

Bottom three last night : Matt G, Anoop, and Lil Rounds. Lil and Anoop went back to the comfy couch and Matt had to sing his song again. "Have You Really Loved a Woman?" from the movie Don Juan Di Marco. The judges huddled up and finally came up with their decision-- It was good news. Matt was safe! I was shocked. Now two people have to go home next week. And the theme next week is Disco. Break out the bell bottoms!

Bo

The promised puppy has finally come to the white house. This cute little Portuguese Water Dog is named Bo (as in Diddley) and was a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife. Sasha and Malia are going to have fun with him. I just hope he doesn't dig in Mrs. Obama's newly planted vegetable garden!

Treats

The girls got a little treat bag from their Wonderful Young Women's President after church on Sunday. So Sweet! They loved it since I did not make Easter cookies this year (trying to count the calories, here!) They also got a little bag instead of a basket from us with cozy socks and a few treats. The girls did not want the dogs left out of the fun, so they hid tiny dog biscuits in plastic eggs and let the dogs find them.

Easter Weekend

Yes, the girls still want to color eggs! They basically just do it all by themselves now. They did some crazy colors. And they always have to write on it with a white crayon. We had Stake Conference on Sunday and then just spent the afternoon relaxing and had a nice dinner together. The girls also helped make the table very cute!

Monsters vs Aliens

The girls had a free Friday night so we had a night out together. We grabbed a Subway sandwich and then went to the movie "Monsters vs Aliens." What a weird little show! The girls and Jared liked it. There were some funny moments (most of which I had already heard the girls quoting off of the commercials). It was in 3-D, which was cool, too. Frozen custard topped off the night. Thanks, Dad, for taking out us girls!

Scott

It's the end of the competition for Scott McIntyre. Simon says. Once again, no judges save was used and someone had to go. I liked him a lot. He should just stick to the piano though, like Jim Brickman. He really is an inspiration. It was really nice to see his entire family there supporting him each week. Good luck, Scott! Now I am wondering who could be next?????

Ted Drewes

This for my sister. When we were in St. Louis during Spring Break we had to make the stop at Ted Drewes for frozen custard. I could not believe how many people were eating frozen custard in near freezing temperatures! The girls got cones, Jared got the strawberry banana concrete and I got Oreo. We ran back to the car to eat it, grateful for heated seats! It was good, Sarah, real good! Thanks for the idea!

Megan

American Idol results are in. Finally, America woke up and voted out Megan Joy. She was so strange-- And she was extra strange last night on the results show. I was surprised to see 16 year old Allison in the bottom three. I can't wait for next week. They are singing songs from the year they were born. Should be plenty of 80's music to go around!