Amazing Antelope Island!

Wow, getting involved with Facebook really wreaked havoc with my blogging, but yesterday when we went to Antelope Island (the largest of the 10 islands in the middle of the Great Salt Lake) I knew that was something I would have to write about. It is such an amazing place. The scenery, the history, THE BIRDS, the bison, the beauty! Pictures don't do justice to the place, but take a look at these...

Stephanie is home!!

Stephanie found her way to Florida from San Jose, CA! She got home last Tuesday and her plane was early, so by the time we got to baggage claim she had her luggage and she was trying to call us from a pay phone. We almost walked right by her - her hair was straight! It has been so fun having her back home. (Well it's home for us, but she had never been here.) She is gradually adjusting to civilian life, but still enjoys going out with our sister missionaries every chance she gets. And she thinks The Villages is very cool - especially the golf carts!

The Villages Tea Party

Today is April 15th and here in The Villages we had our own "Tea Party". Taxed Enough Already! I'm a member of the Conservative Women's Movement (Check out the t-shirt) and we supported this activity. I even stood next to the entrance with a large sign waving to people driving by, inviting them to come in. (I had a great time!) We had a good turnout, at least 500 people I'd say, and a lot of them came fired up and carrying some wonderful signs. We pledged the flag, had a few speakers, then they carried symbolic boxes of tea to the lake and threw them in. We all sang "God Bless America" then left. Aren't we the radicals?!? Actually I didn't hear anything today that I don't agree with. I am concerned with the direction this country is headed in and I do not want to leave an impossible mess for my grandchildren. I'll keep you informed of future protests and radical activities!

The 179th General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

This weekend Martin and I had the privilege of attending the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions of General Conference and I have to say it was an amazing experience. It was fun on the Trax going in to Salt Lake City early on Saturday morning. We met some really nice people. Then walking through Temple Square to get to the Conference Center there was beautiful music being broadcast and people were everywhere, all headed in the same direction. I was so glad we had tickets because the standby line was already quite long - I was amazed at the number of people willing to stand in the cold (it was a nasty, snowy, wet day) for hours for a chance to go to conference!

Considering how huge the Conference Center is, we had pretty good seats. It was wonderful hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and each of the speakers including the Prophet and a new Apostle, Elder Neal Anderson.

But it was the Sunday morning session I really loved! First of all it was a beautiful sunny day and we drove into Salt Lake this time. Again it was so inspiring to see such crowds of people all walking with us. It was actually a very festive atmosphere. We had to arrive earlier because they wanted everyone seated for the taping of the Music and the Spoken Word program. What a special treat that was. This program has been broadcast since July 15, 1929 and always begins, "From the crossroads of the West, we welcome you to a program of inspirational music and spoken word." It was thrilling to hear the choir sing out "How Firm a Foundation", but later during the Conference, it was even more glorious to hear them sing "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" right after President Monson spoke!

I would love to show pictures of the Conference Center, the choir, the crowds, the protesters, the spring flowers, the Temple Square sister missionaries who were all lined up bearing their testimonies in their native languages (made me so proud to be a missionary mom) etc. but...
I FORGOT MY CAMERA! Oh well, next time - and for sure there will be a next time.

Visit with Kathy and Peter

On April 2 we headed into Salt Lake City to visit our friends/Scott's in-laws, Peter and Kathy, who are serving a mission at the Church Office Building. They showed us where they work, gave us a tour of the building (including the roof), introduced us to their co-workers and took us to lunch in the cafeteria. They travel by bus from their home in Springville to SLC five days a week. Of course Martin said he would have trouble staying awake all day after getting up so early. Kathy said that all you do is sit at your desk, close your eyes and if someone comes along and taps you on the shoulder, you simply say "Amen" and open your eyes. Ha Ha I thought that was cute! We really enjoyed our visit with them!

What is wrong with this picture?

It was April 1 (yes, April Fools Day) and Martin and I were in Utah clearing the driveway of at least 6 inches of snow and all I could think was, "I thought we were Floridians!
What are we doing in a place where we have to shovel snow?"

This is why...

Challenge accepted!

Ok, so little sis, Bobbie, had a challenge on her Blog and since she is ALWAYS complaining that I still have a Christmas tree on my Blog, I decided to accept her challenge. You go to the pictures on your computer, the sixth folder, the sixth picture and you blog about it. Here's my picture.






Wouldn't you know Bobbie is in the picture!?!
This is a picture of the McConnell cousins taken at my Aunt Eleanor and Uncle Jack's wedding vow renewal in 2005. Missing from the picture were Misti and Jim. The front row is Shane, Kim, me and Norma and the back row is Mark, David, Bill and Bobbie.
So this makes me excited about our forthcoming family reunion. Can't wait to have everyone all together.

Well, this didn't kill me so I guess I can now safely get back into blogging. I can just hear Bobbie saying, "Promises, promises!"