First Date...and other stuff

First off, this is my beautiful niece Alisha and her new husband Cory. Last weekend we drove up into Maplewood Canyon, just off of Fountain Green. There were some really beautiful tree's there and the rock formations were incredible! The actually looked like they were created or made out of that moon sand or something...just beautiful. We went back to Nephi for a wedding "after party" where they had a country band come play, good dutch oven grub and of course wonderful company since it was all friends and family. I did not get to stay as long as I would have wanted but that's okay. It was actually good that I came home when I did. We missed out on fun dancing and goofing off but the time there was very enjoyable none-the-less.

Ben went on a campout this weekend...his last as a Deacon. Surprised us since he usually doesn't like to go but demanded that he get to on this one. The quorum is a little different than the normal and he enjoys being with the boys that are there now. Olivia is up at the Adams cabin having fun with William - Dean and I took Anthony on his first date. Lol, I think I'm rather honored. How many kids do you know that would take their parents on their "first date" as a double date? Well he doesn't have his license yet so I or Dean will be driving him on any date that he goes on for the next 6 months unless he can convince Dan or Max to double with him. We headed up to Fernwood Park next to the Layton Castle. It had a fire a couple of years ago and as you can see from my picture, there is still burnt, dead wood sticking up out of the ground but also some beautiful vegetation beginning to come forth. The trail is about 1/4 of a mile and than you can continue crossing the small stream but we ended there - turned around and headed back. About 4 different pairs of cyclists passed us coming and going - a long distance runner - and other families trying to get Christmas photo's. We drove to the lower parking lot where they have fire pits and picnic tables and had our picnic. I only packed enough bread for one sandwich and I will agree with Dean that the sandwich was really good and could have eaten another. We took fruit and cookies and drinks and than just sat and chatted.

I was my typical self and before picking up Arianna I ran Anthony through his manners, pick her up at the door, handshake, nice small talk, open the car doors for her, etc etc. I have tried since they were 2 to pound manners into their heads. Even though I rarely see it at home, my boys have learned well and I am proud of them. (Others tell me of their manners when they are away from us.) Anthony has liked this little girl for almost a year; however, it wasn't until recently that she finally admitted that she has liked him back. The nice thing about the holidays being here is that there are plenty of activities around to make free dates =]. Arianna is very shy, it will take her a bit to get used to the rest of us, it took her over 6 months to get used to Anthony ;). It was a fun time today and I do believe that the first date was a success!