Hitting the Slopes

I haven't been skiing much this year but I've had a chance to go with the Special Ed students to The Ability Center at Park City Resort.  It is a wonderful place that is such a blessing to each of these children.  They offer horseback riding, rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding in the winter.  They have special equipment and instructors many who have overcome physical handicaps themselves who work with the children.  It is very inspiring to observe paralyzed, one legged, deaf, blind, or mentally challenged people who have worked to overcome their limitations.  I admire the participants as well as the instructors.
One of the instructors posing with his students and a proud grandma who came to watch.  
This is Madison going out with her instructor.  It is always a fun thing to tell the other students when we get back what a great skier she is.  She gets very little positive attention as she struggles to do her schoolwork in her regular classes.
This was the Tate's reaction after getting all geared up and on the snow.  He loves the days we go skiing.  The instructors do such a good job and it gives the kids a wonderful sense of accomplishment. 
After I took photos of Tate he wanted to take a photo of me.
Here I am on a perfect Blue Bird day..blue sky and just right snow. When I get there I always enjoy the beautiful surroundings and company.    I know how happy it makes David when I go with him.  I mostly ski alone since he is the master of the hill and I feel intimidated when he zooms down the hill and waits while I catch up.  I'm proud that I've learned to ski at all and I'm better than I thought I would be.  David is taking the time to teach the Bellessa grand daughters to ski and I look forward going down the greens with them. 

A Happy Family

I'm so thankful to Calder for flight privileges that allow me to get to Sally and Willie's for visits.  I love spending time with them and their children.  I'm thankful to David for taking care of our business while I'm away.  The first order of activity was watching "Madagascar Two" with Wyatt.  
Hank is getting acquainted with the latest musical instrument.
A joyful moment on the bed.  What could be more fun!
Saturday morning at the computer.
Not too sure about our trip to the park.
Doing what the big  boys do.
Earnestly reading in the reading chair.  He pointed to the ball and told me what it was.
This is a fake smile with some toast in his mouth..while working on the computer
Hank wanted to do everything Wyatt did.  He had no fear of heights or sliding head first down the steep slides.
Every time I tried ending the swinging session Hank asked for more.  
Sally is a sweet and patient mother.  Poor little Hank had a bad ear infection and only wanted his Mama.
Favorite activities with Daddy are reading, playing music and listening to stories.  The boys love spending special time with Willie.  He is a kind and loving father.
This is the sweetest, kindest boy ever who is such an example of not only reverence but joy of life.  I'm so thankful to be his grandmother.  He sent me home with a flower to remind me of him and a beautifully composed letter for David.

A Good Memory

The pride and joy of Travis' senior year was a very cool 1957 Pontiac. He drove it around most of the year with an old Christmas tree tied to the top. We would brainstorm from time to time about how we could up the unique factor so he would be the toast of Helaman Halls his freshman year at BYU.
We had sold our home to Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley and on the day of the closing we got word the funding from Graceland would be a day late. Knowing we owned the home for another day spawned the brilliant idea of putting the Pontiac, lovingly named "the Stealth" in the garage to bring about the transformation. We gathered paints and brushes and called together friends and had a "paint happening". We each took a place and started creating. Luckily we had Pat Scullin (now a professional artist) in the mix. I'm trying to remember everyone who was there. I know Morgan and Melynne Murdock, Enoch Palmer, Chad Cerwin, Sally and Calder were there. It was one of the most fun days I can remember. It took us the good part of the day and we got so involved we didn't think of food until Mimi Murdock showed up with a pizza and pop which was such fun surprise. When we drove it out in the evening it was better than we thought it could be.
One side is very sixties with the flames, aliens, peace symbol, and psychodelic design.

The back has snowboarders getting air over the world..symbolic of "the Bob's" favorite winter sport.

Spiderman and Lehi's Dream don the driver's side

along with swimming fish and the "gas guzzeling snake"

The front has the CTR symbol and Captain America with happy faces. It at one time had a "Bob's Big Boy" hood ornament until someone stole it. There sure were lots of happy date nights loaded with friends cruising University Avenue in the coolest car ever to come to BYU. It served well until Travis left on his mission and some other kid took it over. It really should be in an art museum honoring creativity but is probably rusting away in some junk yard...but the memories are bright and new.

My Valentine

My Valentine, David Thayne Bellessa.
The story: Soon after I moved to Midway some mutual friends told me their best friend had recently lost his wife and they thought we would be a great couple. They continued to mention him over the next three years with little interest on either of our parts. On the Fourth of July 2003 Tom Whitaker (the matchmaker) met me at the town breakfast and asked if David had ever called me. Apparently some major pressure was put into place. When I got home that evening there was a call saying he promised Tom he would call. Our first date was the next night to the Oakley Rodeo..with fireworks. It seemed we were both ready, the timing was right and we knew right away things were good. Our 5 1/2 years together have been such a blessing to me. He is kind, easy going, witty and emotionally and spiritually strong...and handsome.

The Engagement Photo

The Wedding Day

Amy calls David the baby whisperer since he is so good with kids. (except Vera who cries every time he looks at her)

We've enjoyed the nature surrounding our home.

We've been on some fun trips together

We have the opportunity to work together selling real estate..in the worst market in History. David is great with clients and keeps things lively around the office.

Our annual "Warren Miller" anniversary night out. I was such a good sport to learn to ski and hit the slopes weekly for the first few years of our marriage. This year we attended the movie together as usual but I now mostly stay home and clean and do errands on the ski days. I might go on a sunny, just perfect snow day.

Reporting The Week

Winter is still here and beautiful. Here are a few more shots taken on my way to work.

Teaching this week was a stretch for me. I taught elementary PE and Junior High Math. I was pretty nervous about the Jr. High but for the most part the students were respectful and willing to follow instructions. I am teaching Special Ed all of next week.

Summer Bellessa and her mother visited on Wednesday. She gave a wonderful talk to the Young Women of the Midway Stake about choices, values and modesty. I've heard so much appreciation and positive reaction from the mothers and girls. We were truly blessed and as an added bonus I found out her mother was an expert on insurance and medicare. She got me on the computer and found all the best plans and set me up..what a relief.

This is Eliza Magazine. It has wonderful fashion ideas, is beautiful and classy. Summer does a great job. The photo shoots are beautiful and the articles are interesting. Special note to Sally..look who is on the front cover.

Back to Teaching

Most of the mornings this last week have had frozen fog clinging to the trees. It is hard to capture the sparkle of the sun gleaming diamond like...such a beautiful way to start the day.

This is my route to Old Mill Elementary to substitute in the Special Ed class. It has been years since I've been in the classroom albeit I teach the ten year olds in Primary. I had a delightful experience..and like riding a bike it seemed like I'd hardly been away. The children were challenging but sweet. There was an aid for each child (about six) so they were never left alone. They spent most of the day in their regular classrooms along with their aids. Part of the day they would come in with me. I got lots of hugs when I left today. A nice way to augment the slow real estate market.

Seth was a good friend. He loved playing with the "kitchen" and spent a lot of time feeding me plastic food.

Tate is sweet and happy. He has cousins at the school who are caring and protective of him. He eats lunch with the kids from his "mainstream" classroom and they are kind and sweet with him.

This is Kayaah. She watches out for and helps the other children. She makes sure the room is orderly with chairs under the table and toys put away. She has beautiful flowing hair and a loving personality.

Snow Bunnies and Grandpa Dave

Dressing up just like the big girls.

Megan waited at home for the skiers return.

Back home all warm and formal.

Apres ski wear tends to be fairly formal. Anna in her well thought out ensemble.

Follow the leader. Grandpa Dave is followed by Greg bringing Anna and Emma.

Flanked by two very proud Dads.

Snow Bunnie Anna skied for two days with expert instruction from her Grandpa. She exclaimed at the end of the first day that she was the greatest skier ever! She loved skiing with her cousin Emma and helped her get used to getting her jacket off and on when they stopped for hot chocolate.

Snow Bunnie Emma on her first day on the slopes looked stunning with her pink gloves, matching pink flowered helmet and ruffled coat. She and Grandpa shouted down from the ski lift to ask "Hey, don't it make you feel good?"

Liz, Kelly, Megan, Anna, along with Liz' best friend Stacey and her daughters, were fun visitors. Jamie and Emma joined us for dinner. Liz and Kelly brought a freshly butchered ham that we ate with Idaho potatoes fresh from the fields. Stacey made some very yummy brownies and left us with a specially prepared hot chocolate mix.