Festival of Tree 2009

Alison, Pat and I went to opening night of the Festival of Trees Tuesday, December 2, 2009. We had the chance to see the "Kindergarten Christmas" display donated in memory of Caleb Johnsen (Alison's son and our grandson). The theme was chosen, because Caleb would have been in Kindergarten this year. It truly was an extended family project and a labor of love for all involved. We had help from both sides of the family, as well as many friends.

Ali and I happened to be standing by the display when it was sold. That was very special to see others appreciate like it as much as we did. We then walked around to look at the approximately one thousand trees. Truly amazing... and all of the proceeds go to Primary Childrens Hospital. Here are a few pictures of the Johnsen tree, school desks, black/white board, yule log and village.


















I have also included a few other trees, a play house, a gingerbread castle, and much more. Enjoy!

Finally... Some Recognition!

At 8 am on Friday, October 23, loaded into a BYU Motorpool car for a quick drive to Phoenix. One of Steve's television programs, Berlin, was nominated for a Rocky Mountain Emmy and we decided to attend the award ceremony. After a fairly enjoyable drive through southern Utah and northern Arizona, we arrived at the outskirts of Phoenix at about 6 pm their time. We did a little shopping , had dinner at Applebee's and found a reasonably priced nice room for the night at the Red Roof Inn.

After checking out on Saturday morning and a good breakfast at Denny's, we drove to Luke Air Force Base. We had decided to go to the Base Exchange and clothing sales, when we realized that our military ID cards had expired in August on my birthday two months earlier. Luckily for us the guard didn't check closely. Luckily for them we weren't terrorists. After buying a few items, including a dress shirt, we went around the corner off the base to the Cactus Cleaners and paid to have it pressed.

We had called David and Jessica Hawks, and Erin McCoy Morley and her family. We made arrangements to meet at the Hawks, so were drove across Phoenix to Mesa. The freeway was extremely slow due to a bad accident, but we got there in time to spent about an hour visiting before heading to the Sheraton in downtown Phoenix, the site of the evening award ceremony. After checking in and getting to our room, we had enough time to relax for a few minutes before getting spiffed up for the activities.

We headed down to the hors d'oeurves and games. What a joke! For some reason Pat and I weren't even on the list. They let us in and said they would clear it up later. The food items were to put it mildly... unique. The juices were expensive and the gambling games uninviting. We traded our chips in directly for raffle tickets.

After whats seemed like a long time, we were finally allowed to enter into the hall to begin presenting the awards. After sitting through hours of presenting Emmys for the best news cast, promotion campaign, breaking news story, etc., they finally got to my category. The presenters read the nominees, then opened the envelope to reveal that Berlin had won.

After picking up my statue, I was sent back stage to have a picture taken and to get my shot of Tequila (Don't worry I passed on the Tequila), and headed back into the hall to rejoin Pat. We had a program with a gold sticker on the inside cover, which indicated that we had won a Tequilla basket which we gave to the couple next to us.We also won a very soft and cuddly baby blanket as a raffle gift. It was nice to be able to just head up to the room after the ceremony and crash.

We checked out Sunday morning and started our return trip north. We stopped for a big breakfast/lunch in Flagstaff, then got back on the road. After a quick stop to pick up some dinner in Beaver, headed out again and returned the car to Motorpool at about 8 pm.

Overall it was a great week. On Thursday, October 22, at the BYU Broadcasting retreat I received my 25 years of service certificate and gift. Later that same day, I was presented with a 2009 Cine Golden Eagle for the same show, Berlin. It nice to have this show recognized since it took a major portion of my efforts during 2008 to finish it.

Although not the first awards that I have won for my shows, these were by far the most prestigious. Thanks to my family for all of the screenings and advice.

Trip to Washington #2

Chris' mom, Alane McKenna, and I left on Thursday morning, July 2nd. We arrived at Aunt Donna and Michael Hawks' home about 11 pm, and pretty much fell into bed. Friday, we drove the "slow way" to the new blue house in the Ravenna area of Seattle. After the washer and dryer were delivered, we made a trip to Home Depot for some supplies, and dashed home to meet the cable/Internet guy.

Alane started painting over the turquoise paint on the bedroom walls, Angela spent time with the handyman, John, as he installed the w & d in the basement. I told him he was a nice substitute for the 2 dads who wanted to help, but were 2 states away. I attacked the bushes outside with a great new pair of pruners. The evergreen is still a bit lopsided, but people can walk past without branches in their hair.

Angela and I went over to the apartment to start packing more things, and Donna joined us for a couple of hours. A. Fay finished out Donna's shift at the temple so she could come help. We loaded the bed of Fay's truck with boxes, unloaded at the house, and Donna went to meet Fay. They got lost in Kirkland, so went on home to Snohomish. After a late dinner, Angela drove me to Donna's while Chris and Alane did more painting.

On Saturday morning, Donna and I took a walk to the lake in their neighborhood, and then went to make sure the 99 yr old friend, Freida, was picked up to attend the flag raising ceremony at their church house. Another friend offered U-Pick cherries, and we filled part of an ice cream bucket to share. After loading up hoagie sandwich supplies and fruit, we took off for Seattle again.

A friend had helped Chris take a truck load of the "big" stuff to the house in the morning. We spent time helping to scrub the kitchen, pack thngs, clear out the storage space and balcony, and load the truck and cars for another delivery. We unpacked everything, and Donna and I headed north for her neighborhood potluck and fireworks.

Kids were already setting things off at 6 pm, while we ate. The food was good and the company congenial; a couple of neighbors took us on tours of their house and yard remodels. The fire chief and his wife were in attendance, which affirmed to me that the extravagant local pyrogenics were lawful. We retired to the Hawks' front yard to watch the displays, and could see things all over the valley.

I gave up about 11, and helped fold up the lawn chairs and return them to the deck. On Sunday morning, Alane and I discovered we had walked through a "mine field" of croquet wickets in a circle on the side yard lawn. Neither of us tripped over, or banged the wickets with chairs. I wonder if Mom was helping our guardian angels move them out of our road?

Alane spent the day with Angela and Chris, while Donna, Fay and I attended church and prepared a stir fry dinner. The Seattle trio brought strawberry shortcake supplies, and we had a great visit.

Monday morning Alane, Donna & I went to Curves; I had to make use of my travel pass, ya know. The future bridal couple and their mothers spent some time over lunch (thanks to Kevin) talking about plans for September 18th. We shopped at Trader Joe's, visited the locks, bought gardening supplies, and planted flowers. Angela made fish tacos and wonderful trimmings in her lovely new kitchen.

Tuesday morning Alane and I headed for home. We drove past Angela's and Chris' former apartment near the arboretum, and over the floating bridge that I remember from my childhood. We listened to the last CDs of a book we had started on the trip up; it made a lot more sense that day. After listening to 3 of the CDs, we discovered the CD player was set to "Random" mode. It explained a lot about why it seemed so "episodic" as it wove several story lines at a time! Our stop for gas in Boise was across the street from a Bajios restaurant--real food for dinner, and leftovers for Jer's lunch the next day. Alane was a real trooper; it's a long drive, and she kept at it the whole way.

Whirlwind Trip

Half of the immediate Steve Lowe Clan made a quick trip to Eastern Washington to visit Grandpa and Grandma Harston this past week so CB (Clarence Briggs) could meet his namesake "little" CB (Carson Briggs).

After a few hugs and kisses... Patricia, Alison and Emily with Carson loaded into the Subaru on Thursday evening and headed out. They spent that evening in Boise, then headed into Pullman on Friday. After checking into the motel in Pullman, they went out that evening for a visit. Saturday morning (somewhat refreshed), they checked out of the motel and returned to spend the day with CB and Lavon. That is until about 5 pm when the intrepid travelers hit the road again for their return trip home. After one more stop Saturday night in Boise, they returned to Northern Utah early Sunday evening.

Whew! The report is that although very quick, all-in-all it seemed to be a rewarding trip. Here is a four generation picture (Great-grandpa, Grandma, Mother and Son) that was taken.

After four "restful" days of scouting, teaching a writing lesson and helping her husband after a minor medical procedure at the hospital, Pat is heading out again. (They say that there is no rest for the wicked & the righteous don't need any.)

This time Pat is going to Seattle with Alane, Chris' mom, to help Angela and Chris move from their apartment into the home they just bought... or as Angela has described it "the mortgage they just bought for the home that the bank owns." This being the case, it is an exciting and stressful time in their lives.

Oh the peace and rest of a being retired from full-time classroom teaching... huh Pat?

I'm Here!?

As Emily stated... HOPEFULLY, I will help post a few more things into our family blog, but only time will tell for sure.

Thought that I would add this picture Emily took of Carson asleep on my chest. This was on a Sunday which allowed Emily. It gave Emily a chance to attend her church meetings with Aaron.

Pat and I continue our unique family life with her in Farmington and me in Provo for most of the week. Luckily, she still has Jeremy at home to keep her company or torment her depending on the day. He told her once that "she was a pretty good roommate... but a better mom."

Pat has retired from full-time classroom teaching, but is still working quite a lot for the school district. We are still adjusting to the reduced income. I have been asked to change my work assignment starting this fall. Instead of music, dance, and drama, I am to produce and direct live sports again. Whew, that is a big change! Not certain how that is going to work out, yet. When I told a friend about the change, he looked at me with his mouth open and said, "Don't they know you're old!" I am certainly feeling that way and sports television is a younger man's business... it is just that a few of us older guys are still hanging on.

Miracle Update

This is Emily posting for Mom and Dad. Hopefully Dad will be taking on a little of the responsibility to keeping this up to date from here on out. I am just going to show what is keeping Grandma busy when she has her days off from working part time at Eagle Bay and Grandpa busy on the weekends.
Isaac & Aaron, and the newest addition Carson.

They are such a great parents and grandparents. We are lucky and blessed to have them in our lives. Thanks mom & dad!

From palm trees to wheat fields in 52 hours

On Saturday, August 16th, Steve and I boarded a Delta flight in Honolulu. He had worked for BYU Hawaii Media Production for a month, while I played the role of retired lady of leisure. On Sunday night I moved things from one suitcase to another in preparation for a trip to visit family in Washington.

By 1:25 a.m. Tuesday the 19th we were in Albion at G'ma and G'pa Harston's home. We (mostly Emily and Alison) have now established a blog to enter as a link on their computer.

As the next phase of my "real life" gets in gear, postings might be fairly intermitant, but I've joined my daughters in the 21st century!