Monday's Memory--Marlane Hoff

I have a very dear friend from high school, Marlane Hoff,  that came to visit me this morning.  We hadn't seen each other in many years, so it was very fun to catch up and see how life had been treating us.

We met in high school in the choir.  Marlane was a year older, so she graduated and went on to Golden West College.  A year later, we were both at GWC, and again sang in the choir and madrigals together.

I'm on the left in the yellow dress.  My brother, Milo, is next to me.
Marlane is on the right of this photo.

Then she was off to Colorado to finish her degree in music education.  My second year at GWC, I became friends with a lot of the band kids and actually went on tour with them to Greeley Colorado, to Colorado State College, where our band director graduated from, where Marlane was attending, and where I wanted to go the next year. 

This is Marlane and Mike Booke at a performance in Greeley.

The next year, I ended up going to Greeley to finish my degree and Marlane and I were suitemates in the dorm.

This is Marlane with her roommate, Judy, and a friend of ours from GWC, Steve Lewis.

Marlane and I had lots of adventures together.  One in particular I remember was a road trip to San Francisco.  I remember cable cars and eating grapefruit, my latest diet craze!

Luke Turns 12

Turning 12 is a pretty big deal...you receive the priesthood, you aren't an 11 year old scout anymore, and you get to go to mutual with the big kids.  And maybe the biggest one of all, your are out of Primary!  No more Primary programs!  I think this last one was the one Luke was most excited about. Happy birthday, sweetheart.

I Love To See The Temple

This month I performed baptisms with Carson, and initiatories, endowments, and sealing for my family.  I can't remember the last time I had the opportunity to do all of the ordinances in the temple in one month.  I love the temple.

Happy Birthday Tayson

Because I was in Utah this weekend for Sophie's baptism, I was also there for Tayson's birthday.  It was very fun to be there for all of the festivities, birthday pancakes...

...opening presents, he loved his Steve Curry jersey...

...and birthday brownies.

Sophie's Baptism

Sophie was baptized today.  It was kinda crazy because she got baptized with three of her cousins.  And there were lots of people there!

But it was also a very special day.  Because of the four cousins, there were five grandmas and we all took part in the program; two said the prayers, one spoke, one accompanied on the piano, and I led the music.  And the spirit was very strong.
Afterwards, we all went into the cultural hall where the moms had a nacho/taco bar prepared.  Lots of good food and fun conversation.

However, this had to be my favorite picture from the entire event...typical  Todd!

(I'll admit, he might have learned this from me!!!  I do this every chance I get, just not in public!)

Baptisms

Today was Carson's first time doing baptisms at the temple.  What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Doheny Beach

Amy hunted around for the best place for beginning surfers to go, without stingrays, and Doheny Beach was a suggestion.  IT was perfect, except for a rocky shore instead of sand.  Owen found a friend and played in the water most of the day, getting very brave and going out quite far!

Wyatt went out a few times, but seemed to enjoy playing with the lobsters more.

Carson Loved surfing!

And Emma spent most of her time reading a book.  She did, finally, go out in the water and got so far out, that the life guard went out to see that she was OK!

Even Amy got in the act, playing with the kids and boogie boarding.