Snow, Rain, Sunshine,Wide Range of Temperatures

We finally got a blanket of snow on February 18, setting the mood for the Olympics

(Mt. Timpanogos and the Wasatch Range is still snowy!)

In this tumultuous world, it is wonderful to see the efforts, successes and camradery of so many athletes and fans

I was especially moved by these three international films, and by the talents and dedication of the BYU Philharmonic musicians

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So true! I am so inspired by the young and young at heart around me 

We celebrated Emily's birthday with a fun 80's themed dinner

I adore all these grand kids who are growing up fast!

Peter, Julie, Marc, Fernanda, Emily, Nick and others really got into Karaoke after we shared stories and our love and appreciation for our birthday girl! The dogs aren't too sure about it!

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Cordelia and I had fun eating pizza together and attending a book fair at her Wasatch School Grandparents Day. I saw lots of grandparents I knew!                                *************

Sabr received her endowment at the Provo City Center Temple surrounded by friends on March 4. We are so happy for her!

The Provo Tabernacle, built between 1883 and 1898, was a Victorian Gothic landmark on University Avenue known for its steep roof, corner turrets, and stained glass. It served as a major cultural and religious hub for the Provo community until an accidental fire destroyed its roof and interior on December 17, 2012, and was rebuilt as a Temple in 2016, keeping what was left of the exterior. The interior and exterior decor are beautifully redone in the original style. I attend this temple regularly.

I made a short (not so quick with flight delays SLC to Las Vegas to San Diego) for a reunion with my siblings March 5-8. We stayed at the beautiful Carlsbad Inn on the ocean, complete with fire pits, swimming pool (it felt so nice swimming outdoors), gym, and just up the cliff from the beach which was packed in such nice warm weather. We had a great relaxing visit! Waiting for others at a Mexican restaurant above

Miriam, Roy (brother), Elaine (sister), nephews and niece and kids who live closeby), sister in law Julie, sister Irene, brother Brion and his wife Carol.

    I was delighted to be at the sea again after moving inland to Utah.

                        We celebrated my sister Irene's birthday

        Happy Presidents Day Plus..February 2026

So fun to spend my birthday watching my youngest grandchild, Phoebe Carlston, perform so well at her gymnastics meet

While my Taiwanese English guests Vicky and Nitta prepared a Taiwanese dinner for me I took a walk & shared the path with a buck!

Birthday lunch with friends Ramona and Kathleen

Nan Hunter invited us to a delicious dinner with her grandson Ben and his wife Zizi

I took Vicky and Nitta to a fabulous jazz concert at BYU (singers, brass and rhythm ensembles)

and to the wonderful BYU symphony ...great concerto soloists on Marimba, piano, trombone, and voice

The Taiwan teenagers receive certificates for their 3 weeks in the US

The assistant and principal (left 2) of Shinmin school in Taiwan visit with UCAS principal, Vicky, Nitta, Jennifer (organizer of this experience) and school assistant 

With the Shinmin principal who came for a few days

Saying goodbye on February 13. They brought so many gifts, I think they left with lighter suitcases??

BYU dancers perform a great rendition of Romeo and Juliet ballet

Lunch at BYU with friend Semiramis from Ecuador patiently working and studying English at BYU to regain her teaching certificate

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Corvina-Milan have been exciting

Valentine's family dinner

Luke and Kelly Amsden, Penny and Emily

Simon, Andrew, Bella, Nick (who is excited to have just been accepted into the advertising program at BYU) and Hannah

We played charades, pictionary, Bananagrams

          New Beginnings: 2026, Lunar New Year, Ramadan... 

The above Provo Temple was torn down and a new one (Rock Canyon, rendering below) is being built on the site, which, after the SLC Temple, will be the second largest in the world to accommodate the Mission Training center missionaries, BYU students and local members. It will take a total of 4-7 years with the best materials from around the world (i.e. flooring and stone from Italy). A great presentation by the called missionary couple showed drawings of decor and the present complicated construction.

After the death of our beloved President and Prophet Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks (93), past BYU president, having served on Utah Supreme Court and in many Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints callings, Apostle since 1984, is our new and wonderful prophet. He gave his first touching and powerful address at BYU on Tuesday, February 9, 2026.

He shared four impressions that will draw us closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ: 

Strengthen our faith in Him

Increase our humility

Seek help from others

Be patient

For more info and for his address:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallin_H._Oaks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn_PsLrWyxM

The great message of the Gospel is that Jesus always offers us a new beginning. We can always change, improve, grow, be more loving, kinder, helpful, patient and understanding of others and with ourselves.

We are all works in progress, no one is perfect yet! Don't give up!!

With Presidents' Day we remember two great American Presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both were flawed, but with our other Founders foresaw the challenges of the future, set great precedents for the democracy that is now up to us all to preserve as we follow the guidelines of our inspired Constitution, a model for all nations. Let us do what we can to continue to be friends to the world.