Stay to the End...

As you've probably realized by now, I'm a pretty big sports fan. While watching a game live, one of my mantras is "Stay until the end." In LA, a lot of people tend to leave games early to try to beat the traffic back, but miss out on last-second heroics and other cool stuff.

We just had "Mormon Night" at Dodger Stadium (which happens every year) and this was another example of why you want to stay until the end. Not only did we get to see a grand-slam home run (a home run with the bases loaded), but after the game came this:



And this:



Yes, fireworks! Fireworks are pretty cool, true. But more impressive was where we got to see the fireworks from:

Left field. Yep, they let us onto the field to watch the fireworks. For those of you reading the Ferrero blog (which you should be doing, hint hint!) this marks the second time in a month that I have been on the field at a pro sports stadium, which is definitely a record. And it's all because we stayed until the end.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom! I can't think of anyone more deserving of a wonderful day and a wonderful year. Mom is always available to help whenever anyone of her kids especially needs it, even if she has to drop everything to provide the requested aid. It seems like she's always proof reading a paper, giving a pep talk, helping someone move or get settled in somewhere or thinking of ways to strengthen our family. What would we do without her? I know we'd all be a very sorry lot indeed. Happy Birthday Mom! We love you sooo much-

1. How old are you turning this year?  About 63.  That way I get lots of compliments on how well I look:)

2. What is your favorite food? Greek yogurt - honey flavor

3. What is your most frequently purchased grocery item? The same Greek yogurt! 

4. What is your bedtime routine like: I keep thinking I need a routine.  I'm working on that.

5. What are three things you absolutely have to do every day? Yoga workout from an old and free McDonalds DVD, memorize a seminary scripture mastery, take all my vitamins

6. What do you listen to most (artist, radio station/program, podcast)?  The most? Shakespeare plays on my Iphone

7. What’s one skill you wish you had? I wish I could speak another language.  Anyone would do.

8. What skill are you most proud of?  Organizing and directing programs, events, parties, wedding receptions, anything festive.  Also drama productions.  

9. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?  Patagonia

10. What is your favorite place you’ve been? The Acropolis in Athens.  Back in 1971 you could stroll freely around the site.

11. What are three of your favorite books? Anne of Green Gables, Miss Rumphuis, the New Testament

12. If you had to buy any magazine what would it be? A home design/decorating mag

13. What is one thing that gets on your nerves? Whining and complaining

14. What is your favorite sport to watch or play? If hiking is a sport then I like to play hiking.  If not, then tennis.  I don't watch any TV sports but love watching a live hockey game/cross country meet/soccer practice that any of the kids/grandkids are in.

15. What do you love to do when you have nothing to do? Sit down and play the piano

16. What are three things you wish you had? A new pair of glasses (or just 20/20 vision), kids and grandkids who lived closer, and other than that I honestly can't think of anything

17. What is your favorite treat? Karamel Sutra from B and J and ginger chocolate from Oh Chocolate! on MI

18. What are a few things you hope to accomplish or learn this year? Travel to China with OJ, another road trip with OJ, learn conversational French, organize all the family photos - 35 years worth...I'm getting there!  And plan a Young family reunion.

19. What are your favorite things to watch (tv show/movie)? Don't watch any TV, but will make a point of seeing as many historical or period drama series or movies as possible.  

20. What are your three most visited websites (besides facebook/email). my bank websites, lds.org, schneidremarks

Trip to the Dakotas

Seeing the Dakotas has been on my bucket list forever so when OJ and I got to go last month it was everything I expected and more - It was an inspiring trip on many levels. I've always been intrigued by the name of the city I was born: Man-dan, which is named after a very peaceful Indian tribe. The name means 'river dweller' - which must be one of the reasons I'm excited to be living close to the North Saskatchewan River again :)

A highlight of the trip was visiting two similar, yet also very different South Dakota monuments. One was the iconic Mt Rushmore, and the other was one that most people don't know about - Crazy Horse Memorial. Both monuments are carved in granite, and are meant to be awe-inspiring works of art. One is finished and the other is a work in progress. One to 'celebrate the nation of America;, the other to 'celebrate the past glory of the native Americans'.

Both are the result of the visions of two talented sculptors who each had a grandiose vision of what they wanted to achieve - namely to build a monument for the ages that would inspire and teach.

I was taken aback by how moved I was by their stories. They each had to endure unending challenges, including dangerous working conditions, lack of funding, criticism, illness. But each of them overcame all the challenges to build monuments to people who inspired them, which in turn would inspire people from all over the world. It was an amazing experience.

Storytime, Final Chapter

“That’s what your father told everyone after ‘The Incident’ because he didn’t want anybody to know the truth” said Martella, without a trace of her accent.

“Before I ask about that, what happened to your Russian accent?” asked Mikey.

“For some reason, Koko only understands commands when someone speaks with a heavy accent. Watch! Koko, open the door.”

Koko just stands there.

“Koko, open zee doorrrrr,” asked Martella with her heavy accent. Koko went to the door, opened it and ambled outside to stand guard in case more bad guys showed up.

“Ok, what truth were you talking about?”

“That becoming stuck in a timeloop is a fate worse than death. You see, after the New Year’s party in 1940 where your grandfather first confided in me the secrets of the green potion just after we got married, I became obsessed with using it. However, during my first attempt, I drank too much and became lost in time. I would randomly be flung to anywhere at any time. I saw the pyramids being constructed, King Arthur’s court, some guy surfing a tsunami wave with a dynamite vest near Sydney, even my own birth. I could never control it though.”

“Wow, that sounds both great and horrible. How did you escape the time loop?” Mikey inquired.

“When your grandfather gave you the bottle, the willing transfer of the potion broke the time loop. I knew instantly that was what happened and I tried to get here in time to say goodbye to him, but since he was so old, once he gave up custody of the potion, he only had minutes left. I managed to get here just in time to say my goodbyes to him.”

“I’m glad you did, Grandma. But what do I do now?”

“That’s up to you, Mikey. I’m too old for more time-traveling adventures, and I certainly don’t want to risk getting stuck in another loop. You’re now the guardian of the potion. Keep it safe and enjoy!”

Mikey smiled at his newly-found grandmother. “I’m done time-traveling for now as well. But who knows what the future may hold for me? Or the past, for that matter. Let’s just enjoy the present while you’re still here.”

Story time chapter 9

"Rawrrr!" roared the gorilla creature as he pounced on the two goons, bowling them over. Their sausage-like fingers released Mikey and he was able to break away and clutch the bottle of potion closer to himself, protecting it from further harm. He was in luck though, as both of the hefty men seemed to be knocked out cold. But the gorilla wasn't done. He rounded on Mikey next, his snarling grin creeping closer and closer to Mikey's small frame.
"Koko, zat is eenough!" cried a voice in heavily accented English. The source soon followed as Martella burst into the room, her tennis racket held aggressively in front of her. The gorilla immediately stopped in his tracks, cowering submissively in front of the tiny old woman.
"Grandma?!" exclaimed Mikey incredulously. "Is that really you? I thought you were dead!"

Seattle Trip

So since my one trip to Seattle was technically after Lindsay and I started dating (we had gone on one date), I was there for a completely different purpose that time. Add in the fact that Coleen and Oliver will be spending most of their time up in Edmonton in the future, we decided to go introduce me to Mercer Island before it was too late.


We had all sorts of fun adventures up there this last weekend, but I'll let Lindsay tell you about the Japanese Garden since that was her idea. You can find that (and the trip to CenturyLink Stadium (formerly Qwest Stadium)) upcoming on our personal blog. Here, I get to tell you about:

The Boat.

We were a bit concerned about taking out the boat this time. Oliver had to change his flight so that he was arriving in the afternoon, so we weren't sure we'd get to take the boat out. Plus, Jordan had reported engine troubles as well. However, we decided to give it a shot.

After a refueling "mishap" (that left the boat still smelling like gas when we put it back in the garage) we were able to get it into the water. Holding our breath, we tried to start it and.....




and.....





and....





and....





and.....




(ok, one more dramatic pause).....





....it started up just fine. We made our way over to Ivar's and Kidd Valley for some fish n' chips and milkshakes for dessert. We also enjoyed picture-perfect weather that day and made it back to the dock as the sun was setting.


Looks like everyone had a great time!

Story Time Chapter 8

I was waiting to read Melissa's skillfully crafted chapter but have heard that she is lost in moving boxes, so you, gentle readers, will now read this pale substitute...

Mikey could feel the dizziness and blurring of vision that he knew signaled the end of another memorable time travel session. The potion was wearing off and he knew that soon he would be back at the nursing home. He hoped that the two goons were gone. As he slowly faded out he noticed Michael's ponytail morphing into jerry curls. He felt a few seconds of intense cold and blackness as he spun through time, and then he crashed into the sitting room of the nursing home, almost impaling himself on the knitting needles of a startled grannie. He looked around for the two goons, but he was too slow as they grabbed him from behind and pinned his arms before he could reach the green bottle.

"No more time travel for you, Sonny" they hissed. "Why did that old coot Davis give the bottle to a child? He could fracture the space-time continuum and kill us all! We're taking you and the bottle back to Control."

Just then a huge gorilla like creature crashed through the door and moved menacingly toward them.

Hey there

Hey guys-
Sorry I've been so busy and out of it, life is just INSANE right now. I would love to see what you think about this mormon missionary project I've been working on- here's a little bit of it.
Thanks!

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Happy Canada Day!

Happy Birthday Julian and Caleb!