Eternal Companions

A tribute to my brother, Bryce, who was married for time and all eternity to his sweet bride Claire on October 18th, in the Logan Utah Temple.  Bryce is the brother that everyone should have.  He is loyal, kind, protective, and loving.  He and I were good friends growing up because we only had each other.  We were a small group, Bryce, my mom, and me.  We were tight; the three musketeers.  My mom refused to accept that siblings would fight. One time while we were separated in our rooms, we crafted a telephone with string and two cups.  Ah, the days before texting.  We thought that we were being so deviant, talking to each other when we were supposed to be apart. I am sure that my mom knew what we were up to and did not care because we were quiet, we were out of her hair, and we were collaborating instead of fighting.  She expected us to be friends at all times and even though we had some struggles as young kids, the friendship won out in the end. 

Mt brother is very rarely serious, even on his wedding day.

Ok, pretty nice, sweet, and serious

I would not be doing my duty if I did not mention some funny things about Bryce.  As a little boy, he hated peas and would slowly melt into his chair while groaning loudly until he ended up on the floor under the table.  Now he is a “foodie” so he has overcome this problem with age.  He used to bring out his harmonica and play for guests.  He would inhale in and out into the harmonica while running in circles.  This has grown into his love of music and dancing.  Poor Bryce had to suffer through all sorts of silly nicknames; “geez”, “mop head”, “boo head”.  Bryce was “boo-head” until I had Bear and decided that “Uncle Boo-head” sounded a little too juvenile.  It was time for him to grow up.  One of the most memorable events was the plum leather.  My mom was making plum leather in the kitchen.  She removed the lid on the blender just as Bryce’s little finger reached up to touch the buttons.  Plum leather flew all over Bryce, my mom, and the entire kitchen.  I have never run so fast to my room. He has not really grown out of his kitchen troubles as he still frequently clogs my mom’s disposal.  I hope this is something that Claire can help him with. 

Bear, Bub, and Pants love their aunt Claire and Uncle Bryce!

Bryce has been someone that I have been able to rely on and confide in my whole life.  From childhood pretend games and family vacation memories, we have grown into adulthood together.  I was the lucky sister who received a weekly missionary letter from Bryce.  He made it a point to write to both my mother and me weekly.  I was the lucky one who got to tell my mom that he was extending his mission.  He probably just did not want to deal with that himself, so he wrote the big news to me.  What are sister’s for?  Bryce is always the one who calls me on the phone to catch up since we have not lived in the same city for 13 years.  There have been milestones for my family that he has had to miss like my wedding and the birth and blessing of Bear and Bub.  That is when it is hard to have only one sibling.  But my children have all loved Bryce as their favorite uncle.  It made my mother quite frustrated that baby Bear would choose to go to him before her. 

Pretending to be horses at the reception in Mendon, Utah

Now I am the lucky sister that gets to watch Bryce take his sweet Claire to the

temple and start their eternal family.  So Bryce and Claire, I wish you the best start to your eternal story.  Thanks for being a wonderful brother, filling my childhood with happiness, and all the great memories that are yet to come. To Bryce and Claire!

Reception in Mendon, Utah

Reception in Salt Lake City, Utah

Thoughts on Las Vegas

As time goes by, we adjust to things in Las Vegas.  I am still getting used to the weather.  It is October 11th and the daily temperatures remain in the high 80's.  As I was going through the kids clothing boxes to make sure they have a few pants for when we go to Utah next weekend, I discovered cute long sleeved Halloween shirts.  The kids wore them to school on Friday even though it was 88 degrees.  Halloween is my favorite holiday and even though I am all decorated inside the house and out, it feels so different at 90 degrees.  I miss the crisp fall scents and the smell of food canning in the house.  I am not sure how to can here as I do not understand the seasons of growth.  I am going to make this a goal for next.  This year is all about getting settled and finding our place.

I like to ask local people why they enjoy living here.  Today I attended a Kappa Kappa Gamma Founder's Day tea with the Southern Nevada Alumni Association.  I really enjoyed talking to the women who have raised their kids here.  One woman has a beautiful garden and grows lettuce and spinach year round.  I will have to learn from her.  She also felt when she was raising her kids that the Las Vegas Strip was a great cultural experience for them.  They could visit a pyramid (the Luxor), explore an artistic conservatory (the Belagio), float in a gondola (the Venetian), and watch a volcano erupt (the Mirage).  I have to admit that I have never thought of the Strip as a family cultural experience.

"Staycation" at the Mirage where the kids saw the white tigers, dolphins, and volcano.  They did love it!

Perhaps more profound was the conversation that I had with a woman in one of my Zumba classes at the YMCA. She is LDS and has lived in Las Vegas her whole life.  When I asked her why she liked it here, she said, "I have the strip 20 min from my home in one direction, and the temple 20 min in the other. I get to decide what side I am on."  This gave me the chills.  I like the idea that I have the power to choose which way I point my gaze.  "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." -Joshua 24:15.

Las Vegas Temple