Family Friday: Featuring My Brother Archie

This week on "Family Friday" I'm featuring my brother Archie who was my very first sibling. For a brief time we were the "all American family" which includes a Dad, a Mom, 1 girl, and 1 boy; except that....we didn't live in America at that time. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that all of my brothers are unique....in just a couple of weeks my brother Archie will be an antique (he's going to be 50). I don't remember the days when Archie and I were toddlers or pre-schoolers, but it looks as though we were good little playmates for each other. I love this picture and I love my brother Archie.

When I was a senior in high school Archie was a sophomore, I loved seeing my little brother in school. Apparently I frequently asked him if he had any quarters (for the vending machines). If Arch had it, he shared. There was a picture in our yearbook that was taken during a football game, I was in the Pep Club and Archie and his friends were walking past the bleachers. You can see me leaning over the girls in front of me to talk to Arch and you can see that he is looking up at me. The picture is photographic evidence of me probably asking Arch if he had a quarter.

During our teenage years Archie, Tim, and I had a great group of friends in our ward that we enjoyed "hanging out" with, some of them were siblings as well. Many years ago (twenty-six to be exact) Arch and I organized a party and we invited the friends of our youth. The party was held in my home and I was really looking forward to it. Shortly after everyone had arrived Arch and I were alone in the kitchen together and I said to him, "Arch, do you think everyone's having fun yet?" I really wanted this party to be a success and was quite serious when I asked the question. Archie laughed and assured me that everyone was having fun (the party really hadn't even started yet). For the past twenty-six years wherever we are as a family; the beach, Cherry Hill, the Christmas party, a birthday party, Lagoon, Disneyland...Archie at some point will say to me, "Les...do you think everyone's having fun?" The following is an excerpt from a comment Archie left on a recent Family Friday. "....Sure love family Fridays Les. Do you think everybody's having fun."

When Mike and I moved to Bridgeland many years ago, Arch arranged for the use of his employer's delivery truck to help us move. When we moved back two years later he did the same thing. While we were there Arch came to our newly built log home and laid all of the carpet for us. During the procedure Arch cut his hand quite badly and it was bleeding. What do you suppose his loving older sister (me) said to him, "Arch, don't get any blood on my carpet".

Archie and his wife Julee were married on August 2, 1986. They had such a fun wedding reception at the "The Riverboat". They have three beautiful daughters; Julee and the girls are four of the eight girls in our family who have the middle name of Ann.

Caitlin took this picture of Uncle Archie at the beach house in 2007

Things to know about Archie: He is a devoted family man. He is a hard worker. He is involved in his daughter's educations. He is an avid mountain biker. He loves camping. He is the only male in his household. He's loyal. He finished his basement and did a fabulous job. He is a fan of Survivor. He has faith. He's very funny. He golfs. Whenever his family goes on a trip they collect sand/dirt from each place they visit and put in little bottles that are displayed in their basement. He enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles with his family. Every phone call that I have with Archie starts out the same way; if I am the one that answers I hear, "Leeees..." then I reply, "Arrrrch..." and vice versa. Archie would do anything for his family. Archie works with computers. He is organized. He's kind. I have recently discovered that Arch is a very good writer as I have read his blog, he has a way with words that brings enjoyment to the reader. Archie was named after our Grandpa Archie. Two things of interest to Arch are, outer space and the Titanic. When he was a little boy he "earned" the gift of a flag that had been flown over our nations capitol. He likes the frozen bananas at Disneyland. He is a good son. I am so grateful for my brother Archie, my life has been blessed because he is in it and I love him. I know that everyone in the family loves him too.


Archies family: Ammanda, Alyssa, Aubree, Julee, and Archie

Cousins

When I came home from work today I found this picture from Becca waiting for me on my table. I love it. Thank you Becca.

Family Friday: Featuring My Brother David

Beloved. If you look up David in the Bible dictionary that is what it will say...beloved. I wasn't surprised at all when I first learned of that definition when my brother David was born; as the baby of the family we all loved him from the very start. David was born just two weeks before my thirteenth birthday and I was somewhat of a second mother to him; not that he needed one, but because I loved him and I loved taking care of him. I remember often getting to be the one to take the baby out of church if he fussed or needed a diaper change. On one occasion that I was out in the hall with baby David, a visitor to our ward made a comment about "my baby", she was surprised when I told her that he was my brother. Yes, I think that beloved is a good description of my youngest sibling, even more so today than it was all of those years ago.

One of the stories that David loves to remind me of was when he and I walked home from church one day, or I should say that I walked and he was carried. The church was about a half mile from home and I was carrying David who was about three at the time. Walking in a dress, wearing heels, and holding a three-year-old wore me out and so I explained to David that he was going to have to walk now. He didn't want to, but I put him down and I started to walk away, expecting that he would follow me. I stopped and looked back, but David was still standing where I had put him down and he was smiling at me. I coaxed him to follow me and continued to walk, sure that he would come, but each time I looked back David hadn't moved an inch. He just stood there smiling at me. I had walked quite a distance, I was sure that he would give up and follow me but no, his will was stronger than mine. Finally in exasperation I stomped back and picked him up and carried him the rest of the way home.

In our family we have a lot of nicknames; we have so many that we have nicknames for the nicknames. When my oldest son Andy was just two he couldn't say "David", his interpretation was "Way-Way". That just kind of stuck, so here are a couple of funny (and tender moment) nickname stories about David.

This is an actual phone conversation between me and David a few years ago:

David: "Lelu..."
Me: "Hi David!"
David: "This is your brother!" (didn't I just say "hi
David"?)
Me: "Ohhhh...hi David" (David laughs as he realizes what
he just did).
So forever more, when David calls me we go through this entire routine and when I call him we do the same and we laugh (it happened just yesterday, and since I knew that I'd written this on David's FF I laughed all the harder).

A few years ago David was in the Sunday School Presidency and Jeff was a teacher. I was subbing Jeff's 16-year-old class one Sunday when David came into the room; the conversation went like this:

David: (surprised to see me) "hi Lelu!"
Me: "Hi Way-Way!"
David: "Where's Cubby? (Jeff)
You should have seen the looks on the faces of those teenagers. Priceless.

David is an entertainer. He sings, he acts, he's funny. At our family Christmas party he is the designated emcee each year for the talent show. Several years ago he started the show with an original song about Andy (to the tune of the song Sandy from Grease) it was such a hit that now everyone expects and anticipates a new song from David every year. A few years ago we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Christmas party and David wrote the song all about me (to the tune of Gaston from Beauty and the Beast), I loved it!! David is a popular performer at Rodgers Memorial Theatre where he does a couple of shows each year. Just two nights ago our family went to watch David and his daughter Chelsea perform in Scrooge, David portrays the Spirit of Christmas Present and he is fab-u-lous!!!

Although David seems very bold and fearless; like the time he stood up in fast and testimony meeting at the back of the church and in a thunderous voice started bearing his testimony as he walked all of the way up the aisle and finished at the pulpit, or the time we were all at Cherry Hill and he stood on the pirate ship and sang in full voice a song from the Pirates of Penzance; he really is a bit shy and very humble. David has a heart of gold and is very tender hearted, he would do anything he could for his family. The day that David was born and his name was given to him, you may as well have attached the words the beloved, because that is just what he is.

Things you may or may not know about my brother David: He loves my cheesecake. He loves the Dodgers. He loves the Penguins. He loves Cadbury Roses. He loves pie. In recent years he's always the last person in the family to see our missionaries, because he works at the airport. When he knocks on my door I always know that it's him. He's an organizer. He has probably already written out a schedule for when his family will watch each Christmas DVD during the season. I always feel at home when I'm in his home. A few years ago he was sitting by me at church, he spent the meeting writing avidly and I thought he was taking notes; he was writing a letter to the Editor. He's always willing to drive to the Dodgers game which makes Mike happy because he dislikes LA traffic. He would babysit Caitlin one day a week when she was a toddler, so that I could work at Leger's. He's always been a good Uncle to my kids. He loves our family. We are truly blessed to have David in our family, every family should be so lucky. We all love him.

David's family: Chelsea, Emily, Derek, David, Rebecca, and Christine

Family Friday: Featuring My Brother Timothy

I have been blessed with some pretty amazing brothers; each one of them is unique and I love them all. At the beginning of the "Family Friday" series I featured Alan, but today and for the next two weeks I will feature my other three brothers, starting with my brother Timothy. Tim is the third of my parents six children, and the last to be born in Ireland. Tim was born just nine days before my third birthday, so I really can't remember the time of my life when Tim wasn't there. Tim was just fifteen months old when we arrived in Salt Lake City in October of 1962.

When we were teenagers Tim and I came up with a musical duet; sort of. Tim was always good at dancing and moving and wasn't afraid to get up in front of a crowd. He stood up and lip-synced to a jazzed up version of You Are My Sunshine while I was the "Cyrano De Bergerac" and sang the song behind the scenes where nobody could see me. We "performed" our song for our friends and family on numerous occasions, and we had a lot of fun!

After Tim's graduation from VHS he served a mission to Brasil, where he had the opportunity to speak Portuguese. Every family birthday party that we attend Tim sings Happy Birthday in Portuguese while the rest of us clap in rhythm. Tim also graduated from the U of U. After graduation Tim worked as a CPA (he kindly does my taxes for me every year), but for several years now he has been a Controller for a big company. Tim and Margie were high school sweethearts and were married on December 16, 1982 in the Jordan River Temple. They have raised three great kids; Melissa, Sean, and Megan. They recently became first time grandparents when Hannah Elizabeth was born. Tim is the perfect family man; He takes seriously his roles of husband, father, and now grandfather. His family is very fortunate.


Tim is a great storyteller. Whenever he shares one of life's experiences with us he truly brings it to life. He keeps us captivated with his tone of voice and actions as he talks. He is also a great singer and can do great Buddy Holly and Neil Diamond impersonations. Sometimes when we go to the beach house we do an impromptu talent show. One year Tim got up to take a turn and was all set to go with his "broom guitar" in hand, when he turned around and closed the blinds. His explanation; he didn't want the neighbors to see how goofy we are.

Tim loves soccer (football in England) and is a big fan of Arsenal. Last year he and his son Sean went on a trip to England where they were able to attend several soccer games (matches), which was one of the biggest highlights of their trip together.


Tim is hard working, motivated, and dedicated. A few years ago Tim decided to go back to school to get his MBA. At the time he was working full time and was also serving in the Bishopric; and of course was a husband and father. During the duration of his schooling he had to travel to Salt Lake City every week and stay overnight. That is a huge commitment on top of the commitments previously mentioned. Tim finished top in his MBA class.

Tim has always been a good brother to me and a good Uncle to my children. Every time I see Tim he hugs me and tells me that he loves me. I know that he really means it; I love Tim too.

Things to know about my brother Timothy: He has integrity. He is honest. He honors the priesthood. He has a great laugh. He loves all of his family unconditionally. He occasionally asked to borrow my LAPD's (popular pants in the '70's) when he was in Jr. High. He enjoys hiking. He's in good shape. He loves music. Each year he makes his family a CD of music that has special meaning to them for that particular year. He serves. He's kind. He's happy. He has a tender heart. He's funny. He writes clever poetry. After high school graduation he spent a summer living with us, and working in the Uintah Basin. Tim was a big winner on The Price Is Right (including the showcase). He's a good singer. He's faithful. He's a good listener. He's humble. He leads by example. We are all so grateful that Tim is in our family, and we love him.

Tim's family at the beach house last summer: Adam, Melissa, Megan, Tim, and Margie (Tim's son Sean is serving in the Adelaide, Australia Mission and baby Hannah was born after this picture was taken)

Choir Concert

This is the beautiful CD cover for We Also Sing. Free tickets are still available here for the November 28 concerts at 5:30 and 7:30 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. When you get to the website, scroll down until you see the We Also Sing concert and click on it. It's going to be great!

The Primary Program

Sunday I attended my son Andy's ward to see the primary program. I love the primary program each year, it is always one of my favorite sacrament meetings. Adam and Zach both knew the songs and sang them so well, Zach did such a good job with his speaking part; but I must admit that I had my eye on another little boy. This was a little boy that only I could see. It was my "little boy"; Andy. Andy is the ward organist. As I watched my "little boy" walk up the aisle I couldn't help but smile at the bounce in his step; the same bounce he has had for as long as I can remember. As he played the hymns, I had a smile on my lips and a tear in my eye as I thought about my "little boy" at eight years old riding his bike to Granma's house so that he could practice the piano. I remembered his first piano recital when he played "Andy the Android". As I watched him play the organ I couldn't help but smile as I watched him "move" with the music. Although he is a grown up man with three little boys of his own, he will always be my "little boy". And what a good boy he is.

Family Friday: Featuring My Dad Alan

During my "Family Friday" series I have introduced the boys in the family as handsome young men. This week you can clearly see why when you see this picture of my Dad. I have a handsome Dad. Even when I was a little girl I recognized that my Dad was handsome, and I was very proud of that fact.

My Dad was born in England. He was the seventh of nine children, only five of which lived to adulthood. He joined the church when he was eleven and when he was thirteen his Father passed away. He had a lot of family responsibilities as a young teen aged boy with a widowed Mother. He took care of his two younger siblings and many household duties while his Mother worked to support their family. As a boy in school Dad played soccer and for many years as an adult he played recreational soccer, I remember many Saturdays during the spring and fall our family going to watch Dad's soccer games.

In early February of 1962, Dad was coming home from work one day on a trolley bus in Belfast when a voice as clear as any voice he had ever heard came into his mind saying, "you are going to live in America." When Dad arrived home he recounted that experience to Mom. Immediately they began making preparations to come to America. Dad left Belfast in June of that year, leaving behind Mother and their three young children for four long months. I was just four-years-old and have vague memories of our arrival in Salt Lake City, but I have no doubt that it was a joyous reunion. I do remember arriving at our first home in West Bountiful late at night and finding a doll waiting under my pillow for me. I promptly named her Virginia in honor of the state we had just come from. I will be forever grateful for a faithful Father who heeded the prompting of the spirit. Bringing our little family to America has been a great blessing not only to us, but to many generations yet to come.

I think that my Dad was born happy. I'm not kiddin'. He has the greatest sense of humor and keeps us all laughing (or shaking our heads) when we are with him. I can't remember a time when my Dad didn't whistle or sing; and he is famous for both. Many times when I come across people that I haven't seen in many years they will ask me about my parents, often, particularly those who were peers of me and my siblings will ask, "does your Dad still whistle?" Dad has been singing since he was a little boy. From the time that I was a little girl Dad was always singing somewhere; a wedding, a funeral, a ward party or a roadshow; over the years he has become a great entertainer who has performed all over the valley. Shortly before my wedding Dad recorded an album and just this past summer Dad recorded a CD.




My Dad is a gospel scholar. All of my life I have seen my Dad study the scriptures and read good books written by church leaders. When I was a little girl my Dad was a stake missionary. He had a box in his bedroom filled with copies of The Book of Mormon, these were the blue copies with the Angel Moroni on the cover. These books also featured copies of the Book of Mormon paintings by Arnold Friberg, I used to love to browse through those books and look at the pictures. On the day I was baptized my Dad gave me one of those books. I was thrilled to receive it and I still have it. I have been very fortunate to be the recipient of my Dad's first set of scriptures. While they were still "courting" my Mother gave Dad his first Triple Combination for his 18th birthday; then, on their second wedding anniversary which happened to be the day before I was born, Mother gave him his Bible. Mother says that he can still tell you the first scriptures that he read in his new Bible on the day that I was born. These books are well worn and marked. Not only are these books a priceless treasure because of their content, but because they belonged to my Dad; he read, studied, learned, and taught, with these books.

I'm not sure if we could actually count how many rooms Dad has painted or wallpapered for his family, or how many shelves were built, or sheet rocking done, or pilot lights lit, truck loaned out, comforting council given, tending grandchildren, chauffeuring, treats, cleaning up after un-natural disasters, and much more....whatever our needs he's always there to do what he can, and he keeps us laughing or smiling in the process. Granpa is the best.


Dad never says goodbye to us, whether it is in person or on the phone without telling us that he loves us. One day many years ago I was talking to Dad on the phone and as I hung up I realized that Dad hadn't said, "love ya", the phone immediately rang, it was Dad calling me back to say, "love ya".

Things to know about my Dad: He works hard. He never wastes time. He's an early riser. He's wise with money. He loves and takes care of my Mother. He loves his family unconditionally. He's wise. He loves the Lord. He serves. He served a mission to England with Mother as his companion. He is FUN. He loves soccer (but it better be English). He loves pie. He honors the Priesthood. He is never, ever, late. He retired from Mountain Fuel. He's honest. He's an Apollonian. He loves the Lord. He has a firm testimony and shares it often. He's a good brother. People of all ages love him. He likes yellow shirts. He's always well groomed. I love my Dad and I know all of our family does too, and we are blessed and grateful to have him as our Father and Grandfather.

Granma and Granpa at Artist's Point in Yellowstone National Park last year

Happy Birthday Jeffrey!!!

Happy, happy 30th birthday to my son Jeffrey. Your Mom loves you son. XOXOX
If you have a Jeff story we'd love to hear about it.

Cell Phones, Seatbelts, and I-15

Today I almost had all of my freckles shoved down my throat, literally....and I don't even have freckles. It all started after I left an extremely busy day at work, I was so happy to get on the freeway and head home. I had only been on the freeway a few minutes when it happened. I could see that the cars ahead of me were quickly slowing down so of course I slowed down as well (wondering what was going on), I automatically looked into my rear view mirror to see what was coming behind me. This is what I saw; a woman driver talking on her cell phone not even looking ahead. I thought, "she is going to hit me." It all happened so fast, but I watched as she finally looked (I saw the horror on her face) and it was to late, a moment later she hit me and I lurched forward (thank goodness I was wearing my seat belt). Anyway, the rest is history. A big inconvenience for me and for my poor Silver Bullet, actually Silver Bullet came out far better than her car, but can you believe she actually had the nerve to tell me that. I kindly reminded her that she was the one who hit me while talking on her cell phone and not watching the road. So this is my message to those of you who are reading this post:

DO.NOT.TALK.ON.THE.PHONE.WHILE.DRIVING.

There is nothing important enough to risk your life for, or the lives of others, that you can't wait until you can stop the car and call. I'm 51 years old. I've made it through at least 41 of those years just fine without having a cell phone at my beck and call (excuse the pun).

I just want to share something personal with you; every single day I pray for the safety of my family, my friends, and myself while we are on the roads. Whether we are going to school, to work, or about our errands. In the last year or two my sister-in-law, my son, my husband, my neice, my bff, and now myself have been involved in some sort of automobile accident where thankfully no one was injured. So tonight I will be saying a prayer of gratitude; because it could have been worse.

Love you all, mean it