Touring Christmas

This must be the start of Shauna's Christmas. The townhouse, as you can see, is subtly decorated in order to ease into the season, without straining a muscle, or peaking too soon, say on December 23rd. Shauna is the master (mistress?).
She and Hayley left for Santa Clara today with a carload of Christmas fixins. I'll follow tomorrow -- working all the way!

Touring Christmas Season

This fine couple invited Shauna and me to watch The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Orchestra at Temple Square, and The Bells on Temple Square present The Wondrous Gift of Christmas with special guests Natalie Cole and Michael McCullough (whew!). After eating the best pizza I have ever eaten -- Setobello pizza (my first time), we enjoyed the show immensely!

But, before we embarked on the previous, we headed to Brighton High School to watch some girls dance to Hayley's choreography. Don't these girls look like Christmas is happening?

Hard to see but this is Hayley directing her youngest quartet.

OK, not current, but Shauna and I headed to Sacrament meeting today at C&C's new ward where they were the featured speakers. They both spoke well, on prayer. Cassie said, "we have been married 3 months, and I've been pregnant half of that." She also said that Clint now wants to be called, "Atomic Mass Unit." Amu for short? Or some such thing, he'll have to explain.

Clint not only had great presence and delivery at the podium (aka Bob Dalton), but the content of his discourse was very insightful to boot.

Sibling Dinner

As the sun set inside Clint's TV, Hayley gazed into Max's eyes, and I enjoyed getting invited to a sibling dinner. Max made the trek with his brother and parents to C&C's place. Here he tries very hard to focus on his grandpa's camera.

Cole had been looking forward, all day, to going to Clint's house to play. And play they did. Cole was single minded in his play with uncle clint.

Hanyon here relaxing in the twin lounge chairs.

C&C's place has been transformed from a man cave into a newlyweds retreat. Thanks for inviting me, thanks for the food, and thanks for being around.

Just Glad To Be Here

We had a few Daltons and a few Prussos for Thanksgiving. The food was possibly the best ever. The company was very easy and relaxing -- the day passed quickly (dang!).

I miss the feeling of the desert and I'm not fond of the chilly breeze that comes off of Traverse Mountain, and I have no yard to putter in. But, the opportunity of hearing Hayley's profound thoughts and feelings as she spoke in her ward on gratitude, and the chance to be involved (even on the periphery) in her life, makes it worthwhile to be here.

I'm not fond of the daily hour drive in I15 traffic, nor do I like going to work before the sun comes up and leaving the office when the sun has gone down. But, seeing Clint and Cassie sporadically and witnessing the transformation of Clint's bachelor pad into a home (albeit green), as well as discussing The Fantastic Mr. Fox's idiosyncratic dialog with C&C, makes it worthwhile to be here.

I miss my KLX450R and S2000 which are holed up in my spacious garage in Santa Clara. I don't like the way the contractors fire tape the garages in Northern Utah and don't finish them and I don't like the permanent ice on the north side of our drive that probably won't disappear until May 21st. But, driving down today to hear Hannah and Canyon give talks in Church about Mathew 11:28-30, hearing the clarity in which Hannah related the spiritual to the physical, and hearing how Canyon expounded on these words makes it worthwhile to be here.

I'm tired of running and running without the break of riding my bicycle out to Kayenta, and doing it in the dark at 28 degrees, breathing inverted pollutants (not to mention the smell of the mink farm when I run by). But, a quick drive up to Luke's place to spend the evening driving small cars, building "temples," and watching movies -- as well as holding Max -- certainly makes it all worthwhile to be here.

Luke 29 Max 1/12

Luke is eyeing the red velvet cupcakes that his mom made for his birthday. Luke was very deserving of these cupcakes on his 29th birthday, so responsible, such a good dad and husband.

Here's his mom operating in Ashlie's kitchen. She made to order dinner for Luke.

Cole has a lot of people who like him -- none more than this Grandma, and it seems the feeling is mutual.

And, Max is home getting fed, kissed on the head, sleep, and a whole lot of love.

A portent of things to come

While it has been very temperate, Saturday a blizzard rolled in. Work has also began to oppress the spirits -- 3 trips to LA in the past 2 weeks. Cole came to spend a couple of nights with us this past week and that was a treat. It's time to settle into little daylight, cold nights, and frozen doors. But, I do have a large TV and a fireplace inside...

The purpose of Melons?

This is a melon wrapped in an RSL scarf avoiding the direct sunlight. What type of melon? Some RLS fans. A goal in the 88th minute did the trick against the Crew -- a long time to wait for a score! Her are most of the gang (less Max, Cole, Luke) at Scaddy's. This is Wayne Scadlocks new restaurant in Salt Lake City -- my old Sunset Drive In partner.

Max checking out his mother.

Grandpa checking out his Max.

Melon tours NBAA

Once again I was forced to attend the National Business Aviation Association Trade Show. I will spare you our booth -- you've seen it before. But, for those interested, this was the nicest "head of state" jet at the show. It is based on an Airbus 318 and is quite comfortable inside. What about this green Dornier 328?

While in Pine Valley a little while ago I think Brad, Kelly, and I were outside and heard, what I thought was, a loud sport bike coming up the road. But it turned out to be one of these, based at the St. George airport -- an Avanti.

Some have asked, why doesn't Honda make a jet? Well, here's their entrant into the very light jet (VLJ) market.

Ho Hum.

Mad Max!

Max is here and wired. He cried and whined and moved around. Luke changed his diaper -- a challenge amongst all the attachments.

Satuday we went to Sundance, Can, Han, and their friends Brian, Sara, and William rode the chair lift behind us.

Cole and his grandma enjoyed the "big swing."

Cole seemed to like his trip down the mountain on my back -- I can feel it now.

The Hanyon on the mountain.

Cole enjoying his extended vacation.

Hamburger Nachdenken

Hallo und auf Wiedersehen von Hamburg

Melone bereist Deutschland

Me in Munich in front of some elegant Munich edifice.

The Bradfords -- Dalton, Luc, Melissa, and Randall -- picked me up from the Munich Airport and took care of me for almost 2 days. They put me up in their classic German home, fed me, took me for a walk, and took me to Oktoberfest (pictured here).

It was a first Oktoberfest for these boys as well. Generally not a family celebration, there were many rides for kids to take advantage of, and they did.

This is the activity most were engaged in. This carosel barely moved, and it was a good thing since most aboard had been drinking ale for hours.

This was the last ride that Luc and Dalton took in. They look happy enough getting on...

But, it proved to be one too many as both eventually lost their cookies.

I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation with the Bradfords, and listening to them converse.

Luc is 9 years old, Dalton is 14, Clair is a Freshman at BYU, and Parker passed away July 2007 as you can see by this memorial bench in the Central Park in Munich.