So, I have this brother who seems to always be doing the right thing and making the right choices in life. He's just a great guy if I say so myself. I would include pictures of him but, I don't have any...

He wasn't always a nice guy though. The day I was born he started with his "older brother" type of behavior and named me after a cartoon character...who does that? And what great parents "he" had that would like him do such a thing. And what special parents "I" had that would let an almost 4 year old name a cute baby after a cartoon character. I'm just glad that Spongebob wasn't around back in 1963!

Then there were the numerous times that he would "beat me up" while he was laughing and I was screaming...I think this is why I have such large thighs, I built them up while I was trying to kick him off of me. And then the memorable activity of him and his friend chasing me into my parent's bedroom and then bending my toes back. Yes, I was laughing but, I think that is how I reacted to stressful situations back then.

He is however defective in his own special way... you really don't even notice it though. There is a cute picture of him as a toddler when he had, or was about to have, surgery on his ear to remove a tumor/growth and that resulted in that ear remaining smaller than the other. And then there is the old "football injury" that resulted in one finger being unable to straighten completely. Okay it really was football injury. I remember playing in the warm wax bath that he had for therapy on his finger during the healing process. That was as close to a Spa treatment as I have ever been.

Despite all that, he is a wonderful brother! He would say the right things at insignificant moments to make me feel good. I still remember him telling me that I was using the vegetable peeler correctly and being so impressed that I knew how to use it (this was not recently but when I was MUCH younger). When I was older and feeling frustrated/sad that guys weren't asking me out, he told me that I intimidated guys because of my looks (I'm assuming he meant that in a good way).

He served a mission to Japan and had the privilege of learning to speak the language of our ancestors and to speak to our Grandma and experience first hand the extent of her personality and humor. How priceless is that?

Then he marries a wonderful young lady and together they have 6 talented girls with personalities you are drawn to and as a bonus they are all beautiful!

He lives the Gospel they way people are suppose to and gives of himself endlessly and willingly. That does not go unnoticed.

It's fun to watch him as a Dad because he has a great relationship with each of his daughters, and is actively involved in their lives in such a supportive way.

And to me, he's like the twin I never had. According me my kids, I look like my brother when I make certain expressions and according to his kids and my kids, we sound alike in many of the things that we say as parents. Never mind that we find alot of the same things funny. Maybe I like him so much because he laughs at some of the funny things I say when no one else does. ...and they are funny... He understands what I'm talking about and relates to it when no one else can...remember "Mr. Grant"?

Well, that's I'm thinking about at the moment...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

(2008)
I want to wish you a VERY HAPPY birthday and hope that you are checking the blogs early today so that you know that I am thinking of you today more than usual.
You have achieved alot over the years and I hope alot of your birthday wishes have come true. I don't recall making you a birthday cake for your birthday...what's up with that? But if I was with you today, I would definitely ask you what kind of cake you would like for your birthday and make it for you!

You've even been there for Nicole to make a birthday cake for her on her 2nd birthday. (sorry about the blurry pictures)

(1993)

Just a few pictures to send us down memory lane (to go along with pictures that Doug and Sheila had for Mother's Day)

1989 on my wedding day with Brother and Sister Pinnock in Salt Lake City.

1992 It didn't take long for the grandkids to learn that there is ALWAYS something good in Grandma's purse!
1994 strumming the ol' Barney bango Nicole received on her3rd birthday

Just hanging out on the floor with Nicole playing a Barney memory game (before our memories started go....)

1997 (?)Mesquite, NV
I loved that you and Dad came down to visit twice a year my entire time down here in Utah until only recently.
1997(?) I love that you always do things with my kids. Although we live 800 miles away, they still have many opportunities to spend time with you and they know who you are as a person, and they like spending time with you.
1997 Finishing up a baby blanket for Chay...and you finished it while you were here for his baby blessing!

1997 at Chay's blessing.

Showing off your "chopstick" skills while playing a game with Nicole and me. (200?)

2008 Happy after Alana cut Blade's hair so that he looked like a boy...
2008 Working hard as usual even while "getting away".

2008 Making your GREAT cinnamon buns while giving Alana a private lesson.

Relax today and do whatever you want today! I love you MOM and wish you the Happiest of Birthdays and an exceptional year!

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day! (that's why I'm home with all the kids today)

I wanted to post a picture of Grandpa Shimbashi since this is the "official" day to remember him and thank him for serving Canada during the War. ( However, unable to find any pictures I might have...)

What a strong man Grandpa Shimbashi was to leave Japan alone and at a very young age for a cold distant place called Canada. So happy that he went back to Japan to marry Grandma Shimbashi, a wonderful woman perfect for him, and returned to Canada to start a family. I can't even imagine enduring the things that they endured together throughout their lives. But I do know how proud I am of him for the priceless history that he has given our family. He was a dignified man who could literally hang out with Royalty. And today I remember him for being loyal, brave and committed, for leaving his young family to serve his new country Canada when his country did not even trust individuals of Japanese decent. I know that Grandpa was shot during the war but I don't know what part of his body took the bullet or if he had a scar. My memories may be inaccurate but I remember as a young girl seeing one of Grandpa's war medals that was in a case/box on top of his TV in the living room. I don't know what the medal was for but "my" grandpa had one!

THANK YOU Grandpa for unselfishly serving Canada and contributing to the freedom, great life and future we all have....Domo arigato Grandpa!

(there's another new post following this one so, don't stop now)

Welcome to Hogle Zoo

This was quite the warm and impressive welcome. It isn't often that you see a Bald Eagle so close up without a fence in front of it.

Saturday was a nice day, not too hot and not too cool, and we headed to the zoo at 9:00 am to beat the Holiday Weekend rush. This summer's attraction is a Madagascar theme and it opened this weekend. There was a Fossa inside but it was sleeping and so it was uneventful to look at...it was cute though (while sleeping with glass between us). Blade thought it was a baby foosa but no, it was full size.

My monkeys and...

...how they are growing....

...if Chay's arms were a foot longer, he would measure up to an Orangutan perfectly.

...still a monkey in training...

The new carousel is a must for Blade and he was happy that he got the wolf again (it's actually labeled a "coyote" but he knows that it's a "wolf").

Blade has been wanting to go to the "bird show" since our last visit to the zoo, since we didn't have enough time to wait that time. I was so looking forward to seeing what the show would involve this year because last year when Doug, Judy and the girls were visiting, there was a surprise part that had me laughing so hard that I was crying. It was the best bird show I had ever seen because of that one part.

We made sure that we were first (okay, second) in line so that we could get the seats of our choice.

The birds were really flying low this year and Nicole and I could feel something (breeze? wing?) when one bird swooped down to the stage.
Unfortunately, there was not that "special" moment in the show this year when an employee pretends to be a member of the audience. There was no comedy this year. I do like my comedy and was so looking forward to the new act this year....maybe next year.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

I hope both the cards we sent you arrived before Mother's Day, if not, you have another card to look forward to receiving. I had great visions of creating a blog in "Angie style" but I had my eyes done at Moran and those visions were only in my head ( actually Moran does great work but, whenever I visually make a mistake, I just say "I had my eyes done at Moran"). Plus, I'm not at home while I write this (I'm at work and it's after midnight), thus, I haven't access to any pictures.

I do want to thank you for being the best Mom I could have. I know that I have written before many of the things that I admire about you and how I would love to be more like you when I grow up. The other day I was thinking about how you have always made our family your first priority. I know that not because you said those exact words but because you showed it in your actions every single day and continue to demonstrate that same quality even though your "baby" is 46.

You truly show your love and commitment by your actions. The amazing thing is, you are so humble that you truly don't realize how extraordinary you really are. I'm blessed to have a Mom that took and found the time to make cute clothes for me when I was younger, I still remember having the best apron for cooking class in grade 7. And I don't remember where you got the reversible ponchos with the hoods but I loved those, AND the crocheted ponchos also! I'm was so proud to have a Mom that made great treats for the parties at school, everyone was jealous but, happy that they got to eat one. And Mom, how you organized supplies for all our wonderful trips I don't know. You made being a mother seem so much easier than what I have found it to be. Unlike me, my children will NEVER be able to say that they have never heard their mother raise her voice. I always knew that I had your support in whatever I did...thanks for always being there to listen to me go on and on while in tears because I was so stressed about school, I am so glad those days are over (I beat you are too). I'm sure there were other incidences also.

Sorry for all the worrying I caused you while I was a teenage out late. I now realize just how worried you must have been now that I worry when Nicole is out late. And without cellphones back then to call to check up, I must have made you sick. You are younger than your years physically but just think how much younger you would be physically and mentally if I hadn't caused you to worry so much. Of course you still had Doug, Sheila and Sharon....

People in Utah talk about their "Pioneer" heritage. Well, I have a wonderful "pioneer" heritage also. Grandma and Grandpa Shimbashi traveled to Canada to start a new life and achieved so much, and like them, you over came so much to achieve just as much. You pioneered getting a education when the Japanese were discriminated against and you were the first generation to join the Church in our family. And look how that has increased the Churches membership...not with just our families but through missionary work also.

I need to finish up for now but Mom, thanks for still being there for me, for making your strawberry jam for my kids, for always remembering and sending cards for birthdays and anniversaries, for treating us to dinners out whenever family comes down to visit, and for BEING YOU and loving ME.

As you wish Doug

Just for you Doug!

When your trip to Utah had come to an end, you sincerely requested that I go to Pat's and try out the ribs for you. And I am not one to disappointment and so that is what we did tonight!

We called in the order so that we wouldn't have to wait and could just pick up and go home to eat... it wasn't crowded at all at the take out window. We couldn't see the entire "dining room" from there, just one table.

I picked the "2 meat" dinner and picked ribs and chicken. I gave the side of mashed potatoes and gravy and cornbread to Blade. I was able to eat one rib and maybe 1/4 of the 1/4 chicken. It was a lot of food.

Nicole decided on the pulled pork sandwich and picked mustard greens for her side.

Dave picked ribs and brisket (sorry no picture, he had already started to tear it apart).

Tangent...Dave was so looking forward to eating some free grilled chicken from KFC but since that whole ordeal was a complete disaster, he came home from work and said we needed to go to Pat's.
For those of you that have been busy with life up in Canada, Oprah's mention of coupons for free 2 piece grilled chicken meals at KFC has been the talk of the town all over the USA...when Oprah speaks, everyone listens. The first night Nicole and Chay went to get two meals while Dave and I stayed home with a sleeping Blade (he wore himself out at Discovery Gateway and slept for 12 hours that night!) They had to wait for the food but it wasn't too bad. Dave and I then went and were told that it was a 45 minute wait..needless to say, we didn't wait. But we went back last night, only to find out that the coupons were not being honored but instead rebates would be given out for staggered dates in the future if we filled out a form and returned it with the coupons attached. They had the grilled chicken available but you would have to pay the $3.99, no thank you. If this had happened to Doug, I know that he would have written an exceptional dissertation about his experience, me however, just the facts (my days of elegant writing ended when I received that piece of paper from BYU).

Our conclusion? Well, it was good but it's not something that I would rave about and HAVE to have (not like the Cafe Rio salad). Nicole hates the feel of fatty meat in her mouth and so she wasn't thrilled about the sandwich, and the bbq sauce was too thin for her liking. Dave thought the mustard greens were very good. And I know that Blade snarfed the cornbread. I like Dad's BBQ ribs a lot better, and how they just fall off the bone.

I may go back to try some of the daily specials so that I can give an honest review.
I may try all the Salt Lake locations that are featured on Drive Ins, Diners and Dives (or is it Diners, Drive Ins and Dives?). I've tried Moochies Philly Steak Sandwich and I like it. I don't know how the others felt about it...I just know that the other's weren't eating their sandwiches and so over the course of 2 days that's all I ate.... (Isn't that a Dad's job?)

This next part isn't fulfilling a request of Doug's but it did fulfil a request of Blade's. On Wednesday we went to Discovery Gateway and today we went to the Zoo. What did the two have in common? Alot of kids on fieldtrips!

Blade's goal was to ride the wolf on the carousel! And he DID IT! He didn't want me to even touch it while he was riding it.

I found it interesting that we went to the zoo and the first things that we did before even looking at a single animal, were ride the train and play in the playground.

I hope everyone had a great day!

Happy 12th Birthday Chay

He's officially a "preteen" now.

With Doug, Judy, Alana, Erika, Jamie and Jenelle here for the weekend, we decided to celebrate Chay's birthday on Saturday so it would be more of a celebration.

Earlier in the day Chay had a soccer game and had his personal cheerleaders on the sideline. Chay's comment was "they were distracting" but, he said this with a huge smile so I know that he loved every minute of it. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera but I know there were at least 2 there so I hope someone will share some of those pictures with me.

Chay requested an Ice Cream Cake for his birthday cake and this was my attempt at filling his request.

What a GREAT group of 'kids'.

Little did Chay know that he had candles that relit after he blew them out. He had wanted those for Blade's cake but I couldn't find them then. BUT Nicole spotted them for Chay and....

...they were a HIT!

After seeing Doug's blog on the Tim Tam Slam, we were excited to experience the 'Tim Tam Slam' ourselves (or Slim Slam Tam as I called it once. And as Erika mentioned, she used sugar free hot chocolate so hers was the 'Slim Slam').

Chay enjoyed it so much that he had three Tim Tam Slams!


Chay LOVED his gift from the Takahashis!
He wore it that night as a sleep shirt.


Since we did the cake on Saturday, we didn't have a cake to celebrate on Sunday for Chay's birthday but he did receive his birthday gift!


Chay's birthday gift was a group effort involving Grandma and Grandpa, Memema and Papa, Nicole, Blade, Dave and me. He got an IPOD!
I had no idea what the new IPODs could do, it's definitely not 'Nicole's IPOD' from years ago...
He showed me how he could write with it.


He is very excited with his gift!
Nicole helped him set it up and the two of them experimented with it, okay Chay did most of the experimenting and used it until he had to recharge it.


Happy Birthday Chay!

It was a fun week end with Doug and the rest of the gang! It was too short though. I love having Doug visit and with Alana at BYU, we've been fortunate to have many visits from Doug and Judy! Now that Alana's plans do not involve BYU next semester, I don't know how we will adjust to seeing them less frequently.