Tourists' questions and comments

I don't know if tourists in the summer are stranger than during other times of the year, or if they just stick out more. I had someone say, "I'm really concerned about the early practice of polygamy among the Mormons, with so many children in the family wasn't there a danger of brothers and sisters accidentally marrying because they didn't know they were siblings?" I assured him that even in the biggest family all the brothers and sisters knew each other.

I decided to make a list of other questions and comments people have had.
-Is it true that no building in Salt Lake City can be taller than the temple?
-Is Utah a dry state?
-When I was in Utah thirty years ago it was illegal to smoke. Is it still illegal?
-The Mormon Church owns Coca-Cola.
-The Mormon Church owns Pepsico.
-The Mormon Church used to prohibit the use of caffeine but since they bought Pepsico they can drink Pepsi products.
-When did they put the wall around Temple Square? It wasn't there last time I visited Salt Lake.
-Is the white stuff in the mountains salt?
-Is it true that it is written in the Utah State Constitution that the governor of Utah has to be a Mormon?
-It's obscene the luxery Joseph Smith and his family lived in while everyone else was living in poverty! (I found out he thought the Joseph Smith Memorial Building was the Smith family residence.)
-Is the Church still the wealthiest entity west of the Mississippi?
-Is Richard Elliott the president of the Church?
-Are you a missionary for the Mormon Church?
-How many Mormons still practice polygamy?
-How many wives do you have?
-The Church gardeners are working as fast as they can to get flowers planted for President Bush's visit.
-Why is the city called 'Salt Lake'?
-Is it true the Church withholds tithing from all its employees paychecks?
-The Church financed Mitt Romney's campaign for the White House.
-The Church established the Mafia to maintain its control over Las Vegas.
-The Church owns Morton Salt. (Confusing MORton with MORmon?)
-The Church owns Costco. (Confusing Kirkland with Kirtland, Ohio?)
-Are we going to see any Mormons on the tour?
-This may sound like a stupid question, but where are all the Mormons? (I told her they don't come out until after dark.)
-Which building has the throne of solid gold the prophet sits on?
And probably my favorite - When I was here several years ago there was a building with a golden angel hanging from a cable that would fly around the room but I can't remember which building it was in. (I never convinced the woman that there was no such building or angel.)

Flash-back Friday plus one day

I found some great pictures of Lance in an album his mother made for him.

Lance at his 3 year old birthday party.

Little Lederhosen Lance

Lance asleep with his favorite monkey and Teddy Bear. Now he sleeps with four cats on top of him.

Lance in Second Grade.

Okay, we won't make fun of Lance's parents - everyone looked a little funny in the 70s.

(But doesn't Jack remind of you a little of Paul Lynde from "Bewitched" and Maureen of Charlotte Rae from "The Facts of Life"?

Half way there!

HO, HO, HO, HO!!!! Six months from today is Christmas Eve!

Happy Father's Day plus eight days.

On Father's Day, Aunt Faye, Cousin Chris and I went up to the Woodburys' for dinner. Lance had to stay home because his leg was still healing from a blood clot :( More about that later.
He missed a great dinner. Here are some Father's Day pictures.


This picture of Grandpa Woodbury and Jeni is actually from a long time ago, but I think it's a great one of them.


Big Pancho Villa and Little Pancho.


Besides being a Father's Day dinner it was also a birthday party for Jason. I think he's about 46.

and for Lisa. She's twenty-three.

"Ohhh, 'fer cute!'

Kim and Levi

Cade

Auntie Sarah and Sophie

David and Grandma Woodbury

Ari and Grandma Jane

Tom

Just Jane

Eric (wow, there are a lot more pictures on here than I thought.)

Kim

Brielle and Brindy

Sara, Isaac and David

Mom and Aunt Faye

Bryant

"I don't want my picture taken!!"

"I said I don't want my picture taken!!!"

"Okay, you can take my picture!"

Will Work For Candy or "Flashback Friday" - 5 June 1993

See Jane's comment on "Happy Eleventh Anniversary" for this picture.

Kim, Erin, Ali and neighbors offering to "work for candy."


"If you have true beauty it will reflect itself in others."

They won't fit in the tomato cages anymore.

One morning we found the "For Sale" sign in the front yard. Was someone trying to hint? Notice how much the front yard has changed?

In the backyard.

Happy Eleventh Anniversary

I can't believe it's been eleven years already!

In-laws and More In-laws

On Wednesday we had my in-law's, Jack and Maureen over for dinner. Since there was so much food we invited Fred over too. As happens so often during a nice, relaxing dinner the phone rang. If it looks like a telemarketer we usually don't anwer, but without thinking Lance picked up the phone. It turned out to be someone from American Laser Center notifying me that I had won a third place prize - a $300.00 coupon for hair removal. I should have just hung up - Fred kept saying "Hang up!" - but I was polite and listened to what she had to say.

Finally, as we were getting back to our food the phone rang again. Lance saw it was the same number but before he could answer, Fred grabbed the phone from him and we witnessed what probably no one on earth has ever seen before. With a high pitched, rather effeminate voice, Fred answered the phone -

"Helloooo?"

"Lancey? Who do you want to talk to? Lancey? I don't know if Lancey is here! Just one moment!"

"Lancey! Ohhhhh Lanceyyyyyy! Are you here Lanceyyyyy!"

I about spit grape juice all over the table. Jack, Maureen and Lance almost choked on their food as they tried to keep from bursting out laughing.

"I'm sorrrryyyyy! Lanceyyyy isn't answering! I don't think Lanceyyyy is home! Can I take a message?"

"Ohhhh, WOW!!! He won a 3rd place prize for hair removal?!?! He'll be SO SURPRISED!!! He'll be SOOOOO SURPRISED!!! Ohhhhhh! That's SOOOO wonderful!!!! Yes! Yes! I'll be sure to tell Lanceyyyy that he won! I'll be sure to have him call you back!!! Lanceyyyy will be SOOOOO happy!"

I think we'll never think of Fred the same ever again! So much for a nice, relaxing meal.

A few minutes later the phone rang again - this time it was safe - it was just Jane. She was in the city with four of her daughters-in-law for dinner. I invited them all over for ice cream, and to see our flower garden. We always like to have family over, even if we have to bribe them with ice-cream. It's also a great way to get more pictures for posterity and our blog!

Jane and granddaughter Briell

Brielle's momma, Brindy

Lance and Lisa

I think maybe Sarah still hasn't recovered from marrying into the Woodbury family.

That's okay, neither have Jane or Kim.

My happy in-laws.

As far as in-laws go, I think they are all keepers.

Pride Weekend

This weekend was "Pride 2008" in Salt Lake. The festival has really grown over the past few years, it's now the second largest parade, after the 24th of July Pioneer Parade, in Utah.



This float came from Twin Falls, Idaho, Lance's home town. Lance's dad said that before it was aloud to be in Twin's "Western Days Festival" all the rainbows had to be removed as well as all the words. They were permitted to put a big "?" to hide the scandalous words "We Support Human Rights."

By the way, Ralph Becker and the entire Salt Lake City Council were the Grand Marshalls this year.


This was the most unique float I've ever seen. I think it had something to do with "Drag Queen's in Space." We're pretty sure it won't be in the Pioneer Parade, or any other parade in Utah.



The festivities after the parade were at the City/County Building, my favorite building in Utah.


Lance and I helped with the set-up on Friday. We were assigned to help set-up the tables and chairs for the 150 exhibitors (not to be confused with exhibitionists.) When we were done with that we were assigned to put up the signs like the one behind Lance. Afterwards Lance remembered he wasn't supposed to do any exercise or lift anything over ten pounds for ten days after his leg operation. It was day nine so hopefully he will be okay.

Casey and the girls missed the parade but at least they came for the festival after. Denice didn't come because she thought she had more important things to do :(

Victoria had a star painted on her face.

Christina was turned into a cheetah.

By the way, a couple of days ago Mom said, "How long do you plan on keeping that beard? It's got an awful lot of white in it!"

For those of you who haven't met her, this is Vanessa, Kelly's girlfriend. She's got a pretty big appetite!

Vanessa, Victoria, Christina and Kelly as the day was winding down. Lance left to fix dinner for his parents, I stayed to help take everything down. There were about 500 volunteers who helped over the three day weekend so it all went quite smoothly. We'll see you all there next year! (Yeah, Right! When Drag Queens can fly!)