Bowling

Reese came down from Washington for a visit and it was decided that bowling was on the agenda... fun times with Reese.

Monticello

Last Wednesday I had to make a trip to Monticello.  I really do not like this drive, it's almost 10 hours round trip and I had less than 2 hours of work there.  I was on the road at 5am, put my truck on cruise control and auto pilot and took a few pictures as the sun came up.  Okay, so I don't have auto pilot but the risky picture taking turned out nice.  One of these days i'll take my time and visit a few places.

The Journey of a Lifetime

Most of our posts are of a light nature that include family events, fun trips and goofy happinings. On a rare occasion there will be a post of a death of a family member or friend which tend to be on a more serious note, however, this post may well be the greatest for it truely is a journey of a lifetime. Have you ever known someone who fits the profile of this poem? . . . I do!

Twas battered and scared, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But he held it up with a smile.

“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,

Who’ll start bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar – now who’ll make it two

Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?

Three dollars once, three dollars twice,

Going for three” . . . but no!

From the room bar back a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening up the strings,

He played a melody, pure and sweet,

As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said: “What am I bidden for the old violin?”

And he held it up with the bow;

“A thousand dollars – and who’ll make it two”

Two thousand – and who’ll make it three?

Three thousand once, three thousand twice

And going – and gone,” said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

“We do not quite understand –

What changed it’s worth?” The man replied:

“The touch of the master’s hand.”

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scared with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd.

Much like the old violin.

A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,

A game and he travels on,

He’s going once, and going twice –

He’s going – and almost gone!

But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,

Never can quite understand,

The worth of a soul, and the change that’s wrought

By the touch of the MASTER’S hand.

Myra B. Welch

Now, as great as this event was, one thing that touched me as a father was having Jennifer stand in front of this small group of people and declare with sweet emotion her love for Derek and her simple testimony of the gospel, and then go on to say how much she looks forward in a year to having their marriage solomnized in the temple.  This is their Journey of a lifetime.

A Knight-Knight-Utley Christmas

These 3 seperate Christmas celebrations seem to me to be a blur, so I have combined them together. It was festive, fun and filling. Derek's mother Chrys and his brother David join us in our holiday traditions this year and we enjoyed having them here.

Jennifer and Derek Wedding

Jennifer and Derek had their wedding on the December 23rd. It was a simple wedding held in the presidential suite at the Hilton Hotel, followed by a simple reception. Dinner was elegant at Spencer's steak house at the Hilton.

Washington unleashed (but censored)

Connie and I spent some time in Washington visiting Aaron, Erika and the girls.  We had a great time with all the activities we did.  We already miss them.  Many of the pics we took we censored on this blog but really unleashed on the private blog.  Each time we visit we feel like we have been spoiled which in turn makes us want to go back for more. 

The Great Wolf Lodge
This place is an amazing indoor water park / lodge even in the winter time.



Santa



Nerf Wars



Hats... evb loves her hats

Utley Family Christmas Party

Saturday was the annual Utley family Christmas party.  This activity has played out the same over the years, although in 2008 Dominic the Donkey was added.  Here is a walk down memory lane from 2007-2010 (i'd have to dig for the earlier pics). 

                                              2007

                                              2008

                                              2009

                                              2010