Katie's Birthday - part two!

I'm finally getting around to updating my blog. Still months behind! I hope you'll all  be patient with me as I catch up!

I took so many pictures on Katie's birthday, that I knew I'd have to divide them into separate posts, so here's part two. After our jaunt up the canyon we had lunch and we also visited our old friend Glen's antique shop. Glen wasn't there, but his son Greene was. I always think of Greene as a wee tow-headed lad, but he's a large young man with darker hair and facial hair as well. It was incredible! He's very like Glen, too, which is amusing and a bit disconcerting.

Beautiful 18th century doll. 

Skeletons! Squee!

Dylan trying on a Horatio Hornblower type hat!

Katie & her presents. 

My wee mum resting on the couch.

Katie's new jacket.

Natalie (Dylan's then girlfriend/ fiance now wife) made the most DELICIOUS cake ever! The peanut butter frosting was divine. 

A thing of beauty!

Katie requested vanilla cake (rainbow coloured) & peanut butter frosting. I wasn't sure this would be an exciting combination, but I was wrong. Apologies for the millions of pictures of cake. Yes, it WAS that good!

Katie's 18th Birthday! (part one!)

What a marvellous thing that I was in Utah for Katie's birthday (I left just before Dylan's, sadly). I spent so much time with my family in New York, and lived with them for five years, so it was a real blessing to be able to be with them and celebrate Katie's birthday.

We drove up into the mountains and wandered about a bit. Katie brought her guitar, and serenaded us up at Sundance. She even took it into the shop with her and the girls behind the desk insisted that she sing something, which she did!

Beautiful!

Turkey tracks.

Brrr! A bit chilly!

Katie attempting a snow angel. I love how her hair fanned out.

Katie the troubadour.

Sundance

Turkeys!

A solitary Heather.

A contemplative Dylan.

A CRAZY Katie - walking out to the statue in the COLD water! 

One of our favourite stories to tell about Katie is when Heather was visiting Utah with Dylan & Katie. We went up into the mountains - to South Fork Park (my personal favourite). There was a log which had fallen across the river, and Dylan (who was, I think, about nine or ten years old) timidly walked out onto the log. When he came back, he advised Katie not to follow his example, as it was dangerous. Katie then proceeded to run out onto the log - not once but twice! When she returned, she exclaimed, "That was too easy!". This photo is from that time. I thought it would be nice to include a sort-of "then & now" photo of Heather, Dylan & Katie.

I have more pictures from Katie's birthday, but I'll do a 'part two' post soon!

Hanging out, Provo Temple & Reagan's Birthday!

Even though I was in Utah for a sad reason, it was still so wonderful to see all my family after so many years. It was great to go hang out at Jennie's grand new house for Reagan's birthday. I don't know Jennie's kids as well as some of my other nieces & nephews, but they are great people and I hope in the future to know them better.

Katie

Freshly applied henna, compliments of Katie.

This is old news now, as the work on this has progressed much further than when I was in Provo, but it was exciting to see them working on the tabernacle to temple transformation.

Ooh! Lovely henna! Thanks, Katie.

A bee on my wrist too!

Reagan's birthday! The Mickey Mouse was a stand-in for Jesse who is on his mission now. 

Wee Astrid, my niece Afton's little girl.

The Domestic Architecture of Provo

Provo is rich in possessing many charming bungalows, fine examples of Arts & Crafts houses, and other fine architecture. One of my greatest joys growing up was walking around the side streets of Provo admiring the lovely houses. My sister Heather & I went for a walk and I stopped to take some pictures of these beautiful homes.

The beauty that is Klinker Bricks. Partially vitrified bricks. I love the strange, grotesque shapes they burn into. 

This is the wall that runs around...

This! Isn't it gorgeous? Sigh. I find Craftsman houses to be irresistible.

The window looking out onto the porch.

A glimpse of more Klinker bricks and the front door. 

This home has been turned into flats. It was so strange to be able to just walk right in! That wouldn't happen in Glasgow!

Upstairs. And LOOK at that stained glass in the stairwell.

I'm not sure what architectural style this is, but I love this crazy house! 

Close-up.

Sycamore trees on Center Street.

Another beautiful house. Sorry I cut off the roof a bit!

I love this Art Deco house. Every time I see it I expect to see Hercule Poirot paying a visit to solve some mystery! 

Beautiful Craftsman home! This is just across the street from my house.