The Great Urban Legend that is: Buca di Beppo.

Once upon a time there was a boy who left everything he loved behind in Hawaii, and moved to Provo, Utah. It was a strange new experience for him. He tried lots of different things, went on many exciting adventures, and learned a great deal about his new host family. The hardest concept for him to fathom, however, was that the Labit family had never, ever, ever, been to his all-time favorite restaurant, Buca di Beppo. It agonized him to think that we had not once tasted the mouth-watering sauces and cheese-laden pizzas that they are famous for. At least once a week, all summer long, he reminded us of our great misfortune. "Surely someday," he pleaded, "You will have to take your family to Buca di Beppo!" 

Last night, Zachary's dream came true! 

It didn't matter to him that it was in honor of his archenemy, sister number two's birthday! All that mattered was that finally, finally, the Labit family would have the golden opportunity of dining with the pope (or at least with his head in the middle of the table), while savory cheeses and sauces dripped from their chins.

And that is what actually happened. 

Don't you love happy endings?

And despite September 11th being a day 

we commemorate a terrible tragedy,

it's nice to have something wonderful to celebrate.

September 11th, 2001, Alissa Cook was born.

Happy Birthday, Alissa. 

We Love You!

Ah, Rexburg.

We did it. 
We really dropped Michaela off and left her in that little one-horse town called Rexburg that was the meeting place of some pretty unpleasant experiences for me. 
I tried to warn her, prepare her.
But she was having none of my pessimism. 
That's because the sun was shining and it was a balmy 76 degrees as we drove out of town... 
Rexburg has a way of fooling you like that. 
Next thing you know, your eyelashes and nose hairs are brittle to the touch and the wind chill factor is a temperature you never thought you'd experience in your lifetime.
Oh, you can tell I walked down memory lane a bit this weekend.... But- we left her happy, full of Big Jud's burgers, and ready to "have an adventure." 
And an adventure is something I'm sure she will have. 

The I-card...her ticket to everything BYU-I.

Unwittingly, we turned the Unplugged sign into Rexburg Plugged. It's foreshadowing I think...

Here is the dorm I believe that I lived in....either my memory is hazy after 30 years, or I have blocked it from my subconscious....

We took a trip to the cemetery where my grandparents are buried, followed by a tour of Menan where they lived a good deal of their lives. As kids, we spent many great summers there...

(My mom's name on the back of the headstone)

We loved this "headstone" posted on the gate as you leave. Shutting the gate is serious business in Idaho.

This is the house my mom grew up in-it looks nothing like it did back in the day...

Apparently a contractor owns it now and has done a lot of fancyin' it up.

This was an original building in the back yard...

Here is the house that made me cry...I have so many great memories of visiting here.  Not much had been changed even after 40 years...

I once locked a stray cat in this granary, fed it secretly and pretended it was my own for a few days :)

This is my Aunt Lu who took us on this whirlwind tour of Menan. She and her husband are two of the kindest people I know.

Obviously, we couldn't leave Idaho without a trip to Big Jud's. Michaela's roommate, as well as her dad, had never experienced Big Jud's so it was a must do.

To accommodate Michael's picky palate,  we had to order everything on the side and then dress our hamburger accordingly. I was sure it was going to  compromise the taste, but no. It was awesome!

It was just as good as Michaela remembered...

...and her roommate Dani was pretty impressed too.

For me, it went without saying.

So Rexburg, even though I had my doubts,

Michaela is Michaela and will be just fine. 

Until the first snowfall :)

My Daughter's Life...

...is packed up and ready to go on its Idaho adventure. 

Labor Intensive.

Labor Day was really spent trying to finish up last minute things to get Michaela shipped off to the Rexburg place.
But after a long day of shopping, we mustered up the energy to head up Provo Canyon for some hot dogs and Smores.  

  Open fires were prohibited so we gathered around the barbeque and went at it.

 Zac took his marshmallow roasting very seriously while Kaitlyn tried not to fall asleep apparently.

Elijah can roast one to perfection.

Yesiree.

Lots of eating going on.

 Happy Labor Day!

Once Upon A Sunday Dinner.

Once upon a Sunday dinner, Janis decided to bring each 

and every child potato guns.

Ammunition really did  come from potatoes.

Thus, the potato war began...

Potato pellets were flying everywhere!

Children were having so much fun, that the parent people forgot to say, "you'll shoot your eye out" and then two children almost did!

Jacob figured out how to outsmart the other pardners...

In the end, potato pellets were everywhere ...

...and a great clean up commenced.

Zac had a really good point when he said concerning the potato gun wars: "this really isn't something that brings us together. Might not be good for a Sunday." You think?

It was fun having the newly initiated college students with us...

Meghan and Michaela got belated birthday 

alarm clocks from Janis...

And the Woolfs represented with 4 this time!! 

They almost outnumber us!

It's fun to hear these three talk ice cream shop experiences...

Though we might not have done such a great job of respecting the Sabbath, it's always great to be together. 

We will try harder next time.


Oh, and just for Ray:

 A picture of your wife and her sweet new ride!

SEPTEMBER...

Fall Lacrosse season has begun.