Just Cleaning Up

This (and thousands more like this) Is Why....
1) I must clean my office with the Computer OFF
2) My office takes so long to clean...

I find far too many fun memories and want to scan and share them immediately. This photo was on a Poster that Andrew made for his High School Spanish Class Project, titled, Familia de Hostetler.
See there, I can blame Andrew for anything, even when he is 3,000 miles away. Love you, Andrew!
This photo is Andrew, Joel, and my brother, Mark with their matching teeth. Several summers ago, they walked around downtown Salt Lake asking passersby for directions to various sites.
I am turning my computer OFF for now...the piles in my office need to be reduced significantly TODAY.

Blast From The Past

Atlanta November 1997

Here are the New Jersey and Florida cousins

all dressed for Church. We were in Atlanta for Thanksgiving,

yet....it was a SURPRISE! Right after this photo was taken,

we headed to Church where Grandma (my mom) was sitting

up front with the Choir. Our herd managed to walk into the

chapel and be seated without Grandma even noticing.

It wasn't long before our presence was known and the

Thanksgiving Week Celebrations were in full swing

Curt is holding Katherine and Jeffrey is holding Nicole.

Here the cousins are on the first day of a

NEW THANKSGIVING TRADITION....

Eating Out!

Everyone is dressed and ready to enjoy a meal.The girls

are in their Old Navy clearance Matchy-Matchy Dresses...

the boys...they are thankful on this Thanksgiving Day that

I could NOT find matching clothes for THEM!

On a sad note, while we were at this Thanksgiving Dinner,

my Grandma passed away out in Utah. Shortly after this family

gathering, many of us headed to Utah for her funeral.

I know you are wondering what type of hair gel Jeffrey used

back in the day....I am not certain which brand...I am only

certain that he used it in LARGE amounts.

Every Picture Tells a Story...In this case...Two pictures do the job!

Fine Dining In Atlanta

The Varsity Restaurant

Atlanta is known for it's restaurants and fine dining.

The Varsity Restaurant is on the list of famous-must-visit

restaurants. It is, however, NOT on the list of fine dining.

The greasiest burgers and fries in town. One visits The Varsity

for the experience....not the food. The Orange Freezes, in my

opinion, are worth the trip, though. It is like a step back in time when

one walks into The Varsity. Burgers and Fries served straight

from the original 1950's atmosphere.

If you are in Atlanta....Visit The Varsity!

Andrew, in keeping with family tradition, made a visit to The

Varsity with Grandpa, Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

He even went a few days later with his friend, Lauren.

Twice in ONE WEEK=Heaven for Andrew...

Here is Grandma and Andrew enjoying every last bite and

slurp....

Below, Andrew is enjoying more gastronomical delights

with his Uncle, Grandpa, and Grandma

I am certain that Andrew could have stayed longer and

eaten more than anyone else. He LOVES this place!

Apparently, The Varsity has added Salads to their menu

choices. Somehow, this is supposed to balance out

all the grease and other yummo delights?????

Here is Mark in front of the Salad Cooler (which looks

a little out of place with the rest of the 50's fixtures)

If you are going to The Varsity....it is NOT for salad.

The Varsity is just one of hundreds of reasons to LOVE

Atlanta!!!

When ordering a Plain Hot Dog....You will be entertained

when the person behind the counter calls back to the kitchen...

"One Naked Dog...On The Way"

If you order that Plain Hot Dog "To Go"...he will say...

"One Naked Dog...Walking"

Just ordering is an entertaining experience.

Josh's Favorite Day of Summer Vacation

Josh & Andrew's Excellent Summer

Adventure

With confidence, I can say, this was my nephew Josh's favorite

day of his summer vacation. Twenty-two year old, Cousin Andrew,

arranged for a night of Air Soft Gun Shooting for Josh.

It just doesn't get any better than this when you are 10 years old

and fascinated by guns.

This may be why Josh said that Andrew was the most awesome

person in the world and he will never forget him forever and ever.

Josh kept me laughing the entire time he was visiting.

Click HERE and HERE to see why I miss him.

They went to the Watson's house. Josh received the attention

of many of Andrew's "awesome" grown up friends.

In addition to shooting Air Soft Guns, Josh got to ride in

Andrew's "righteous" car...the BMW Bomber....aka

"The Beige Bullet"

This was seriously better than a trip to Disney World as far

as Josh is concerned.

Cousin Talent Show

This is What Summer Is All About...Creating

Memories and Strengthening Bonds With Those

We Love

This was weeks and weeks of planning and coordinating

on the part of Katherine, Megan and our Out Of Town

Cousins. As adults, we were totally impressed with the

promo materials. Tickets, Programs,and Brochures

designed and printed by Katherine (note the photo below,

she is holding the Brochure style Program she designed

and printed) I did not even know our computer could do

some of the things she made it do for this presentation!

She and Sophie printed and distributed Tickets during

the day of the performance.

There were auditions, costumes, dressing rooms,

curtains hung, props, etc. We had a first class show

right here in our own home.

In addition to being completely entertained and impressed,

we laughed so hard we cried at certain points in the show.

Katherine was the announcer and the show began in

The Family Room.....

The First Act Was Max, Break Dancing!

He was all over the tile with such form and zeal.

It hurt me to watch him on that hard surface!

We were then dismissed to The Living Room

for the remaining acts. During intermission, we

were treated to snacks, including Strawberries

dipped in chocolate! Riley got in on assisting

our very able announcer.

Josh then treated us to a "Gun Skills" Demonstration. He called Andrew from the audience for self defense demonstration. He could take down all of Andrew's 6' 3" body with his skills.

Sophie played a number on the Piano and then headed for a quick costume change.
Our Announcer, Katherine, treated us to a number on the piano. I guess this makes up for her not showing up for her summer piano recital????
Ouch...Sophie gave a gymnastics demonstration...with such ease,
I might add. I would be in physical therapy for a year after this move!

Sophie and Katherine performed a number called:

Dancing With A Dog

Riley was cooperative. Note Riley's summer hair cut. If you see

Andrew, ask him how much he loves this new style on Riley!

This is where we laugh so hard we cry... Josh's famous

Happy Birthday Rendition using

"Armpit Fart" (oh my...how will that google)

Grandpa treated the Grandchildren to his famous story of

"Rindercella slopping her dripper"

What would a show be with out the audience? Here is part of

the audience in living, breathing color.

Very Fun Memories. We just don't get to do this enough!

Taco Bell or Ferrari?

Queso Crunch Wrap Laughs

My nephew, Josh, decided he would try the new Taco Bell

Queso Crunch Wrap at Taco Bell.

He was reporting how much he loved Taco Bell's newest

menu item when this conversation with my Katherine,

the young entrepreneur,

happened.....

Katherine: Josh if you like Taco Bell Queso Crunch Wrap so much, you should blog about them.

Josh: I don't have a blog

Katherine: I will blog it for you and you will get free Taco Bell when they discover that you love them so much.

Josh: Free Taco Bell for blogging about it?

Katherine: Yes, when you write about stuff, you get free stuff.

Josh: Well then, forget Taco Bell, I am going to blog about Ferraris. Yeah! Ferrari, Ferrari, Ferrari. I will get a free Ferrari! Katherine will you blog about Ferraris for me?

Katherine: What is a Ferrari?

Megan and Sophie, were unaffected by the possibility of

free stuff, blogging, Ferraris, or any other business venture....
Josh...it is the best thing I have ever had at Taco Bell!
Thumbs Up!

A Great Laugh

Laughs From Josh

My nephew, Josh, and my niece, Sophie,

are staying with us for a few days while their mom,

my sister, Jenni, went back to Orlando with

her two younger children and my parents.

Katherine, Megan, Josh, and Sophie are packing fun

into every minute and Josh is making me

laugh at every turn.....

Today in Church, it was Fast and Testimony Meeting (where the members of the congregation go up front to testify of their faith) Kendra Klemas (who is home visiting from Utah this week) was speaking up front and referring to the fact that she is expecting a baby girl and is excited and quite nervous. She went on to say that she did not know much about taking care of a baby and had never done it before, etc. Josh leaned over to me and said...."Gee, That lady needs a Nanny NOW. " (Can you tell he lives in the Northeast where Nannies are an everyday fact of life?)

Then this afternoon as we were eating lunch. I was telling Josh and Sophie stories about when their mom, Jenni was a baby. I asked if they knew how old I was when Jenni was born. I said that I was 11 when Jenni was born just like Andrew was 11 when Katherine was born. Josh said..."that could have been a serious situation with you being 11 when Jenni was born. You were very old".

It gets better. I told the kids that I grew up in the 70's and that Jenni grew up in the 80's.

Josh said....

"Oh yes, the 1870's. I have heard all about them."

Last night, Andrew invited Josh to go shooting Air Soft Guns. Let me tell you....Josh getting to shoot an Air Soft Gun made everything in the world right. He said. "Andrew is the most awesome person in the world. I will never forget him forever and ever." He also begged to ride in Andrew's "Beige Bullet" Car (which is a total BMW Bomber) on the way to Church this morning.

He said that Andrew's car is "Righteous!"

I am looking forward to more of Josh's wisdom over the next few days!