Carol of the Bells

Just in case you missed Erin's "Carol of the Bells" video I placed on Facebook, please click the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpnYmzisgU8&feature=youtube_gdata

Elf luck!

If it weren't for the red and green colors you may have think that I joined the Masons.  My reasoning for wearing the elf hat was threefold:

1)  Our church pulled together an orchestra to play at the x-mas party, and I wore it to divert attention from all the bad notes I was producing.

2)  I decided having a little fun was not all that bad.

3)  Jewish men ware skull caps for more noble reasons, but I found out that the elf hat really kept the birds nest on my head warm.  (I can't wait to read your comments)

What the heck.  It only cost a dollar as did the Santa hanging from the music stand.  The little orchestra was composed of a dozen or so brave soles, aged all the way from beginning kids to advanced musicians (old duffers) like myself.  

John and Debbie were our guitar players and they represent the younger adults, along with the flutist sitting behind me.   

The only other violin player was Lisa, sitting to my left.  I'm glad Grandma Zucc didn't take her picture, as she is much more beautiful than moi.  I promised her that if we were to ever play again (fat chance,) that she could sit in 'first chair.'

Ann Gold was our conductor, and did a mighty fine job.

Now I will attempt to turn your attention to the little helpers that assisted Grandma and me in decorating our tree.  Notice the elf hat Erin is Wearing?  Yes, it is the same one that I wore.  I gave it to her with a promise that if she wore it the rest of the day she would have elf luck.  She agreed, but when I went over to their house later in the day, she answered the door without the hat.  So ........................   

Jenna's first assignment was to cut the wrapping from the candy canes, then to hang them on the tree.  When kids come to our house they can pick one from the tree, and this is always a delight.  

Erin really was excited when the tree was finished.  Only the angel needed to be put on the top.  Gads, you would have thought she had seen one the way her arms are outstretched in a "hallelujah wave."  

Even Mike got into the act.  He is trying to explain something, for sure.

Happy and proud helpers. 

Rachel poses at Erin's choral concert.

Titan & Jenna smile for the camera.  They are cousins so why not?



 

Juggling

Juggling

Click on Juggling above if you want to see Brendan in action.

A real cool thing to be.

Back in the day, a soda jerk at a corner drug store was a real cool thing to be.  She would first add flavoring to a tall glass, add carbonated water by jerking a lever, then add a couple scoops of ice cream.     

The "jerking" action occurred when the server would swing the soda fountain handle back and forth when adding the soda water.  With the advent of fast-food places and big box stores, the job of jerking kind of disappeared from our society.

Well, in an attempt to bring back the old fashioned ice cream bar, Grandpa’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Parlor was established.  

The address is 208 4th Ave West

Olympia, WA 98501 

   Belana has made the job of jerking very attractive again.

The place is only about a block from the waterfront, and I understand that people from all walks of life frequent the shop.  As we entered, we were amazed at how old-fashioned the shop appeared.  It definitely fit into the quaint setting of old downtown Olympia.  

A couple of older people were sitting at the bar, and I understand that the shop is frequented by retired persons, looking for a scoop of really good ice cream.  Belana told me that both families and teens come also.   

Of particular interest to me was the jute-box close to the ceiling.  If this place were a church, one could almost view this piece of furniture as being a religious symbol.   

The music is produced by an iPod-MP3 centered above the U.  It is controlled by a hand remote from below.  Pretty cool, huh?

Before we left the shop, I was lucky enough to get a pic the Anderson family, minus Julie, who is serving her church in Virginia.  Dayle is supporting his first beard for "no-shave November" -  this is a Washington thing only, I believe.  Belana definitely knows where the camera is.   

If you get to Olympia, be sure to visit Grandpa’s, take a walk on the waterfront, and browse around Old Downtown.  You won't be disappointed.  

Mashed potatoes!

      Mashed potatoes!  What can be better than feasting, with them on your plate?

Question:  Hey, wait a minute!  Something is wrong!  What is the purple wallpaper paste doing on the plate? 

Answer:  Well, it is not paste, but is actually created from potatoes grown in my garden.  Really the potatoes came up purple.  Tammy sent some starts a couple years ago, and they didn't grow well, so I removed them.  I guess I din't get them all, as this year they self-started.  I was totally surprised. 

I cooked them up and fed them to the grand-kids for their piano snacks.

The kids didn't quite know what to think when they first saw them, but after the first taste, no problem! They were soon devoured.  Windmill cookies were served, just in case a backup was needed.  Ha. 

  

The guy is totally amazing!

We arrived early Saturday morning to a college campus that was without any activity.  When I say early, it was about 11 am.  We found the dorm area, but guess what?  Greg's dorm was the last one we could find - sort of like Murphy's law, right?

  

  I knew Greg's room was on the top floor, so I left Grandma Zucc at the car parked on the street, and proceeded to make my way up the stairs, one foot after the other, until I finally reached the study area on the forth level - there was no elevator.  Out of breath and legs aching, I banged on the door of the room, but alas there was no immediate answer. 

  

     Finally a sleep-eyed Greg slowly opened the door.  With eyes glazed over with sleep, he quietly apologized and invited me to enter - the lack of activity in the room was apparent, so I patiently waited for Greg to dress and clean up.  

The guy is totally amazing because in less than 10 minutes he looked sparkling ready to face the day.  Grandma even commented how great he looked as we met her at the car.

Grandma Zucc and Greg

   

Wasatch Hall

Study area

After exchanging greetings with Grandma, Greg gave us a driving tour of the campus.  We wound our way through the old part of campus ending up inside a parking terrace located on the top of a hill that Greg claims will be great for snow sledding, come winter.  

Then we made our way to the newer buildings on campus.  One that I thought really interesting was the Emma Eccles building.  One of the following must have happened: 

• Paul Bunyan bumped into it while chasing Big Blue.
• There was a strong earth tremor.
• The surveyor had one-to-many.

Emma Eccles building

We drove around the new part of campus ending up at the most famous part of Logan - the ice cream store.  Anyone claiming to be Utahan knows about this store.

Aggie Ice Cream

We then got some cheese and cookies and some pizza.

We finally ended up back at the dorm, but not before we discovered the empty trailer court.  Joe and Andy owned a trailer here not many years ago.  

"Where have all the trailers gone?  Long time passing." 

Flag football

It was the last flag football game of the season, and the mighty Broncos won.  Matthew McKea ran the ball for three touchdowns, and one conversion while his family cheered on. The night was chilly - 32 degrees at games end.

Zucc & Matty

Matt shows off his mouthpiece!

A hero in the making!

I kid you not!  It was cold, but Erin's brain was sizzling hot as she played a game on her smart phone.

You've got to love Jenna's hair.

Rachel had a long day at school.

They are happier than they look!

At last, the hot chocolate arrives!

"Finally!  Hot Chocolate!"

Good ol' Mount Jordan

Mount Jordan Middle School is coming down!  "Good ol' Mount Jordan," my kids would proudly say.   

Many years ago they enjoyed the sweltering hot classrooms in the early fall, the many assemblies in the auditorium, and the many demands of the classroom.  Mr Murphy was one of the favorite teachers, and I really can't remember the name of the Principal, but I believe it was a lady.  Okay, help me out!  What was her name?

From 1970-73, I taught instrumental music at Union Junior High, and the Mountaineers were kind of our rivals.  Union was a new school, and Mount Jordan has lots of tradition, amassed over the years.    

Anyway, this school will be replaced by a new one.  The Deseret News reported the following:

"The new school will be approximately 200,000 square feet and built to emphasize such areas as science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics."

"Plans also call for a gymnasium with an elevated running track, fitness rooms, a lecture hall, a performing arts suite, a spacious commons area and cafeteria, a 180-seat lecture hall, and natural light in the hallways and classrooms. The school also will be wired for the high-tech demands of a 21st-century education."

                                  The new school will be completed in 2015.

Lost Sheep is Found!

It was a day to remember, at the SL International Airport, as we anxiously waited at the bottom of the escalator for the arrival of Julie.  But wait, she didn't show! We checked the baggage area several times, and Mike even had her paged.

Finally she was found walking in front of Terminal One, in the passenger pick-up zone.  Hurrah!  The Lost Sheep is Found!

Grandpa finds Sister Anderson.

She was happy to see us!

Katie calls Mike with the good news.

Uncle Mike & Julie have a joyful reunion.

Katie, Julie, and Mike.

Julie & Katie safely strapped in.

A grateful missionary writes a note to Grandma Zucc. 

One last pose in front of the house.

Good-by for 18 months.