Fancy dinner in Logan with Crista

I was able to take Ollie and Doyeon out to lunch for their birthday's this month.  It was Ollie's actual B-day (the 3rd) and he had a crown from pre-school to prove it.  Apparently, he wore it all day!  I took them to Chick Fil-et.  One of the workers was throwing candy at them, I was wondering what was going on.  Then he came over and asked Ollie if it was his birthday and he said it was, so the worker gave him a stuffed cow.  I said, "It's her birthday next week," and he said, "she can have one when she comes back on her birthday." Okay, then.  She didn't seem to mind in the least.  They came over afterwards to play for a couple of hours and had a great time.  Later we went up to the Green's for some yummy Tikka Marsala and cake and ice cream. 

Gunnar, Adrienne, Ollie, Finn, Caitlyn (and if I knew how to edit
myself out of this picture I'd do it)

Wednesday night we took one of Roy's business partners and his wife to "A Tale of Two Cities."  I would've thought I'd read it or at least heard the story.  I knew the beginning and ending lines of the book, but it was pretty unfamiliar to me.  The beginning line, of course, is "It was the best of times it was the worst of times."  the ending: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”  It did make me want to read the book.  

Friday, Roy and I semi-fasted because we were going to an elaborate charity dinner in Logan with Matt and Crista.  Matt's company has hosted this dinner for a couple of years.  Last year they made about $22,000 for CAPSA, a non-profit charity in Logan that helps people that have suffered abuse.  We had been told by Crista that there would be 9 courses.  That made us a little concerned about our diets.  We needn't have worried because most of the courses  had about 2 Tbs. of food on the plate.  It was wonderful, unusual, and tasty food.  We got to see Ruby for a few minutes before we took her to the babysitters, and Greta came along with us.  

Matt had to serve, so he didn't get to eat with us.  There were really more than 9 courses because they didn't count the appetizer, the dessert or the pallet cleansers ( of which there were 3).  About half-way through I told Roy I might need a hamburger after.  Of course, I didn't.  The last dish was short ribs, and there were four small pieces, but I think it was meant to fill everyone up.  I was finally full.  Below are pictures of the courses.  They look bigger than they were.

cotton candy around a piece of pork belly
the cone had goat cheese and veggies.

salad--the middle piece is fennel.  It was really good.

Marlin ceviche (I love ceviche!)

goat cheese with borscht 

Palate cleanser, lime and cucumber sorbet

Greta was the perfect baby

Roy and Catharine

This may have been my favorite.  seared Ahi Tuna

Matt serving our table

Palate cleanser--carbonated melon

Salmon with sobe noodles

Pork loin

Duck (the cherries were brandied--didn't care for them)

Roy's favorite--short ribs.  This is the dish that finally filled us up.

palate cleanser, jello with edible orchid.  Most
people didn't eat the orchid, but we had to try it.  It
tasted exactly like you think it would taste.

Dessert tree.  The desserts weren't that good, but the presentation
was fun.  There was a homemade marshmallow covered in
dark chocolate that was pretty tasty.

Crista with dessert ornament.

Saturday I spent the day at the Rec Center in a Water Aerobics workshop.  It wore me out.  After going to bed very late Friday night, sitting in class and working out for over 2 hours on Saturday, I had a very hard time getting up this morning.  I was glad I did, however, as I love going to church each Sunday and feeling the Spirit, taking the sacrament and renewing my covenants.  We had a great lesson on Prophets in Sunday School and were able to share things that we loved about general conference last weekend.

We were privileged this week to eat dinner at two or our children's homes.  Adrienne's on Ollie's birthday, and last night Jieun and Dan had us over for Bulgulgi (Korean BBQ).  We enjoyed being in their home and playing with the kids.  Dojin was especially entertaining while he was eating.  They have replaced the carpet on their main floor with wood and added a few pieces of furniture and it looks great.

Roy and Jennie left at 4:00 today to go up to Flaming Gorge and retrieve the trailer before it freezes (since it's supposed to snow there tonight, he is making it in the nick of time).
Some pictures from the last couple of weeks:

Ori and Yuna in their trial ballet class. 

She's so sweet, but you'd be surprised how  busy she is
when she's awake!

Last week we had the privilege of babysitting these guys.
Grandpa took them to the hot tub.  That's love! 

Conference Sunday: Ruby and Yuna coloring.

Crista, Jennie and Caitlyn kept a tradition going by
going to Deseret Book on Ladie's night out (Priesthood session)
I stayed home and kept the girls and so they could actually
enjoy themselves.  Jieun and I played some games while they
were gone.

Jieun sent me this picture on the 28th of Sept. and said that this
picture was of the same day in 2013.  I miss my dad.

Dojin loves his food!  Also, he has to feed himself. 

Roy visited his mom in the care center in Payson. 
Some days are better than others.  This was a good day.