Nothing beats Laguna in late September.

We'll always have Paris...

Royal Palace. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm Old Town. Sibelius Monument, Helsinki, Finland.

Rock Church. Helsinki, Finland.

I heart Helsinki, as you can see.

Senate Square. Helsinki.

Catherine's Palace. St. Petersburg, Russia

Church on the Spilled Blood. St. Pete's.

More to come...

I have waited long enough and I decided today would be the day I did a post in memory of my dad who passed away unexpectedly in December. Today would have been his 50th birthday! My dad was not fond of the idea of aging, he was always the most fit guy on the basketball court (including his much younger sons) and he liked to keep his hair long (that was the designer/beach bum in him). When I was in high school I decided to grow a gotee. He was not thrilled but not for the reason you might think (clean shaven appearence is good for a pre-missionary), no it was because I looked older and consequently that made him seem older! During my teenage years we would go to the same place to get our haircuts and they always thought we were brothers, I was proud to tell people that.

Last year when we celebrated his 49th birthday, which obviously he didnt like big celebrations for him, I thought about what to do for his 50th. I thought about how I wanted to do something special but at the same time I wanted to be sensitive to his feelings about getting older, its ironic that today would be that day and no one has to worry about that, instead we just remember the good times and thank Heavenly Father for a great man.

He is indeed a great man. The picture above that exemplifies him the best is the one with his hand on my back as we walk from little league baseball tryouts. That was my dad to me. He was my greatest supporter in all facets of my life and in all our lives as his children. I'm fighting back the tears just writing this so its time to stop but I wanted everyone I know to know today is his special day. Thanks Dad you know how much we love you and I know how much you love us. I know that you are still a part of our lives and although it is not as convenient, our relationship can be more sacred and special and I will always strive for those little moments we will have. I love you and miss you dearly.

Oh la la! Nouveaux ROUGE pics!

This is Brooke, my old college roommate. I came to Zion to see her be wed.

But first, no visit to Zion is complete without a stop at temple square.

I love the Salt Lake Temple. Its power eminates from the inside out.

It was wonderful to walk around alone and soak it all in.

Later, at the reception...more of my old roomies. I can hardly believe I'm not wearing heels here.

Beautiful Brenda and me. Her cute son had me laughing all through the reception.

Brooke, the beaming bride.

A trip to Zion is also not complete without a visit with my extended family. Here I am with cousin Tony & Cindy's kids (I love the expression on Barbie's face here).

With the Hallstrom cousins...they are so grown up/smart/funny/cute. I'm so glad I got to see them before they move back up to Minnesota.

We also got a visit from Denny, Joe and cousin Emma, cute as a bug, who sang us many songs including the classic "Peanut Butter and Jelly" (then you take the bread and you spread it, you spread it...)

And last but not least, here's Grandpa Hiatt looking menacing. I was able to stay with my wonderful Grandparents (the dreamparents, as they're known) while I was in town. We dined at Chuck-a-Rama, sang "Blues in the Night," and watched Once Upon a Mattress.

I love my friends and family in Zion.