Roman Feast

Camille is homeschooling her children until they leave for their three-month driving tour of Europe on March 1. In preparation for their trip, the kids are studying six historical periods--the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment (18th century), the Victorian Age, and World War II. On January 16, we celebrated the completion of their unit on the Roman Empire with a feast. Dress for the evening was, of course, togas and garlands. Thanks to Camille for most of these good photos.

We laid the table with rich cloths, platters, candles, and goblets.

We lounged about, eating chicken, hunks of bread, grapes, olives, and dried apricots with our fingers and washing it all down with bubbly grape juice, as we listened to lyre music.

The emperor was with us.

10 Things I Never Noticed Before in Southern Utah

I thought I'd seen it all. So, as Dave and I drove from our Coral Canyon home to Zions Park, I took photographs of ten things I never noticed before. The gorgeous view above is one of those things.

The gallery of Fatali, in Springdale, displayed photographs we also featured in our own St. George home. The gallery also includes a barbecue, wine cellar, and picturesque seating around the photographs. "Corporate clients rent the gallery for special events, such as the launching of a new wine," the clerk told us.

This quaint cafe, where David and I shared a great chicken/gorgonzola cheese/craisin salad to go, was another new thing. Someday, we'll try the panini...

This iconic Western building was featured in the 1979 Robert Redford movie, "Electric Horseman."

Where has this shoe tree been all my life?

An ostrich farm, in Dixie?

This is the go-to spot in Virgin, the Spendlove family seat. It's here that you use the internet, buy a good book, and mail your letter in the town post office.

Here's a spot to satisfy all your cravings, whether for eggs and bacon, buffalo jerky, or alligator.

And here are some truly mysterious dwellings.

When did the spikes on our century plant grow so tall?

The Cutest Kids

What could be more fun than a class of six and seven-year-olds to teach in Primary? These are my special friends--Aaron, Jack, Connor, Edward, and Lillian. They are very smart, very sweet, and very funny.

65 Great Years

For Dave's 65th birthday, Camille gathered, from family members, 65 reasons why they love David. She also gathered favorite photos of Dave and his family and put them together in a photobook. The photobook was presented at a birthday dinner at Dave's house on December 26. Many of the "65 reasons" celebrated Dave's fun sense of humor and practical jokes, but there was a whole range of other comments, such as loving the kids enough to call them regularly, and "operating like a clock" on exercising, home teaching, and other good habits--predictably and dependably. Jonny put together a trivia game, asking such questions as "How tall is Dave now?" (5'8 1/4") "What is the tallest he's ever been?" (5'9") December 26 was Sophia's birthday, too, and she opened fun gifts and had the relatives participate in a trivia game about her, too.

Dave's mom and Darrell joined the party, as well as Nancy and Darrell. Janice arrived from Houston with Charlotte in the afternoon, dragging a trailer and car. They came straight to the party, along with Joshua and Ashley and Ben.

Gretta and Lisa baked chocolate raspberry and tropical coconut birthday cakes to celebrate.

Party Animals

This year, the Christmas parties and gatherings went on and on, as Dave's mom scheduled her Christmas party for the day after Christmas, rather than the week before.

Michael also moved out of his apartment, prior to leaving for Australia on January 4. He gathered his dad, brother, and nephews to help move his things.

Dave's mom and Darrell hosted Dave's mom's descendants at Zion's Summit for lunch.

The Spendloves scattered among their Moench and Moreland cousins.

It was a special treat to see Janice's son, Joshua, and his wife, Ashley, who have moved to SLC for Joshua to finish his premed studies at the University of Utah.

Darrell Moench was there with a Louis Lamour Western novel, in case the pace of the party slowed down too much.

Jared Moench and his wife, Megan, brought their two little girls, including their new baby.

Kirsten and Emilie renewed friendships with Jill Clark's daughters, Jessica and Kaehli...

and Jill's son, Austin.

Alan Dale was at the party with Lindy and all their children and spouses--Jason and Pat, Michelle, Tricia with her three children...

and Nicholas and Jessica.

The little children enjoyed games, such as "Pin the ornament on the tree" and "Pin the nose on Santa."

Spencer, Jono, and Grant had enough phones and ipods to keep them occupied.

Michael, a voracious reader, found a book!

After the party, Jono, Michael K, Spencer, Grant, and Jonny joined David in helping Michael move out of his apartment. Janice's daughter, Charlotte, and her husband, Tony, will move in and manage Michael's apartments while he is gone.

It was a three-dimensional puzzle to get Michael's king-size mattress into the moving van!