Restart

Restart by Gordon Korman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I thoroughly enjoyed this young adult novel. It should be required reading for middle schoolers, especially those accused of bullying at school. It is about bullying and second chances and changing. It is also funny and entertaining. A quick, easy read.



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A Gentleman in Moscow

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I keep a list. Frankly, there aren’t many men on my list of literary heroes. That is probably mostly because most of the books I read have female protagonists, but it is rare to find a man that comes to mind when I’m facing a hard time, who helps me want to do better and be better. I found one in Count Alexander Rostov. He made my list.
In 1922, Count Rostov was sentenced to house arrest in a local hotel in Russia, during political unrest. I guess he was lucky he wasn’t sent to Siberia or put before a firing squad, as so many were. In this amazing novel, we watch Alexander accept his situation and live his life with dignity, according to his principles, keeping his upbeat attitude, creativity in solving problems, and even his humor and wit. Despite his confinement, he has meaningful relationships and makes a big difference in many lives. If you are looking for a good read, I highly recommend this book.




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Ancestors

This book was written by Ken’s oldest brother, Jim.  He has written many books.  For this one, he researched many of his ancestors and wrote a synopsis of each of their lives.  Though not a lot of details were included of each of them, he refers the reader to resources to learn more about each one.  It is a great reference book for our ancestors.  It gave me an appreciation for the difficulties suffered by those who came before us so that we can have all that we have now.  

Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Jane Austen is a great writer who I think is making social commentary as much as she is telling a story in her six novels. I appreciate her gift and that commentary on the superficiality of her characters and the society from which they come. But It was a struggle for me to get through this Austen novel. I nearly quit half-way through. But then it got better (after the irritating sisters left the house.) I had even adjusted my rating up to three stars- until the abrupt and unsatisfying ending. Then it fell back to a 2-star rating for me. I think it needed more romance at the end. It may be awhile before I read another Austen.



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I Wanted to Marry Santa Claus or Bishop Hinton

Recently, we had a funeral in our ward for a dear sister (Ella Lue Watts.)  As often happens with funerals, many people came who we hadn't seen for a long time. One was a now beautiful mother who grew up in our ward (she is related to Ella Lue.)  She is married and has two children.  She greeted us warmly and we had a nice conversation.  In that conversation she confessed to Ken, "When I was little I told everyone I was going to marry you or Santa Claus."

Which would you choose?

Kenny's Pre-School Graduation

Kenny loves to perform.  Here are some videos and pictures from his recent pre-school graduation.

He did a beautiful job in leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kenny added a lot of his own, original choreography to their presentations.

This picture is hilarious.  

This precious little boy was born to be on a stage!  It will be fun to see what he does in life.

Memorial Day Weekend

We loved spending Memorial Day weekend with the Prince family who came to visit.

They came up early Saturday morning and immediately left for a hike in Zion National Park.

Little Kenny walked almost all of the 5+ miles and led the way most of the way.  The Prince kids are hikers.

Jaron

Hiking is hard

The Kennys

Precious William

Though Kenny did great on this 5+ mile hike, he got a little tired by the end.  So Brian carried two boys plus himself out of there.

All tuckered out

We had a barbecue that evening at our house.  I forgot to take pictures.

Walking home from church

On Monday morning, Brian and Michelle went for a run and we played around our house for awhile.

Grandpa took the kids to the park to play baseball, just like he used to do with our girls.  They came back and wanted to show Grandma their skills. 

They all got good hits.

They moved out into our cul de sac so they could run.  Notice the just hit ball above the van.

Notice the wet cement.  The cool weather is so unusual in St. George.

We then went to decorate the Hinton graves.

Ken paying respects in Hurricane cemetery

We all went to the cemetery to pay our respects and put colorful pinwheels on Hinton graves.

Each child placed a pinwheel

Ken's parents/ grave..  It was windy, sprinkling and cold.

Kids eat free on Mondays at Café Sabor, so we headed there.

It was raining pretty hard as we left the restaurant, but when we got out to our house it had cleared enough that they all went on a 6+ mile bike ride.

The little guys ride in style

While they rode, I took a much-needed nap.
After the bike ride, the boys helped Grandpa mow the lawn and sweep up.

It was a fun and unseasonably cool Memorial Day weekend with the Prince family.  Thanks for coming!!!