This Weekend:

* The "Ladies" spontaneously put together a breakfast on the spot Friday morning; 

 we went to Sill's Cafe. 

(home of the scones as big as your face)

By the time we left there, they were serving lunch to all the tables around us!  :)

* I was planning on going to the temple afterwards - I'd gone to breakfast dressed for it...

But, first I went to a store,

then to get gas,

then to a grocery store,

then to drop off two garbage bags full of stuff at the D.I. from our closet clean-out.

And by that time, the kids who'd gotten home from school were calling me.....

So, I returned home.

* I sent Kyle off on a group date he had planned with his friends.

The went to the Ice Castles up in Midway, UT.

(sidenote: this girl's mom was one of Kyle's preschool teachers!)

* Matt & I had date night at Sizzler.

We were seated in THE SMALLEST booth ever!

There was NOT enough room for me, my coat, AND my purse.

* On Saturday morning, I took Kyle and Katelyn to go audition for 

the Farmington Youth Theatre upcoming production of... 

There was quite a long wait to get in to audition,

and some good silly, young teenager watching in the meantime, too!  ;)

The fact that Kyle is a 16 yr. old MALE auditioning, made him very noticeable to the directors!

Not a bad position to be in at auditions!  :) 

* My official [write-on] calendar was finally delivered,

so I spent the afternoon filling it in with all the things we have going on this month/year.

It felt so good - I've been a bit unsettled without my "brain."

* Matt & I went on a group date of our own - I think you'd call it a quintuple date.

Our friends had reserved a court at the Rec Center and we played wallyball.

We first did girls vs. guys - I was told that it was so the girls

would actually get a chance to touch the ball!  ;)  haha.

After that, we mixed it up - and I quickly learned it was very 

advantageous to be on Matt's team!

We were reaching/lunging/jumping/hustling in ways we

are not accustomed to.....and boy, have we felt it in our bodies ever since!!!

#gettingoldstinks

Two of the couples had to return home to their young babies/toddlers,

but the rest of us went to Dairy Queen for "cool treats" 

and visited for another hour - or two....

* Church-y Church on Sunday.

This year we changed to the 9:00 a.m. time block - my favorite [at this season in my life]!

* We watched our 2015 Year-in-Review 

slideshow that Matt makes for us every year.

Always fun to reminisce!

(BUT do I REALLY look like that lady in some of the photos???)

* Brookelle got on a crazy-hair kick,

and did her own hair first....

...and then she moved on to Kyle!

* We got a surprise visit from Grandma/pa.

* I ended the day by writing my weekly email to our missionary.

This Weekend:

* Katelyn went to her Annual Valentine's Tea Party with her friends.

(Her friend's grandma, who lives about 50 miles away, has them over every year for this event.

They go in their "Sunday Best,", use REAL porcelain tea cups/dishes to eat/drink from, 

make big hats to wear, do a craft, pamper & primp, 

and come home with a "goodie bag" of sorts!)

Katelyn feels so lucky to always be invited since it is limited to just the # of friends who can fit into their car!

This year, her friend's grandma had made them all CUTE pillow cases!

Do you like how Katelyn was "Valentine-ing it Up" with her heart night gown & heart jammie pants that match so well?  ;)

* We went to the big "RIVALRY GAME" for Kyle's [rec] basketball team.

It was the "Bearcats" vs. the "Rejects" (kids all from the same High School, but on different teams).

It was very serious.  The Bearcats (Kyle's team) put in an extra practice during the week PLUS a "team bonding" hanging out session to get ready for the game.

The Sophomore class was divided; picking sides, either for the Bearcats or for the Rejects

The Bearcats called for a "blackout" game - all their fans were suppose to wear black.

(which was easy enough for me, I have lots of black in my wardrobe!)

 In addition to us parents, their following of "Bearkittens" (girls their age) and the "Bearcubs" (boys their age) turned out in droves to support the Bearcats in the big game.

We're talking posters, painted faces, standing for the whole game, Bearcat "growls," and lots of cheering!

In the end, I think the Bearcats expending all their energy get psyched up (or psyched out?) for the game, and 

didn't have enough left to actually play the game.

The "Rejects" crashed the boards like crazy, and were able to score from their third & fourth chance shots.

The Bearcats lost.

But, they went out together to celebrate - or commiserate - afterwards anyway!

* Matt & I went out to Ruby River Steakhouse afterwards. (we had a coupon!)

There was a wait, but it was OK.  I still needed to get some Fitbit steps in for the day,

so we went walking around the parking lot and neighboring businesses in the meantime.

We were at the restaurant for a while......I ate veeeerrry slowly.  You see, I may or may not 

have been eating cinnamon lips candy lately, and there's an ingredient in 

cinnamon candy/gum that makes my tongue swell, which in turn makes me talk funny and it's hard to move it/eat. ;)

* My sister-in-law invited me to her stake's Women's Conference, so I went.

The guest speaker was Wendy Watson Nelson, wife of Elder Russell M. Nelson.

There were a few things that were impressionable to me that I have already shared many times with others.

She is the author of a book, What Would a Holy Woman Do?

(I'm going to check out the "book on CD" from the library!)

She also had us all stand up and recite, out loud, a portion from Elder Holland's General Conference talk he gave in October 2012.  She had us insert our own name instead of the name, “Peter,” who Christ was responding to, in Elder Holland’s nonscriptural elaboration.)

“What I need, Peter (your name), are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter (your name), for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally...”

It really was impactful to me.  And it was inspiration for a Relief Society presentation that I am currently preparing for.  I have been asked to speak on the topic of "Hastening the Work of the Lord" in an upcoming meeting, and I just think I might use this little bit!!  ;)

* Matt & I had a "date" at the plasma donation center.  Matt & I ended up on the same row, but a few beds down from each other, and the phlebotomis saw me wave & talk to him a bit.  

He asked me if I knew him, and I replied, "Ya, and I kinda LIKE him, too!"  ;)  

Then we went out to lunch at Nielsen's Frozen Custard. (we had a coupon!)

* After a break (3 months) due to the holidays of not doing private dates with our children,

we finally started up again and it was Haylee's turn.

She chose her favorite Gluten Free pizza - David's Pizza.

But, there's no seating there (it's just pick up & delivery), so we got hers from there,

and then went down a few doors to Big Daddy's Pizza (where they do have seating AND we had a coupon!) and

ordered mine & Matt's pizza, so we'd be able to eat at their tables.

Then she wanted to go shopping at the D.I.  - don't be jealous!  ;)

 She LOVES finding $0.50 treasures!

AND we found some brand new, with-the-store-tags-still-on clothes for all of us!

We finished off by going to Menchies. (we had a coupon!)

* Churchy-Church on Sunday.

We had a Missionary Homecoming, which was great.  The returned missionary

was someone who was in Young Men's when I was serving in Young Women's.

He's gone and come home already?  Wasn't that just the other day? 

Time flies......when it's someone else's child!  :)  haha.

*  We had our New Beginnings in the evening for Haylee & all the Young Women.

They did such a good job!  It's so different (& nice!) to just be part of the audience and not

be in charge of it.  I thought it was way better and cuter than the ones we did....probably because I could really sit back and enjoy it - unlike the last three years when I was IN YW!  ;)

Look how adorable our "cruise ticket" (program for the evening) was:

 {front}

{back}

The mutual theme for this year is D & C 4:2, "Oh, ye that EMBARK in the service of God...."

so they pretended we were aboard a "ship" for the evening.

That video presentation can be viewed HERE.

There are GREAT YW leaders now, it's good for everyone to change it up!  

* Finished the weekend (like I always do these days) by writing my letter to Ryan on his mission,

while "Talkin' Sports" was on T.V. in the next room.

Favorite Childhood Vacation - Revisited

When I was 8 years old, my family went on the BEST. VACATION. EVER.  It was my favorite vacation of all time!
Including Marriott's Great America (although that's right up there, too.)
Including countless trips to Lake Powell.
Including Yellowstone.
Including rafting the Snake River and Jackson Hole.
Including DISNEYLAND.
Including Lake Mead.
Including camping trips to various places.
Including California.

We went to Aspen Grove Family Camp!

The name of my "kid's club" back then was called the "CUBS" and we had our very own "Cub Den!"  (I felt very special about this because my bros & sisters DID NOT have a "clubhouse" for their age groups!
This is the place where we met before we'd go PLAY, and hike, and create art, and sing, and cheer, and explore, and enjoy the great outdoors, and hang out with other cool 8 yr. olds and fantastic college-student counselors!  I scoured the property and had a talk with the current Camp Director-Elect and found out where my old "cub den" was - it's currently being used as staff housing, but I snuck up and took a picture anyway!  Creepy?  I like to call it "sentimental."

{I look a little different from when I stood by it at 8 yrs. old.  There's a photo of that somewhere in my mom's albums, I believe.  I should find it and compare!  ;)}

WELL, a couple of years ago when I discovered that we only had 3 summers left (ONLY 3 SUMMERS LEFT?!?) before Ryan goes on his LDS mission, I made a "bucket list" of our last three yearly family vacations I wanted to go on with our family before they started to "leave the nest."  (LEAVE THE NEST?!?)

And Aspen Grove was on that list!

We crossed the first one off the list in 2012 when we went on our Disney Cruise.  I can't believe I didn't even do a big blog post about it (I must not have been able to cope with reality at home after being surrounded by people whose only job was to clean up after me and make me happy!) that I can even LINK to right now, but I did include some photos here.

AND THEN, this year, just a couple of weeks ago, we made it Aspen Grove!

It's a Bona Fide Family Camp.
Think Cheaper By the Dozen 2
Think The Great Outdoors

There's not many Family Camps around here, in fact, I don't even know where any REAL (non-movie) ones are in the U.S. so Aspen Grove is a real gem of a place!  And we got to be there on a big milestone.

It looks a little different - many of the facilities have been updated, rebuilt, or refurbished - and much more has been added since I was here last, as a child.....BUT the feeling is the same!

WONDERFUL.

We literally took HUNDREDS of photos while we were there, but to make this post somewhat readable, I'll just run a "highlight reel." 

Brookelle's FAVORITE:

Her "Kittens" Club.

{When they went places, they had them all hang on to a rope, 

so no one would get "lost."  It was so cute!}

I happened to see her (I wasn't spying, I just "happened to be in the area!") out with her group one day, swinging high on the swings, and she blurted out, without even being aware I was there, "THIS IS MY BEST. DAY. EVER."

And for as shy and hesitant as Miss B was on the first day she met her counselors, (she didn't want me to leave her side - she didn't want to go) she FELL IN LOVE with them - and cuddled right up to them - in no time at all!  Just look at the pics:

A close 2nd:

These Bear statues.
She HAD to climb on them EVERY. TIME. WE. PASSED. BY.

Katelyn's FAVORITE:

Aspen Follies
{a camp wide family "friendly competition" with various games on the big ball field}

Haylee's FAVORITE:

Performing her Karate "kata" in the Talent Show.

I was so proud of her for being so brave!  (No one else in our family dared!) She didn't even have to be talked into it or "bribed."  It was a decision all on her own.....while she was packing, I just mentioned to her she could bring her Karate "Gi" if she wanted to be in the talent show - that was it!

I think it was her favorite because it feels so good to accomplish something!  Yea!  She's adapted her mom's

mantra, "I Can Do Hard Things!"  

She ALSO liked it because the whole rest of the week, she was somewhat of a "celebrity" amongst the other guests - she got all kinds of compliments & comments from them.....

"Great Job"

"Hey Karate Girl"

"Aaaah  YA" (trying to imitate the Karate sounds)

"Those were some high kicks!"

"Wow, I've never seen a girl do that."

"You were awesome!"

"I could never do that!"

"There's the Karate Girl!"

"Alright Haylee!"

Kyle's FAVORITE:

 Alyse, Emileigh, Kate, Olivia, Lauren, and Rio.

He discovered GIRLS! ;)

Ryan's FAVORITE:

The Sports Tournaments

He entered us into as many tournaments as possible:  ping pong, badminton, walleyball, raquetball (below), basketball, and sand volleyball.  Matt couldn't do much with his lingering knee injury, so Kyle & I got roped into most events!  But, one family we played (& lost to) was so impressed with Ryan, that they asked him to join their team as they moved on in the tournament since they were down one player anyway!  (He enjoyed the fact that THEY had skills AND a chance at winning!  ;))

{"Mixed Doubles" raquetball photo taken through the scratched up window in the door:  Ryan & I vs. some young 20's boyfriend/girlfriend duo.  We lost, of course.}

My FAVORITE:

 Water Frolics

{team races and relays for the whole family that even nonswimmers can win}
NEWS FLASH:  Our team won the overall competition!  Of course, it included more guests than just the Brenchley Brood.

The reason that THIS was my fave MIGHT have had something to do with the fact 

that it was the week we had 100+ degree temps down in the valley - 

we were a little cooler up in the mountains, but still HOT, hot!

We had a few minutes to make up a "synchronized swimming" routine to perform to music.

Then "Paula," "Randy" and "Simon" stood at the top of the water slide and judged us.

Matt's FAVORITE:

 The Family Dance

So, Matt & I got excited when a great 80's tune by [Matt's favorite] JOURNEY came on, "Don't Stop Believin'" - and MUCH to our surprise ALL the teens were singing and jammin' out to it just as much as WE were!  Huh?  I thought teenagers were suppose to despise and make fun of their parents' music!??  I guess we can thank Bedtime Stories for that.

At 9:30 p.m., they "excused" the adults and children - and the teens and young adults got to enjoy their OWN dance the rest of the evening....with the lights dimmed down! :)

It was sad to leave (NO cooking or cleaning up for me!) - all the kids thought it went too fast - they all want to come back AGAIN & again!  Does someone want to give us an "Aspen Grove scholarship?"  ;)

Aspen Grove kept true on their promise:  "Creating Family Memories"

Two down, one to go.....we've only got ONE SUMMER left before Ryan leaves on his mission!  {GASP!}

Touch of [NO] Class

Ryan had a baseball game on Thursday night.  

As has been the trend this season, they were behind when I arrived at the game.

I think it's a combination of 1) these boys have not been playing together long and they don't "jive" yet (whereas other teams have been together as a "comp" team for many years). 2) they have a hard time getting a FULL team due to many of the boys having jobs, and if they leave early, they get an automatic OUT each time it's the missing person's turn at bat. 3) when they get behind, [as a defense mechanism, I think] they lose their "seriousness" and start this non-stop light hearted chatter with one another on the field.

All of these things together have landed them a spot in the lower part of their leagues' standings.

{In a nutshell, they're not that good!}

And after observing all this, AND having an in-your-face confrontation with the umpire, the coach from the other team felt entitled to tell (yell) my son that his team was a "bunch of PUNKS."

(So what do you call a "GROWN MAN" who throws fits on the baseball field?)

When the game was over, we had lost.  No surprise there.  

As is customary, our team lined up at home plate to wait for the other team to shake hands/"low five" with them and say the automatic, "good game, good game, good game" to each and every member of the team & coaches.

  

And our team waited.  

The other team's assistant coach, on his way back to his dugout from coaching 3rd Base, came by the front of our line, held up his hand in the "STOP" sign and said, "We're FINE, boys" and walked right on by.  Meanwhile, the head coach was keeping his team in the dugout, ignoring our line up of boys.

Apparently, they thought our team was such a "joke" that we deserved NO congratulations.  NO courtesy.  No acknowledgement of a game played.

(What's the definition of "Punk" again???) 

___________________________________________

**As a little continuation of the story, some of our boys just stayed lined up, waiting for what should've been.   After a while, ONE boy from the other team broke free from (snuck out against the coaches will?) their dugout and came out and shook hands with our boys.  He received an applause from all our fans & players with that act of decency (& courage.)  After a few minutes, with our boys still waiting at home plate, a few others followed the example of the first boy, too, but there was still many who never came.

My Own Kind of Victoria's Secret

Considering the fact that my husband
 is a lifelong Denver Broncos fan, 
THIS could pass as my "Sexy Lingerie" 
these days, couldn't it?!!? 

In honor of our recent anniversary, I snatched up this Old Navy find for under $15.

To which, my son asked in his disgusted voice, "MOM, do you even know who they're playing this week?"

That's NOT the point. 

It's very exciting, don't ya think?  ;)

I decorate with newspaper clippings taped to my door. I DECORATE with NEWSPAPER clippings TAPED to my door??

I walked down the hall to my bedroom this week, and this is what I saw...

Here's a closer look...

Can you guess who it was from?!?

I knew right away that this was a "friendly" gesture from our own resident High Schooler, a Viewmont Viking (I can hardly utter the words!), to his mother, a Bountiful Braves Alumni.

(The two schools happened to have the biggest rivalry going on back in my day.)
I hear things are a little different today, though.

His siblings also experienced great delight in the joke that was played on Mom! A good ol' Rub in the Face. (Notice how he underlined the word, "again.")

I ask -- WHERE have I gone wrong as a Mother?!? Apparently I have not passed on to my offspring a proper love of "the mighty Red and Gray." WHY are they not bowing down three times and singing the praises of BHS every time we're in the neighborhood and drive by my awesome High School? And, even worse, WHY are they fond of the enemy?

I tried to tell them when I was doing my recent Triathlon, the running route took me right up the street in front of that other school (Viewmont), and it was like Kryptonite to my body. While VHS was in sight, I. COULD. NOT. RUN. FAST(ER). Walkers were passing me!
Seriously, it was the slowest leg of my run. My feet were in cement - all the positive energy was drained right out of me.

They didn't believe me one bit.

They attributed my weakness to a myriad of other things (age, uphill conditions, improper breakfast, the weather, a Monday morning, weight, inexperience, non-athleticism, bad hair day, Facebook illiterate, etc.)

But that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

The newspaper clipping "accidentally" ended up in the garbage.
Tragic! :)

Hometown Pride

Guess what made the list of the 100 best places (small town category) to live in the U.S.?

Our beloved Farmington is #12!

Yep, our secret is out, thanks to this CNNMoney report. (and now my blog post, too!) :)

Some of the reasons we were ranked so high by CNN is because Farmington is safe, quiet, has low taxes, our city is financially sound, Lagoon amusement part, close to Salt Lake City (jobs), mix of high end homes with more affordable ones, etc.

I agree with all those reasons, too, but let me add a few (or more) of the things I LOVE about Farmington....

1. Our Schools. They are high quality - I can honestly say that there is only ONE teacher in our elementary school that I (and a lot of other people) don't want their kids to get. I have no worries about all the others. We have excellent test scores - at Kyle's 6th Grade graduation a few months ago, I was amazed at how many students received the Presidential award for academic achievement (the one signed by President Obama) and then the Citizenship award given by the teachers - they just kept calling name after name after name. I thought to myself, Is there anyone who didn't get it? (There was, it's just that there are so many bright, motivated, good kids!) Our schools also have a good percentage of parent/community involvement. I like that our schools have a manageable number of students. My children are able to know (& be friendly with) almost everyone in their own grades. It is also great that our elementary school is just a little over a mile from our home. I (and some other moms) walk my kids to school every day until from the 1st day of school until Thanksgiving and then again after Spring Break. We wait around & hang out on the school grounds until the tardy bell rings for school. It is a fun time to socialize with the fellow students, parents, crossing guard, and school staff. It is safe for them to walk or bike home afterwards, as well.
2. Our athletic programs. Namely, F.A.B.L. (Farmington Area Baseball League) and Farmington Eagles Football. With three children in baseball (4 next year) and Ryan umpiring, that can make for 2-3 games/week/team, so we "live" at the ball park April - June. Not nearly as much as our league's directors, who are AMAZING btw (named Citizens of the Year 2010 by the Rotary club of Farmington), and is another reason we love being a part of FABL - the PEOPLE! We get to know so many friends through this - including other people in our town who are not at our school. Whenever we run into some of our baseball friends in public, we part ways by saying, I'll see you at the ball park! Then we get to do the same thing, with a slightly new group of people, but some are the same, August - October during football season. Even though we only have one child in football, because it is SO INTENSE (in time, attitude, commitment, etc.) it feels as if we are "living football" during these months. It requires so many volunteers and our citizens come through! I love the camaraderie we have through, not only practices and games, but our potluck dinners, parties, "Football with Dads", ceremonies, banquets, team (which parents/families are considered a part of) cheers & huddles, etc. We also have something unique, where our city has a soccer program with the option to sign up for just Fall or Spring season (or both if you want) so that it doesn't conflict with our kids' baseball or football schedule. AND our practice and playing fields are close enough for the kids to walk or ride bikes to, if the chauffeur is unavailable at any time.
   
3. Farmington Festival Days. The 2nd Saturday of July every year is always blocked out on our calendar for this event. When we first moved here 10+ years ago, it was only a Saturday event. More recently, it has expanded to include the whole week, Monday - Saturday. The parade. IMHO, it is the best around! They pass out REAL candy (READ: not just taffy, taffy, and more taffy). And those who know me, know I am motivated by candy! :) There are Jolly Ranchers, Airheads, Gobstoppers, cinnamon bears, root beer barrel candy, pixie sticks, starburst, fruit snacks, otter pops, and even stuffed animals, "Marti Gras" necklaces, and DVDs. The races. With the exception of one year when I was 6 months pregnant, and another year when I had a 6 week old newborn baby, I have run in the 5K or 10K (depending on my level of physical fitness that particular year) all of the years we have lived here. It is exhilerating to be among my "running friends." The races have now grown to include a Half Marathon and a "10K Flag Rock" (Mountain climb/run) as well. The breakfast. You get in free if you run the race! And it's not just your average breakfast. It is French Toast, big ol' sausages, bacon, cut up fresh fruit, hash browns, juice, milk, AND chocolate milk - all very Brenchley kid-approved! (and that's saying A LOT!) :) Other parts of this we don't want to miss are the Outdoor Family Movie night on the mega blowup screen, the free ice cream, outdoor concerts/bands, youth dance (not me, the teenagers!) and the Fireworks Show. And we enjoy it all amongst the familiar faces of our fellow Farmingtonites.
4. The Farmington Pool. This is an outdoor pool! (I don't like the muggy, loud, unable-to-suntan features of the indoor pools much at all) It's got a zero entry for the babes, slides for the kids, basketball standards for the hoopsters, a low dive and a high dive for.....well, I've seen ages 3 to 73 go off those, a water playground area, morning water aerobics, and lap swimming [life guards provided] for the crazies like me who attempt triathlons even though we're terrified of swimming. And I can always find an open lounge chair. (PLUS!) We can get a Family Pass for $150! And the best part? No matter when we go there, we ALWAYS see people we know! You don't have to take a friend with you - it's a sure bet the kids (& me) will have someone to play with already there.
   
5. The Farmington Trails. One of Farmington’s greatest assets is the location next to beautiful mountains...and the best part - we have trails and open space areas right in our backyard, probably less than ten minutes away! I have been able to take advantage of these trails as I've clocked some running and biking miles in training for my various events. The Lagoon trail is paved and offers lots of shady trees, bridges crossing over creeks, and a pleasant breeze to give respite to an exhausting, sweaty run.....including one section that thrills youngsters in your stroller - a fenced off area with elk, buffalo, horses, and cattle to look at. Our family has also enjoyed hiking on some of the dirt trails that allow us to "go exploring" or take us up in the mountains for a great view of our town and the Great Salt Lake.....although we did hear (and see in the bushes) a rattlesnake on a trail once - and we just haven't quite made it back to that one again! :) And I love how I often see friends (those we know, some we don't) out exercising on the trails, too, so we offer a wave and holler a "hello" as we pass each other.
   
6. Our church congregations. I feel like my family and I have a lot of great examples from people of strong faith, service, and generosity where we live. I feel like there are so many good, good, good people - just "cream of the crop" "salt of the earth" type people surrounding us. I appreciate these "spiritual giants" around us to inspire and strengthen us, and to keep us going.
7. Talented teachers at our fingertips. We don't even have to go out of town to find piano, swimming, cheer leading, preschool, or dance teachers, tutors, scout leaders, etc. It's all right here, and again, the kids can walk or ride their bikes there!
8. I can leave the keys in the ignition of my car [on accident] for many hours, and it's still there when I come back! (based on a true experience)
   
9. The recent addition of Station Park. This has been quite the excitement for us to get a shopping center here in our town since we haven't had anything like it before. The Harmon's grocery store was bombarded it's first opening weeks with all us zealous citizens eager to support it and "experience" a piece of the gourmet market history. In addition to a big movie theater, other stores include: Ross, Sports Authority, Home Goods, Marshall's, Ulta....and there's rumor about a Panda Express coming (Katelyn has her fingers crossed!)
10. Our city service people. I saw our Mayor out while I was on a bike ride last week. He was cutting down overgrown vines & such that were protruding out into the path I was on. As I passed him, he smiled at me and said, I'm just trying to clean this up for YOU! Our previous (and musically talented) mayor participated in a special [singing] concert one Christmas season and donated all the proceeds to a Scholarship Fund that has been set up in my [deceased] cousin's name.
    
11. Hometown Pride. It's not just ME! I know of so many people who have had 2 or 3 different houses in Farmington through the years. When they outgrow their home, they just can't bear to leave the area, so they either find or build themselves a bigger one in our same town. My aunt and uncle love it so much that they have had multiple houses (I lost track after seven - seriously) in Farmington, most of the time never having to leave their school or church boundaries. They don't want to live anywhere else! I also know people who had made additions or remodels to their existing homes, so they can stay in Farmington. There are quite a few "life timers" who cherish living here - and I love how they are so proud of our Farmington. And after living here, we too, have become like them - yes, our home is for sale, but we plan on staying in town, just a different home. I guess it's a possibility that we could grow to love somewhere else, too, (maybe not?) so I just don't want to risk it! :)
    

Much of my list refers to OUR PEOPLE, our school friends, our sports friends, our community friends, our fitness friends, our church friends - my love of this place is very related to them and my privilege to be associated with them, of which I am always grateful.

I don't know....maybe a lot of people feel this way about where they live...but now we've got what not everyone does...we've got the Big Honchos (CNN) validating what I know & feel to be true!

Have I convinced y'all to move here now?!? ;)