The Best Sights In Manhattan

I got to visit New York and saw the best sights it has to offer. Ashley and Todd and their three little boys are having a wonderful adventure living down the street from Central Park in Manhattan. It is a different lifestyle from the how they were raised. They sold their cars and have learned to see the city in style. The boys hop on their scooters, Ashley gets behind her industrial strength stroller and the city is theirs. (Ashley also has her own Xooter so she, with Chase in an ERGO backpack, can keep up with Ben and Toby on many adventures.)

I was relieved to see that they lived in a safe, residential area and that they have quickly adjusted to living in the big city. They have their groceries delivered and have figured out how to occupy three active boys in small spaces.

Spring was beginning to show itself and The City was outdoors enjoying itself.

WE VISITED A FEW OF THE HARRISES' FAVORITE PLACES:

Ben and Toby evaluate the size of this clam at the Natural History Museum.

Ben relates to this Tiger

Ashley looks like a New Yorker!

WE SAW LOTS OF CENTRAL PARK SIGHTS:

Ben and Toby had just contributed to this sax player in this tunnel.

Local wildlife makes them a little nervous.

A little wind by "The Castle"

Lots of rocks to explore.

A friendly basset hound.

A few wild animals in the park. Ben and Toby with Parker Romney.

MOST IMPORTANT WERE THE PLAYGROUNDS OF CENTRAL PARK:

The biggest fastest slide!

Why climb back up the stairs, Ben, when there are these great paths?

Ashley and Chase don't sit on the sidelines.

Swings for Chase.

Slides and enthusiasm for Ben

Toby just can't climb the stairs when he can climb up the slide.

Navigating the pole at 3 years old.

Toby was a pro.

Now that he can walk, Chase thinks he can do the slides by himself just like the big boys.

TREATS AND GOODIES AND INTERESTING THINGS TO EAT

The treats in the park were old and freezer burned, but the boys loved them anyway.

Yummy bakeries close with people lined up to purchase their goodies.

Lots of hungry people to enjoy the delicacies. Interesting places to eat within two minutes of home!

Some people get more into the delicious food than others!

THE BEST SIGHTS WERE THE PEOPLE I LOVE. WISH I COULD SEE THESE SIGHTS MORE:

TODD with his boys. He often takes them running with him in the early morning--the boys on their scooters. Ashley gets a few more minutes of sleep.

ASHLEY is a wonderful "hands-on" mom.

TOBY is so smart and enthusiastic. His personality makes him a leader and many friends.

BEN keeps up with Toby every step, but has his own imagination and darling personality.

CHASE is suddenly trying to grow up and be more like the big boys. Walking has opened a new world to him. He has his mother's heart completely!

Thanks to the HARRIS FAMILY for showing me the best sights in New York City!

Bed and Breakfast--Dickson Style

One of the many blessings of living in So. Cal. is that we get to have visitors frequently when the rest of the country is shivering and freezing. I like to say my nest is seldom empty. Harmon and his brother Dan stayed for a couple of days when their sister, Karen, had two adopted children sealed to her family that already included 5 children and blessed them. Usually we get Harmon this time of the year for a golf trip, but no time for that this time.

Sunny and Steve had a whole Spring Break week with just Gracie and the twins, Charlie and Sam. So they made the drive to Cali and we had a few days with their "little family." I will do a separate post on them in a couple of days. After we left for Utah they stayed in the Disneyland Hotel and took the little guys to Disneyland for a baby version of seeing the Magic Kingdom. With expectations very low, they had a great time! Bailey joined us here at Irvine Park. Gracie is off camera in her stroller.

We expected Adrienne Smart and friends when we got back from Utah, but her plans changed. To make us feel better, Alex Patterson, my sister Barbara's son and his friend Matt came and spent a few days at our house. They went surfing every day and had a great time. We hardly saw them! It was fun to have them here and get to know Alex better. He will have his mission call soon.

Alex, left, and his friend Matt.

Overlapping with Alex, my sister, Marti's daughter, Hillary came for a short weekend with her bff Kelli. They spent most of their time visiting the local shopping sights and a couple of visits to the pier and beach, but it was a little chilly. They also were more "with us" than the boys. Hillary is such a cute, fun person. It was fun to have her and some of her circle of friends who stopped by. We hope they will use the Dickson B & B again.

Hillary is next to me. Her friend Kelli on the far left.

To finish off this month we had the perfect house guests: Lindsey and three of her Tobler sisters. Unfortunately for me, they came while I was in New York visiting Ashley. It worked out great for them, however, because my car could be left parked at the airport for them and available for their whole visit. They shopped, went walking, sightseeing a little, ate at their favorite restaurants, and finished up each evening in our spa. They hardly ate breakfast, though Alan loves to fix our visitors his specialty breakfasts. They took Alan out to dinner one night, kept him from being too lonely while I was gone, and left all the sheets and towels clean and their rooms spotless. I could not even tell I had visitors while I was gone. Since I had the little camera with me, I have no picture for this event. Maybe Lindsey will send me one to include.

Now Where Was I? Lets Start With Now

I apologize for not posting for months and leaving up such a sad blog. I have about five months worth of pictures to post and don't want to miss them in this little journal. As February has been mostly uneventful (See Mao's posts for new baby Isabella Mia) I will start with getting to be with two of my sisters (and Lindsey) at the Craft Show in Anaheim at the end of January. Rosemary will hate this picture, but it is the only one with the three of us together. By the time I got my camera out, Lindsey was happy to be back home in Utah.

We mostly work hard at these shows, but I get to touch base with family for a few minutes. Here are Heidi, Marti, Doug and Rosemary just as the whole trade show is ending. Heidi is almost four months pregnant. Can you even tell?

We don't get so many beautiful sunsets as Arizona does, but once in a while they couldn't be more beautiful. This is my evening view from my balcony on a clear day. If you look, you can see the ocean as well as San Clemente Island. Most days you don't see the island. When it is magically there so plainly, you are surprised you didn't see it yesterday.

It is so fun to have Jennifer and Bailey join us and Adam in California. They are once again a part of our lives on a regular basis. Bailey attends the local elementary school and Jen has started a new job. I often get to pick Bailey up from school and spend the afternoon with her. She is a darling, fun, and special girl and I am lucky to see so much of her. Can you believe she was swimming in January?

We Must Move On

GORDON SMART

August 30, 1951-October 24, 2008

Gordon, we will miss you. A better friend and brother you couldn't be.

We'll miss taking little trips with you.

I'll probably cry through the Rodeo in Las Vegas this year.


Will there be a family event that there won't be a hole in our hearts and an empty chair?

Who hugs better than Gordon? Who will give me that kiss-on-the-lips hello when I gather with those I love, if you are not there?

Who participated in more family priesthood events? The only one you missed for the Salt Lake area branch of the Dickson family was Gracie's on November 2nd. Were you there anyway? The circle was not quite complete.

Would we have spent more time together if we'd known we would have so little left? Would I have laughed harder at your dumb jokes if I had known they would run out?

How can we enjoy Thanksgiving at St George as much without you with us? You might not have been the best player at the family Turkey Bowl, but no one had more fun...

...or made it more fun for others.

A funeral is a time to celebrate a wonderful life. Yours was one of those rare ones that truly lifts so many people and gives us new resolve to be more spiritual, more loving, less self-centered, more thoughtful of those around us, but always have a sense of humor.

Your family is strong and very united and has great support from so many around them. I never saw a larger, better attended viewing, except for a general authority or U.S. President.

The spirit was strong at all the events. I think you were there and helped your family bring comfort and strength to each other and those around them.

Rosemary was surrounded by flowers, family, friends, advisors, neighbors, priesthood leaders, and the Comforter. She is sad but is facing life head on and with courage.

It helps to have a new grandbaby to hang on to. Many things made Rosemary smile through the sadness and pain. She will continue to find things to smile at. We will try to remember to share corny jokes with her.

Those who loved you went to Colton's game the week after you left. It was a symbol that we would try to continue on with living.

You left your family in the hands of a wonderful Bishop. Bishop Beecher drove all the way to Centerville to support Colton and, of course, Rosemary. He is loving, spiritual, and intuitive and present when he needs to be. He had Colton at the 7:30 am Stake Priesthood Meeting as you would have done, the Sunday after we lost you.

Were you at the game as Colton caught the baubled ball and took it into the end zone when time was up and won the game for his team? He seemed to think you caught that ball for him.

It really helped to celebrate something happy after so many tears.

Colton is a wonderful boy and I know you will be able somehow to help Rosemary finish his raising! The other kids are almost there already.

You have raised wonderful children and they will continue to be a legacy for you and a joy to Rosemary. Most of them came to the luncheon following Gracie's blessing. Fast Sunday in your ward was a spiritual experience for all. I am grateful your influence on that ward when you were bishop and in all your other callings was so strong. There is more love, more strength, more reaching out because you set such a good example when the ward was first formed. It will help Rosemary get through this difficult time. Please stay near if you are allowed. They will move forward, but it will be hard without the joy you brought into all our lives. We love you Gordon Smart. See you on the other side.

Making a Difference

Proposition 8 Passes

Preserving Traditional Marriage

Bob Knoke, of Mission Viejo, Amanda Stanfield, of Monrovia, Jim Domen, of Yorba Linda, and J.D. Gaddis, of Yorba Linda, celebrate returns for Proposition 8 at an Irvine hotel.

Standing on the street corners with my ward, heeding the prophet's voice!

It has been a long few months getting Prop 8 passed. I know that good people can make a difference. When our prophet says in no uncertain terms that he wants us to give of our time and means to pass this proposition because it is a moral issue with very far reaching consequences, we step up and do all that is asked of us. I know that when good people of all faiths and backgrounds come together and seek the Lord's help, the battle can be won. There has been a lot of bad news in my life lately, but I am so glad that this one went our way. It would not have, however, without the enormous effort of so many dedicated, committed, righteous people.

One bright life raft in a sea of worry.

Blessed by Grace: #23

Late is better than I have been doing lately. I took so many pictures of Sunny's new little one, Grace Elizabeth Wright, that it is hard to choose what to post. I have not seen her in a month and hear she has changed a lot. Gracie is a darling, dimpled, dark haired beauty but at one week she was very sleepy and off in her own post-pre-existence world. She was also very loved from the beginning. Sunny was tired and worn out before her birth and worrying if she could handle a new one with her very active 14 month old boys. Then when she called to tell us Grace had been born, the excitement and love in Sunny's voice told me that love conquers all and she was up to and thrilled for the task.
Alex got to be there for Gracie's birth. Can you see how excited all three of them are at this beautiful baby's entry into the world?

Not yet two days old with her adoring mother.

Proud father Steve beams at his minutes-old little daughter. Look at all that hair!

Just home from the hospital and still strapped in.

Charlie could care less about Gracie, but it was love at first sight for Sam. Sunny had to watch Sam every moment because he wanted to kiss, touch, stroke and hold his new little sister. He seemed to know her and be attracted to her from the very beginning. One morning Steve walked into the bedroom to find Riley had just hoisted both twins into Gracie's little bed and they were moving in on her like little vultures. Luckily Steve arrived before they did any damage!

Everyone Wants to Hold Gracie! Will She Ever Be Put Down?

Tristan was so cute with her and held her as often as he could.

Jessie is a natural and will probably be the best volunteer helper in the family!

Sage is experienced at holding little ones and argued over who got to hold her first!

Riley held Gracie often, but this was such a cute picture. The love just beams!

Sam couldn't hold her by himself, but he tried! He wasn't interested in anything else when Gracie was in the room. On the other hand, I couldn't keep Charlie around long enough to get a picture of him with her.

Sunny is so fortunate to have found Ashley. Ashley is Sunny's nanny, but is more than that. She loves the children, is self-motivated to be a wonderful help, willing to work whatever hours Sunny needs her, and is one of Sunny's best friends. She makes a difficult job possible for Sunny.

As usual, I am a little too smiley. I am again as in love with my #23 grandchild as I have been with all the others. (Yes, Jade, you will always be special to me, even if I have 23 more.)

Adam and Bailey picked me up from the airport and drove me to the hospital for my first peek. Bailey got to hold Gracie early. She has had some training already.

Didn't have my camera out when Jade was holding, but she spent half the evening snuggling with this littlest cousin.
Jennifer always grabs the babies up and has the magic touch with them.


Rosemary found a moment to visit on my last morning at the Wrights. She is now finally a grandmother of her own first grandchild. Laura just gave birth to a little boy, Stockton Reed Reschke. Gracie and Stockton were due about a week apart, but Gracie was a week early and Stockton a week late, so there is about a 3 week spread.

Here is a little window into Sunny's life as she gets Riley off to school with the "help" of Charlie, Sam and Gracie. Good luck, Sunny. Keep remembering it is worth it!

This little Grace, though she has her father's dimples and dark hair looks more like Sunny did as a newborn than any of her other children. I will have to dig out the baby pictures and post some. Who knows how she will change? Post some updates, Sunny.

Oh, look, she has eyes!

Welcome to our family, Baby Grace.