Chicago Again

I love staying at the Hyatt.  Perhaps it is my honest expression of this love at the front desk each weekend which gets our room upgraded. Whatever it is, I am grateful. This morning I worked from the table in our mini-suite with this view.

Adventures with Rose

I miss my sister Rose.  She is currently studying at BYU, and has been back at school for less than a month since Christmas, and I’m already counting the days until summer break. I don’t know how I shall survive the year and half she will be gone on her mission.

20 Things I Learned From Michael Pollan

Last night Richard and I had the opportunity to hear Michael Pollan speak due to the generosity of our friend Morgan.  It was a fabulous evening hearing from a talented presenter who had some very interesting things to say.  If you don't know who Michael Pollan is, here is a link to his bio. 
http://www.stlouisspeakersseries.org/speaker4.htm

A Day Without Laughter is a Day Wasted -Charlie Chaplin

My little nephew Emerson Dean blesses the world every day. According to his parents this is the first time they have ever heard him laugh like this, just cracking himself up. Even if you are without an Emerson Dean in your own life, I dare you to watch it without a chuckle of your own.  Trust me, your day will be a happier one after you do.

I am so grateful to have this little man and all the joy he brings as a part of my life!

 Shortened Version

A Snowy Day in Chicago Town

I went with Richard again this weekend to Chicago.  We took the train up (since the untimely demise of Dimples we have become very protective of geriatric Betsy). And we were VERY glad to be on the train as the weather got worse and worse.

Resolution New Year: Make Less Resolutions

I stopped taking these seriously ever since the year that I discovered in December I had not even completed ONE of my New Year's resolutions effectively. But I have since decided that less is more.  In the hopes that making only three resolutions will guarantee a higher success rate, I made a short, prioritized list for 2012. All of the other things I would like to do with this year I'll just go ahead and slant into the New Year's Wishes category from the get-go.  That way when time gets tight I know how to prioritize...resolutions over wishes and all that.

Girl's Night Out

Richard got 4 tickets to the Fabulous Fox theatre from his work as a reward for ‘outstanding effort,’ and re-gifted them to me as a Christmas present.

Our Dearly Departed Dimples

We are saddened to announce that on Jan 6^th, 2012 Dimples departed this earth, sloughed off this mortal coil and moved to a better place. Richard was leaving the temple in St. Louis and driving about 30 miles an hour when a big SUV failed to yield at a light and pulled out into oncoming traffic. It hit Richard going fast enough that the airbags deployed and he was pretty out of it for a few seconds.

A New Year's Wedding

On New Year’s Day Richard and I drove to his home in Iowa.  It was a wonderful time to visit and talk with all of the family who were in town for the sealing of Richard’s brother Mark and his wife Minnie.

Santa Practice: Christmas Day 2011

We had a fabulous Christmas holiday! Richard's sister Christina completed her service as an LDS Missionary in Ecuador and returned home to Iowa on December 17th.  We got to spend some time with Christina, Josh, Maureen and Ken Goering on Dec. 23rd in St. Louis and celebrate an early Christmas.

Vote on Our New Blog Picture!

 Okay folks, once I complete the Europe entries I will be changing my blog wallpaper, and currently my favorite pic is this one that we took during the family picture shoot.  Any comments about whether Option A (left) or Option B (right) is best would be appreciated!

Preston Family Siblings

James, Dave, Algot, Joe (Ann), Richard (Letty)

After the photographer left we seized the opportunity of being all dressed up to take some pictures of our own! Algot, of course, being his usual goofy self! (Joe does not have a wierd growth on his head, that's his brother-in-laws hand).

Preston Family Pictures