Thursday, March 27, 2014

March 2014


Not many people know that March 15th is the Ides of March (Shakespeare) but those who work in schools and with children can feel it. It's that last push of winter and some days out of the blue spring is here, but then rain and cold and winter again- it drives you crazy. Alas, in our home we push through the Ides of March with March Madness, St. Patricks Day, and Taxes! We usually go to the St. Patricks Day parade but this year it was too hectic and so it was just our traditional Jefferson Irish dinner to celebrate. Two big crockpots of  corned beef and cabbage to feed 14 of our growing Jefferson family. Delicious. And then March Madness hit and we filled out our brackets (last year Mary's team went all the way- oh yeah!) so Brad was very careful filling out his bracket... and 1 week in and both our teams are out. This year Brad chose Wichita and Mary was going for Syracuse. No fancy dinner or bragging rights for either of us this year. Tax day is a chore but a declared holiday as well because it could easily be another downer part of the Ides of March. So we give high fives and hugs when it is all sent off. Whew no taxes to worry about till 2015. This month we also took out the kite and found the most beautiful walking park nicknamed- Walden Park, because it makes you stop and think and cherish the little things like a sunset over the Oquirrhs. An added bonus was seeing our niece and nephew at their Dad's wedding- they are growing like weeds (kids do that :). And now whether the weather cooperates or not we are bound to celebrate spring- Brad in DC coaching his Model Arab League Class- Go Utes (Team Egypt!), and Mary in St. George with her girlfriends. Hurrah! we made it through the Ides of March!





Sunday, March 2, 2014

February 2014


Happy Birthday month to Mary! I feel so spoiled, a whole month of good food, parties, a spa day, lunch and shopping with friends, movies, and the best valentines gift ever. This has been a good birthday month. It started with Health! Brad is doing great with his allergy shots and they really seem to be helping. He gave me the best valentines gift ever- The Vienna Ball...
A fancy dancey benefit for the Utah Symphony. Yes we felt like part of the royal class for a night, especially with the chauffeur service and photo shoot we arranged (Thanks Angie and Ryan). I borrowed my sister in law's prom dress and Brad rented a tux and we were set. The Ball included a silent auction and Viennese sit down dinner. The symphony played traditional Viennese Waltz music and we danced till our feet hurt- Brad danced like a prince and I felt like a princess. The BYU Ballroom Dance team did a few live shows and it was like watching Dancing with the Stars live on the front row. Brad shocked me when he started a bidding war for a hot air balloon ride- he must have felt we really were the royal class thinking we should spend all that money... but at least he got more money for the Utah Symphony, and who knows maybe next year I will be in a hot air balloon for my birthday. The entire night was a delight and definitely something we would want to do again. Other Birthday delights included: my favorite salmon dinner from Mom Dennis, birthday purse shopping with girlfriends, movie night with Angie, movie afternoon with Mom, Dinner and Dueling Pianos with friends, and a lovely Old Spaghetti factory dinner- like usual. It was a fun birthday month!