More I-Phone Pictures taken a dusk!

Halloween 2009 Pictures with I-Phone

Not so great, but the grandkids were cute and grandpa got some chocolate!

BYU 2009 Homecoming Official Photo

Where is the filter?

Rare Sunday Afternoon Nap!

North Argentina Reunion on Friday, October 2, 2009

Attending the reunion of missionaries who served under President Ronald V. Stone and Sister Pat Stone from 1962 through 1965 were Kent and Linda Millington, Larry and Sherry O'Donnal, Steve Quist, David and Carol Shorten and Bob and Shauna Valentine. The Valentines are going to hold a reunion every six months at LDS Conference time for those who served many years ago in beautiful Argentina. Elders Millington, O'Donnal, Quist and Shorten all served at one time or another in San Rafael, Mendoza. Elder Quist and his wife just returned from an eighteen-month senior mission in Mendoza. For those who are interested, there are now eleven LDS chapels in San Rafael. Hope to see more Argentine missionary companions in six months. What a wonderful opportunity we had to work in Argentina so many years ago.

Square Yard Vegetable Gardening was productive in 2009!

Apple Picking Time in Wild Rose Estates

Grandparents Day at Ridgeline Elementary 2009!

Where is James Valentine?

Our son James and the Maroon 5 band have been in Switzerland for several months finishing their new album to be released in 2010. They are working with record producer Mutt Lange in Geneva. Google their websites for more details. James visited us in Highland for the 4th of July.

Bob and Shauna in Southern Utah

We had lunch with four Provo High Class of 1960 graduates at the new Brick Oven (David Allen, Jon Hall, Marilyn Bigelow and Russell Jacobson), then watched the BYU/Oklahoma game with pals Peter and Sherry Berry, then spend a day at LDS historic sites and Bryce Canyon. Utah is a fabulous place!

Provo High Class of 1960 Committee Meeting

Paul Coon explains the golf plans to Kathryn Heal.
Susan Field Walles is in charge of making BIG easy-to-read name tags for the 50th reunion next July!
Jeannie Merrell Nielson wants to help, too.
Linda Wightman Fleming collect the money. Kathy Ostler Fryer is organizing the decorations.
Doc Hansen is organizing the menu. Kathy Davis Allman is going to find a music group. Linda Cannon Aukshun has volunteered, too!

Left to Right: Doc Hansen, Kathy Davis Allman, Linda Cannon Aukshun, Susan Field Walles, Ray Hintze, Charles and Diana Dowling, Paul Coon, Kathryn Heal Knight, Bob Valentine, Linda Wightman Fleming, Burt Robbins, Jeanne Merrell Nielsen, Kathy Ostler Fryer, Marce Croft and Wayne Clarke (not pictured(.

Sixteen PHS Class of 1960 grads had lunch together at the Brick Oven in Provo today. We hope others will join us in the future for lunch or dinner. By the time our reunion takes place next July 2 and 3, 2010, we will be pals again. Our next official meeting is in October. We also want to hold a lunch or dinner in the St. George area, where many grads now live.

Nifty adventure in Oregon!

Friday, August 7, 2009 - Payson Salmon Feast

I borrowed this pictures from the website because I forgot my camera. We are going to go every year from now on! Yummy!

Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point

Not cheap, but worth the price. This is the best dinosaur museum in the world. No kidding. It is amazing! Of course, seeing all of the bones made us hungry for the McDonald's in American Fork, which just happens to have an indoor playground.

Little Robert Valentine in Palo Alto, California in 1950!

Can you pick out Robert, age 8, at Stanford Elementary School? Click on the picture to enlarge.

Saturday back at Grandpa and Grandma's computer!

Owen has made a castle!
Hugh helps in the back rock garden.

Do your Mom and Dad (in Paris) really want you to play this much on the computer? Sure, they don't mind!

Rio Tinto Kennecott Bingham Copper Mine!

The biggest hole in the world, they say. The 103 year-old mine produces lots of copper, gold and silver.

Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City

Taking it easy, we got to (barely) see a two-day baby giraffe!

Sleeping arrangements at Grandpa and Grandma's!

Phoebe was upset because the boys would not let her join them in James' bed.

The Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy, Utah

Mom and Dad Clark are in Paris today, but we got to see weird fish and stuff.

Lisa and Wendy, pals since childhood!

Family Home Evening at Cascade Springs!

The biggest hole in the world, they say.

Kennecott copper mine west of Salt Lake City is a must visit.

4th of July 2009 in Provo, Utah!

BYU interns in Washington DC

Bob & Shauna Valentine's Excellent Adventure In Washington DC

Shauna attended an educational technology conference.
Bob finally got her to take a couple of hours to see the National Art Gallery.

Bob tried to see President Obama, but he was too busy raising taxes and spending our children's money.

Waffles, Syrup, Eggs, Bacon and Sausages, too!

Sunday night in Highland, Utah. We were going to eat on the back patio, but it rained and rained and rained.

What? Another Sunday night in Highland!

All granddaughters dance and dance and dance!

Memorial Day 2009

We remember Shauna's parents and Robert's father, among others.

My left foot is getting better!

The Canyon View Ward LDS Church "Laurels" get ready for "Morther's Day!"

Shauna teaches the Laurels in our ward. Laurels are 16-18 and are usually juniors and seniors in high school. There are about eighteen Laurels in our neighborhool. Twelve or more came over Wednesday night to paint pots and plant pansies in them to give to their moms next Sunday. What is impressive about these girls? All smart, all kind and they are the best of friends now and probably for the rest of their lives.

Feeding the limbic and neocortical brains of grandchildren.

Sunday night at the Valentine's in Highland is full of activities. Mostly, we enjoy each other and talk and talk!

Sunday Night in Highland, April 26, 2009

Great Grandmother Amy turned 93 on Saturday and Owen Valentine Clark is now eleven. Lots of food and cake and fun!

Three days after beautiful Easter Sunday!

A foot of snow on the ground in Highland by Wednesday. The mountains are packed. Pray for a slow melt this Spring!

Easter 2009 at the Valentine Home in Highland

Zane looks for Easter eggs!
Chris, Marilyn and kids in Easter best!
Jonathan, Gina and the fashionable girls with their little brother.
Grandma Valentine fills the house with flowers!

Easter Sunday

SUNDAY



HE IS RISEN!

Jesus Christ "came into the world to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; that through him all might be saved (D&C 76:41-41)

The great sacrifice he made to pay for our sins and overcome death is call the Atonement. It is the most important event that has ever occurred in the history of mankind. "... all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement." (Alma 34:9) Because He lives, we too shall live again.



Happy Easter!

xoxoxo Mom and Dad

Easter Week - Saturday

Saturday of Easter Week . . .

Additional Information: Crucifixion was one of the longest and most painful types of death. The pain got worse the longer the person was on the cross.

In Psalms there is a prophesy that states 1) the Messiah's garments are to be divided among the people and 2) lots would be cast for his robe.

Jewish men wore five articles of clothing and according to Roman custom, became the property of the soldiers who performed the crucifixion. The four soldiers each took a piece of clothing. In the case of Jesus, the robe, woven of a single piece of cloth, apparently was of excellent workmanship, and for this the soldiers elected to cast lots to see who got it.

Jesus' body was in the tomb. The Savior was in the spirit world preparing for the gospel to be taught to the spirits in prison.

Additional Info: The spirit and the body constitute the mortal soul. A spirit can live independent of a body, but the body cannot live without the spirit.

In the resurrection, the immortal spirit is reunited with the same body of flesh and bone it possessed as a mortal, with two major differences: The union will be permanent, and the body will not be subject to aging and death.

For families with small children: All of the things at our Easter celebration should remind us of Jesus and the Resurrection

Eggs and Chicks:

Birds lay eggs that hatch into baby birds. We paint the Easter eggs bright colors in remembrance of Jesus. The eggs remind us of new birth.

Bunnies, lambs:

New birth-the lambs remind us that Jesus was the pure sacrifice. . ." he is brought as the lamb to the slaughter. " He is the Lamb of God.

New shoes:

At Easter time many people get new shoes. This attention to our feet reminds us of the Last Supper and the washing of the feet. It can remind us to always be of service to one another.

Easter grass:

The grass in our Easter baskets reminds us of Jesus kneeling on the grass in the Garden of Gethsemane praying to his Heavenly Father. We should always pray.

Easter Dinner:

Our Easter feast reminds us of the Last Supper or Feast of the Passover.

Wooden Basket:

The wooden basket reminds us of the wood cross that Jesus died on for us. He forgave the people who were so cruel to him, even Judas his friend who betrayed Him. We should forgive everyone.

Even our Chocolate candy:

Our candy reminds us of Jesus' sweet love for us.

Easter occurs in the spring when we see the miracle of life return after the long winter: tiny brown buds become blossoms, a dry bulb becomes a flower and the sun becomes warmer. The sun rises every day and we can depend on it just as we can depend on the Son of God.

Easter Week - Friday

About midnight, Jesus was taken into Jerusalem, first to Annas then to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. He was mocked and maltreated, denied by Peter, tried and condemned by the Jews. He was taken before Pilate, then Herod and returned to Pilate, who condemned him and delivered him up to be crucified.

It was the custom to release one prisoner during the Feast of the Passover. The crowd chose to free Barabbas, a convicted robber and murder.

Jesus was taken to a hill called Golgotha or Calvary to be crucified. He was offered a drink of medicated vinegar to ease the pain, but he would not drink it. The Roman soldiers drove nails through his hands and feet and placed his cross between two criminals. As the soldiers finished their awful task, Jesus prayed with great mercy, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." He asked John to take care and protect his mother, Mary. At noonday, darkness covered the land. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsake me?" Jesus atoned for us by suffering in Gesthemene and by giving his life on the cross. Heavenly Father had to let him do it alone. Jesus gave up his life, it was not taken from him. The Roman soldiers cast lots for his robe.

He was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

Today is called Good Friday, Holy Friday, Great Friday or Black Friday.

Hope this is a Good Friday for you.

xoxox

Mom and Dad

Easter Week - Thursday

On Thursday of Easter Week . . .

This night Jesus went to the upper room in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. This was the last supper. Jesus knew that he would soon be put to death. As they ate, Jesus said, "One of you which eateth with me shall betray me." The disciples were sorrowful and asked him one by one, "Lord, is it I?"

Jesus prepared the first sacrament and gave it to his apostles. He told them to eat in remembrance of His body and blood that would be shed.

After they had eaten, Jesus washed the feet of each of his apostles. Some refused to let him wash their feet, not understanding the significance of the act.

"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you." How do we serve our fellowmen?

Jesus led his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. He was alone; all the disciples had fallen asleep. He was filled with sorrow. Knowing that the time had come when he must suffer great agony to atone for the sins of the world, Jesus fell to the ground and prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." He continued to pray. . . and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus knew that the betrayal was at hand. Judas had plotted with the Jewish leaders to betray Jesus, having agreed to lead them to him if they would pay thirty pieces of silver. Judas betrayed him with a kiss. Peter, trying to protect Jesus, cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant.

Additional information: Jesus' last mortal miracle was to restore Malchus' ear.

Wednesday Easter Week

On Wednesday of Easter Week . . .

We have no record of what occurred on this day. He went to the temple each day to teach. The Lord delivered some of His most profound lessons at this time while dealing with his distractors. These included the chief priests and elders who repeatedly questioned Him about his authority.

People were starting to separate themselves from Christ.

Christ does not abandon us, we are the ones who leave Him.

"At times we may be tempted to think the Savior is oblivious to our trials. In fact, the reverse is true; it is we who need to be awakened in our hearts to His teachings. Use your ingenuity, your strength, your might to resolve your challenges. Do all you can do and then leave the rest to the Lord." (Joseph B. Wirthlin)

Additional information: The word Easter occurs only once in the Bible (Acts 12:4) and then would be better translated passover. The word comes from Eastre, a Norse goddess whose pagan festival was observed at the spring equinox. There is no real connection between the festival and the celebration of the resurrection. Jesus, being the Lamb of God, was crucified at passover time and is the true Passover. Passover thus became a springtime anniversary, and has come to be called Easter.

Tuesday of Holy Week

On Tuesday of Easter Week. . .

As the Savior entered Jerusalem, the scribes and Pharisees asked Him where He had received His authority. He preached to them, discussed authority, and called them to repentance. Interestingly, the chief priests questioned Jesus in an attempt to find fault with HIm at the same time that the Passover lambs for the year were being checked for faults.

There were many things he taught that day:

He cursed the fig tree and the tree withered away soon thereafter. The cursing of the fig tree may symbolize a demonstration of the Lord's power over things of the earth. In addition, the house of Israel, like the fig tree, had been called upon to produce good fruit by observing and keeping all the commandments of the Lord. But it was largely barren.

He taught about faith, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

He related the parable of the widow's mite. I love the explanation of this parable that states that in the accounts kept by the recording angels, figured out according to the arithmetic of heaven, entries are made in terms of quality rather than of quantity, and values are determined on the basis of capability and intent. The widow gave all she had. It was not the smallness of her offering that made it especially acceptable, but the spirit of sacrifice and devout intent with which she gave.

Additional info: This was the day Judas arranged the betrayal of Christ.

Easter Week, Monday

On Monday of Easter Week . . .



In Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover, Jesus went to the temple and found moneychangers doing business there. He drove them out as he had done once before, over-turning their tables and chairs. "It is written," he said, "My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."

The term "thieves" as used here comes from a Greek word which also means "revolutionary" or "insurgent." Because the temple leadership in this period was notoriously corrupt, the Savior's rebuke may have been directed in part at them for allowing, and likely profiting from theses activities. For more than two centuries the high priests had been political appointees rather than members of an appropriate priestly family. Jesus's condemnation of the leadership might suggest that He was unmasking them as false authorities who had usurped power over the sanctuary and were misusing their assumed positions.

After he had cleansed his holy house, he healed the blind and the lame who came to him there. Children, seeing what Jesus had done, cried, "Hosanna to the Son of David."

Additional Info: The chief priests were guardians of the temple and were profiting from the temple business, it was a source of their income, their fortunes. They were very angry at Christ's actions. The children that sang Hosanna were not infants but children of the kingdom, members of the Church who knew who Christ was and what he was doing. His wrath of indignation was followed by the calmness of His gentle ministry and that's when the blind and the lame came to Him to be healed.

Hi Family,

It's Easter week!

For many Christians, "Holy Week" describes a season of observance that begins with Palm Sunday and ends on Easter morning.

The Easter story tells of His love and atonement for us. Each day this Easter week, I'll share what Christ was doing and what it means to us.

I've added some new insights this year.

PALM SUNDAY-Jesus was returning to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. As he rode a colt toward the city, large crowds gathered to honor him and to spread clothing and palm branches on the ground in front of him. It was a triumphal entry. The followers rejoiced and cried out. "Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." This triumphal entry provides a joyful prelude to the many sad events that would intervene between this point and the miracle of the empty tomb. It represents one of the few times during His mortal ministry when Jesus was recognized as the king He is.

The triumphal entry also serves as a symbol of Jesus's Second Coming, allowing us to look forward to the day when He will return in glory and all will accept Him as king.

Additional info: For centuries it was the custom for a king to enter a city seated on a donkey as a symbol of peace. That would be in opposition to an army entering on horses with the intent of conquering. The palm leaf was waved as a symbol of victory. Seeing Christ enter Jerusalem in this manner was very threatening to the Sadducees and Pharisees. Zechariah had specifically foretold that the messianic king would come in this fashion.

Love, Mom and Dad xoxox

Adam and Chrissa get married (finally)!

"Chico" fans!
Nephew Adam Robertson, Shelly's son, is the CEO of the Scera entertainment complex in Orem, Utah. Chrissa is a doll! We got to know her fabulous parents and siblings from Iowa, who we had know briefly years ago in Lincoln, Nebraska.



Marriage in the Salt Lake City Temple and reception at the Utah County Building in Provo. A wonderful event. We had a great time setting up the reception and taking it down, followed by snacks at Shelly's home. The Burgons are all very close!

Monday, March 2, 2009 in Highland, Utah

Grey skies, a storm approaching from California, more snow in the Wasatch mountains, the ski slopes invite. We live in paradise!

Maroon5 In Salt Lake City

James and his pals Adam, Mickey, Jesse and Matt came to Salt Lake City to perform for a private corporation Wednesday night this week. The Omniture employees and partners were very enthusiastic. A great show, as always! Shauna wrote the name Maroon5 on the guitar next to the autographs. We had to go through the kitchen area to the ballroom for the performance.

Valentine Kids at Brighton Ski Resort 2/19/09

With James in town for a corporate gig in SLC, Gina took a day off from mothering her four kids and Chris took a day off healing the sick to join him on the slopes of Brighton. This has been a fabulous year for powder snow in Utah, and Thursday was bright and sunny in advance of another storm to arrive on Saturday.

Wow Shauna, what happened to your 1994 Camry, Tinkerbell?

Valentine's Day Dinner at the Valentine's Home!

Shauna's sister Shelley, brother (tall) Paul and his wife LaDell came to the Valentine dinner. Other siblings had other activities. We had a great time talking and eating!

Gina and Lisa help a relative while Grandma watches the little kids.

Of course, Grandpa fled to the Mall with the older kids.

Hanging Out at the Mall with Grandkids!

Grandpa gets to take the grandkids to the mall on Saturday afternoon. They got to choose their meal. We invaded every store. Riding the escalators at Macy's was a hoot, too.

2009 Grammy Awards

http://m5blog.typepad.com/ is a Maroon5 fan site. Maroon 5 was nominated for two Grammys but didn't win. But James and Adam win for good looking dudes on the red carpet.

A STAR IS BORN!

Phoebe Valentine Clark, age 6, has a role in the Utah Valley University production of CHESS. Watch out Broadway.

"Chess" in the UVU Ragan Theatre
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:45 PM, 1/22/2009 - 1/23/2009, 1/26/2009, 1/24/2009, 1/27/2009 - 1/31/2009
Location: UVU Ragan Theater. Park in Lot L.

The game of chess is used as a metaphor for romantic rivalries and the US-Soviet rivalry during the Cold War. The main characters form a love triangle: the ill-mannered American Grandmaster, the intense Russian champion who plans on defecting to the West and the Hungarian-American female chess second who falls in love with the Russian. From Bangkok to Budapest, the players, lovers, politicians and spies all struggle to get the upper hand. Tickets can be purchased at Campus Connection at (801)863-8797 or at the Campus Connection Desk in the Sorensen Student Center $6 per UVU Student ID $8 per UVU Faculty/Staff, Student, Seniors and groups of 10+people $10 General Admission

Who is the world's greatest Grandma?

Last night, Grandma had a few minutes to read to Imogen, Zane and Amelia. Amelia was soothed by Grandma's wonderful alto voice.

The Thrillionaires Improv Theatre with Kirby Heyborne!

Another hilarious night of improvisation at the Covey Center for the Performing Arts. Lisa and the cast performed a play suggested by the audience and later a musical! Kirby Heyborne added a lot! Lisa's oldest son attended too, and we all had our picture taken with the cast!

James Valentine and Maroon5 play at Inaugural Ballsl!

Here is the email and photo that James sent to friends and family

"This was my vantage point. Incredible experience. We almost didn't make it in time because metal detectors had broken down at our gate. The rest of the band went back to the hotel when an officer told us there was "no darn way" we would get in. We saw Mariah Carey and her entourage heading away from the mobbed gate. Somebody said they just saw Jesse Jackson bail. Fred, Chad, Bob Carmichael and I decided to give it a shot anyway. We started edging our way to the gate and they finally slowly started admitting people. We made it in right in time for the invocation."

Shauna Burgon Valentine in Hawaii

Shauna flew with colleagues from BYU to Honolulu to make a presentation on "mentoring" and other programs to a worldwide conference. Her first trip to Hawaii, she thought of her father Marvin Heber Burgon who completed an LDS mission there in the 1930's. Robert, alas, stayed home to teach at UVU. Bob and Shauna are saving some money and planning a future trip to Hawaii with time to goof off.

Winters in Higland, Utah aren't bad!

We lived in Nebraska for twenty-eight years, and the snow on the roads would turn to black ice and stay all winter. At 5,000 feet in Utah, snow on the roads goes away in a day or two thanks to the City of Highland plows, low humidity and our trusty Toro Snowblower. Today, the sun came out and we reached 46 degrees F. Not getting much sunlight, our patio is on the North side of the house, so is the lower patio. Always buy a house facing South!

The Great Wii Challenge 2008

Nephew Miles Valentine Clark beat Uncle James Burgon Valentine ten times in a row, but James is a better musician (so far).

Phoebe's Birthday Party!

Amanda and James home for Christmas!

A stop at Jamba Juice is mandatory!

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2008

Shauna sewed aprons for the girls.


We all gathered to eat and open presents, but, first, a Christmas program put on by the grandchildren.

Phoebe's Excellent Christmas Concert at school!

She didn't miss a note or a word!

Who's the Greatest Grandpa?

The one who takes three wild grandchildren to BYU basketball games!

James Valentine has thirteen nieces and nephews!

They adore him. They are his biggest fans!

The day after Thanksgiving: PIZZA!

Seven/Twelve is a new restaurant in Orem, Utah specializing in thin-crust Napolitano pizza and pannini.

Thanksgiving at the Valentine Home in Highland 2008

Valentine children Christopher, Lisa and Gina and their families celebrated Thanksgiving with in-laws this year, later came over for turkey sandwiches in Highland. Robert, Shauna, Amy (Robert's mom), Cristy (Robert's sister) and son James (arriving from South American Maroon5 tour) ate a delicious Thanksgiving lunch, which was very quiet this year without the grandchildren. It was wonderful to have James home for a couple of days after a long concert tour of Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia and Panama. In a few days Maroon5 will perform in Dubai and then head to South Africa for three concerts.

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.



Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789

G. Washington (his actual signature)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Family Home Evening and Happy Thanksgiving!!

We're all looking forward to having James with us for a few days. We'll miss Amanda who is working during Thanksgiving to build her fashion empire. She will succeed. We will all be together for Christmas.

MAKE THIS A WEEK OF THANKSGIVING BY . . .


BE AWARE OF ALL OF YOUR BLESSINGS! You were born in America; born into the Gospel; have your health and strength; you are loved; you are above average; --and you're good looking! Wow, what else?

BE THANKFUL for every little thing;little things are the big things in life.


SAY 'THANK YOU' as often as you can to those around you.


OFFER PRAYERS OF GRATITUDE to your Heavenly Father who has blessed you and continues to bless you with so much.

LIVE WITH THANKSGIVING EVERY DAY, "for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." (Alma 34:38)

Let us make thanksgiving the very nature of our lives. "It will impart an added dimension to your character that will give depth and strength." (President Hinckley)


Mom and Dad are so very thankful for all of you!


Love, Mom and Dad
Shauna and Robert Valentine
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Family Home Evening, Monday, November 17, 2008

Happy Family Home Evening Family,

You are always in our minds and in our prayers.

We often think about how to offer thoughtful, meaningful prayers. Sometimes it is hard to make our prayers meaningful when we repeat the same phrases night and day. We want some blessings so badly that we often repeat the requests, which is natural and fine. But each day we need specific things, certain guidance.

We can imagine talking personally to our Heavenly Father. To prepare to talk with our Father-in-Heaven we might want to meditate about our needs and wishes in order to make our prayers what they are meant to be.

Try praying very specifically. While on our knees, we can pause and think before we pray.

Others have offered beautiful prayers that teach us how to pray.

St. Theresa's Prayer:

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.


Love Always,

Mom and Dad xoxoxoxoxox
Shauna and Robert Valentine
Highland, Utah

Sunday Night in Highland, November 16, 2008

Everyone came and Grandma made crunchy macaroni and cheese from scratch! Yummy! We talked and laughed and watched everyone's funniest YouTube video! It was warm enough for some of the kids to ride bikes, too.

Amanda Valentine - Fashion Mogul in Nashville

There is a great article about Amanda in Nashville City Paper!
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStoryPrinter=64133
Check out Amanda's blog, too.
http://valentinestyling.blogspot.com/

Family Home Evening, Monday, November 10, 2008

Happy Family Home Evening,

There is a lot of frustration and hostility in the world today, isn't there?
Our church and our sincere beliefs are under attack. Sometimes we want to strike back in anger.

This is not what the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us.

"Be kind! Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” John Watson

Life can be hard for all of us at times, and we need to cut each other some slack. People react in harsh ways sometimes when they're under pressure, and we need to help relieve some of that pressure just by being kind.

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstandings, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate." Albert Schweitzer

"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again" William Penn

Charity suffereth long, and is kind --Moroni 7:45

Be kind to each other.

Love,

Mom and Dad
Robert & Shauna Valentine
xoxoxoxoxo

Basketball Season at BYU!

Thursday night BYU demolished Concordia (from Toronto) in the season opener. We have four excellent seats this year. Miles and Owen have a great time. Owen got hugged by the Cougar mascot Cosmo, and after the game we all rang the victory bell!

We voted last Tuesday!

Here are some of the people who voted last Tuesday. This picture was taken a little before 7 a.m. at Lone Peak High School, just before the voting began. Most of these voters had to go to JOBS after voting. Most of these folks pay a lot of taxes!

Sunday Night in Highland, November 2, 1980!

Grownups talk around the dining table.
The babies get lots of attention.
The older kids have a "club" meeting in the library. "Keep the little kids out," they insist.
The little kids dress up and play house in the playroom downstairs.

Happy Halloween 2008 from the Valentine grandkids!

Zane reads to Grandmother Shauna.

Shannon Rutherford on his way to fame and fortune!

Shannon Rutherford, who works for CBS's "The Unit," stands outside the shows production offices with his script in hand. Rutherford, a Lincoln native, co-wrote the episode of the show that will air Sunday night. Shannon is one of James' best friends. He grew up across the street. They went all the way through school together at Sheridan, Irving and Lincoln Southeast High School and played together in bands for years, including Montag and Kid Quarkstar! Bob and Shauna love Shannon like a son!

Family Home Evening, Monday, October 27, 2008

Happy Family Home Evening!

BOOO! BOOO! BOOO!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We'll be around to take pictures of everyone's costumes on Friday, so beware.

So are you all busy; too busy?

Here are some things you all know, but it doesn't hurt to review.

10 Ways to Relax in 10 Minutes or Less

1. Get moving! Exercise can be a great stress buster. Regardless of how you are feeling, to get up and walk around at a fast tempo or jump up and down.

2. Enjoy natural sunlight. Sunlight is great anytime of the year but especially in the winter.

3. Use deep breathing. You can trick your body into relaxing by breathing deeply. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11 Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows.

4. Make time for yourself every day. Give yourself 10 minutes each day of peace and quiet, a time to be reflective, meditate, or simply unwind.

5. Help others cope with their problems. It is very therapeutic when you engross yourself in helping others.

6. Be good to yourself. Have a list of motivational sayings that inspire and strengthen.

7. Eat healthfully. Proper nutrition promotes health, wellbeing, and rejuvenation to enhance your resilience to stress.

8. Laughter and Humor. The best medicine!

9. Music. Listening to your favorite music is a great method of reducing stress and relieving anxiety. (Especially Maroon5!)

10. Sleep. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep every night, and if your schedule allows it, take a 10-minute power nap in the afternoon.

Be a kid again and have fun on Halloween!

Love, Mom and Dad xoxoxoxoxo
Shauna and Robert Valentine

Feed a Rock Star!

Somebody needs to come home for a good Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing (lots of stuffing) and some of Mom's cranberry pie and hot rolls. Bring the other skinny guy with you, too.

Christopher Valentine & Marilyn Valentine Family

Fall photos. Chris, Marilyn, Giselle, Zane, Imogen and Amelia. Solid Americans! Great kids!

Grampa Valentine's Political Message

"The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."

-- Cicero , 55 BC

[From cousin Darron Dowda in Colorado.]

Happy Birthday Imogen (4) and Sydney (3)

Family Home Evening, Monday, October 13, 2008

OBEDIENCE:

I know all of you want your children to obey to so they can grow up responsible, intelligent, informed, and wise.

"Obedience to God can be the very highest expression of independence."

"Obedience--that which God will never take by force--he will accept when freely given. And he will then return to you freedom that you can hardly dream of--the freedom to feel and to know, the freedom to do, and the freedom to be, at least a thousandfold more than we offer him. Strangely enough, the key to freedom is obedience." (Elder Boyd K. Packer)

Obedience is the first law of heaven.

In Jeremiah (7:23-24) we learn that we progress when we obey. The disobedient go backward; no one stands still.

Doctrine & Covenants 130:18-21 tells us that through obedience we gain knowledge, intelligence, and blessings.

Doctrine & Covenants 82:8-10 tells us that there is a power in obedience.

Some people criticize others for being "blindly obedient" to God or his prophets.

Why do we obey?

Because like Adam and so many others (Moses 5:5-7) we TRUST the Lord enough to know that he would ask only what was right. True obedience to God is not blind obedience. It is obedience born of trust in God and love for Him.

We show our love through obedience (John 14:15,21).

We have found throughout life that there is PEACE and HAPPINESS that comes with being obedient. It allows us to become the kind of person God wants us to be and the kind of person we want to be, too.

We are grateful that our children were obedient while growing up.

Have a great week; we hope it's peaceful and happy!

Love, Mom and Dad xoxoxoxoxooxo

BYU Homecoming Football Game

BYU (6-0) 21 - New Mexico 3. And the weather was cold!

Shauna Valentine's Excellent Homecoming Adventure

Last week was busy! Shauna helped to organize Homecoming for graduates of the McKay College of Education. Also, she was very busy with her duties as a member of the Board of Directors of the BYU Alumni Association. Lots of meetings, dinners and other events with new and old friends!

Amelia Elina Valentine is growing fast!

From tiny baby to charmer, grand daughter Amelia is thriving.

Cousin Tom V. Broadbent passes away!

Tommy Broadbent was another favorite (they are all favorite) cousin, son of Robert's aunt Wilma Valentine Broadbent, the classy and beautiful sister of Robert's Dad Lee B. Valentine. Tommy has two outstanding kids, Tom Louis and Hillary Ann and two darling grandchildren. Tom was a brilliant publisher and editor of college textbooks at Harcourt Brace and St. Martin's Press in New York City. His sister Beverly Broadbent Creer and brother Clark Broadbent from New Haven, Connecticut were also in Salt Lake City for the short service and burial at the Salt Lake Cemetery which overlooks the valley. (A few days later, Beverly attended her 50th BYU graduation in Provo.) Tom suffered from complications of Progessive Supranuclear Palsy, an atypical Parkinsonism that had battled for several years. Tom's wife Ellen, an angel, took care of Tom for many years under difficult circumstances. [Please make contributions to Cure PSP at www.psp.org]. We are very sad to have Tom leave us, but we were happy to be together at Cristy's condo later to remember wonderful times in the avenues and in Brigham City when we were young and played together for so may hours on special occasions. After all of these years, we still love each other and enjoy each other's companionship. We are comforted by the assurance that many of us feel and understand that we will be together again someday. If anyone has a good picture of Tommy, please send it to me to post.

Happy Birthday James Burgon Valentine, Rock Star

Family Home Evening, Monday, September 29, 2008

Happy Family Home Evening! We went to a movie!
Thanks to Gina and Jonathan for a wonderful Sunday afternoon after the blessing and naming of Porter Robert James!
Remember to watch James/M5 on CSI: NY this Wednesday
This is the week to see Topher's latest play, Pericles, at BYU
*****************************************************************************************
I wish we could hang on to this glorious autumn weather forever. The mountains are spectacular with their brilliant colors. It makes me think that we don't really need much to feel good, complete, and happy. Which brings to mind a wonderful book Lisa gave me called Simple Abundance; A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. I read from it often.

Simple, adjective 1: without embellishment; 2: clarity of form and thought; 3: fundamental
Abundance, noun 1: an ample quantity, profusion; 2: wealth; 3: plentifulness
Simple abundance, 1: an inner journey; 2: a spiritual and practical course in creative living; 3: a tapestry of contentment

The author Sarah Ban Breathnach suggests that we need to become aware that we already possess all the inner wisdom, strength, and creativity needed to make our dreams and wishes come true. External forces distract us and make it difficult to access our unlimited inner resources. She suggests that we take an inner journey and become aware of the abundance that is already there.

There are six threads of abundant living which, when woven together, produce a tapestry of contentment that wraps us in inner peace, well-being, happiness, and a sense of security. (I’ve added the scriptures)

GRATITUDE - When we stop and take inventory of all we have, we’ll realize how rich we really are.

“ . . . live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies ad blessings which he doth bestow upon you.” Alma 35:38

SIMPLICITY-Clear out, pare down, figure out what is essential to live well.

“ . . . he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity. . . “ Romans 12:8

ORDER-With simplicity comes order both internally and externally.

“Behold, my house is a house of order, saith the Lord, and not a house of confusion.” D& C132:8

HARMONY-A sense of order brings us harmony and an inner peace.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

BEAUTY-With harmony we appreciate the beauty around us.

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time . . . “ Ecclesiastes 3:11

JOY-Beauty opens us to joy.

“. . . men are, that they might have joy.” 2 Nephi 2:25

Just as with any beautiful tapestry, it is difficult to see where one stitch ends and another begins. So it is with Simple Abundance.

“You only live once—but if you work it right, once is enough.”

Joe E. Lewis

We love you very much,

Mom and Dad xoxoxoxo
Shauna and Robert Valentine, Highland, Utah

The Clark Family, Fall 2008

Our daughter Lisa Valentine Clark and her husband Christopher Layton Clark had these pictures taken by one of the top photographers in the country, who happens to be a great friend. Check out the brilliant work of Justin Hackworth at www.justinhackworth.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christopher Burgon Valentine!

Happy Family Home Evening!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHRISTOPHER BURGON VALENTINE on Wednesday. You're all invited over to celebrate on Sunday evening and you know what kind of cake that means.

Chris, have a wonderful birthday with James in Denver--rock out! Just seems like yesterday when you were uttering some of your first words back in Durham, North Carolina- "wheels, wheels." and drawing little cars when you were barely eighteen months old. You have been a joy to raise, always so interesting and creative.

What a classy guy, what a neat older brother, one of a kind, "the Experiment" (our first child) as we like to call you.

Always the excellent student, eager Scout, dependable employee, and devoted missionary, skilled physician, whatever you do, you do with real enthusiasm and heart. Now we love to watch you with your children because you are such a loving father and devoted husband.

Thanks Chris for all you do for everyone. We all ask you to do "things" for us--- fix the computer, build something, design something, paint something, diagnose something, health something, play the piano---and you do it, and you do it well and with a smile. What a life of service. What a great example for all of us.

We love you son, have a fantastic birthday and your best year yet.

Love, Mom and Dad
Shauna and Robert Valentine
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Let's go to the Salt Lake City Hogle Zoo!

Chris and Marilyn and their four kids joined us for a rainy stroll through the zoo Saturday afternoon. The best part was the bird show (not filmed). Later, we joined Gina and Jonathan and their four kids for dinner at Chuck-a-rama in Draper!

Shauna and the Women's Choir

The brilliant choir director is Merilee Webb.
Shauna is an alto. Bob married her for her soothing voice.


Three hundred and sixty women from Highland and Alpine LDS congregations have been practicing to sing at the Women's Conference on Saturday, September 27, 2008, which will be broadcast around the world. Last Saturday morning, they had a dress rehearsal at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Families were allowed to listen and take photos. They have been practicing for several weeks. Frankly, Bob Valentine thinks they sound better than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!

Family Home Evening, Monday, September 15, 2008

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY--

A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” Curious, he yells: “Who are you?” He receives the answer: “Who are you?”

And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!” The voice answers: “I admire you!” Angered at the response, he screams: “Coward!” He receives the answer: “Coward!”

He looks to his father and asks: “What's going on?” The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.” Again the man screams: “You are a champion!” The voice answers: “You are a champion!” The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life. Life will give you back everything you have given to it.”

YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU! -- Unknown Author

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. (1 Jn. 4:7)

Love those closest to you, and show them through your actions--so they know you love them. Love the stranger. We are different people when our hearts are full of love.

Our love is always with you,

Mom and Dad xxoxoxoxox
Shauna and Robert Valentine

Kent and Joan Burgon live in Old Town, San Diego

Serving an eighteen month volunteer mission for the LDS Church, Kent (Shauna's brother) and Joan Burgon serve in Old Town, the original San Diego, where they explain the history of the Mormon Battalion, which marched from Iowa to San Diego in 1848 as part of the war with Mexico that claimed most of the western part of the United States. We ate lunch at Plaza del Pasado, then watched BYU beat UCLA 59 to 0 before heading to the Cricket Amphitheater in Chula Vista for the Maroon 5 concert.

James Valentine loves great guitars!

While waiting for the concert in San Diego (well, actually at the fabulous Cricket Amphitheater south of San Diego in Chula Vista), we watched James play two new guitars that he ordered from "A. Davis Guitars," made by Carl Giese. James normally gets guitars free but paid for these because these guys make about only 200 guitars per year for top musicians. I am not plugging them, but James loved the guitars and played them until he went on stage a couple of hours later. Besides sounding great, they are works of art composed of all kinds of exotic woods.

Maroon5 in San Diego last Saturday night.

Sound check before the show!

Shannon Rutherford (with pal Jessica) and James grew up together across the street. They have been pals for nearly three decades.
The crowd builds.
Rock 'n Roll Forever!



The beautiful Cricket Amphitheater in Chula Vista was packed for the Saturday night concert!

Counting Crows and Maroon5 in Irvine, California

Fans waiting for Maroon 5. What a crowd!
You can read reviews on www.m5blog.typepad.com
The night was perfect. The weather was just right! The venue was packed. Counting Crows put on a great show. When Maroon 5 appeared and 9:30 the place exploded! Fifteen thousand fans sang the words of almost every song. Bob and Shauna had not seen the new show. The lights, the lasers, the sound, the staging were astonishing. Over the last few years we have watched Maroon 5 grow into one of the best bands EVER! Adam's vocals are as strong and clear as any crooner in history (and we have heard a lot of singers over the last six plus decades). James' guitar solos gave us chills! We remember a thirteen year-old practicing hour after hour in his room after school nearly seventeen years ago in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Hanging Out Backstage at the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine, California

James reads letters from his thirteen nieces and nephews in Utah.
Shawn T. keeps things organized for "meet and greet."
A Burgon cousin shows up, too.
Shauna still thinks that James is her little baby boy!
Snacks galore backstage!
Lucky fans line up for to meet the boys!

Traveling with the band is a world class chef. N. can prepare anything, anytime, anywhere. Friday night we ate delicious Indian food and Saturday, incredible Italian cuisine. World class gourmet (and very healthy) meals! The Maroon5 men eat very well to stay healthy during their long and relentless tours. No junk food!

Back Stage at a Maroon 5 concert!

They travel (and travel and travel) from concert to concert mostly in three buses and with four or five semi trucks and a crew of over forty very talented technicians. It is a disciplined life!

Bob & Shauna Valentine's Excellent Adventure in Southern California

Last Friday, we flew to Orange County, shopped at the Irvine Spectrum, then went to the Maroon5 sound-check and "meet-and-greet" at the Verizon Amphitheater prior to the Counting Crows / Maroon 5 concert that night. We were delighted to spend two days with our son James. We had "All Access" passes for the shows in Irvine and San Diego. What a hoot!

We wandered the venue in daylight. Later that night, it was packed with screaming fans!
We are all a little worried about Adam's new Harley. He promises to take motorcycle lessons and to wear a helmet.
Patsy (Adam's mom) and Shauna, rock 'n roll moms wearing the same outfits! There is a special bond among Maroon 5 parents! We are all very proud of our sons. We are their biggest fans.

The funeral of Colonel Al Price, Robert's cousin and hero.

Al was a decorated US Air Force jet pilot in Korea, the Cold War and Vietnam. He also enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the end of WW II. Al is the son of Grace Valentine Price, the oldest sister of Lee Benson Valentine, Robert's Dad. His funeral was held in Ogden, Utah last Monday. We spent the day with cousins and other relatives.

Hanging out at Chris and Marilyn's home in Sandy last Sunday!

Christopher blessed baby Amelia at their LDS ward, where Chris is the Primary pianist (see pictures) followed by a delicious lunch (Marilyn is a gourmet cook) followed by lots of conversation and good times all afternoon. Their home overlooks Hidden Valley and the beautiful Wasatch mountains.

Labor Day Pizza at the Clark's home in Provo

Grampa likes the thin pizza best! Later, Grampa and Grandma went to the "Three Dog Night" concert. Joy to the World!

Amelia Elina Valentine

Amelia is a happy baby! At the family gathering on Labor Day, she realized that she is surrounded by funny cousins!

Planning for Provo HIgh Class of 1960 Fiftieth Reunion!

1960 Provo High graduates will celebrate 50 years in July, 2010! The planning committee held another planning meeting at the Valentine residence. So far, we are planning a dinner and quiet dance at the Riverside Country Club. And golf, too, of course. Our biggest goal: get everyone to come, especially those who have never attended previous reunions! Pictured from left to right, Wayne Clarke, Caroline Liston North, yours truly Bob Valentine, Kathy Davis Allman (wearing a Maroon5 T-shirt) and Linda Wightman Fleming. We invite other Provo High grads to join our commitee!

Back to School!

BYU has a breakfast and lots of meetings for the faculty and staff to launch the new academic year! Shauna works for the McKay College of Education with pals Bonnie and Roxy. Robert teaches a Spanish literature course at BYU. What a great school! What a privilege to teach and work at BYU during the last four years since returning to Utah.

I couldn't resist posting a few photos!

Amanda comes for a visit!

Our objective? Persuade her to move to Utah! The nieces and nephews love her!

What are you doing in Las Vegas?

On Wednesday, we caught The Scintas in the Shimmer Cabaret at the Hilton. LOL stands for Laugh Out Loud, and we did for an hour and a half. Very talented and funny family, one of the most popular acts in Las Vegas. Google their website.
What did we see Monday night? LE RÊVE, presented exclusively at Wynn Las Vegas, offers breathtaking performances in an intimate aqua theater in-the-round. The breathtaking show features aerial acrobatics, provocative choreography and artistic athleticism. The cast of 85 captures the imagination with their outrageous antics and daring feats of strength and agility. Live music and elaborate special effects immerse the audience into a world of fantasy, adventure and intrigue. Expensive, but worth every dollar. The daughter of our neighborhood friends is one of the dancers! Her older sister has been on "Dancing with the Stars," too. We also saw the spectacular "Beetles" production at the Mirage. LOVE was wonderful!
Fighting traffic!
Hanging out at Neiman Marcus!
Catching up on emails at our room at The Palms!

What? Still on vacation?! Hoover Dam!

Boulder City is a neat little town, very artsy! We ate delicious salads at Milo's Cellar at 538 Nevada Way. Don't miss it!

Bob & Shauna still on Vacation! Zion's National Park!

We spent the night at the Best Western Red Hills in Kanab because all of the other places were full of foreign tourists. Three cheers for a weak dollar, which kept us from going to Italy this summer. We did luck out, however, by wandering over to the Rocking V Cafe at 97 West Center in Kanab. The place was packed and there was a one hour wait to get in; however, the owner Victor Cooper took a liking to us and sat us down immediately. We had one of the best Italian meals ever! Don't miss this place if you ever go through Kanab on your way to Lake Powell or the Grand Canyon. www.rockingvcafe.com And there is an excellent art gallery upstairs! We had a garlic lemon shrimp appetizer. Robert had Chicken Mushroom Alfredo (hot and al dente) and Shauna had Chicken Marsala. Dessert was a Creme Brulee worthy of our favorite restaurants in Paris. We took this picture the next morning on our way back to St. George where we lunched with Peter and Sharee Berry, our old Lincoln pals.

Bob & Shauna on Vacation! Grand Canyon, Arizona

Utah Valley University Summer Session Ends!

This week, we finished teaching Legal Studies 3130 (16 students) and Legal Studies 3140 (29 students) at Utah Valley University. Completion of both of these courses earns students 6 credits and the certificate that allows them to take the Utah Real Estate Exam. Although all of these students would make excellent real estate sales agents, I discourage them. The industry is loaded with incompetent agents, witness the current crisis. It is easier to become a real estate agent in Utah than a hair dresser (not that there is anything wrong with hairdressers. Shauna's is a genius!). However, Bob Valentine continues to insist that all real estate professionals should be required (like appraisers recently) to a have a four-year degree from an accredited university.

Notice their happy faces as they take the final! (Actually, this was a great class and I will miss them very much.

Park City Kimball Arts Festival, August 2, 2008

The art was great! The prices were out of our reach! We love Park City in summer! Attendance was down a little compared to previous years. We ended up at the Park City TJ Maxx.

Sunday in Highland! August 3, 2008.

While the other grandchildren were outside riding bikes around the trail, we oogled the new babies. Amelia with Mom Marilyn and Gina with #13 Porter James. Robert's sister Angela and husband George Naegle dropped by to report on their Mediterranean cruise last month with their kids.

A Baker's Dozen - Grandchild #13!

Porter Robert James arrived at 9 pounds 2 ounces two weeks ago. He is bigger than grandchild #12 Amelia Valentine! Father Jonathan Robert James is already getting ready to order skis for his fourth child, first son.

Canyon View Ward Summer Party at Mutual Dell!

We played a game to identify songs from TV shows in the 50's, 60's, etc. Guess what old obnoxious TV fan won? Mutual Dell is an LDS camp a couple of miles up American Fork canyon from our Highland Home. Our Canyon View Ward (LDS congregation) is full of wonderful friends and neighbors. We have get-togethers of some kind at least once a month outside of regular church meetings.

Tim and Jackie (Burgon) Phillips Annual Backyard Party!

Every summer Tim and Jackie (Shauna's sister) invite their neighborhood and LDS ward and relatives to their backyard for food and music!

We've been working on the railroad!

As you know, my cousin, Sterling, and I read Stephen E. Amrose's book Nothing Like It In the World-The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869 and recently we visited Promontory Point--where the Jupiter (Central Pacific) and Engine #119 (Union Pacific) were joined and the Golden Spike was driven. Celebrations took place all across America.

THIS IS FAMILY HISTORY SO READ ON . . .

With the completion of the railroad there was a continuous line of track from New York to Sacramento. It was called the "Eighth Wonder of the World", the greatest work ever attempted, the most important event of modern times.

The Union Pacific and the Central Pacific became the first big business in America. The railroads had to invent everything: how to recruit, how to sell stocks and bonds, how to lobby the politicians, how to compete, what to build and where and what to buy, how to order and store necessary items that numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

10,000 people worked on the rails. The men who built the CP were mainly Chinese. In nearly every Western railroad town there used to be a Chinatown. The Irishmen working for the UP continued to work for the railroad or in various mines in the West. When the railroads reached Utah, they called on the Mormons to help.

Ambrose says of Brigham Young, "Had it not been for his generally feared or despised religion, he quite possible might have been a president of the United States, and depending on the time, a good or even a great one." In an 1890 history of Utah it was stated, "It was acknowledged by all railroad men that nowhere on the line could the grading compare in completeness and finish with the work done by the people of Utah."

At this time we know of three family ancestors who were part of this historical event.

PETER HANSEN (Father of Lulu Maud Hansen who was Marvin Burgon's mother): From Peter's journal: "It was about this time (1868) that the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads were frantically racing to see who could complete the most miles of road before they met, in order to get the government grant of land." Peter contracted to do work for the Central Pacific and was working near Wells, Nevada when her received word that his third child was going to be born. He went home and returned to finish work, grading for the railroad. Peter witnessed the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Point. He was given a replica of the golden spike in commemoration of his work when the two railroads met and were completed.

JOHN MALMSTROM (Father of Mamie Malmstrom Tholen, who was Margaret Tholen Burgon's mother): In 1868 John was 15 years old and received a call from President Brigham Young to work on the Union Pacific Railroad. He went with two older family members. He overheard them talking about him saying, "The kid will soon find out he's not home with his Ma when he goes on this expedition." John said he made up his mind he wasn't going to be the one to quit that he'd stick it out with them.

There were tent cities referred to as "Hell-on-Wheels towns" that were established along the rough. There was lots of drinking, gambling, and no law or order. John worked as a water boy bringing water to the construction crews. He got a man's wage because he was doing a man's job. He worked until the job was done. He and his friends decided not to attend the Golden Spike ceremony because there were so many desperados roaming and stealing, they wanted to get home with their money and horses.They did have some outlaws come after them but they were able to out run them. They stopped in Brigham City for the night and during the night, one of John's companions had his team of horses stolen, so they had to pull two wagons home to West Jordan with one team of horses.

NEPHI JAMES VALENTINE (Father of Lee B. Valentine) was 2 years old when his father took him by buckboard to the ceremony of the Golden Spike. They lived in Brigham City, which was a few miles away. No doubt other relatives worked on the railroad, too.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Let's go see baby Amelia!

The Guymons have a dozen children, all smart and successful.
The reception center has a beautiful waterfall.
Imogen shows off the new bookcase her dad built above her bed.

Grampa and Grandma drove to Sandy to see Chris and Marilyn's newest child, Amelia and to attend another (!) wedding reception for for the son of our neighbors the Guymons.

The Tholen Annual Reunion

Shauna's mother, our kid's grandmother, is Margaret Tholen Burgon. Every year the Tholens get together in the Midvale Park for dinner and good memories. Three of Margaret's brothers are still alive, Ray, Ed and Dick. Another brother, Sterling, died at Pearl Harbor. It's fun to see the cousins for a few hours every year in the same park. Shauna and her sisters, Vickie, Jackie, Lonnie and Shelly paid tribute to Margaret. Other cousins paid tribute to their Tholen ancestors, too.

Sunday in Highland! July 13.