Category Archives: family

elvis wedding

My cousin Robyn got married today.

Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the actual event. But fortunately it was all carried via webcam. Right down to the pink cadillac that Robyn rode down the aisle in.

There’s something special about having Elvis croon “Love Me Tender” to you and your beloved instead of reciting the typical Biblical vows. There’s something magical to the tune of “Thus Spake Zarathustra” playing as your bubble-gum colored convertible bursts into the chapel. There’s a certain appeal to having your wedding ceremony performed by a seasoned actor who can sing three songs and have the exchange over and done with in less than 10 minutes–so you can be getting on to the more festive events (the dinner and reception!) that follow.

My wedding was a bit more, um, subdued, but perhaps no less stylized–tho in the traditional Mormon way rather than in Las Vegas glitz. But it was also just the way we wanted it then. John and I were wed in a small room in LA, by a stranger. On a Wednesday morning. With no fanfare and just a few family members attending. Our clothes were purposefully simple–I had sewn my dress. We had a fancier reception with some beautiful flowers and some food later. But that morning it was really just ours. It was nice that way.

camp stories


camp stories
Originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

C just returned from a week-log jaunt to Outdoor Ed! We are oh-so-thrilled to have him home!!

I’ve uploaded a few pics of him telling the stories of his adventures. He promises that he’ll be sending an email post out to the family soon to fill them in on all of the details!

Yay! He’s back 🙂

the cello store


the cello store
Originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

On Monday we bought C a new cello for his Honor Orchestra audition. It was quite a sight to be in a music store surrounded by thousands of dollars worth of beautiful musical instruments.

E took pictures as C tried different cellos. The above is one of my favorites because it captures the symmetry of the instruments, while showing the subtle differences in stain and shape.

C chose a very delicate and lightweight instrument. It has a sweet sound. More than anything, hearing it played reminds me of C’s own sweetness. 🙂

C told me that he was thinking of naming his cello Diana, because it’s such a beautiful name. I have to say that I agree.

The Ring

Had another long visit to the prosthetist today. Got a new socket and new skin. Cool.

But the visit took 5 hours and I had the kids in tow so we brought a movie to watch on my laptop [yes, junebug*, you are amazing]. We watched the really long geek version of The Return of the King. And it took the _whole_ time. My finished leg was brought in for trying on just after Gollum fell to his doom. Great timing!

But what’s hard about watching a movie like that on a Friday morning is that afterwards you have to return to Real Life. You get home from your appointment and there are emails to answer, dishes to wash, piles of paper that need sorting…

But Frodo just altered the fate of the universe. And Gandalf is alive. And Sam is the coolest best friend ever. And life just can’t resume as if that didn’t just happen!!
🙂
*FYI, junebug is my beloved Inspiron 700m

riding the rails


Our family took our train trip to Northern Cali yesterday. Unlike what John B said, the train did not dump us out in the middle of nowhere or derail anywhere along the way. The view along the coast was absolutely stunning. I highly recommend it. I listened to Stephen Ambrose’s Nothing Like it in the World (about the development of the RRs in the West) as we rode along. The perfect accompaniment to a train trip!…