We interrupt this wedding...

OK...not really the wedding, just the engagement. And it was for a good cause...The Long Beach Grand Prix. Only a long standing family tradition (and cars) could pull Nick away from Chelsea for a few days. And so it was...on April 12th, we loaded the boys (except for Bryan, who had to be responsible and stay in dental school!) in the "souped up" mini van and sped off to California for the 28th annual Long Beach Grand Prix. It was a fast trip, with fast cars and fast women! (not really, but I just had to say that.) It was a very quick trip, but everyone agreed...it was worth it! Even me, and I didn't attend a single race! The boys took off early every morning to make sure they got everything in. They had "pit passes" so they could get up close and personal with both the cars and the stars! (Do you recognize "Handsome Rob?")
It was three days of "racing heaven!" In the meantime, I got to do what I love most...spend time with my family! It was a lot to cram in in just a few days, but it was worth it! The boys got their "engines reved up" and I got my "spirits picked up!" When the last race was over, we grabbed our belongings, jumped back in the van, and headed back to Utah. Now we'll have to wait another year before we hear the roar of the engines, and the roar of the crowd... but as Steele jumped behind the wheel of the mini van, he swears he heard a voice say "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

Counting down!!

Aren't they cute? Here's part of the reason I haven't updated this page...Nick and Chelsea are getting married SOON! The big day is coming up on May 17th. After six months of waiting...it is suddenly right around the corner! They had a fun time shooting these pictures and they all turned out great. (Of course, I'm prejudice and they did have a great photographer... but as you can see, they really are a cute couple.) They have been busy moving things into their new apartment, going to showers, addressing invitations, working, going to school, writing thank you notes and making last minute preparations for their big day! (Who am I kidding when I say "they"...I really mean "Chelsea.") Luckily, she is up to the task at hand! She is quite amazing. She has already cleaned and decorated their new place so it feels like 'home'. The furniture is in, the gifts are organized and put away and the cupboards are already stocked! It really looks cute and they are so excited to move in and make it their home. We are really counting down now. With only two and a half weeks to go, I keep waiting for Nick to get a little nervous...but he's as calm as can be. In fact, I have never seen either of them happier. Nick just lights up when Chelsea walks into the room. They have waited for this day for a long time and we are excited to be a part of it!

Response to "Stache Wars"

After having received many responses from family and friends about Steeles mustache, I was surprised to get A few responses that I didn't expect. Steele sent me the following e mail in response to the vote! I enjoyed them so much, I thought I would share them with you.

"Dear Montesgirl,"
I have compiled several responses from a variety of respectable sources that I thought you might be interested in:

"I like it. I am thinking of growing mine back"
George Clooney

"I only wish I was man enough to grow a full mustache like that."
Matt Damon

"Steele obviously has deep spiritual insight. It reminds me of my mentors in the gospel.
President Gordon B. Hinckley

"I think it's HOT!"
Paris Hilton

"Steele, use the force..."
O B One

"You know, he really does look like me. I wonder if my mustache would be that grey now? I hope so.
Robert Redford

"Now that's sophistication! I would grow mine back if I were still alive, but then frankly, I don't give a damn!
Clark Gable

" A look of intergrity. I wonder if that would help my bid for the presidency.
Mitt Romney

"I think either look is great!"
Cathy Howell

"Steele, I think you've got something there. Would you consider an appearance on my show...say March 23rd? David Letterman

"Hidy ho neighbor. It's a dandy cookie duster!"
Ned Flanders

"You know, kissing a man without a mustache is like peaches without cream"
Unknown female celebrity

These are just a few of the responses I have heard so far.

Love,
Steele

Stache...or No Stache?

The return of the mustache! I guess it was inevitable that one day Steele would decide to grow his mustache back. After all, I met Steele in 1976 when his mustache was in full bloom and I thought it was a great look for him then. Dare I say, he even reminded me a little bit of Robert Redford. He was 26, but started his mustache at age 21. (On the day he returned from serving his mission.) I'd never seen him without it! He kept his mustache for the next 24 years. From time to time, when he would get tired of it (or when he would get silly putty stuck in it), he would threaten to shave it off. But having never seen his "virgin" lip, I encouraged him to keep it. Then one day I came home to find a new, younger man standing in front of me...the 'stache' was gone! Without warning, Steele shaved it off. ( I'm not sure what possessed him...but I suspect it was the increasing number of grey hairs in it!) Although initially, it took me by surprise, I really liked his new look. He looked 10 years younger and even more handsome!

Last week I went to California to visit my family and when I returned home I found that the 'stache' was back! It was a little thinner and a little greyer, but it was there! We all wondered what had gotten into Steele! His boys thought it made him look "old school", and his wife just thought it made him look old...OK older, Steele will never look old!

So now it's time to put it to a vote! Stache...or NO stache? I'm posting pictures so that you can make and fair and unbiased decision. (If you need a closer look, you can "double click" on the pictures.) So VOTE NOW! (For all of my family members that may not know how to leave a comment on this page...just send your vote to my email address.) Thank you for your concern on this relevant issue!


1999 mustache





Current mustache...



NO mustache...

"Pirates" on the Caribbean!

Don't we look happy? We should...Steele won a Caribbean Cruise through work... and January seemed like the perfect time to get out of town and head to warmer climates! So now...seven days later and seven pounds heavier...we're back from our first ever cruise! We sailed on Royal Caribbeans Voyager of the Seas and visited four different Caribbean islands.
First stop Haiti...Royal Caribbean has their own private beach there. So we enjoyed a 92 degree day at the beach, complete with crystal blue water, white sandy beaches, live entertainment and a fantastic barbecue! We divided our time between sunning, swimming, snorkeling and ...of course, eating.
After a day on the beach we boarded the ship and enjoyed a little more sun by the pool, and an evening of meeting new people, enjoying fine dining, great entertainment, and leisurely strolls around the deck.










Next stop...Jamaica! Truthfully, most of Jamaica, I could do without. Sorry...I know that sounds terrible, and I only had a few hours there, so it's not really fair of me to make such a harsh judgment...but I would have skipped our day in Jamaica and spent it on Grand Cayman! We did get to climb The Dunn River Falls though. (Well, Steele climbed, I photographed.) They were spectacular! Everyone held hands and then climbed up this 600 foot waterfall! It was an amazing sight! Of course, in my absence, Steele did manage to find some very cute Brazilian twins to guide him up the falls! (You can tell by his face how disappointed he was that I wasn't there!)











Now on to my favorite island...Grand Cayman! I'd heard wonderful things about Grand Cayman, but you simply have to see it to believe it. When we got there we boarded a 60 foot catamaran and sailed off to "Stingray Bay." Against my better judgment, we jumped into the water where we fed and swam with giant stingrays! I was fine as long as the stingrays stayed in front of me, but I must admit... it was a little alarming to have them come up and bump into you from behind. It took me a minute to gain a testimony of this activity, but once I did, it was great!


Last stop Cozumel. We were really looking forward to doing some snorkeling here. The water is suppose to be some of the clearest in the world. Unfortunately, we didn't know exactly where this water was. We thought we could just snorkel off the shore somewhere, so we headed to the beach to find our perfect water. Unfortunately, we realized too late that this beach, although beautiful, was not the perfect beach for snorkeling. We still had a great day! Steele found a little 10 foot Hobie to sail and on our way home we found a great little place to snorkel. If we are ever lucky enough to go there again, we will be little better informed! Of course, you can never go wrong when you are lucky enough to spend the day on a beautiful, sunny beach!

We really enjoyed our first cruise. As Nick said, " It's like staying in a five star hotel that floats!"He was right. We had great weather, fabulous food, first rate entertainment, great service...and my personal favorite...new little friends to greet us when we came in each night. As fun as all this was, I was happy to step back on good old American soil and especially on my own front porch!

Fond Farewell to 2006!

"Where did the time go?"... was a phrase I remember my parents saying a lot when I was a child and yet I never quite understood what they meant by it. Now, many years later...I get it! And so it was for 2006. It seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye. It was full of happy times, sad times, fun times and hard times... but it was a memorable year, and in reflecting back on it, I realize how truly blessed we are. Here's a look back on some of my favorite moments of 2006. (You'll notice they all seem to have something to do with family and travel!)Can it get any better than this? Here we are in "The Big Apple" visiting Bryan and Bre. We were able to see "Wicked" and "The Producers," and visit all the great sights. But the best part was our "Deluxe Hotel" accommodations... all 5 of us stayed with Bryan and Bre in their one bedroom apartment! It was great. Bry and Bre were so gracious to let us invade their home! It was a memorable trip for all of us.

Of course, it wouldn't be summer without a trip to California, and what would a trip to California be without a trip to Disneyland! Although nothing compares to the look on your children's faces when they see Disneyland for the first time, it's nice to know they still have that childlike excitement as they board "Indiana Jones" or "Pirates of the Caribbean!"



Another great highlight of 2006 was traveling to St. George to watch Bryan and BreAnna run in the St. George Marathon. Nick and Chelsea were able to come with us to help "rally them on." I gained a great appreciation for what many of these people sacrifice to run in a marathon. Many of them were limping and others looked in sever pain...but they did it! (I, of course, was grateful to be a spectator!)













Steele didn't have to go far to find some of his favorite moments of 2006. All he needed was a lake, a little wind and his Hobie Tiger. Steele loves to go sailing, but I think what he really loves the most is the time he gets to spend on the lake with his sons.! This is his idea of a perfect summer day!






While Steele was off sailing, Sean was off in the HOT Utah desert. He spent 5 days in the extreme heat, dressed in pioneer clothing, pulling a heavily laden hand cart on the much dreaded... "Pioneer Trek!" The idea was to give some of the youth from this generation an appreciation for what their ancestors sacrificed to come to this valley. Although Sean was really dreading it, Trek ended up being one of the best experiences he had all year. He made some great friends, and learned a little about the blessings of sacrifice and endurance.

2006 had it's share of fun and travel, but I tend to agree with Dorthy..."there's no place like home!" There's something about the feeling that comes with going home. It's not nearly as exciting, and there is certainly a lot more work, but after all, "Home is where MY heart is!"
Happy 2007!

Let It Snow!

After returning from my 70 degree "California Christmas," I made it home just in time to make Christmas Eve preparations and catch some Christmas snow! I had the best of both worlds this year....being in California to share Christmas with all of my family there and coming back to Utah to spend a second Christmas with all my family here. To make it perfect, Bry and Bre were able to join us from New York! It was the first Christmas in many years that I was able to be with ALL of my family, making it one of the BEST CHRISTMAS'S EVER!
I love this time of year... I love that we take time to remember and celebrate Christ's birth. ..I love the music, the lights, the tastes and the smells...even the shopping is fun when you (or your your elf's) find that "perfect" gift for someone special. It's "WII"NDERFUL!!
I have to admit, the thing I love the most is spending time with my family. It surpasses any gift that I could ever get. Watching our grown children continue in all the old traditions that have come to mean so much to all of us...making buttermints, watching our favorite Christmas videos, making Christmas plates, crashing through the "gift wrapped door" and fixing the lights on the Christmas Train! (OK, this is not really a fun tradition...but it is something we have to do every year!) We even started some new traditions...this year Bry and Bre started a snowflake cutting competition. The kids made some beautiful snowflakes that we hung around the Christmas tree. I was amazed at how detailed they got. It's such a great feeling knowing that no matter how old our kids get and no matter how far away they move..they still love to be around each other...and when they are, they still act like children! Now that they are getting older and are moving forward with their lives, the time we have together becomes even more precious. I feel so blessed that we were able to spend the holidays with all of them.

Another highlight... after nearly 20 year of fixing lights...Steele's train made it on "FOX NEWS!" Happy Holidays!