Six More Weeks of Winter, says Phil!

At BYU my wonderful roommates and I started a crazy little tradition for celebrating Groundhog Day. We threw a little party with our friends where we read the story Stone Soup and then made our own stone soup to eat while we hung out. I don't know if anyone else remembers, but I have no idea how we actually decided to pair the two things together. But each year we traditionally wish each other a Happy Groundhog Day and some of us manage to make stone soup on that day. I've only had the opportunity to really celebrate the day one other time since I've been back in Calif., so this year I decided to host a party again. Actually, I provided the details and the crazy idea and my friends the Mackay's hosted the party at their house. A couple of Evan's brothers and their families joined us.

Evan was given the job of storyteller. He did a great job, despite the absence of one Mr. Joel Shellman who was the original. The kids all participated with adding ingredients to the soup as the story was told.
Sadly, although this image might tell you otherwise, I didn't actually get to partake of the wonderful soup other than one tiny spoonful of broth. Despite how healthy a vegetable soup is, it is not part of my current, very strict, eating plan. So, I just got to watch everyone else enjoy.

So, to all my Bowen 19 roomies out there, Happy Groundhog Day!!

Hanging With the Howards of San Ramon

On Thursday, Jan. 17th I had a business trip up to Palo Alto, CA. I decided to take advantage of the company's dime and stay for the weekend to visit my brother Barth's family in San Ramon. My sister-in-law Cyndi picked me up near the San Jose airport after my meetings were over at the end of the day. Friday I spent the morning working remotely and then spent the afternoon visiting with Cyndi and browsing the book store. I also took advantage of the trip to get started on my nephews' Justin and Nathan's mission scrapbooks. I spent many hours with each of them going thru their pictures to organize and label them.

This is my adorable niece Brittni hanging out with her cat Roxy and playing the piano. She's such a character!

Barth, Ethan, Brittni and I played a game of Settler's of Catan on Sunday afternoon before I had to leave. This time Barth actually understood the rules and didn't spend the whole game purposely sabotaging the rest of us.

Justin and Julia stoppped by for a visit too.