Ye Olde Faire

I know this was a while ago, but I thought I would get on the blog and talk about our experiences at Nerdfest- I mean the Renaissance Faire. Say what you will, it was a blast.

Here we are about to journey up past Ogden:



Ian and Aaron got in some good sword practice before the jousting started.

These guys were amazing. This was real, full contact jousting. The week before when Caleb and I were here, one of the knights blacked out on his horse for w few seconds because a lance glanced off his helmet.


Those horses were huge. I thought it would be fun to watch the jousting, but it was actually kind of scary. It all ended well though, and our knight won.



Jakob learned how to juggle from the court jester. He was actually really good, and apparently went home and perfected the art and is now giving his mom tips.

We found this Robin Hood hat for Jakob and he was in heaven. Look at those archery skills.

Next year our costumes will be even cooler and we'll know more what to do and not to do. Gypsy dancing, yes. Outlaw show, no. Homemade cream soda, yes. And giant turkey legs for everyone!

Abba

Emily, Lee, Meg and Carrie circa 1979

I wish that I could get to some current pictures of my father but they are currently in the abyss of this computer's memory. You'll have to just take my word for it-- Lee is still a handsome man. I have known for as long as I can remember that he is the most handsome, the smartest, the kindest and most generous man in the world. All little girls are entitled to think they got the best dad around. The truth of the matter is that I did.

When I was little he used to take us to his institute classes on daddy daughter dates. I loved watching all the students line up after class to ask him doctrinal questions. This reinforced my belief that he was the best-- everyone else seemed to think so.

Wherever I have gone in my life his reputation has preceded me. When I went to BYU he had already paved the way, I could add religion classes by dropping his name with the professors. His midwestern influence could be felt all the way up to Madison where he had worked with many of the members of the church. When I went to Samoa he had been there the previous year, leaving an impression on all the school faculty. I was again, Lee's daughter when we arrived in Maryland. One of his dear friends was Luke's sunbeam teacher. All of the comments from those who know him are the same, glowing praise of a man who has spent his life in the service of others. I have always loved being Lee Donaldson's daughter and the favor that it has bought me in the eyes of those that know him. It always has been and remains an integral part of my sense of self.

This legacy of dedication to the Lord's church is one that I cherish and pray that I can pass on to my children. Little Isaac carries his grandfather's name in the hopes that he will carry on that legacy.

What a blessing it is to be Lee's daughter!

Happy Father's Day!

Grandma Lisa-isms

As most of you know, my Grandma Lisa passed away last month. I have been thinking about her a lot and some of the things that I do that I could categorize as "Lisa-isms". Most recently I have found myself looking up and printing song lyrics and singing them around the house. The funny part is, I had been doing this for almost a week before I realized that is something my grandma would do. Hopefully the coats and coats of bright red lipstick will be coming next... Anyone else have a Lisa-ism?

p.s. I'll post some pictures soon. I promise.