Happy Christmas!

Good times were had by all. Kate and Neil snuck into the house as a surprise for Christmas. Telling everyone that they couldn't get work off until the 28th, they fooled everyone.



There were DI presents a'plenty purchased by "the DI guy" as Jim is known around the BYU present wrapping department.







Merrrrrry Christmas!

Christmas Letter 2008

The Kelly Madness Continued: Highlights of 2008
By Amy Kelly Welsh

In the spirit of all things technological, we have decided to have a Christmas Letter, blog-style! 2008 has been a year of joy and change for the Kellys. Here are some highlights:

We all are excited to welcome Lily Danielle DeMatteis to our family! Lily was born April 14th – a few weeks early – a lovely little surprise package for Anne! Lily has already endeared herself to the Kellys by dressing up as Red Hot Lily Pepper for her first Halloween. She will fit right in with our crazy family! Lily, we feel it is only fair to warn you: we are the family who dressed up in full pirate gear to attend the opening night of the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie!

The big vacation of the year was a trip to Akumal, Mexico, just a few miles south of the Cancun tourist craziness. We rented a house right on the beach for about half the cost of a tiny motel room in Cancun. The house was worth the trip alone – Casa Iguana had a house, a guest house, a swimming pool, an outdoor eating area, and its own mascot Iguana living in the outdoor stairway. Cancun highlights: Chris and Matt wrestling with a shark; snorkeling and swimming with giant sea turtles; touring Chichen Itza ruins with a tour guide that re-invented Mayan history (seems they weren’t a violent race at all, they are just misunderstood “Believe what you want, but it’s true,” was his fav quip); lots of beach lounging; a Matt Kelly fish fry for breakfast; cliff diving in cenotes, which are large covered craters; and an Indiana Jones –like trip into the Cenotes/underground cave system of fresh water called Hidden Worlds.

Mom Kelly: What a year of accomplishments! Mom had another cookbook published this year - a photo cook book on “French Toast,” and coming up, “101 Things to do with a Toaster Oven,” she just finished this week! Still practicing law as a child abuse prosecutor, one might wonder how she has time to create cookbooks as well as scrapbook not only her life, but the life of her children! Most proud achievement: Becoming a Grandma! And of course -creating scrapbook pages in her mind before an event even occurs…Seriously, mom can hardly wait until an event is over before she gets out the scrapbook supplies!
Dad Kelly: It has been a great year for the head of Wasatch Life Magazine. The Summer edition of Wasatch Life was a hit, and Winter is just now being released to eager readers. Dad has taken gardening to a new level, ripping up the grass on the south side of the Kelly lot, and is currently constructing a vegetable haven soon to be producing this spring. With all the snow around us, winter is Dad’s favorite season, and he can’t wait to hit those slopes! Most proud achievement: Being referred to as “The D.I. Guy” at BYU’s present wrapping department (due to his love of buying presents in mass for special occasions and having them each wrapped).

Kate Kelly: A year of changes for Kate! With a week’s notice, Kate and Neil made the life changing decision to move to San Diego, CA for Kate to begin Law School at USD this past September. Needless to say, Kate has been a studying machine these past few months. Neil is working as an intern at the CA Coastal Commission and also with Apple. Neil is currently working up some applications for post grad education in Anthropology. Most proud achievement(s): Having her family visit nearly monthly since the move, creating a make-shift highrise loft for their bed in their SD apartment, and painting their living room wall a bright lime green.

Amy Kelly Welsh: Amy is a working machine. Still working full time at Project Reality (methadone clinic for opiate dependents) and has recently been moved up to Supervisor of the support staff. Amy is currently looking into masters programs in Social Work. Chris has been interviewing at various med schools, and so far has gotten an offer at Penn State for the MdPhd program in Biomedical Engineering. Decision, yet to come. Estimated departure from Provo: July-ish, 09. Proudest achievement this past year: getting a fish tank full of fishies and having 5 survive past the first two months!
Matt Kelly: Matt has been working hard as a manager at Chrysalis, supervising staff who assist mentally handicapped adults. Matt loves his employment and enjoys bringing a higher level of care to the mentally disabled. Matt is working on his undergraduate degree in Psychology and currently attending UVU. Matt also is the first Kelly kid to purchase a house! In October Matt signed on to a three bedroom house on 9th east with a nice big lawn, soon to be useful for his many large canines (his top choice being an English Mastif, and yes, that’s the breed that is the size of a Shetland pony!). Proudest achievement this past year: Buying a house and planning a future mobile home kingdom, and also attaining full beard status.
Jake Kelly: Jake has been constantly busy this past year what with all of his endless theatrical performances, school, and traveling abroad to England! Jake participated in BYU’s study abroad program to England, Wales, Scotland and France focusing on King Arthur folklore and seeing ruins and castles abroad. Jake’s most recent play participation was in a spooky Halloween production of “Sweeney Todd.” Jake is attending BYU and working towards a double major in Psychology and also Theater Studies. Proudest achievement this past year: Getting an awesome haircut!!! We were all dancin’ in the streets and hippin’ hooray!

As we look back on the year, we find that there is no greater joy than being together, and we are excited for new adventures to come in 2009!

Holiday Eating Tips

To the genius who wrote this (Hey - is Erma Bombeck still alive???): AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!!

Enjoy!

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Lorakeet Landing & other Thanksgiving hijinks!

They came, they saw the conquered.


We went to the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. It was...wild.











It was so fun to have everyone pack into our little (teeny, tiny) apartment. What a wonderful Thanksgiving extravaganza!

Mini-Thanksgiving

We all crammed into out (minuscule) apartment for Thanksgiving dinner. With a borrowed card table from the neighbors, we laid out a feast fit for a King. Nearly all of which was purchased finished from Whole Foods, including the turkey. That is the way to go!


We topped of the feast with a bike ride to the beach & watched the sunset.




Good times were had by all!

Iraqi Thanksgiving

For all of you who attended our festive pre-Thankgiving feast on Sunday, I wanted to share the email Kate got from Eman, one of the daughters in the Hassan family. The Hassans are from Iraq, and came to our home Sunday night for a Thanksgiving dinner (yes, we are celebrating twice this year - we leave for sunny southern Califonia today!)

They are a very sweet family, and this was their first Thanksgiving dinner - they just came to the U.S. this spring as refugees. They also spent the Fourth of July with us - such a treat!

hi kate and neil
we went to your home in Nov/23/08 your family celebrate thanks giving it was really fun we have a lot of fun it was our first thanks giving it's really good and your mam she made delicious food we really like it and we met your young brother and your cousing but we really miss youo and neil we can't wait to see you soon LOVE YOU eman

Happy Atheists' Day!

A lawyer friend of mine just emailed me a story from a civil case in Florida. He swears that this is for real. After reading insane opinions written by judges, especially some from the South, I think it is possible. You be the judge!

An atheist sued the govenment for a Sec. 1983 violation of the civil rights act. His complaint was that Christians and Jews have recognized holidays, but that atheists have none. A violation of his civil rights as an alien, he claimed, since atheists have no recognized holy days.

The court, in ruling on a Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim, dismissed the case.

The lawyer for the atheist objected to the dismissal, asserting that Christians and Jews have recognized legal holidays but atheists have none.

"Your client is woefully ignorant," the judge responded. "The calendar says April 1st is April Fool's Day. Psalm 14:1 states "The fool in his heart says "there is no God." Therefore, it is the opinion of this court that if your client says there is no God, April 1st is his holiday. Court is adjourned."

Archer Morgan - Child Star

I talked to Carol today and she told me all the Morgan kiddos are doing well, and talked of all the child star notariety that Archer has been getting.

He even gets called and asked to audition for things now. ARCHER - YOU ROCK!

His upcoming appearances include singing a solo with the Portland Boys Choir and is Anna's son in The King and I during the next few months.

See www.theaterinthegrove.com

Unlocking the Fullness of Life

I wanted to post some of my new fav gratitude quotes -

Please enter the Happy Valley Kellys' Gratitude quote contest - post your fav quote as a comment here and you will win a prize: Donna's upcoming cookbook - '101 Things to do with a Turkey Carcass."

:)

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace to today and creates a vision for tomorrow. " -- Melody Beattie

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts do not drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise.
Life is like an old time rail journey - delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, intersperced only occasionally with beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.
The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the journey." -- Gordon Bittner Hinckley

Utah Valley Magazine

Hey all!

For a great version of Grandma Hicks' holiday rolls, check out the November-December issue of Utah Valley Magazine - Sweet Potato Crescent Rolls with Lemon Herb Compound Butter. The "Meet the Chef" blurb and photo are fun, too!!!

www.uvmag.com/novdec08/36_37.htm

Halleluia!

We found out today that Chris got into Penn State Med school! Click here (my blog) to read more!  We're excited!

Congrats to AUDREY HICKS, President Elect!!!

It has come to the attention of the the administrators of this blog that another important election was held in California recently. And, the result was one upon which we can ALL agree: Audrey Hicks was elected president of her class!

Congrats, Audrey!

When you are older and run for President of the US, I;ll be older, too, but I promise to campaign for you and go door to door in my nursing home!

Please try this bread!!!

You know all those fancy breads that are called "artisan breads" and you pay 5 bucks or more for a loaf about the size of a frisbee in the grocery stores? Yes, their wonderful rustic texture is a delight to dip into oil and vinegar. They are so crusty and yummy. But waaaaaaaaaaay too expensive.

So, tonite we were at a friend's house for FHE. ( She and her hubby are the leaders of an LDS 12 step program in Provo - more on that in my next post) and she taught me how to make "Artisan Bread." For about 30 cents you can make a loaf that is, seriously, no hyperbole involved: THE EASIEST BREAD YOU WILL EVER MAKE! No kneading required at all. No finicky fussing over the texture at all. She says it turns out perfect every single time. I beleive her because it was delish!

AND So, so sooooooooo easy you could make it every single day. (Although, if I made it every day, I would weigh 200 pounds!) It only has four ingredients, five if you count the oil spray.

I came home and read the policitcal war of words that was raging on this blog over the last few posts, got a big knot in my stomach and then decided to delete them all and write a post that was something totally different, not hurtful and I hope positive and helpful.

So, here it is. Enjoy! Love to you all!!!!

Artisan Bread
(also known as Ceasefire Bread)

3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt (or 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt)
1 and 2/3 cups very warm water

Mix in a bowl with a large spoon until dough comes together and only small lumps remain. Do not mix in a mixer. Do not knead. Do not overmix.

Generously spray a sheet of plastic wrap with olive oil spray. Loosely cover bowl with plastic, oil side down. Let sit on countertop (not in the fridge) for 12 to 18 hours.

Turn batter out on to a floured surface. Fold dough over itself in half 5 or 6 times. Do not knead.
Let rise another 2 to 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Generously spray a 2 1/2 quart covered casserole with olive oil (spray bottom and bottom side of lid, too). Cover and bake 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until well browned.

This bread is best served the first day, even better served warm right out of the oven!

Slime green bike.

Thanks again to all of those well-wishers during my birthday season. As a belated gift I got this awesome bike. Slime green. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's no matching 2002 Olympic vest, but it rides real good.

Why do I live in Utah?

Shout for joy, we got to escape the coming winter of Provo! Five of us crammed into a five person car (me, Chris, Mom, Dad and Matt) and hiked it to the big S-D. Good times were had, and seals were found!

Coronado Beach

Capturing Dad capturing Kate & Neil.

The boys exploring 'anemones of the state'.

We got to go to the famous San Diego Zoo on Saturday, and man was it awesome! I definitely want to go back. Here is Kate the giraffe.

On our little zoo tour.

La Jolla, Braving the water

Chris and Dad shortly before Dad followed a seal all the way around the bay..quite the adventure. Matt emerging from the bitterness

Celebrating Kate's coming b-day by going to her fave: seafood (ha, ha) and gifting them with twinner fleece vests, oh the greatness of Jim Kelly bday gifts.

One of my favorite picts from the trip. The bird hangout at La Jolla.

This last picture makes me want to stay in San Diego forever. Thanks Kate and Neil for a great time! Bitter cold Utah winter, here we come.

Red Hot Lily Pepper

The highlight of my recent 3 day weekend in Boston was not the Freedom Trail, walking the site of our founding fathers, the beautiful 70 degree Indian Summer weather, the women blogger's conference - - - it was hanging out with Lily!!

Here she is in her chili pepper - or should I say - LILY PEPPER costume for Haloween. She agreed to put it on for me as a preview. The custest little pepper anywhere - wouldn't you agree???

Matt "Donald Trump" Kelly

Yes, that's right folks. Matthew James Kelly is going toe-to-toe with the Trumpmeister, minus the haircut.
Are you sitting down? If so, read on, if you dare.
*** MATT BOUGHT A HOUSE!!! *** (SEE PHOTO ABOVE)
Ever since Matt was a little guy, he has loved to save his money. Any of you who have ever sent Matt a birthday check, please know that your money was preciously saved and guarded by Matt, and is now part of Matt's house. He has always loved to save. (BTW, he even has a 401(k) started!!!) Amazing that he is related to his mother!
Matt and his friend Ty both saved up enough to make the downpayment on a house, which they intend to rent out and manage together. They will be renting to a guaranteed renter: Matt's employer, the Chrysallis program. So, hopefully they will have a few less hassles than the average landlord, what with a reliable entity paying rent every month and all.
We are very proud of Matt overcoming the odds of buying a house even though he is a single male, and in the toughest economy in a very long time.
Matt's friend Ty and Ty's father have a landscaping business, so they should be getting the yard and vegetation in good shape come spring.
GOOD GOING MATT!!!

Award Winning Dessert Nachos

This Just In:

My recipe for "Lemon Raspberry Dessert Nachos" won in one of the categroies of the 2008 Cooking Light magazine "Ultimate Reader Recipe Contest." Yay!!!

The recipe will be published in January 2009 Cooking Light Magazine!!
But, I'm so excited, I couldn't wait to share the joy with all you beloved HVK readers. . . so, here, hot off the press, is the recipe:

LEMON RASPBERRY FRUIT NACHOS
Syrup:
2 cups fresh raspberries
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt
Topping:
¼ cup purchased lemon curd (such as Dickenson’s)
3 tablespoons water
1 (8-ounce) block low-fat or fat-free cream cheese, softened
2 (6-ounce) bags Stacy’s Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips
2 cups fresh raspberries
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 cups fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon powdered sugar

1 To prepare syrup, combine 2 cups raspberries, granulated sugar, and ¼ cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to boil; cook 5 minutes or until slightly thick. Strain broth through a colander into a bowl; discard solids. Add lemon juice and salt to bowl; cover and chill.

2 To prepare topping, combine curd, 3 tablespoons water, and cream cheese in a bowl; stir until smooth. Arrange pita chips in a single layer on a serving platter; drizzle cream cheese mixture evenly over chips. Top with 2 cups fresh raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries; drizzle with syrup. Sift powdered sugar over top. Serve immediately. Yield: 9 servings

(Note: Stacy's Cinnamon Sugar pita chips can be purchased at most health food stores, such as The Good Earth.)

Things to eat before you die

Ok, I admit it. I was really bored in court one day waiting for a case to get called, so I started making my "100 things to eat before you die list." Yes, pathetic, I know.
For those kindred spirits who daydream about food, here's my list so far. Let me know what I have missed*

Abelskivers
Massaman curry
Apricot Pineapple Jam
Fresh basil leaves
Big Hunk Candy Bars
Blueberry Cobbler
Boiled peanuts
Cap’n Crunch Cereal
Roasted salted cashews
Sour Cherry Pie
S’mores
Chile Rellenos
Coca Cola, and its (almost) clone Diet Coca Cola
Corn Flakes
Lefse with butter and sugar
Hummus with pita chips
Crème brule
Chorizo – hot Mexican style
Duck a la Orange
Hershey’s kisses
Rice crispy bars
Elotes – Roasted corn with mayo and queso fresco
Feta Cheese
Ripe cantalope
Gyros sandwiches
California Figs
Fried Bologna Sandwiches with mustard
McDonald’s French Fries
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Seafood Gumbo
Grilled cheese sandwiches
El Charro Carne Seca
El Charro anything
Toasted Hazelnuts
Heinz Ketchup
Fresh Huckleberries
Homemade Baked Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Slow Simmered Spaghetti sauce
Snickers bars
Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting
Sticky rice with peanut sauce dip
Roasted elephant garlic on bruschetta
Baklava
Moon Pies
Strawberry banana jello
Vine ripened tomatoes
Life cereal
Grape Nuts Cereal
Steak with A-1 sauce
Marionberry jam
Strawberry shortcake
Costco Chocolate muffins
Cheerios with milk and sugar
Baskin Robbins Rocky Road ice cream
Utah Peaches
Irish Oatmeal
Cheese Crisps
Pork chile verde
Homemade salsa
Jiff Extra Crunchy Peanut butter
Lion House Rolls
Hawaiian shaved ice
Pepperoni pizza
Hot tuna sandwiches
Four cheese ravioli
BBQ baby back ribs
Red Velvet cake
Seared scallops
Waffles with butter and maple syrup
Phad Thai Noodles
Hershey’s syrup chocolate milkshake
Strawberries dipped in sour cream and rolled in brown sugar
Triscut crackers
Crunchy Cheetos
Prickly pear jelly
Pecan Pie
Mo’s clam chowder
Proscuitto
Tillamook cheddar cheese
Homemade pasta

*Subject to frequent change without notice.

Call for recipes!!

I am insane, I admit it. I am taking on several projects, and welcome your input.

I am working on collecting new recipes for two projects:

Toaster Oven Recipes for "101 Things to do with a Toaster Oven" and

Dollar stretching recipes for a food blog I am planning to start (as yet unnamed), and possibly another cookbook.

All you awesome cooks out there - send me your best cheapie recipes, and I will: a) Acknowledge you in the book(s) and b) Love you forever!

Send Me Recipes!!!

I have agreed to take on two new cookbook projects:

-- 101 Things to do with a Toaster Oven

-- 100 entrees for under $5.00 ( NOT part of the 101 series)

I know. I KNOW. I am INSANE for taking on two more cookbook projects when I just finished the quesadilla book and have finally had a little bit of freedom from my self-imposed kitchen slavery.

But, as always, I love a good challenge, especially when it involves new culinary frontiers. Boldly going where no home chef has gone before . . .

So, here's where you all come in.

Send me your best budget entrees and/or toaster oven delights and I will a) acknowledge your culinary genius in the foreward of the books, and b) love you forever.

Oh, and BTW, please stop by "Donna's Test Kitchen" any given Sunday for free taste testing.

Miss Lily @ 5 months

I will pay $1 million to anyone who can find a cuter baby anywhere. Not that I'm biased or anything, but Miss Lily - you are a beauty!

Digital Cameras up for Grabs

To beloved family and friends and readers of our HVK blog:

Jake came home from England this summer and was cleaning out his suitcase and found TWO identical digital cameras stuffed into the front pocket of his suitcase. We have waited for a month or so for him to ask around of the others students to see if anyone is missing a camera, and we haven't found the owner(s). I am thinking someone at an airport mistook Jake's generic looking bag for theirs and stuffed cameras into his bag in a hurry accidentally, or something. Anyway, we now have two digital cameras that we don't need.

I am not a very savvy person when it comes to things like cameras (or anything made of metal or plastic, actually . . . kitchen equpiment excepted), so I don';t know if these are expensive cameras, but they appear to be very adequate and new. They are missing their memory cards, so you'd have to invest a few dollars into buying one of those, but otherwise, these should work like a charm.

I would be happy to turn the camera(s) over to anyone in need. Maybe the Morgan or Hicks kids are in need of a camera to cut their photographic teeth on?

If you are interested, let me know!!!! I'll even pay the postage!

-- Domestic Diva Donna
(801) 722-4761 cell

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!!

Matt will be treated to his favorite meal tonite: homemade spaghetti with homemade sauce! (It is his request every single birthday dinner)

I will never forget how Jim was walking around about 3 feet off the ground when he discovered on Aug 29, 1986 at the Newberg Memorial Hospital that we had a man-child!!!

Matt - thank you for 22 years of your fun personality and good heartedness.

We love you Big Guy!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAPE!!!!

Man, o man, there are A LOT of birthdays in our family in August!

Today, John Palmer Hicks, III turns, I believe, 35? Can it be true?

I still think of you, Jape, as that cute skinny kid who loved backhoes. And my favorite JP line of all time is . . . After the skinny 5 year old had been helping Jim in the yard of our newlywed bungalow in Tucson, I went out to ask if they needed anything (thinking the answer would be "cold water" or "lemonade," etc.) JP's reply "Yeah, how about a PAYCHECK?" ;)

JP, it is my inicredible good fortune to have a younger brother to look up to and admire. Thank you for the example you have been to me of living a righteous life. You are a man of kindness, integrity and good humor. Hey . . . haven't I read that somewhere recently?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN, and may you live to bless us all many more years!

Integrity, kindness and good humor

Ok, this really is a terrible picture of Jim, but I wanted to post a note that Amy wrote to her dad on the occasion of him having been born in '54 and turning 54 yesterday!!!

"You've played so many important roles - father, mentor and coach to name a few. But the sum of who you are is more than that. It's the way you go about your life - with integrity, kindness, and good humor. You truly do deserve the best birthday ever. Thank you for always being there for me and for being an amazing example." - Amy Kelly Welsh

As I read this, I questioned whether Amy, being a very biased person, could give an accurate assessment of him. Like Amy, I know Jim Kelly well, and I know that he is not perfect, but I also am a person who is very biased in his favor. So, can we give an accurate assessment of his character? The answer, I concluded, is a resounding YES!

The people we interact with on a daily basis are the people who know us the best. They see us as we truly are, warts and all. But because of the service and love we give to each other daily, we constantly look for and hope for the best in each other, and because of that closeness we are in a position, much like the Savior, to see us as we truly are and love us anyway. I personally take great comfort in knowing that we will be judged by a very biased person: the Savior. He is biased in our favor, He is our advocate, He loves us unconditionally. He always has, He always will.

I add a resounding AMEN to Amy's assessment. He has lived every day of the 32 years of our marriage with "integrity, kindness and good humor."

Jim - May you bless us with another 54 years!!!

Summer's End Photos

Wakeboarder Chris about to crash Susie and Barry's Minnesaota lake house.

Jake and Donna tubing it.

El Viejo grandstanding.

Modern Mount Rushmore fabulous four.

Our Inner Vikings shine through.

Morgans and Kelly kids at Orem waterpark.

The Morgan fab four.

jake's 20th celebration!

Horray for me!

What a fabulous summer's end we have had - just wanted to share the joy!!!!