Mostly about Utah
On Monday I stopped by Motor Trend’s Auto Show in Sandy. My sons Paul and Jake wanted to see it so I went along. In the time I was there, I wasn’t approached once by any salespeople (a positive) and I was able to check out a lot of new autos. I was interested in [...]
I thought it would never snow but overnight we got several inches in Kaysville. Out came the snowman builders to construct a giant snowman. Just build him like a regular snowman but bigger. You may need some help to hoist his head so pay attention to the photographs that follow. Later in the day our [...]
Father Christmas came to visit
My grandchildren this year.
But when he loudly Ho Ho Hoed
They refused to go near.
So Father Christmas skillfully
Made candy canes appear.
And with this very tasty treat
He overcame their fear.
Yesterday we only had two hours before dark on Steven’s roof. After helping pull out two tree stumps at our neighbor’s homes, we headed back to Layton to finish the repairs to the roof. We nailed the last shingle by 4pm. Earlier in the day it seemed like the whole of Davis [...]
Moving Out Jake and Rachel got the keys to their new house yesterday. Today we moved them out of their rented duplex and into their first home. A lot of family members turned out to help them move and I captured the historic moment for Rickety. Moving In Thank you everyone for [...]
Family members who have seen this video have requested that I post it. A kind of Grand Canyon addendum to our recent trip. I about fall over laughing every time I watch Jill’s little stumble. .
Yesterday Jake and Rachel opened their presents at their Wedding Gift Opening Gathering. It was hosted by Rachel’s mother and family were invited to attend. Jill and I took photographs of Jake and Rachel opening their gifts. Later I emailed the photographs to the givers with a short message. If you are thinking of trying [...]
Daniel brought back from Mongolian some traditional garb gifts. He allowed us to try on these Christmas presents ahead of time. First up is Daniel wearing a deel that appears similar to a caftan. Deels in blue, olive, or burgundy, made from cotton, silk, or brocade, reach to the wearers knees and fan out at [...]
Yesterday Jacob and Rachel were married in the Bountiful Temple. For those not familiar with Mormon weddings, I will explain. Members of the Church believe that marriages performed in temples are “sealed,” or blessed to last for eternity. Those who are sealed in the temple have the assurance that their relationship will continue forever if [...]
Today Rachel, my soon to be daughter-in-law, went to the Bountiful temple to receive her endowment. With her were her family and fiancé, Jake. Jake’s parents Rick and Jill; siblings Steven, Sarah, and Paul; and a brother-in-law Derek, were also in attendance. Daniel still has three days of his mission left to serve. After the [...]
The short version: The wedding is on Wednesday 15th December 2010. The detailed version: The proposal was kept top secret. No-one knew. Steven helped to figure the ring size from photographs by counting pixels. So he knew that a proposal was coming but he didn’t know when. Jake explained to me in an exclusive interview for Rickety [...]
Steven visited yesterday evening and with his brothers gave my tree a new look.
The women were safely occupied with General Relief Society Meeting so we wouldn’t be disturbed for two hours.
Paul and Jake tell me that yesterday they launched from the south and sailed to the east on Causey Reservoir. They camped there and then sailed back to the south today.
My son Steven went with the crew of the Good Raft Paul to photograph the launch at Causey Reservoir.
The raft was completed yesterday evening. The second story was braced and disassembled for transportation.
Paul and Jake have all the barrels and the wood they need and this evening are finishing the project. With help from kind friends they were able to complete a portion earlier. If you had no clue what the project was about then the photographs and videos here should make it a little clearer. Click [...]
Paul acquired his last four barrels for $5 each. The next stage of this project involves a lot of wood. No problem, Home Depot is not far away.
Derek and Sarah have been back from Texas since June and staying with family. Yesterday it was time for them to move back into their own home.
I wanted to take my grandchildren camping so I made reservations for two campsites. I then invited the parents to go and before the day was out they were ready for the trip. So last weekend we went to Wasatch Mountain State Park. We camped overnight at Little Deer Creek Campground. Here are a few [...]
This year’s Kaysville South Stake 5K Family Fun Run participation was a little lower than usual, probably because of the weather. With rain, temperatures in the 40′s, and a 12 mph wind only the hearty ventured out. Here’s what the weather looked like from where I stood, nice and dry inside the bowery. There were [...]
This year Father’s Day came early. No, I’ve not moved to Romania, Tonga, or Germany (they all celebrate Father’s Day in May). It is just that Paul and Jake decided to move up Father’s Day a whole month.
The invitations were sent out and the relatives arrived with varying degrees of gifts. Paul and Jake had present parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, a grandparent, a niece, and a sister-in-law.
On Friday, May 7th, at the University of Utah 141st commencement, 7,034 graduates from all 50 states and 76 countries will receive degrees. We will be with Paul and Jake at the College of Engineering Convocation at the Jon M. Huntsman Center at 6:45 pm.
The first temple in Nevada was built in Las Vegas in 1989. The Reno Nevada temple was dedicated in 2000. It serves over 25,000 Latter-day Saints in the area.
The First Presidency of the Church announced on April 21, 2001 that a temple would be built in the Sacramento area. This temple is the seventh built by the Church in California, more than any state except Utah.
We visited the Los Angeles California Temple on Day Three of our California Temple Trip. It was closed on the day we visited. Later that day we went to the Fresno Temple. After Fresno we journeyed to Oakland to stay overnight, ready to visit the Oakland Temple the next day. Click on the images to [...]
When Karl Quilter designed his version of Moroni, he eliminated the plates and then spent a great deal of time making sure the left arm hung in the proper position—not too rigid, not too limp, but showing slight forward movement.
Moroni of the San Diego California temple reflects off a nearby office building window.
Thursday was Day Four of our California Temple Trip with Jake and I attending the first session of the day at 7 am at the Oakland Temple. It was overcast when we arrived but the rain had stopped.
Wednesday was Day Three of our California Temple Trip with the Los Angeles and Fresno temples on our itinerary.
Tuesday was Day Two of our California Temple Trip with Jake and I starting the day with a 5:30 am session at the Las Vegas Temple. Afterwards we left immediately for the Redlands California Temple but missed the start of the session by 7 minutes.
Monday was Day One of our California Temple Trip with Jake and I leaving Kaysville in the afternoon and reaching Las Vegas in time to take photographs of the temple before the sun went down.
Keeping a short journal makes it easy to start a daily habit of writing. Even with simple entries, insights into past events allows you to see progress and receive strength.
The instructor pulled the ripcord and we quickly jerked to a slow fall. After a few seconds he gave me the ropes and showed me how to control the chute. It was a blast going left then right and diving — I could even feel some G’s as I make the chute turn as tight as possible.
The admission was free and along with the planes there were a number of displays that taught us about events in history like the Doolittle Raid.
Peach days takes place the weekend after Labor day weekend. Much of the main street in the city is closed off to cars, and the festival is celebrated by a parade, a car show, a carnival, and other activities including the famous “Scuba Burger” which many Peach Day goers enjoy.
My wife Jill and sister-in-law Susan were both pregnant and due in the same month. We all liked the name of David so we agreed that whichever child was born first would take the name David.
Paul overheard Jill say that she wanted to change the wallpaper on the stairs. So Paul started ripping it off.
China is an ancient civilization extending over a large area in East Asia. China has the longest …
Last Saturday I ventured up Ford Canyon with Jill and Susan. The bridges were washed out so I fished …
Yesterday found us walking along City Creek Canyon Trail. City Creek was the first water source used …
In March I was travelling along I-45 when I saw Sam Houston, larger than life. His statue, near …
When I first saw the Grand Canyon Watchtower I thought it to be an ancient structure that had been …
Presidents Day The federal holiday honoring George Washington began in 1880 in the District of …
USS Utah was a battleship that was attacked and sunk in Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. A …
I'm Rick Willoughby. I live in Utah, working as a Software Engineer. I'm a Mormon, married with 5 children and 3 grandchildren.
I emigrated from England in my late twenties, bringing with me one small suitcase and $1,000. I appreciate the opportunities America gave me and the friendliness of the people to new citizens.
I blog about my family as well as politics, religion, finance, technology, and other topics.
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