Routin' for the home boys! Go Home G-20 summit!

It's the G-20 economic summit here in the burg; virtual ghost town other than far too many protesters trying to take our city hostage! Jon has worked from home all week, as has everyone in the corporate offices at USX Towers down town. Nearly every business in the city has made contingency plans considering the rivers and roads are closed to thru traffic. Hey, gotta get those world leaders around to and from without incident - right?! BUT, we had tickets to two Pirates games which happened to fall during the summit so we braved the waters and went on down to route for the home boys! THE coolest ball park in the nation over looking the city skyline but THE worst team in the league I think. What can I say, we've got the Steelers and the Pens so I guess it's not fair that we keep all of the glory in the burg! It's great fun having three professional sports teams to route for!

Nevertheless, we were told there were 2,500 cops (plain clothes and otherwise) in and around PNC Park; never felt so safe! Jon and I enjoyed dinner at the Lexus Club prior to each game and then seats five rows up from home plate, it was a riot. Even if one is not fond of baseball it is delightful to spend time at the park eating Cracker Jack and singing 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game'. Hey G-20 we want our city back!

Happy birthday Ashley Babe - welcome home Cameron!

Happy Birthday Ashley and welcome home Cameron! Crazy, zany burg things planned! It’s a boat it’s a twuck it’s a duck! Just Ducky amphibious tank/boat from WWII takes visitors on a hilarious tour of the city and then drives into the Ohio River where the tour continues a float! We can’t miss hanging out at the Andy Warhol Museum; the only museum in the country dedicated to a sole artist. Of course a ride up Mount Washington on the incline to see the view, a trolley ride over to USX Towers to visit Jon’s office and rounding out the day at a Pirates game with fire works in our incredible stadium that looks out over the city lights at night. Too bad the Pirates are doing poorly but hey, the dogs are the tastiest around!

We are also celebrating Ashley’s 19^th birthday; her dream wish was to have her brother home for a birthday (he has not been able to be here exactly on September 5^th due to his mission and college). Additional fun and festivities over the four day visit will include: Jon’s preparation of our traditional Swedish pancake breakfast (his grandmother’s recipe!) after church services on Sunday. A picnic near the Allegheny River, family photos taken, a trip to Kenneywood (amusement park), board game night (watch out it’s a continuing Christeson competition), the Strip District or Shady Side and a Primanti Brothers Sandwich with flies and cole slaw inside the bun (hey they’re famous!). Also, late night ice cream runs, family video parade and other quirky things which will allow for little time sleep :)

You're Never Alone

Women Rock!

I recently joined three unique woman's business networking groups: one being PPW! I attended a terrific workshop on marketing and met lovely like-minded women who have a passion for their business or industry. It is always so re-energizing to be around brilliant, talented women who have such innovative ideas. I'm really looking forward to my activity with each group and what I might be able to give rather than simply receive :)

Hope Floats

When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."

Birthday Wishes

It's simply amazing! I remember my mom, back in the day, when she was the age I am currently and thinking to myself she was so old (ha! what was I thinking?? She was slender, dressed for success, always having fun with friends or at the golf course with dad, busy with her church callings, home and family!) Little did I realize it happens to the best of us - this disappointing aging thing we are all prone to experience - part of the mortal test you know. STOP! Coming to a screeching halt here!! I may no longer look 16 but I feel just as young, crazy, happy, motivated and filled with dreams and goals as I did as a teen - only wiser of course :) Happy birthday Becky Mills ... I think you have grown into a lovely woman; wife, mother and all around blazer of your own unique trails and consummate creator of magical moments for your family and friends! Yup, Rebecca Christeson, birthdays still rock!

Mormon Pioneer Heritage

I love my Pleasant Grove, Utah roots; quaint, small town atmosphere back in the day. Leave It To Beaver / Ozzie & Harriett lifestyles, high school proms in the gymnasium, penny candy counter at Smith’s market, swimming in the public pool and outdoor sleepovers all summer long with girl friends, knowing almost everyone in the town, Strawberry Day’s with a rodeo (yup, you heard me right a rodeo!! haha) parents who loved me, dance recitals, Saturday matinee movies at the Grove Theater, Pep Club escapades, picking cherries to earn spending money, daddy-daughter dates, Purple Turtle tater tots with pink sauce, hikes up G mountain, Story Pharmacy soda fountain, skate boarding down the drag strip, summer parades twirling a baton, stake dances, never locking your door at night, Primary & later Mutual activities, the 10 p.m. fire siren signaling kids should be safe at home and towns people who looked out for one another! … Was there a seedy side to it all? Perhaps but I never experienced it …

My grandfather (several great’s back), a Mormon pioneer who crossed the planes experiencing great hardship and sacrifice was one of Brigham Young’s scouts who was sent by horse back to locate the great Salt Lake Valley Brigham had seen in a vision. Grandpa was one of the founders of this lovely town of Pleasant Grove which was nestled at the bottom of Mount Timpanogos. Our Latter-day Saint roots, as a family, provided purpose and security and my faith has sustained me since the day I was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 47 years ago. How blessed I was to have the family that I did (both sides; the Beck’s and the Mills) with loving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins galore! How delightful it is to return to Pleasant Grove to visit and to reflect on the many incredible memories I have of having grown up in such a warm and welcoming environment. As Utah celebrates Pioneer Day on July 24^th as a ‘reverse pioneer’ myself, having traveled with my own precious family back East to live and rear our family I will cheer for all who helped to make my home town great throughout the years. In addition, I will be cheering for all who have had the courage to move on, like ourselves, as we touch countless lives for good where ever we may be in the world calling it HOME!