Anniversary Greetings to Alice and Dale - 39 years of wedded bliss!

I knew Alice's anniversary was this month, but I wasn't sure of the date - Hester posted it this a.m. - so here I am with my somewhat belated greetings!!

(the little girl in pink is Bonny Brae!)

Hope the two of you can be together soon!!

A kid at heart!

Believe it or not, our kids didn't really ever play much with Legos. The blue box on the bed there is the one and only Lego set I ever purchased as a parent. Despite what our kids say now, they were not that interested in them. Maybe they got their fill at their friends' houses.

Baby Harry, especially, loves Legos. He has taken to asking me for "the little Legos" and I'm not sure what he means. I do have Duplo blocks - which are like big Legos - so maybe he wants to differentiate between those and the ones in the blue box.

Yesterday he was pretty insistent that we get out the "little Legos." Since there were a lot of toys out, and they were strewn about a bit - afterall, there were 8 children under 14 looking to entertain themselves - I suggested that he play with them in the guest room, a suggestion he readily agreed too.

So I smiled when I peeked in and noticed this little scene - which thankfully Donna captured.

We do have some Lego kits that came courtesy of Bryan Lee - who always kept his belongings in perfect order - they are in little plastic bags - I think they are old Star Wars-ish or something outer space. I'm not sure where they are - I will keep an eye out for them - for when Baby Harry tires of the "little Legos!"

Holiday Weekend

Lyn and Rose Ann were in town for the holiday weekend - they came to visit Mom - and so we had everyone come over today for dinner and some visiting.

We were happy that the Bonny's family were able to join us - Bruce had a wedding to do in Pasadena, so he joined us later.

We had 20 for dinner - a big crowd, but it's starting to become the norm - I guess that's what they mean by "exponential growth!!"

We had Chicken Enchiladas - fast becoming my go-to menu for big dinners - and corn on the cob, green salad, lots of fresh fruit - and three desserts!! (Although after nearly everyone had gone, I remembered the watermelon I'd cut up and had Noah put in the fridge in the garage - but those of us who were left made short work of it, so all was not lost!!)

The ever-popular tether-ball action - Baby Harry was there, but he pretty much stayed holed up in the guest room with the "little legos" - what he calls my blue box of legos. Noah was a good sport to work with him - or maybe he was just playing himself!

A big long table full of food invites lots of conversation as you munch away!

Mom - with a third of her kids! She enjoys us in any combination it seems!

Helen and Mom - how fortunate we are to have two wonderful moms, grandmas, and great-grandmas with us. They are 95 and 91 respectively - pretty remarkable women I'd say!!

I told Rose Ann it was time to get another photo of the two of us together - the one I post each year on our shared birthday is over 40 years old!!

Bryan Lee showed up - always a treat!!

Esme had made this cunning little playhouse with furniture - the "people" for her were those little animal erasers - Isla was intrigued by it!!

It was a lot of work - I started cooking as soon as I got home from church - and I was thinking that big groups were too much - but then we all sat down to eat and started talking and enjoying one another's company - and I realized it was all worth it!!

P.S. Lest anyone think that I don't have any helpers, rest assured that everyone pitches in - it just seems like being the one in charge can "weigh you down" sometimes!

Saying goodbye to a friend

Saturday was the memorial service for our friend David Marshall. Harry F. was one of the speakers, Eve sang with the Primary chorus, and Dawn and Dad gave the opening and closing prayers. Sue Cornwall also spoke, as did Bishop Stevenson. There were 4 or 5 other speakers who gave remembrances.

It was a lovely service. The spirit there was a good one. The chapel was full, and many stayed after for the luncheon. It is difficult to say goodbye to someone who seems to have left too soon. But with the right "send off," it seems like we are able to adjust and move on. I certainly hope it served that function for Karla and Corey.

Movie night

Matt and I saw "Midnight in Paris" last night. The average age in the (completely packed) theater was around 50 or 60. We saw a couple from our ward who told us we were too young to be there.

We both thought it had some funny moments and good dialogue, although the plot got overly silly at times, even over the top. I thought Owen Wilson was great and the lineup of random cameos was typical of a Woody Allen movie. We agreed that Harry and Barb would probably appreciate all the "Lost Generation" allusions.

Bottom line, I don't know that I'd spend $20 on it again but it was a fun diversion for a Friday night.

The Small World in the Church - or how many degrees of separation can you find??

Joan sent me this photo - the young woman is Sister Amanda Goodale from Cordova, Tennessee - she is in Joan's ward - and Axel's mission too!

I guess it's chilly there!!

Alice reports that Axel is doing well!!

Love those missionaries one and all!!

News:

I hate to break in on the celebration of Harry and Dawn's anniversary, but Dad got a call late last night that his Uncle Bill - Grandma's "little" brother - died last night. He had fallen and broken his hip. The surgery was successful, but he later died. We have no other details at the moment.

Happy 11th Anniversary to Harry and Dawn!!

I have so many memories of the wedding and the trip to El Paso. My dad had died just two weeks before - but my mom said, "Well, if they told your dad he could come back, he'd say no, so I might as well go to the wedding with you." So she and Helen drove with us in the van. Did Bonny and Bruce drive with us too? It was a full car - it was fun. I recall that Brian Lee rode home with us.

And I recall that when we got to the hotel, it was quite late - but there were ants everywhere, so we had to move to different rooms.

And after the reception - or maybe the next night - we were in a parking lot in El Paso and saw Harry's truck - so Dad moved it!! (and then we parked somewhere to watch them come out and look for the truck!!)

The last 11 years have been good ones - not only has it been wonderful having Dawn in our family, but her mom and dad seem like part of our family too. Families grow exponentially - and isn't it wonderful??

Our best wishes to Harry and Dawn for a wonderful anniversary celebration!

10 years - 10 pictures - of our man Henry - double digits today!!

He is the first grandson - and has set a high standard for all the grandsons to follow. I love hanging out with Henry. I love having conversations with him. I love playing Golf and Mormon Poker with Henry. I love driving around Lake Oswego with Henry - having him know just where we need to turn. I love watching movies with Henry. I love talking about Star Wars and Harry Potter with Henry. I love sewing his Cub Scout patches on his uniform. I loved reading the Henry Huggins books to him one summer. I love doing Cub Scout projects with Henry.

(One of my favorite Henry stories: I was tending Henry and Calvin while Phoebe and David had a little getaway. They were getting ready to move from Davis to Oregon. The house was full of packed and soon-to-be-packed boxes. It was a little chaotic. I was going to take the boys for a walk - Calvin was little enough to need a stroller. But I couldn't get the stroller open. I tried and tried. Finally, in exasperation, I exclaimed to Henry, "How does your mom get this open?"

And Henry coolly replied, "With one hand.")

I love everything about Henry!! In fact, I love Henry!

And I can't believe he's in the double digits already! Yikes, before we know it, I'll be posting his Eagle Scout pictures!!

Celebrating the Day!

Maybe having to go to work on your birthday is not so bad - especially if you work with my good friend Marcie!!

She actually bakes cakes for everyone on our lunchroom crew on their special day - and she takes orders!! Mine was chocolate - yum!!

And she remembers details like my love of Circus Peanuts!! And I scored her special sugar cookies too!!

Good thing the fire marshall was not around!! I managed to blow all six out with one breath!! Not too bad for an old lady!

I may never want to retire - it would mean not having lunch each day with Marcie. She not only bakes, she provides scintillating conversation too!

The b-day crown says "Queen of Words!"

Amber Burdick stopped by with flowers from her mom and the fam - they did that last year too - came to school with flowers - now that really brightens up the old workplace!

After all that sugar, I opted for Chicken Noodle Soup at Panera's - with Dad and Noah.

And we went and saw Cave of Forgotten Dreams - a documentary about the cave paintings in France - a good film - one we'd heard about and wanted to see - we even stayed awake for most of it!! (A long day at work, a soft seat, a dark room - it's not always easy to stay awake for pre-historic art!)

That was me - Queen for the Day - with a throne even!!

Came home to voice mails from Hannah, Eliza, Phoebe and family, Bonny and family, and my brother Lyn. Three of them were musical voice mails - and brought a smile to my face indeed!

The living room is awash in flowers and gifts from my friends - and the piano is covered with cards and Facebook is full of messages.

Joy sent me a fun gift - needs a post of its own - which is coming.

A good day! Thanks to all who helped make it so!!

Special day

Have you hugged your mom today?

I haven't, but I wish I could. Happy birthday to the best mom ever!

Weekend update!

It's been a busy weekend - we had Ward Conference in the Arcadia Ward, then 2 hours later we had our annual Young Women Transition to Relief Society. It was a nice event - these girls just grow up and away don't they??

Then Dawn fixed us a lovely meal and made a cake with a singing candle!! A nice weekend - and a lovely way to start the new week!

Everyone says, "What are you doing for your birthday?" as if we have options besides going to work!!

But we'll probably do dinner and a movie - I'll let you know!

Happy Birthday Betsy!!

I know I post this shot every year - but I think it's the only time Betsy and I were photographed together for our one-day-apart birthdays!!

When Alice went over, I was hoping she'd go one more day, so I could share a birthday with a niece! I'm pretty sure Alice wasn't excited about one more day though!!

Have a great day and a great year ahead Betsy!! I enjoy sharing a birthday month with you!!

(And I still have the tablecloth that's in the photograph!!)

The weekend that is going on now!

Bonny sent me this - she and Bruce and the two little girls are enjoying a snow day in Mammoth. The big girls stayed with Donna last night - pressing school work was on their agenda. (There are pluses and minuses to being the big girls!!)

And I spent the night with my mom - to celebrate her 91st b-day. We ate homemade macaroni and cheese - that I made with detailed coaching from Mom - took a little shopping excursion to Ralphs and Michael's - and then had a rousing game of Super Scrabble! We also enjoyed visiting with David and Diane.

Before I left this morning, Mom and I walked for a couple of miles - she is a trouper - it's fun to walk around "Old Granada Hills!!" (Granada Hills is attempting to develop an "Old Town" on Chatsworth - and is calling Mom's neighborhood "Old Granada Hills" - probably to justify higher house prices!! It was the same old place - I guess those 50's tract houses are gaining antique status now!)

Now I'm home - getting on with my chores!! If anything exciting happens, I'll try to remember to document it!!

Happy Birthday Karen!!

Today is Karen's birthday. This photo is from 1981, two years after we moved back to California.

I browse through old, fading Kodak shots - and wish I'd been a better photographer.

But I'm glad I have this shot of Karen - it's mostly the way I remember her as a young woman.

A wonderful young woman who may not be young by many standards - and if that is so, what am I, ancient?? Don't answer that!

She was my first niece - everyone should enter Aunthood with the likes of Karen and Scott - it's a great way to begin!

Have a great day and an even better year ahead!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Mary!!

Happy day today to my mom!! This is her "senior" picture. Don't you love the dress?"

(I'm looking forward to being old enough to think my senior picture is cool!!"

Mom is 91 today!! The party last year for her 90th was lots of fun - the year has really gone by quickly too.

Have a great day Mom - see you tomorrow!!

"Each life that touches ours for good"

Our good friend Davie Marshall, shown here several years ago holding his son Adam, died this morning.

He was only diagnosed a few months ago, and the cancer that took him was swift and merciless. He has shown great courage, however, and we count ourselves fortunate to have been his friend.

We pray that Karla and Cory will find peace and solace in the love and good memories they have shared - and in the gospel message of life eternal.

Once again I am reminded of the hymn, "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good." And I know that his indeed will be a "sweet and hallowed memory."

The weekend that was!

It has been a crazy, busy weekend - but a fun one!!

We started out celebrating Noah's 24th birthday with dinner at Haiku Kitchen - good eats if you haven't tried it - and then went to the $3 movie at the Academy - a good deal!! And the movie was funny - I don't think I would have even thought of going to it, but I did find myself laughing a lot!!

Then we came home and packed - and discovered that Blogger was down! So I didn't get to post about celebrating Noah's birthday, or paying tribute to Dawn on her big day. I haven't even gotten the report on it yet - we just got home this afternoon.

And Hannah has a great report on her blog, so check it out, if you haven't already.

After arriving in DC, we went to Eliza's for dinner and conversation - and fashion discussions for the next day, of course!! If you look closely at the above shot, you can see Hannah, marching in to her convocation - she's turned around - apparently looking for us. (We found each other and waved vigorously!!)

It was more efficient to photograph the jumbo-tron than to try to photograph the actual event!!

There was a reception at the Museum Studies offices, and after the convocation, Hannah took us to the Gelman Library where we could admire firsthand the exhibit she had spearheaded.

We were indeed feeling like proud parents!!

Next day was commencement - we spent Saturday night at Hannah and Robbie's - they generously gave up their bed and slept on their blow-up bed in the living room. It was cozy and snug, I will say that!

Commencement was outside on the National Mall - and rain had been predicted - Saturday was rainy, but that program was inside.

Although Sunday dawned gray and cloudy, the sun came out and blue skies prevailed. We sat on park benches under the trees on the side of the main event - there were big screens and some pretty effective loud speakers, so we didn't miss anything - just sitting in the sun!!

The university sent Hannah an email Saturday night telling her to be prepared for rain. And she was!!

And even though we didn't have any rain, the umbrellas kept Theo and Ida happy as could be!!

We hiked to and from commencement - since parking is such an issue - it was about 3 miles total, so I got my exercise!! Hannah and Robbie had planned a picnic, but with the weather forecasts, ended up postponing. Some of their local friends came by and we had cake and other munchies.

Then it was back to VA and getting ready to leave this morning. Our flights were uneventful - just the way you like them. I got one book read, watched several episodes of House, and read three magazines.

All was in good shape at home - I even have the laundry here caught up!!

It's back to work!!

But it was wonderful to spend time with family, celebrate Hannah's achievement, and get away from the routine for a little while!!

And it's going to be a busy summer!!