Travelin' man!

When Noah was 9 or 10, he and Dad went to Utah on the plane.  Then Noah stayed with Harry F. for a few days - got a feel for livin' the college life!!

Maybe we should have him do a post!!  (I think they slept outdoors - in the mountains!)

A little rundown on the latest happenings!

Joan and Fred were in town on the way home from their Hawaiian vacation, so we moseyed on out to GH and enjoyed visiting with them.

Tonight was the annual Blue and Gold Dinner - I think there were Blue and Golds going on all over the place - Bonny's ward had theirs and Eliza's ward was having theirs too.  They are always fun, and this one was no exception.  The one night a year when hot dogs, chilli, chips and Jello reign supreme!!

Harry is in Cubs with Porter now - and so the hijinks continue!!  Both boys are doing well and earning their achievements!

The days march on - and it will be March very soon!!

I read the book this is based on several years ago and really found it thought-provoking and compelling.  As is always the case with a favorite book, I was concerned about it being turned in to a movie.  The reviews, however, were positive - even The New Yorker - so I then was anxious to see it.

Harry and I saw it tonight, and it does not disappoint.  There have been cosmetic and structural changes to the novel, so purists might contest, but the heart of the story remains - and the heart is what counts.

Julianne Moore turns in a stunning performance - she earned her Oscar - and I wanted to just hug her and tell her it would be okay!

It is a fine piece of drama, but even more important, I believe it does an excellent job of painting a realistic portrayal of the serious decline that is Alzheimers.  Perhaps more understanding and compassion will be a by-product.

Happy Birthday Ry!

Today would be Ry's 70th birthday.  We children of '45 are turning 70 this year - and there's a long parade of friends who meet this criteria.

It is with mostly sadness that we contemplate this anniversary.

Because we miss Ry, and we aren't totally used to his being gone.  It still seems like we can head up to Oregon and see him!

We are grateful indeed for many shared memories.  I could fill the page with photos of fun times.

Our prayers are with Sarah for peace and happiness in many good memories.

Cherish your friends!

Happy Day to Miss Esme!!

Esme - so happy when she came into our family!!

 

And she comes with a great big smile!

 

We are delighted to be her grandparents.

 

Hmm - wonder what's up her sleeve?  She can be an enigma - but a charming enigma!

 

She's part of the "core" of grandkids - a worthy pioneer!

 

And always friendly and kind!!

13 today - welcome to the teens!!

We love you - and wish you a wonderful year ahead!!

The Big 4-0 for Davy boy!!

 Don't seem to have many current photos of David - he is famous for ducking out of sight when I have my camera with me.

But we sure do have lots of great memories with David in them!!  He is an all-around great guy - full of fun and willing to dress in costume!!  (That tells you a lot!)

 

He loves to cook and build and play games and tease and keep the party going!!  And he's a great son, brother, husband, and father.

And a great son-in-law too!!

Happy day to you - and all year through - may the year ahead be the best ever!

A special day for Theo!

We arrived in VA on Wednesday afternoon - Eliza was at work, but Matt took really good care of us - picked us up and fixed a great dinner!!  We enjoyed playing with the kids - and then visiting with Matt and Eliza when she got home.  It's always fun to just be there in the household, taking part in the "everyday!"

Dad did some "handyman" activities.  I played games with the kids - read stories - walked them to school one day - did laundry - what I usually do - and what I enjoy doing!!

On Saturday Theo was baptized - what a special day for a special boy!

 

Everyone was pretty excited on Saturday morning - although you maybe can't tell that by looking at Lars' face!

 

Hannah and Rhoda joined us on Friday afternoon.  Robbie was in Seattle for some internship interviews.  Rhoda enjoys her cousins - especially Ida - a word she says loud and clear!

 

Matt's parents and his oldest brother and his wife joined us on Saturday morning - they had arrived late Friday night.  Lars seems determined to not be in the picture!

 

The baptismal service was lovely - and Theo acquitted himself admirably!!  He gave his favorite scripture - from memory - Mosiah 18:11.  A good choice for the occasion indeed.  Hannah played the piano, Eliza accompanied a soloist, I gave a talk, Matt's sister-in-law Deb lead the singing, Lynnette gave the closing prayer, and Phil and Harry were the witnesses.  It was a family affair.

 

Deb made a quilt for Theo - his favorite colors and his favorite team!!  He's a happy boy here!  It was cold and snowy so a snuggly quilt filled the bill.

 

We went for lunch afterwards at Noodles and Company - Theo's choice.  A good choice too - the perfect day for hot soup, warm bread, and good pasta.  Lynnette  had gifts for the grandkids, as did Deb, so that added to the festivities.

 

Ida the reader was pretty happy with her gift - and got right down to business reading it!

 

Good food, good company - recipe for a great day.

 

Sunday dawned cold and chilly - there had been a snowstorm the night before.  The sky was blue and the sun was shining - but it was frigid and icy - so church was cancelled.  (The church parking lot is on a slope and was too icy to be safe.)

 

That meant for a lazy Sunday - playing games, reading, visiting, and having our own Sacrament meeting, a sweet, special time.  Theo gave the talk he was supposed to have given in Primary, Eliza gave the talk she had given in Sacrament meeting last week, and we had been given permission to partake of the Sacrament in our homes.

 

Matt and Eliza are a great team - and that includes in the kitchen!  A yummy meal ended the day.

 

Robbie joined us Saturday night.

 

After dinner on Sunday, we drove with Hannah and Robbie to Philly.  The roads had been icy during the day, but we didn't have any problems.

It was a pretty laid-back couple of days - Dad walked to the hardware store and got weather-stripping to put around the back door - a big help -- especially since the day started out at 6 degrees! We walked to CVS, the shoe repair shop, a nice little bakery for herb tea and cookies, and the grocery store.

Hannah fixed us some great meals too.  Dad helped.  I think I was reading to Rhoda!!

Monday was FHE - should have gotten a photo - I played dominoes for the first time ever - and I won!!  I love having FHE with our kids in their homes.  (Robbie did caramel corn for refreshments - yum!)

On Tuesday we took a cab to Macy's - which used to be Wanamakers - and listened to the organ concert there.  

The concerts are twice daily - and have been for a very long time.  

 

The organ is the world's largest functioning organ - there is one in Atlantic City that is being restored - they said it's about 20% complete now.  This one was originally built for the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 and was bought by Wanamaker in 1911 I think.  

Originally it was played to provide shoppers with background music as they shopped.  Now there are daily concerts.  

Rhoda enjoyed the concert - and kept the passers by entertained with her cheery smiles - and I tried capturing the way she likes to "lead" the music, but wasn't quite successful at that.  You will just have to use your imaginations!

Today we got up early and flew to Chicago - 2 degrees - yikes!  There was a 3 hour layover, then we headed on to LAX.  

Got there at 3:30 p.m. California time - got a shuttle that was supposed to come at 4, but came at 4:30 - and then finally got home after 7 p.m.  Maybe we will re-think the shuttle option next time.  Harry joked that we could have rented a car for maybe the same amount - and gotten home in a more timely manner!!  Maybe even made a little money taking some of the shuttle passengers to their homes!

Back to normal almost I guess - although I haven't unpacked yet - and there are no groceries in the house.

It's good to be home, but it was great to be with everyone for a few days!

"When the family gets together - on Sundays anyway!!"

Sunday night dinner always involves some playing in the family room.  And reading and lounging too!

 

Cheerful Deacon - always brings a smile with him - and a smile to us too!

 

This Sunday included a visit from Alice, who is here to spend a few days with Mom.  She's already been hard at work too, making curtains and the like.

 

This Sunday also included a visit from Karen, who came to spend time with Grandma Terrill.  We've enjoyed having her here - livens up the empty nest!

 

Work on his rental has brought Bryan to Monrovia the last few weeks - we love that too!

 

We were glad Noah and Taylor could join us.

 

It was a bit noisy - 18 people under our tiny roof can reverberate - but it was good noise for sure!!

 

Deacon charmed everyone - a job he does well.

 

It's always nice to gather with my sisters - in any number.

Karen leaves tomorrow afternoon - Alice leaves on Thursday - and Harry and I leave for VA on Wednesday morning.  

February marches on!!

Senior Soccer Night!

Friday night was "honoring the senior girls on the soccer team night" at Ara's high school.  And Dad and I went.  What a lot of fun!! We, along with her family, got to walk her across the field where she was presented with a bouquet and heard tributes others had written about her.  What a nice tradition!!  And how nice that we were invited!

It's always fun to hang out with the Bolanders!!  There was a basketball game going on too, so we got to go hear Ella singing "The Star Spangled Banner" with 4 other girls from the choir.  They were beautiful!!

And we had pizza and salads from the food truck, and homemade cookies and brownies from the SnackShack!!

Takes me back!

And Ara's team won!!  (1 - 0)

Trips of Yesteryear!

It was almost 15 years ago that we headed off to South America - Bolivia and Peru anyway - with our good friends Tom and Stephanie Moore.

It seems like yesterday rather than yesteryear.  But Tom and Steph were in Palm Springs for most of January, and they came up one afternoon.  We had a great visit - and a great meal together too.

Tom and Steph are true world travelers - they go all over all the time.  Sometimes I wish we could do that too.  But most times I think I'd rather visit our kids and grandkids.

And there is lots that ties us here.  And ties are good.

But I think I will keep dreaming about going to England and wandering lonely as a cloud somewhere!!