A 2007 Christmas Adventure

It's time to summarize our Christmas Holiday adventure before the New Year begins and we begin our 2008 adventures. As I tried to think of how to summarize the Christmas adventure this year, I came to the conclusion that a picture is worth a thousand words so I'll let the photos tell the story. Hope all enjoy!

Our Christmas Adventure began with Rachel and Gabe coming to visit and the family gatherings begin



Of course a winter wonderland brings out the sled riders.

And who would have ever guessed who was coming to town and even on the night of Grandma Pinkie's party.

Adyson can you still hear the bells that Santa gave you?



Christmas Day and it is time to pull out the warm mukluks.

After all is said and done the grandchildren show us that they can have as much fun with the box than the toy itself.

Merry Christmas to all and we look forward to a wonderful 2008 year!

An Family Adventure

I have been accused now of only posting on blog if it relates to our new home; however, as I told my children I just need to find a new adventure.


We did embark on an adventure for the last couple of weeks when my daughter and grandson came to visit. Have you ever tried keeping up with a one year old who goes 90 miles an hour 24/7. Okay occasionally he did stop and take a power nap to re-energize himself for more exploring and playing.

I believe in the two weeks they stayed with us we emptied and restocked our cupboards somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 times a day. Finally, we got smart and let him dump everything out of the cupboard and where ever it landed it stayed until after he had gone to bed. Hm, I wonder where are whisp went?

Despite all of the energy we loved every minute and we are grateful that they were able to come out and spend some time with us before the Christmas Holiday.

Two weeks ago, right after Rachel arrived we held a grand open house and invited all of our old neighbors to the party. It was a lot of fun to have all of our family together again and old/new neighbors here to wish them a Happy Holiday.

After our open house, and an unexpected trip to the emergency room for my mother, we turned around again and held my families Christmas party at our home. How nice it is to have a home designed for such occasions now! Plenty of room for everyone and we all had a good time.

Rachel finished up her trip by getting her brother and sister together and with all of the grandchildren Papa and Grammy took them sled riding. Now that was an adventure!

Adyson had no problem jumping on the sled with Taylor or her Mother; but Papa was something to deal differently with.


She was quite the observer noting that Papa always seem to bit the turf and never did quite complete the run. Better just pushing him off then to ride with him.


Gabe,wasn't quite sure about any of it and after already experiencing the sled ridding game preferred to stand and watch.


Lexi tired and cold was content to sit and closely observe all of the craziness of the moment taking careful notes for next years experience.



Now that Rachel has returned home with Gabe all we can say is:

There's no place like home- I have a wonderful family and that's all that really counts in this life!

Ohio Bound

The past two weeks, John, Rachel and Gabe have been busy preparing to move to Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

In the past two weeks, we have held a family going away party, taken family portraits, packed and loaded their belongings and spent as much time together as a family as possible.

A wide array of emotions are flowing as we celebrate in this change for them and yet mourn the time they are away from the family. Jenny summed up best when she said goodbye on Saturday, "I'm losing my best friend."

We will miss them something awful; but know that they are on a journey that they will not want to miss. An adventure full of challenges, trials, obstacles, growth, and opportunities. Most important will be the memories they will cherish as they look back on the journey they have begun.

Scouting & Mother's Day Weekend

It's been another busy week and we have accomplished a lot at work, home, and play. Progress is slowly happening with our new home construction; but I'll save the remarks for a separate blog comment on the home.

Friday, I rushed home from work and loaded up my gear to go camping with my Varsity Scouts. We had planned a great camp out to the Sand Dunes. I was even able to talk my son, Taylor into coming as a support adult. We had 4 adults and 5 youth participate.

We arrived at the Sand Dunes around 7:30 pm and immediately found a camping spot close to the dunes so we could play. Taylor and I had a balanced diet of hot dogs and corn tamales. Of course a good scouter always eats well but plans the meal to have no or little dishes. Don't want to waste time cleaning dishes when we could sit around the fire and talk. We finally went to bed around midnight after gazing at the stars. Someone talked about the stars being diamonds on black velvet and it was a beautiful site.

The next morning, we arose, ate breakfast, and then the games began. First, we were entertained by a fox family.
I had throw out a bit of egg and within minutes Papa fox dug up the egg and scampered back into the wash next to where we were camped. We quickly observed that he was bring the food back to home for mama and four little foxes who were scampering about in the wash and playing. This was an amazing site to see and so close to where we had established our camp.

Mother Fox kept diligent watch of us
as we approached as close as we dare for pictures.

The rest of the morning we spent playing on the dunes.

I got a good work out playing ultimate Frisbee which I'm still trying to figure out if they were trying to get me into shape or trying to kill me. The adults took on the youth and we held our own.

We left the dunes around 10:30 and arrived home at 1:00pm, unpacked and then began preparations for our Mother's Day Celebration. Everybody came. Philip, Jenny, Adyson, and Lexi; John, Rachel, and Gabe; Taylor even had a date for the occasion and Megan endured to the bitter end; Mimi and Lori.

Barbecued chicken and Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler was the feast and it was a great feast. We just enjoyed the whole evening eating, talking, and playing a game or two of boccie. We even exchanged our Mother's Day Gifts since Mother's Day everyone is going every which way and it's hard to get everyone together. We have found celebrating on the Saturday before is much more easier and enjoyable.



We really hated to see the evening end; but all good things must come to an end, I'm told. I really appreciate each of my children and being around them and the grandchildren well they have "papa" and "grammy" wrapped around their fingers.

I just wanted to tell my wife, daughters, and to all mothers around the world. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY and thank you for all that you do!

Anniveraries, Births, Homecomings, Graduation & Commissionings

Wow! What a week it has been. First, Rachel and John celebrated their anniversary and the very day of their anniversary little Lexi decided to come into our lives. We didn't get to see much of Philip, Jenny, Adyson and Lexi this week because of the timing of Lexi's birth' but we know that they were with us in spirit at all of the vents. We sure did miss them as we celebrated John's graduation this weekend.

Taylor our son moved back home this weekend after completing a semester at college also. We've missed having his cheerful spirit around the house and look forward to having him home for the summer. So hopefully, we will get to see him at least a little bit in between all of his hot dates and work this summer.

I'm in still in self denial when I think about having three little grandchildren now. Each one of them is a precious gift and I cherish the time we can spend together. This week we have spent lots of time together as a family and I thank the Lord for the blessings of having a wonderful family.

It is graduation time in the area and our son-in-law after a grueling four years has completed his schooling. Now it's time to pay his dues to the United States Air Force and we were honored this weekend to witness his commissioning as an officer. Congratulations Second Lieutenant. His father commissioned him as an officer and then his mother and Rachel pinned his "stripes" onto his uniform. We are all very proud of him.

Behind every great man there is a great woman and so is the case with John and Rachel. Rachel has also earned her stripes and John had the honor of pinning the spouse pin of an officer on her during his commissioning. Soon the three of them, John, Rachel and Gabe will head for Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. We will all miss them greatly but know that they will be building a better tomorrow wherever they are. Way to go guys!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LEXI

Our newest family member came into the world today on the 1st of May. Born at 12:41pm this afternoon, weighing in at 8 lbs, 7 oz, and measuring in at 20 1/2 inches Lexi entered our lives. Cheryl and I now have 3 wonderful grandchildren.

Mother and child are all doing well and everyone particularly mother is happy that she is now here and the pregnancy is official over.

Hmmm, papa is beginning to feel older and older with time. I'm not sure if I can keep up with three grandchildren; however, I will have plenty of fun trying.

Happy Birthday Papa

They say that one of the signs of old age is losing one's memory, you know becoming senile. Hmmm, yesterday was my birthday and I can't even remember if Im 48 or 49. Is this an early sign???

My family finally informed me that I was 48, however, that didn't help neither since I feel as if I'm 49 plus. I like to think that I'm still the handsome 21 year old stud that I "use to be"; however, it is obvious that I'm no longer lean but more "rounded" and less agile.

I had a good birthday despite my age. Last weekend we celebrated as a family all together. I received a wonderful IPOD adaptor for my car which I have thoroughly enjoyed all week along with the wonderful Dutch Oven dinner that Taylor cooked for us.

Taylor, gave me a wonderful four wheel package deal. All I have to do is pick a date and he does the rest. Hmm, where should we go and ride to our hearts delight or at least until the old man tuckers out?

Yesterday, I received a phone call and "papa" was asked to come by Adyson's home to receive a large plate of cupcakes. Mmmm, my favorite yellow cake mix with chocolate. Of course we ate several together right then.

Cheryl surprised me with a wonderful steak dinner at Ruth's Chris. Finally, some time to just be alone and relax. Our life's are too hectic. Yes, we forgot all about what the doctor order and the diet and said yes to dessert.

Finally, I arrived home to have a wonderful phone message and e-card awaiting me from John, Rachel and Gabe. It was almost as real as having the Mormon Tabernacle Choir there to sing Happy Birthday to me. What a treat!

This year my birthday has really made me ponder about my age and my inability to do the things that I use too. However, the best thing about my birthday is my wonderful family! Thanks for making my birthday great!!

Cadet John

Today's tale is a rhyming blog,
Telling why Cadet John had to go to the Grog.
While dining at The Mess on the 14th of April,
We were joined by cadets, all handsome devils.
A Grog you see is an Air Force tradition,
A potpourri of drink, a nasty creation.

In past days this Grog would often contain,
putrid contents meant to drive you insane.
Tabasco sauce and live fish,
Whatever a mean cadet could wish.
But this Grog was tamer,
one might even call it "lamer".
For this year's was ice cream in a dish.

One can be sent to the Grog for various offences,
Sometimes if only for bad defences.
All fun must be expressed in rhyme.
And if it's not great, you'll go to the Grog this time.
So, mind your p's and q's. For one mistake might seal your fate,
and send you to the Grog.

Congratulations to our John, the Cadet
For he will soon be a Second Lietuentant
Before his commissioning his courage he must prove,
By downing the Grog with five others he did move.
With determination they stepped forward to partake
Making sure there were no curious mistakes.

"To the Mess," they shouted, holding cups in hand
Downing the Grog, united they stand
Drinking, then tipping, hoping no drops would land
Glad to be part of this Merry Band.

A great time was had by all
As we dined at our Military "Ball."
We were ever so proud of the Cadet for those hours
With strength and courage he will defend all that is ours
To have an Officer part of our family
Is something that makes us as proud as can be.