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.