This is the traditional "family ready to depart" picture. Mandy with Mia, John with Dallin.
And Mia with Bear. it was so nice to have family here two weeks in a row! We appreciate the effort it takes to come so far. There is no question that families are able to pick up the threads of past associations and relationships. It makes that time spent together very precious.
Actually, Dallin will be six in November, but he's more than ready for Kindergarten. He loves to draw and write, as well as play ball. He and Mia were so tired of being cooped up in the car when they came, that they went out and just ran and ran in the big back yard.
This picture story is backward, because this should be the last picture, but who cares? Be sure to enlarge these shots!
The job begins - Mia is totally absorbed.
John, Mandy, Dallin, and Mia came north to visit us - the first time we've seen these delightful great-grandchildren. What fun, discovering the incredible personalities of these two forces. Dallin will enter kindergarten this fall (he knows all of his letters, can write, read, etc. - that will be a challenge to his teachers.), and Mia, at 18 moths is a force to be reckoned with, especially when she has a smile that lights up the universe. Judy asked me if I could understand why she and Bob get such fun out of baby-sitting their two great-grandchildren (Ben's and JoLin's), and I can see their point. However, I think I need a lot more energy to do that. There will be more pictures, but it's wonderful to know that grandchildren we knew in several important phases of their lives grow to be such caring, responsible grown-ups who we can visit with on an equal footing. Perhaps that's what eternity is all about. We'll have an opportunity to get to know people we've only read about, or seen on the genealogy pages, and be on an "equal footing". Life is good.
Be mindful that this is the middle of June, and that flowers like iris, lilacs, and peonies normally bloom around Memorial Day in this mountain valley. However, we have had such a cold, wet spring, that these flowers are now in bloom. Question? Does a late spring portend a late fall? The temperature on Wednesday and Thursday was at 33 degrees above zero. The garden shivered!
The picture below shows the beginning of the storm cloud, and the one above shows the continuing development. By the time the sky was covered, we had a pounding rain-hail, with strong winds. We were just glad that everything was intact.
We had just gotten home from Church where the Christmas program was done, Elizabeth was singing and Dad and I just got to enjoy. Then we ran out the door to take their neighbors the handmade gifts and goodies the two of them had made. A very sweet neighborhood. Is anyone getting the Christmas Spirit? Too soon? Got it. Well just sharing. Love you two.
Everyone has one (two if they are lucky) pets in their life time that you seem to know heart to heart. Sophie was from the Pound and had already had at least 3 litters when I got her about 17 yrs ago. So I'm not sure how old she was, but these pictures were taken the day before I had to let her go. She looks pretty good for being over 90 (in people yrs) and having cancer. She lived a great life, really at least 12 great lives, but she always found her way back home no matter what shape she was in. The Vet even teared up when he had to put her to sleep. That was a few months ago. She trusted me, enough to put up with a variety of other cats and dogs parading through the house and our lives. From the carpenter's dog to the addition of 9 week old brother kittens, a "foster" abused dog and a sweet Chihuahua (yes sweet!?) of Grandma's. The one short story I will tell is about the "brothers". Sophie had already been around for about 6 years and here comes 2 little rowdy "twin" boy kittens. She must have known they would grow to be at least 3 times her size, because from the very beginning every once in a while, one would walk by her and out of the blue she would give them a "backhand" for no reason. They, Vincent or Oliver, would get up and sort of shake their heads-what just happened? what did I do? She didn't hurt them and had no front claws, it was just a waump. Till the day she died they knew who was boss and treated her with the respect they should have. Wise, I believe. The last night I turned on the fire so she could go to sleep in front of it. First Oliver, then Vincent came over and laid down and slept by her. Very sweet to see. And not so short of a story... By the way, Rani was the other beloved pet, a sweet, smart dog. I think that's my allotment. When I left home Rani of course stayed with Dad, she had already worked her magic on him. Dad and Elizabeth have some pretty funny stories of life with her too. I'm sure many of you have heard. So I guess we have pretty good pet Karma. Sophie was well worth sharing all this with you all. I know you have your stories and I would love to hear. Love, Jenny
The new missionary suit fits just right. This is the day that Seth entered the MTC in Provo - he will be studying the Spanish language for about 6 weeks. He's had three years of Spanish in high school, and remembers quite a bit of the language. Of course, having that experience helps, but the challenge is in brushing up, and then using it in a native country. He'll do fine - he's dedicated to excellence, and is very serious about the gospel and his desire to serve.
We really enjoyed the visit before the jaunt this morning down to Provo. Managua, Nicaragua, here he comes! These next two years should go by fast.
Mandy and Sara after the 26-mile marathon they ran in San Diego. Proud father, Ken, reports that Sara ran the course in 5 hours and Mandy in 6. Phew! Husbands John and Phillip and Grandpa Ken took care of the children during the race.
Sara taking a pre-race sprint along the beach. Enlarge this one.
Two of the cutest great-grandchildren we have - Mandy and John's Dallin and Mia. (We don't have any great-grandchildren that aren't cute, bright, and wonderful, although we have only met Suzanne and Jonathan's Blake to this point. We are hoping to see these two sometime later this week or the beginning of next week.)
