Poor Guy!

Gar was unloading the last truck load of garbage at the dump on Saturday after helping Beth and Derek with their move. There were some forgotten mop handles in the back of the last box and as he was pulling them forward... WHACK! Good thing he was wearing his glasses. He said he saw stars. It looks worse today. He told everyone at work today I did in my sleep... nice guy!

Tired and Sick but HOME!

Today was the final move in day for Beth and Derek.

As you can see, Beth is dog-tired and getting the flu that the rest of the gang already has.

They made a grocery run late this afternoon for hot dogs and frozen pizza that will tide them over for Sunday.

Hannah and Collin are in the midst of the flu and the other kids are winding down a bit.

Hayden was out all week and Ashton and Martha, part of the week. Peter and Andrew are fighting it too.


Had to include the beautiful entry light. It's one of my favorite things... hand blown from San Diego, CA. Well, that's it in a nutshell. I suppose they will update you will a better tour and healthier faces in a month or two. It has been an adventure watching them and they survived!

Michelle Obama Quote

Sharing Her Faith

"I come here today as a Christian, a person of faith who believes we've all been called to serve our fellow men and women and to honor God's creation. We want our girls to know right from wrong, to always tell the truth, to treat people no matter who they are with dignity and respect, no matter how different they may seem...because we want our girls to know we are all God's children and there's so much more that unites than divides us."

Source: Message to the General Baptist State Convention

I love this quote!

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

Had the gang over for dinner on St. Pat's day. Beth's in the middle of moving and Ry's out of town. Thought it would be fun to go GREEN!


We had pork chops (they weren't green, thank goodness), lime finger jello, broccoli, green mashed potatoes, and the best darn biscuits I've made in a long time. To top it off we had chocolate chip mint ice cream for dessert.

Announcing... Ruby Esie!

This is our sweet new grandaughter, Ruby Esie. Esie is Sunday in Ghanaian. She was born March 8 and weighed 6lb 6oz. I am leaving next week to go help Anges and enjoy this new addition to our family, just like Mara and Ezra are!

To Indiana for Emma's Baptism

Other than Emma's baptism, the best news was that Kendra is expecting our 23rd grandchild!
This will be mainly a pictorial of our trip to Bloomington, IN. We went there the end of February for Emma's baptism that took place on February 28th. I'm just a little late blogging about it! We had a great time hanging out with their family, including Kendra's parents, whom we hadn't seen since Andy and Kendra's wedding almost 10 years ago. They were there from Lynnwood, WA.

All 9 of us stayed in their little townhouse without any problem at all! Kendra was still... and is still feeling fairly green with morning sickness and was a real trooper in taking care of us.

On Emma's birthday morning the 1st order of business was to go to Build a Bear.

She chose a soft cinnamon bear and Andy helped her dress her in the find of the day... a David Archuletta t-shirt! Her American Idol hero... so exciting!

There were even Nike tennis shoes and flowers for her ears.

She named her Cinnamon which fit her perfectly.

When we got home it was time to get ready for the baptism. Her aunt had made her a beautiful dress, the same pattern worn by all the Carter cousins.

Andy and Emma are ready to go!

This is all of us before the baptism. Emma played several duets of primary music with her piano teacher for the prelude. The 1st Reynolds baptism went perfectly.

Then we were off to Cheeseburger in Paradise... Emma's favorite place.

Caleb and Isaac thought it was a great idea too!

You can see the appeal. The food was yummy.

Gar and I had fish tacos and Caleb ate us all under the table. I don't know where he puts it!

We came home and opened gifts. Emma liked her baptism quilt I made for her.

Isaac's birthday was the next week so we celebrated his birthday with a cake with Superman figures on it. Can't believe he will be 3.

This bunch is a special group. Andy will graduate with his PHD in Latin American Literature this May. In August he starts a new job with Texas A&M as a professor in a town just outside Amarillo, TX. Wish they could move a little closer but they will be just 10 hours from Jill and Tim. Maybe when we visit we can hit 3 birds with 1 stone... who knows?

MORE JILLY!

Lunch at Nookies with Grandma, Beth and Me

Doesn't Grandma look great?

Grandpa's not too bad himself!

Jill with Hannah and Martha at Andrew's game

Coach Earl with his star player Andrew, and Jill

The cheer squad - Jill, Beth, Hannah, and a mysterious bunch!

JILL'S BEEN HERE! Sweet Mark gave her tickets to visit us for her birthday and we got her to ourselves for 5 whole days.

Jill trying to get Mary out of bed - excuses, excuses, excuses! Preston, Hailey and Tanner Man trying to help out!

Jill, Peter, and Collin.

Jill and Mary lending their hand at making a template for the tile for Beth's new tub. Mary's 1st outing in over a week.

Gar and Beth look on, while working on the master bath shower. With Derek, they've laid all the tile in the entire house.

Jill and Mary modeling Jill's antique store apron. Mary was 24 hours w/o throwing up. Broke that record about 1/2 later, darnit!

Jill showing everyone pictures of Saylor taken in AZ. Sooooo cute.

Jill made her yummy microwave carmel corn and everyone brought goodies.Next Susie showed us pictures of Kurt in Paris. What is it with him. Lucky Duck! Next on his journey, he's off to Prague.

Then we played a new game called golf - go figure. Beth and Derek taught it to us and it was really fun. To everyone's amazement, I was the winner! Jill was reaching behind her for cookies.

So sad Sunday morning... her kids wanted her home, not to mention Mark.

So Thank You Marko Polo. We love you tons for sending her to us. It is wonderful to have her... never long enough but... WONDERFUL!

In my next life I want to play the cello. I would try now but my wrist is too weak from years of abuse. We spent Sunday afternoon at the Oregon East Symphony by invitation from Garry's trial court administrator who plays the french horn with the symphony. It was a great way to spend an afternoon.

I'm serious about playing the cello. During the past few years I have been drawn to the instrument. When I have public radio on and there is instrumental music playing I can pick out the cello. I have bought some cello cd's and love to listen to them. Last Sunday there were 6 cellos in the orchestra and they had my full attention. This one tall black fellow played with such movement and drama. I will be like that! I will really feeeel the music as I play.

And I'm also not kidding about playing the cello in my next life. I know without a doubt that after I die, my new body will be young and strong and healthy. I know that I will be able to learn and develop more talents and gain more knowledge. Something to really look forward to! Me and Yo-Yo Ma!

Shoe Shine Man

Soon after we were married I discovered I was married to the Shoe Shine Man!

Periodically he pulls out his shoe polish supplies...

Polishes up all his shoes...

Then asks me if any of mine need polishing. Am I a lucky duck or what?