May Birthday Extravaganza

I didn't get this posted in May like I should've but I was just too busy, but we had so much fun in May with Jana's visit with the girls and then a trip to Southern California for Zach's and Elie's birthdays. Just love time with them. You can see the pictures on 2010-05-31 cuz we all know Every Picture Tells a Story Don't It...so need I say more?

Picasa Web Albums - Joann: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

From Sea to Shining Sea

Last month we took the road trip we call the America the Beautiful Tour with Thelma and Louise...aka Elie and Ava (with Ava's middle name Louise, that seems most appropriate). It was a great trip moving Jana and Ben from Seattle to Columbia, (actually Irmo) South Carolina, so literally from sea to shining sea.....or about an hour short of that actually. And we were able to see the land where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope actually play. It was absolutely beautiful. I kept waiting for a boring part that I could nap through or read a good book, but it never did get boring. It seemed we never had enough time to explore any spot we stopped at so we decided we'd have to return each summer to explore one of these areas we loved. Glacier Park is a definite must return to see and I wouldn't mind another trip through Montana and South Dakota. I really liked the stop at Custer's Last Stand and really got the feel of the battle on those rolling hills. It made me so glad we were there the day we were and not the 134 years earlier on the day that the battle happened. The weather was beautiful until we hit Iowa I think it was where all the sudden we pull in to stop one night after being in the nice air conditioned car all day and see the outside temperature on the car says 100 degrees and we figured it had to be broken, but as we stepped outside we about died. So hot and so humid. From then on, it was hot humid weather, crazy rain storms and thunder and lightening and even tornado watches in Illinois. One night we pulled into our hotel after the most drenching rain storm I've ever been in...in fact I don't know how Dave and Ben made it through it cuz you couldn't even see the road. And the next day when we were in Nauvoo, we cut our visit a little short cuz there was thunder and lightning going on just overhead...in fact there was this one huge clap of thunder that made me make a grab for Ava and Dave said he saw it strike on the ground just over the river and he could see all the colors in the bolt. We went on to Carthage to go to Carthage Jail and that was a real special visit as well. The storm was going on as the Sister Missionary gave us the tour so it really added to the experience of the jail and the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum. I really appreciated that stop as well. Ava was so sweet. The Sister Missionary was explaining how special it was for her to be there to give the tours and express her testimony every day in the room where the Prophet was martyred and she asked Ava if she had a testimony and Ava said, "No I don't have a testimony...(and then pause and then she said)......but I know my Mommy does". She got to stand next to the Sister in the room as well and she asked very good questions afterwards. We also made our way through Tennessee on the way and went through the Smokey Mountains. They were really nice but you had to go through this hokey section that should've taken only a half hour to drive through but cuz of all of the red stop lights at every intersection, it took 1 1/2 hours. But we did get to the Smokey Mountains eventually which were a lot like the drive between Willits and Fort Bragg but just with more rain and fog...and at the end of this was the great adventure of Maggie Valley and everything in the town was called Maggie something...Maggie Cafe, Maggie Crafts., etc. Then we pushed as hard as we could to make up for lost time and get into Irmo cuz we were SOOOO tired of driving. Thanks you Jana and Ben for being patient with me on that last bit so I could say I saw the Smokey Mountains and Maggie Valley. By the way, in defense of this detour, when I asked Ava what her favorite part of the whole trip was, it was this section she mentioned with the upside down hotel and the dragon coming out of the castle....so there you are.

Jana and Ben are in a beautiful place and I think they'll really like it once they're all settled in. It seems like they're already making good friends...one of whom even took Jana to Twilight opening day so how cool is that. They live in a beautiful house that is only lacking a white picket fence, that is in a beautiful neighborhood that has a great running loop in it, and there is any and every store close by to make life comfortable...well the Costco is supposed to be coming soon. I'll be anxious for our next visit there where we can just go and enjoy it all and not have to unpack boxes and switch lights and mow lawns...not that there was anything wrong with that. Any time we're with our kids and grandkids is a great time for us. Here are some pictures from our great adventure....don't feel you have to go through them all but enjoy what you do look at. The album is South Carolina or Bust

Picasa Web Albums - Joann: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Knock, Knock...Who's There???

For the last couple of years, every spring at nesting season we've had this little bird come to our bedroom window and start tapping on the window pane at the break of dawn...usually about 5:30 or 6 a.m. In the past he has tapped on the window just a few times and then gone on his way. It may disturb our early morning sleep but nothing major cuz we tend to just doze right back off. We've always thought that the early morning sun caused a reflection in the glass that made him think that another male bird was trying to invade his turf and he was pecking at him. Well this year either this bird is getting old and all winter has thought about this invading male and how he was going to smoke his shorts this year, or Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest has produced a hybrid dominant male that is crazy persistent, but this little guy has been starting his early morning tapping at the good ol' 5:30 time and taps for about a minute, then flies into the tree for a minute and then comes back and taps for another minute, etc., etc., etc. And he doesn't give up after the sun comes up....he does it ALL DAY LONG!!! A warning now to all animal lovers....do not read on.....but Dave has even gotten out the pellet gun, taken off the screen and has laid in wait for this little guy but he is smart and has eluded Davey Crockett Beasley so far. I'll just say, Dave has admitted that he has fallen asleep with his chin resting on the dresser and the pellet gun cocked and aimed out the window and is startled awake by this little guy's next set of tappings. No wonder he misses. I just don't know how much longer this little guy will last though. We have had a slight reprieve from him in the last two days cuz the early morning storms have been blustery enough, he hasn't come around quite as early, but this was him about mid-morning today....and I hear the weather report is expecting clear skies on the horizon. So the next 5:30 a.m. awakening may be his last....I don't care how cute he is.

Grandma Withdrawals

Dear Zach.....I'm missing you BIG guy. Can you ask your mom to blog me some of your new adventures....and include your sister too please. Thank you......Love you Grandma

Honey 9-1-1

I have found that part of a grandmother's job description includes 9-1-1 service. I got a call the other day and the sweet angelic voice of little Ava was on the other end saying "Honey, some mean man is trying to steal my mommie's money." I instantly had the picture of my Jana...my firstborn who took the use of forceps to be born, who I nurtured and prayed for and cried over, was lying in some gutter with her purse ripped from her arm and an open gashing wound to her forehead...and her dear sweet Ava calling her Honey to solve this dilemma. Thank goodness for Ava's calmness because it kept me from flipping out. So I asked her how is the mean man steeling your mommie's money, to which she replied in a way that reeked with How ignorant are you?...but she politely stated, "With a pen Honey.....to write on the paper". Well then Jana got on the phone and explained how some crazy guy in Houston has somehow made up some official looking checks and is writing bad checks throughout the greater State of Texas using Ben's name and info. Now not to lighten up the seriousness and hassle this causes in their life, I cannot say how grateful I was that Jana and her pocket book were all in one piece....and I learned I don't think I could ever handle the stress of being a 9-1-1 operator. But for now I do hope this all gets settled soon...If you own a business in Texas, please do not accept a check from anyone claiming to be our Ben; you're upsetting our Ava.

This One's for You Dana....May you be part of this choir some day.

You Tube took this beautiful video off for some reason so you'll have to put on your CD I sent you of Andrea Bocelli with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "The Lord's Prayer" together for the inspiration behind this post.

Ben: Your girls are alive and doing well

Ben has been nice enough to let us borrow his sweet girls for a little over a week. Ben, I just want to send you proof that they are alive and doing well and seem for all intents and purposes to be having a good time. One of the first things Ava wanted to do was to take a ride on Wall-E because she said you told her to be sure to. Unfortunately I couldn't manage Ava, Wall-E AND the camera to get a picture, but I assure you, it did happen and Ava says that Wall-E was CRAZY!!. But we have had lots of fun, gone to Caper Acres, gone for walks, thrown rocks in lakes ("puddles"). swung, slid and spring rode, taken baths, read books, got all inked up with stamp pictures, taken more baths, watched UP and ate popcorn, visited Granny Beasley, been to Burger Hut, had a play date with Dominique and the week is still young. I hear Papa has the quadrunner running...quick girls, lets get our shoes on and go see!!!!...pictures to follow.

Oh Momma Don't Take My Kodachrome Away

Well the new camera has arrived and here are just a few of my first attempts at using a REAL camera. I can tell this is going to take lots of practice. ......Kodachrome, it gives us those nice bright colors; Gives us the greens of summers; Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah!I got a Pentax camera; I love to take a photograph.......So Momma, don't take my Kodachrome away.Maggie's Mission President sent us a copy of her picture upon her arrival at the Mission Home after a super LONG day of travel back in Nov but I didn't have any way to put it on our computer since I can't get our scanner to work so one of the first pictures I took with this camera was a picture of THAT picture. Hey Maggie!!!

Then there's the candid picture of my handsome husband....this camera needs no special effects to get that point across.

Then there was the picture taken through our front window....I wish this window was bigger so I could see the pond better from my living room couch. Can you work on that Dave?

Pictures of a project Dave is working on for a play at Chico State

It looks good in all directions.

Close up.....
Dramatic close up.....
Close up front..... and close behind......

Which one is crazier, Dave or the shield?
And then over the meadow and through the woods to a visit to Granny's house we go.....the camera cannot deny her beauty still at 101.

Momma don't take my Kodachrome...and leave your boy so far from home....Momma don't take my Kodachrome away hey hey hey....

Blogging Alert, Blogging Alert

Blogging Alert, Blogging Alert!!~~~~
If blogs could have sound added to them, I would add that obnoxious sound that comes across the TV when they are about to warn you in the event of a disaster. This isn't bad news though, but it still warrants something....As you could tell from my last blog post, my camera is dying....I know Forks is kind of spooky and Washington State is renowned for it's gray overcast skies, but PINK skies??? really. And worse yet to have it's decline happen when spending Christmas with granddaughters no less...and cute photogenic ones at that. So upon our return home, I started looking for a new camera even though it is a great splurge right after Christmas spending. My reasoning is that I have Jana and the girls coming for a visit the first of February and I had to be ready...purple Ava's or green Elie's just seems too odd. Well after great research and a great sale at Best Buy online, I have ordered a Pentax K-x which should come in the mail on Monday if the shipping info is correct. I am so EXCITED!!!! ....she said in her best Kristen Wiig voice. So be prepared to see some AWESOME pictures on my blog on Tuesday....smile pretty Wal-EE and Babe cuz I have a feeling you'll be my first subjects.

In Search of a little Twilight Madness

In Search of Twilight Madness!!
With our recent trip to Seattle to spend Christmas with Jana and Ben and the girls, we decided to take a side trip around the Olympic Peninsula which takes you right through the heart of Twilight Country and Forks, Washington, and the La Push Indian Reservation....right into the very depths of the Bella and Edward and Jacob saga. With the New Moon CD playing in the car to set the mood we drove on to Forks in hopes of catching a glimpse of something that would stick with us; that would stay forever etched in our minds ~~well Dave drove and I searched ~~ and we were not soon to be disappointed..... The pictures will tell it all. (You'll have to click on the pictures to be able to read the captions...didn't realize they would turn out so small.)


































































And as we drove out of site of Forks with our memories treasured in our very souls, Dave saw the scariest of all sites to the side of a road that made him actually stop the car and turn us around for one more closer look.....a rusty old Studebaker truck parked on the roadside becoming no more than an empty shell in the midst of the misty morning haze. We bid you our fond farewell Forks.

This is Dedicated to the One I Love

I made a commitment a long time ago to run at least one marathon for each of my kids. Jana got CIM 1999 in Sacramento my first which was a real thrill to know I could do it, Dana got Boston 2000 which was the coldest thing I've ever done but the awe of running Boston was WOW!!, Jonathan got Boston 2001 which was my biggest boost cuz I took my whole family with me, Maggie ran a bit of it with me (against the rules) and a South Korean won it instead of a Kenyon so it was just downright amazing all the way around, and then for the last 8 years I've contemplated what marathon I would run for Maggie. London and Paris ran through my mind several times and those were big favorites among my family who all asked if I'd take them with me. I was in no hurry to decide, but really eight years is a long time to come to a decision. Last year Maggie decided she wasn't going to wait for me to run a marathon for her, she'd do it herself....and she did. St. George Marathon. With two bad knees and the coldest, rainiest, windiest St. George on record, AND the first race she'd EVER run before (barring high school track), she ran it and finished it with a smile on her face and a Forrest Gump running story to tell at the finish line. AMAZING!! I had planned to meet Maggie on the course last year and run in the last 6 miles with her and when I think about the moment when we found each other last year and ran to each other in that slow motion moment from a movie and hugged each other and then ran the rest of the way in together, it still makes my eyes fill up and squeezes my heart, so I knew that St. George had to be Maggie's marathon....that plus Adam nagging me to do it. It was definitely not my best marathon....it was much harder to train for, and in my old age I had to fight bursitis of my hip and hemorrhoids of all embarrassment; either of which is enough to knock you out. But to St. George I went. I got to run for a few seconds with both Jon and Adam who got stuck towards the back of the pack through their own mishaps and had to weave their way up to catch me. That was cool. Jon passed me once that I didn't see but we crossed paths again when he had to stop for a potty break and he came out just as I was going by. I caught sight of him just ahead of me on a steep downhill section and gave it my all to catch up to him. I felt like in one of those spy movies when two guys jump out of a plane and before they pull their parachutes, they make like a bullet and try to catch each other. I did that and sped right to him but was only able to say Hi and exchange a few words before he was far ahead of me again. That was at about the halfway mark. The whole race I was fighting an upset stomach so that at each of the aid stations, I was only able to take in about three sips of water. I kept thinking, I've gotta take a GU pack or I'm not going to have any energy at the end but my stomach kept saying "WHAT". But I felt good in the fact that I was taking on the hills with no problems and even passing people on the hills thanks to Jon's coaching technique on how to tackle a hill and the downhills weren't bothering me and when I got to the place I remember catching up with Maggie last year, I thought....hey really I'm almost there....at least that's what I told Maggie last year. I had tried forcing some GU down from the halfway mark to here but just couldn't get more than about a half a pack down and then I got to the 4 miles left mark and I could feel that it was going to be a struggle. When I got close to the two mile mark I knew I was in for trouble. I tried calling Dana and Adrianne waiting at the finish line on my cell phone....(you can seen the camera caught me in the process of this in Picture #5) but couldn't get through and when I got to the last 2 miles I couldn't feel what my legs were doing any more. I looked at my watch and at 3:50 I knew I couldn't make my goal of keeping my time in a three-hour range but I knew I could still hopefully make my goal of running a Boston qualifying time....so with the argument going on between my mind and body, my body won out and I chose to walk and run the last two miles....I couldn't believe I'd do that cuz in past marathons when I've seen people walk in those last few miles, I've always thought, how can they give up when you're so close....BUT YOU CAN when you can't feel your legs. When I started walking, this guy next to me started walking too and I told him "I can't feel my legs" and he said "I wish I couldn't feel my legs". So I struggled between walking and running. This one lady had her two girls running next to her encouraging her along cuz she was really struggling too and I thought I wish I had that cuz she did pass me up, but then further along, she crashed and nothing they said could help her and I passed her by. Coming around the last corner, I was about to walk to the end myself but this young teenage boy on the sidelines came up to me and said, "DON'T YOU DARE QUIT...YOU RUN!!" I politely thanked him and ran to the end....or hobbled in. Dana and the kids were at the shoot yelling for me but I didn't hear them. I did see Adrianne on the other side though. But Dana said she yelled and yelled and finally said. "TAKE YOUR HEADPHONES OUT OF YOUR EARS!!" So I crossed the finish at 4:09.... didn't keep it in three hours but did qualify for Boston......So here's to you Maggie! Do I have to run one for Dave now too??

Oh...OH That I Were an Angel

There are so many things that I LOVE today.
1. I love modern technology that allows us to talk to each other even when we're far apart. We got a call from Maggie yesterday morning from the airport as she was leaving the MTC and winging her way to Houston to begin her mission. I love that girl.
2. I love the baggage lady (she must have a soft spot for missionaries) who overlooked that Maggie's luggage was overweight when she checked in her bags and didn't charge her more.....$50 is enough. Don't know why the Church doesn't use Southwest that doesn't charge for luggage but what can you do. Even that won't change the love I have in my heart right now.
3. I love that Maggie has a great Mission President and that he has a great wife and family. Last night as I sat wondering if Maggie got to her destination safely, POW!!! I get an email from Sister Saylin telling us that Maggie along with the other 7 missionaries entering Texas Houston South Mission that day had arrived and gave us a little synopsis of their activities of the day AND a wonderful picture....Does it get better than that. I LOVE modern technology. AND she told us how much they already love this new set of missionaries after just associating with them for this short period time....She is not only a sweet and thoughtful lady, but she is smart as well. How can you not LOVE that!!

All is definitely well in the universe. MMMMMM

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I am so glad that my husband has made a WONDERFUL yard and playground for us to enjoy and our grandchildren to explore whenever they come. You are an amazing man and we all appreciate you so much!! I'll let the pictures tell the story.....












Thank you grandpa. We love you. Keep the adventure coming.