Denver

I'm in Denver. Thus far I've baked 4 dozen sugar cookies and bought 2 Christmas presents. Right now I'm elbows deep in a project for Andrew's Christmas surprise. It's snowing and I hope my flight isn't delayed. 

Halloween Witches' Night Out

Recently, the neighborhood gals enjoyed a "Gouls Night Out." There is a fun tradition in my new ward where we get together in outlandish witches costumes and go out to dinner together. This year a very fun scavenger hunt was added to the evening. Our list of "must finds" included wart remover and a dead mouse! Then we gathered at Craigo's. There were at least 30 witches. The restaurant staff was so excited to have us there that they kept taking our pictures.

I even won a silly prize for the best accessorized witch! The peacock feathers came from Uncle Mark's birds.

Fun night! Hope you all had a great Halloween.

Adam, we really were excited to see you. Just a bit tired with all the activity of the day. We must be getting too old. Saturday was beautiful. This is a view from a rest stop at the base of Mt. Hood. Got to love that name for a mountain.

Here we are at Mt. Hood. The glacier on the mountain is the location of Timberline ski area where were had lunch in the mountains resturant.
Have you ever been just soooo tired that the whole world just looked like it wanted to lie down and rest for a while? We bought fresh fruit at this farm.

It was a fun weekend starting Thursday night with a birthday bash for Mason at the Ferre's home. I was really nice to see the Ferre's. They are always so very nice to us when we drop in to horn in on their family time with the kids. It was a low calary night starting with chinese food and ending with ice cream Sunday's. Mason opened his present containing an Iron Man costume. He kept calling it a Batman costume. We'll have to work on the name thing.
Mason really is under the mask looking as tough as any little boy can possibly be.

A morning of decompression following the big party. Jog 3 miles then have breakfast at Laurel and Jay's house. Great fresh fruit.

Updates from Bryant and Glenda

Last Tuesday we had the honor of attending the baptism of this lovely little girl. As you can see by the wheelchair she has several physical limitations. Spina Bifida has rendered her legs lifeless. She had to be lovingly carried into the font by her mother. As you are aware that is not the usual protocol but I had the mother dress in white and help hold her while her uncle gave the baptisimal prayer. They gently lowered her into the water together. It was a special land mark event in my life. It was an amazing spiritual event in my life. You could feel the pure love of the Lord for this special little girl.

Looking for wildlife in yellowstone. Over the Labor Day weekend we drove through Yellowstone National Park. We were hoping to make a sunny trip in the convertible with the top down, but the weather was cold and rainy. But it was still lots of fun and we saw some cool things. These elk are in Mammoth. By the way, the dining room at Mammoth is really a great place for lunch.
One of our favorite places in Yellowstone is on the east side going from Mammoth down to Tower Falls. The look out at Tower Falls was closed. We were lucky enough to make the hike a few years ago. There was popcorn snow on the top of the summit.
Love those Geyser Basins.

Looking forward to more travel in the red racer.

Happy Birthday to Andrew!

This week received an e-mail from a family in the ward Andrew serves in. They had made him a birthday cake and had invited him over to celebrate in the Mexican tradition of "bite the cake." Apparently, that means literally. I think they egged him on to make it a full face "bite." This is the face we all know and love.

Andrew enjoyed his birthday. Kudos to all of you who wrote him and sent him things. He loved hearing from y'all and was the envy of all the other elders in his zone. One day he received 13 pieces of mail!

Happy 20th Birthday, Andrew.

34 years and counting

One of the things that change with the kids leaving home is who takes the picture when you go out for your aniversery dinner. Thank heavens for time delayed cameras! The day started very early. We took the boat out to Ririe Reservoir and spent the night. The seat of the boat makes into a queen size bed. We slept soundly until the moon came up and woke us up at 3 am. Sleeping in the boat on the lake is really a fun adventure. We think we might do it again. Dad started fishing about 6:00 am and caught 3 fish. Then, we came home and worked in the yard and at the office until we went to dinner. Watching the summer solstice moon was our adventure earlier in the week. We drove up to the windmills to see it come over the horizon. It was beautiful.
Last weekend we went to Butte, Montana for a continuing education course. Here is mom with the "red devil" parked on the Butte hill.
Looking forward to seeing you over the holiday.

Memorable Memorial Day

Grandpa and Cooper were so excited to go pick up the red speed racer that it required a double dose of dino mist for both.
Batman meets Robin (Claudette). When we arrived and got out of the car, the dealership PA system came to life announcing, "Robin come to the showroom. Batman has arrived". Coop knew he was the real deal! As per the dealers promise the red car attracts hot chicks like a magnet.

Cooper insisted on going every where with grandpa riding shotgun. And he pretty much had this silly grin the whole time.

To steal a phrase from the Sound of Music, "these are a few of my favorite things".

On occasion Mason gets to be Batman too. Sometimes it's hard to get suit time!

The kids and grandparents spent lots and lots of time on the swing.





At the museum of natural history in Denver the kids had fun showing Grandpa and Grandma all of their fun places.

Oh, did I mention that I had the same silly grin as Cooper all the time. This car is so low that when you drive across the grass, you get grass stains on your butt.

Batman does not need his eyes open because bats use sonar for directional control and eyes are optional.




Welcome to Ferreland for the greatest adventures on earth. Glenda really loved the patio furiture and landscaping.

Looking over the Denver skyline from the roof of the museum. Julia reminds one and all that hind sight is 20/20 no if, ands, or butts about it.
Cooper looks like a future orthopedic surgeon.




After a full two days of riding, jumping, running, climbing, swinging, laughing, and hugging even Batman needs a good sleep.

Glenda loves the grand kids so much that she just wants to hug and hold all of them all of the time, especially in griz blue.


Vacation summary: caught in traffic due to a roll over accident two miles in front of us; Bryant lost in the airport and required a page like a little boy to be found; Batman storms the chevy place and takes home a red speed racer; running, hugging, laughing, and playing till grandpa is worn out; getting stopped by police for speeding and getting off with a warning; going home in rain, hail, wind and snow all the way to Idaho on fat tires; or best stated-plane tickets $100, red speed racer lots of dollars, forever family memory and silly grin - PRICELESS!!!!!

Trent's Big Day

Trent graduated from the University of Idaho Law School on Saturday, May 10th. Here he is in his academic regalia, the traditional robes and hood of the law school in the colors of gold, black and purple.

Claudia and Adam

joined us from Portland.

It was so great to be together again. We enjoyed a picnic with Trent's closest school friends and their families.

The handsome men on the I bench in front of the administration building. U of I is a beautiful, old campus steeped in tradition. The grounds and buildings are beautiful. The school was founded in 1889 and the Law School celebrates its centennial next year.

The proud parents and new graduate. After a week at home, Trent will return to Moscow for the Bar Review course and to sit the bar. He will return and start his new job in mid August.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CREW

When I got up today I thought I'd treat Grandpa B with a ride in the truck. It is really important to pay attention to your elders. So I said, "you buy the food and gas and I'll let you come along Gramps". Of course he jumped at the offer, even though he's too old to really jump.

This is where it gets really tricky. When you're used to being cared for, there's no way you're going to walk for hours just to see the mountains and snow. So I put on the cute face and twisted grandpa's arm for push in the stroller.

Grandpa didn't drop over; that's always good. I was quite surprised that he could walk and run behind the stroller. Of course I was doing all the work. Check out Grandpa's yellow jersey. He's so delusional that he thinks he's Lance Armstrong. Grandpa, what are those lines on you face? Do they hurt?

By the way the parking valet left me out on the edge. Good thing Grandma was there to save me. I know some of you don't like the snow; but how can you not like as place like this. Problem is people from Idaho always want to claim the Tetons as their very own when they really are in Wyoming. Did I mention that I'm so important that the Vice President of the USA came to visit me. It's true. Ask anyone. Air force II was at the Jackson Hole airport.

Yes, everyone knows my name and I have them all wrapped around my finger 'cause I just so cute. Cooper and Mason, you should try this spoiled to death by Glenn, EJ, Glenda, Bryant, Mommy, Daddy, Jason, Eliza, and the list go on.

Glenn and EJ are back in town. They have already had one fun snow storm to complain about.
Look Grandma G. a book. Read it to me really fast before I go to California to be really cool.
Just two more old people I have doting all over me. Yes, Grandma and Grandpa B praise my very existence. As you can see they are both praying to me.