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.

Little Buck-a-roo Crew

Grandma and Grandpa Vandersloot have a bull sale at River Bend Ranch once a year. They have Crew come and help wrangle the cattle. Here he is at Grandma Belnaps getting ready for the big day. You can never be too short on bananas, especially before a big bull sale, so Crew raided the pantry. It's tuff out there for little buck-a-roo.
This is a picture of the River Bend Auction arena. Crew had lots of fun there. He just needed to be down on the floor for the big event, so he could run around and see every thing.
This is where the cows came out of the shoot and into the auction ring. Only the bravest of cowboys got to be on the front row. Some times the bulls would put there heads down and charge the pen. They would paw on the floor and throw sawdust over everything and everyone. Getty up go little buck-a-roos!
Great place to see good quality moo cows.

Global Warming

Adam notes problems with too much rain in Portland. Trent was a bit frosted by the winter storms too!

Everyone in the area was concern by the drought and the lack of water in all of the lakes. Ground water levels were lowering. This fall all of the stakes and wards in the area had a special fast and prayer for moisture. In Idaho that means snow, snow and more snow. As of 2/2/08 we have a good start on the water season with good snow pack in the mountains.

This is the Nelson's cabin after the snow was removed from the roof. Yes, that is the second floor west bedroom window.

A cable was used to cut the snow layer from the front roof. When it slide off the whole cabin shook. Wowzer. If you wonder who we hired to go up on the roof to shovel off six feet of snow, the answer is quite simple. Someone with super human strenth, nerves of steel, and high traction rubber on all fours.

Mini Cooper S bot!