child proofing our home

This past week we enjoyed having Peter, Jessica, and Ezekiel come visit on their way from California to Rexburg Idaho. Ezekiel has grown so much, and with a little persuasion he finally got to the point that Grandma and Grandpa D were OK to go to. We even enjoyed occasional hugs without tricking him.
As you can see he was so quick to discover the many things we had down at his level, so Jessica ran around moving things up. His biggest fascination was anything that plugged in. He loved electrical items, so we would move furniture to cover plugs, or just unplug items.
I do have a basket of toys which kept his attention occasionally. Especially the stick horse. He didn't know to ride it, but he would hold onto the stick, and drag it around basically sweeping the floor.
Next time we meet we will need to go through the get-to-know-you-games all over again, as we will with Ethan and Savannah. But we will focus on getting the house child-proofed before next months visit with Ethan.

Tony, Rodney and I have also spent this week picking cherries. This has been the biggest crop of cherries we have ever had. Usually just the birds are privileged to enjoy them, however this year they were a bit overwhelmed, so we managed to pick about 34 gallons to share, can, dry,freeze and use for fruit smoothies. Peter and Jessica enjoyed eating them, but Ezekiel preferred bananas.

Savannah's Raspberries

Savannah at 3 months

As you can see Savannah is growing fast, and is very healthy, just the way we like it. She continues to bring much joy to Naomi and Michael, but also grandma's ,grandpa, and many aunts and uncles from afar. We are just so thankful for this special spirit that is part of our family.
Last Saturday Naomi took her to have her pictures taken at Sears, which turned out so adorable. At this point you can enjoy looking on the web site to enjoy them.
https://www.searsphotos.com/?shareid=S206283460lS7K5G68BA7
October just can't come soon enough to have all of the kids and grand babies come home for Rodney's wedding. Tony and I are so looking forward to that.

Ezekiel's 1st Birthday!

Ezekiel had his first Birthday on the 12th of June, and was celebrated with a Hawaiian Luau theme for both family and friends. As you can see he is enjoying the party atmosphere with dancing, and of course eating the cake. It looks like Dad is enjoying the part that he is wearing on his face. What a cutie.

We are looking forward to seeing the three of them as they pass through here the first of July, before headed back to Rexburg for school.

Tony in Georgia

For Tony's birthday surprise this year he got a ticket to go and spend a few days in Georgia with Chelsea, Anthony and Ethan. It was so much fun for him to venture and see there beautiful new home, play with Ethan who was always very happy go lucky, and visit the base to see all of Anthony's gear or just have time with all of them.

He said that Georgia was such a lush and beautiful place, but with that you had to deal with the heat and humidity. Most of the visit was spent inside buildings or the car with the air conditioning. Which meant that the only way to play golf with his son was via video game.

It was also fun for Tony to see Jersey again. I'm not sure who missed who more, but when he returned to Portland Belle really sniffed him over, and was excited to welcome him home .

There is truly no greater joy as a parent than spending time with our children.
Thank you so much Chelsea & Anthony for allowing this time for Dad to spend with you, and create great memories. We love you!

My baby is growing up!

After arriving in Rexburg and seeing how much JoAnna needed me there it made me feel good, however she then shared with me her exciting news of next years home that she, Bonnie, and Jamie are going to be rooming in. She and Bonnie had already made a deposit on the room for next winter/summer semester terms. The Cornerstone Manor is located around the corner from Greenbrier apartments from where she is now so we walked over to see it. I must admit I am very concerned with the look of both inside and out, since it is quite run down. JoAnna however made it clear to me that this was her decision, she did this on her own, and it was what both she and Bonnie felt they could afford. All I could do was tell her congratulation. She is looking ahead with anticipation for a change.
The last thing that I want to do is burst her bubble, but being in a house with so many roommates and only one kitchen is a set up for a real mess. It seems to be that way now with only 6 in her apartment. Its always the same few that clean up after themselves, but she will discover that by herself.

the college experience

It has been such a wonderful weekend in Rexburg with JoAnna. She was feeling so homesick, which was a wonderful opportunity for me to satisfy my desire to go see her. I was just glad that she was so excited as well to have me come.
Friday we did errands of getting the things that she needed since I have a car, its easier to pack things. We found the movies that finished off the series of "Love comes softly", so that was our evening activity. We also enjoyed walking around campus taking pictures of some of the nicest spots. On such a clear day it just seemed a good thing to do for fun memories.
Saturday was a day to go back in time by preparing for a Beetles concert. Which meant going to DI to find the perfect clothing. I normally get right in to dressing up, but the real satisfaction was watching the students get so into it. JoAnna wore her girls camp t-shirt that was tie-died and said the Beetles on the front, then she wrote in the various titles of albums on the back. There was allot of tie-die of many brite colors there. Her roommate wore my turquoise jumpsuit from 32 years ago that JoAnna brought here for a costume. I must say it made a great costume once again. And to think that I actually wore it as a dress outfit and felt it was very classie in its day.
The Music group "1964 The Tribute" have been invited to come back to Rexburg for several years at the end of spirit week to perform, and they really sound amazing. The evening was so much fun.
I can tell that I am not as young as I used to be by burning the candle at both ends. JoAnna started her morning by going to church for meetings at 7:00am, then I joined her with her roommates at 9:00am. It was allot of fun to watch her in action as a leader not only at home, but also at church. She has established so many wonderful qualities that I really admire, and hope to refocus on for myself.
After church it was fun to go to the temple and enjoy walking around, as well as discuss the future. The weather has been so nice all weekend, so the setting of the temple over looking the city was so beautiful.
I am so very glad JoAnna has such great room-mates and friends to make her college experience a great memorable one to reflect back on in years to come.