Sean Becomes a Deacon

Sean turned 12 on April 12th and so it was time for him to become a Deacon.  Grandma suggested that I fly up and be with him on this important occasion which I was very happy to do, though I do wish both of us could have gone.







I got there on Saturday morning so I was able to go to Sean's Birthday Party that afternoon where we did an indoor miniature golf and laser tag.  Tamra and I joined them for the miniature golf and Tamra latter said she wished she had joined them for the laser tag.  I was content taking pictures.

Of course on Sunday we attended church where Dustin ordained Sean a Deacon.  He also gave him a very nice blessing in conjunction with the ordination.

During the day on Monday Dustin had an important mid-term exam and Tamra had here day-care business to run so while Sean and Anna were in school I took a drive around and took some photos.  Some I have already put on my Just Used Pixels blog.  I couldn't pass up this very nice little train station in Albany.  If you look closely you'll see that I was even there on a day when there was actually some blue peaking through the clouds.

On Monday evening, our family home evening consisted of going to Sean and Anna's final Archery Class of the year. 

Since this was the final class they got to have a little fun by shooting out balloons, some of which had prizes in them.

Sean had just got some new sites installed on his bow, so even though they were out of adjustment a little so he didn't hit the balloon every time, as you can tell by this photo where the two arrows are essentially going in the same hole he's got a deadly aim.

You can see by the look on Anna's face that when it comes to sending that arrow down range she is very serious.  She also is an excellent shot.  I think she was the first of all the kids there to get every one of her balloons popped.  Her and Sean both ended up winning baseball caps and chocolate bars.  I'm really glad I went, we had a great night and I was very proud of both of them.

Sadly on Tuesday it was time to leave.  I'm so glad I went up.  I had a ball and I just wish Grandma could have gone with me.  Next time for sure.

Riley's Baptism

Saturday, March 26th was a special day for us all as Riley was baptized along with his cousin Landon Kimber.  It was a great day and a great Baptism Meeting.  Skyelie gave a talk on B-A-P-T-I-S-M in which she talked about how each of those letters helped us remember important things about baptism and the covenants we make.  She did a SUPER job and we were very proud of her.  Afterward we went over to Jannica's brother's home, nearby and had a super lunch.  All in all a wonderful day.

WAY TO GO RILEY!!!

We are so proud of the wonderful decision you made.

Special Day, March 13, 2011

I thought it would be good to have a record of the family on the special day when Jeff was sustained and set apart as the 2d counselor in the new Bishopric in their ward so I took some photos. It will be interesting to see how he and they have changed by the time he is released.

While the camera was out I got one of the two sisters together.

Jane has been doing this new thing with her tongue lately that is so cute, but, of course, she wouldn't do it while the camera was there.  We did get this really cute expression though that I thought everyone might enjoy.

Big Fun in the Snow

I have been talking to Eric and Jeff about getting the grand-kids out for a sledding party this year. Sunday night at our family get-together I realized that Monday was Presidents' Day and a school holiday so we quickly put together a sledding event. Unfortunately Jeff had to work and Avery and Jane had coughs, soooo that just left Eric's and Wade's families. Also unfortunately, Skyelie had recently had her tonsils out and didn't feel up to coming out with us and Makenzie's knee was sore and so she didn't come. Tooo bad darn it, because the rest of us had a great time at a place called Hidden Hollow with sleds, tubes, Hot cocoa and donuts.

Grandchildren and Camping

I haven't been very good at keeping this blog up to date, so this one is about a week late.  We headed up towards Monte Cristo or South Fork area on Sunday afternoon and Melissa, Jeff and Avery joined us for supper that evening.  We had planned to stay until Wednesday and Melissa was scheduled to have her baby on Friday and Jeanne was going to be there for that. 

Avery thought this camping stuff was pretty cool and was anxious to check everything out including making sure our camper was blocked safely etc.

When Monday evening rolled around we went looking for some pretty photos to take and while near Causey Dam we momentarily got cell phone service.  My phone let off several beeps and when I looked and saw that I had 6 text messages and some voice mail I knew something was up - I think I got about 6 text messages all last year - so 6 in one day meant something.  As expected we soon learned that Melissa had gone into the hospital and had her baby without her mom being there, which made her mom very sad.  We headed back down to camp. hooked up and loaded up and came home.

Then next day we went to the hospital and found this little darlin waiting for us.

Jane Ashleigh Leger

Avery is going to be a wonderful big sister and they are going to be the best of friends, just like Kathryn and Melissa.

Remember, you can click on any of these photos to make them larger.

Left Coast Trip

What do you think? Do you like my clever and creative title for this post? Okay, I guess I'm not in a clever or creative mood today. In the time I've spent up there I've figured out why they call it the "Left" Coast. The important thing is that we did have a nice trip to Washington and Oregon a couple weeks ago, and I thought I ought to post about it, if for nothing more than to let you see some of the cute grand kids. I didn't get any of Kathryn or Trevor because they were so busy getting the house and yard ready. I'd already slowed them enough by just being there.  Nor did I get any of Melissa, but that's okay, she didn't get any of me. LOL!

First we went to Kennewick,  Washington, to Kathryn and Trevor's new home, where we spent the night and talked them into letting Hallie and Megan go with us to Oregon the next day.  I was kind of surprised, but they did, and I'm sure glad.

When we got to Dustin and Tamra's we relaxed the first day and played some games and played with there toys, and even played some Wii, but I didn't get any photos of that.

I hope by now that you know that if you click on a photo you can see it larger.

Hallie helped Tamra with some of the cooking. We did eat really really well on this trip - notice I said "well", not right or healthy. But boy was it good.


The next day happened to be my birthday and we headed out fairly early for the coast around Newport. What a WONDERFUL day that turned out to be. If you're familiar with the Oregon coast you know that it's usually cold and damp and foggy and cloudy. Not that day it was P E R F E C T. The clouds were just right, the temperature warmed up a bit and the tide was out quite a way, allowing for lots of FUN exploring and seeing things some of us had never seen before in the wild.


For example both the girls are holding real live star fish in this photo. Of course we returned them to the ocean after the photo was taken. I'm sure Hallie was off finding some other cool stuff like crabs or anemones or something else fun.


Later on Jeanne and Anna had a chance to share a little private time.


Whether it was the sea or the surf or the exercise or Dustin and Tamra's cooking and preparing, I don't know but we shared one of the absolute best lunches that I have ever had in my whole life - no kidding.


I've kind of reserved this blog post for just pictures of the family, but I did get lots of other really great photos at the beach and if you want to see some of them just visit my other blog here. I do have to say that with the the beautiful coast, the weather and family it was the best birthday that I can remember in my adult life.

Friday we headed back to Washington with Dustin, Tamra and family in tow, and on Saturday we paid a visit to a local Kennewick park that is right on the shores of the Columbia river.

Davis really enjoyed himself just wandering around all the fun toys.



Avery had a great time in the swing as well as several other toys.


Among other things, the girls really enjoyed this tire swing, where they could be together as they played.


They finally cajoled grandpa (me) to get them swinging and twirling as fast as they could go. You would never guess that Anna has to take motion sickness pills to ride in the car, because she was on this thing for probably close to half an hour.


Seems like Campbell is still working on that correlation between dark jackets and hoodies and being hot. He does love a hat or his hoodies all the time. The rest of us were sweating with just short sleeves. The important thing is he did find some toys that thoroughly entertained him. He had a ball.


Sean was moving so fast around the toys I never caught him until he took a few minutes to repose by the side of the river.


THANK YOU Dustin and Tamra and Kathryn and Trevor for a wonderful trip. And thanks to the Oregon State Patrol welcoming committee for reminding me of my civic duties to obey the speed limit. LOL!!!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart

Sometime last year I started a tradition of posting some photos of each of our children on their birthdays. I have not written anything other than the title wishing them a happy birthday
I have to make an exception now, because as special as each of these children is to me, they all have to take a back seat to today's birthday person.

When I look at these baby pictures I think of the old song about "You must have been a beautiful baby, cause, baby, look at you now." Jeanne has always been beautiful.

Jeanne was and is a wonderful mother to our children. The proper raising of each one of them, even into adulthood, has always been her primary concern. She knows the importance of how they are taught from birth and now even as she helps them be better parents of their own children.



As the blog title says, we're empty-nesters now and soon I'll leave the day to day grind of work so that we can spend our time together which will be the best thing of all while still on this earth.



I love you Jeanne! Have a WONDERFUL birthday, and together lets make this the best year of our lives so far.

Scott

Happy Birthday Melissa!