Happiness and Success

Wow! Has it really been 10 months since my last entry? I must repent.

The special event that brings me to the keyboard is Mike's graduation from Expressions Digital Arts School. We had a wonderful time celebrating this great happening in Mike's life. Dad, Missy, Jackson, Chris and I attended. Mike was Salutatorian of his class, just narrowly missing being Valedictorian by a few points - congratulations Mike on all accounts.

The saying on the back of the graduation program reads:

"Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success.

If you love what you are doing, you will be successful" Albert Schwitzer

We're proud of you Mike and wish you much happiness and success. According to this saying, you are already there.

Dad, Mike and I had a chance to test out one of the studios at the school the day before graduation and we recorded our version of "Neverending Story", a song we had recorded several years ago, but it needed some improvements. Pretty impressive equipment, it might even make me sound good.

Sat., Mike took Missy, Dad and I to one of the studios (located in San Francisco) that he will be working at, as he works his magic with the sound boards and mixing equipment.

While in Oakland, Jackson celebrated his 4th month birthday and he experienced his 1st plane ride. What a great little traveler - he put up with our crazy schedule pretty well.

Fun Summer

Wow, has the summer gone by already? We really had a full, but fun one. The list includes a trip to SL to help out Missy while Clark was gone, a canoe trip down the local river with Bob and family, meeting Bob and family and Debbie and her girls in St. Louis for a 6 Flags adventure, teen week, another trip to SL to help out Missy and Clark with the big move into their new home. Thanks for inviting us to spend some time with each of you - we love it. The pictures will tell it all. River Trip 6 Flags Carousel ride at 6 Flags The pool at the motel Teen week Missy and Clark's new house Samantha and Missy on deck of new house

New House

Well, it's official, we are now the owners of 2 homes. We haven't had a mortgage payment for many years and now we are just like the rest of you, in debt. The signing was Fri., May 29, 2009. We are really excited about it and can't wait to paint it, furnish it and enjoy the great winter weather. We want you all to know that the home is open to any of you at any time (as soon as we get it equipped). We do have a patio set, 4 pillows, a set of pans, glasses and flatware. We also have a couch, love seat, chair and ottoman on order, so we have started. We have found that it isn't easy or cheap to make a home livable, even if just for a few months of the year. How about a shower for an old married couple? It seems strange that after buying a new home, we just up and leave it empty for several months.

Homemade Gifts Giveaway

The first FIVE people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice, for you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It'll be done this year. (might be a little while)

4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may a joke book, autographed picture of myself, handmade bag, or a little invention of my own! I may create you a blog header or paint something for you with my food. (That would be scary). I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who Know?

5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. Believe me...it may blow your mind!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Sounds like fun, right? So, let's play!

Australia/New Zealand Trip

I'm kind of slow in getting this up, but better late than never, right?  

We really enjoyed our trip and experiences to the lands down under.  We didn't realize how close to Antarctica we would be when sailing around Tasmania at the southern tip of New Zealand.  We became very familiar with the Hop-on Hop-off buses in each city and were able to see so much, like:  lush vegetation, Pohutukawa Tree, Maori Museum, Sydney Opera House, Queen Victoria Building, Wildlife Museum, Botanical Gardens (in several cities), Rod Laver Tennis Arena (home of Australian Open), Bondi Beach, Cadbury Chocolate Factory (Hobart, Tasmania), Fijordlands, Kiwi Farm, nesting habitat of the Gannet birds of 

New Zealand, sheep shearing, Koala, Kangaroos, and not to mention all the activities on the cruise ship.  Here are just a few pictures, but if you really want to know more, just ask to see our movie.

Fall Vacation

The past month has been pretty busy for us.  After speaking in Keokuk on Sept. 14^th, we left right after the meetings to head to CA.  We had to make an important stop in Las Vegas to visit our old friends – Donny and Marie Osmond.  They gave a wonderful show to a packed house at the Flamingo.  They sang, danced and joked around with themselves and the audience all night.  We thought they had a lot of energy and stamina for being in their 50’s. 

We drove to La Crescenta the next day and enjoyed our next week with the CA Harts, 

enjoying the new guest bedroom (go try it out).  Chris and Wendy left the following morning, before we even got up,to fly to SL for an alumni conference.  The kids all got off to school (needing very little help from us) and we spent the day with Ben, who was just wonderful for us.  He showed us his trampoline, cars and puzzle skills and entertained us all day long.  Saturday was our busy day with 2 soccer games to attend at the same time – it was split up time.  Thank goodness for the GPS, I’m sure that I would have gotten lost trying to find Elizabeth’s field.  Chris and Wendy got home late Sat. night.

Mon. and Tues. we spent giving 9 physics demonstrations on sound to the Dunsmore School classes – that was fun.  Wed. we visited the new Americana Shopping area in Glendale, which

features a scaled down version of the Belagio Fountain in Vegas, and ended up at the Nestle store for some always desired – 

CHOCOLATE.

We left Thurs. for Berkeley, spending the afternoon with Mike at his new apartment (no school on Thurs.).  He and Echo seem to have settled right into their new environment – lots of good friends and neighbors - Echo can even play on the outside balcony with her new friends.  Fri., Hal’s dream was finally fulfilled, we got to see the Trolley Car museum and the main power station for San Francisco trolley system.  We’ve tried for years, but could never find a parking place along those crowded streets.  We also

found a fortune cookie factory down a scary, narrow alley.  After classes, Mike met us, along 

with a couple of his friends, at a climbing gym in San

Francisco.  Who knew that Mike could climb like that?  The competition lasted several hours with Mike and friend making several successful climbs at varying levels of difficulty.  (I have proof on camera for your viewing pleasure.)  We spent Sat. at Alcatraz (just visiting of course) – interesting place.   

Mon., we gave Mike back his space and headed for SL.  Samantha has developed quite a bit since this summer and is getting quite mobile.  She loves her activity center and jumper and kept us entertained during her waking hours.  I’m sure that she will be very different

 when we see her at Christmas.     

            

After only a couple of days (way to short), we headed for 4 of the southern Utah National Parks - Capital Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, and National Bridges.  We loved the scenery, what a feast for the eyes. Each park is different, each with it’s own beauty.  I took lots of pictures, bet you can’t wait?  I can’t believe that we haven’t been there before – what did we do all those years we lived in Utah?

We spent the last weekend of our trip at Jeff and Grace’s – nice house, with plenty of space for a family gathering.  We even checked out our place of abode for Jan and Feb. – it looks pretty good from the outside, anyway.

The drive home wasn't nearly as fun as the drive to visit everyone.  We stayed occupied with our audio books and food.  Now we need to recuperate and get some home jobs done before the next trip.  Thanks to all of you for a very fun and eventful vacation.

Teen Week

Well, our 3rd annual Teen Week is officially over and we all survived.  We really had a great time, filling every day with fun activities and our special trip to the temple to do baptisms for our deceased ancestors (42 names).  We are going to be very busy during this coming year to complete these names - any volunteers to help?

Besides going to the temple, our week consisted of many activities, such as: riflry, archery, disc golf, service projects (burning wood, delivering meals to shut-ins), pickleball, tennis, go-carts, table tennis, discovering Nauvoo by horse-drawn wagon, looking for ancestors who lived in Nauvoo, finding gravestones of those who died in Nauvoo, 5 minute masterpieces (skits), and learning a new game entitled "American Idol", which

 turned out to be a favorite of all.  This game will be unveiled to the whole family this summer in Wydaho, so get your singing voices in order.  

Thanks go to the parents who have raised such great teens and who support us as grandparents to provide this activity.  We look forward to next year and the addition of yet another teen to the mix.