Bendixsen Bits

That was a GREAT ADVENTURE

2011-07-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

*Title taken from the movie Hook*

Last fall I stated back to school.
The following is what I learned:
I have learned that it is best not to miss class.
It helps to have a study buddy.
Mouthing off to the teacher only gets you a BAD grade.
*This I learned from others experience NOT my own*
Power point is not a scary as I thought.
I can still spell most words correctly although I now LOVE my Computer spell check
The Librarians are WONDERFUL.
Research is much easier now that we have the internet.
Every thing you ever wanted to know about the treatment of circus animals, and then some.
Our state does NOT fund the poet laureate any longer due to budget cuts.
There is always one more piece of paperwork to fill out for your tuition.
Poetry is still a love of mine.
The more you know the more write, not always a good thing
Imaginary numbers Still have a right answer not an imaginary one.
Love has rules and writers must follow them
Hamlet is still a Great read.
Logarithms make sense.
The little red haired girl with all those tattoos and piercings sitting next to you is a sweetie,
So Don't judge a student by his appearance.
Standing up for your values earns you respect
The book is ALWAYS better than the movie.
A 3.94 is harder than I remember.

Someday I might Graduate and become a Real People
until then
Bring on that summer reading list.

Good summer break everyone

"To Be or Not to Be..."

2011-03-20T06:23:00.000-07:00

When I grow up I want to be... We have all dreamed of being something, teacher astronaut, firefighter, nurse. What did you dream of when you were little? Are you that person now? No one ever says they want to be second best doing something dull and un-fulfilling when they grow up yet how many of us put our dreams on the shelf and settle for what ever we can find.
When I was little I wanted to be two things when I grew up. I want to be a teacher and I wanted to be a Mommy. These seemed like two things that would be fun and that you had to be smart to do. My own Mom was so smart she knew all kinds of things. She created a world of fun out of nothing and I wanted to be like that.
I had wonderful teachers while I was in school who made learning fun. I had a teacher in the 4th grade who found a way for us to dissect cool stuff for science. I had an Teacher who saw the potential for great readers and sent a few of us to the library to get the "Special Books" Like Huck Fin and Wrinkle in time, when we had read all of the books the rest of the class was reading.
Now I have been a Mommy for quite a few years and this is what I have learned about my dream come true. It is harder shop for the perfect toy than it is to build the perfect blanket fort. Fast food is NEVER better tasting that food that comes out of the oven with the marks of little helpers ( even if they did think that salt was sugar ). The city pool is cool but being able to lay out in the little pool at home at midnight and find the constellations with Dad is cooler. The trip to the fun thing is always more fun and more memorable than the fun thing itself.
I have also been teaching now for many years although not in the formal state-run setting that most of us associate with teaching. Teaching is done in many ways, Mom's are teaching all day every day if anyone cares to learn. I have learned a great deal from all my students over the years and I would like to share just a few. Students are more interested in what you have to say if you can remember their names. There are never enough black brown and pink crayons in a box. Candy in the class is never helpful but sometimes an un-frosted cookie in the shape of a covered wagon is the best visual aid. The student who has read ahead and is prepared is a treat and somewhat rare. Most of the time spent teaching should be spent listening to what your students think about what was said.
When our children blessed our lives, I set aside school and formal education and paychecks that would have been nice to stay home to raise my children. I know that not everyone does it that way, but it was the way I chose. Full time Mom and dream on the back burner. I missed out on all that late night college fun and long time friendships that good roommates and classmates become. Now I find that All this time I was Full time Mom and Full time Teacher. the pay was immeasurable and the benefits are just now kicking in. I have the benefit of seeing all the children I have taught over the years begin to raise their own children and to become GREAT Parents. I have the benefit of my own little grandsons coming to my house and showing me the marvelous things their Mommies and Daddies have taught them. I am greatly blessed to have taught some of the best children on earth and they have taught me much as well.
Now as I return to school to finish what I started years ago, a sense of humor is helpful as I try to explain what I am doing to younger minds than mine. They marvel that if I am already teaching privately why would I want to sit in an English class that no one seemed to really want to take. I laugh and explain that even though I have taken this class before it was years ago and the paper credit doesn't count any more. Lesson to be learned: Finish what you start in a timely manner or you will have to start over. I have enjoyed remembering the lines from Shakespeare's plays long forgotten and now renewed. Lesson to be learned: Love of family is the most important thing and trust is essential to that love. I have even enjoyed learning that I can do algebra after all these years. Lesson to be learned: Some things are not as hard as we remember or perceive if we will just sit down and do them.
To become what we dream we must work hard and sacrifice those things that do not matter for the things that do matter. To not become what we dream leaves us empty of some of the joy our Heavenly Father desires us to have. Having been sent to earth to become like our Father in Heaven requires sacrifice and hard work. We must give up what would seem like a good time for what appears like hard work at the moment. To be like Him requires that we Not be like the world. To be what we dream means that we can Not be distracted from flashy here and now.
To be who we are, or not the real question is are you willing to pay the price and go the distance and finish what you started when you first had that dream.

The End is Just The Begining

2011-01-25T14:40:00.000-08:00

Some time ago our family took a very long road trip to a very special place. All the way there we heard the Oh Too Familiar “Are we THERE yet”? The road seemed long and tiresome and although at times we made the road fun for the most part is was all about wearing your seat-belt and staying where you belong and not getting lost and on and on. Seemed like more of a burden to get where we were going then the Special Place would be worth when we got there.

What our children did not know was the Special Place would be worth every minute they had to spend in the car. What could they in their inexperience know of their destination? They did not remember having been there and could not possible know that their parents were doing all they could to provide them with a grand and wonderful life experience. Soon they would have more joy then they had ever previously known.

When we arrived they were indeed thrilled. So many memories of that day fill my heart and theirs. Such reunions as they had never remembered. Families, gone from our presence but not forgotten, were waiting for us to greet us and fuss over us and share everything they had with us. It was indeed a marvelous time. We were so happy to be where our family was. The long road was over and the End was just the Beginning.

We are all part of a larger family, The Family of Our Father in Heaven. He too has asked each of us to go on a long journey to a special place. The road is filled with seat-belts that must be worn to keep us safe. At times we have fun, laugh and create a memory of the journey, but still we must follow the rules of this road. And when we reach our destination we too will be filled with the joy of being again with Family that we knew but perhaps because of time and distance and space have forgotten

Sometimes, in our lives, we make choices that take us places we do not want to be Yet, at other times, People in our lives make choices that leave us in places we do not wish to be. Still we stand together and that makes us strong. We are a forever family and we WILL Stand strong yet again, even if we do not want to stand here.

Here where the road seems longest, Here where the pain is felt most deeply. Here feeling left behind as everyone else moves on without us. Here, left Standing alone, on earth. Yet we remember something of our Home in Heaven each time we hold that new life that comes so fresh from our wonderful Heavenly Home. We feel it when we reunite with friends and loved ones in this mortal sphere. We feel it most tenderly when one we loves reaches the end of their journey and discovers,

The End is just the Beginning.

2010-10-22T23:18:00.000-07:00

Funny how life goes and goes and then one day you notice how much has gone. This week Dennis and I noticed that it had been 30 years that we had been married. I wonder if it was those flowers that give it away, or perhaps all of our children coming home for dinner or maybe it was card that said how after 30 years he still loves me like it was just yesterday that we fell in love. Whatever it is that makes you notice the time, the time becomes less important as you go along. What is important is the way you feel every day. Do you feel better because you have this wonderful person to share your day with? Do you want to spend your evenings and free time with them ? Do you count the minutes in anticipation of their arrival? When the only time that matters is the time spent apart because you just want more time together, You know that you have something special. Time at our house this year was kind of a BIG deal. With Dennis doing a temporary night gig for a few months that has turned into half the year... Time together was a big deal. Then we noticed that both of us were just a tad closer to that half century mark than we would like to have to admit. Dennis hit it last January and I was edging closer than I ever wanted. Funny how so much of your life you can pack into what feels like such a small amount of time. Funny how such a short space of ticking minutes becomes years and decades and then you are the grey haired grandparents. Funny how that vow to love forever seems to be just getting started and someone much younger points out that you have been married longer than anyone they know. Funny how time flies when you are having fun.

The Easy Life

2010-09-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

My cousin Becky has inspired me this morning to achieve the easy life. She posted that as of 10:30 this morning she had already accomplished a laundry list of the days activities Such as laundry, windows bathrooms lunches packed Kiddies bathed dressed fed and ready for a new adventure. Beds made, floors vacuumed, and Kitchen cleaned up from breakfast. WHEW ! You see my cousin Like myself, is a stay at home MOM. We lead the easy life. For when you are a stay at home Mom this is your life, look at all the freedom you will have when you choose this EASY life.
You set your own hours. ( whenever you are needed )
You set your own menu ( What ever the kids will eat this week )
You set the dress code. ( What will wash the best with this activity. )
You set the schedule ( as long as you have everyone where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there.Dressed the way they are supposed to be dressed )
You set the pay scale ( as long as it is leftover from everything else )
YOU Cook, YOU clean, YOU administer the first aid, YOU are the referee.
YOU DETERMINE THE ATTITUDE (cause if Mama ain't happy ain't nobody Happy )
You are the captain of your ship What could be easier than That. :D

So to all you who are looking to ease your burdens and get out of that race of a life you lead
Just stay home and lead the easy life.

Enjoy :D

BaseBall Anyone ?

2010-07-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I learned to play baseball in school. I Learned the rules or so I thought. I even learned to swing a bat. I lived in Seattle the home of the Professional Losing Mariners so.... when our little town decided to start up a woodbat league, and they called for host families for the young men who would be playing, I thought WHY NOT !

Let me introduce you to my
Boys of Summer !

This is Marshall and Danny and Karsten
with Dylan at one of our Baseball games.
Our team is the Walla Walla Sweets.
Danny # 14 plays mostly 3rd base but sometimes first. He lives with us and Dylan loves him. Marshall # 6 Plays all the infield and Dylan thinks he is Funny. Karsten #33 Plays 1st base. These guys are great to have in our homes and they have been great to get to know.

We had a bat night giveaway and Dylan got a little bat. but when we went to take pictures with the team he wanted Danny's bat so...
Danny traded him.
Dylan thought that was cool
But he did have to give Danny back his big bat and that was not cool.

This is Chris # 46
He is a Pitcher. He has a fast ball that is really fast. It is really hard to hit too.

Dylan thinks he is his big brother.
He follows him everywhere when they are both at the house at the same time. And Chris has been a great sport about talking to him and playing in the pool with him.

If you have seen our pool you know why that is a big deal.

We love to watch all the boys as they swing for the fence
Or guard the home turf.

And you can't have baseball in Walla Walla without a big Sweet Onion. oh yeah and Great Umpires.

The season started out a little chilly and Dennis Had to get me a jacket.

But as you can see Now we have beautiful sunshine and they work really hard to keep our field of dreams Green.
We love to sit and watch as they prep the field.
And This is where we sit for every Game. Great seats !!! PLAY BALL :D

What is a Family anyway

2010-05-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

This is me, I am a boy and I am All BOY ! I love Dirt and mud and dogs and cookies and everything that is loud and dirty. But I also love my bear and my blanket and a good cuddle when the day is over. I Love a bath and soft warm PJ's . I have a Mom and a Dad and that is our Family. Just us and we are very happy . So when My mom and Dad told me that We were going to have a baby brother soon, I wondered what that meant.

When I asked my Dad how we were getting a baby Brother he thought about it a while and said your mom is going to take care of that . But we are going to love him and he is going to be a lot of fun.

So one day After spending the night with Nana and Papa we go to this place and I see my Mom just laying around in Bed. Now my mom works very hard to keep My Dad and Me clean and Fed and entertained and happy so I thought she was just taking a nap before she fixed me lunch. But she said No, she was working on getting a baby Brother here.
It doesn't look like work to me but I am just 2

So Nana and I went to the bookstore and found a book about being a Big Brother and then one about Cars racing and crashing ( that one is for my Dad cause he can make the BEST crash sounds EVER) and took them home to Nana's and read them. and waited. OK WE made cookies and played with the dogs and took a nap and then the phone rang and My Dad said that we could come and see the new Baby Brother. Uncle Derek and Nana and I went to the big place and look what we found.

This is My Baby Brother.
He can't do anything yet that is fun but everyone seems to really like him.
I think he doesn't know I am his Big Brother yet but I keep telling him that he is the baby so I think he will get it soon.
So, this is my Dad and my Baby Brother,
And I guess my family is just everyone that loves me and That I love

Smile this is for Posterity

2010-04-29T20:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes all my children are home at the same time. It is at these special times in my life that I love to gather my precious children around me and take a picture as proof that we really do all belong to each other. I think of how when I am old and lonely I will be able to look back on all these wonderful pictures and think of all the good times we have had together. Like these good times.

Smile because this is for Posterity :D

Spring Break?

2010-03-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

I came down to visit my folks in sunny California and this morning this is what we saw.

It was not too bad for a while then this was the order of the day !

I guess this is why they call it spring Break !

Because we were taking a BREAK FROM SPRING

Enjoy your Break from spring as well.

Where the Boys Are

2010-03-09T11:56:00.000-08:00

When I was much younger than I am now...
There was this song on the radio that I thought was kind of a funny thing.
The young lady is crooning about where the boys are someone waits for her.

I have always wondered where those boys were and why were they waiting for her to come to them instead of going to her ? Such are the mysteries that you rarely ever solve until now.
The boys are at Papa's house having all kinds of great boy fun.

They wait for her because she is missing all the fun. They are getting dirty playing in the garden... they are cleaning up after Nana fixes anything in the kitchen.

They are waiting with great anticipation as the party is starting...

But mostly they are just being Boys and that is the best place to be of all.

Ladies and Gents The BOYS ARE HERE AND LOVING IT. :d

And we are Loving having them here

:D

What is Love ?

2010-01-27T17:02:00.000-08:00

I knew a man who spoke of love with the
fondness of familiarity in his eyes
The sparkle that told you,
He really had known such a thing.
It make a coy smile spread across his weathered face
like sunshine spreading across the
morning grass and expunging all traces of the nights storm.

He spoke of the softness of love
and how in moments of grief too great for a mortal heart
to hold out against, love, like a comforter on a winter's evening,
would chase away all traces of sorrow.
Leaving you content to find them replaced
with warm thoughts of friends and family.
Faces now gone, but never forgotten.

He spoke of the compassion of love.
Tender feelings so intense that nothing but the best for others
motivates you to do good.
Feelings of empathy so complete
that you experience their joy and sadness.

He spoke of the sorrow of love.
How your heart breaks when
those whom you love turn away from you.
When nothing you say or do will bring them back
because of the hardness of your words
and of their hearts.
When prayer and time and Love are your only Hope.

He spoke of the strength of love,
and how it holds you up when you feel certain that you can not endure.
Strength that flows through you like electricity,
energizing the very fibers of your being,
giving you what you never knew you had, to face life's trials

He spoke of the Joy of love,
that fills you with an anticipation that is so real,
you feel the energy of their presence long before they become visible.
That just having them near makes you feel completely content.

He spoke if his love for me
and I could not wonder at his words.
A captive of his strength and forever the beneficiary of his joy,
I had learned of the capability compassion had to change a hardened heart.
I know that his joy and mine were intertwined.
The ring of gold and cherished promise spoken years ago
had long since made me his for eternity.

And the Beat Goes ON...

2010-01-18T14:35:00.000-08:00

Several years ago in a city far far away.
In another life almost, Benny was a drummer in a Band.
He loved it. He is a very good drummer in fact.
But sadly drums and babies do not mix and he gave it up when we got married because he knew that someday children would come into our lives.
Moving ahead several decades,
I was down at the music store and Jim says hey wanna see my latest cool find. We descended into the bowels of the music store and there they were. A great set of drums! returned by a Mother who I guess didn't realize that they were loud. "AND BOY ARE THEY LOUD" she said when bringing then back. So I counted my pennies and found a nickel or two and brought the drums home to my favorite drummer. He has patiently played them in the garage and in the corner, even outside on the patio
( neighbors were not happy about that at all )
or disassembled them and put them away for several years while other things were more important.

BUT NO MORE !! The are happily residing in his MAN CAVE !
Serving out their purpose in life getting beat to near death.
But Look at that face !
And the beat goes on....

The Gray Days

2010-01-07T13:45:00.000-08:00

The day started out cold and gray and dreary.
The kind of day where you need socks and a sweater and something hot to drink.
Where you wish there was snow falling down
for at least that would leave you with a sense of wonder and beauty.
No, it was just gray and dull and dreary.
A suggestion, spoken in longing on another gray day is recalled and you smile to yourself.
Yes that is the answer.
That would be just the thing to lift the dull and bring in the color and the joy
and fill everything with warmth.
SO off I go to grind the wheat and mix the yeast with all things good and warm.
Sugar and spice and everything oh so nice and only just a pinch... not too much.
Then comes the waiting and the waiting and then the rolling and spreading and the waiting and the baking and then ... OH SO GOOD!
How can there be anything better than hot Cinnamon rolls on such a day as this.

Eat well.

Fall.

2009-10-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

This is My neighbors Tree.

It lives outside my office window. It is beautiful and vibrant this time of year and it got me to thinking about my own life as my joyous day approaches.

Spring comes in with such promise of what is to come Yellow and Pink pop out of the ground as the earth warms up. The sky turns blue and things start to smell alive and growth begins.
Of course there is rain and mud and muck and all that comes with new growth.
There is mess and hope. Joy and work.
But there is also beauty in the day if you look beyond the trial of the moment.

Then comes Summer. Joy and beauty everywhere. The Sun shines for days on end and everyone plays. There is great food and even better nights. The fragrance of summer is herbs and flowers, pink is the color, warm is the weather. Cut grass and slightly over-chlorinated pool water.
Hands and Hearts are sticky with love and smores.
Summer is LONG and Soft and Lazy and busy and wet and dry and everything you want in life.

Fall is the gentleness that reminds us that we are mortal and will be going home soon.
It is alive and vibrant yet somehow slowing down and beginning to show wear.
It is almost passionate about it's place in your heart.
Yellow bursting into flaming red then slowing, to turn into brown.
It is a time of joy and thankfulness and foods that warm our souls and implant themselves deep into the recess of our memory. It is a hint of cool that says "THAT Time" is almost here are you ready ? Then silently falling into dark it slips away and you wake up and fall is gone.

Winter is " That Time " when youth gives way to the cold of age. But not yet ! One more snowball one more party. Lights and Song and Oh such lovely memories of family. But still the cold bears down on everything and you know that only the strongest will survive to greet you in the spring. Winter.
That place we all know is coming, yet wish for just one more day of summer.

Fall is that one more day.
Enjoy each fall day

I love This tree outside my office window.

Who Doesn't love a beautiful Bride.

2009-10-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

This week, My little Sister was married in My parents backyard.
She was beautiful and the groom was handsome.
Several of our family were there and we got some great shots of all the kids playing and being kids.
I am reminded once again that our families are so important to us and
we should do all we can to hold them close to our hearts
and to gather often to mingle our lives and hearts forever.
Enjoy a few of the shots from our great week.

Dylan enjoying a quiet breakfast before the chaos begins.

My sister Amy and Larkin with Grandma one Morning

Dylan and GreatGrandpa mowing the lawn for the big party

Derek helping Grandma make the Cream Puffs

The Fabulous cake that Amy's Hubby Scot made, just waiting for the finishing touches

The Boys of Summer !

2009-07-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

We had the boys over for a few days this summer, and BOY did we have a blast.
Ewan, Isaac and Dylan coming out the Door and Isaac, Dylan and Gary sitting on the step, singing Twinkle Twinkle.

We found Sonya's old slip and slide and that was almost as big a hit as the pools.

Ewan and Isaac love the Fast Water.
And BIG Thank you! to some great Photographers for our great water shots, Sejena and Kelly !

Dylan was A little shy of the slide part but loved the water none the less.

Even Gary found a pool he could call his own.

And not to be outdone,
We had some very brave Moms doing the SlipNSlide

Sonya and Kelly Being Brave !

And Some Moms ( Sejena ) spent all day
Taking the pictures. Holding the baby and cheering for everyone So we all felt like winners.

But what would a summer get together be with out Pappa at the BBQHe did us up right with all the stuff he can grill on that BBQ TOO
Thanks to all his kids for the wonderful Fathers day present that we will enjoy all year and for many years to come.

Hollyhocks and Eternal Lessons

2009-06-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and with it the full bloom of my Nauvoo Hollyhocks. I was so disappointed last year when all they did was come up and never bloomed. My parents were serving in The Nauvoo temple at the time and mom sent me the seeds she had harvested from a cleaning day in the gardens there. I planted them with a great anticipation and then nothing. Well the Lord says we must be a patient people. Because they did not flower I thought I had lost my seeds as well. NO Flower NO seeds. But this spring they came back and started to grow. I almost pulled them out as they did nothing last year but held off to see if perhaps they were one of those plants that just takes a season or too. ( kind of like me sometimes I take a season or too to learn sometimes.)
This is what they look like today. I am so glad that I did not pull them out. I think that is how we must appear to the Lord sometimes. He plants in us the good that we can become and then he has to wait HOW MANY SEASONS ??? for me it has been ever so many more than 20 to figure out what we are and to " Bloom " in to that great person he sent to earth. If only we could see the picture on the seed packet so we could know what we are suposed to bloom into. :D Enjoy the flowers, summer is here.

Family Temple Trip

2009-06-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

This is the beautiful Columbia River Temple.

Grandpa Bean, Grandma Bean, John, Rob, and Mary Grandstaff !

John and Grandma Bean.

We were so blessed this last Saturday to be able to go to the Temple with John and his parents and our friends. Here are some of the faces we were blessed to see in the House of the Lord. We are all so excited as John prepares to leave for the Baltimore Maryland Mission. We know he will serve the Lord well. Good luck To all. :D

President and Sister McCracken

Bishop and Sister Clark
Rick and Susan Garrett

Tom and Patsy Young

Larry and Linda Johnson

Oh what do you do in the summertime !

2009-06-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

The other day Kelly and Jesse bought this little pool for Dylan to play in. They brought in over and filled it up and we were all having a great time. I decided that if pictures were going to be taken all summer of Nana in the pool with Dylan then I NEEDED a new suit to play in. Thank goodness for the overstock section of Land's End. Screamin deal on this suit and I love the way it fits. Now for the funny part. ( and Dyl you can hate me later ) Kelly came over and we were having a great time but Dylan had no swim suit at my house that day so we put him these little potty training pants. I think this is classic little boy in the summer stuff. enjoy, cause this is one of the things we do in the summer time.

2009-06-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

We had a Great storm roll through the valley on thursday night and it was such a pleasure to stand and watch the power of nature. Dennis tried to get some pictures ( because I asked him to and he seems to enjoy humoring me ) But as everyone but me already knows it is almost impossible to get really great lightning strikes. So he got these instead. Some show how bright it got and some are not too bad . Dennis is amazing at telling where the lighting will strike next. So enjoy my silliness and his great indulgence.The rain was coming down in such big drops it hurt to stand out in it. So lucky for us we has a little overhang out the back to keep out of all that water. My hubby rocks !

2009-05-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

So Benny knows this guy see... and he said hey Benny wanna take my bike out for a ride. and this is what happens when you let a car salesman talk you into taking it out for a ride. :D

2009-04-19T09:44:00.001-07:00

What could be better than a great sunny day and the flowers and spring. I think there is nothing better that to see God's handiwork in action. This is my spring joy and the thing that is a visual symbol that God really does renew all life. Think spring :D

Let The SUNSHINE IN :D

2009-04-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

Sunshine and more sunshine seemed the order of the day today. Truly this was a great Palm Sunday as we were able to walk through the warmth of the sun to hear the words of our great Prophet and Apostles. I love spring time and all that comes with it.

Fishing with Papa

2009-03-23T07:38:00.001-07:00

Ewan and Sejena came to visit with us for the weekend and Ewan and Papa went fishing. We have a great kids pond where you have be under 14 to fish there. Too bad there were not any little fish to be caught and they had to settle for this big rainbow trout. Ewan caught it all by himself and Papa only had to help him get it up from the shore. He is going to be a great fisherman just like His Papa. Way to go Ewan.

Is it Spring Yet?

2009-03-13T10:39:00.001-07:00

This morning as I was out with Benny on his way to work I see bank reader. It read, Are you ready for this 22 DEGREES I know I know those of you still in Idaho think that IS spring weather but for here in sunny Walla Walla That is winter time stuff. Now I know that winter still has a week or so to hang on to our hearts with it's icy grip but I can't help but long for spring to come and blow way all this cold. If we have to have Daylight savings time it should be spring. I love seeing the crocus and the tulips bloom and am so excited as My hollyhocks are returning from last year and perhaps they will bloom this year. SO Once again I plead with the mighty heavens to bring on the spring weather. And if that does not work I will relish the snow in the mountains and enjoy one more mug of that nectar of winter HOT TANG !
This is Derek at the Bonfire last week up at our friends who live up in the mountains

Nettie

2009-03-08T14:58:00.001-07:00

What Joy our Family is for us. We love it when all our kids come home and bring their sweet children home.
We had such a great time with Isaac and Dylan's birthday that we are going to do it again in august for Ewan and Gary. And what could possibly be more fun than a giant truck party. With tonkas everywhere including the cake we were sure to construct a great time.

Most of you know that I love chocolate. It was evident that the chocolate loving gene was passed on to yet another generation with Dylan digging into his first birthday cake.

Isaac was no less appreciative but he was a lot cleaner. The blessing of being 2 I guess. But it was a great party and everyone got to take home a little something to remember to toot your own horn every now and then.

I love a great Birthday party :D

WOA WHAT A VACATION

2008-11-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

We had such a great time on our Vacation to Nauvoo. Dennis and I have not gotten away just the two of us for that long in years. and it was marvelous. We flew into ST Louis and Mom and Dad came down and picked us up ( which was super sweet and very nice of them I think)
It is a 3 hour drive from St Louis to Nauvoo and we chatted all the way. Well Dennis slept most of the way but he had a bad flight. Mom and Dad had a Missionary dinner that Monday and we were blessed to be able to join them and meet a lot of their friends that we hear so much about. Everyone was most kind and made us feel very welcome. And THEY LOVE MOM AND DAD :D Everywhere we went they had to tell us how much they love our parents. That was so nice to hear.

We were able to attend the temple every day that we were there and we did all the touristy things that you do when you go to Nauvoo. We made some rope and got some prairie diamonds and took a carriage ride and walked to the river. We took in the show in the evenings and laughed and sang and had a wonderful time. We even borrowed the car and drove to Independence and saw Far west and those sites. We ate dinner in Kansas city at this great little rib place where the computers had gone down and they were only taking cash. The place was nearly empty and they had the best ribs, I am glad we found them. We are still sorting out the pictures so I will have to add some of those later.

When we got back to Seattle Dennis surprised me with a trip to the beach for a couple of days.
On the way there we had a very close encounter with the wildlife that caused us to acquire a new windshield.

But we had such a great time I told him I might even be willing to come back again. although not for my birthday. We had a cute hotel next to the beach and the weather was so nice. SUN EVERY DAY! We were able to walk on the beach and to go down to the tide pools and even enjoy the aquarium.

I love eating at the small shops in towns. You get much better food most of the time and the service is always sure to bring a smile. We had breakfast at the pirates cove, I think was the name of the place, It was off the side of the road one morning and it had the jolly Rodger flying along side of the stars and stripes. so we said how bad can that be and went in this was the parking sign LOL The Food was really great and the waitress was Fantastic.

The drive home was lovely and we stopped at all the waterfalls along the river getting home. To get to most of them you have to take the old highway and drive very slow as most of it is still 30 miles an hour. But the sun was out and it was warm and we had our windows down for almost all of it. How can you go wrong though if you are anywhere with the people that you love the most.
I love how our beautiful earth changes her clothes each season and each outfit is just as glorious as the last.

We love you all and wish the best for all of our family.

Love

The B's

Yay for New our new Grandson.

2008-08-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

This has been a great couple of weeks. Our newest grandson Gary Allen Buchanan,arrived on July 15 and I was so blessed to be able to go up and help with Isaac. So that means I got to help with our new little Gary too. I love the wat new babies make everyone feel so wonderful. And wonder what is it about holding them when they are sleeping that makes you want to fall asleep. Gary is such a great baby, He sleeps all day and talks all night LOL not really but he does do a great deal of sleeping. Isaac and I had so much fun giving kisses and hugs and helping with the dishes and sweeping the floor. I love my little helper Isaac. I know that is is so hard for the first few months and I am really gratful to Sonya and Greg for letting me come and take over their home for nearly 3 weeks.

I am going to miss all of the smiling faces at their house. When Isaac and I went to the hospital the first day the nurse gave his a sticker that said "Big Brother" he was so cute with it on his shirt. When we went back the day before Sonya and Gary came home, There was a different girl. When we asked for Isaac's big brother tag she just put sonya's room on it like all the rest of us were wearing. I should have asked her to change it as the other was much cuter. But Isaac is so wonderful with Gary he hugs and kisses his head and pats his back when he need to be burped. Sonya will have her hands full for a few years but they are going to be great friends. How blessed we feel as Parents and Grandparents to have such a wondeful family. To see it starting to grow and to be able to interact with our grandsons is truly the joy of our lives. WE love ALL our FAMILY :D

Camping and Scout Camp

2008-07-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

Well Dennis Finally talked me into going up to the cabin and hanging out with him at the blazer scout camp overnighter ! SO after two days of river fun we took off for the blue mountains and the cabin. It belongs to a great friend of ours who uses his property for the scouts every year. He was Dereks scout master for a few years and served in the YSA Branch so our kids have been there and Dennis has been there but this was my first time. We arrived on thurs morning and what a wonderful setting. we had a small cabin set on the side of mountain and two ponds below. Above us are acres and acres of untouched forest. I am sorry that it took me so long to take Our good friend up on his offer and most likely will be found resting up there again.

On Friday morning we headed out to hike the trail. we found all kinds of animal tracks and even a small bear who had come down for a look see.

The scouts arrived on Friday evening and we had great fun helping them get their gear set up. I thought I packed a lot for 3 days and these guys were only coming for overnight and WOW Dennis says he will never complain about my overpacking again. We were treated to an evening of campfire and smores and cubscout jokes. On saturday Dennis taught the first aid class and the fire building class and the knife and axe class.

I sat in my chair and watched and read a good book. LOL I LOVE CAMPING. I did clean up and mop the dirt off the floor before we left much to the dismay of our friend who claims that the dirt is what makes it a camping cabin and not a house. But he also said we were welcome to come back anytime. We just might have to take him up on that.

A little bit of sun

2008-06-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

So Dad talked me into going out to the river with him today to watch as he persuaded two of some of the rivers finest bottom feeders to go home with us. I pack my lawn chair and my good book and my great hat and forget to pick up the camera on the way out. That is the saddest part. I wish I could share his face as he reels them in. but I do feel sorry for them every time. The little bass we did put back but the squaw fish have to stay on the bank as they do not belong in our river I am told.
So when we get home I get these great shots of dad with his new friends.
Tomorrow we are heading up into the mountains for a couple of days. He knows a guy with a cabin and off we go. Look at me go really camping this summer who knew I was such an outdoor enthusiast.

A Good Day Fishing

2008-06-23T15:31:00.000-07:00

Today I Went fishing and this is my story.
It was a nice day, the sun was shining and it was not too hot.
I went to the river and stood there fishing and didn't catch anything. *Makes a sad face* :( So I went to another location on the river and I caught 2 small bass. *Makes the thats ok face* :/

So I went to another place on the river and I caught a couple of nice trout...
The first one was 15inches , the second was over 25inches. *Makes the whoo hoo face* =D Both fish jumped clear out of the water fighting and splashing. It was a great. I think I will go again tommrow, as soon as I pick the berries for Nettie

Blogging Bits

2008-06-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

This is a story about two people. See when two people really love each other.....( this is where all my children run from the room screaming NO MOM Make it stop ) They date. Then they date some more and then they decide to do some permanent dating. Benny and I met so long ago pluto was still a planet and computers were only owned by that part of the goverment that still believes that aliens landed in area 51. ok so maybe not quite that long ago. The point is we met. Then we dated. There was this great little place that sold the best hambugers. We danced and we went for long walks on the beach and felt that certain something across the crowded room and the music played and the stars twinkled and well the rest as they say is history.
Some time later this story included some kids and some dogs and some water and two mini vans that made lots of trips over the mountians and through the woods to grandmas houses, and well just good family fun. Those kids learned to drive those mini vans and soon were all gone to have grand adventures of their own. That is were most of this story will pick up. with all the adventures we now have as Grandparents but still parents and most of all still two people who love to date and dance and fall in love across the crowded room with the stars twinkling and the music playing. and for anyone who cares to know, Mars twinkles.