Wedding photos!

It was a hot day in Southern Oregon for an outdoor wedding - most of us felt like we were melting! Eveything went off beautifully once the flowers arrived. It is a special thing to see someone you've known since the day (almost the moment) they were born start a great new chapter of their life with a beautiful young woman! Here are a few photos of my nephew Alex (Jonathan Alexander) and his bride Janis. Proud parents Brent and Bev.

just added a new background!

Twilight Saga...Check it Out!

An 'Educational' Summer

All political views aside, it is a big thing when you're 8 years old to receive a letter from the President of the United States. Plus an 8 x 10 glossy photograph, in a manila envelope postmarked Washington D.C., and a piece of cardboard. Shelby has been very interested in the political ads for the upcoming elections, and I often ask her questions about what she believes, did she like what that ad said, how they treated their opponent, etc. She always has an opinion, and Oh I'm so proud; but remember she's eight.

So early in the summer, one of our fun activities was to use every stamp that Mama had in the house to send a letter to everyone we knew. There were a few stamps left, and thus the idea of sending President Bush a letter was born.

Now, the piece of cardboard took on a significance I did not anticipate.
'After all, the President touched the cardboard!'
'Well honey, I don't think President Bush had time to actually put the letter and the picture and the cardboard in the envelope himself, address it and send it to you. Probably one of his staff members does this for him.'
'Oh! Well, the secretary KNOWS the President, and I'm SURE she's shaken the President's hand, so someone who has TOUCHED the President touched this cardboard!'
'That is true honey.'
By the way, the cardboard was on the list of items mentioned during every phone call, to Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Bev, Auntie Anne, Auntie Chris.....
The cardboard is now on it's way to George H.W. Bush's office in Texas, with the hopes it will be returned with an autographed photo in the self-addressed stamped envelope marked 'Do Not Bend'....having been touched then by TWO people who have touched TWO Presidents....and father and son Presidents at that....

Earlier today we were watching Olympic highlights, and the Marion's Carpet commercial comes on, advertising free upgrade to their densist carpet. Shelby says 'Dentist carpet is really good, because you can put it whereever you need it to be.' I say nothing. 'Mama, what IS Dentist carpet?'. My straight faced response went pretty well, actually.

New Family Members

Sunday, August 3rd.

We surprised the kids by taking them to Safe Haven Humane Society. I have taken them there several times to see the animals, check on what donated items are needed, and dream about having a pet of their own. This time, it was no dream. Dad came with us, me with the camera, and after looking at all the dogs, we went into the Kitty room, and told them it was time for them to each pick a kitten. I couldn't be happier with their choices! A boy for Tristan and a girl for Shelby, brother and sister as well. We have two healthy happy additions to our family, with all of us taking turns on the 'box cleaning duty' extricating kitty claws from Mama's lace curtains and watching them screech and skid from one end of the house (the part they're allowed in, anyway!) to the other. It is truly a joy to experience them, as well as Shelby & Tristan's excitement at having them here.

Salutations

Finally I'm taking action upon the comments made by our out-of-state/-country friends due to my deferred responses to requests to keep in touch. 'You could start a blog, you know...'

So, here it begins; a compilation of stories and updates on the internecine renovation of our home, the delights, diversions and quibbles endowed by our children, and a speculation here and there, of interest to a few.

I hope you'll enjoy and comment on what you see.