Our beloved 26 year old dinosaur

When we moved into our first home, Rick's grandmother Pingree bought us a new washer and dryer.  It was January of 1986.  That Sears Kenmore grey colored washing machine has been washing our clothes for over 26 years!  It finally died a month ago and we got a new Kenmore to take its place.  We have no illusions that it will last as long.  Rick wanted to go with another one with an agitator, but he acquiesced and let me have this new beauty.   It's made of new technology with a computer controlled control panel and all the bells and whistles. It doesn't have an agitator in the middle of the washing tub.  How will it get the clothes clean??  I doubt it will go 26 years.  Just think about it.  Nations have risen and fallen during those 26 years.  Babies have been born and grown to adulthood.  Floppy disks have come and gone.  Big hair has been replace by flat hair.  Basketball shorts that were once short are now long.  We were just young parents with three small children.  Now those small children have their own small children.  RIP our old grey washing machine.  There won't be another one like you.  Thanks for keeping us presentable over the years. Grandma Maybe would be proud...use it up, wear it out, make do.

There's a whole lot of interest in this young man around our house

Future NBA Prospect Jabari Parker Discusses His Skills, Mormon Faith: ABCNEWS.COM - Mormon high school basketball star discusses his faith and talent on the court.

We got a new grandson!

This is Skippy getting ready to go meet her new brother.
 She dressed herself.  Can you tell?

Here is the whole family introducing big sister to little brother.

Proud Dad.

Relieved and happy Mother.

Very content and please Grandma Vonnie.

The newborn's feet.  Almost my favorite feature.

May went by in a whirlwind of activities.  Seriously.  It was a month with many exciting happenings.  But nothing could top this one. We got our second new grandson who was born on May 29!  His is adorable and perfect in every way and a great addition to this family.  Welcome to the world little one.

Stand with the Catholics

I'm very proud of the Catholic church for making this message and posting it for all to see.  The issues we face this fall are that critical and I hope we can get President Obama and his team out of office.  They and their ideas and moral standards are hurting our country.  It's time for them to go.  They brought CHANGE alright, just not the kind we want.  Vote for values that will stand the test of fire - life, traditional marriage and freedom of religion just to name a few.

I run the old mill (who knew?)

When we were at the beach a couple of weeks ago, we sang a rousing rendition of an old song that my dad use to sing to us call "I run the old mill." We asked Mom to come prepared to share her life history and to tell us more about her courtship and early marriage to dad.  It was a wonderful evening and everyone enjoyed it and learned a lot about them both.  She shared her testimony and love for my dad.  We ended by singing "I run the old mill."
Turns out that the song was pirated by the folks in Clarkston, Utah to suit their purposes.  Our internet whizzes found the lyrics of the song (Claire) and the original recording (Jake) preserved at the Library of Congress call "Wal, I swan." (or sometimes called Ebenezer Frye) recorded on 12/2/1912 in Camden, New Jersey of all places.  Check it out and listen to it HERE.http://www.loc.gov/jukebox/recordings/detail/id/2962
Way to go Claire and Jake.  Your skillz amaze me once again.