Another one graduates

I heard some sad news today. My best friend's mother died today. Growing up she was like a second mother to me. She was under 5' tall but you didn't want to give her any back talk. She never had much of an easy time in life and in the end it was rather tough. She was loosing her mind and would talk of off the wall things and mix up peoples names and things that happened. Earlier this Fall she had a stroke and lost the ability to take care of herself. She had just been placed in the care center yesterday. Linc would mow her lawn and do odd jobs for her in the summer as well as help her sister. It's sad that she died but I feel that she had had enough of this life and was ready to move on. She managed to raise five kids and with permission of her husband go to the temple and after he died of brain cancer went on a mission.

--I really have lost my writing mojo and am having a lot of difficulty getting my thoughts written.--

P.S. I have just been asked to talk at the funeral. My mojo had better get working by Tuesday!

'Leenie's blessing

This is for all the family that wasn't able to get to the blessing and in a sense for the ones that were there. This has been quite an event full Thanksgiving for us. Thursday We went to Wyo sis's for Thanksgiving and all of her children were there plus mom and Glenn and Pi-man and his boys.

We found out that the Dogg family will add a puppy in May which is great news.

Friday night we all went to the new family movie then had seven boys for a "sleep" over. Our own Linc, G-man, Sparky, with Logue and Ad, plus Jk and Mace. Holl wisely fled to her cousin She's for the night. We inflated an air bed that we borrowed from mom in the TV room and turned them loose.

Logue and Jk were up 'till 1:00 or so playing monopoly while G-man and Ad talked until the wee hours.

Saturday we went to the parade of lights and Pi-man handed out these glasses that broke the light into the spectrum and it was amazing to watch with those on.
Sunday we blessed 'Leenie and then had a lunchen. Sledhead Brad and his growing brood came up with their new boy who is just two weeks younger than 'Leenie.

In all we had a rather eventful four days.

This is for the ones that were there.

Bring on the family

Well they (you) are on their (your) way to grandma's house. We have the standard crappy weather to travel in but it could be much worse. I grow tired of all the standard news stories that seem to come along this time of year:

• The cost of dinner has gone up $**.** this year.
• The cost of driving home has gone up $**.** this year.
• "Blank" many people are going hungry this year.
• Heating your home will go up $**.** this year.
• Gloom, doom and maroon!

Linc (a freshman) will be playing on the JV basketball team this year. I'm proud and concerned at the same time. I'm proud of his abilities but concerned at the extra stress this move will put on him. He's had bronchitis for a week now and has missed some practice but I'm sure he will be up to speed very soon.

We plan on naming and blessing 'Leenie in church Sunday and have invited all family to the event and should have a fair representation there.

Work is somewhat more interesting lately since I have several new parts to program for and prove out. The stability of the company is still a question in my mind however.

We had parent/teacher conferences the other day and had four different schools to go to. Wife and I split up the chore and found out that, yes, we have very exceptional children who are a delight to teach.

I found out recently that my buddy Dave is planning on moving to Texas, just because. He's been in Arizona for ten years and his last boy is headed out on a mission in February so he's got itchy feet. He is self-employed so can work anywhere.

Well folks will be a arriving soon so I'd better go.

The complete set

We have a bit of a family tradition. That tradition is that we take the shirt given to the child from the hospital that they were born in and put it on a stuffed bear. 'Leenie is still using hers at least for a few more days. We will have to find a light colored bear (like the second from the right that is Holl's) to put the new shirt on.

I started this entry with the highest of intentions of making a very interesting read but alas as you can read it fall short as a French dictator. We have some sickness and all around crudiness abounding in the household so I will once again defer to a later time.

And what did you do Saturday?

This is pretty much what we did Saturday what did you do?

The only one that did anything interesting was Holl who was in the play.

Band member

Last night we went to the high school play. It was the music man and the reason we went was that Holl was in the grand finely as a band member. The show was rather good as far as high school plays go. The leads were rather good and the mayor was the show stealer. I at first wondered why they picked who they did for the lead female but once I heard her sing I understood. There are some real talented kids at our school. I even recognized a few of the actors.

I have to include the picture of 'Leenie that I think looks like Sagehen. At least I think she looks like her.

Roof and party

This is Wyo sis's new roof

I decided to post this for her so that all could see what she has been talking about.

These other pictures are of the combined birthday party for Linc and Sparky but as you can see it was mostly about 'Leenie. You get a glimpse of the "goat" that Glenn has been growing. Plus you can see rare photos of the more camera-averse family members of the family. Looking at mom's hands and the way she is sitting on the couch I can sure see her father's daughter there. We (Linc) broke tradition somewhat by having cheesecake instead of regular cake (mom however made d*mn sure we had a real cake). We put Sparkey's candles on the real cake and Linc's candles on the cheesecake. I was going to add a picture of 'Leenie that had her looking like her namesake but four pictures on this entry took me approximately half an hour to up-load so perhaps next time.

Holl is going to be in the high school play as a marching band member (real stretch for her there) playing the flute in the grand finely. I suppose I will get to go to the play and slumber through to the end where I can watch her preform in the finely.

Correction!

BB's bambino was born on the second of November right between Linc and Sparky. Thanks Utah spud (you do realise that that will be your blog nickname from now on) for the correct info and thanks 'Chell B. for picking an open day so as not to complicate the calendar. You really didn't have to hold our that extra fifteen minutes. Another note to M.I.L. your comment didn't take apparently but I appreciate you viewing and trying to comment. Sorry you lost your hero, Dave. This has been one nasty, nasty fall for you. Well the time change and 'Leenie has me needing slumber so more later.

Didn't you read the back of your calendar?

More little girl pictures.

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Linc turned fifteen yesterday. That means that he can get his learners permit to drive. He has been looking for this day for quite some time. Something else happened yesterday, Linc got another 1st cousin for his birthday. BB's wife had a baby boy yesterday exactly two weeks after 'Leenies arrival. This is their second kid and their first boy. I would add more info but I haven't talked to them yet, I only heard it from Linc who's seminary principal is the grandfather on the mother's side. Anyway, I think Linc had a good birthday he got a nice pocket knife from the Tooele boys and a tie from his grandma S. and cash from grandma W.

Sparky's birthday is tomorrow and he has been bouncing off the walls for weeks now. He is now a full fledged bicycle rider now. I was trying to quiet 'Leenie (because her dinner was out shopping) when Sparky came in with a scrapped elbow. It isn't very bad and I washed it off and had him hold a towel on it for awhile. All is OK now.

We carved pumpkins Monday and this is the result. We are "halloweenies" in that we barely acknowledge the holiday at all. You can't see it but the pumpkin with the screw in it's head (to the right of the cowboy) also has it's tongue out.