Grandma's

As I said in my earlier post we left home when I was five. They have this saying on most kids shirts these days that say " When mom is mad I call Grandma " or something to that effect. Well that is a honest statement with my Grandma. I was very lucky and fortunate to have a Grandmother that was on call 24/7. It never mattered what was wrong. bad grades, upset by parents, puberty, grief, happiness, joy, confusion, misunderstandings, sibling fights, I could call my grandmother any time she always and still does have the wisdom that only Grandmothers have. In just matters of minutes my world would be fine. There was always unconditional love and honesty from her. Well Grandma has not been doing well. After my Grandpa passed in Nov of '08 I told Grandma to call and I would be on the next flight. Well Tuesday night she called not by phone but by heart. So I went home to see her. Sitting with her in quiet moments nothing said outloud but our hearts talked. We sat and ate sherbert and watched the Thin Man ( black and white movie ) curling her hair with curlers like I did when I was younger, listening to in the past stories, putting my little Grandma to bed for a nap. Rubbing lotion on her little ol arthritic hands, and to end a amazing trip with her watching Red Skelton. I can only end with this.
My Grandma is my past she is my roots and my life. She is a true blessing in my world.

Going Home

I think the title is self explanatory. I recently went home to Colorado. I say home because that is where I was born. But having 3-4x a day nose bleeds due to all the dry weather the Dr said we needed to get somewhere wet. There is not a wetter state than Washington. So at 5 we moved here. We would go home once a year. It was always fun and jammed packed full of fun. There is both sides of my family there. Dad's and Mom's. So TONS of family to see. It was summers full of life lessons, experiences that last a life time. Memories that last forever. Going home woke all that up remembering my roots, laughing and joking with cousins, aunts, uncles and Grandma's. These are the people that have known me all my life and still love me. There was never judgment from anyone and there still isn't. It was a time to get reconnected with my past. I got off the plain in Colorado Springs and just inhaled that beautiful smell of home, the smell of familiarity, the smell of comfort. It was in the high 90's the quick memories of childhood almost made me fall over. I was home!. I speek so foundly of home but yet as I got older the times at home shortened due to life, marriage, kids, finances. So it had been approx 12 years since I had seen some of my family, some of it was only 6 years. Time flies when life gets in the way. But all in all it was a amazing trip.

Strawberry/Kite Festival

Well the Strawberries are in bloom and ready to eat. What would be better to add than big kites flying in the background. It was small and and very low scale but it was fun. This day I came to the very sad realization that my babies are not babies any more. With having shed a small tear. I go back in years remembering how many mile stones we have done. Bottles, diapers, blankies, when they were small enough to be cuddled in my lap, loose teeth, potty training, being scared of the dark, the innocence of childhood. With a pre teen in the house and a 9 year old life is much more different for me. Its sleep overs, summer camps, a stolen kiss now and then, phone calls from friends, and independence. But I think they humor me and they went anyway after a few BORING minutes they found a small piece of childhood and relaxed and had some fun times.

Ah the Zoo.

George had the oppertunity to go with Chad's class to the Zoo. Now mind you this was George's first field trip with 24 kids. He was only in charge of Chad they thought they would go easy on him since it was his first time. It worked out well George and Chad just wandered the zoo all by themselves and had a great time.

Water falls

On our adventure last weekend we went to a place where I heard there was a waterfall and of course I had to go since Water falls are my thing. It was a sunny bright day that was promising great things... Hahha NOT it was cloudy with a big threat of RAIN!
But we had 5 kids 4 adults 1 bag of sunflower seeds ( a must ) , water, and crackers we were off..
So we hiked and hiked until at last we found a double waterfall. So amazing.
Now when I said we hiked and hiked it was on a flat gravel road. Haha I am one funny story teller..
I am proud to say no one got hurt minor scratches but nothing fatal.
Someone I think Keith got into some stinking nettles but he lived once we found some ferns to give him some aloe vera to help with the sting. ( we had a medic on the trip with us )
One of our little ones with us thought if we went a certain way back that we would get lost but with our two great amazing adult trackers we made it back safe and sound.
It was a good day and we did not get rained on.

Leprechan Valley

For those who are Irish I found a place where the wee people live.
Its very well hidden and for some it just looks like a patch of clover or sour grass. But to those who have a trained Irish eye like myself I spotted it right away..

I can not share where this Leprechaun Valley is but for those who also saw it with me. Thank you for a fun day.
To the wee people of the valley I wont ever tell.....
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Chinook pass

A few weekends ago a few of us went over Chanook Pass to eat at a place called Whistling Jacks. Then did the ride back.
It took around aboutish 3 hours. We went thru snow, sun, beautiful sightseeing.
Did you know that you can smell the sun?
How is this so you ask me...
Its the smell of pine needles, snow, warmth, tree's, water falling over rocks,drying wood its a incredible smell if you have never smelt it before I suggest you do so.
You mix that with Harley and WOW do you have the best....