Logan and Shaffer

I have been watching Joan, Lynnie, and Chris (from the office) having a blast being grandmothers for years now. They have been telling me how much fun it is to be a grandma. They are sooooooooo right!!!! It is the best! I had the time of my life in Portland playing with Logan the last week and a half. And then to be able to hold little Shaffer and get to know him too, well, it was heaven on earth! Logan is such a loving little guy; he melts your heart with his nose-wrinkling smile. He is very curious and loves to play. Jena and Josh are wonderful parents. I LOVE FAMILY!

Random

Last week Sean was in town with the boys while Aubrey stayed home because of work. Mom and dad had Sean, the boys, Rick, and me over for dinner. (Lynn and Travis had mutual.) It was really fun to get acquainted with the boys. James is about 2 1/2, and Michael is Logan's age almost to the day. I was amazed at how well Michael is walking already! And James was tons of fun to play with.

Travis is busy with school and soccer. Lynn and I watched his game last Tuesday, and it was fun to see Travis score a goal. His team won 6 - 0.

Garden 2009

So This is what I've been doing all summer!

Saying Good-bye to a Good Friend

Ynette Marx, Sara Fletcher, Margo Morey

Steven Marx, Joshua Marx, Max Fletcher, Lynn

Craig and Molly Phair

Paula and Darron (Sr.) Fletcher

Jeremy and Dane MacDonald

Dan, Cassie, and Tonia Perez

John Clark and Chad Spendlove

In July our friend Chad Spendlove moved. sigh. sniff. It's always so hard to let good people move. I uncharacteristically took pictures at the little get together.

Back to School

I was reading all my nieces' blogs about kids going back to school, and it struck me how differently it has been for me lately. My babies started up school again, but it feels so different from when I had elementary aged kids heading back to school. I remember some years feeling relieved to have them go, and other years feeling sad to let them go. Now it is one of those inevitable sorrows. We had Jessi home for 6 glorious weeks this summer, and it was hard to let her go back to BYU-I. But if she stayed, she wouldn't become the person she ought to be, so. . . . And Travis started his junior year, and wow did he become invisible. He wasn't going to play soccer, but decided to play after all. So he goes from seminary to leadership to school to soccer practice to the den to do homework before racing to bed. We really miss having more of his time and attention.

This picture is of Travis and his good friend Darron Fletcher. One morning after school started the two of them came home between seminary and school, and made these huge pancakes with which to satiate their appetites.

Lynn and I took Travis to Bend this past weekend to get some orthotics. He has had some serious back aches that always start when he starts a new season of sports. The chiropractor said that it would take orthotics to correct the problem, so here's hoping. We spent the night in Bend in the Old Mill District at the Ameritel Inn. We had the pool and hot tub to ourselves and spent a couple of hours swimming, soaking, and talking up a storm. It was so so fun!

NEW CAR

If anyone knows the saga of the possessed suburban, you will understand how excited we are to have a new, reliable car!!! Truly the suburban is possessed of an evil spirit. When WE have the burb, it won't start. Once we have it towed into the shop, they can NOT get it to NOT start. grrrrrr. The evil spirit cackles it's vindictive mirth at stumping every mechanic who attempts to exorcise the wicked demon. For months now we've been without the burb more than we've been able to drive it. Having 3 drivers and only 1 car has been a bit of a challenge. We finally gave up and bought a Kia Spectra. Yippee.
Our color choices were white or black. Tough decision. Really stressed over that one. (jk)

Since we didn't get a picture of the car when it was sparkling clean coming off the lot with only 16 miles on it and before we drove passed the lake with all the little green bugs, I put Travis and Elder Heywood in front of it in an attempt to distract the viewer from noticing any bug guts.
Travis has been working with the missionaries in our ward quite a lot lately. They are both great missionaries! Elder Griffith is tasked with starting a Spanish branch attached to our ward, so Travis works with Elder Heywood while E. Griffith goes out with others who speak Spanish. I'm so glad Travis is seeing what he needs to do to prepare for his own mission in 3 years. And I'm glad he has the opportunity to help some really great people learn about the gospel.
This second picture is for you, Brad, and for any recently returned missionary who will recognize the wonderful missionary-back-up-procedure! (I could have used that a time or two!!)

Thunder and Lightening!!!

On Friday night, the 3rd, Klamath had the most amazing lightning storm! Lynn, Travis, and I were getting ready for bed when it began. We stood out on our deck ooo-ing and ahhh-ing while it lasted. After each lightning bolt crackled across the sky, the thunder would rumble for the longest time. Travis took this photograph, and we love it!