Visit with Katy and Corey

We made it here safely and now we are reaping the rewards, Cade. After some unpacking in their new home, we went for a swim. At first the wind was a little too much so we just sat and enjoyed the sun. Cade enjoyed the rocks. He loved putting them down his shirt, through the table bench, on dad's back, in the bush, you guess it and he probably did it.

Why is it Katy always needs a little help getting in the water?? Good thing Corey is here to lend a helping hand. He he he. Katy protests, but I think she really does like it. What do you think??

 Cade was a little polar bear. He loves the water and doesn't seem to get cold. Katy and Corey tossed him back and forth, and he loved it!!!!

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Sam took him out and was going to help in jump in to Katy, but Cade just walked right in, no jumping, just stepped off the edge and in he was. Good thing Katy notices when his lips turn purple and takes him out anyway. This boy loves to swim.Then Katy and Corey treated us to dinner. They grilled steaks. Life is so good!!!

Welcome Home Corey

We are all so happy to have Corey home from Iraq. Katy, Cade, and Corey are together and very happy to be together again. We thank Corey for his service and continue to pray for the servicemen and women who honorably serve our country.

Corey and Cade at the park, what a good sight.

Kyle's First Game of the Season

 Kyle was so excited about his first football game this year. He has some really good coaches this year. They teach them the skills and the positions. They have really been working hard at practice. Unfortunately, the other team practiced just as hard. We lost our first game. However, Kyle played awesome, and he looked dang cute in his uniform (don't tell him I said that). Don't worry, Kyle, you'll get'em next week. Go Vikings!!!

 In case you couldn't figure it out . . . Kyle's #16.

Welcome Home Chad

I'm so glad to have Chad home. He arrived Tuesday night. I thought he would never come down that escalator. We sent Kyle up to get the first picture of Chad coming through the gate, then Kyle was suppose to run down ahead of him and get more pictures. We kept watching for Kyle to come flying around the corner, leaping down the stairs, but . . .  no Kyle, and . . . no Kyle.

Finally someone says, "There he is." (They'd been saying that the whole time just to see my reaction, it was getting old. Although I did tighten up and look each time.) I looked and my brain just didn't register who I was seeing. Then it hit me. . . there was Kyle riding down the escalator with Chad next to him. So much for the pictures.

I'll finish the story later as I have time.

Cade's Surgery

Cade went into the hospital today for surgery. He was to have his adenoids removed and maybe his tonsils. He was doing pretty good before.  Here he is getting ready to leave. Cade was fine, but mom was a little nervous.

The pre-surgery room was filled with toys and other children waiting for their turn. Sam put him in a little wagon and pushed him back and forth. Anytime Sam would stop, Cade would let him know about it. 

Doesn't he look absolutely adorable in his little scrubs???

Mom and Cade having a playful moment before they take him in.

The doctor was going to wait until Cade was under before making a final decision about the tonsils. About 20 minutes into the surgery, Katy got a call. Cade's tonsils absolutely had to come out. We were told his tonsils were almost the size of a walnut each. 

       

He's been drinking apple juice and Grandpa got him some gummi worms. Unfortunately, he's not been holding anything down. The nurse brought him something that will help with the nausea. I hope he gets some sleep soon.

HS Reunion Report

I already admitted that I was a little nervous heading into my 25th HS Reunion. Now I can say I had such a  good time. I was able to visit with friends I had not seen since graduation. It was funny how we all looked the same, but . . .  just older.  I won the "Traveled the Farthest" Award, unofficially. Many of my HS comrades still live in Tennessee and many still in or close to Jackson. My best friend in HS and her husband, also a North Side graduate, came from Ohio.

Candy and Marty - It was GREAT!!! Hope to see you soon. How about Arches or Zions????

We took a moment to remember those from our graduating class who have already passed away, including my cousin, Lee Nelson. They were all too young.

Thank you to our host and hostess, Sandy and Randy, for  all their work, and for opening their home to us all. I look forward to #30!!

From Grandma

I just wanted my sweet grandbabies to know, Grandma misses them and can't wait to see them when I get home.

Grandma loves you Aida, Ariah, Ellie, Abbey, Ashton, Brayden, and Cade.

25th HS Reunion

Did I really say that? 25 years? Where did the time go?

Tonight I go to my 25th reunion. I haven't seen some of these people since graduation. I'm excited and a little nervous. My mind keeps asking

• What if I don't remember anyone?
• What if no one remembers me?
• Will we have anything in common (other than HS)?
• Will we have anything to talk about?
• Will I be the only one who doesn't look the same?
• Am I the only one who's asking these questions??

Okay, I'm sure it will be fine. I'll make sure to take some pics and let you know when I get back. Wish me luck!!

Shiloh National Military Park

Jerry, Kathy, Kyle and I went to Shiloh today. All those years I live here I never went to Shiloh. Why is it you seldom tour what's in your own state? Here's a short summary on the Battle of Shiloh.

Has any one else noticed the older you get the more interesting history is?? Why is that??? 

"The Battle of Shiloh was one of the first major battles in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The two-day battle, April 6 and April 7, 1862, involved about 65,000 Union troops under Ulysses S. Grant and Don Carlos Buell and 44,000 Confederates under Albert Sidney Johnston (killed in the battle) and P.G.T. Beauregard. The battle resulted in nearly 24,000 killed, wounded, and missing. The two days of fighting did not end in a decisive tactical victory for either side—the Union held the battlefield but failed to pursue the withdrawing Confederate forces. Strategically, however, it was a decisive defeat for the Confederate forces that had concentrated to oppose Grant's and Buell's invasion through Tennessee. The battlefield is named after Shiloh Methodist Church, a small log church near Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee."

Kyle's New Shoes . . . by the way, Kyle took this picture.

Cade's Second Haircut

I wonder how many haircuts I'm going to document. You think when he's turning 14, I'll still be meeting him there with the camera in hand?? Okay, I know, it's got to stop sometime, but just look at him. You'd show up too!!!

Katy took him to a new place, Cookie Cutters. We couldn't figure out the name at first, but then we saw why. I'll share that one a little later. This place specializes in kid's cuts. 

All of the chairs are some kind of car, motorcycle, dune buggy, yep, I said dune buggy. Cade got the blue car, mainly because it was the smallest one there. 

Then they asked if he'd like a movie, a movie?!?! Each station has it's own TV and DVD player. If the child is old enough, they can play video games, really!!! Katy picked The Best of Elmo. As you can see from the pic above, Cade was glued.

Cade did great, no tears or screams. I wouldn't either if I got a car and a movie. I wonder if they do adults??

Ta Da . . . . isn't he gorgeous??? He looks so much older now, at least 20 months instead of his 18 months, ha ha.

Okay, so I said I'd tell you why the place is called Cookie Cutter. When Cade was finished he got to choose what color  balloon  he wanted. They attached it to a small weight with a sucker taped on. Upon closer look, we realized the weight was a cookie cutter, flag shaped to be exact. What a deal!!

Benjamin and Candace

Congratulations on your Engagement!!

We are so happy for you both. We look forward to the wedding (less than 5 weeks away) and visiting with family. (In case you don't know, Benjamin is our nephew on Sam's side.)

News from Chad

Just a short excerpt from Chad's letter this week. Still counting down with only  43 days left.

Well this has been quite the few days. Saturday was my birthday and some things happened. I went out to dinner then had sports, but I did get calls for President and Sister Nielson, President and Sister Moffat, and Elder and Sister Carter!!!! It's been a long time so that was way good, they also brought good news. The man we baptized is going to the temple to be sealed to his wife in December!!!!! That's great!!!!! I was filled with joy to know that he is doing well and staying strong. The other night I saw Elder McCarrey. He is going home, had I taken the early date I would be with him, but I chose to stay (just ask my mother about that, I love you mom).

Balloon Festival

Every year there is a balloon fest. Balloonist from all over come and talk to spectators as they fill their balloons and lift off.

This year I managed to get Kyle up early 6:00 A.M. to go. We took with us his friend, James, and my nephew, Agustus. Tyler and Katy both bailed on us this year :(

This was the first year I remember seeing Tony the Tiger. Smokey the Bear was there too, but I didn't get a photo.

There were 15-20 balloons this morning. It was fabulous!!

California Redwoods

Here we are . . . the traditional "Gotta get a picture with the California sign." Ha Ha

If you've never seen the redwoods in person, then there really is no way to describe just how big they are. I took the kids back in 2003 and still on this trip I was in awe of their size.

Looking up . . . and up. . . and up.

Sam and Kyle standing in front of the roots of one that had fallen over.

Mt. Shasta

Does that really say "Weed?"

The most beautiful rest area we've ever seen.