Dad and his new toy

It took some work but Dad has his new toy working well. Dan it's not nice to make fun of your Dad, unless he misses a golf shot.

Another Great picture by Dan

Joe and I were sitting out on Gram and Gramps amazing patio and we saw something way far away on top of the cactus. We thought it might be a bird, but we were not sure so Joe grabbed Dan who grabbed his camera and sure enough it was a dove.

Happy 67th Birthday Grandma

We were very lucky to be in AZ to celebrate Grandma's 67 Birthday!

Not only did we celebrate it ... but we celebrated it 3 times ... once with Dan (angel food cake with raspberry sauce) once on her birthday (fudge brownies with peanut M&Ms on top) and once the day David arrived (camo cake made by Joe - see first pic). I don't know why we only have pictures of the middle and last celebration, but it's David and/or Dan's fault. As we established during the time we spent together, nothing is my fault. Ever :-)

We love you Grandma and we are very glad you are ours!

1st road trip

Dad is doing great today we went for a drive out to lake pleasant to look at sailboats. Dad even climbed in and looked at a Macgregor 26. We drove around and looked a housing development and then to his club for lunch. Everyone who sees him thinks he is doing great. He is getting lots of reading done and today started on Bison for the broken heart. It’s very cool here only 101 today.

Famous Photo

In case you can't read the small print. The Seattle Times Photo Production Specialist said of Dan's photo, "The excellent timing and composition of this shot caught my attention instantly. The photographer snapped his shutter as this kayaker met a mouth of rushing water and the diagonal lines of his paddle and boat lead our eyes into the moment that defines this thrill-seeker's experience."

So Dan has the number one picture in the Seattle Times this week and is in the running for picture of the year! You can check out the "other" 20 photos for the year with this link. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/photogalleries/traveloutdoors2008577619/
Go Dan!

Liberty Dance

Liberty's dance recital is this weekend I was lucky to get to go to the dress rehearsal and take some video. She does both Ballet and Tap.



Her tap class
If you run around on the stage they pick you to sit on the stool.

Liberty and her good Friend Hannah

Good Teachers

Our kids' school has had a theme all year about "Respect" For people, things, learning and a couple of other categories. This school has been great about making sure each child gets recognized for their efforts toward "Respect" in all it's various forms. I thought this award would be a similar one as I hurried over with Lucy in her trusty pack. I was a few minutes late so I missed Chas getting his name called but was able to step in and applaud him and the other 1st graders standing in front. After the ceremony I found Chas to give him a hug. He squeezed me very tight and said "Look what I got an award for!" I was surprised and happy to see the unusual certificate. He was very pleased with himself. Gotta love that kid!

I am so grateful for good teachers who can see the talents of each child. Even the gift of being a little too funny! Every time I leave the 1st. 4th or 5th grade classrooms, I feel like I need a long, restorative nap! Thank a teacher today!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

I think this card will be too big to mail! Emma was a little bit grumpy when she found out we probably couldn't email it

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma. You are the best.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Sing along with me!

"Happy birthday to Mom.
"Happy birthday to Mom.
"Happy birthday dear Ma-ah-mmmm!
"Happy birthday dear Mom!

"and many MORE!"

Love you!

Memorial Day

Gram and I had a nice time today. We went to Portage to place flowers on graves. We ran into a Harris relative and a group of Gibbs relatives. It was fun to hear Gram reminiscing with cousins. I was also able to see the spot where Grandma grew up. The house is gone but I think that the view from the land is the prettiest in Portage! We also visited one of Grandma's cousins at her house and I loved hearing about Aunt Laura always having yeast starts and Uncle Cy always bringing a horse down when Grandma came to visit "Momma". She said that dad especially liked the horse rides.
After Portage we went to Tremonton. The cemetery was quite impressive with flower and American Flags. We placed flowers on Aunt Lalla's grave.

We stopped off last at Grandpa & Uncle Brent's graves. Grandma had already taken flowers on Sunday but she wanted to go back. I had never seen such a site. There was a line to get into the cemetery because there were so many people there and the lawn was covered in flowers. It was very beautiful.

He's home!!!

Dad was approved to check out of the hospital today. Mom and I had mixed feelings about letting him go home but the doctors are very confident. Dad is so much stronger today than he was yesterday. He is walking much faster and is eating better as well.

He took a shower at the hospital and has been sleeping for two hours since we got home.

Going home

It looks like Dad is going to be discharged at some point today.  We are meeting with all the different parties that have to discharge him.  We have practiced stairs with the OT and been lectured by the nurse on how he should behave.  We are still waiting for the cardiologist to check him out.  I will keep you posted on what you find out.

Heart Guy Update

Dad had a pretty good day today.  His pain level is very manageable and he is pretty upbeat.  (not a surprise there)  His only complaint is his belly.  He is still not very hungry for real food.  Last night they brought him cabbage rolls (those things are risky in the best of times) and then tonight they brought him steak (STEAK????) and potatoes with a little bit of fruit.  He ate the fruit and had us take the rest right out of here because he couldn’t stand the smell.  He did get a little bit of soup along with a lime-sherbet float.  (lucky guy!)  We had several visitors and phone calls today and Dad enjoyed the company.

Here he is with some of the get well cards he received from grandkids and others.  Notice he has his blackberry front and center.  We are taking it away at night!

The view from here

When I was a kid I used to love flying.  If I got a window seat it was an extra special treat because I could see everything from 35,000 feet.  It always amazed me to see things from that far away.  With all the business travel I do now I usually get the aisle seat because it is easier to get up and down and stretch my legs.  I do miss looking out the window though.

I purposely booked my trip from Seattle to Salt Lake with a window seat because I knew might get a view of Rainer.  I have seen it poke above the clouds before but have not had my camera.  Other times I have had my camera and The Mountain was socked in.  On Wednesday the elements combined for a great photographic opportunity.  The pictures are a bit distorted because the window didn’t roll down on my plane and I had to shoot through the glass.  The rest of the trip brought the kid in me out again as I got to watch the wonderful western countryside pass below me.

I like this one because you can see Mount Hood way out in the distance.  We cut in between the mountains and headed for Utah so I didn’t get a good view of Hood.  Mount Saint Helens is in this picture as well but I’m not sure exactly where.

 

 

 

 

Here is dear old Idaho.  I kind of wondered if this is where we run the spud.  The bridge and the Island look right but I can’t see the golf course.  Maybe I was just trying make the reality below me fit what my minds eye saw?

 

 

 

 

I have always been amazed at this rock formation near Willard Bay.  I’m amazed at the way that rock twist and rise and ponder the forces necessary to push the Wasatch Mountains up to their current heights.

 

 

 

After out plane flew south and made a 180 I got ready we made our final approach into SLC and I was treated this view of the great salt lake at sunset.  Being a sunset junkie I wonder how come I have never gone to the lake to take pictures at sunset.  Someday I suppose!

Dad Update

Dad is doing well today. He is off the oxygen this morning and has had breakfast. He is still not sleeping great but is in a good mood. The pain medicine gives him some restless dreams. The hospital gave him really heavy food (cabbage rolls!) and he hasn't had much on an appetite since. I helped him take care of the really important stuff today. His Fantasy golf team is all set for this weekend!

Afternoon Update:
Dad has been moved out of CCU and is now on the 3rd floor in the heart and lung speciality floor. He seems be resting a little better in the new room. Mom and I are just hanging out. There is no wireless on this floor so updates may be a bit more spotty.

The Rhodies

When we were looking at houses last year our Realtor said “Its a great time to look at houses.  The Rhodie’s are out”  I had never heard that term for a Rhododendron but I understand what she meant.  (Thank heavens for spell check as well cause I never would have figured out how to spell Rhododendron.)  I always wanted to plant one in GA but it was too warm there, they only grew in the mountains.  For those of us who have lived in the south you can appreciate how vibrant and amazing the azaleas are.  The Rhodies are the same but 3-4 times the size.  There is a Rhododendron garden near my work.  We stopped by on the way to the airport today and took a brief walk through.  Here are some pictures.

Lucy the go anywhere baby.  Notice how she puts her feet on the stroller.  Lucy explores the world through her feet!  Lucy has seen quite a bit of the world in her short life.  And Katie posing in front of some Rhododendrons.

The kids were jockeying for position before I took the picture and there were some residual grumpy faces.

What I didn’t know before going to this garden is that there are hundreds of different types of Rhododendrons.  I just assumed there were a few varieties and that was it.  Turns out they range in size from groundcovers to 30 feet tall  Goes to show you how little I know!!

We purchased a membership to the gardens and look forward to taking you all when you come up to Seattle.

Heart guy

Dad/grandpa/great grandpa is doing well, he is having some irritation with the tubes that are in his chest to drain fluids, but the nurses expect the DR to remove them today.

He went for a walk last night around the CCU and the nurse and staff were very impressed with how far he went last night.

The big heart pillow is used to apply pressure against dads chest when he coughs or sneezes. He also uses it for getting up and down for his walks.

I am heading home today, but Dan will continue the blog postings when he sees dad on Thursday morning. I think he is in good hands here at the hospital, overall mom and dad are very pleased with how dad has been treated. Great nurses and Dr's.

Dad is doing ok

I just talked with Mom and she said that the surgery went well and that Dad is doing well. They were able to perform all 4 bypasses without any issue. He is in ICU but won't be able to talk for a few hours as he still has a breathing tube in.

Whale Watching Trip

Stacey was kind enough to invite the Puyallup Wards to go whale watching with her fourth grade class We were happy to oblige. We had a great weekend. We learned to skip rocks from the master of skipoleogy (uncle Wayne) saw lots of wildlife and (maybe) most importantly we had a sandwich at the only Chick Fil A in Washington. (thanks for the tip Lana) Of course I took too many pictures to share. The whale pictures didn't turn out as well as I had hoped but it was still SUPER cool to see them in their habitat.

By the way the squirrel song has nothing to do with the weekend festivities. We let the kids listen to the Ray Stevens CD for the first time and they thought this song was particularly funny.

Lana and Liberty

May 12th 40% of our family got a year older.

Lana got the kayak helmet for mothers day. When you really love your mom you buy her a helmet.

Liberty had a dog party this year. She and her Friends made masks and puppets.

Angiogram went well - BUT

To bring everyone up to date I had a angiogram today and it went very well other than the finding. The Dr. tells me that I have four 75% - 90% blocked arteries so Monday I'm scheduled for a quadruple by-pass. We'll keep you posted. They tell me the convalescent time is 6-8 weeks so I should be in good shape by the Crab Reunion. By the way mom is a great nurse!

Another walk

I went on another “get my strength back” walk.  Today I drove up to the Bountiful Temple grounds and walked slowly and photographed.  I was able to walk for almost an hour!!!! Amazing!

Mother's Day

LaRee, I read this poem a while ago in one of my books and it really made me think of you and everything you have done. It was written by Minnie Price.

To "His" Mother

"Mother-in-law" they say, and yet,
Somehow I simply can't forget
'Twas you who watched his baby ways,
Who taught him his first hymn of praise;
Who smiled on him with living pride
When first he toddled by your side;
And as I think of this today,
Methinks that I'd much rather say
Just "Mother."

"Mother-in-law" but oh, 'twas you
Who taught him to be kind and true;
When he was tired, almost asleep,
'Twas to your arms he used to creep;
And when he bruised his tiny knee,
'Twas you who kissed it tenderly;
When he was sad you cheered him too,
And so I'd rather speak of you
As "Mother."

"Mother-in-law" they say, and yet,
Somehow I never shall forget
How very much I owe to you
Who taught him how to grow,
You trained your son to look above,
You made of him the man I love;
And so I think of that today,
Ah! Then with thankful heart I'll say
"Our Mother."

Thank you both, Doug and LaRee, for being such fine examples and raising your son to be such a wonderful husband and father. We love him a lot!

This boat full of blown glass balls is located at the Desert Batanical Garden which we visited during Grandma's and Charlie's visit. We all loved the tour of the Garden. The glass scultptures are beautiful pieces of art.

Do you think mom and Charlie think they are going to be cut out of the picture?
One of the best things about the Botanical Garden visit was mom's mobility on her little red scotter.

Grandma in her wheelchair and mom in her buggy; it gave her a wonderful ride and other than running me into a cactus one time, she did very well with it. The yellow tower in a background is a "glass" saffon tree.

We all went to the train park in Scottsdale and here is Audry and U. Doug as well as me, mom and A. Kathy.

Three happy mothers with their mother's day flowers.

(L - R) Bryant, Jenny, Grandma, A. Kathy, mom and dad at the Mesa Temple where we did U. Brent's Endowment

More at the temple. I want to tell all of you more about this memorable day when we are together in Maryland.

2009 Crab Reunion ... on-ramp

One of the many activities planned for our the Crab Reunion is a trip to Blackwater National Island Refuge - if you'd like to get to know some of the "residents" of Blackwater you can watch them on this livecam.

http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/camhtm2.html

Happy Mothers Day!

 

Happy Mothers Day to the woman  who makes it look a whole heck of a lot easier (becuase she does it so well) than it actually is.

We love you mom!

Playing Outside

This weekend Clay signed me up for the 5K Tiger Trot. With the "Wall of Fame" as proof positive, I am the family 5K champion, admittedly beating both Joe and Joshua made me somewhat smug. I suspected when Clay invited me to race that my days as family champ were nearing an end. I was right. Clay ran a GREAT race - he's in good shape and trained hard. He came in just over 5 minutes ahead of me with a time of 26:40.  We ran the race with about a dozen guys from the USMC Poolie Program and three of the recruiters. I was the only parent in the running. When it was time for the awards, the Poolies swept the 10 - 19 age bracket taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd. When the awards for 20 -29 were handed out they took one more. We all thought we were done with the oorahs until they read 3rd place for women 40 - 49 and I realized that I had beaten her time, I also beat the 2nd place finisher in that category making me #1 ... and softening the blow of being the 2nd fastest Ward-Anderson.

What I loved best about today was spending time with the soon to grow up Clay .... laughing and talking and singing along to my i-pod (yeah Weezer).

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Last week there was the Muddy Buddy where pal Jason and I biked, ran, conquered obstacles  and then crawled on our bellies through a MUD PIT (totally random fun times!) ... we spent the night  before  camping near Richmond VA with friends of Kristi Stone who manages (and takes exceptional care of) the Baltimore house.