Flashback Friday

Here's a flashback to August 1984 for a favorite picture of David when we were newly married. We took a drive while we were in Cincinnati visiting his family and David made friends with this horse. Tuesday we'll return to Cincinnati to see David's parents and other family for the 4th of July. We look forward to seeing a lot of relatives at an Uncle's barbecue. Andrea will be staying with Grandma and Grandpa an extra week after we leave. She already has her bags packed!

Making 'Spectacles' of themselves

Julia and Andrea found some old glasses around the house. I'm quite sure that neither pair could have been mine! :) Actually, I just got a smaller, rectangular pair of glasses and when I arrived home it was pointed out to me that I had chosen the same frames for Andrea (in her size) a few months earlier. I guess I must have really liked them. But just as I am trying to get with the times with smaller frames, Erika, European traveler, tells me that frames are actually going big again--so I guess Julia and Andrea will always be more trendy than I am--even in satire.

Happy Father's Day

I hope David had an enjoyable Father's Day yesterday. It started with breakfast in bed from Andrea and I. It was a low-key and relaxing day. We saw Kara and Luke on Saturday and Sunday we talked to James in Idaho. The rest of us were home. After church we had dinner (a new recipe of beef and couscous) and then David opened cards and a couple presents. The kids all did something nice for him. I think he got a laugh at the mini frig. I--(I mean he) has been wanting one for awhile for his (well, our) bedroom.

I also talked to my father yesterday, and am happy to hear that he is doing well. I've been blessed with a great Dad, as well as Father-in-law, Stepdad and super-duper Husband/Father of our children. I'm not sure men have the same angst with Father's Day that women do with Mother's Day, but I hope you all feel appreciated!

Wood Badging

David has returned from his second 3-day Scout training in a month. He's working on his Wood Badge. Since we've been married he's been involved with scouting as a Merit Badge Counselor, Assistant Scout Master, Scout Master, Varsity Coach and Committee Chairman. Now, one of his responsibilities in the stake is as a Scout liaison.

I think he's really enjoyed the training and meeting with various Scout leaders. He was in the 'Bear' Patrol. They had a 'Bear' cheer they sang, and they ate teddy grahams and gummy bears and ribbed the BobWhites, Beavers, Antelopes and Buffalos that they weren't as tough as Bears. But they also worked as a patrol to complete a project (on camping opportunities in the various levels of scouting) that they had worked on during the month. They were entertained with skits and listened to Vietnamese songs sung with guitar by the campfire, and got to know fellow Scouters from diverse backgrounds.

Though they had rain, and hot, humid weather, David came back relaxed and yet enthusiastic about Scouting, and how it builds bonds and strengthens character in both boys and men.

Happy 'Late Anniversary' Breakfast-In-Bed

On Tuesday night Andrea wrote a note asking us to wake her up at 7:00am (she usually gets up at 8:00) and then ground ourselves to our room. Wednesday morning she got up and was mysteriously in the kitchen, while David and I compliantly chatted in our room--waiting to see what she was up to. Soon she came in with a tray and began singing "Happy 'Late Anniversary' Breakfast-in-bed to you...". Though we were both up and dressed, we complied and ate our yummy breakfast in bed. Andrea wants to be a chef-- and she's off to a good start. She decorated a his and hers breakfast of 1/2 grapefruit face with a strawberry nose, blueberry hair, pear pieces for ears and tiny cups of yogurt with a border of strawberry and pear slices. It was very fun, but now she is requesting that she get breakfast in bed tomorrow. I guess it's only fair...