Our Favorite Life

Christmas...at last!

2011-12-29T14:40:00.000-08:00

Little Durham likes the lights on the tree...

We gathered at Eden's this year for Christmas Eve...

We start 'em young in Bronco Country!

Eden had a beautiful, watercolor "family tree" painted for us. WOW!

The festivities concluded with Christa's Danish pudding tradition...as the children turn 10, they can participate...We all choose a dish of "ricelamon"(!?), eat, and try to guess who has the hidden almond secreted in his/her mouth. BAILEY! A NEW WINNER!

Tradition

2011-12-29T14:17:00.000-08:00

We are going to The Nutcracker.

We love being at the Morrison Center. It's a beautiful concert hall, especially at Christmastime.

We love being at the ballet.

We've studied the program...let the dancing begin!

Festival of Trees

2011-12-04T16:09:00.000-08:00

My granddaughter, Brooklyn, started taking ballroom dance lessons, and performed a waltz at the Festival of Trees during the Thanksgiving holiday. Very exciting!

I asked Brooklyn to pose "over by that tree"...then I looked closer...

What a SURPRISE! The class in which I did a long-term sub from the first day of school, through September, won a blue ribbon for their entry in the decorating contest. I was SO PROUD!! (I feel like they're MY class too!) When I saw them last week, I went into their classroom, told them how I found their tree, and gave them a big cheer!

Pumpkin Train, Halloween...NOW October is OVER

2011-12-04T15:29:00.000-08:00

MY favorite thing about Halloween is the Pumpkin Liner train ride to Banks, Idaho. This year the weather was spectacular and we had so much fun! Halloween for the grands is always celebrated with fabulous costumes and parties and a parade!

October!

2011-10-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

SO...where did September go??? For that matter, where did August go? In August, we took our annual trip to the Oregon Coast. We met Missy, Kip, and McKena in Seaside for some fun family time. Eden had her baby boy, Durham, on August 13...then we sped along toward the first day of school. I took a long-term sub job which started with the "Sneak Peek" the day before school started. I had the most wonderful group of fourth-graders (32!) for the first four weeks of school...they kept telling me, "Mrs. Bates, you're like our REAL teacher." That's how I felt too. I did Back-to-School Night, and an all-day field trip to Celebration Park. September just flew! Reed and I both celebrated birthdays. We took a quick trip to SLC for Conference last weekend. The men of the family are enjoying the BSU football games. The leaves are turning. I just put up Halloween decorations. How can it be October already? Vaca photos will be up soon. Hopefully, I'll catch up.

Grandma Camp...The 9s

2011-10-09T19:28:00.001-07:00

Three of my granddaughters are nine years old, in the fourth grade, are great friends, and decided to all have french braids at camp!

Oops...out of order!

We tried our hands at Native American beading...

Of course, we read in the "reading tent"

We "hiked" the Oregon Trail following the markers throughout Boise.

We finished camp by making "fairy houses" our of leaves, seeds, twigs, pine cones, etc.

Yellowstone (in May 2011)

2011-10-09T17:37:00.001-07:00

We went to Yellowstone with Eden, Dan and kids the last weekend in May...who knew the weather would return us to frigid temps, rain, sleet, and snow. I had never been there...it is spectacular! We met visitors from France, Germany, Japan, and all over the U.S. Fantastic!

Right on time...we got there, the snow came down, Old Faithful erupted, the skies cleared, all within about 15 minutes!!

Love the Sky

2011-07-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

My granddaughter, Bailey, shared photos she had taken of the sky with me one day. I was astounded at the beauty she had captured. I guess I had never paid much attention to the sky...not anymore...I rue the times I don't have my camera, because, as Bailey said, " I take pictures because I know I'll never see that same sky ever again!" So...here are some photos from my own little patch of sky.

Wildlife

2011-07-24T14:13:00.001-07:00

Yep, it's a snake...I'm just glad Reed got home first to see it slithering onto the driveway...this photo is postmortem!

I thought I was chasing a butterfly, but realized it was a moth...and I find moths a little creepy...but, certainly not as creepy as the aforementioned SNAKE!!

Amongst the Blooms: Enjoying Our Yard

2011-07-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

Cache Camp 2011

2011-07-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

What's our next project, Grandma??" Unfortunately I forgot my camera on our expedition to the park to ride the paddle boats, but we made a "field journal" out of a 3-ring binder, and a clipboard with an "outdoor alphabet chart" to note special sightings on our adventure...f for feathers, p for poop...LOTS of g for geese, thus the p for poop of the goose variety!

In the "Reading Tent"

Cache chose "King Burger" for dinner, and the best part was the play area!

We finished the evening at an indoor, blacklight mini golf venue...as Cache said, "I got a 1, Grandpa got a 1, but Grandma didn't!"
Saturday was the Grandpa part of Grandma camp! Cache and Grandpa went fishing and then did "man" projects until it was time for Cache to go home. Another happy camper!

Bailey's Grandma Camp July 2011

2011-07-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

In the "Reading Tent"

We watched Roman Holiday, and made scrapbook pages of the famous sites in Rome.

Bailey loves Olive Garden, and she introduced us to her favorite bottled Italian water.

Bailey's Grandma Camp had an Italian theme...we studied Italian art, culture, food...and wished we could be in Italy!

Christmas---I am SO far behind!

2011-03-30T20:16:00.001-07:00

Winter Garden Aglow...newly discovered this year...will be a tradition from now on!

Christmas Eve at Jay and Christa's...

Sing-a-ma-jig...hilarious!

Christa's handiwork...crocheted headbands with removeable flowers for the girls.

Catch Up

2011-03-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

Back to December...our traditional Nutcracker experience at the Morrison Center...Bellamie is still too young, but next year, ALL the girls will be able to go!

We Celebrated: Our 40th Anniversary, My 61st Birthday, and BSU vs VA Tech in Washington, D.C.

2010-09-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

We arrived Friday, September 3, and headed out to see the sights...

We were especially moved by the World War II Memorial...I had just been doing some genealogy research, and found my mother's cousin, Oliver Pincombe had died in Stalag XII right before the liberation of his German prisoner of war camp. I found his name in the Memorial's archive.

Our morning began with a tour of the White House...after passing through many security stations, we made our way through the public rooms, each room being manned by a Secret Service agent who willingly shared stories and fascinating details about its history.

The Capitol dome through the glass ceiling of the visitor's center

"the whispering spot" in the old Senate chamber

We had a personal tour of the Capitol and the Library of Congress by a young lady who grew up with Dallin, and is now an aide to Senator Crapo...she had access to all the "behind the scenes" areas,and lots of stories to tell. We loved our visit to Ft. McHenry. The battle there, during the War of 1812, produced the poem, by Frances Scott Key, which became our National Anthem. We watched a film about the battle, and his experience, in a darkened auditorium...then the National Anthem began to play and the blinds began to draw back to reveal the view of the flag waving over the fort...magnificent!

I spent my 61st birthday dipping my toes in the Atlantic Ocean at Rehoboth Beach, DE! We got a little lost on the way, only added 2 hours to the trip (!) but we wanted to compare the East Coast with the West Coast, Atlantic with Pacific, and decided it was a little more crowded, but worth the trip!

We did some last day sight-seeing on Monday...The National Archives (no photos allowed) and Ford's Theater and the house across the street where Lincoln died...they are right in the middle of a modern city, but have been preserved so well that one feels transported back to that time and place in history.

We met our friends who share our anniversary, at Clyde's in Washington, D.C., for dinner before the game. We were staying in Baltimore, so we had to show up in our "spirit gear"...no way to change before the game!

Our trip culminated with a BSU victory! We were out-numbered, out-yelled, but not out-played! I was so excited, I forgot to get out the camera while we were IN the stadium! This was BIG-TIME college football! At Fedex Field in Landover, MD, we got to see what 80,000 screaming Hokies sounded like...our little (10,000) band of BSU fans did our best to cheer on our team. Getting to the stadium was a challenge (up and down hills and through the woods!) but what a game!!!!

Grandma Camp with "The Eights"

2010-08-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

This year's camp was named "FANS"...FOOD/FUN...ART...NATURE...SCIENCE...and we made fans to represent! (We watched Disney's "Polly" and danced along...shaking those fans!)

We combined food and art (chocolate pudding finger-painting)for lots of fun..."Grandma can we lick it??!!" Of course!!

We read "Hailstones and Halibut Bones" by Mary O'Neill from BEREA, OHIO! As we listened to each "color" poem, we thought about what color means to us...we each picked our favorite color and created collages to express our ideas.

Our nature walk yielded beautiful specimens which we affixed to our duct tape bracelets.

For the science portion of our camp experience, we watched the different ways color disperses in fresh water, and salt water...AND we combined colors to see what would happen...F-A-N-S Camp was FUN!!!

Summer 2010

2010-08-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

We started our vacation in Long Beach, Washington...it is one of our favorite places on the coast...then we spent a few days in Seaside, Oregon...drove from there to Tillamook (ice cream), Rockaway (best clam chowder anywhere!), Garibaldi (bakery)...hmmm...we do more than eat, honestly!

I took a crash course in cranberry growing...I thought we would see the "bogs" but that doesn't happen until harvest...

We explored caves at Hug Point...

We had to have a hug at Hug Point...unfortunately my arm isn't long enough to get a photo of the actual hug...you get the idea!

Bailey had her second annual Grandma Camp...with a French theme this year! We learned French words, ate French food, made a French message board and magnets, watched "The Red Balloon" and filmed our own version...Bailey wrote the script and acted, and Grandma videoed! It was tres, tres bien!

We enjoyed a trip to the zoo to see the new African exhibit.

We got up close to some cute little critters on the Wallaby Walkabout.

For Father's Day, the whole family met in the park for an outdoor movie night (Saturday night)...we didn't know what to expect, but we were ready for FUN! The girls were up dancing to The Blackeyed Peas..."I Got a Feeling" tonight's gonna be a good, good night!!!!!!!!

Once again, Dallin played in his high school alumni baseball game...he pitched 2 innings this year! He hadn't thrown a baseball in the year since his last game! He did well...and his team won!

Mia and McKena were baptized on the same day...June 5...they had their 8th birthdays 2 weeks apart, and looked forward to this very special day!

Brooklyn's ballet recital...Swan Lake...Lovely!

The Race for the Cure

2010-05-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

Eden, her two girls, and I "raced" for the cure Saturday morning, along with 16,000 others! It was a beautiful sight...pink everywhere...representing those who have fought, are fighting, or may fight breast cancer. When Eden was in high school, as vice president of her class, she organized a Borah High contingent to participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It has remained a commitment in her life, now with greater meaning than ever...her Aunt Karen is a two-time breast cancer survivor (my sister) and her cousin (my niece and namesake), Kristin, was just diagnosed and underwent a bilateral mastectomy a week ago. We proudly wore their names on our backs and celebrated their courage.

Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-11T16:23:00.000-07:00

A few souvenirs from my trip provided the decorations...
Reed asked, "Is this a snowman?" "Or a pineapple?" OH! It must be a pineapple! Uh huh.

I wanted to have a Cinco de Mayo party, but it just didn't happen. I surprised Reed with a fiesta for two!

Still Thinking About Spring Break

2010-05-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

Fireworks from the "pirate ship" on the bay...every night a different resort sponsors a brief fireworks display...one never knows where or when!

On the Malecon...thrilling display of native ritual.

Sisters and friends...

THE BEST COCONUT SHRIMP IN THE WORLD deserves its own photo!

These are my cute toes after my very first pedicure! I won it at the Welcome Fiesta.

Look carefully at this shell I found on the beach...what do you see????

AHHHH! Puerto Vallarta...The ideal relaxation destination...I had a little trouble getting there, unfortunately. My flight out of Boise was cancelled due to mechanical problems...the airline was able to reschedule me for the next day, so home I went...back to the airport at 5am the next day...the first officer of my flight got sick in the night, and COULDN"T FLY, so NEITHER COULD WE!!!! The airline brought in a new crew and thankfully, my long layover in San Francisco worked to my advantage...I made my connection and finally arrived a day and a half late. The tricky part was...there was no way to contact my sister, who was already there waiting for me! I decided to email her, and when I didn't show up, I hoped she would think to check HER email. She did. So, the day I finally arrived, she was in the lobby, peering into every cab that pulled up...questioning loudly, "Is it HER?" By the time I arrived, the entire staff had been alerted and ran to greet me (with a sigh of relief as big as my own, I'm sure!).

A Fun Day With Cache...

2010-05-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

I "salted" my walk route with "gold" coins, then took Cache on a treasure hunt...he filled his bag as we walked..."Look, Grandma, there's another one!"

Then, we were off to the Discovery Center...

The robotic arm spelled, "CACHE"

Cache's favorite activity at the Discovery Center...the pulley chair!

"Over there, Grandma!"

Cache found "the perfect thing" at the dollar store! We laughed and laughed at his googly eyes!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

Luckily it's still January! I have had trouble uploading photos to the blog, so I have put off reporting recent events...January 4 was especially "festive"...our Boise State Broncos won the Fiesta Bowl...Jay and Dallin DROVE to Phoenix with a group of 8 guys...had a fabulous time...kept calling me up until game time to see if I had "stomach crunchies!" I have this reputation for premonitions of wins and losses based on what we all term "crunchies." Hey...trust the tummy...WE WON! I never had a single "crunchy." Any football fans out there may remember the fake punt...executed to perfection by 2 Boise boys...the punter, Kyle Brotzman is from Meridian High School, whose head coach just happens to be my son-in-law, Kip! I saw Kyle kick what I estimated to be a 60 yard field goal at one of his high school games...Reed wasn't there to see it, and couldn't believe it when I told him...well, sure enough, in the paper the next day, the actual length was 59 yards. Fantastic!

The Pride of Berea!

2009-09-16T20:05:00.001-07:00

Friday night, September 11, 2009, Karen's family joins her at Tressel Field before the football game. Her induction into the Berea High School Athletic Hall of Fame was announced a few months ago, and we all wanted to support her in that honor...she asked me to be her presenter at the induction ceremony, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Our brother, David, was inducted in 1985. I didn't get to be there for him, so I knew I had to make it to Karen's. She was a national champion synchronized swimmer, and represented the USA at the Rome Olympics in 1960...demonstrating as an exhibition sport before it was officially accepted in 1984. She also coached for 25 years, and one of her daughters was an All American at Ohio State, and another went on to be named national developmental coach of the year.

My sister, Karen, is introduced on the field at the Berea/ Parma football game.

Karen and I (both BHS cheerleaders, class of '58 and '67) joined the current cheerleaders for a rousing rendition of the fight song! Fight that team, boys, fight that team, show them Berea's in...

What a show! The stands were full at the stadium at Baldwin Wallace College...for the football game...or rather, I think, the band performance!! Outstanding!!

Before the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, we gathered at the cemetary to take flowers to Mom and Dad...then drove back past 70 Baker and Danny decided to ask if we could come in to see our old home...the new owner allowed a tour, and then surprised us with a piece of our Mom's handiwork, still displayed inside.

This is one of Mom's scherrenschnittes...she had given it to her next-door neighbor, who, in turn, gave it to the owner of our old house...she enclosed a note within the frame stating that it was part of the history of the house and should stay with it...the new owner keeps it on the mantle in the living room, and shared the story with us. Karen, her family and I were taken aback, and it touched us deeply.

I also had the pleasure of reconnecting with old friends...I hadn't seen Karen for 33 years...it didn't matter...we picked up where we left off!
Carol, Karen, Bruce and I...hanging out at Panera...reminiscing...Karen had brought some photos, yellow with age(!) We were so cute back then...prom, church camp, graduation parties...fun!

A Perfect Day September 5, 2009

2009-09-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

The day began with a complete surprise...Reed had told me he was making me something...I couldn't have guessed this! A lighthouse that really lights up! My very own! I LOVE lighthouses! We always try to see a new one every time we go to the coast. Now, I can just look out my window. A great beginning to my 60th birthday. We went downtown and wandered through the Capital City Market...fun!

The first of three "Happy Birthday" serenades...all beautiful in their own way!

Flowers!

MMMMM...cake!! Eden hosted dinner, Kanak Attack and my girls provided their specialties...YUMMY!
Brooklyn, Cache, and McKena take time out from dress-up to have a "toast" to Grandma

Cache Camp '09

2009-08-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

We scheduled Cache's camp for a Thursday in August...one would think that we could rely on beautiful summer weather for all the outdoor, boy-type activities I had planned. It RAINED all day! Quick revamp of the activities...and many additional activities to fill in the time. We had a GREAT time! Cache loved the "Transformer" and "Cars" books that we read in the reading tent. He used "magic" paper (tracing paper) to trace his favorite part of each story in his camp journal. He designed and built his very own Transformer (boxes, paper tubes, and duct tape) and spray painted it GOLD! We made chocolate dipped pretzels in the shape of race cars, using special candy molds...very cool! And we made enough to share...purple deliciousness! I think his favorite activity was shaving cream sprayed ALL OVER the bathroom counter to mold into ocean waves, squish between fingers, and make a "mess" without making a MESS! I loved it too!

Going, Going, Gone!

2009-08-12T15:54:00.000-07:00

Whitney Elementary School has been on the corner of Overland Road and Owyhee Street for over 75 years...thankfully, the school board decided to reinvest in our old neighborhood and build a new school (plus community center) on the property. Construction began last summer, the kids adapted pretty well to the commotion during the school year, AND having no playground! I sub at Whitney regularly...all my children spent their entire elementary years there...fond memories are all that's left...the new school will open August 31, 2009...we are very excited!

The Sevens, or Grandma's Fancy Camp

2009-07-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

It took a while to find a 2day/1night date for all three of my 7 year-old granddaughters, but Monday was the big day. The campers arrived...bade farewell to the moms...and sat down to a chocolate milk "tea" party. We erected our reading tent and began reading the first of 3 Fancy Nancy books...then we wrote our favorite "fancy" words in our camp journals. We spray-painted our golden camp treasure boxes, decorated them with jewels, ribbons, flowers and stickers. All in the first 2 hours!

We had fun in the park, but were simply disgusted that the fountain wasn't spraying!!

Oh, so fancy!!!!!!!!

MMMM..S'Mores

This is a total fakeout...there was NO sleeping for a long, long time!

The culminating croquet tournament!

In Honor of Emil Drzayich

2009-07-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

Dallin was invited back to play in the Eagle High School first annual Alumni Baseball Game in honor of Coach Drzayich, who passed away last year. Scholarship money was raised and 30+ alumni players showed up. They played the current Eagle Vipers (Legion Team). 10 alumni pitchers were each scheduled to pitch one inning...D pitched in the 8th. By that time the alumni team was down 11-4...oops! Dallin hadn't pitched in about 2 years and was a little nervous. After Reed watched him warm up, he was a little nervous too. D had asked me if I had any stomach "crunchies." NONE WHATSOEVER!!! SO, Dallin took the mound...first pitch, a strike! That was good...D struck out the first batter, and the second batter, and the third batter flew out. 3 up, 3 down...11 pitches in all. He's still got it!

A Special Group!

2009-07-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

We celebrate our wedding anniversary with a group of friends who were all married the same year (4 couples within a 2 week span in May-June of 1970)...we have been celebrating together since year 10 when we discovered this interesting fact! Some have moved away, some have missed a few years here and there, but, THIS year we were ALL together again! What a wonderful evening!

Bailey's "Grandma Camp"

2009-07-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

Bailey fortified herself with the cheesiest pizza ever!

Cut, sew, ta-da!! Cute apron, Bails!

Bailey made a special poppy seed cake for Reed's mom's birthday...from scratch!
I decided to hold "Grandma Camps" this summer for the grands. Bailey, the oldest, had her very own camp with me. I planned activities that I hoped would be entertaining as well as allow us to just enjoy each other! These were just the first of many activities...we hiked, gathered leaves for leaf rubbing pictures, crafted a camp journal with photos, attended Dallin's alumni baseball game, tried to eat Chinese food (couldn't find the place!) settled for American, and delved into the world of jewelry-making at a specialty bead store...Bailey just got her ears pierced and made some beautiful beaded earrings for the future. (They hang down from the ear...must be 12 for those!) Our time together flew by too fast...plans for next year are already in the works!

To Steve

2009-07-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

I remember standing in my driveway, when I was 3 years old, and watching as a new family moved in 4 doors down...they had a little boy...a playmate...who turned out to be a wonderful, life-long friend. Steve passed away on July 1, 2009. The first of our "group" of friends who grew up together, went through all of elementary school, junior high and high school together. I am including a photo (fuzzy old black and white of Steve and me on my driveway...a photo from jr. high (maybe you can see his broken tooth-he knocked it out on my hard head during a game of ghost in his basement...he never let me forget my role in his pain!)...and a photo from our senior year when I was Track Queen and Steve was my escort. Steve was the happiest guy I've ever known...always finding the humor in situations...he had a way with words, was so very smart, graduated from Duke University, and we were planning to get together in September when I will be in Berea. I am so sad. I am also so grateful for memories, which have flooded back into my mind: Saturday mornings at his house watching The Lone Ranger on TV; having him read me the poem, "I Had But 50 Cents" from The Best Loved Poems of the American People...we just loved that crazy poem! building forts out of his building blocks, apportioned exactly equally, so we could each build our own fort for our plastic cowboys and Indians; Steve playing the ACCORDIAN(!); writing the funniest entry in my high school yearbook EVERY YEAR!; Steve and Trip Davis bouncing the basketball all the way down Baker Street between their 2 houses and past mine, so they could play basketball with their self-made team, The Continentals...they were inspired by Ohio State's glory days of John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas. Still playing basketball at Fairwood, while the girls played tennis on the adjoining tennis courts, every summer through junior high and high school. We grew up, moved on, but remained forever friends. I am so glad we got together one more time at our 40th class reunion. I will miss him.
Sorry...the scans wouldn't (I COULDN'T) resize, and for some reason the photo of the broken tooth kept failing to post...

Vacation Time

2009-06-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

We love the beach at Seaside...looking for sand dollars and dipping our toes in the chilly water!

Shipwreck! At Fort Stevens National Park...December storms of 2007 uncovered more of the ship...alas, no treasure!

Cache explores Fort Clatsop...Lewis and Clark's first winter encampment.

Brooklyn takes the oath to become a junior National Park Ranger, after fulfilling 7 important requirements.

School is out...summer has not quite arrived weather-wise, but Eden and Dan invited us to accompany them to the Oregon Coast for a week of fun and relaxation...

Our New Puppy!!

2009-06-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

"Titan" is his name...cute is his game! He was the runt of the litter...a miniature dachshund...he needed a "big" name! So, Titan it is.

2009-04-11T16:56:00.001-07:00

Spring Break with my Sister!

2009-04-11T16:19:00.000-07:00

Just another week in paradise!!! Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!

Mi amigo, Francisco!

I missed this last year...I promised myself a massage on the beach this year for sure!

Yep, those are my toes...

Our adventurous spirit took us on a busride to Bucerias...Karen had been there 20 years ago, and had been charmed by the unspoiled beach...20 years makes a difference, but we were still charmed!

I wish you could see the gold flecks in the sand...I've never seen anything like it!

Sand sculptures beyond beautiful!
Sunset on the Malecon
Our final night...our farewell dinner at Los Tules.
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Our singing waiter..."Besame Mucho!"

My Favorite Planet!

2009-03-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

Last night Reed and I accompanied our church youth group to the Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park and Observatory. The Bruneau dunes include the single tallest sand dune in North America...it is a WONDER! Then, when the sun went down, we checked out the billions of stars through the huge telescope at the observatory. As we were leaving, there was a group of people using one of the smaller telescopes outside the observatory...I overheard someone saying they were looking at Saturn...well, I've always thought that Saturn was my favorite planet...with those rings and all...but I never expected to actually SEE it! I took my turn and nearly did a happy dance right there! I saw beautiful Saturn on a beautiful night in Bruneau, Idaho!!!

What is a Core Fair?

2009-03-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

McKena's elementary school presents a "core knowledge" fair each year to reflect the learning that has taken place across grade levels and curriculum...this year's theme was American History. What a fantastic display of creativity and facets of learning. Each guest was presented with a program map and questions to answer as one moved throughout the school hallways. Teachers were dressed as famous Americans from history...Abe Lincoln got by me before I could get out my camera...we nabbed Betsy Ross between stitches and a Colonial soldier (who was a member of Sons of the American Revolution). We all had a wonderful time. Thanks McKena!

Valentine Winners

2009-03-02T16:50:00.001-08:00

I am doing a long-term sub and had so much fun at the class Valentine party! I wanted to share the creative masterpieces that won the box decorating contest. Can you guess which won: Most Unique...Most Creative...Most Beautiful...Funniest...and Most Inspirational? The kids voted.

Snow is NOT my favorite!

2009-03-02T16:18:00.000-08:00

But Christmas is! We gathered at Jay and Christa's, driving through a nasty snow storm...Brooklyn came in sick, threw up...cuddled up on the couch for a while. Bellamie was covered with hives...Eden had taken her to the doctor on Christmas Eve day. BUT, we celebrated and we were TOGETHER!

A Favorite Tradition!

2008-12-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

I started taking Bailey to see The Nutcracker when she was five years old, and had just begun taking ballet lessons. It quickly became a tradition. Mia asked to go along last year, and this year we invited Brooklyn. McKena and Missy go as a mother/daughter tradition, so McKena doesn't go with us. We are all enchanted by the beautiful sets and costumes, enthralled by the music and dance, and excited to have our very own nutcrackers!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

What a fun day for the fam. Eden and Dan hosted...everyone contributed their specialty: I made pumpkin and chocolate pies, a pumpkin cheesecake, a turkey, Aunt Lura's pineapple rings with a dollop of cream cheese and pecan mixture in the hole; Christa made turkey, stuffing and gravy; Missy made mashed potatoes and homemade cranberry sauce; Eden made her pear and prosciutto salad, special yams, rolls, and ham. DELISH! We ate, drank and were very merry! The kids all wanted to feed Willy the calf after dinner (probably next year he WILL be dinner!) and the adults played Apples to Apples, resulting in much hilarity!

Why rake?

2008-11-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

So you can jump into the big pile!!! And imagine the leaves are hats and cups!!!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-02T20:25:00.000-08:00

Hurray for Melba Elementary School! They still celebrate Halloween the old-fashioned way...with a costume parade and a party! I love being able to take part in the grands' fun. I went to Brooklyn's class party...then decorated my doorway in preparation for trick-or-treaters...we attended the 3-Ward "Trunk or Treat" party...drove out to Eagle to catch the last half of the Meridian vs Eagle football game, and see McKena's costume (good job, Missy!)...then, on to Star for Bailey and Mia! Whew! What an exciting night!

We love the Pumpkin Liner!

2008-11-02T20:05:00.000-08:00

Missy always organizes a family train ride to the pumpkin patch. We love it (I am crazy for trains) and the kids love it. We look forward to it every year.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...in October!!

2008-11-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

The earliest snowfall recorded in Boise!

September Birthdays and Bishop Bates!

2008-11-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

We gathered to celebrate Reed's and Christa's birthdays with dinner and cake. Then we went to a special meeting at the Stake Center, at which new ward alignments were announced and Reed was called to be the first bishop of the newly-formed Shoshone Ward. We will be leaving many friends, but "we will go, we will do" and all will be well.

(the) SOUTH Shall Rise Again

2008-08-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

South Junior High School is being torn down, now that the new South is ready to open. All my children attended South...Missy started in 1983, Jay in 1985 (right after surgery on his arm...I was so worried he would get "bumped" and "hurt"), Eden in 1993 (City Champs in 9th girls' basketball), and Dallin in 1997 (the first volunteer quarterback "Who can throw the long ball?" in 8th grade football)...Lots of memories!

My Favorite Friend

2008-08-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

35 years of friendship...34 years of it, long-distance! I love it when we get the chance to get together. We can talk, eat, and shop like no other! We ate at the wonderful Brick 29 Bistro, and Applebee's (we always get the exact same lunch!); we stocked up on Craisins at Winco; we hit the mall, downtown Boise, and specialty shops in Eagle. We found bargains galore! We visited with all my kids (2 of whom match up with 4 of hers!). I just love my JoAnn! (What are those old ladies doing with Victoria's Secret bags???) (Lotions and mints!! On SALE!)

Family Reunion

2008-07-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

The Bates clan gathered in Boise for the first time in many years...the kids played, the adults gabbed, and a good time was had by all!

By the Sea, By the Sea...

2008-07-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

We loved our time in Seaside...total relaxation and fun...Reed's favorite clam chowder at Rockaway Beach...sand dollars galore...walking the "Prom"

The "Bates" Motel

2008-07-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

OH BOY! Reed and I drove to Hillsboro, Oregon to sell our b8sball bamboo bats, and then motor on to the coast for a couple of days. Unfortunately, there wasn't a motel room to be had by the time we were done with business. We drove around for 2 hours stopping at every possible motel...no rooms! We knew there was nothing from there to the coast...so we started back toward Portland. AHA! THE LAMPLIGHTER! VACANCY! HURRAY! We won't have to spend the night in the car! Hmmmm. Our first hint was that it shared a parking lot with the Sunset Strip Club...( I think it might have been a "by the hour" type of motel) but we decided to take a chance. I think the photos tell the story...EEUUWW! BUT, we didn't see the mattress until the next morning...we ripped down the rest of the mattress pad and the entire mattress was covered with bloodstains!!!!!!!!! Notice the bullet hole in the bathroom door...and, well, we lived to tell about it!!!!!!!!!

The "BLUE"

2008-07-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

My sister, Karen, "road-tripped" from Kansas City to Coeur d'Alene with her daughter, Kelly, son-in-law, Sheridan, and their kiddos, Macy and Cooper. They went to watch Karen's daughter-in-law, Laura, participate in the Ironman Triathlon! So, as long as they were in Idaho, they drove on down to Boise! We did a little "tour" starting at Bronco Stadium...Sheridan wanted to see the blue turf...as luck would have it, that was the day they finished tearing out the old turf! Not ones to miss an opportunity, Kelly and Christa marched out onto the track and asked for a "scrap" or two...Sheridan said he was going to go home and make coasters out of them and send them to his friends in OKLAHOMA! HA! They did get their picture taken on a little bit of the blue!

Our Favorite Sport!

2008-06-16T22:51:00.000-07:00

McKena's collarbone is healed...so she hit the t-ball field...for the first time this season...she was ready with her pink mitt, pink bat, #13 jersey(!), hat, helmet, and the proper instruction from grandpa last night! And the game ended with snacks! What could be better?

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-16T22:35:00.000-07:00

We tried to get the whole fam together for Father's Day, but negotiations broke down...no, Dallin was sick and Eden and her family celebrated with Dan's family. It was still fun...Christa showed us the beautiful book she had made for Jay, commemorating their fabulous cruise...we had a delicious dinner, then went to see Legacy...a new concept "fitness academy/housing development" that Jay is involved with. That doesn't really describe it...it involves Jack Nicklaus golf course, Jim Courier tennis center, Mia Hamm-Brandi Chastain-Julie Foudy soccer center, Mark Spitz swimming center and Duke Speed center. Jay had the opportunity to "train" Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain on Saturday, which was a unique experience for him! (He was asking himself what in the world could he teach the best female soccer players ever to play the game?) We toured the model homes in the development-fantastic! Oh, and Dad/Grandpa/Reed had a nice day!! The Primary handed out cans of Dad's rootbeer with a tag that read,"The world's best POP!" He received many new books to read...hurray for Glenn Beck, Clive Cussler, and baseball brainteasers!

My Favorite Color Is...

2008-06-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

It was time for a new paint job on the old homestead, so off I went to the paint department of the local home center to pick colors...the last two times we painted, we chose tan and blue (adobe beige looked pink to some!), then darker tan, brown and blue. I came home with another variation on the theme and thought it was settled...time passed, the weather didn't cooperate for painting, and I changed my mind. We're GOING GREEN! TaDa!

Our Favorite Author

2008-06-14T10:30:00.001-07:00

Even though Eden put this on her blog, I couldn't miss the opportunity to tell her how proud we are of her, and how much we enjoyed the book-signing for Indian Creek Muse. She is our favorite American Poet!! (See her birthday post)

35? No Way!!

2008-06-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

Yep, Jay is 35...We gathered on June 6 to celebrate the big day. We ended up around the dining room table, reciting snippets of dialogue from favorite movies and comedians...laughing like crazy...having a fun time. The birthday cake of choice for EVERY man in the family is German Chocolate...I made confetti cupcakes for the kiddos in case they didn't want G.C. Of course, I had to give them each a candle to blow out too!

The Last of the Graduates...

2008-06-03T21:01:00.000-07:00

McKena has had a tough few weeks...she broke her collarbone and had to restrict her activities at school and at play...no T-ball for a little while longer...BUT she was able to graduate with her class today, and is now ready for first grade, just like her cousins! Hurray!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

2008-06-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

So, June 1 is our 38th anniversary. We decided to go out for a nice dinner last night. Jay and Christa recommended Carrabba's...their favorite. "Try the pollo rosamaria," said Jay..."Are there beef dishes? Dad NEVER orders chicken in a restaurant," I replied. Well, my husband humored me...no steakhouse for the anniversary...he even asked for a romantic table for two! And dinner was fantastic! delicious! After dinner, we joined friends at the movie theater to see the new Indiana Jones feature. It was enjoyable...I didn't even murmur while watching, ha!

Two Down, One to Go!

2008-05-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

It's Kindergarten graduation time! We have THREE granddaughters who started kindergarten last fall, and we have been privileged to attend 2 graduations so far! They attend school in 3 different districts, but each of our girls has learned so much, and grown up so much! We are very proud!

McKena is Six!!!!

2008-05-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Not even a HUGE thunderstorm could dampen our spirits for McKena's birthday party! We all just came inside; brought the BBQ grill onto the front porch; sent all of the children upstairs to the Preschool room (that worked for a few minutes at a time); and celebrated McKena's 6th...remembering the joy of a Memorial Day picnic that never happened 6 years ago, because we were at the hospital meeting that special little girl for the first time! We love you, Kena...Happy Birthday! (In case you noticed the sling on her arm...she broke her collarbone a week ago.)

Rooster Tail!

2008-05-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

What's a rooster tail? Why do they call it a rooster tail? How long does it take to get there? These are just a few of the questions Bailey and Mia had for us when we suggested a drive up to Lucky Peak Dam to see the "rooster tail" of water spewing forth. It used to be a regular sight on the way to Lucky Peak Reservoir, but it hasn't been seen for years...this year all the elements are present for a spectacular show! We walked along the road, enjoying the view and the mist, when we noticed a walkway even closer to the water down below us..."Can we go down there Grandma and Grandpa?" "Sure...let's go!"

Peter Pan, the ballet!

2008-05-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

Bailey performed as a "little Wendy" as her ballet class participated in the recital production of Peter Pan...no photos are permitted during the performance, so these were taken after...her teacher is Sarah Arnold Phipps who also taught Missy. Sarah is leaving Boise after 25 years, so this was her last recital, and Bailey's last, as well...she would rather do gymnastics. As her last hurrah, Sarah played the part of the Croc and did a brilliantly hilarious tango with Captain Hook! She bid farewell with a reminiscence of ballerinas past, starting with "her first 'Alice' (from Alice in Wonderland) Missy Bates!" I was teary-eyed the whole night, but having Missy remembered and acknowledged was WONDERFUL! So here's to Bailey and Missy, my beautiful ballerinas!

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-12T21:06:00.001-07:00

The first gift of Mother's Day was a mini loaf of bread (from the ward). The second gift of Mother's Day was cookie slippers (from Primary). The third gift of Mother's Day was a funny card from Reed, and the fourth gift was card #2! The fifth gift of Mother's Day was a hand-crafted box from Brooklyn, Cache and Eden with slips of paper inside with "I love Grandma because..." The sixth gift of Mother's Day was a hand-picked cake from Kip! (white cake, white frosting, very sweet!) The seventh gift of Mother's Day was a picture frame (beach-themed, my favorite place) from Missy. The Eighth gift of Mother's Day was from my boys...a Comice Pear Tree...Thank you!!! I love you all!!!

Mia's Birthday Party

2008-05-10T17:21:00.001-07:00

We gathered at Eagle Park (minus Eden and her family...she had run the Komen Race for the Cure and didn't get home in time to make the party) to celebrate Mia's 6th.
Star cupcakes and NO candles...she didn't want them AND it was so windy, we couldn't have lit them!

A jewelry box with a KEY!
A blue dress for the blue-eyed girl!

Is it Spring Yet?

2008-05-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

It seems so late this year...finally, we can see the signs.

Field Trip with Brooklyn

2008-05-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

The Melba Elementary kindergarteners arrived at the MK Nature Center in their bright red matching hoodies! Grandma got to join Brooklyn's group for a day of fun!
Brooklyn learned to identify "Brook" Trout!
Were we ever surprised to find the Eldon BEUS Garden as we were leaving the MK Nature Center! On to the Boise ZOO...
The zebra always seems to be hiding...maybe he's just shy...at least I got a photo of the FRONT end this time!
Brooklyn had quite an explanation for the name...Sloth Bear...and I think she was right!
"Radar Ears?"

What a way to end the day...we RAN to the carousel when they announced that it was "now open!"

Eden...It's your birthday!

2008-04-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

The fam gathered for dinner, presents, and cake...to honor the birthday girl! (and our favorite American poet...yes,she is!)

NBADL Playoffs-Jay got the sweet suite!

2008-04-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

Oh Say Can You See? An 11 year old boy sang the National Anthem...GREAT!

The Stampede won! And we had FUN!!

McKena's field trip

2008-04-20T14:14:00.001-07:00

I got to Municipal Park just in time to play! Missy and McKena and the kindergarten classes came from Middleton to see the Botanical Gardens (and hold worms--they tickled!), clean up trash along the Greenbelt, have lunch at Municipal Park, and then PLAY!

Spring Break in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2008-03-31T22:21:00.000-07:00

My sister invited me to spend the week with her and 2 friends at her condo...the first night, a beautiful sunset...then glorious days.

Every Night...a Fiesta

2008-03-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

On the Malecon, the walkway along the beach in town...music and dancing

The Last Supper...sand sculpture

Michaelangelo's masterpiece...Moses

A Week in Paradise

2008-03-31T21:46:00.000-07:00

There always seem to be interesting bathrooms wherever I go! A floral extravaganza!

On the grounds at Los Tules...yes, that's the way bananas grow...UP!

My farewell dinner at the marina. A lovely evening.

Our Last Walk on the Beach

2008-03-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

Karen said, "OK, We'll walk to the rocks, then turn around." I asked, "Do we actually have to touch the rocks before we can go back?" "Of course," she replied, then proceeded to sit on the rocks to demonstrate the proper technique for "touching."

I knew I was on my way home...

2008-03-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

When I was in the Puerto Vallarta airport, on my way to the gate, I was on the "people mover" minding my own business...and I looked up and saw this ad for Tamarack Resort! Hurray for Idaho! Little did I know I would be returning to 30 degree weather and snowflakes flying!

The Bats are HERE!

2008-03-05T19:50:00.000-08:00

Dallin and Reed's business (b8sball.com) is ready to go...beautiful bamboo bats have arrived from Taiwan...they are the BEST BAM BATS in the LAND! Yea!!!

Purse Tag

2008-02-29T21:28:00.001-08:00

This is for you, E...
Big or small, I like 'em all! So here they are...(I left a few out of the photo). I try to keep the junk all in one mini bag, so I can trade purses on my slightest whim...someone did ask me why I carry two wallets...one is a planner/coupon holder/mad money stash...one is traditional:cash, check, credit cards, driver's license. I can't be without my "sours'" wintergreen mints from Victoria's Secret,and gum, Advil, handwipes, extra keys, pens, sticky notes, cell phone. It's not too much, is it? Haven't we been told to be PREPARED??

Valentines!

2008-02-17T15:55:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn and Cache came over to decorate valentine cookies for their daddy. I baked and frosted, they "pinkled" (Cache). Bellamie gummed her graham crackers, although she probably would have rather had the pretty cookies! Brooklyn said, " These are for my daddy, but I will sneak some!" (After she determined that they were just like the Christmas cookies I make, only in heart shapes.)

Tribute to David Luedtke

2008-02-17T15:06:00.000-08:00

Many months ago, one of David's classmates from West Point asked me to write a memorial article for inclusion in the West Point alumni record...and for his class's 50th reunion in 2009. I wrote a draft, he inserted some service experience that I didn't know...and it needed more work. SO, I turned the drafts over to Eden, who interviewed me about my remembrances of my brother...and crafted an eloquent tribute to her Uncle David, which will be published in the West Point magazine and placed in the cadet archives. I am so proud of Eden's efforts and wanted to include some photos I took during my high school class reunion... David's West Point uniform in the Mahler Museum in Berea, Ohio and his plaque in the Berea High School Hall of Fame.

Dallin and Michelle's Wedding, May 2007

2008-01-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

Family dinner at The Station in Berea

2008-01-23T20:52:00.000-08:00

We all flew from Boise to Cleveland, Ohio on Friday August 24, for Grandma Luedtke's funeral. Aunt Karen and her family drove from Kansas City. The ten of us who flew through Atlanta were stranded because of bad weather. We were not going to be able to reach Cleveland in time for the funeral, but after trying and failing through the night to get out of Atlanta, Christa and Michelle (the blondes!) took over...Michelle got the info we needed to get out of Atlanta...try to get to Birmingham, AL , then from there to Cleveland. She had Christa on the phone getting reservations for 10 of us on Southwest Airlines from Birmingham to St. Louis to Cleveland by noon!!! Michelle headed to the entrance to the terminal, found a skycap with a "cousin" who had a van, who could drive us overnight to Birmingham. HE asked for $350, Michelle negotiated $225! He arrived at the airport at 2:45am, loaded us up (without any luggage) and got us to the airport in Birmingham by 6am. It was a wild ride...no seatbelts! but we made it...AND made it to Berea in time for the funeral on Saturday, August 25 at 1:00. Unfortunately, we didn't get our luggage until Sunday morning...and we flew back to Boise on Sunday afternoon!

Family Tour

2008-01-23T19:34:00.000-08:00

Our tour guide was a sister missionary who took us in the Whitney Store, allowed us to look around, and learn in the room used as the School of the Prophets.

Our Favorite Place

2008-01-23T13:39:00.001-08:00

40th Class Reunion

2008-01-23T13:00:00.001-08:00