IS THIS DOG DEAD?

That's what I thought when I saw Penny. I had just let her out the door a few seconds before and wondered how she could be in this position so soon. I thought maybe she'd had a seizure. Seizure or no I had to take a picture and then she saw me. Stay tuned for another post soon of calves wanting to play with Sonic and Penny.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOSEPH!!

Happy Birthday to our favorite first born in the wilderness of Austin Texas, 1976. We considered him our centennial baby since America was celebrating hers all year long. We've been amazed through the years at all the talent you have, Joe: tennis, clarinet, piano, composing, singing, inventing, and all that stuff you do with electricity. We've always loved your sense of humor and fun, too. Thanks for being you!!! Tons of love from all your family.

TRAIN SHOW

Dad and I went to downtown Nashville to a train show in the the convention center. It was really crowded but you can see Dad was thrilled to be there! The other picture is me in front of the Grand Ol' Opry which used to be a church a long time ago.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMILY!!!

Happy Birthday to our favorite daughter and Valentine's baby! Not only was she born on Valentine's Day but there was an earthquake while I was in labor. (I didn't feel it. People told me.) Emily, your dad and I think you are awesomely wonderful in every way. You've brought oodles of joy and laughter to us over the years. Best wishes for a great birthday. We love you tons! (Boy, did I have to search for some pictures of you by yourself! I think the one with Nippers was the only one you left in our photo albums!! True, I haven't unpacked all our photos but I think I need to make some copies of the ones you must have, uh hem, swiped??)

Visits from kids and grandkids

Joe and his son, Ian, who looks just like him, were here for a short visit this past weekend. Emily, Elle, and Will also came. Maddie stayed home with Tyler to attend school. We visited Grandma Harris and Leslie. We also made a trek to the Opryland Hotel. We had a lot of fun just hanging out, watching The Music Man and eating cheesecake. Of course the visit was too short but I'll take what I can get. Joe left Sunday afternoon and Emily will leave in the morning (Mond.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IAN!!!

Actually, Ian's 7th birthday was yesterday, 02/03/02. You could say his other name is Houdini. We're so happy he is coming to visit us tomorrow!! We love you, Ian!

A Few More Mission Pictures

I like the arms on the snowman and his eyes made out of atomic fireballs. One of the Elders is from Tonga. See if you can guess which one.

Swingshift

Talk about a flashback. I think this was probably 1986 in Pleasant Hill, CA. This was our Andrews Sisters style singing group which we called Swingshift. We mostly did songs from the 1940's, including music popular during World War II. Liz Forsyth played piano and Heidi Botts, Marcia Damiano, and I sang. We had a few paying gigs before I broke up the act by moving to San Antonio, TX in 1987. It sure was a lot of fun. Hey, grandkids, do you know which one is your grandma??

Elder Kyle Harris

Finally, we got our scanner fixed. Dad downloaded a bunch more drivers. Here are some pictures Kyle sent recently. Someone knitted the white hat he's wearing. He seems to really love it. I'm not too sure about it. Last photo is of a tired missionary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to..uh..umm..that middle child...oh yeah, SCOTTY!!

Scott's had a smile (or a goofy look) on his face since he was born. We all love that he makes everyone in our family crack up all the time. It's one of his many great talents. Scott was born in Bloomington, IL in 1980 at 6:30PM. My obstetrician was oriental and I never understood a word he said. But it was my 3rd and I didn't think it mattered that much. If I had a scanner that worked I'd load in his life's story but we'll save that for future posts. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SCOTTY, our favorite middle son!! I know our whole family is glad you're a part of it. Thanks for all the joy and laughs you've brought to us. WE LOVE YOU TONS!

Doesn't this child have a grandma?

Yesterday, wearing my stake primary counselor hat, I attended 2 ward conferences. We manned Primary while the teachers/staff attended a meeting with the stake presidency during the second hour. My main job was to keep the Sunbeams on task, often entertaining them with my glasses. One little beamer said he'd never seen glasses on a string. What? I guess not all grandmas wear glasses on a string. Just the real ones!!

Species

How many different kinds of species do you see in this photo?

Palm Springs

I was supposed to be in Palm Springs at my aunt's memorial service this weekend but came down with the flu instead. I was sad to miss seeing my cousins, uncle, mom and dad, brother and others there. Plus I missed all the funny stories that were told. But what can you do. My warmest thoughts were with them all at least. Plus who wouldn't have loved a few days in the warm sun. I'm almost over the flu now. The worst part was that the virus seemed to have inflamed the lining of my stomach. Glad that's over now. It was killing me for days. The only good thing was that it sorta jump started the diet.

Opryland Hotel

Who knew Nashville had a Disneyworld. Dad, Scott, Paige and I visited here for the first time and it was amazing. It's a MUST SEE. Plus we had a fantastic dinner at a fancy steakhouse inside. Very expensive, but delicious! I shall think of it fondly as I diet for the next 6 months.

The Hermitage

This is Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage, in northeast Nashville. He was the 7th US president. I don't have a good picture of the front of the home. This version of the house was completed in 1836. It was fun to play in the cotton field. The garden looks bad in winter but I can imagine how beautiful it would be in the summer in full bloom. Paige will post some more pics when they get home.