Ohio survived...

I'm happy to say that the State of Ohio survived the invasion of the Webster-women... Amanda, Jackie and I flew to Ohio to visit my sister, Caline, and attend the graduation from Kent State University of her oldest son, Trevor.

Caline lives in a beautiful, picturesque area of Ohio, not far from the college town of Mt. Vernon - home of Kenyon college. This area is rich with history. Being a history-buff, I was thrilled! Mt. Vernon's town square is lovely




and complete with it's own Civil War monument.



The countryside is full of rolling hills and lots of farmland. We even stopped at garden nursery on an Amish farm. It was really fascinating to see how well maintained these Amish farms are, and all without using what we consider the necessities of technology.



I even made a friend... This little "Brown Swiss" calf was so cute, I had to get her picture. She liked me so much, she tried to eat my camera strap for lunch.



Jackie and Amanda had fun hanging out with their cousin, Stephanie. They even helped decorate the cake for Trevor's graduation party.



Thankfully, Amanda left enough frosting for decorating...she's a frosting a-holic. haha



Graduation was great, and we are all SO proud of Trevor. He is the first of the grandkids to graduate from college. I know his Nana and Bonpa (my parents) would be so proud. Education was very important to them.



I'm sure Trevor is relieved this part of his education is over. Now he's getting ready to continue with graduate school where he will student teach music and work on his master's degree.



We are so happy we got to be there on this important day in Trevor's life. We made it back to Boise with minimal difficulties (someday I'll tell you about losing my driver's license in the Columbus airport...someday when I can laugh about it.). Next stop for us is getting settled in our house in Utah... Look out, Lehi...here come the Websters!

...A dog's life...

How do you say good-bye to a beloved pet? After 12 years, our old-girl, Gracie, finally gave up the fight. She's been struggling with various health issues for awhile, but finally had enough. We had to have her put to sleep this morning. It's a sad day for all of us.

We got Gracie when she was just six weeks old. We named her "Gracie" after she tripped over the seam in the patio cement...graceful, she was not.





Gracie got to travel to France with us and enjoyed bowling for children. She would wait 'til all the neighborhood kids were almost to the top of the hill with their sleds, then race by and bowl them over... She'd beat them to the top of the hill and stand there "laughing" at them. They scolded her, but all of them enjoyed the game.



Most of all, Gracie loved Amanda and Jackie. She was fiercely protective and loved them to distraction. She was a great dog for them to grow up with, and they will miss her terribly. Gracie acted as a surrogate mommy to our retriever, Jake. He's already moping and missing her, as well.











There is a big hole in our family, but Heaven just acquired a new doggy-angel...
Good-bye, Gracie...thanks for the memories.




Gracie Webster - 1995-2007

Angel Moms

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but
how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to
do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when
people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you
will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you
how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you
how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you
the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could
be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, "You will simply call her, "Mom."

*****Angel-Moms, indeed.*****

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be!


My Angel-Mom...





My Angel-Grandma and family...




My Angel-Sisters and their kids...



















MY Angel-girls...and me...

ARGGG! Pirates of the Caribbean, BEWARE!!!

With a little creativity, a ton of imagination, and a willing pet; children can come up with a multitude of activities with which to amuse themselves. In the case of our family, Jackie and Amanda created a "play", starring themselves as pirates and Milo (our Jack Russell terrier) as the villain... Chaos and laughter were the results... Here are the pictures. You should see the video!!!

It began in hair and make-up. A couple of scarves, a hat made out of cardboard and paper, some make-up and hair clips and the transformation began. Jackie became "Captain Jackie Sparrow". Amanda became either "Miss Amanda Swan" or "Miss Willhelmina Turner" (she couldn't decide), Milo became a "vicious-killer spiked clown-fish". (I think that is a cross between the Kraken and 'Marlin' from 'Finding Nemo")... "Pirates of Columbia Village" - the one-act-play, was born...



Amanda and Jackie made up the concept of the play which involved being at sea in their magnificent sailing ship the USS Livingroom Sofa&LoveSeat. Peacefully cruising the waters of Columbia Village, this daring duo is ruthlessly attacked by a sea-monster bent on distruction and a free meal. Actually, I think Milo was just happy to get to play and rough-house, but it fit the plot nicely.



What followed was a riot. Kids and dogs tumbling, laughing, falling, and trying vainly to stick to their script - Mom and Dad sitting in the "audience" trying to hold the video camera steady while we laughed hysterically. At various points in the 'performance', each of them actually fell of the couch. Thankfully, there were enough pillows in the ocean to soften their falls.

After a Tony-winning-quality performance by every player, the cast took a final bow, and we settled down for Family Home Evening...



You're all welcome to come to our house for Family Home Evening...We guarantee we'll entertain you!