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!

It must be Spring...

Sitting at my computer desk, here in our apartment; I can look out the window and see the most beautiful trees. They're all in full flower and just gorgeous.



When we walk the dogs along the "green-belt" areas of the apartment complex, we see other trees that are flowering and beautiful as well...



This complex is really nicely landscaped, and attracts all sorts of birds and small animals. We have ducks, Canadian geese, bunnies, squirrels, robins, pigeons, doves and the occasional cat that we have to trap...



HA HA HA!!! Just kidding, that's just Rover after Kevin dumped the laundry basket over him. Kitty looks happy, doesn't he?

Seriously, though... Spring seems to bring all the local little animals out to frolic in what is essentially our backyard...some really interesting species, too...



This specimen is called a "Teenage-a-saurus"...of the female gender. Amazing the wild-life you can see in your own backyard, isn't it? haha

By the way, anyone who knows what kind of trees are in these pictures, please let me know. We LOVE them and wouldn't mind planting some at our new house, but don't know what they are. Thanks, and Happy Spring!!!

Spring Break!!!

There's nothing like keeping busy to make Spring Break go by quickly.

From a fast trip down to Utah to shop for furniture - this is our new dining room set...



...and measuring the windows in our new house for window coverings...Shopping for furniture was way more fun!!!

To playing with friends who came to visit from Oregon. The girls got to swim with them in their hotel pool.



...And a great trip to the Boise Zoo... Where we saw camels...



...and lazy tigers...



...and beautiful snow leopards...



...and four little monkeys sitting in a tree...



Actually, the monkeys are Jackie, Allison and Brett Honyak, and Amanda...but monkeys they are, all the same. Monkeys who had a great time over Spring Break...even with Brett breaking his toe on the last day...But that's a tale (or is it tail?) for another time.

In tribute and with heartfelt thanks...

My sister posted the following to her family website. With gratitude to all who serve in our military, and all who have served; I'm posting it here. We thank you for all you and your families have sacrificed in order to protect and defend this great nation.

*****************************

This article was printed in the Big Bear Grizzly Newspaper regarding a local Marine pilot who lost his life in Iraq:

An Aviator's Last Flight


BAKERSFIELD - As a former Navy pilot -- with a stint at the Topgun
fighter school -- you might expect that Mojave Airport Manager Stuart
Witt would feel a special kinship with combat air crews.

And you'd be right.

Witt is a native of the Onyx area of east Kern. He's a fourth generation
Kern County resident who flew F-14 Tomcats and F-18 Hornets before
moving to a test program at China Lake Naval Weapons Center. After the
Navy, he became a civilian test pilot working on the F-16 and B-1B
projects, among other cutting edge programs.

Now he's he general manager of the East Kern Airport District, the
Mojave airport which, after the successful flight of SpaceShipOne,
officially became a "spaceport."

Witt was in Maryland on Feb. 16 to attend a Navy ceremony.

On his way back, he saw the return of a Marine's body from Iraq to
California.

For Witt, it was a very moving experience that prompted him to write the
following account.

Final Flight By Stuart Witt

Feb. 17, 2007, 0350 curbside at 24th and M, Washington DC. 16 degrees
with a light breeze. Going home after my second week of freezing temps.
Fly my aircraft, ride a horse, climb a mountain and get back to living.
I'm tired of the cold.

0425 paying the taxi fare at Dulles in front of the United Airlines
counter, still cold.

0450 engaging the self-serve ticker machine and it delivers my ticket,
baggage tag and boarding pass. Hmmm, that Marine is all dressed up
early...? Oh, maybe,,, Hmmm, "Good morning captain, you're looking
sharp."

Pass security and to my gate for a quick decaf coffee and five hours
sleep. A quick check of the flight status monitor and UA Flight 211 is
on time. I'm up front, how bad can it be? Hmmm, that same Marine, he
must be heading to Pendleton to see his lady at LAX for the long weekend
all dressed up like that....? Or maybe not?

"Attention in the boarding area, we will begin boarding in 10 minutes,
we have some additional duties to attend to this morning but we will
have you out of here on time."

That captain now has five others with him. BINGO. I get it, he is not
visiting his lady, he's an official escort. How I remember doing that
once, CACO duty. I still remember the names of the victim and family,
The Bruno family in Mojave .., all of them, wow, that was 24 years ago.
I wonder if we will ever know who and why?

On board, 0600: "Good morning folks this is the captain. This morning we
have been attending to some additional duties and I apologize for being
10 minutes late for pushback but believe me we will be early to LAX.
This morning it is my sad pleasure to announce that 1st Lt. Jared
Landaker, USMC, will be flying with us to his Big Bear home in Southern
California.

''Jared lost his life over the skies of Iraq earlier this month and
today we have the honor of returning him home along with his mother,
father, brother and uncles.

''Please join me in making the journey comfortable for the Landaker
family and their uniformed escort. Now sit back and enjoy our ride, we
are not expecting any turbulence until we reach the Rocky Mountains and
at that time we will do what we can to ensure a smooth ride. For those
interested you can listen in to our progress on button 9."

Up button 9: "Good morning UA 211 you are cleared to taxi, takeoff and
cleared to LAX as filed." From the time we started rolling we never
stopped. 1st Lt. Landaker began receiving his due.




Four hours and 35 minutes later, over Big Bear Mountain, the AB320 makes
a left roll and steep bank and then one to the right, Nice touch captain

"Five minutes out from landing, the captain: "Ladies and gents, after
landing I'm leaving the fasten seatbelt sign on and I ask everyone in
advance to yield to the Landaker family. Please remain seated until all
members have departed the aircraft. Thank you for your patience, we are
20 minutes early."


On roll out, I notice red lights, emergency vehicles everywhere. We are
being escorted directly to our gate, no waiting anywhere, not even a
pause. Out the left window, a dozen Marines in full dress blues. Highway
Patrol, police, fire crews all in full dress with lights on. A true
class act by everyone, down to a person, from coast to coast. Way to go
United Airlines for doing the little things RIGHT, because they are the
big things; Air Traffic Control for getting the message, to all law
enforcement for your display of brotherhood.

When the family departed the aircraft everyone sat silent, then I heard
a lady say, "God Bless You and your Family, Thank You." Then another,
then another, then a somber round of applause. The captain read a
prepared note from Mrs. Landaker to the effect, "Thank you all for your
patience and heartfelt concern for us and our son. We sincerely
appreciate the sentiment. It is nice to have Jared home."

After departing the aircraft, I found myself, along with 30 others from
our flight, looking for a window. Not a dry eye in the craft. All of us
were bawling like babies. It was one of the most emotional moments of my
life. We all stood silent and watched as Jared was taken by his honor
guard to an awaiting hearse. Then the motorcade slowly made its way off
the ramp.

I have finally seen the silent majority. It is deep within us all.
Black, Brown, White, Yellow, Red, Purple, we are all children, parents,
brothers, sisters, etc

... we are an American family.

What you don't know is that on the flight I was tapped on the shoulder
by Mrs. Landaker who introduced herself to me after I awoke. Her words
were, "I understand you have sons in the service. Please tell them we
appreciate their service. We are so proud of our kids who chose to serve
at this time. We were so proud of Jared and today we find ourselves in a
fog of disbelief. Jared was three days from returning home."

Early in our taxi out from the gate at Dulles, the gent next to me (a
Fairfax City Council Member and acquaintance of the Thuot family) and I
were talking to the flight attendant and mentioned that we had sons
serving on active duty, "What do you say? How tragic, they must be
devastated." He said many of the passengers had told him the same thing
so somewhere in the flight he shared his tidbits with Mrs. Landaker. Our
flight attendant had been struggling with what to say, to find the right
words, so he told the Landaker family of passengers who were parents of
service members who connected with their grief as parents. After I
gathered myself, I stepped back to their row, two behind me and
introduced myself to Mr. Landaker (a Veteran of South East Asia as a
Tanker) and Jared's uncle and brother. What a somber moment. Their
Marine captain escort was a first rate class act. He had been Jared's
tactics instructor and volunteered for this assignment, as he said,
"Sir, it is the least I could do, he was my friend and a great stick. He
absolutely loved to fly, It's an honor to be here on his last flight."

1115: On my connecting flight, my mind raced. How lucky I was to have
had an opportunity to fly my father to Spain and ride the carrier USS
John F. Kennedy home in 1981. The same year Jared was born. How lucky I
was to have my father on the crows landing when I made my final cat shot
in an F-14. Jared's father never had that chance. Jared was at war,
10,000 miles away.

When Mr. Landaker and I were talking he shared with me, "When Jared was
born he had no soft spot on his head and doctors feared he would be
developmentally challenged. He became a physics major with honors, a
high school and college athlete, and graduated with distinction from
naval aviation flight school. He was short in stature, but a Marine all
the way." Visit his life story on line at www.bigbeargrizzly.net . Bring
tissue.

February 7, 2007, Anbar Province, Iraq. 1st Lt Jared Landaker, United
States Marine Corps, Hero, from Big Bear Calif., gave his life in
service to his country. Fatally wounded when his CH-46 helicopter was




shot down by enemy fire, Jared and his crew all perished. His life was
the ultimate sacrifice of a grateful military family and nation.

His death occurred at the same time as Anna Nicole Smith, a drug using
person with a 7th grade education of no pedigree who dominated our news
for two weeks while Jared became a number on CNN. And most
unfortunately, Jared's death underscores a fact that we are a military
at war, not a nation at war. Until we become a nation committed to
winning the fight, and elect leaders with the spine to ask Americans to
sacrifice in order to win, we shall remain committed to being a nation
with a military at war, and nothing more. (And possibly no funding if
congress has their way!)

1st Lt. Landaker, a man I came to know in the skies over America on 17
February 2007, from me to you, aviator to aviator, I am unbelievably
humbled. It was my high honor to share your last flight. God bless you.
Semper Fi