I Think He Likes It

Thanks, Em. I think cj's little brother will need one, too.

Thank You Nana & Papa.

We were so happy to have Nana and Papa here for a visit over their spring break. We did some amazing things that included: lots of walks in the vineyard, a very rainy walk at Sycamore Grove, a trip to the Chabot Science Center, dinner and ice-cream at Fenton’s, a visit from Papa at school, a very patient Nana to help us make ‘pink’ cookies, lots of great discussions and some early birthday presents. We were sorry, as usual, to see them go but are counting down the days when we can come and see them.

Thanks for visiting!

Who is ready for a PRESCHOOL barn raising?

Okay. So you all know I am doing a preschool this fall. And I thought it would be fun to have everyone (if they want-- Isaac, sorry you're a must) come and help get the room (s) ready. Doesn't that sound like fun? So when is the best time? End of May? Sometime in June? Let's discuss.

The Summer Games Triathlon is June 13th. Do we want to work around that? I know Dad mentioned coming to do it. They have a Sprint distance and an Olympic. And they also have teams. So everyone can join in.

Basically I need to paint and have Isaac build the tables that come down off the wall. Then organize a few things. Not tons, so we can have fun and do other things too. You know while the paint is drying. So lets do it!

Suprise

Dona and I would like our grandkids to know that soon they will have a new uncle or aunt. We don't know for sure yet but it will be one or the other. I'm kind of excited because after practicing on five children we might do the best job yet. Because I'm retiring, I'll stay home with the child as soon as Dona can get back to work. Changing diapers hasn't been my best skill but I think I can learn. Nursing is going to be a problem but for a while I'll just take the baby to the LHS library for feedings. I'm planning on learning how to fish and hunt because I didn't do a very good job of that the first time around. Anyway, we just wanted you all to know about our upcoming blessed event and wish you all a very pleasant April 1st.

Milkshake Please.

Canyon after dinner: "If everyone wants to have a milkshake, then milkshakes it is."

President's Day

We are enjoying Presidents Day.  Dona has been sick.  She's had a really bad cough.  I've tried to help her get better but I'm not as good at doing that as she is.  We plan on watching "Pollyanna" today... probably just before we watch "24."  I've gone through some recent photos and posted a few so you'll know that we've been active this winter.  The first one is our snow shoeing hike on Martin Luther King Day.  The second one was taken at the North End Zone (NEZ) facility at USU during Christmas vacation.  The next one I call, "Angie, Nana, and the Bull."  We went to the gymnastic meet and Angie got to meet "Big Blue."  The last one is Clayre and Parly standing at the top of Angels Landing (just kidding) with the sun at their back.  It is significant because it includes the sun--something we've seen little of this winter.  Thus we watch "Pollyanna" on President's Day so we can be glad... about something!

Inauguration 2009

I'd like to share some thoughts about today's inauguration of President Barack H. Obama.  The first inauguration that I remember was the 1961 inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.  I was about Parly and Lily's age.  I became interested in presidential politics because my Grandma Reeder (Lula) was at one time an elected official.  She was the elected Deputy County Clerk for Box Elder County for many years.  My grandfather (her husband---Joseph Martin) died of a typhoid epidemic just two weeks before my dad was born.  She was left with 6 children and no income.  She raised that family by herself, much of the time during the "Great Depression."  Eventually she found work with the county and later won election, running as a democrat, to a position she held for many years.  By the time I came along she was just Grandma Reeder but her interest in politics was evident to me even though I was just a lad.  Anyway, I remember going to her house (it was next door) the morning after the 1960 election.  She was listening to election results on the radio.  I remember her commenting positively on the young president elect from Massachusetts.  Back to the inauguration---our third grade teacher (Miss Jones) made arrangements with a family who lived next to the school for our class to go to their home and watch President Kennedy take the oath of office (the school didn't have a television---can you believe that?).  I remember very well his famous speech when he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."  One of my friends was miserable.  I thought he must be sick so I asked him if I could do anything for him.  He replied, "I'll be sad for eight more years, don't try to cheer me up."  I had to go home and ask my dad why my friend was going to be sad for eight years.  Turns out his dad was the chairman of the county republican party.  

Rock Off

Scientists have discovered that what once was considered an ancient process in determining who would do a specific task, is actually genetically part of human make up.  Two small boys were recently photographed doing rock, paper, scissors in a laboratory in Logan, Utah.  The lead researcher, who asked not to be identified, said that the process has never been observed in humans so young.  Cool huh?  

631 North Main Street

As you probably know, Ross and Ann have sold the Joseph Martin Reeder home.  I'm not in the least bitter.  It would be nice if it stayed in the family but that's not always possible.  We went to see it for the last time and got a chance to visit with all my brothers and sister.  I realized that the building isn't near as valuable as the people.  We'll always be able to get together and swap stories about being the children of Spencer and Verna and "that has made all the difference."