Chance's Playground Part 2

Pictures from Scott's Camera.

When this girl came out with her boogie board, Chance joined her.  You can see from the picture the wave drops close to shore.  The first time Chance did it, he bottomed out.  The wave carries you a foot or two... then there you are in the sand.  

Playing in a pit dug by earlier beach goers.

However the tide is a changing.

Trying to beef up the fort... before the next crash.  I assure you they kept coming.

Body surfing.

Riding the wave in.

Chance's Playground

We spent Memorial Day Weekend at the beach.   

Not a good boogie board area... so Chance body surfed.

This is body surfing... just riding the wave in.

He also likes to let the wave crash over him.

Then he started being silly and running from the wave.

Chance LOVES to play in the ocean.  Both days we were out there for 4-5 hours.  

Me on the beach listening to my Ipod and he in the water and sand.   

Important to obey the signage.

No Glass

No Alcohol

Just a few of the rules posted at the beach.

And it is enforced by this guy.

I really wanted to get the picture of him giving the ticket... but the couple was so nice I did not want to add to their humiliation.   They were just enjoying a Memorial Day Weekend on the beach with family and friends and their Corona in glass bottles.  They did not know... as they made no attempts to hide those bottles.  It was a double whammy... what do you think that fine cost?

It did give the family and friends on the other side of me time to put away their wine.  They had quite the spread... cheese, crackers, fruits and nifty little breads, dips, and toppings.  I am sure it went really well with their little plastic cups of red wine.  The bottle... always hidden. 

  I had my Mojito in a Nalgene bottle... non-alcoholic.   

Always a rule follower I am.

I can fly.

To finish up the pictures from the open house on the May 20, 3rd Grade.

First, I must say I took numerous pictures, but the kid likes to make funny faces for the camera on purpose... so I picked out the ones that looked semi- okay.

Pictured with his school projects that he has done through out the year.  The can is Einstein, I like the dimes he used for buttons.  The nice book on the table is filled with memories, pictures, and projects from the year.  I love it!  The cover was made by a mother in the classroom and then she and a few moms spent quite a bit of time assembling it.  It is very, very nice.

The other side of his Tri-fold habitat project.  He choose the Ring-tailed Lemur.   I really like his technique with the water colors and he really liked doing it.  If I had him color it with crayon... it would of not been enjoyable for him.  Giving him the canvas paper and the tubed watercolors his creativity flowed.   He was very proud to have done it all by himself-- I just did the typing.

Once upon a time... in fourth grade, Jordan had this same teacher.  A few of the projects were similar, just adapted to different curriculum.   It reminded me of how much I did for Jordan.  Too much, I must add.  I am doing better the second time around.  

Chance does not have a fondness for writing.  He can talk up a storm, but to put those ideas on paper...  oh my.   Special testing  at the school has found that Chance does not have the capabilities to put his ideas to words on paper in a format that is age appropriate.  It has enabled him to get the assistance he needs in this area.

For the above project to happen.  He would research, then tell me facts.  I would have to ask him questions so he was gathering the information the report asked for.  I wrote down exactly what he would say.  When it came time to make it into paragraphs he would dictate to me and I would type.  Word for word. 

I have learned this year that I do not correct a thing or tell him his assumptions or facts do not make sense.  It only leads to arguments which stops the whole process.  So I just type and carry on.   In the end, it is his words.   As it should be.  And it is HIS project.  As it should be.  Because I actually have already done 3rd grade... and do not need to do the work again.  It has taken me a long time to get to that point. 

It has been a good lesson to learn.  How many times as parents do we hinder the creativity or spontaneity of a child because we do not think they are doing it the way we think they should.  Or... we are worried that others will see our kids as "not perfect" or ourselves as "not perfect" parents.   So we hinder a child's independence and make up the difference so all appears "perfect".  In fact... do we do that to people in general.  Do we think that there is only one way to do things and if it is not done that way... they are wrong.   It is good to step back a space... let the person do, succeed or fail.  And IF they need our help, we are not there to say I told you so... but to encourage, to lift up, to lend a hand.   We may even find new and creative ways of doing things. 

And Chance... his wings lifted him.  If only you could of seen how excited he was about his Habitat project.  He carried it around,  slept with it next to him.  He danced to school with it.   The teacher noticed his delight... the classmates also noticed.  He beamed.  It was turned in on time and completed.  Something that has been very hard for him this year.  I know... some of you are cringing.  But remember, I want him to fly on his own.

There are a few crooked, misshapen feathers in the wing.  Taping them, holding them for him... will only hinder his progression.  But giving him the tools to mend his feathers empowers him for a lifetime.   And folks, he will do great things... I have been promised by a higher power.

In the likelihood you leave your bedroom door open...

Chance's open house, May 20, 2009.

I liked his self portrait that is hanging from the line.  It is so real to life as it is SO MUCH LARGER then those around him.  I still have a very funny post I need to do on that one; just so you can get the feel of how much bigger he is then the rest of the kids in the grade.  

He did capture it really well here though.

The poem inside.

Lets fast forward to about 5 days after open house.  

Large crash upstairs brought us running to find this.

Rhino was okay... did not even seem shaken.  Chance put him in the ball for safe keeping.

Then put the cage back together.   (Well, not immediately-- after Rhino had been in his ball for an hour, Chance came to me and said he can't be in it anymore.  I reminded him that he made the choice not put the cage back together, so I guess he better get on it.  He did. Pet responsibilities you know)

And Pooh Bears search for food still continues.  I think he just wanted Rhino's food, not Rhino for food.  We have to hide the bag because he eats the hamster food.  

Dumb Cat!  

Once again I will remind you the cat food is out 24/7. 

Hope the cat does not get my hamster;

 then keep the bedroom door shut.

Definition #2. The likelihood of something happening; possibility or probability. Often used in the plural: Chances are pretty good that 3 cats verses 1 hamster... the cats will win; unless you take precautions ALL THE TIME!

Happy Birthday Kirk!

Kirk -- the direct meaning in Scotland is "The church"

Kirk is my brother... he is the sibling after me, 2nd oldest.  He is 38 today.  This also brings my birthday blogs to full circle.  What to do, what to do.  As much as I like them... it can be a bit time consuming.  We will see.   Any ideas on a new approach would be great.

Here is a link to last years.   He did not get the "what your name means"- so I treated him this go around.

I think he would say  he has had an eventful year... job changes due to the economy and a new little baby on the way.  That would make 5 for him and Monica.  

Drum roll.... 

Pictures from.... not my Grandpa L's scrapbook... but my parents 30th Wedding Anniversary Scrapbook.  (I did not do as good with taking these pictures... as I did most of them in the car on the way to the airport. Remember that Dad)

Love the picture of Kirk brushing his teeth with Rachel.

(off on a little tangent.... What is with the scrapbooks?  With my parents, Marlo and I spent lots of time putting the book together and then we asked each sibling to contribute a page or two.  We did not buy them a big anniversary gift and you know, most gifts just fade into the background.  But this one is a treasure... becomes more so as time goes on as it captured time 10 years ago.   My Grandpa's Scrapbook was for his "80th" birthday.  Each family contributed information about themselves and memories they have of him... again, priceless.  This has also been done for my Grandma... maybe someday I will get pictures of it.)

So a bit down memory lane and I do wish I had a picture of this event. (What happened to them, Kirk?)

When I was in college one of my dorm mates was from Green River.  Her mother was trying to find a Prom date for a girl in her youth program that had not been asked.   One thing lead to another and Kirk agreed to take the girl to her junior prom.  I put up the cash from my own savings for the tickets, tuxedo (you wore one, right Kirk?) and all the other things that go with the event.  Kirk had a friend in Green River and he worked it out with him to double date.  Green River is about 2 hours from my hometown-- so after school he drove up there and was the hunk that took this girl to her Prom.   Just like the movies!

It is the kindness he has... and the willingness to help another when needed.  Good things.

Happy Birthday Big Guy!  Have a great day... hope you get to do just what you love.

I love you.  Your Sis, Karalene

Happy Birthday Shana!

The Hebrew name Shana means God is Gracious.

Shana's birthday was yesterday, May 26.  She is my sister-in-law, married to my brother Duane.

I got to cheat a bit because I have copies of Grandpa L's scrapbook and Shana did a pretty good history of herself.    I will summarize it.  When she was young she always wanted be a cheerleader and practiced and practiced.  We went to the same High School and she was a cheerleader.   When she was young her dad finished up school at the University of Utah.  While there they attend many musical type activities that instilled a great love of music in her. Was involved in all the music programs in HS.  She was the Sterling Scholar runner-up in Music.  She had a scholarship to Snow.  Went there for a year, then CEU for a year... receiving her AA.   She went to dental school for a tim, before she was called to the Argentina mission... her mothers homeland.     After her mission she married Duane and attended BYU with him.  She graduated with a BS in Family Science.   Here is a collage of pictures of Shana.  You can see her and Duane in their cap and gown.  They have 2 children in tow!  Good job Shana in earning your degree.

She went on to say that she has the best job ever... being a stay at home Mom.  She is the mother of 5 children.  Hayden, Justis, Packer, Aisha, and Julia.

I would so love to see her new home... I saw the home in Boise and was so impressed with her organizational skills.  The kids closets were so simple and color coded that the boys could easily keep it clean.  All toys were in another room.   

She and Duane are doing something right... as they have such smart, helpful and respectful children.    I know she would say differently... but the kids know how to behave in the presence of others.  That is worth a lot.

Happy Birthday Shana!  Hope you had a very nice one.   Love you.

Love, Karalene

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Ethan means Strong, Firm, Impetuous

Ethan is my nephew, son of my sister Brenda and her husband John.   

He turns the big 5 today!

This is Ethan boating in Uncle Nielson and Aunt Kristen's boat.

This is were I will demonstrate that his name fits him well.

Here we are stopped for a little swim in the lake... the catcher is you have to get off the boat first.  A bit scary.   But Ethan's Daddy has his hand held out letting him know he is there to catch him.

Dad still trying to convince him that it is okay to get in the water.   Ethan stands firm that he is not going to get in..... Yet.   Notice that Dallin has come up behind him... to give him a little boost as he is holding up the line.

This picture needs no words.   You can tell by the body language of Dallin that his message was not received well.  Ethan is strongly firm.

And with that... Ethan decides he will show him and gets in the water.

As promised, Dad is there.

And Dad never leaves him... All is well.

Happy Birthday Ethan!   Have some cake and ice cream and make a wish.   And give some good smiles for the camera because I want to see your celebration in pictures.   I know your mom will treat us on the blog.     Love you, Aunt Karalene

                  

In Memory...

Words written to me- 1986.

For life is but memories that we cherish.

We still need to remember the bad times for who was there.

                                                                     ~ Dean Cannon

A friend is a friend from beginning to end.

When you find a true friend hold on till the end.

For true friendships are hard to find.

They must be nurtured like a newborn babe.

For it is the time spent together that makes them worth while.

So, I will be your friend from the beginning to the end.

                                                              ~ Dean Cannon

This is the last letter I received from my friend.  

We met once when we were 16 1/2.  We wrote letters just shy of a year.

This letter became very precious, as 20 days after he sent it,  he was in a car accident.  The accident took the life of his best friend and younger brother who were in the car.  Dean died on the 23rd of December from his injuries.   Young lives taken too soon.

Today we remember those whom we love and thank those who have served our county.   And we take comfort that they are in a good place... that life continues on.  

Just Do It!

Got Blood.... and I know what to do with it.

I am saving lives!

The letter thanks me and encloses the 2 Gallon pin... I am to let others know that I am committed to saving lives.  

A week before the donation I take my iron pills (because my blood iron has tested low and I have been turned away quite a few times.  Dr. confirmed I have low iron) and then the day before and day of I drink lots and lots of water.

I donate every 8 weeks.

Jordan is now old enough to donate.  He is too scared.

But he has a good heart... hopefully he will come with me next time.

And if he has the Brown blood type... O- , well even better.  

And if he does not do it now... he may never be able to after a mission.

Most foreign missions make it impossible to ever be able to donate blood.

Duane served in Hungary.  After his mission he tried, but was not able.  I read the literature I am given each time I go... yep, he can never donate.   Marlo, I think you are in the same boat by being in Africa.    

If I ever become a world traveler... I may also loose my eligibility.

If you able... donate!  

You will be saving lives.

Rise Up!

Had to look twice at this picture... as this is what I see often.  

 More so lately.

I looks so much like Jordan... I wondered who took the picture.

His B Corp is now practicing Saturday,  9-9, and Sunday, 9-5, starting in May.   This Memorial Day Weekend he started on Friday Evening... will attend 9-9 Saturday and Sunday, Monday 9-5. Understand that is the start time... he still has a 1/2 hour drive time and since food is being provided this weekend he needs to be there by 8am.     We left town and fortunately (we are very blessed) a friend (Nathan's Mom) even took Scott's carpool shifts so he does not have to make the 2 trips back home to do it.   

So with a schedule like that,  along with school and seminary, I think you get the picture the teenager is exceptionally tired.   The first full weekend he was so tired that for three days he slept until 2 in the afternoon... missed school.   I was unable to budge him from his slumber.  It was like trying to wake a sleeping baby... only I could not pick him up and take him with me.    Ramifications: I did not excuse him at school... all unexcused absences (tough love) and no more movies on Friday night, it is homework and to bed early.   That lasted one week when Scott's short term memory sent him to surprise Jordan and his friends with Imax tickets for Star Trek... the clincher is he already took Jordan on Monday to the see the movie.   

So when the kid is still snoozing in bed... do not look at me!

Taken May 22,  This happy face is for the score on the California Exit Exam.  As it is no SAT, it still showed he was smart!  He was very excited to see his smartness on paper, I reminded him that his grades are not living up to his potential... and here is the proof.   He agreed.  The kid is taking some AP classes next year.   His choice.  Do you see how I do that often.  I do not believe in living vicariously through my children... I never want them to come to me later in life and say you did not let me do this or you made me do this.   Nope they will never be able to say that!

And he is happy here because he finally has the treasured token that 16 year olds seek.  It has been a long time coming as he has had to reschedule his appointments... and the wait each time was a month or so away.   But this is a happy day... and the PROVISIONAL UNTIL AGE 18 in bold red letters only slightly dampened his happiness.   That means he can not have anyone in the car  20 or younger without an adult.  It used to be only 12 months... but seems to be raised to 2 years.   We will have to look into that because his paper license only says 12 months.   All I could think of is if this is true, that will put a damper on the Safe Rides program. 

Anyway... very proud of this young man.   He gave a talk in the church the last week of April... "the bring a friend to church" day.   I asked him that morning if his talk was ready... he said no, I looked at my watch and said you have about 2 hours.  

Did I stress?  No... remember, I do not live vicariously through my children... and I got over what other people would think of me if my child fails... a while ago. 

   

 And because I let that kid use his own wings to fly... he soared.   

He gave a beautiful, heartfelt talk that people are still telling me how good he did.   I attribute it to seminary... he obviously learned something there.   

And his wings.

Happy Anniversary Coeby and Lori

Coeby and Lori celebrated their 4th Wedding Anniversary on May 6.

Coeby is my brother.  We are glad that Lori saved him from his bachelor life.

He was blessed with an instant family... Bryton and Tyler.  Very cute and sweet kids.

Married in the Manti Temple.

Coeby's job keeps him traveling all over the country.  Thankfully for cell phones and FB he keeps us up to date with his happenings.  And thanks to flower delivery his wife received these on their Anniversary while he was in Florida.  And thanks to FB Lori shared them with us.

They are beautiful.

Happy Anniversary.  Love you.   Karalene

Happy Birthday Mom!

Ruth means "compassion, pity".  Ruth was young Moabite widow who said to her Hebrew mother-in-law Naomi, "Where you go, there I shall go also; your people will be my people, your God, my God."

My Dad, he has been told that it was good thing he married my mother or he would of been Ruthless!  Without compassion or pity... 

My Mom's Birthday was May 6... yep, just a day after my Dad's.  

However, my mom is a year younger.

 Ruth is actually her middle name, her first name is the same as her Mothers, Charlotte.  Her full name minus surnames is Charlotte Ruth.  On my birth certificate she signed it Charlotte, if I did not recognize the handwriting I would say it was forged as I have never seen my Mom sign her name that way.  

Back when I was pregnant with Jordan, we did have a girls name that was considered... just been so long I had forgotten until recently.  The name was Natasha Ruth.  That name would mean Child of Christmas with compassion and pity... it is a good name.  When Chance came along I was looking for a girls name with a K, but still the middle name of the Ruth.  

My mom married after she had her college education and was a school teacher.  She was teaching school in my Dad's hometown and that is where they meet.  How else would my Dad meet such a fabulous woman as my Mom.  My Mom was born in Niagara Falls, New York and ended up in Los Angeles by the time she was 12.  And folks... that is why I was born in California.  My parents married and settled down in the LA area.   Heaven forbid they raise their children in a small Utah town out on the edge of the earth... wait, they did do that!  They went back to Dad's hometown to start the first and only Dairy the town has had.  That was after they moved to Provo and Dad went to BYU for his Dairyman education.

And they raised 8 of us...yep, my mom has given birth to 8 kids. 

Thrifty... that is a word that would describe my Mom.  She is a bargain shopper.  You would have to be to raise 8 kids... four of which are hungry boys.  We did not have processed food.  Most everything we made from scratch.  A snack after school would be a slice of my Dad's homemade bread and peanut butter and honey... those two were pre-mixed together, I guess to save on waste and ease of use.  It was Honey Peanut Butter.   Boxed cereal... only on Sundays and that would be 1 box of cornflakes divided 10 ways.   My mom went to the store often, but she only bought what was on sale... by the case.   We did have cake mixes that she bought that way.    Garden and fruit trees.  Bees and beehives.  Chickens for meat and eggs.   These were things my mom did to stretch the food dollar. 

Education.  So my Mom ended up on a farm... and she was not a country girl.   Camping, horse riding, guns, driving tractors... all not her thing.    My mom is a city gal, although she did adapt just fine.  Probably because she does not require beauty shops and malls to survive.   No, my Mom seeks knowledge to survive.   My mom continued her education... completing different courses for specialized teacher positions.    Then when I was 14 she went back to BYU for her Masters.  She attended the summers of 84, 85, 86-- and Erica, the youngest, was born in 85.   I would say that was quite a feat.   But the joy for us kids is we got to visit and take turns living in Provo for the summer.  I think we all can agree those were some of the most luxurious, wonderful times for us.   We had family housing in what was student housing during the other semesters.   We had 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, and kitchen.  The living area was a common area.  We discovered many friends our age whose families were doing the same thing.   After I turned 16 I went on my first date... something I know would not of happened in my hometown.   Living away from home and being in such a fun atmosphere was a very good growth experience and confidence builder.  We had dances, ate at the little cafeteria on campus (can't remember the name), spent 4th of July in Provo, hours on the basketball court, swimming almost daily and city life.  Oh, it was grand all right.  

Great Memories. 

This is my Mama and me... I believe on my blessing day.

A Jill of many Trades... my mom is an excellent cook, painter, tiler, gardener, teacher and seamstress.   She made my prom dress and my wedding dress.  I have a letter from her when I was at college asking when I would be coming home to try on the sample cloth dress to see if it fits so that she could get started on the real one.  She said I needed to give her a month.  At least a month, as she was also making the veil, bouquet, centerpieces, and wedding cake.  The only thing that did not work out was the wedding pictures she took.   And this was all while she was having undiagnosed pain, oh and let's not forget she is a full time school teacher. 

 Below is my beautiful dress, it also became my sister Marlo's wedding dress... as I shared.   Sorry picture is not good because it is a copy of a copy... and that copy was taken with my camera... but you still can get a pretty good jest of the dress.

My College Graduation, June 9, 1989 pictured with my parents.  Coming up on 20 years and when I left CEU, a 2 year college, plans were to someday finish up with a bachelors.  I am strongly feeling that the time has come.  I think I am narrowing down what I want to be when I grow-up. 

From Grandpa's Scrapbook... a little history and pictures of my Mom in her handwriting.  I find her memory of her senior picture interesting.

Another memory I have of my Mom.  Back when they owned the Dairy and we were using plastic bottles it would require a trip to Albuquerque or Phoenix to pick them up.  It was a feat because it required the biggest trailer my Dad had to haul them.  My Mom would drive down there with that big pick-up and trailer and most of that trip was in the middle of nowhere.   Could you imagine doing that?  A feat, but one you did because it had to be done.  There was no room for fears when you are raising a mess of kids and trying to keep a dairy afloat.  I am sure she could relate a story or two about those trips.

Happy Birthday Mother.   Hope your cruise was relaxing and you got to see some beautiful scenery.  I hear that it is a great cruise for that.   I love you... thanks for the many, many things you have done for me.  

 I love you.  Your Daughter, Karalene

Happy Birthday Dad!

Don means World Mighty.

Call him Don, Dad, Grandpa... but DO NOT call him Donald!

His birth name is only Don.

Dad, how about Donny... Can we call you Grandpa Donny?

I rather like the sound of that.

So my Papa's birthday was May 5.  

Cards... I once sent him a funny card he did not like it. (Remember the birthday fairy... the card said you must of been hit too many times with the wand!  All you could think of was an ugly stick the fairy must be using.)   Mushy cards... those are no fun.  His favorite cards are the homemade ones... the ones you did not spend money on, but spend your time... a precious commodity.  I know that he will like this virtual card.  

So to go back a few years... can you believe like 25-30 years, how did I get so old?  I played basketball, in fact, quite loved the game.  My Dad would come to all the HS games, he would even figure out how to make it to the away games.  This was before he became a school bus driver; when he was able to drive the team to away games.   Dad soon learned early on that I did not like criticism from him, that if he was going to come to the games then he better be cheering for me.   Then afterwords, I only want to hear how awesome I did.  I already knew my mistakes and shortcomings... did not need them pointed out.  Cheerleaders, that is what I need in my life.

I did play some ball in college... it was not a happy experience.  My Dad and Mom came to one of my first games.  Afterwards he was ready to string my Coach up and give her a word or two.  It was needed, but I do not know if it would of done any good.   I told him I would take care of it... I did it my own way.   Which was be silent and work harder.  That did not work either.  I should of let my Dad string her up. 

Hard-work... we had plenty of it.  My parents owned a Dairy Farm until I was in 7th grade; milk, process, bottled and sold the milk on site.  It was a family run business and I was the oldest.  Thank goodness I had younger brothers to do the messy work of milking the cows.  I got to work in the cleaner areas-- you know, away from the poo.  So clean that I remember being teased (it was horrible teasing, kids are so mean) that I smelled like a swimming pool.  That would be because at the time we used glass bottles, we washed and sanitized (in bleach water) them by hand.  That was my job to do before school.   I learned to use a cash register and count money back to the customer by the time I was in 3rd grade.  Count money back, you do not see that today as the cash register tells the clerk how much cash to return.  When I work the Corona Hut for Jordan's band... I still count the cash back, old habits never die.  

Riding Horses... had them growing up and I did 4H horsemanship.  The first little rodeo I did I was on Flicka, a Shetland pony.   I was so scared and did not want to do the key hole, an event where you take the horse up a straight line, turn around in the key hole and then race back out with out touching the lines.  Fastest time wins.  I cried and cried.  Nerves had got the best of me, but my dad was going to have nothing to do with it.   I finally relented to go... I sped that little horse out as fast as I could, turned around just inside the top of the keyhole and then sped back out.   I did that because all eyes were on me and it was so embarrassing, being the very shy child I was.   I just wanted it done as soon as possible.  I won!  It was a good confidence builder.    

Also along the same lines of riding horses... I believe most of us kids had to break a horse in at sometime.  Not a fun job, because eventually you would land on the ground.   My dad did not mince words in this area and you got back on that horse and showed him who is boss.  He took the same approach when I was learning to drive... with a stick shift.   Very difficult when you are trying to go uphill and every time you let off the brake, it starts rolling down.  The clutch and the gas... such a delicate balance.  You just have to show it who is boss.   Confidence, the I-can-do-it attitude... I found that it is deep inside and you have to reach in and pull it out.  

Guns.... I know how to use them.   But it has been a really, really long time.   When I was old enough I got a hunting license.  And I procured some venison for the family... twice.   Dad said that one of those deer he injured first and it was really his.  No, he missed his deer, and I shot mine.   And no, my Dad did not make me gut it or drag it.  I am a lady after all!

Boys coming to the house...  my Dad did not beat them away with a stick, he begged for them to take me out.  Ha, ha.  He did not want some old maid around the house.  I have few letters where the boy says to tell my Dad "Hello"... letter after letter.  Another one says... "Thank your Dad for letting you go with me to...."  Yep, not a soul was afraid of my Dad or his guns or his sticks.  Dad- Remember that cute young vacuum salesman who asked you if he could take me out... you turned the poor guy away.  And why? Because he had a habit you could smell... but you know better then to judge someone now... right?  I thought he was very brave and thoughtful to ask your permission and said we should have had him over for dinner and games.  It could of changed his life and at the very least I would of had a rook partner!

My father when he was a young chap.   Me, one month into my life on earth.

My Dad as an older chap.    My son Chance about 1o months.

Chance took a liking to Grandpa at this time.

A page from a scrapbook made for my Grandpa.

It chronicles a bit of my Dad's life in pictures.

Happy Birthday Dad!   You and Mom celebrated your birthday by going on a cruise to Alaska.   Since you are back now, I figured I better get this completed.   Hope you got to eat your favorite ice cream, your favorite food, and your favorite drink.   I am sure it was all great as long as the food was crisped  up for you... just so you know, Chance prefers crispy cookies just like you.

I love you.   Your daughter,  Karalene

War

While in the Family Room it was observed that Chance was up in his fort with his water gun... shooting at the neighbors pool.  

Then a gush of water would come from over the fence and Chance would tuck under the canopy.   By the time I got the camera he was retreating for a fill up. 

He makes a quick escape down the slide.

Then reaches up to retrieve the weapon.

Runs while getting drenched... it stinks to be out of ammunition.

Filling up.

Back in action.

He squirts.

And then the favor is returned.

He apparently Chance started it.  

It was fun to watch him doing his stealth moves.  It was quite the shoot out. 

As a side note... this was the same neighbor that about 3-4 years ago he was climbing into his fort and throwing dirt clods into the pool.  Thank goodness for maturity.