So what did You do Saturday Morning?

Chris really got into the
tree trimming and it was
all I could do to stop him.

Keeping with the spirit of the Hansen family vacation and Donna's up-to-date posts about all the fun they were having I thought it was only appropriate to share the morning of the last day with everyone. I'm not sure Donna would, and anyway she was too busy to take photos.

As you know, I'm still not up to doing too much physical. The doctor has cleared me for light work - not to lift over 20 pounds, and do that carefully. Plus, I should get up every 15 or 20 minutes and walk around. Try to do that at Church.

We have this mesquite that shades our driveway and at least once a year, and usually twice, it needs to be pruned. Mesquite are a great trees for where we live, but when you give them water they really are more like a weed then a plant. Our tree was hanging so low, the sidewalk was blocked, the driveway, and our neighbors yard. I knew it needed to be done, but I wasn't going to pay a landscaper to do it. So when the kids passed through a week ago Chris committed to helping prune the tree when they got back. We didn't realize it would take over 3 hours. Chris cut and cut and cut. The boys cut and cut and complained - or sometimes it was the other way around - but they did a great job, it just wasn't what they had planned for their vacation. Clayton said that if I had no more trees in my yard that was 25 too many. Cole felt the same way. Yet, when the job was done it was beautiful. Our tree was heavily pruned. There is almost NO shade left, and hopefully it won't be hanging over the driveway, roof, or sidewalk anytime soon.

Chris and Clayton were in the thick of cutting the limbs so we could get
them in bags. Chris's cutting tool was 20 years old and not very sharp. I had
to purchase a new one for Clayton so he could cut.

My thanks to the Hansen's for providing this great service. It only cost me lunch at Frank & Fina's, and they have great Mexican cuisine.

For some reason I suspect this may not have been the MOST FUN activity
the boys participated in during their vacation. Their bubbly smiles just
disappeared during this experience. Once we were done, however, they were
all play again. And yes, Donna was there leading the clean-up charge!

He's Walking, He's Walking …

It has been 7 weeks since my surgery and I'm walking better and better, even with an occasional setback from over doing it! Today I'm down with lower back pain because I didn't listen to my body on Thursday. However, overall, I'm doing so much better then before the surgery. This past week JoAnn and I even went out walking a few times. For example a week ago we walked a mall for the first time in over a year and then on Monday I suggested we go out to one of our favorite spots - Calico Basin, located in Red Rock Conservation Area, just a few miles from our home.

Calico Basin is a natural spring with a boardwalk around the meadow and a spectacular view of some gorgeous mountains. We enjoyed the view and especially being able to walk together. It is so good to be able just to walk without pain and to walk longer than 100 or 200 yards. I took a couple of photos while we were walking around and thought I would share them.

Happy Birthday First Born Son

I can hardly believe another birthday is upon us. That's all we do at our house is celebrate Birthdays. But then, that is a lot of fun, and especially when they are for our children. Born in Manhattan, KS while we were going to school at Kansas State University, Tim was a surprise, coming just 13 months after his big sister Suzanne. They were a tag team and we had trouble keeping up with them. Given that I have selected a group of special photos to honor Tim on his 35th Birthday. Happy Birthday Son!

Tim in the corner of our LazyBoy recliner (of course, some suggest that when I say
LazyBoy I'm referring NOT to the chair) that we had for all 7 children.

A growing boy needs to be fed and it doesn't matter how the food gets in his
mouth - right Suzanne? Although, if you look carefully, I'm not so sure that might
not be Jennifer.

It may not look like it in this photo, but Tim turned into a pretty good big
brother and Dad. At least he is all smiles.

We even provided quality time for Tim at the beach in Santa Cruze, CA.

This is a great photo taken in Ames, Iowa of Tim and his, at the time, 4
sisters. Please note he is sitting on my favorite couch.

Tim achieving his First Class Scout award on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout.

Tim graduating with the MBA, holding the next generation, and being admired by
Lonita and Grandma/Mom.

Calvin, our Grandson

It is becoming a tradition to honor Calvin on the anniversary of his death as a reminder of what a great young man he was. There was so much we did not know about him until people came forth and told us. Even now his parents  occasionally discover someone else who was touched by him. He had a zest for life and a love of people.

We are honoring him with photos. JoAnn and I have gone through and selected way too many photos, so we reduced the number and have shared them between our blogs.

Calvin took his first trip with Grandma and Grandpa to Boise, ID when he was
about 2 years old. Here he is with Suzanne.

The boys, just off the airplane in the Indianapolis airport at the Indy 500 Exhibit.

Calvin, Clayton & Cole on a "Giant Beetle" at
the St. Louis Zoo

Calvin, Clayton & Chris climbing a practice wall
in Terre Haute, IN

Calvin on a tank at the Fort Knox Armor Museum
in Kentucky

At the end of the day we can look back and see how special and how blessed we were to have this young man with us for a short period of time. Rarely a day goes by without me thinking of Calvin and how special it was for us to share time with us. We are thankful for all of the memories, the photos, and love that all have exhibited to Calvin and his family.

Wordless Wednesday