Happy Birthday Little Brother

It's been a long time since we were part of this photo. We were pretty good buds then and still are, we just don't talk enough. Those were the good times on 2nd Avenue just north of Des Moines with Grandma & Grandpa's house right behind us. As I recall that was one long hill to climb up - at least when we were young. Enjoy your birthday.

Happy Birthday Donna

In the spirit of birthdays I am taking the opportunity to honor our oldest daughter. I'm withholding all dates for fear of retaliation. Not that my life would be in danger, but I got into enough trouble when I inadvertently talked about JoAnn's weight. I do struggle with learning. But, this is about Donna - our oldest daughter and as we like to say our most favorite oldest daughter. I thought we (Mom is helping me) would share some little known facts about our daughter.

• She was born in Ventura, California and is a 5th generation California native. Not many of those around.
• She was the first grandchild on her father's side and the 3rd on her mother's side.
• Like a true McLean she made her first trip when she was a mere 2 months old to visit her paternal grandparents and great-grandparents in Tucson, AZ. It was a wonderful adventure.
• She left California shortly after her 2nd birthday and became a midwesterner, after a short 2-year hiatus in Provo, UT.
• She has lived in Ventura, CA, Lawton, OK, Provo, UT, Manhattan, KS, Ames, IA, and Cedar Rapids, IA as a child and teenager.
• She started kindergarten in Manhattan, KS and finished high school at Kennedy HS, in Cedar Rapids, IA.
• She lost her first tooth on a road trip while biting into an apple and without dad in the car. It was a July 4th weekend and Mom and the 3 girls were driving to Missouri to meet Dad who was coming home from Ft. Belvoir, Va.
• She was an awesome big sister to her 2 brothers and 4 sisters, but then I have forgotten a lot as I've gotten older. We relied on her for all kinds of wonderful child support. When our last daughter was born she was almost more Donna's than our's since she did such a wonderful job with her.

I could go on, but this is enough embarrassment for one year. We love her and she is a wonderful daughter who cares about people and family. Happy birthday oldest daughter.

Fisheye Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday Sally

Happy Birthday daughter number 4. You have always been special to us. I could talk about a lot of things, but today, on this your birthday I want to focus on a couple of important moments in your life that had meaning for all of us.

This evening as I was rummaging through our files and photos I came across a short letter from you to the newspaper nominating your mother for Mother of the Year on Mother's Day. It touched our hearts then and again today as we reread it. You were 16 and it was a reflection of the woman you have become:

"I nominate my mother, JoAnn McLean, because I love her. She is always there when I need her. She will listen to my problems and help me take care of my problems. She is the mother of seven and is the luckiest lady in the world, because we all love her. She takes care of me when I'm sick and was always glad to support my school activities. She is the nicest, sweetest and most wonderful person. I just want her to know I love her."

Not too many years later we gathered as a family in Salt Lake City for your wedding. It was a great event as you and Jay were sealed in the Temple. For us marriage of our children is a a celebration, but so much more as we see each of you assume the same role that Mom and I did so many years ago. We admire what you have done with your family, the growth and maturity you have, and the beauty of your family. We see so much of you in your children - mostly good - and you honor us by the way you live.

It was a solemn and wonderful experience  to see you and Jay kneel across the altar and take upon you the covenants of eternal marriage. This photo shows your love for each other. A love that has grown and will continue to grow as you two grow together. That growing never stops.

And as your parents, it was comforting as you stood next to us in the temple garden. It reminds us that somewhere along the way we did some good things and you have chosen to make the right decisions. One look at my hair tells you it must have been windy, or I forgot to comb it again.

Later, in Bloomington, our families gathered for a barbecue on the back patio. Until I saw this photo I forgot that Grandpa McLean and Grandma Ruby were there with us. That made it even more special.

As I have reread this with Mom I was struck by the similarity of another photo taken in Great Grandpa and Grandma McLean's backyard in Modesto, California in August, 1967, where the families sat around the picnic table and ate and visited. These are special moments that remind us on this birthday of how much we love you and our whole family. Have a great birthday sweetheart. Enjoy your family.

Christmas Redux

I'm running a little behind on photos this year. It seems I just can't keep up with the photos. I have been both busy and lazy. I think it's the latter that got me. However, this morning I though I would tackle some of our Christmas photos, which will appear on flickr later. I may have posted some of these earlier - of Christmas, but I found a set I took of Joshua opening up a Christmas gift that tells a wonderful story. So let's get started.

Packages are so neat. But how do I get this open mom?

Okay, I got it. I don't need your help anymore. At least not right now.

Hey, look what's in here. I this cool. My very own bag with farm equipment.

Hey wait, there is something inside. What is it?

It's a box. I like what's in it, but I can't get it open

I wonder if Grandma will open it for me?

Wow, is this cool or what...

Wordless Wednesday