Jett Benjamin Howell

Dave and I came grandparents for the first time on September 14th. Jett Benjamin Howell arrived on a Monday and I went to meet him 10 days later. Ben and Chantal had night duty (of course) and I got mornings. They would wheel his bassinet out into the living room and get some sleep and I would cuddle and hold him to my heart's content. While Ben and Chantal were adjusting to parenthood, I did a little cooking, laundry and vacuuming.

Campout with the Cousins - Labor Day 2009

"Go Granny Go"

Watching Old Sow

Grandpa's New Hairdo

We all met at Pioneer Campground near Soldier Mountain (Fairfield) for the annual Labor Day campout. All of the cousins were there (Connie's kids) and Larry's kids and Ron, Kaye and Annette and her three kids. Some were there by Thursday, but Bryson and I arrived Saturday after he went to football practice. The wasps (hornets? bees?) were horrific and most everyone was stung at least once. Dave was out of town and missed it, bees and all, and we missed him.

Hand and Foot, Hearts, and a few other games were always going. We also played Would You Rather and Battle of the Sexes. A few familys had their Beach Boys songs ready for Sunday night, the others were party poopers. We caught up on all the news, chatted and went for walks.

There as an intense game of Old Sow with both a regular version and an all girl version. The boys can get brutal. In old sow there are 10 holes with 11 players with sticks and a hole in the middle. A squashed tin can is the "puck". IT tries to get the can in the middle hole and everyone else tries to keep it out while protecting their hole. When the can gets into the middle hole everyone has to run to "home" and then run back, grab a hole and a stick. The extra person is now IT. Crazy!

August 22, 28 years later

Dave and I celebrated our 28th annivesary by running away to Cascade and then swimming in the river, riding bikes and exploring the back country. We found a few huckleberries, but it was past season. It was a beautiful day and at one point we had a bald eagle flying next to the truck. Living with Dave is always an adventure and I love every minute of it!

Baby Shower

Megan and Kristen both flew to Boise on Thursday the 13th and Friday we began preparations for the baby shower Megan had planned for Saturday. Kristen had invited 3-4 friends from high school and great-Grandma Dee and Grandma Hansen were both there. We had a blast decorating T-shirts, playing silly games and eating salads and sandwiches. Megan left on Sundayand Kristen flew home today, I wish they could've stayed longer!

Chantal's Visit

Ben and Chantal were supposed to be able to come to Idaho around the 4th of July. Since that didn't work out, Chantal got to come by herself about a week ago. It was a fun visit: canning apricot jam, sewing baby crib sheets and a nursing cape. We all (Dave, Bryson, Chantal and I) went to Harry Potter HBP one night. Other than that the highlight for me was feeling the baby have hiccups. Can't wait til the little guy arrives.

Eagles' Nest Lookout

Two weeks ago, Bob and Dave took an exploratory motorcycle ride in the Cascade area. They found the Eagles Nest trail which led to the Eagles Nest Lookout. Being the adventurous types they are, they rigged up the missing rungs on the ladder and Bob went first. When Dave got halfway up he said, "I'm not sure about this" and Bob (at the top) said, "quit looking down and just climb!" The view from the top was spectacular and worth the life-risking ascent.

It was so great, that Dave took Bryson and Ron Despain back up the next week. Ron and Dave declined climbing up, but Bryson was game. They rode 50 miles and had a wonderful time. Bryson saw a badger up close and personal, but they both survived.

Fireworks in the Foothills

4th of July:
1) bike ride on the greenbelt at 7:00 am
2) nap and watch Signs
3) pick zucchini and lettuce from garden
4) head to sister's house for dinner: fish, steak, asparagus, zucchini, green salad, pasta salad and delicious "just-right" watermelon
5) play hand and foot with parents and John and Linda
6) hike up to Shane's Loop in the foothills
7) watch beautiful view of fireworks over the city lights, full moon to the east, lightning to the west
8) hike down with flashlights
9) get to car - realize Dave's cell phone is on the top of the hill
10) realize Michelle is not willing to sit in the car and wait 20 minutes in the dark canyon while Dave hikes back up the hill
11) decide to come back in the morning to find cell phone
12) say prayer of gratitude for the free country we all enjoy and the lives that have been given so we have that right.

HURRAY FOR THE RED WHITE AND BLUE