2 Teenagers? Can it be?

Grant is officially a teenager now. Scary thought.

He wanted an ice cream cake. Doesn't this look like a muddy tractor tire. Yes, I meant for it to be like this!

This couple were taken home with us when we fortuitously ran into them at Grants birthday dinner....at our favorite Mexican restaurant of course.

And we had the neighbors, and Marge to help us hold a wake for our departing "little" boy.

And Marge has a great sense of humor,

Having boxes, inside boxes, each full of some mystery.

And as you can see, it was very fun for us all. Joe sat on my lap and giggled with delight throughout the openings.

Joe picked out this Lego set all by himself. They had a great time putting it together together.
(Is that correct English?)

And we went up to VR for a little camping trip. Just the kids and I, so we set up the tent for the boys. Johnny-Jump-Up Creek was running full tilt. The sound of rushing water in spring is quite delightful.

Conrad, relaxing and fulfilling the requirements for a classic education. (Archie comics)

Goat Mountain

Snorkeling in Cle Elum River? Brr. :)

Restful

And now, not so much.

Revenge!

Escalation!

Devious musings.

Daddy - Daughter time

This is sweet is it not? I believe they were watching some old slap-stick 3 stooges comedies together.

Lady Margery's Birthday Tea: Red Raspberry Wine Sorbet

6 cups fresh red raspberries rinsed (or frozen, thawed)
1 cup dry red wine
1-1 1/2 cups sugar
Juice of one lemon

In a bowl, combine raspberries, wine, sugar and lemon juice and let stand, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Transfer to blender and puree. Strain into an ice cream machine and freeze. Makes 1 quart of sorbet.

Funny story about this, our dear butler, while serving dainty cups of this deep red sorbet on a large tray....first course of course, and he spilled it all over my chair, and his bright white shirt. Smack dab in the middle. I was thankful I had vacated my seat. His face was a bit red, his shirt was very red, his wife's face was redder still, and of course he made it seem like he did it on purpose. Classy couple.

Taco Party

Beth and Kristin close to the wonderful taco bar. The food was spectacular as usual.

Kids having a wonderful time in the roomy living room, running around like chickens!

Ron and Bradley

Jenith and Marge.

Sorry Kristin, this may not be the best picture of you, (she is always stunning regardless!) but the painting in the background is one I did a few years ago, and I never got a picture of the final result. The reflection in the water is my favorite part.

Lively discussion!

With lots of laughs shared.

The guys were Not doing the dishes, but look how close they came to it!

This is seconds? Thirds? She was a very hungry hostess! Smile.

The household mascot, Matisse by name, is getting a drink from the table ouside. He is sooo large and sooo sweet!

Goodbye

We had a wonderful meeting and potluck to say goodbye to our dear little blond family. We know they will be nurtured well were they are going, and will be faithful to be a help there as they were to us. Still, we will miss them!

Lady Margery's Tea Party

Lady Hilde

The Party

Gerrald serving. It was a wonderful bonus to get to sit down and be waited on. Thanks G!

I cannot believe it but this will not load for me in the appropriate manner. Here is Lady Marge and her sister, Lady Elly.

And the butler, with his dear wife.

Lady Brenda, Lady Masako, Lady Maria.

Lady Ruth

Lady Betty. Adorable in every way. The Birthday Tea was a wonderful success and the start of many more parties to come. I spent many enjoyable hours planning, cooking, cleaning and sorting though all of Marges very pretty dishes from her mom. She seemed to really enjoy the fellowship, the dainty food, and the use of all those precious things from the past. What fun!!

Drive In, Drive out, Snow, Sun, Drive in, Snow, Sun, Drive out.

First we drove the car all the way to the gate. Decided with the heavy snowfall and the expected accumulation rumor that we best drive back out. First, we wanted to make sure we could get a snowmobile out and running. Figured if we could not we would all just go home, if we did , then we would take the snowmobile out and pick up the person driving the car, may all have to walk out. We did some heavy duty digging, got a snowmobile out and had to strap a battery to the back since it was dead as a doornail. And out Gentry and I drove, leaving the kids to fend for themselves. (We did not pack in the food or anything else yet.) So...they made spaghetti with olives. Grant was hungry and ate some, but Victoria was pretty unimpressed with the creation!

Grant and Dad made an igloo, next day we had even more snow so it was all smooth on top and Grant added the classic entryway. Must have used Victoria's camera to get that picture.

Sledding was popular, all of us had a blast going all the way down the hill -involves a sharp bend.

Gentry would go down first then pull up the sledders after they got down. Grant landed in the creek on his last turn down, so that was exciting!

And the rest of the time we were lazy, I even took a snoozette laying down in the snow when the sun came out. It was great!

Gentry read an entire book and then we read some of Mary Poppins together.

Played with the cameras quite a bit, up to no good! :)

Next day went to get water from the car with the snowmobiles and decided the roads were good enough to try taking the car back in (so we wouldn't have to ferry everything out on the snowmobiles, and then have to Walk back out! Gasp! :) Truthfully we all were happy that it worked out this way. Have I mentioned how much I love my Jeep? It really does great in the snow!

Roads were pretty ugly down by the cabin at Salmon La Sac.

Kids each had a snowmobile to take back up to camp. Victoria was fun to watch, thinking of her driving soon, I was happy to see her making careful choices that were not too hard on the equipment!

This is the trail down to the bottom campsite.

And knew you must want to see how Huckleberry Pond is doing. Water was really flowing well, and provided us with all the cleaning up water we needed.




Grant and Victoria are working at their card skills. Played our old favorite Authors game, and our new favorite for the kids, Rook.

Gentry was grabbing the tree with his legs, we did get quite a shower down below when the trees of the swing were jostled!

Buttermilk Syrup

This is too good not to share. Remember to use a large saucepan, it will boil over if you dont!

1 1/2 cups cane sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter
2 T. corn syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp vanilla (prefer vanilla made with rum)

In a large saucepan, mix all ingredients except for vanilla. Bring to boil, and boil for 7 minutes. Add vanilla and serve in small pitcher.

Is wonderful over any pancake, waffle or even muffins! The syrup in the grocery store is either pure maple (yum! but expensive) or is full of the dreaded artificial flavors and colors. This one keeps us happy....and I am going to try it without so much butter, just to see if we still like it. I think we will!

Cousins on Facebook

This picture is an oldie but goodie of my dad opening the fence on the way out to the cabin by the sweetwater. The old Model T pickup showing that I have heard so many stories about.

My cousin John P. and I are sending family pictures to each other on Facebook. It is so wonderful to have shared memories with so many. My brother and sister may not be able to participate, but there are those who can. It means so much.

The picture that started it all. Of John P. of course!

I remeber taking this picture, it was downtown JC....if you could have seen it then you would understand how funny that is....and I remember mom complaining that the photographer made them lower thier heads because of the reflection in thier glasses. But now I am so happy to have this memory. The dress I wore, it was pink and gauzy, so pretty (Teri and I are matching). Mom made her dress, and it was green polyester- the newest best material.

I think this was 1st grade. Remeber those chunky yarn ribbons we used to wear?