FAMILY... Life's greatest gift

I recently found out that Jessica and Hayden got some sad news this weekend from the Hewlett family. Hayden's cousin Kaleo Winn Hewlett was recently killed in a car accident in Georgia this past Saturday (August 16th, 2008)

While he was attending a friends temple wedding in Georgia along with some other friends. You can read more about him and the accident on the Hewlett Blog or here. This blog is an account of what happened from the driver's (his friend) point of view. He was so spiritual talking about the loss of his friend, it made me cry. But he was right about everything. A young 22 year old returned missionary who, as written in his friend's blog was teaching the gospel to a women on the plane on the way to the wedding, who had also picked up a few pass along cards from the temple to pass out. Sounded like a very wonderful person, who is probably busy doing the same work he obviously loves on the other side of the veil with his Grandfather.

It got me thinking about how fortunate our "tight knit" family is and how thankful I am for each and every one of you! Family is important- and the memories we make (reunion :0) are important, every memory made- stays alive in our hearts and are cherished forever! I am thankful everyone is healthy and strong ad that we are always there for eachother. Grandma and Grandpa we love hearing of all your little "moments" on the blog and I invite the rest of you to share all your little moments so we can continue these "special memories!"

Hayden and Jess, and the extended Hewlett family I hope you keep those memories in your hearts alive! Our family prayers are with you both and the Hewlett family.

Zamboni

Guess I didn't delete it after all.

Wallpaper's coming down!

What a chore! If you're thinking about wallpapering, think 10-20 years ahead to the time you have to get it off. I think its been up there for 40 so you'd think it would be falling off by now, wouldn't you? We have most of it off but now have to scub it all down to get the paste off. Not fun upstairs in 90 degree heat. We're thinking about putting white beadboard part way up like we did in the foyer and painting the upper part but aren't sure yet what we're going to do. What do you think?
P.S. -Thanks, Jen for the directions on putting the pics on the blog.

August Birthdays

Happy August Birthday's and Happy Back to School!!

Mandi # (Albert)- August 18th

Lexi Christiansen- August 27th

(*I posted both of these, because I LOVE this picture of my mom and Lexi, with her new haircut by yours truly, and... Lexi is just too cute! :o)

Brian Rudd- August 30th

Darrell Odell- August 31rst

Grandma & Grandpa- Trip to the Wine Country

We just got back from a wonderful trip to the Wine County (yes, I know and no, we didn't) We stayed at a nice resort in Windsor. On Tues. we took a trip over to the coast . It was cold and windy but so worth it. The ocean and waves are all so magnificent! We parked at the top of a bluff so you could see forever until your eyes hit the fog bank way off in the distance. Went down and had a bowl of thick clam chowder which warmed us up just fine.

(Jenner)

Another day was spent in Santa Rosa going through the Charles Schulz museum. What a humble and down-to-earth man he must have been - the "real" Charlie Brown. Its quite a place. The displays show his history and how his cartoons developed over the years and how the characters of Linus, Schroeder, the little red haired girl, etc., all came to be a part of the strips. A huge black and white collage of Charlie and Lucy takes up one whole wall and when you get up close you can see it's made up entirely of black & white Peanuts comic strips. Really an interesting place.

(Me & Charlie Brown)

There's a skating rink right next door where he always had breakfast in the little cafe there and spent a lot of time. He lived in the neighborhood & was really involved with things. We went in and watched the skaters for part of the day. One little guy about 4 years old was there with his dad. He had on almost the whole gear - helmet, gloves and a red & blue hockey shirt. He just kept going around and around the rink, taking little steps and not paying attention to anyone else, just like he owned the place. So cute.

Later the big Zamboni machine came out to smooth the ice and we saw it had all the Peanuts characters painted on the side of it. I tried to get a picture of it but unfortunately I had my camera on "movie" so most of it was railings and benches because I was trying to figure out what I was doing. (My first experience with a digital camera and I deleted it.)

(Dad sitting with a bear)

Other than that we spent the next days just taking side trips along the back roads, stopping at antique shops and just enjoying our getaway. So now we're home - relaxed and getting ready for Sunday. Mom