CONFERENCE?

Last month we went to Utah over General Conference weekend. Alan had Friday and Monday meetings and I had no Sunday RS obligations. Adam had much to do on his house to get it ready for sale. So the 3 of us headed to SLC. On Saturday we saw portions of Conference. But we also saw Riley's soccer game, Bailey's dance recital and Lacey's volleyball game. What are these Momons thinking, scheduling over Conference?

Riley plays on a 4 year old team with all boys. She is a full head taller than all of them. She is also the best player by far. But they are still 4 year olds. The pregnant mother just behind Riley was the coach of the other team. She kept trying to drag her players to be in position to block the ball since they didn't seem to get the game. Before the time was up her team didn't want to play anymore. I wonder why?

Bailey is on a cute dance team and we were lucky enough to be there to see her dance at a competition. She is very good and really projects and loves to be in front of an audience! None of my pictures during the performance turned out since we were so far away. Isn't she cute? How we remember when she and Lacey were little and used to perform for us after Sunday dinners! How time flies! We are excited to have Bailey and her family in California so we see them more often.

Lacey is playing on a volleyball team with her friend Kennedy and this was only their second game. They are just learning to play the game. They play in a coed league and with older kids. But they both were pretty good for their team. Don't these girls look alike except for their color hair? They have a lot in common and have a great time together. Besides they live across the street from each other.

We missed some of conference, but we couldn't pass on the opportunity to watch our grandkids perform while we were there. Steve's wonderful grandfather, Britt McConkie, passed away between Sunday sessions which added sadness to the visit and one more distraction from Conference. Luckily we have other ways of viewing and reading Conference later. It was a wonderful historic Conference. It is something to see the mantel fall on President Monson. I always think that my love for the previous prophet will make it harder to accept the new one, but the Lord helps us feel that love, acceptance and reverence for the successor.

More Blessings

I know it has been a month since we went to Boston where Todd and Ashley blessed their little Chase. But maybe you will forget that you saw similar pictures on Ashley's website a month ago. We love these three darling boys who really give Ashley and Todd a run for their money. They are so smart, charming, and boy all the way through. Chase is growing so fast, but beginning to sleep through the night and make his mother's life a little easier.

Todd gave Chase a beautiful blessing. Sam as well as Todd's parents were also there for the blessing. We had a good time just being together. We went out to dinner Saturday evening and it was fun in a different way.

Ann and Randy Harris get to see these guys all the time. I am so jealous. The boys are definitely more comfortable with them than us. Sometimes dinner is fun with them there and sometimes it is a trial! It was mostly fun, depending on what end of the table you were sitting at.

Thanks, Sam, for coming all that way for a special day. He spent most of Saturday in the airport trying to catch a stand-by flight but persisted and made it. It wa fun to have him with us!

Papa has always been a welcome place to snuggle up to...


...and sometimes a comfortable place to nap. What's a man to do but join him?

Todd is such a good dad--

He gets up early in the morning and gets the boys breakfast...and often finds his arms full.

He takes the boys to the skate park as often as he can, weather and work permitting.

And sometimes has a little time for fun himself.

Then in the evenings, he patiently finds things to keep those active boys busy and learning.

Blessings

Jack is back!

How we love this little boy!

Mostly, I am not much of a blogger. This blog is primarily a place to post pictures of my family and journal the major events and little special moments in our lives. I still intend to chronologically post the events and pictures from the past month that I have neglected this far. However, this past weekend I rushed up to Utah to stay with the Tobler children so that Lindsey and Harmon could both be at Primary Children's Hospital as much as they needed to while Jack recovered from an injury to his lungs and the RSV pneumonia that developed from it. His recovery proved to be the "best case scenario" for this condition. With vigilant action from Lindsey, miraculous antibiotics, tests to show his progress, good doctors, priesthood blessings, and the faith and prayers of many, Jack came home on the mend in quick time. If we had known the end from the beginning, I would not have needed to go up to assist. But I was glad to be there and witness his recovery, feel the strength of his family, and be with the three girls during this time.

How fragile our lives are! How many times did my children get knocked down, cry, get a hug and bounce back to rough house some more? How many times do parents warn their children to be careful, but miss the strange moment when an accident actually occurs? We cannot build a wall around them, or ourselves, and protect us from so many things that life throws at us. Life is sweeter for the challenges, but who would ask for them? It is almost a year since Alan's illness and surgery. That was the most devastating, awesome experience for us both as he lingered near death, but was almost completely restored to health by the advances of science, a skilled surgeon/caring physician, intuitive talented ICU care givers, and mostly the faith and prayers of countless loved ones in his behalf to a loving, generous Father. I will forever be grateful for the many arms that supported me during that time.

I had a very complicated weekend planned with many important and stressful activities causing me much anxiety. But when one you love is sick, and your family needs you, nothing else is that important. I wish there was another way to get my priorities straight than going through a crisis. But when it comes, it helps to put the big picture back in front of you and put all the other "stuff" in its proper perspective.

Alan and I have been so blessed with a large and loving family and many dear friends. I never want to take their health, well-being and spiritual commitment for granted. It is important that I tell each of you and my Heavenly Father how grateful I am for you and how you live your lives. I know this blog is filled with cliches, but the feeling behind it is dear and precious and unique for me. I am grateful for Jack's recovery and for the blessings I simmer in each day but don't always acknowledge.

Some Catching Up

It has been a long time since I posted anything. In fact, I have taken 183 pictures since the last time I put anything up. Don't worry, I will only put a few. Maybe I will do it over a few days so it doesn't take so much of my time but gives something new to look at for a few days.

Alan spoke in church on Easter, so JR and Casey and kids came to our Sacrament Meeting, which was so nice. The Hadleys were taking pictures after the meeting so we had them snap a few of JR's family in their Easter clothes, too. Casey put the best ones on her blog, but here are a couple of other cute ones. I took some pictures of the girls hunting for Easter eggs, but had the camera on the wrong setting and they didn't turn out so these are all we have.

Mackenzie was a little shy with Su taking the picture, but Kayla will always smile.

Happy Birthday, Kayla!

Today is Kayla's 3rd birthday. Because it is our regular shift at the temple, we had to celebrate her birthday at our house on Sunday. She is such a cute, enthusiastic personality, it is fun to spoil her! She had such fun blowing out her candles she threw her hands up and cheered.


It was the most fun to open the presents, with a sister helper, of course. She responded with excitement, but most of them just sat in the boxes.


The cheap-o dress up clothes were the hit. Note that most of the new ones are on Mackenzie, while Kayla is content with a princess dress we had on hand. Whatever works!


Aren't they beautiful!

Green Beach House

Granddad and Marge came to California a couple of weeks ago and chose colors to re-paint the beach house. It has been some shade of blue since 1983. But now it is a pretty soft green with a darker green trim. The picture doesn't show it perfectly. Don't miss it when you come to visit. It looks a little different.

Want To Play House?

While I was in Boston when Baby Chase was born, we went to Costco. Ben and Toby found this playhouse on display and would not leave it. Ashley counseled me that I did not have room for it in my backyard. But Alan loved it almost as much as I did, so we bought it and made room for it. Alan spent a Saturday afternoon putting it together and it is a hit! We just need more kids to come and play in it more often.

Kayla thinks it is her very own. Unforturnately, they have only been here at night since we got it, so she hasn't been able to play in it very long.

For some reason, Mackenzie was camera shy and played "Catch me if you can" with me. I got you, Mackenzie.

Hunter loved the playhouse, too. He isn't camera shy, but sometimes it is hard to get him to smile for the camera.

Say "Cheese," Hunter.

California Winter

A free Saturday is hard to find. But we did so JR, Casey and the girls joined us for a trip to the little farm at the OC Fairgrounds, a stroll around the Swapmeet, and a hotdog lunch. Beautiful day.
The bull's name was Obama. It was because he had a point way over here, and a point way over there, and a whole lot of bull in between. (Alan added this.)

Afterwards they came to our house to see the puppies and enjoy the sunshine.

Papa loves these girls!

Morgan from down the street joined us with her dog. She was excited to see the new puppies.

Bazzill Dazzle

The day after I got back from Boston, I went to Bazzill booth at the CHA show at the Anaheim Convention center to give Lindsey a lift to the airport and say hi to all the family. Ashley and I were sad not to be with everyone for this event, but Chase came first. I just snapped a couple of pictures, though I missed getting some of the family that was there in the pictures.

I have always thought my sister Marti and my daughter Lindsey were alike in so many ways. Now that they are such good friends and work together, I get my Marti news from Lindsey half the time.

The Smart Girls were at the show in force this time: Laura, Adrienne, Brooke and Rosemary. Aren't they cute!

Chase Away the Winter Blues

Ashley gave birth to another beautiful baby boy on his due date, February 4th, in Boston, MA. Chase Alan Harris weighed in at 7 lbs 12 oz and was 19 inches long. He has lots of light brown hair with very obvious blonde roots. I don't think it will fall out. I think he favors Todd more than the other boys do after seeing Todd's baby pictures. I got to go help out for a week and enjoyed every minute of it. Ashley and Chase are thriving!

Isn't he so cute?!

The first day I arrived, Ashley was already home. Luckily, she has many good friends who stepped in to watch the kids and Ann Harris, her wonderful mother-in-law came immediately from New York to help out until I got there. Here is Ashley with all her boys when Chase is barely two days old.

My main job was the older boys, meals and the house, but it is so much fun to hold that precious baby.


Todd had most of the week off. Here it has snowed the night before, but he took the boys to the new skate park, shoveled the snow off and went skateboarding with them. He is so patient and really plays with his boys.


Ashley is the best mom. It was almost Valentines Day so she spent time with Toby and Ben making sugar cookies and decorating them. It is a messy ordeal I often passed on at her stage. But she was cute and patient with them. Todd just held the baby and put in a word or two now and then to help keep order.


Time to take Nana to the airport. I will really miss this family! They are so far away and will soon move to Connecticut as Todd starts work in New York City at the end of the summer. Luckily we will be back for the blessing and see them again in the Outer Banks at the beginning of the summer.


We didn't get to say good-by. The ten minute trip to the airport was too much for them. When they woke up, Nana was gone and Grammy had arrived!

Sunday Dinner

Sunday has always been our time to be with family. Though our California family has dwindled over the years, it is always special to us when Kayla and Mackenzie burst in the door and give us hugs and smiles. We love their personalities and enthusiasm. We love being a weekly part of their lives as well as JR and Casey's. If the time comes when we have no family to have for Sunday dinner, we will have to pack up and leave!

Kayla always had a mouthful of ice cream, but Mackenzie would rather draw.

Happy to pose!

Always a twinkle!

Crazy Husband

After almost 40 years, some things never change. Alan has another pregnant dog! When we moved here he said he was finished raising puppies and promised me we would have no more than two dogs. Somehow we now have three. Even though he swears he checked the new female daily and the male never, ever, never acted interested in her, those tricky dogs sneaked it passed him somehow and puppies are imminent. Consequently, he has built this amazing whelping box. Now most people just get a cardboard box and some old towels and put the dog and her puppies in a corner in the garage or something. Not Alan. He has spent the last five days designing and building this elaborate elevated enclosure complete with lights, a warming pad in the puppy end, a tin roof, a special floor to make clean up with a hose possible, and two doors for easy access to puppies and mother. Of course, the creation was enormous and very heavy. He found the association landscape maintenance guys willing to help move the beast out of the garage, around the corner, over and past the gas meter and into the kennel. Now if he can just keep Abby from chewing up the electrical cords, his puppies can be born and raised in true Alan Dickson style!

Shelby Week

Shelby, my niece who lives outside St. Louis, finally let me come visit and help out while she is finishing her last radiation treatments. She has had lymphoma, which was diagnosed in September. She underwent almost 4 months of chemotherapy, but had many others who loved her who came to help her and her young family get through the hard parts of this treatment. Luckily, the chemo did its job and the radiation is to ensure the cancer doesn't return. Since the worst was over, Shelby has been back to work at her computer as the graphic designer for Bazzill Paper, my sister and brother-in-law's cardstock company. Of course, weeks of chemo have left their effects and the radiation saps much of her strength and stamina. I cringed when I thought of her taking two little ones daily to her radiation treatments with her. So I watched the kids while she went on her own and did my best to make it easier for her to finish the Bazzil catalog. A little too much chatting, but it was so fun for me to get better acquainted with Shelby's cute children and husband Jaymeson, who is in his last months of residency in radiological oncology at Washington University in St. Louis. I got to observe first hand what a positive, funny, hardworking, faith filled person Shelby is. I am grateful I got to spend this week with the Strouds.

Here are Camryn (Duck), Mason, Preslie, and Sienna (SiSi) as the girls leave for school. I will forever think of Mason when I blow dry my hair alone or get out my vaccuum. He loved machines!
No one to take this picture at the airport. Leave it to me to wait until the last day to take pictures!

Isn't she still so cute!