Granpda Dick

My grandpa's name is Richard, but he goes by Dick. I am not sure why. Maybe because it is an alliteration with his last name.

This our 2nd visit to see him this summer. Since he lives on a mountain, the winter is a big no go for going to his house. I can remember one Christmas day walking up the road to his house with my family and all of our presents in tow in big trash bags. Boy, we were ambitious.

My grandpa has an amazing green thumb. He can grow anything. In addition to peaches, apples, tomatoes and cherries, he is currently growing green table grapes. On a mountain in Southern Utah. I had to take the photos to prove it.

My grandpa is a volunteer extraordinaire. He has coached more baseball, softball, t-ball and football teams than anyone I know. And he has the awards, trophies and plaques to prove it. His living room is a bit of a hall of fame. Included are his awards as former Beaver School Board President and member, and community service awards.

Each trip I do a living history on video and record my grandpa answering questions about his life and family. So since I was documenting, I figured his awards deserved their own photo shoot. Please note that this is only a small portion. I am serious.

Thanks for your example granpda Dick.

Sleep Sweet Jasper, Sleep

Yesterday, after a busy day and no nap, Jasper finally crashed out as soon as we drove up the mountain to my grandpa's house. All alone on the great big lawn. He seemed so peaceful.

I could not resist capturing a worn out little foot and tiny curled fingers.

Sleep in Heavenly peace.

Small Town Memories

After breakfast with my grandpa, Jasper and I headed over to the park to visit and grab a snow cone. We had a great chat with my PTA softball coach, Elizabeth Yardley. She is from Scotland, and our team was affectionately named the "Sassie Lassies". I played on her team for 3 years, and then played on the "Funshine Gang" during 6th grade. The Funshine Gang won the sportsmanship award, but the Sassie Lassies, well we were Sassy, and played hard and won often.

Jasper finally fell asleep in his stroller, so we just walked back to Bonnie's mom's house, which is across the street from my old house. We had a nostalgic walk.

Past the library. Bonnie's grandma Wanda Roberts was the librarian, so we probably spent more time than most kids at the library. We also had dance, ballet, tap and even clogging in the basement of the library building. I am proud to say that for a few years we were instructed by the one and only Fred Adams.

Next we strolled past the Beaver 1st & 2nd Ward Building where I spent a lot of time growing up. I still remember walking home from school to the church to attend Primary on Wednesday afternoons.

Then we passed "Aunt" Kathleen Smith Farnsworth's home, which has since been renovated my her family members. And we saw the tire swing that we spend many hours in. We used to help Kathleen when it was her turn for water and we would rake her leaves in the fall, and then jump into the huge piles. Kathleen was an amazing woman, and was Mother of the Year in Utah in 1968.

Then onto the Browns' home. Note the pile of wood in the backyard. When I was younger the Brown's sold wood out of their backyard, and their were piles and piles and piles of it.

I also took a photo of our little home that used to be a golden yellow color. So many memories. Too many to post today.

Everyone Loves a Parade

My grandpa was asked to ride in one of the fire trucks that he procured from his old fire station for the city of Beaver. Last year he was one of the Grand Marshals of the parade, but we were unable to attend, as I was in the hospital 32 weeks pregnant with a subclavian blood clot. Those were rough times, and boy am I glad they are over.

Had to snap a shot of the Temple float by one of the Beaver LDS Wards. I really loved the water shooting out of the fire truck. All of the kids went out in the parade route and ended up soaking wet.

After the parade Jasper and I drove out to the fire station for a photo shoot and then my grandpa took us to breakfast at the El Bambi Cafe. In case you don't know, El Bambi is famous for their dinner rolls. People order them by the dozen (usually 4 dozen at a time). And no family party or social event in Beaver is complete without them. In November they publish an article in the Beaver Press about the guidelines on ordering your rolls for the holidays so that there is no confusion and no traumas over not getting your order in on time.

Baby Dog Whisperer on Location: Beaver, Utah

One of Jasper's favorite parts of the 24th of July parade was the dogs that were also watching the parade.

We met a sweet girl named Megan with a tiny little dog named Albert. Turns out that Jasper prefers dogs that are more than 1 pound.

We also met this nice guy in yellow shirt who obliged Jasper's need to play with his dogs every time we saw him today. Thank you kind sir!

24th of July Fireworks

We watched the Beaver city fireworks from Bonnie's backyard, and I snapped a few pictures. Jaden was a little nervous about the sparkler he was holding.

Two Straws Please

I hung out with all 3 boys in the Wal-mart video arcade while Bonnie finished shopping. Brennan & Jaden had fun playing a shoot 'em up game. Jasper was content hanging out in the shopping cart because he had his favorite shopping toys -- straws. As long as Jasper has his straws, he's good to go.

Jasper's 1st bike ride

Bonnie & I went to Cedar City with the boys today and stopped off in Parowan to see her grandparents.

Jaden decided to entertain Jasper by getting a tricycle out. It was too big for tiny Jasper, but Jaden was happy to give him a ride.

No matter how much grass their is, Jasper will make a run for the cement. He's a true Vegas boy.

Stumped in Parowan

An old tree stump was all Jasper needed for entertainment this afternoon.

He played it like a drum, walked around it and used it to pull himself up. He found that he could use it to balance himself as he reached over to grab a nearby leaf or bend down to pluck a blade of grass and examine his shadow.

There's more to come tomorrow about our fun day. For now, enjoy the photos of my little drummer boy.

Back in Beaver

Jasper and I are in Beaver again. We happy to be here and are looking forward to all of the 24th of July activities.

It took us 5 hours to get here, because Jasper kept having a meltdown, so we are REALLY glad to actually be here.

We're staying with my dear friend Bonnie again. We're excited about a BBQ in her backyard on the 24th. The fireworks show is not far from her house and she promised we'll have a great view. I love fireworks, so I can't wait for the show!

Once we FINALLY arrived, we had a nice dinner at Maria's with my grandpa and then went up to my grandpa's house. We hung out on the lawn and were hoping for the nightly visits from the rabbits and tiny bunnies. They love to nibble on grandpa's lawn. No such luck tonight. Grandpa thinks we scared them off. Grandpa even went upstairs on the balcony see if he could see them in his outlying orchard. There is always tomorrow.

My grandpa's lawn is huge, and Jasper really wore himself out chasing me around. Grass is a novelty for Jasper, so he had fun poking it and touching it and crawling through it. The beautiful weather made for a perfect evening.