Look What the Rain Blew In…

Visitors in January and now again in February. I could get used to this. Papa K. and Tracy drove to see us on the 16th. I was so excited for them to come here. Like a kid at Christmas. I love it when people come to see us. They got here about 5:00 our time and Grumpy started cooking up some Chicken Stir Fry for dinner. We figured they wouldn't want to get back in the car and go out to eat after spending the day driving. We had a nice dinner and just kicked back and relaxed. Some good conversation, a little T.V. and then the sheets were calling our names.

Friday Grumpy got home around 1:00 so we went to Texas Burger for a Jalapeno/Cheese Hamburger. Oh, and can I just say they have a great ice cream station there too! After those jalapenos it was time for a little ice cream. Good Stuff. Tracy and I went back to the apt. to turn into the computer addicts we are while Papa and Grumpy headed to the Commemorative Air Force Museum for awhile. My computer is on a built-in desk in the master bdrm and hers was on the dining room table. After yelling back and forth for awhile, I just brought mine in to the dining room so we could sit and compute next to each other. That worked out well. She helped me with all kinds of things. I wish I was as smart as she is when it comes to computers. I had to laugh at our 3 ipads sitting around the apt. All with the same covers on them. Too funny!

Yes, we spent lots of time in our jammies. I can't think of a better way to spend most of a day than in my jammies working on the computer. Crazy, I know. Friday night we ate at home, BLT's plus avocado on croissants. I love sandwiches. Saturday I finally finished cutting the fringe on a quilt I was making for a friend's new baby. My first rag quilt. Everyone I talked to said not to wash and dry it at home for the first time, to go to a laundromat where the commercial machines are built to take the "fall out" from all the fraying that takes place that first time laundered. So I decided to take the advice. Tracy and I headed to a laundromat while Grumpy and Papa went to tour Midland. They were done long before we were! Got that accomplished and went home to get some rest before going to our favorite (so far) restaurant here. Sho-Gun. It is a tepenyaki venue and I think a very good one. We ate there and stuffed ourselves beyond the comfort zone. Of course.

Being stuffed didn't keep us from going to the local HEB market for some ice cream on the way home. We ended up with mostly Ben & Jerry's with a little HaagenDas thrown in. There's always room for ice cream right? Tracy found a nice dutch oven there and bought it for home. I think I may be going back to get one too. I've been eyeing them for awhile, and I think I must have one. HEB is a fun place to shop. Kind of a cross between a grocery store and a Costco. I miss Costco. I love that HEB has a huge produce section and they carry really good meat too. They have great stuff and manage to keep the prices pretty reasonable.

When we were at the apt. we looked like the pics above. Good thing Papa likes to read on his ipad. We were all staring at a computer screen of some kind a lot. Got a lot done to get me set up and refining some of my skills. (yet to be proven). I am determined to learn new things.

We really enjoyed visiting and hanging out with family. It was fun to have family at church with us. We had a fried chicken dinner Sunday night and watched "Courageous". Good movie. Highly recommend it. We aren't hard to entertain, because we just like to be together. Thanks Papa and Tracy for driving to see us. They set out about 5 am on Monday morning. Grumpy went to work and I went back to bed. I still think morning should start about 10.

Good Times.

I love Jets!

I love the sound of the jet engines as they fire up. I love the roar that shakes the stands as they fly over. I love hearing the team leader as they take off. I love it all. Seeing the pilots and their families come in and know that's what it must have been like for Papa and Nana. I love the spectator reactions, especially when it is a first time experience for them. My brother Bob calls a particular maneuver they do the "baby waker". They did variations of it about 3 times this airshow and I never tire of it. I love the skill of the pilots, the beautiful paint jobs on the planes and raw power they embody. I love being in Vegas at historic Nellis Air Force base, Home of the Thunderbirds with my family and friends. It was quite a group this year. Lots of in-law families there and it was fun to get to know them a little better. I never got us all together for a group shot. I wish I had, but alas, it was not to be. We all took the buses from the hotel this year. Lots easier for the transportation, but a little harder to meet up and find each other at the airshow. I love that Pop got to talk to a few people he knew from the old days. I love that he could still go with us and be part of such a wonderful legacy.



Above is the six man formation as their fly by exposed the beautiful Thunderbirds on the underbelly of their F-16s. Below is the classic diamond formation they are so famous for.



Below is the very difficult Low and Slow maneuver one of the solo pilots performs. It looks like they are just hanging in the sky as they go across the field.





Above is the race upward to perform the show closer, the famous "bomb burst". Below is the smoke as they split and roll in four directions. They then come across the field from the four compass points and cross each other just feet apart. Difficult to do with such precision and beautiful to watch. The best team is always the current team and each time this alumni show is performed it is the team leader's last flight with his team. Needless to say, they are all doing the most perfect airshow possible.




Summer and Jamie, JT and Taylor were with us this year. It was fun to watch Jamie and JT as they saw their first Thunderbird performance. Summer looked like the rest of us as we tried to catch the perfect shot of this amazing airshow. Camera's just can't to justice to the skill and precision of the planes and pilots.

We spent some time with Papa, but had to share him with the rest of our entourage. The Reunion Hotel this year was the Southpoint, and it was great. They have a 16 theater movie theater, so many of us went to "Breaking Dawn" of the Twilight Saga on it's opening night. No long lines or hard to find parking spots. We just went up the escalator, bought our tickets and waited for the show to begin. Awesome. I flew in from Texas for this airshow, so bummed a ride home to Arizona with Summer and Jamie. Grumpy was driving from Texas to Arizona for Thanksgiving, so I would meet him there.

So happy I was able to go to this Thunderbird Reunion. I especially love all the memories it makes to be there.

A Small Tribute

I found this picture of jets in formation with patriotic smoke on. I love jets, and the power they represent. We have quite a history of military men in the family and I wish I had some pictures to post, but I don't. I just wanted to acknowledge the military service of those I know of in the family.

I know my Dad's father served in World War I. My Dad joined the service to serve in World War II, but did not see overseas duty as he was still to be in pilot training when the war ended. His three brothers all served in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Dad did serve as a pilot in the Korean War. He had a great career flying many various types of aircraft. A natural born pilot and patriot. Grumpy went through the R.O.T.C. program and served in the Air Force. He was to be a pilot, but missed the opportunity as they were reducing forces just after Vietnam. He served as an intelligence officer instead. We lived in Okinawa for part of his tour of duty and were able to see some of the places where Papa served years earlier. Grumpy's paternal Uncle's Eddy, and Pat both served in the Navy during Korea. Stacie's brother Aaron just joined the Army and left for training.

I am thankful to these men for their commitment and sacrifice to the service of this country. We have a great heritage and we have a great progeny. We are grateful and we will not forget.

July

July is the month that signals that summer is half over. Unfortunately it is also the first of the worst months (heat wise) of summer. I do enjoy the monsoons though, and have always been up for watching the lightning light up the sky. We have just a few birthdays this month, it's America's birthday, Robert's, Summer's, Jade's, Austin's, Jennifer's and Dawson's. It is also Gramma and Papa H's anniversary. They always seem to be traveling for their anniversary - I guess I would too if it were in July and I could go somewhere else besides the valley of the sun. I typically grin and bear the heat and the added humidity through July, gnash my teeth through August and am downright mean and nasty by September. The only good thing is that there are very few snowbirds here now, so there are a few hotter than hades months to thank for that blessing.

Papa's eye surgery went well and he is scheduled for the other eye the end of July. Grumpy and I are being boring and staying home for the 4th. I will make ice cream and BBQ for a pretty traditional day and am looking forward to not being out on the roads traveling. My dream is to have a cabin in the mountains where the kids can enjoy the cooler weather and spend some time together enjoying a simpler life. Not too simple, just not as busy as here. We still love our computers, DS systems, Wii, and all the other pastimes of today. What would I do without all the NCIS re-runs?

Here's to getting through July with a good attitude.

Our Father's Day

What a day! We started off with a fun surprise at church. On a previous primary activity day, the children decorated old ties that had been collected. There were ties of all decades of fashion. Wide ones, skinny string ones and everything in between. The kids unleashed their creative juices and with large amounts of glue (apparently, judging from the surplus on the ties) glued all manner of embellishments on said ties. There were pipe cleaners in various configurations, pom pom balls of all sizes and colors, many and varied jewels, and even some feathers. Bright ones. The ties were then folded and placed into blue lunch sacks and each man received his fashion statement for the day as he arrived at the doors into the chapel. I loved how the men were good sports and wore the ties with their suits, etc. An excellent way to start the day. I wish I had gotten a picture of some of them. Our ward Relief Society has volunteers bring in pie for our guys. We cut it up and plate it in the kitchen and then take it to Priesthood Opening Exercises to serve them. I think it is the best attended Opening Exercises all year. Guys do love their pie.

Once home I went into cooking mode to get things ready for dinner. Grumpy chose Swiss Steak for dinner this year, and that takes a little prep. He came in and cut all the meat up for me as he is better at meat cutting than I am. He did the onions for me too and then I banished him from the kitchen to take a nap somewhere. I will post the pics of the prep and recipe for Swiss Steak on Nana's blog. It is a recipe I got long ago from Gramma Harmon. Over the years we have modified it a bit, not the ingredients, but the finished product. She and Papa Harmon were coming over for dinner and were bringing their own baked potatoes. We have learned to eat Swiss Steak with rice instead of potatoes, so they were bringing their own side dish. I made squash from our garden and some corn and peas for the little ones that don't appreciate squash yet. I made Grumpy's favorite pie: Coconut Cream and then I made a Lemon Cream too. (my favorite) Taya made a delicious Peach Cobbler (also one of Grumpy's favs) and we had some vanilla ice cream on hand for that. We had a great dinner, and a great time visiting. I wish I had gotten pictures of Taya's Peach Cobbler, and the pies on plates, but I didn't.


As things were being cleaned up, Faith came and asked me to please go and sit on the couch by Grumpy. I assumed the kids wanted to give Grumpy his cards, etc., so I went in and sat down. We were both given the cutest cards ever. I guess Tawna was up to her creative vices and made these funny cards. I love them.





Our kids all went together and bought us a big surprise. We were a little speechless. At least I was. I will preface the gift by saying how sweet it was of all of them to do this. Lots of thought and a lot of money went into it. It was a combined Mother's Day, Father's Day present and I am still tearing up every time I look at it.



You can't tell by the picture, but it is a new Microwave. We have all completely worn out the microwave in Papa's house. I don't know how old it is, but it is definitely in it's death throes. It is quite the process to get it to work, and you have to hit it just right for it to come on, but if you don't do everything just so, the door falls apart and you get to figure out how to put it back together so you can warm up your food. I kept saying we were going to use it until it refused to work anymore. The kids must have believed me, so mercifully got us a new one so we could put the other one out of it's misery. I can't wait to get a couple of the boys over here to install it. It was such a nice thing and I hope you all know how much we appreciate it. You guys are the best and we were really surprised. I would never have guessed.


Above, Papa poses for me with his pirate patch on. He had cataract surgery on his left eye last week and is doing great. We do 3 kinds of drops 4 times a day to keep it that way. Bob and Sydney had him over for breakfast and Tracy and Kevin had him over for dinner on Father's Day. Papa always comes home and tells me all about the dinners (breakfast in this case too) and is full of love and appreciation for his children and grandchildren. He received many nice cards and presents and loves anything we give him. We all love him so much and hope he can feel our love and concern for him. We couldn't have asked for a better father. He had a great day too, and of course helped us eat the pie and cobbler. Family is everything.

Luke AFB Thunderbird Airshow

In March, on the odd numbered years the USAF Thunderbirds come to Luke AFB and perform. We look forward to it, and several family members got to go this year. We have some pics to share and hope the kids will remember this fun airshow.




Nicely re-done P51's. Looking very good. Papa owned two of these at one point. I wish he still had them. The kids are pretty good lookin' too. Faith, Megan, Jaxon and Ryker are the kids that went with Grumpy this year.



An F16 in desert camo.



A German Tornado aircraft.



Air Force F15.



AWAC or Airborne Warning And Control Plane. It sees targets way far away and can radio back pertinent info.



Megan and Faith getting ready to ride one of the attractions.



The kids (Megan, Faith, Jaxon and Ryker looking in to the T33 that was on display.



Ryker and Jaxon checking out one the rides.






Megan riding this fun looking gizmo.



Faith joining her cousins on this giant strawberry ride. The kids all had a great time. Grumpy just has to be around aircraft to have a great time. So it was fun to go and see all the stuff. Papa got really sunburned and spent the next week nursing peeling and scabbed skin on his face. He loves the airshows too, so it was all worth it, but next time we'll take some sun block.

Remember in December

Pop and I went out to the cemetery yesterday to put some Christmas flowers out for Nana and Curt. It was nice to see so many flowers there. The cemetery is very well taken care of and always has so many flowers out. I was having a hard time getting the arrangement I did into the vase for Curt. The vase is just a little smaller in diameter than the one for Nana. I found myself wishing I had a pocket knife to shave the styrofoam down just a tad to get it in the vase. Since I didn't, I tried to just push it in and wound up breaking the bottom part of the styrofoam. One of the directors came out with me and called one of the gardners over. He was very nice and finally got it shaved down enough to stay put. I know it makes Papa happy to see the sites looking nice. He swept a few grass trimmings off both headstones as the grass had just been cut. He always says to me that Nana would be mad that we put flowers on. Even though she loved flowers, she didn't like people to spend money on flowers for her. I told him I don't think she would be mad. She did so love flowers and anyway, she can't argue about it now. It was a nice visit there and I look forward to going out with him to spend a few minutes there. Of course I forgot my camera again, so these are just off the phone. Robert was kind enough to get them off my phone and onto the computer desktop for his techno-challenged mom. Thanks Robert.

Hash Browns and Eggs Papa style!

Papa, as you can see in this pic has developed a talent for cooking hash browns and over easy eggs. Every once in a while he gets out the little frying pan and goes for his favorite breakfast. I've never been too great at the morning meal (for the morning anyway. We always have breakfast for dinner!), so he has taken matters into his own hands and does a good job with it. I don't know if he would admit it, but I think he actually enjoys it.

Days that are past

After spending the day cleaning out the kitchen pantry it was time to take Taya, Lauren and Emmy home. Pop decided to drive so we all piled in the car and went on the journey to Taya's house. On the way home we stayed on Sossaman and that took us through what used to be Williams Air Force Base. Papa pointed out the different sites on the way through the base. Of course it is very different now than it used to be. Among the things he was remembering was the Base Ops building where Nana was working when he met her. Among her duties there she recorded pilot time in their logs on record. The building isn't there anymore, but the trees that were next to it are. Those little remembrances are like windows to a side of Papa and Nana I don't know. I always say how much I would love to know my parents as they were as young marrieds, or even while they were dating. There is so much we can only glimpse about their personalities, dreams and goals at those ages. It's like in the movie “Field of Dreams” where he gets to see his Dad as a young man. We just don't realize how very much like us our parents are and were. Or I should say we are like them. They went through similar ups and downs, disappointments, career changes, financial highs and lows, children and all they bring, marital thick and thin (even literally for some of us) and all the things we think are exclusive to us. I can feel Papa's longing for his sweetheart thick in the air as he remembers places they went and things they did. I can tell when he watches us interact and go through the every day things we do he is remembering those things they did everyday too. Thank heaven they loved each other so much that the hurt of being separated right now is worth it. There is no pain of loss if there is no love. This Thanksgiving season I am grateful for parents that stuck out the bad times that I'm sure they had and cherished the love and bond of a forever marriage. They did what was best for them and us as they were raising us. In this crazy world family is more important than ever, and I'm glad for mine. All of them, all the time.

The Birthday Boy…

Happy Birthday to Papa. He is truly amazing and I only hope I am able to be in such good shape if I ever get to be his age. Richard and I are very glad to be here and spending so much time with him. Instead of making a list of his many attributes I would like to list a few of his many accomplishments.

He joined the military at seventeen years old during WWII. He managed to get through the difficult pilot training to become a fighter pilot. Although that war ended before he flew any missions, he served in the Korean War. After his decorated service there he came back to the States and became an instructor pilot. During this time he became part of the original air demonstration team known as the Air Force Thunderbirds. He flew the slot position on that team with Major Dick Catledge as team leader, Buck and Bill Patillo flying the wing positions.

He met, courted and married his life long love, married for time and all eternity so our family can be together forever. He he was a wonderful son to his parents, brought honor to their name and happiness to their lives. He has held many church callings and served with great commitment and integrity. 

After leaving the Air Force honorably and serving in the Arizona Air National Guard, he was called up in the ’60's to protect the Berlin Corridor. 

He farmed and raised cotton, potatoes, lettuce, and other crops. 

He has flown for the Forest Service piloting B-17's in many states during fire seasons. He used his GI bill to further his education and was typed in helicopters. He has flown corporate planes for many companies and has traveled all over the United States and the world. 

He is a loving father and grandfather to us all. For a boy from a very small town in Kansas he has done incredible things in his life. He would rather be doing something than sitting doing nothing. He is an inspiration to us all and we love him so very much. Have a happy day Papa - and many more to come.

Quite a Group!

Father, thy name is amazing…

I, we, my sister and brother have the most amazing Dad. Everyday I think that if I am allowed to be on this earth as long as he has that I will be able to live my life as well as he has. He gives us all such a good example to follow. As I go over in my mind the many things I am struggling with, and all the things I know my kids struggle with I am constantly struck by the hardships he has overcome. It gives me pause and causes me to think that if he could get through some the trials he has been asked to bear, my problems don't seem so bad anymore. No one in our immediate family has elected to go to war and serve their country at the tender age of 17 (or any other age so far). I know none of us can fully appreciate the kind of service and hardship that is (and was). So we can preserve and enjoy our freedom. That same freedom that allows to complain about so much here. He and so many like him did not have the youth experiences our kids today have. Life got pretty serious pretty fast for so many of them. That's probably why it is so hard for him to understand why kids today have such a hard time finding their way sometimes. He has made a lifetime of serving others. I find myself again wishing it were somehow possible to know our parents when they were young. I can only imagine what he was like those years that he was piloting jets through the skies, truly doing things we never dreamed of. The father I know has always been a father. He has been the man doing whatever it took to support us, even if it meant being away on fire bases all over the country flying B-17's over a burning forest to give us the things we needed.  We always benefitted from his desire to be a good provider. He is a strong, patient, kind, loving protector. I never got to know the young father walking the floor with a crying baby at night. I only benefitted from his kindness and care. The young man gifted with what it took to be an exceptional pilot - so much so that he was asked to be part of the original Air Force demonstration team now known as the Thunderbirds. The pics are of the original planes they flew, he flew the slot position, (the one in back under and behind everyone). The other one is almost all of us at the last Thunderbird Reunion, Nellis Air Force Base - Home of the Thunderbirds. The current team members took us through the hanger and snapped this shot of us. Everywhere we went at the airshow there was nothing but respect for the alumni. The current team knows each man that flew and when. There is a real feeling of belonging to a piece of history in their organization.  It was and has been through the years a great experience to part of. There is so much I wish I knew about this amazing man. I hope he is writing the record of his life so we can know him for generations to come. I have a strong testimony of family and what it takes to keep one together. I acquired that testimony from watching my parents with us. Service, unconditional love, putting yourself second (or third, or fourth), so many things that are never convenient but that have to be done, forgiving others their shortcomings - so they will forgive yours, sacrifice on every level, patience on every level, endurance beyond imagining. Doing your absolute best in all you undertake. I see all this in my Dad. I see a lifetime of learning, growing, accepting what can't be changed and enduring what must be endured. Families are eternal, and I am thankful for that. I love you Dad. I thank you for the awesome example you are to all of us.

Pop's House Looks Beautiful!

It's true, Papa's house is sporting a new tan this year - and looking mighty good.  It is great to see this homestead revitalized.  I am still painting away on the inside.  It seems like I'm moving as fast as I used to, but only half the stuff gets done comparatively.  Oh well, at least I'm still moving.

Lunch to do, places to go, people to see!

It's no secret we are a family that loves food.  What could be more fitting than lunch together, often.  It's also no secret we love it when Papa can come along.  We get to visit, the kids get to harass him and give kisses (when they will).  Two lunches this week - Red Robin with Tawna, Chance, Taya, Lauren and Granny; then Matta's the next day with Tracy, Duke, and Sherry.  If we play our cards right, naptime follows lunch, and I don't mean just for the little ones!  I wish I had a tenth of their energy.  Lunch is the best!

By the way, I had a Sasparilla, I don't know what Tracy had…Duke looks concerned.