The Family

Becky just posted new photos on Shutterfly! Here's the gang. That is Chase in the middle. I can hardly believe how big he's gotten. And talking to him on the phone...who is that man with the deep voice? Surely it can't be my little Punky?? Travis is sitting on a stump, so Chase really isn't taller than his dad. But he is taller than Becky! This looks like it could become a Christmas card photo, don't you think?

PS...you'll want to check back in the next couple of days. I'll be making a BIG announcement!

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

One of the fun things (actually the only fun thing!) about all the packing/purging I've been doing has been looking through old photo albums that I haven't opened in a long time. I've alluded in this blog that I've had 'other lives' before Red Bell Farm, but I haven't been able to blog much about them since I like to add a photo to my blog entries. Earlier this year I purchased a new copier that also scans and faxes. Voila...I can now share some images from those other lives from far away and long ago! August 2, 1969: I married Skip Wyman at the United Methodist Church in Point Loma, CA. That's my dear friend, Mickey on my right; Skip's friend, Carlos Joseph stood up with him. It's hard to believe that was almost 40 years ago...OMG! where does time go? Travis was born Feb. 1, 1972. Look at him hugging his bears...who knew he'd be in love with bears 38 years later?

Packing and Purging

I wish I could tell you I'm 'packing and purging' because I sold my house! That hasn't happened. But I've decided to take advantage of this time to purge, get rid of, toss, donate, and trash everything that I don't absolutely need. I've started with my book collection. I'm almost embarrassed by how many I have; it's a sickness, I think! I don't have much trouble passing on novels to others, but I can hardly bear to get rid of all the non-fiction, the memoirs, the art books, the poetry books,etc. I'm being totally ruthless, though; almost everything is going to the Half Price Bookstore. They pay you a pittance for them, but at least they take them all. I'm also triaging movies. All VHS tapes...outta here along with most of my DVDs. I do have some home movie VHS tapes that I'm recording over to DVD format. That's been fun...last night I watched Travis graduate from high school. Yes, there was a tear in my eye...20 years later!!....when they played "Pomp and Circumstance." And I cheered once again when Ernie Schmell handed Trav his diploma. Some memories absolutely have to be preserved!

Birthdays, Birthdays!

There in the foggy mist at Chico Hot Springs lurk two birthday kids. Travis' birthday was Monday, Feb. 1st and Becky's birthday is today. It's so hard to find a photo of both of them together. Becky is usually behind the camera for family shots. This picture was taken over the Christmas holidays while Chase was visiting. He's back there behind Becky. Parker is chewing on his finger and Marley is looking quite glam in her little knit hat. Why the hat, you ask? The hot springs pool is outside. As warm as the water is, it's still winter in Montana and I'm sure her little head was cold. Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Travis and Becky!

Meet Marley!

I received email piccs from Becky and just have to share our beautiful baby with you! Isn't she just too sweet? Love her little hat...and no, I didn't make it. I don't do anything that requires holding 'sticks' and making them work.

This is a picture that the hospital took of the whole family. I'll share more photos tomorrow.

One More...

I can't resist...one more proud mom/grandma photo. Parker and Travis were swimming in one of the warm pools at Chico Hot Springs. This photo was taken over the Christmas holiday. Chase was there swimming, too, but all of his pictures have his hair hanging in his face. It's a teenager thing. Parker loves the water.