Our Newest Citizen!

This is the day that we have all looked forward to - the day that Vero becomes a citizen of the United States. This afternoon in a ceremony at the Capital Theatre, Vero, with 182 other people, took the oath of citizenship. We are so proud of her!

Boys!

I have been so taken back in time as I watch Jenn with her two little boys just 18 months apart that I had to go back and find photos of my own first two boys at the same age. WOW - were they really that small?

Three Cheers for Aunt Emilie

Sometimes it takes a little wake-up call to remind us just how precious each member of the family is. Yesterday Emilie was involved in a car accident - T-boned on the driver's side. She came out of it quite sore and frazzled but in all other respects okay. When I saw the driver's side of her car caved in I realized just how close she came to serious injury. How grateful I am that she was protected!
(PS Thanks Em for being such a great Aunt!)

If that wasn't enough to jar me awake, Walter had a near miss today. Driving down the right had lane of the inter-state he was run off the road by the semi truck driving in the middle lane. The driver recognized that he was about to miss his exit and did not recognize that there was a car in the lane between him and his exit. Only quick reflexes saved Walter from going under the truck.

Let me just take a minute to express gratitude for all my wonderful family. Chris, Kara, Audrey, and Kate - I love you!!!
Walter, Vero, Belen, and Josh - I love you!!!
Emilie - I love you!!!
Tyler, Jenn, Grant, and Hunter - I love you!!!
Jacob - I love you!!!
XO XO XO XO XO Grandma H

Fourth of July!

We celebrated July 4th much as we do every year - a cookout and home-made ice cream in the back yard and City of South Salt Lake fireworks at Granite High School. This, of course, all takes place on the 3rd. All of the kidlets seemed to enjoy the night out, the music played by "Crash Pontiac", light necklaces, and even the fireworks. Hunter seemed to be a little unconcerned about the whole thing.
On the morning of the 4th Jacob went out to put up flags and I went to Bountiful to help Jenn - It was Tyler's first day back to work after Hunter's birth and the trek to see fireworks the night before had just about wore her out. After putting up flag in the neighborhood (a Boy Scout project) Jacob went with friends to hike up near Brighton. As you can see, they found the beauties of America and a lingering snow pack.

Ten things I miss:

10. Whiskers in the bathroom sink. I complained of whiskers, he wasn’t much happier with make-up stains. Now it is just the make-up.

9. The shower door closing in the morning. Lyle listened for the alarm clock. I never heard it but when the water shut off and the door closed as Lyle exited the shower, I knew that it was time to get up.

8. A clean patio. Every Saturday morning Lyle sprayed down the back patio. One could safely walk in the back yard with bare feet and seldom step on those nasty juniper needles.

7. Having an in-house mechanic/handy-man. Faucets never used to drip. Cars always had safe tires. The list goes on and on.

6. Flowers that appeared “Just because...”.

5. A warm place to put cold feet at night. I don’t get near the reaction when I put my feet on a heated rice bag.

4. Omelets, stroganoff, breakfast pizza, raspberry dessert, chocolate revel bars, thin pancakes, fried chicken strips, Spanish, rice, made to order muffins, ....

3. Saying, “Go ask your dad.”

2. Friday night dates. With few exceptions, every Friday night for almost 27 years.

1. A shoulder to sleep on, to lean on, or even to cry on.

Yes, summers give me far too much reflection time.

Citizenship!

After more than five years of jumping through INS hoops, Walter's wife, Veronica is looking forward to July 16 as the day that she will officially be a citizen of the United States. Veronica took her test a number of months ago (passing it with flying colors) and has anxiously awaited notification of her swearing in ceremony. That notification finally came only a couple of weeks ago. We are all very excited for and proud of our Veronica!

Brotherly love?