Mental note to self-----

The other day I was playing with Graham and Clara and while explaining something to Clara, I stopped myself and muttered, "You probably can't comprehend that". She never missed a beat. "I can't comprehend that Gramma".


Just to "Clara"-fy------
Mission accomplished.
Once they are over 3 years old they become much more flexible and cooperative.
And BEFORE they are toddlers---well, they're just too cute for words.

How was your day?

My day was up and down and then up again with a happy ending. . . . . .as pictured here. Cris headstone is finally completed and in place.

I received a post card in the mail today (I've called once a week since the end of August) telling me that his headstone is in place. So I go to the cemetery to take a look/pictures and have a moment. Uhhhhmmm--it's not there--not even close. So I call the office (while standing on his grave). "Hello"--I received a post card today stating my husband's headstone is in place and I'm standing here NOT looking at it. Can you help me please"? Long time on hold--long time. Then the funeral director himself comes walking across the lawn. BIG apologies because it was actually installed in the wrong place. They were very embarrassed and said they would move it immediately. I stayed--I watched--I hovered. All with a calm but disappointed face. They dug it up, moved it to the correct place.
They took great care to make it perfect. NOW I'm happy. Hurting heart--but happy. I'm sure he loves it.
It looks great.

A side note: In the interest of fiscal responsibility I salute this Costco baby swing. Purchased for $20 in 1997 for baby Christine, all 14 grandchildren have swung on our patio. Grahammy Bear love it just as much as all the rest. Sigh. . . . .Life is Good.

Can you STAND it? NO--you can't!!

And then there's this--a most precious and poignant moment in our memories. This was recorded just a few days before he left us.



But this is how I like to remember him--loving every minute of every day.

My most recent adventure.

It was time for me to make a trip to Virginia to see Cris' mom, bring her some mementos and help with the closure process, etc. etc.

She is living near John (Cris' brother) and doing really well. We did some site seeing,

and some baby bouncing. This is Anderson, John's grandson. Soooooo cute.

And this is Clair, John's granddaughter. Sooooo cute.

And here's their mom and dad--Jill and Matt. It was so much fun spending time with these twin cuties.

Just had to post this picture of an Ethiopian Wedding photo session outside the Botanical Gardens by the Capital. (Insert your photo caption here)

Botanical Gardens--really beautiful.

Gramma and John outside the Botanical Gardens.

The hat---classic.

We also visited the Pentagon Memorial on September 12. It was very moving.

This is the wreath placed by President Obama the day before.

Each person who died that day has a bench with a stream of water underneath. Some benches are facing the building honoring those who died on the plane. The other benches are facing away from the building honoring those who died at the Pentagon. They're in rows by age. Very moving.

Look closely at the one dark stone at the bottom of the building. They left this original stone from the charred remains as a reminder.

There are markers for each year. (John's birth year)

Cris' birth year.

We also visited the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum at Dulles airport (an extension of the one on the Mall--for REALLY BIG planes). The Enola Gay--dropped the bomb during WWII.

And the best part of all--the Shuttle. THE Shuttle!!!!!

So I'm standing there looking at one of the shuttle's that actually went in to outer space. Loved it.

Also went to an antique quilt show at an historic home. Actual quilts from the 1800's. . . .and a lot of other stuff too.

Like this totally cute purse I bought for Memzy made from authentic vintage 50's curtain fabric. Take my word for it--it's even cuter in person.

But--I've saved the best picture for last. My favorite thing in the D.C. area is the Star-Spangled Banner. I took an illegal picture while staring at it but it was too dark to post. Here's one cut and pasted for google. Sigh. . . .love it.

The original Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song that would become our national anthem, is among the most treasured artifacts in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.


A true American Treasure.

There's a lot to be said for male bonding. . . . . .

Isn't it so sweet---these knuckleheads are enjoying the BYU game together.

WE WON--WE WON---WE WON!!

I'm sure Cris was jumping and cheering.. . . . .or maybe he helped. . . . see example below. . . .it could happen :)

Out of the mouth of babes. . . . .

So, Clara and I are playing with her doll and pretending to be mommies. She tells me her baby is hungry and she's going to "feed" her. Up goes the shirt--baby plugs in to her belly button--and presto--she's feeding her baby. Just like HER mommy feeds Grahammy Bear (except for the belly button part). Priceless!!!!!

Jeppson Reunion, part two.

Let me say right off the bat--I've been suffering from withdrawals all week. I loved the fantasy world I was living in for a week what with the soft breezes, the smell of pine, the laughter of loved ones. Coming home to 111 degree heat--snaps you right out of that fantasy world.

The last night before I headed back to Bakersfield was so much fun. I went to dinner with Landee, Mr. Landee, her brothers and spouses and mom and dad. By the time the evening was over--my stomach muscles hurt from laughing. (Now you know Landee's wit is genetic)

Ricky feeding the chipmunks, squirrels and birds with his bag of rice crispies.

This video is entitled "The Beast" Luke and Riley were both successful in climbing the 80 ft pole and then walking across a swinging beam to the other side. The staff said only 30% of those that try are successful. Congrats to Luke and Riley. The second video is Riley on top of the "Leap of Faith". You climb up this 75' pole and then have to stand on top of the pole (no platform, just the pole itself) and then leap to a trapeze bar. Much harder that it looks. First time he just missed the bar, second time he nailed it. Super fun----to watch.





What are these chillins holding? Bottle rockets. Note: No eyes were poked out or car windows smashed during this activity. What goes up, must come down. . . . . . .
This is Nick on the "Lake Trampoline".

Crackers enjoying the talent show.

There were quilts galore at the auction. Talented people, talented.

Clara and Ricky investigating the frog pond.
Kudos to all those brave souls that came from far away places. Heidi and her family (7 Kids) DROVE from upstate New York. Now THAT'S hard core. Becca and Jason drove the 17 hours from Bakersfield. Kevin and his family drove from Oregon, and on and on. I'm humming that song, "Take a car, a boat or an air-o-plane--just get there if you can". Very touching. Love to all.