Happy Birthday, Val Janusha

Today, December 7th, Val would have been 100 years old! He passed away the 13th of November, just missing that century mark by a few weeks. He was my mother's step-father, pictured above with his wife, Mildred or "Millie." Their grandkids called them "Mummy" and "Papa Val." They are pictured here by their front doorstep in Wichita, Kansas. They lived here till they retired and moved to Lake Tahoe, Calif. where we would go in the summers on vacation. Papa Val always had a candy in his pocket for us. He had a fun Lithuanian accent and a ready smile. He loved making money in the stock market, and when we visited years ago he was always pouring over the stock report in the newspaper and he liked to bet on horse races. He was unique and interesting to listen to. He had an incredible mind and could remember names and dates and personal information about people. Rest in peace, PaPa Val.

Dawson and Durham

Okay, aren't they just the roughest, toughest cowboys you ever saw on the western frontier?

Our "Veteran"

Thank you Dad for your 20 years of service to our country. You served two tours of duty in war torn countries, Korea and VietNam. You were missed when you were gone. We're so proud of you and your strong sense of patriotism.

Sometimes it pays to be spontaneous. I told Mark we still had a Red Lobster gift card that we hadn't used. We made some calls and, surprisingly, we were able to get everyone to come that night! It was a wonderful evening for Dad, who really loved getting to be with his "kids." The food was delicious, but the smiles and love felt were even better.

An Avatar is our neighbor

Roger and Stacey Fawcett with their fun little son, Baron (who found it hard to keep his mask on for more than 10 seconds). I think it scared him too.

The Meadows

Today is Halloween and also Jenny's first day at "The Meadows." We transferred her from the day program "Aires" in Show Low to this new one in Taylor. She is only two minutes from our home, which is going to be so wonderful. Jenny woke up really happy and excited this morning. She chose to be a baseball player for her costume.

Jenny gets to be with a really good friend, Amanda, that was like a cousin to her in her younger years when she lived with Nama and PaPa Jennings in ShowLow. Rilla (on the right) is also going to become a good friend for Jenny. I'm proud of Jenny for making this big change, even though she will miss her friends at Aires.

Trunk or Treat

Calla was "extreme pink" this year. She went with her cheerleader friend, Ciera and her sister Hailey, to a Halloween carnival at Bison Ranch, then they came over to our ward party at the Shumway farm.

The barn is always a hit for the kids, rope swing and all.

The bonfire provided warmth and was the central gathering point after everyone ate chili beans and cornbread.

I walked around and took some pictures of some favorite costumes, this one was so adorable, a little "Oompa Lumpa" or something like that from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Our cute neighbor kids, the Ramages. Ethan was a scarey "Grim Reaper."

The Bride of Frankenstein and her reluctant husband.

This sweet little family, the Beck's, just adopted the baby boy she is holding. There were lots of kids and adults, but these were some of my favorite shots.

Sweet Grandma Ann Reed

If ever there was an "angel" on earth...this is her.

2011-12 SHS Varsity Cheer Squad

Why I Love Boys...

Whenever I hear that someone has had a baby boy (congratulations Landon and Becca) or is going to have a boy (Tim and Cindy), I just smile to myself because of memories like this: Cub Scouts and all that comes with it...pinewood derby races, helmets and swords and knights in shining armor. I just love it all! (Chris in 1992)

Snowflake vs. Winslow game 9/30/2011

The game was a shut-out, we won 38 to 0, but if Winslow had connected on a couple really beautiful passes, the score would have been closer.

Calla is "basing" in the front position for this stunt. She really wants to be a "flyer" but doesn't get the opportunity very much. She is a super good tumbler though!

The cheerleaders are moving so much, most of my pictures didn't turn out. Her poms were always covering her face, or it was blurry from movement. Oh well! She's fun to watch.

General RS Meeting and Dinner

Okay, in August I was up in Utah at a restaurant and saw this darling balloon flower at another table...and snapped a picture with my phone.

I came home and told my presidency we just HAD to do this for the RS dinner coming up. They all looked at each other like, oh boy, that looks like a lot of work...but despite the hesitation we pressed forward and figured out our color scheme based on the fact my counselor just had a wedding reception done in red/black and white. We found out a friend in our ward was a balloon animal expert and he accepted the challenge to help us. He taught Calla and our secretary how to make some while he assembled the others. I stood at the grocery store while a girl aired up the balloons with helium (that took 2 1/4 hours). My counselor and another helper drove the balloons (put in big plastic church garbage bags) to the Church as we got ready. The green stems weren't filled with helium, just hot air from Bro. Shumway's lungs.

So we used all of her table decor, adding the balloon flowers to the other tables and Jerusalem artichoke (yellow) flowers to add the final touch. So CUTE!

SIDE STORY: Okay, this was not a stress-free day. The first 3 flowers that were blown up with helium did not have a special "goo" put in them to make them last all day, and they weren't aired up as full as the other 7. So about 3 p.m. when I ran back to the church to add the fresh flowers, the three of them were laying down on their tables. ACK! Luckily, I had filled up some extra balloons and they were in a bag in the multi-purpose room, already on long strands of ribbon. Phew! I put 3 together and replaced the "dead" flowers. I sat the dead flowers on the stage and floor and they still looked so cute.

ANOTER SIDE STORY: Okay, again, there were little stresses. Like, Calla accidentally bringing a lone balloon into the cultural hall and playing with it. Only problem was, she lost her hold and it floated to the ceiling. That was my biggest fear that day. I DIDN'T want any free-spirited balloons floating up on the ceiling. I looked at her in frustration, then the wheels started turning. We got in the car and ran and got Calla's BB gun. Yes, we brought a firearm into the Church. Calla is a "one shot wonder." Got it her first attempt. Yeah Calla!

I confessed to the Stake President that night...he finished my story before I could. I said, "How did you know?" He said the Lord told him. Gulp. He laughed.

Homecoming Parade

It's a tradition each year to end school half-day on the Friday of Homecoming, for a little parade featuring the high school football team, cheerleaders, royalty, band and class floats. Calla was excited to ride on a fire truck. She threw Tootsie rolls out to the onlookers and at some football players on the truck in front of hers.

We beat St. Johns at the game that night, and the cheer squad performed their "state" competition routine for the first time. Homecoming week has other traditions, one of which had Calla decorating two of the football players bedrooms with streamers, confetti, candy and a new pillowcase. Mark and I went to the big assembly Friday morning and watched her perform there also. Fun times!

Early morning hike in Utah

We hiked up to a pretty little waterfall along a fun trail with narrow walkways crossing a creek. Quite an adventure! Beautiful scenery. The boys and Jenny had fun throwing rocks in the water.

Water fun in Utah

Jenelle took us to a fun park where there is a sidewalk fountain the kids could play at. It was a warm day, sunny and perfect.

July 25th: EFY and Jenelle's BD

We drove up to Utah to take Calla to EFY (Especially for Youth) at BYU. Christopher rode back home with us as he had flown down for Tim's graduation. That Monday, July 25th, was Jenelle's birthday! It was really fun to be there with her. Chris made her favorite chocolate/peanut butter bars. They were very yummy. Jenelle has a special place in our family. She is such an example to us in many ways. She loves good literature and media and shares that passion with Chris and her sons. She is teaching herself an instrument, the (peaceful) ukelele, and it's a good fit. Her sweet voice blends so well with the softness of the instrument. Jenelle is a very organized homemaker, and her family knows that they will be well fed, week in and week out, as she carefully plans within her budget. The spirit is sweet in their home.

Durham

Dawson

Calla was very nervous and insecure her first day at EFY, she absolutely would not let me take a picture of her on campus. I took a general picture and had to call it good. So if you want to see any pictures of her at EFY, you'll have to check out her Facebook page. :)