HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF OUR OCTOBER BIRTHDAY PEOPLE!

 We will be celebrating Jonathan on Tuesday, Oct 21st.  We love how you love your family.  You are an amazing husband to Kate, and dad to Sayre.  A wonderful and thoughtful son-in-law.  

 We love you and hope you have a fabulous day ❤

 Happy Birthday to my sister, Francie, on Friday, Oct 24th.  She is fun and funny, and I always wished that we lived closer.  One of my favorite stories of Francie happened when we were meeting Ruthie and Ken in Napa.   

On our way to dinner one night, Francie and I were sitting in the back seat of our 2-door rental car (I think it was a Mustang), and when Francie started to get out of the car, for some reason she put both her feet out first and then, of course, the rest of her slid to the floor of the car and she was totally stuck.  None of us could help her because we were laughing so hard. 

This past Thursday, we celebrated my Dad's birthday.  He loved his ice cream every night - sometimes asking for a second scoop if Mom wasn't listening 😄.  He loved his cowboy movies, John Wayne, a good steak and a good hamburger, his lemon trees, and most of all, he loved our Mom.  It makes me a little sad that he didn't get to meet all of our grandchildren.  I know he would have loved you all so, so. much!  His mother was killed in an automobile accident when he was just 8 years-old, and his youngest brother, D'rr,  died just six months later when he rode his scooter down a hill and couldn't stop it before went into the street and he was hit by a car. 

  My aunt, Arthell,  told me a story one day about my dad and how much he and D'rr loved to play cars (like matchbox cars only they were wooden) and would spend hours lining them up and playing with them.  Arthell said that after D'rr died my Dad lined up the cars in the room where they would play, and then never touched them again 😥.  

I wish I had more stories of their younger years, but I am so grateful for the memories of times we had together. 

  Speaking of a walk down "memory lane" . . . Blythe reminded me this week of our first Grammie Camp.  We had such a fun time!  I remember the yard sale we had to make money for Santa's Workshop, our service project, and swimming at Villa Sport.  

I am sad that Grammie Camp only lasted for 2 years - next week I will post some photos of our second time around 😁

FAMILY NEWS ~

Paul has a new job, working at Lifetime Fitness as a Lifeguard. He is also in the process of college applications as well as finishing up his mission paperwork.  I think this week he is applying for a visa.

Kim and I finished our classes for this term and have a week break! Yay!!!

Mike and Barbi's grandson Hunter was baptized this week.

Blythe spent Saturday testing (ACT/SAT).  She is finishing up her college applications also.  She sent me these cute photos of she and her mom

Adam and Cory took Dad and I on a wonderful ride up in the mountains this week.  Adam wanted to look at some property for the Hopkins Family Compound.  The property was amazing with a small pond, a dock that was just the right size for someone who wanted to sit outside in the sun and read a book, and some beautiful rock formations.

I could just see Jake having the time of his life riding his dirtbike over and around all of the rocks.

  Hollie spent the night with us last night, and this afternoon, Angella dropped Ben off for a little bit while she ran to the ER to have her knee checked.  While Ben was here, he went outside in the backyard and had the best time raking up our leaves, and then jumping in them.  I think he may be back later this week, and I know exactly what I am going to have him help me with 😃. (Angella is looking at knee surgery in the future but has to have some physical therapy before the doctors will schedule anything.)

Dad is doing well.  He is driving!!! and working on his computer again.  He will be teaching an Institute class that starts in another week.

LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK ❤