More From the History of Great, Great Grandpa Harold

Speaking of when he was a boy, "At about this time in my life, I liked to chase the calves and try and rope them. One day I took dad's rope that he used to pull his wagon brake while freighting from Price and went about 3/4 mile from home to drive the cows home and used the rope to try roping the calves. After I got tired of roping the calves, I coiled the rope up and tied it to the saddle. But I did a poor job of it because when I got home, the rope was lost. Dad needed to go freighting the next morning with no rope for his brakes. He didn't have money to buy another and it was too late to go hunting for it that night, so dad told me to pray for help in finding that rope when I went to bed. Which I did. Early the next morning, I rode my horse as fast as he would go to where I thought I was trying to rope the calves. This area was thick with sagebrush and greasewood so the chance of finding the rope looked about impossible, but I was traveling as fast as the horse would go and there was the rope, coiled up and on top of a bush. I believed in prayer then."

The Power of Friendship

RaNae lived next door. Our friendship ended when we were put in different reading groups in 1st grade, and we couldn't agree on who was in the more advanced group.

Wendy lived down the street. Our friendship ended when she heard our dryer buzzer, and asked, "What is that???" Jokingly I answered, "The fire alarm." I had to chase her up the stairs, out the door, and down the street to tell her I was kidding. She never played with me again.

Cheryl lived kitty-corner from us. Our friendship ended when her puppy was hit by a car. (Incidentally, our friendship started when she got the puppy.) I guess I was a little shallow.

Clearly, I wasn't well-versed in the intricacies of friendship. I never understood that you could have a disagreement, or a falling out, and then reconcile. I just figured that I had screwed up, and that was the end of it.

Therefore, I am soooo grateful that Ben has a friend with whom he laughs, plays, imagines, bickers, shares, yells at, etc. They have already had far more serious disagreements than I had with my little friends, and have reconciled time and again.

For example, when Ben was playing the role of Bobo Fett,(pronounced, by them, as Bubble Fat) the bounty hunter from Star Wars, his friend was playing Jenga Fett(Jingle Fat), Bobo's father, and also a bounty hunter.

Friend: "Bubble Fat and Jingle Fat can't be grown up at the same time. Jingle is the dad so he has a weapon. Bubble is the boy, so he can't have any weapons."

Ben: "People like to have weapons."

Friend: "How 'bout we play a different episode."

Ben: "O.K."

I am always so proud to hear them work our their differences.

To have a good friend is such a blessing. To be able to disagree and then reconcile is a beautiful chance to learn from each other, grow, and be stronger than before in the friendship.

I think I'll go call RaNae, maybe we can start a Book Club or something.

Kodak (or in our case Canon) Moment

Ben had a rough time quieting down and going to sleep last night. At last we no longer heard him. When James went to our room to gather his clothes for morning, he kept hearing a strange sound. Finally, he turned around and saw this:

Apparently, Ben found he could sleep better in our bed, with the light on.

This morning, Ben informed me that he never fell asleep!

Drum Roll, Please . . . .

And the winner is . . .

Grand Junction, Colorado

"Why Grand Junction?" you ask.

"Why not?" I reply.

It is a beautiful city, with truly breath-taking views. The practice that James will be joining is everything he ever dreamed of in a "perfect practice." But, above all, it just felt right.

We hope that you will take some time to check it out and come visit us at some point.

Things To See & Do

Colorado National Monument

23,000 acres of awe-inspiring scenery sets the backdrop for your visit to Grand Junction, Colorado! Colorado hiking is legendary in the sandstone rock formations, arches, and canyons that date back over l.5 billion years. Drive along the serpentine 23-mile Rim Rock Road. Colorado camping is spectacular here, with sites available on a first come first served basis through the Colorado National Monument Visitor's Center. For more information about our many tourist attractions, call 970-858-3617. More.Top

Grand Mesa National Forest

Colorado hiking abounds in the Grand Mesa, a 10,000-foot high "Island in the Sky." Explore lush spruce forests and over 200 pristine stream-fed lakes jumping with trout. The largest flat-topped mountain in the world, the Grand Mesa offers extensive recreational facilities for fans of adventure travel, including camping, boating and fishing. In autumn, enormous stands of aspen radiate brilliant tones of yellow and gold. In winter, miles of Colorado hiking trails on the Grand Mesa become cross-country and snowmobiling trails. Colorado camping and outdoor recreation information is available from the U.S. Forest Service 970-242-8211. More.Top

River Rafting

We'll tailor a raft trip on the Colorado River just the way you like it. The Colorado River has long stretches of gentle terrain that make it perfect for a Colorado family adventure or a group that wants nothing more than a leisurely day on the water. For the adventurous, experienced guides will take you on an exhilarating whitewater rafting ride. In either case, you'll get a perfect view of some of Western Colorado's most spectacular scenery. More.Top

Colorado Hiking and Biking

Colorado hiking is plentiful and diverse in and around Grand Junction, Colorado. Fifty miles of hiking trails on the Colorado National Monument offer a wide range of options for all ability levels. Choose from easy, paved trails to rugged descents several hundred feet into the canyons. Excellent Colorado hiking trails wind through the Grand Mesa, McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness. Mountain bikers and road cyclists have plenty of options for all ages and endurance levels. Take either of the 142-mile routes, Kokopelli or Tabaguache Trails for moutain biking at its best. Want something easier? Ride 18 miles of paved scenic pathway on the Colorado River Trail around Grand Junction. Take a leisurely ride through Colorado's Wine Country or pedal the 23-mile loop around the Colorado National Monument. More.Top

Grand Junction Golf Courses

Grand Junction golf courses offer you incredible layouts, lush green fairways and very reasonable greens fees. Bring your clubs or rent them. A hole-in-one just might be waiting for you on a friendly golf course in Grand Junction, Colorado. More.

Tiara Rado Golf Course18 holes, Par 71. 970-254-3830

The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa18 holes, Par 72. 970-263-9270

Lincoln Park Golf Course18 holes, executive. 970-242-6394

Adobe Creek National Golf Course27 holes, Par 36/36/37. 970-858-0521

Chipeta Golf Course18 holes, Par 59. 970-245-7177Top

Historic Downtown and Art on the Corner

You'll find unique shops and restaurants in Grand Junction's historic downtown district. Here, bike racks stand next to antique lamp posts, symbolic of the history and adventure that await you. Save a night for the dinner theatre on Main Street. You'll always find plenty of restaurants to satisfy every taste and age group. Enjoy the small town character we've preserved in our historic downtown, while you browse through art galleries and boutiques. Our "Art on the Corner", the first Main Street sidewalk sculpture exhibit in Colorado and the largest anywhere in the West, greets you at every turn as we showcase the talents of national and local artists." More.Top

Dinosaur Attractions

In their day, dinosaur's loved the area around Grand Junction, Colorado and now their legend is yours to explore. A unique Colorado family vacation starts at the Dinosaur Journey Museum of Western Colorado where dinosaur digs are offered two days a week in June, July and August. Spend an unforgettable day with a paleontologist to discover fossil treasures on a dinosaur dig. For more information and reservations, call 970-858-7282 or 888-488-DINO. More.Top

Colorado Family Vacations

Bring everyone in the family because all ages will find fun and adventure in Grand Junction. The Grand Junction Passport to Adventure, available free of charge at the Grand Junction Visitor Center gives you great discounts on six different local cultural attractions. Plus, you'll find some of the best Colorado hiking trails easily accessible and very family-friendly. Horseback rides, bike rides and float trips are easy to arrange. Tell stories around the campfire for a memorable Colorado camping experience under the stars. It's all accessible from Grand Junction, Western Colorado's most family-friendly town! More.Top

Live Theater

Numerous theater venues in Grand Junction, Colorado offer world-class talent and entertainment in a small town setting. Mesa State College has two theaters including the William Robinson 300-seat theater and the new black-box Mesa Experimental Theater, both of which offer a variety of exceptional productions. In downtown Grand Junction, the Cabaret Dinner Theater and its sister the Metro Playhouse bring in Broadway actors for popular musicals and comedies. The new Paramount Theatre offers musical favorites in a cafe-style setting while the Two Chairs Theater Company produces first-time productions by new playwrites. More. Top

Fast Facts
Population

City of Grand Junction - 48,141

With outlying towns - 126,445

Mesa County - 127,808

Elevation

4,586 feet above sea level

Average Temperatures

January - 36 / 16 F

July - 93 / 64 F

Average Precipitation

Rainfall - 9"

Snowfall - 22"


For more information on our future home, and your future vacation destination, visit:

http://www.visitgrandjunction.com/global/vg_download.cfm

(This is the site where all of this information came from, . . . pictures, too. But there is lots more to see. Oh, yeah, and my apologies for not having permission.)

Have I Benchud How Buch I Hate Codes?

Whed I ca't breed out of by dose, I go crazy. I would rather dot talk, because if I do, I ab boud to have to repeat, because dobody cad uderstad.

Cad you relate?

Translation:
"Have I Mentioned How Much I Hate Colds?"

When I can't breathe out of my nose, I go crazy. I would rather not talk, because if I do, I am bound to have to repeat, because nobody can understand.

Can you relate?

Taffy Apple Dip

8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Mix with Kitchen Aid wire mixer. (That's what my recipe says, but I'm guessing that if you mix it with another brand, it would still turn out.)

Don't be fooled by it's simplicity. This is one SUPER YUMMY dip for just about any fruit!

P.S. - I have no idea why 'taffy' is in the name!?

Oh, how I love my Ben!

Sweet, tender, strong, stubborn, smart, funny, sensitive, imaginative, protective, destructive, thoughtful, capable, complex, loving, full of faith, creative, inquisitive, articulate, helpful, messy, observant, concerned, determined, huggable, kissable.

Superhero, inventor, worrier, warrior, artist, organizer, actor, director, singer/songwriter, dancer, pack-rat, policeman, playmate, friend, cousin, grandson, brother, son.

Ben, you were well worth waiting for! I am so very grateful to be your mommy. I am so proud of you! Thanks for coming to our family, and for being my boy!

It has been a great five years! I am glad that we have an eternity more! Happy Birthday! I love you!!!!

Princess Brianna

After several days of James

leaving before the kids were up,

and coming home after the kids were in bed,

Brianna saw her Daddy.

Immediately, she crawled over to him,

hugged his ankle,

and laid her sweet head on his foot.

She did this several times over that weekend,

and has done it several times since.

Ben put Brianna's Easter basket on her

(as shown in the picture)

and announced that it was her

"Jet Pack!"

Brianna, modeling her new swimsuit.

*** Moments I treasure!!***

Why Do They Always Wait Until You're On the Phone

"Thank you for calling the automated prescription refill system. Please enter . . ." Whatever I was supposed to enter is drowned out by:

"WAAAAAaaaaaah!"

I glance up to see Ben with his finger in Brianna's mouth, undoubtedly trying to retrieve some off-limits item that she has managed to put in her mouth.

I key in the prescription number, figuring that is the most likely thing that it asked for.

"You have entered . . ." "WAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaHHH!"

"If this is correct, press . . . " Thud. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"

In his attempts, Ben has managed to knock Brianna over on the hard floor.

"You may pick up . . ." "AAAAAAAHHHH" "To . . . " "AAAAAAAAAHHHH"

I hang up and pick up my baby to comfort her.

I will go to the pharmacy later to pick up either my prescription, or perhaps, someone elses. Maybe theirs is for valium. Either way, I guess it will all work out.

Our Trip to Colorado

What a beautiful place! We enjoyed the Colorado National Monument so much! That is where these pictures were taken. James had another great interview, and now it is decision time.

I love my family! I will tell more about the trip and our decision later!