This One's For the Girls

What a vacation! What a fun girl weekend. No boys, a mall with a skywalk straight to it, my granddaughter and Walt's credit cards. I could end right now and you would all know the fun time I had in Indianapolis! But, wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Melissa had a convention in Indianapolis for 4 days. She was representing Duke at a Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Convention. They put her up in a fancy-pants hotel; Melissa asked me to meet her out there and take care of Hannah while she worked the convention. Yahoo for me!! We both flew in on Halloween and met at the airport. Hannah was dressed head to toe in her "Dorothy" costume. She recognized me when I first saw her -- and my heart melted.
Is she the cutest Dorothy you have ever seen? Melissa was stopped by EVERY one telling her how cute Little Dorothy was.

She even had a To To dog that she brought with her on her trip. I couldn't stop smiling or hugging her!

The outfit all started because Hannah had a pair of those gorgeous red shoes. (Linda, I know you are impressed....all because of a pair of shoes.....)

Every morning after Meliss went to her convention, Hannah and I went down to Starbucks and got some yogurt. Then, we'd sit and and eat it while people ooh'd and awww'd at her. When Hannah sees a cell phone, she has to have it. Pushing buttons, trying to make calls.

Oh, yeah, (I almost forgot) this is the reason we were in Indianapolis! Look at Melissa's poster! I can't tell you how proud we all of are of our Meliss. She's a genius. She has Hannah in one arm and writes a research paper with the other. And Duke is so impressed they send her to present her research at this huge convention. Wow. Hannah was proud of her Mom too.

One morning when I was trying to get Hannah to take a nap -- I was rocking her and singing to her. She was drowsy and looked up at me and cupped my face with both her hands. Being a Grandma is the BEST!

We went for a walk and found this great canal that had ducks in it. We got cheerio's out to feed the ducks -- Hannah ate 'em. Maybe the ducks got a few.

That smile never came off my face the four days we were there.

On our second day -- Melissa's long-time friend, Beth, came up to stay with us for a couple of days. Her husband, Tom is going to University of Indiana getting his MBA. So, it was a blast shopping and hanging out with Beth and Ainsley.

We went out to dinner to the Cheesecake Factory. I gave our waitress a big tip cuz there was silverware and crackers and yogurt bites all under the table. The girls were so cute and did great with the daylight savings time change. We ate great dinners and took cheesecake desserts to go. Melissa said that Hannah was alseep before we shut the door to the car. The best part was going back to the hotel, putting the girls in their cribs to sleep and sitting out in the hallway with the door cracked open while we ate our cheesecake and talked about every subject we could think of. Thanks Beth and Meliss for making it so much fun for me.

Ainsley is a DOLL. She's 18 months old and the sweetest and calmest little girl ever. She knows how to "sign" alot of words. But, the cutest thing about her is when she wants to talk to her Mom or get her attention... or when she gets nervous about something ---- she says over and over "Mom .... Mom ....Mom....".

We shopped and we shopped. Melissa and I went shopping the first night we were there and then went to a wonderful steak dinner at St. Elmo's. (James, you would have LOVED it). We had mac and cheese topped with crab and a chocolate cake dessert that melted in our mouths.

Hannah loves her sippy cup. We had to make sure she stayed hydrated with all the shopping we were doing! We found a few outfits for her and a pair of crocs too.

Meliss and Beth dressed up the girls is matching dresses. They wouldn't stay still long enough to get a good picture. The are second cousins, you know. Beth married James cousin, Tom.

When Beth and I were out shopping with the girls -- Beth found a cute Hello kitty brush and hand mirror that I HAD to have for Hannah. I would say "Where's Hannah?" and then show her the mirror while she smiled and jibber-jabbered. (aka-talked)

We drove to Bloomington where Beth and Tom live. We saw where they lived (I loved your place!) and got a driving tour of the University. Melissa and I LOVED it. We went to a little town called "Nashville" and shopped on the streets where these little old houses had been turned into store and boutiques. It was awesome! Then, we got Tom and went to dinner at a Turkish restaurant. This is Hannah getting excited about eating at the Turkish restaurant. The food was great. We all got something different and we all tasted each others -- except for Tom's dish -- cuz he got something we thought would be a shiskabob type thing -- but is looked like ..... well, poop. He said it was good tho. :)

A couple of hours before we checked out -- Beth and I took a last ditch to the mall. I found this little Elmo play laptop and couldn't resist it. I ALMOST gave it to Ainsley cuz she loved it soooo much -- but once we got packed up she forgot about it. Mom.....Mom.....Mom....this is Ainsley asking Santa to bring her this computer for Christmas...... ;)

You can't go to Indianapolis without going to the Indy 500. We were passing by all these great cars and not really caring much about them. Really, tho -- it was a great museum. The fun part for me was taking a tour bus and DRIVING on the actual track. We all learned everything we needed to know about the Indy 500. I love this picture of Hannah and Ainsley for many reasons. Hannah is giving Ainsley just a little push with an innocent look on her face. AND, they are sitting next to a sign that reads...."Please Stay Off".

Grandma and Hannah

There seems to be some kind of tradition to kiss the ground at the Indy 500. Beth and Meliss wanted to experience ALL of it -- so down they went. Look at Hannah trying to figure out what the heck Mom is doing.

Hannah talks ALL THE TIME. WE may not understand exactly what she's saying -- but SHE knows. She's busy, she's on the go. She smiles, she giggles, she gets excited and throws her arms up. But, above all, she talks and talks. I love it. So, I wanted to get a video on the camera showing how much she talks. I turned the video on.....She stopped talking. Yep, said a couple of coo's; and that was it. But she LOVES her yogurt!

One last word on my trip. I can't tell you what it meant to me to hang out with Melissa and to see her as a Mom. I knew she'd be a good one. I knew she'd be patient and understanding. But seeing it, really seeing it -- is indescribable. One night I was sleeping in bed next to Meliss. Hannah's nose was plugged -- and I woke up to Melissa holding Hannah in bed and talking to her, calmly telling her it was o.k. and telling her she loved her. Priceless.

I've known Beth since she was in Junior High. To see BOTH of these Mom's take care of their kids. Cuddle them, teach them, talk to them, rock them, laugh at their actions....well it

is a blast. They are incredible. Mom's are the best. Mom's always make you feel that you are the best person in the world; that everything you do is perfect and wonderful. They keep your self-esteem up where it should be. They see you for the daughter of God that you are. My Mom was my best friend and we were close til the day she died with me by her side. These girls see how important it is to be a Mom. And I salute you both.

BOO!

Well, Walt and I have a new calling in the Ward. Co-chairs of the Activity Committee. When, people congratulate us -- they also say how glad they are that THEY don't have the job. Really, tho, it's a fun one. Our first activity was the annual Fall Festival aka Halloween Party. It was a blast. A special thanks to all those that were such a big help -- and to YOU, Bob, who made it so successful with your Fishing Booth and the Ghost Ship races we had.

I tried to get into the spirit of things.....here I am with Jane Browning (bishop's wife), Kendall Grossenbach, and Angela Moon. I am conveniently dressed as a "old" biker. Which was no stretch for me cuz I am one. I drew the tattoo on my face. Have a neat-o one on my neck and a whole "sleeve" (that was thankfully -- removable).



This is the fishing-pond booth that Bob painted up and made for me. It was a free-standing little room. We had little fishing poles that went thru the slits in the front. This was the BIGGEST hit of the party. Everyone was dying that Bob actually made this. Then, the next day -- it was used again at a school party. Thanks Bob.

One of the Whipple boys (there are so many I don't know which one this is) showing how this works. There were two kids inside putting little toys on the clips of the fishing poles. Awesome!

Yep, this is Brian Browning -- my bishop. The kids thought he was the BEST dressing up with all those earrings and tattoo sleeves. Next to Bishop is Shirley Elder, our Relief Society President thinking a cool sweatshirt is good enough to wear for the party.

One of my friends, Merideth has this huge blow-up slide that we put in the middle of the gym. The kids LOVED it! We ended up having about 200 people coming to the party.

One of the Newman boys (Davis) dressed up as an overweight missionary. WAY overweight!

Everyone had a good time -- eating soup and chili -- going thru a spook alley on the stage; winning toys at the fishing pond; racing boats (by blowing on a staw to make them go) on Bob's "raingutter regatta"; a little booth with the Young women putting sticker tattoos on the kids; and shooting baskets in the small "shooters" game. It was ALOT of set up and work -- but so fun to see every one having a good time. Stay tuned for the next activity -- The Christmas Party!!

For the Love of the Tractor

The McNutt Tractory Company in Paris, TN was and STILL IS an important part of the McNutt Family. The company was family owned, and Walt started working there when he was quite young (about 9 or 10 years old). So, it was no surprise when Walt came to me one day with about 8 of his old tractor-company work shirts and work baseball-type caps and said "I want you to make a quilt for Pop out of these old shirts and caps". Then, a few months later he said "Have you started Pop's quilt yet?" I thought about it and shopped around for different patterns and fabrics that would inspire me to come up with a quilt. Below you'll see what I came up with.
Pop -- here's your quilt -- and now a one-of-a-kind family heirloom because Walt only wants ONE made. It was done with ALOT of love.

The tractors came from a big truck pattern I found -- I had to change it up a little because Walt only wanted RED tractors. It's kind of hard to find gray fabric and it's suppose to be hard to use it correctly in a quilt. I'm pretty proud of this and how it turned out.

The center squares are cut out of the back of Walt's old work shirt with a pocket on each side. I love that his name "Walter" is embroidered over the pocket. Above the square, I trimmed them with the front part of his shirt that has the buttons and buttonholes on it.

The top of the quilt has the caps and patches that he gave me. I cut them up and made quilt squares out of each. Then, topped it off with another pocket and red tractor. The quilt measures 66" x 63". Hey Bob -- Dad wants you to have this quilt when it gets passed on.

Skype is no hype!

This is an actual picture of Walt and I talking to Melissa and Hannah over the computer. Having this "skype" program to see them -- has been the best thing ever! When we talked with Meliss and Hannah -- we got to see how good Hannah was at walking with her stroller. Hannah was pushing this cute little toy stroller around with Elmo in the seat. She kept looking back at us on the computer making sure we were watching her! See how clear they come in? Thanks, Melissa, you are a good daughter and a wonderful mother. We miss you all!

Tut Tut McNutt

Walt had a two week trip to teach a class in CA -- so I went out to meet him on the weekend. We spent some time with Dad -- and taking him around San Francisco. First we went to see the AWESOME King Tut exhibit at the DeYoung Museum. It was amazing. A whole little world that had been buried for 3200 years. Walt, Dad, and I went on a audio self-guided tour. Walt was a gem and wheeled Dad around the whole day -- so his bad leg wouldn't give out. Dad said he was level with everyone's "butts" the whole day. But, all went well -- and he loved the exhibit too. Sorry, no pictures could be taken inside the museum -- so you have to trust me that it was well worth going to.

Dad and me in front of his house as we are leaving to go.

I never tire of seeing the Golden Gate Bridge or the view as we drive into the city. Gorgeous! And that bay breeze and ocean smell -- Wonderful!

Walt earned his "best son-in-law" award by wheeling Dad all over the place for the day. Is it me -- or does Walt look like he's ready to LET GO of the wheel chair..... ;)

The DeYoung Museum. Just the building, itself, is spectacular.

Walt refused to wheel us BOTH around!

After the King Tut exhibit -- we walked across the street to the Steinhart Aquarium! I had gone there before with Linda -- but it was even funner the second time -- cuz I knew what to look for. Here is Dad getting an idea of what an electric eel feels like if you were to touch it.

Ending back at Dad's house after our big day in the city.

Dad is pretty proud of this vine archway that he has in his backyard. It was a fun trip, Dad! Oil up the wheel chair.....cuz next time we'll do the Japanese Tea Garden!

Still Crazy After All These Years

Well, I made it to my 52nd Birthday. I tend to celebrate my birthdays longer than most. When I turned 50, I celebrated for about 6 months (or maybe a little longer). This year, I just used the "it's my birthday" excuse for a couple of weeks! Bob and Linda came over on the Saturday before and cooked me a WONDERFUL, FABULOUS turkey dinner. While they were here, Melissa called us up on the "Skype" over the computer. So we got to talk with her and Hannah!
It was a great day and we had a blast -- we ate a ton--and then ate some more. Here is Bob doing his important job of basting the turkey.

Look how little Linda is up next to Bob!

Here is Linda making the BEST gravy I've ever tasted! I think this is the same gravy being served in the Celetial Kingdom! Thanks Linda!!!

Here we are with the this great dessert Linda made! It's a huge "german" pancake pastry thing with vanilla ice cream on it. Oh man! The kids and Walt sang Happy Birthday to me and we devoured the dessert. Walt tells me that we both look like "goobers" in this picture and wants it off. But, it's the only birthday picture we have of us! So, just know that we are alot more gorgeous than this shows us! AND---we are ALOT thinner... ;)

Hey Melissa -- Thought you'd want to see a picture of Bob and Linda's new car. It's really in good shape. Linda calls her "Ranger Ronnie".

Just PEACHY

Well, it's canning season. My friend, Laura, (who I work with) is a huge food storage/canning woman. She invited me to come to her house and can some peaches with her. I bought a bushel from one of the peach orchard guys in town and spent a morning bottling up about 85 pints. We had a great system going. Melissa-----I thought of you the WHOLE time cuz I know how much you LOVE these peaches. Don't worry, I'm saving some for you when you come at Christmas time!!! I can't do canning on my flat-top stove top cuz it doesn't get hot enough. Guess I need to buy one of these fancy-pants outdoor cookers!

We used 2 steamers & did it outside on a cool propane burner so the kitchen wouldn't get so hot.

My job was to take the skins off and cut the peaches in fours. I "taste-tested" ALOT of peaches.

You have to let them set for 24 hours before you move them to the food storage.

A "Round" with Bob

I was down hanging out with Bob and Linda & took this picture of them. They are such an adorable couple. It's fun to be around them and see how they treat each other. One thing I notice - is - they can't keep their hands off each other. ;)-

Last month we decided to spend a day out in in the Iosepa desert (west of Salt Lake City) to do some shooting. Walt and I, Bob and Linda, Jared and Brooke -- We packed a lunch, plenty of water and more ammo and guns than you can imagine. Oh my goodness -- with all the weapons we had out there in that secluded desert area -- we all felt more than safe! Following is just SOME of the stuff we shot. I'm not an expert at all the guns -- there was a 22, 44, AR rifle, dragonov sniper rifle (Melissa, you'll have to call Bob to get the rest of them). We put some clay pigeons WAY OUT on the side of the mountain and did some target shooting on a poster of a terrorist. The day was a blast spending time with them all. Please note: No animals were harmed in all of this. Just a bunch of toys and targets! -- and that "terrorist target" got blown to bits.

Bob's and his 44 pistol

I call Walt "Studly do-right"

Bob lining up the rifle and looking gorgeous! Linda may be small - but she's a "pistol"!

O.k., so I'm not an expert at this. Load the gun for me, show me where to shoot, and I'll do it. I had the most fun -- being with the kids and eating a huge deli sandwich!

Brooke and Linda -- Girls just want to have fun!

Check out this video of Bob shooting the automatic rifle. AWESOME.