Happy Father's Day to our wonderful sons, and their dad!

Bon Anniversaire!

at home in St. Clément de Rivières

Happy, happy Birthday and Joyeux Anniversaire to a cool French kid who was born fifteen years ago on this very day!

His sports class had a party today, since it's his birthday and it's almost the end of the school year and he is leaving and sadly, won't be there next year. He made cookies to bring to the fête, and everyone liked them. He said it was a great day. We love you lots, Hayden, and are very proud of you.

You've come a long way, baby, since your first days in lovely Oxford, England.

here's newborn baby Hayden in the blanket, with his family, punting on the Cherwell!

Created by Mom

For Mother's Day this month, I'd like to pay tribute to my mom's skill with a needle and her trusty treadle sewing machine. That machine was a very important part of our household, and it went with us on all our moves, including to Canada and back. Mom loved to create and to sew. She worked quickly, but carefully and neatly. Seams were finished, and almost every dress and skirt was lined. Usually she had just one or two basic patterns, and made the rest up as she went along.
She made many, many items for my siblings and for herself as well, of course. The pictures are just what I have on hand, and show a small fraction of her creations.

In my little wood, Letten

Ute and I with new dresses in white cotton with little blue flowers, for Pentecost Sunday, when new dresses are a tradition 

White dress for my debutante ball / graduation from dancing course in downtown Linz

Mom created this party dress, here beautifully worn by Urs, out of an old evening skirt, originally for me; I left it at home when I went to BYU.

My skirt and Ursula's dress by Mom, in Pasching, with our family's missionaries at the time

BYU graduation, expecting first baby

 this dress was of 100 % raw silk, really pretty material; expecting second baby.

leaving Davis Community Hospital with little David. Mom made this dress before I left home.

Baby's blessing day.  Mom sent this dress to Davis.

Law school graduation, with Delpha, Angie, Betty, Peter; photo by Jean. Mom sent this dress also.

 Mom made this wrap skirt with re-purposed fabric.

I kept a few items. The tag says "Specially Handmade by Mother".

Seeing Double?

Have you heard?  The stork worked over-time, and delivered two sweet little bundles of happiness on the same day!

Congratulations to big sisters Charlotte and Hazey, and big brother Atticus, and wonderful parents Marcie and Jamis! So grateful for the babies' safe and problem-free arrival.

Two very special birthdays today!!

          A double birthday warrants a nostalgic little look to the past -- 

Dear, sweet Charlotte (here at age 2) turns eight, and will be baptized soon,

This darling girl (here at around age 11) is eighteen today!  Our first granddaughter -

A Golden Time

Soaking up, gratefully and with all my heart, the special, magical innocence, harmony and happiness that fills the home when a sweet little child, a newborn baby, devoted parents and lots and lots of love are there. (Lots of work, too, let's face it; and it's all worth it.)
"There is beauty all around, when there's love at home."

Peace River

the Peace River

It was a whirlwind week. News came on Monday that Ray had died that morning. I really wanted to go and be there to honor Ray, and be with the family. John helped me look for tickets, and the next morning I was off, bound for Edmonton to meet up with Michaela and join her for the five hour drive from there northward.
Peace River now holds a special spot in my heart and our hearts; our dear brother Ray's home for the last ten years or more. It's so sad, and we can't believe that Ray is gone. We honor his devoted partner Eva, and Ray's great kids and their families; as well as Martha, the mother of his children and the love of his youth.

At the ferry over the Peace in June 2008, when Ursula and our brother Chris flew to Canada for Ray's daughter's wedding.  The brothers had not seen each other for many, many years.

At the wedding

Ray and Martha and the kids in ca. 1988. Miles was not born yet.


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Eva shared some of her Inuit background and culture with me, and it was heart-warming to be able to learn to love that part of Ray's life, too. His children also are grounded in their culture and family, and are loving and very supportive to one another and their dad.

It was hard to say good-bye.

PS 'Inuit' is plural. The singular is 'Inuk'. The word for 'white person' is Kablunak. Eva's mother's father was a RCMP from Ireland, so the middle name they gave her is Kablunak, since she was light skinned.