Grandma 'Puss' Jenson's Birthday

Today would have been my Grandma Verlyn's 102nd Birthday.  She is pictured here with one of her students from her days at the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah where she worked as a dental assistant and taught school.  I remember her as a generous, caring woman who loved 'good food' and delighted in providing new experiences for her grandchildren.  Orange flavored nail strengthening mix as a substitute for orange juice and plenty of bananas when staying with her were just a few of the fun things I cherish about her.  She loved education and was a perpetual learner and instilled within myself and my brothers a need for success and improving our station through education.
I have much to thank her for and reflect on her life often.  Later in life she did a great deal of work with our family's genealogy and I'm just now getting a grasp on the magnitude of the work that she did and the impact this will have on our future generations.  Thanks Grandma Ver - love and miss you.

Charleston, SC - Daydream Believing

The first of May we spent a few days in Charleston, SC on our way to a conference in Hilton Head.  It was like stepping back in time 250 years to the splendor of the south in all it's glory.  We enjoyed visits to the plantations, military sites, the historic district and so much more.  The food was beyond description but suffice it to say that in a week I gained 8 pounds.  We would go back in a heart beat and have put the conference on our calendar for next year.  The pictures below don't really do it justice but hopefully they capture a bit of the beauty that is Charleston.

Live Oak trees living roadway to The Boone Plantation

(Click on the images for full sized version.)

Boone Plantation - Charleston, SC

Slave Quarters - Boone Plantation

Fort Sumter, First Shots of the Civil War Fired Here

Too much to choose from, more to follow!

Father and Son Project

Last year we had our deck rebuilt and expanded but ended up with some composite boards that were about 20 feet long and just taking up space in the garage.  So I looked around for something that we could do with them and came up with the solution below:

Wish I could take credit for the design but I did get the plan off the internet, of course, and my (more of a son than a son-in-law) Allan and I spend an afternoon in my garage building two of these.  We are novice carpenters at best but I think they turned out pretty well.  Allan's children were very excited about the little picnic table and I've been so happy to hear that they are using it regularly.  Emma was our construction supervisor and she and Walker tested the construction every step of the way.
Quite fun and easy except for the sore knees, back and legs but it was worth it.

Looks like 'The Bug' is enjoying her new table.

Mother's Day 2012 Remembered

We had a wonderful Mother's Day with all of our children and grandchildren home.  I know Holly could not have asked for anything more to gladden her special day.  Almost impossible to get a picture with everyone in frame and smiling but here area a few attempts.  Walker was especially unhappy to have his picture taken.

Which is why he's not in the picture above but we did manage to capture him for a moment for the one below:

We just love these events and as per usual they are the source of great memories for our ever expanding family.  There is always plenty of laughter, joking and having a good time as demonstrated in the photo below:

Yup, pretty good day all in all.  Holly has been the greatest of blessings in all of our lives, that's for sure.

Happy Mother's Day

Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."  Today is my mother's birthday, she would have been 79.  I remember many years celebrating both Mother's Day and her birthday on the same day.  She was such a wonderful woman and mother and dedicated her life to me, my brothers and our families.  My children remember her warmly and we all have missed her so much these past 19 years.  As I reflect on her this Mother's Day I can't help but mirror the sentiments of Pres. Lincoln.  I owe her so much and am grateful that I see some aspects of her in myself and my children.

There is no greater joy than watching your children grow up and have families of their own.  We have been blessed with four children of our own and my wife, Holly, has been the most amazing mother and companion.  The degree of sacrifice from this caring woman is an example to me of what God intended mothers to be.  She is kind, understanding and I often tease her that she is Holly the Good.  It is said in jest but I can think of nothing that sums her up so concisely.  Two of our children have children of their own and today they will all be home to see their mother.  Hectic?  Oh yeah, but it will be so much fun.  Just sitting back and watching this spectacle called 'family' does my heart good.  Wish my mom could be here to sit on the deck with me this afternoon to enjoy all that she started.