Texas Roadhouse

Shaun couldn't quite figure the rolling saddle out. Maybe he wanted to use it as his chair. Latter we found out that you have to sit on the saddle while they sing you Happy Birthday.  Guess what Shaun will be doing on July 6yh.

Jenna is all smiles as she waits for her steak.  I was the only one munching on the bucket of peanuts, it must be the Sherman Butter in me.  I couldn't bring myself to throw the shells on the floor as tradition permits.

 Riley and Connor are the dynamic duo this summer.  

Once Riley is home from work, Connor doesn't let him out of his 'sight.

All the guys are sporting the Hawaiian shirts we brought back from Riley's graduation. 

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Riley was in the mood for biscuits and gravy, this chicken fried steak was a good substitute.

 I think that Riley has to be full by now after eating everything on his plate along with Connor's fries and around 10 rolls.

 Jenna's braces are off, but mine are still on. It's a good thing I hadn't eaten yet or I couldn't have posted this picture, there would have been more than my teeth showing.

 Keith is hooked on his new smart phone. 

He was checking the weather, reading us interesting news reports and doing a number of other things with it throughout the meal. I think I might have him leave it home next time.

 We are on our way home after a fun night together.

Memorial Day with Grandma Mills

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On Sunday we went with Grandma Mills to put roses from our garden on Grandpa's grave. 

We were happy to see the Temple Grandma had added to the gravestone.  It reminded us that our family is forever and we'll see out Father and Grandfather again.

 

We brought our hymn books and sang a number of Grandfathers favorite hymns.  We all remembered how we had been with grandpa a few days before he passed away and we had sung many of the same songs with him as he tried to sing along. Grandpa loved to hum and sing, he especially enjoyed the hymns of the church.

 

 

A Chilly Day at the Beech

 Today we are prepared!  The last few times we have gone to the beach, the ones left on shore have frozen.  So today we came with wood, lighter fluid, hot chocolate and hot dogs. You can see my #10 can filled with water and covered with foil heating in the fire.  We are waiting in great anticipation for hot chocolate.

 The sand sitters are happy roasting breakfast hotdogs, while the surfers head out for some waves,  Connor is still not quite there yet, a cast on a cold beach isn't  much fun,

Keith finally has someone to surf with.  He and Shaun go surfing at least two or three times every month.  The rest of the family surfs, but non are as enthusiastic or as die hard as these two.

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Kite flying on the beach is the best, especially if you can do it sitting in a chair when you have a bum foot. Connor is so thrilled to have Riley home with us this summer!  Riley makes everything more fun.

 Both guys had a great time with this trick kite.  I had to be careful and run from the beach to the camp, because every time they would dive bomb me with the kite. 

Back after a few hours in the waves.  Keith and Shaun saw a number of dolphins today which made the surfing even more fun.

Below, Connor decides to throw a box on the fire.  Let's see what happens.

 Here is Connor waiting patiently for box to catch fine.

 You can see his enjoyment of the quick catching flames and smoke..

  

 Then a huge eruption of flames and heat take Connor to the ground.with a yell of surprise

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 To quickly the box is gone and Connor finds himself somewhat disappointed and off center.
Everyone is enjoying the moment and thinking that "It can't get much better than this!"

 Life with adult children is so much fun!  Everyone enjoys being around each other and I don't have to worry about them eating sand or wandering away from camp.

 The hot chocolate has a smoking flavor and a little bit of ash garnish, but its all good.

 The Game today is Whiffle Ball on the Beach.

 Shaun did hit the ball, I just clicked at the wrong time.

Keith still has the moves! 

I had to laugh when I got up off my blanket and saw that everyone  had collapsed and were snoozing on the beach. When the kids were babies, I always marveled at how easily they fell asleep and how long they slept when at the beech.  Things haven't changed much.

Jarrett's Tux Again

Serious Connor

Jarrett's Tux has gone the rounds.  He first sported this outfit when he was a member of the Ceres High Concert Choir.  Next Riley and Brennan wore it to a number of proms and performances. Now Connor is sporting  Jarrett's tux and Riley's vest for a Living History Night at school where he'll be playing the part of JP Morgan.

 I think Connor is feeling quite comfortable with this new look, even his cast matches.

 Connor and Taylor Starkweather, a friend from church and school.

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Jenna came to support Connor and found a number of teachers and friend who were happy to see her again, It is hard to believe that she is just 4 years older than Connor.

Connor and David . 

Believe it or not, there are two boys taller than Connor in his 8th grade class, David isn't one of them.

Connor's Leg Exposed

 Connor cast had now been in place over six weeks. Connor rarely complained but had admitted to it hurting and itching at times. We went in for his check up hoping that the cast could come off. The doctor took a look at the x-ray and felt that the cast needed to be on a little longer since the bone graft had not yet taken. 

 We decided that it would be best to have a new cast put on since it was getting a little ripe and rather smelly.  Connor was a little jumpy as they put the saw to the cast and then began pulling it off. The smell continued to get worse, but we ignored it thinking that the stinky cast would be off and in the garbage soon. We all waited with great anticipation to see how everything looked underneath, and this is what we found!

 Connor's leg was in very bad shape. The upper leg was covered in yellow crusts.  The entire leg was very very wet, stinky and  raw. The  incisions had not healed as I had expected, and they were weeping yellow fluid. As you can see from the picture below, Connor was feeling a little sick at the sight of it. 

 The nurse double wrapped the offensive cast, and said that she would have to get the doctor to come and take a look at it.  While we sat there, my over active nursing mind though of every terrible scenario.

We waited nearly 2 hours before the doctor could break away from his appointments and take a look at Connor's leg.  Without much thought he said that Connor had had an allergic reaction to something that they had used in surgery and he would make a note of it in his chart.  He prescribed some cream, instructed the nurse to put Connor's foot in a boot and sent him home with an appointment three weeks later.

We joked with Connor that his leg and foot looked like something from the "Walking Dead." It smelt like it too.  Luckily,  he was allowed to have showers, so that night, I took some gauze and rubbed the  crust off after the leg  had soaked a while.   It took days to get it all off , the raw skin to  heal over and the giant scabs to fall off.  It was all I could do not to pick it. ( Heather will understand what I mean.)