The BAS yearbook 08

This won't mean much to some of you, but I would like Dan, Seth, Jake and Natalie to see the 1/2 page that was put into the BAS yearbook. Steve brought it home today. It's really the Herway farewell to BAS...

Grandma's 85th birthday party

Hey my kids,
Since I had the camera in my hand, I filmed the parts where she was looking at our family pictures. She talks of Dan's kids jumping on the beds and having a blast, and Thomas being a famous name, and Bryn not being afraid of people...
It was the perfect gift. She loved everyone's comments and pictures, etc. It was great for me to be with her on this milestone birthday.
The real touching part of the video for me is when she talks of our family (when I was a kid), and you can see in her eyes how she remembers her love for my Dad and the life they made together. She is an amazing lady.

Kirtland Ohio

Hi everyone! I'm still in Ohio, and at Suzanne and Jerry's computer, so I can't do a full spread report just yet. I thought I would try to send a few photos to whet your appetite!
The main reason for the trip was to celebrate my Mom's 85th birthday. That was successfully accomplished yesterday. She loved the shutterfly book that was put together and I was glad to be there to witness her reaction. She was thrilled.
But I must say I was unprepared for Kirtland Ohio and all the church history that is here. The Kirtland temple, the Newel K. Whitney Store, the John Johnson farm (where Suzanne and Jerry actually serve and give tours there), and the Morley Farm. All of these places have the spirit of Joseph & Emma and Sidney and Lorenzo & Eliza and many more. You get to see the places where specific revelations in the D&C were received. They even know exactly where Father and Christ have appeared. How can you put that feeling into words?
In addition we are in the middle of Amish country. It's also Memorial week-end and we attended a Civil War re-enactment. It's fun to watch Suzanne and Jerry in full swing as tour guides. It's especially nice to be able to hug my mom everyday.
Love to all!

Den Haag

Dan had to come to Brussels again for work. How nice is that??? It was short but certainly sweet. He left this morning, but he's coming back in June/July! Now how can we get the rest of you to find work that will PAY you to come visit your parents? Ok, ok, so he had to work a bit....

What does this car cost?

Dan rented a car for the few days he was here. It was a mercedes. And it was an upgrade b/c Hertz likes Dan...he rents from them a lot! Nice car, right? So Dad saw a magazine that listed the cost of the latest and greatest cars on the market. Want to put forth an estimate? OK, here it is....61,000 EUROS!!! Do the math at the current exchange rate, and that makes this car nearly $100,000. A little less than the SLC condo of Seth/Heidi. Anybody guess that high???
The real crazy thing is that Dan let Steve drive it!!! Whew, glad he didn't wreck that one.

Steve's fav teacher

We had a teacher appreciation dinner and Steve could invite one teacher to the event. He chose Ms. Bryant, his 5th grade teacher. She really was the first one to give Steve confidence in who he was in the school setting. We owe her a lot. She is still the most sweet, accepting person. She plans to retire soon. The school will definitely be losing a top notch teacher.

summer plans

Charlotte NC
Aug 6 thru Aug 12
Arrive Atlanta at 1:40pm and drive up to Charlotte, probably get there between 5 & 6? Need to go to WVA for the wedding on Aug 9th. Will celebrate 08/08/08 with you guys and leave evening time. Depart Atlanta at 4:50pm, so leave Charlotte noonish.

Salt Lake City UT
Aug 12 arrive 6:30pm thru Aug 19 (Steve stays till 20th)
Aug 30 arrive 8:30am thru Sept 6
We plan to stay with Dan/Lara,ok? Maybe Steve can hang out a bit with Seth and Heidi on a week-end night? And Seth/Heidi and Dan/Lara, please put on your calendars the Packer Reunion which is Labor Day week-end. My Mom is counting on you b/c it will be in the SLC area!

Austin TX
End of September for me, and end of Oct, or mid Nov for Dad. We'll have to work that out.

I hope these dates work for all of you! I know it's still far away, but I want to be on your calendars!
Love, Mom

Summer Fun

Simple pleasures. Fun to remember. Couple of things I noticed. When Tom tells Seth to leave the sprinkler alone, he does. But Jake, heck no! And I don't think he seriously meant that he 'beat up Seth' although Seth may have a different recollection!
And Natalie, you have always been brave to put up with those squirts!

Sunny Sunday: All of Belgium rejoices!

It was a beautiful morning. Steve was asleep and Tom was off for Stake stuff, surprise, surprise. So I took a walk with my camera. People walking their dogs, bikers, horse riders, joggers and walkers. Gorgeous spring day!
Oh Natalie, Lauren Frederickson and Kathryn Kimball were at church today. We skipped SS and went outside to catch up. It was so fun!!!

What it takes to garden in rainy Belgium

I don't know how they do it in their dresses and nylons. For myself I get really into it!