Saturday, June 30, 2012

My Grandmother


My cousin who lives in Florida photographed an old photo she had of our grandmother and emailed it to me. Although it was not a good photograph and the picture had aged, I was able, after working on it for hours, to repair it a bit. 

I remember my mother having the same picture. She had hand colored it.  But as well as she painted, I could actually see my grandmother's features better in this copy.  

I would love to have known her. I see that my mom got her curly hair from her mother and I got my face shape from her.  We will never know,  since she passed away so young, if we cousins got our hair color, which is long lived from her, but I think that is the case.

In the local news.  A nearby city spent millions of dollars building fences on bridges to keep people from committing suicide. I imagine some people wanted to commit suicide today when they realized how much money went down the drain when a fellow drove onto the bridge, climbed on top of his car and jumped over the fence to his death.  In my opinion, when a person wants  to die, he/she will find a way.
We cannot prevent something so inevitable no matter what laws we make or how much money we spend.


Thursday, June 28, 2012

Look at That Smile



Yes, that's a smile on my face...it is because  this was taken a few weeks ago when I still had hope for my country.  Wait a minute, I need to take that back. I remember Rush saying that he would give us 20 minutes to be depressed and then we must start fighting back. He doesn't mean a physical fight, but an all out effort to educate our electorate. There is  so much ignorance in this country...lack of historical knowledge, at least of accurate facts. There is a lack of understanding our system of government and the ability to compare it with other systems around the world, which restrain freedom and bankrupt nations.

I have worked all day, trying to stay positive at a positively horrendous time.

It was a bright point in the day, however, when  a bipartisan House of Representatives voted to hold Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for failing  to provide key information about Operation Fast and Furious.  He is the first Cabinet member to ever be held in contempt.

It is comforting to see some Democrats thinking for themselves and actually going with public opinion rather than following the party line when it is completely anti American.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

New Every Morning



On the 15th of this month, I posted a picture of Greg and the triplets on our paddle boat. I've added this page and want you to see it tonight. I love to work with pictures faded into the background. I'm not sure why I'm moved by such pages, but I am.  

Tomorrow will be a big day one way or the other. First of all Eric Holder will be indicted. That is a good call and one that should be pursued to the end...down to every last contributor to the mess that is Fast and Furious.

And then we are due to receive the Supreme Courts decision on Obamacare.  I am praying that it will be cast down to it's unconstitutionality.  Why we had to wait so long to get the verdict, I don't know. It seems really clear.

 Lamentations 22-24 
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

May God bless everyone of you with joy in the morning. 
23 

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Caleb is Alert


Caleb is alert. He doesn't miss anything. We were out lazily cruising the lake, enjoying nature and the beautiful weather.  However, Caleb's attention was quickly diverted when an airplane flew overhead.

Okay. Where should he be looking? It really doesn't matter. He isn't missing anything important to his survival.  Yet we are distracted daily now with this or that and miss power plays coming from the executive office.  Naturally, the leftist media goes along with the game and covers up the serious breach of power by calling attention away from it. And then when someone does catch it, they try to confuse the situation as much as possible.

So what am I trying to tell you?  Keep your eyes open and your mind in gear.  Know your Constitution inside and out so no one can say it means something it doesn't. or that is  doesn't mean what it says clearly.

Realize that the state of Arizona has just been turned over to the world. It no longer has borders, as far as the president is concerned. The Supreme Court ruled in Arizona's favor on one detail. The police were allowed to check for citizenship of those who were stopped for other offenses.  But our president quickly  went over their heads with an edict making Arizona borders meaningless and asking that people spy on the police to make sure they didn't make any moves contrary to Obama's  wishes.

Of course, if you watch CNN, MSNBC, NBC ABC, or CBS, you would never know this, because those networks are in the pocket of the multi billionaires on the left.  Being loyal to those stations or reading the newspaper only is a threat to your very life and the life of our nation.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Sharing Moments


It's all the little moments that make a day and as sure as one is that  she will remember one of them, she will often forget.  I can hold only so many  bits of time in this brain of mine and then the rest slip away, first into faint memory and then into nothingness.  I am thankful for cameras that capture these little things and keep them fresh for us to check in on, over and over again through the years.

It is a special time when Caleb will sit still on my lap for a minute. He was very cooperative at Naturealm, not only with his pose, but his smile as well. What a joy it is for me to have this picture to see when he is miles and miles away and it will be when he is fully grown...if indeed I make it that long.

In the news is Arizona's attempt to protect themselves when the federal government is failing to do so. One part of the Supreme Court case came down in the state's favor, but otherwise it was a big disappointment. 


Sunday, June 24, 2012


Our grandsons Mason and Aussie enjoyed their trip to Cedar Point.  Aussie thought it was better than Disney World.  Of course the reason was they were finally tall enough to ride some really great rides. 
They palled around like best of friends all day. That  is so much more pleasant  to see than sibling rivalry.

Their love for each other reminded me of the loving ways Ronald Reagan spoke to the people. It was so evident that he loved God and his fellow man. 

A video called Truths We Must Never Forget is circulating on YouTube right now.  Attributed to the Bel Air Presbyterian Church, it gives you a look at his wonderful philosophy and good heart.  You can find it here .

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Play Ball




This little guy got every penny of fun out of that ball in a short time.  It was certainly entertaining for me and provided us with lots of shots for the book.  

Let's make this next election one for the books. Save our country for the younger ones coming up.  Let's not straddle them with loads of debt they must pay for odds and ends that we can do without.  We need to learn to spend money wisely. We need to vote for a change in the administration. Remember the charge in 2008? Hope and change... we really need that now.

Speaking of money, we have been advised by our president and his boys to forgo birthday, anniversary and wedding presents and send him the money. It is for a very good cause...cause he wants it to help with his campaign.  He has already driven up the American debt by campaigning for the last year or two, flying here and there on the private jets almost constantly. Now he needs you to dig deeper.  So remember and check his campaign website where you will be given suggestions on how to ask potential gift givers to send him money, instead of buying  yet another gravy bowl that you don't need. 
It certainly is a novel plan and an interesting registry.

I'm hoping it doesn't seem that I'm really selfish or worse; but I think I will not be doing that...not until he makes that a presidential edict.  Of course, given his record,  it could come to that.

Friday, June 22, 2012

What a Woman



 Our daughter-in-law, Beth, finished her two day trip from Worthington, OH to Ft Collins, CO with two year old Caleb and Rado, their dog.   She drove 12 1/2 hours today.  Of course, we have to be proud of Caleb as well. That is an accomplishment for both of them.  

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Caleb at Naturealm



Two is a wonderful age.  Everything is new and interesting. Caleb wanted to see all he could at Naturealm.

He is amazed by so many animals and insects that creep and crawl and fly and scamper.  The chipmunks were quite a treat since he is from Colorado where they don't have such creatures.   He watched the squirrels and their little cousins, the chipmunks, for a while as they hurried around the base of the bird feeders.  He also saw many different types of birds fly in and out of range as they fed.

Tonight, Ron and I, saw Sondheim. It was very much a downer...with the subject stating that his mother had written to him when he was 45 and told him she was sorry she ever gave birth to him.  His music was dissonant, mostly written in minor keys and often cacophonous.  In my opinion, we could have enjoyed sitting by the lake much better...and that would have been free. The only nice thing that redeemed the evening was being with our friends, Teece and Denny.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The New Benedict Arnold


I may have mentioned our birthday celebration earlier, but hadn't posted this picture of us with our DQ cupcakes.  Thanks, John and Beth.  You know what we like and it was great having you here.

What will it take for us to get that traitor out of the White House.  He issued another executive order today to save the lying Eric Holder from being prosecuted for his part in Fast and Furious.  It was a crazy unpatriotic action that put guns into the hands of drug runners inside Mexico.   Yes, Communists certainly do have to protect those who do such dastardly deeds while suing  those who would keep our borders safe from intruders.  And we thought Benedict Arnold was bad.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Angry Birds of a Feather




These are boys who have been captivated by the Angry Birds, a computer game of this generation. It seems everywhere you turn these days, Angry Birds are there, too.  There is even an Angry Birds movie in the works!  Brothers, Mason and Aussie, did Cedar Point this June wearing...Angry Birds shirts.



Monday, June 18, 2012

Happy Gramma



Happy Gramma has her arms full of squirmy love. I am absolutely delighted to chase this little smiley guy with a camera; but once in a while I like to grab him and have someone take a picture of us together. He isn't a cuddly one, at least not with me.  PaPa gets in lots of photos with the little tyke. But I will have to put down my camera more often.  Here is one of those rare shots that make me so very happy to scrapbook. 

For several hours now, I've been trying to choose the better pictures for scrapbook pages.  However, it is so difficult to turn away from any that are not blurry or worse.  They are all so very cute and meaningful to a proud gramma.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Entertainers


The day of Ron's birthday  party, his great niece Ariana and his grandchildren, Mason and Caleb were the entertainment.  It wasn't planned that way, but there was a stage and there were children who were singers and veterans of the stage and then there was Caleb, who wanted to be with the big kids.  He doesn't pay much attention to kids his own age, he always gravitates toward the older, bigger children. It was sweet to watch how well Ariana and Mason played with him. They are real sweethearts. In no time, they had him taking his 'bows'.  

We celebrated Father's Day today.  Fathers are a very important part of the family. Gregory Slayton, a former U.S. diplomat and now a best-selling author, has written a book entitled Be a Better Dad Today: Ten Tools Every Father Needs.   

This is why he says kids still need their dads... Children who grow up without fathers are two to three times more likely to become high school drop outs, abuse drugs, fail to gain long term employment, commit suicide and have children out of wedlock.    

Little boys look up to their dads and emulate them, like this little Caleb looked up to the older children.

Caleb is totally blessed to have John, who is a great father and I salute him this Father's Day.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

A Better Mood


Beth is  so good with Caleb.  When he gets tired and gives her a little trouble, she very lovingly changes his mood. I love the sweet smile he had on this swing at the park.

Right now, I need someone to sweet talk me into a better mood.  I'm still pretty riled about our president's grab of power yesterday that gave young illegal aliens the right to have work permits. There has been much discussion about that online and I just get more upset as I read.  In case you do not understand, it is not a  good thing.  We are at a time of all time high unemployment figures...many have dropped off the radar because they have just quit looking for work. The real figure is around 14% not working.  Then many of the ones who are at work are making much less than they once did. So it is NOT smart to bring even more people, illegals at that, into the picture looking to be hired for what few jobs there are.

I am very pleased, however, that there are people with courage to stand up to the administration...people like Sheriff Joe Arpaio.  He said,"I won't let Obama's immigration change affect my county. Sometimes I wish he were the president.  Of course if he were, he would probably deport Obama.

I am urging all of you to LOUDLY voice your objection to the Obama Administration's new policy. We need them to hear the voices of Americans across the country who believe in the rule of law, otherwise all they will hear is thank yous from the amnesty crowd.

Please call the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and your members of Congress and tell them: 
* You believe in the rule of law? it is the bedrock of our great nation.
*You want an immigration system with integrity and our immigration laws enforced.
*Congress, not the Executive Branch, has sole authority to establish our immigration laws: it is the responsibility of the Executive Branch to enforce then.
*You object to rewarding illegal immigration through 'deferred action" or any other executive maneuver.
*It not only undermines the rule of law, but only encourages more illegal immigration.
*It also is an act of shameless political pandering five months before the presidential election.

US Department of Homeland Security:
Operator Number: 202-282-8000
Comment Line:      202-282-8495

White House:
Comments:              202-456-1111
Switchboard:           202-456-1414

US Capitol Switchboard:  202-224-3121
You can also contact your Representatives here .


Friday, June 15, 2012

Paddle Boat




Out on the sparkling waters of the lake, Greg and the kids had a good time paddling the boat and moving across the water.  The boys on the back figured out they could put their feet in the water and kick up some fun.

Even though it is quite entertaining, it is also strenuous exercise for anyone who is not used to it.  These trips tend to be fairly short.  Now if they just realize it isn't all that far to the ice cream shop, I'll bet the rides get longer in the future.  Of course, the kids will also be getting stronger and more capable of paddling up some speed.

Speaking of speed, our president's crew is kicking it up as the days go by and they see that it may not be as easy as they thought to pull the wool over our eyes once again.  The economy is really bad. Very few of us have actually lived through anything this bad before and it gets worse paycheck by paycheck.

Today, Obama once again bypassed Congress to grant immunity to young illegals. This policy effective immediately, applies to young people under the age of 30 who came to the United States before they turned 16 and have lived in the US for at least five years, have no criminal record and have a high school diploma,  or if they are still in school or served in the military.

He said it is not a permanent fix.  However it is in time for the election and it is a measure intended to get more votes. ( By the way, the Feds are fighting those states who are trying to find fraudulent voter registrations.)

I am hoping and praying that people can see through these illegal efforts and realize that even if they like the outcome, the man doing this is not a law abiding citizen, but one who goes around the law as often as he deems it necessary to get his way. 

We need to elect those in the future who will tackle the illegal alien problems within the framework of law and fix the problem, making it possible for more to come here legally and having consequences for those who skirt the law and cross the borders without the proper papers.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Matchbox Cars


Evidently Matchbox cars are for the male of the species...it doesn't matter the age.  PaPa, who was too busy when John was a boy to get down and play with these cars, enjoyed wheeling them around the floor. And they brought back memories for John. He is now interested in the age of each one.  Caleb liked playing with them and sharing them with his 'buddies'. It was a nice threesome there for a while.  For some reason, neither Mommy nor Gramma did anything more than pick them up and put them back into the box.  That is,  until Caleb started having a blast seeing how far he could roll them.  In an effort to keep them from ending up in the far corners of the room, I got down to intercept his rolls.  Then I would push them back to him. It was fun.  But I'm sure that instead of being entertained by the toys, I was loving his enthusiasm and joy. 

Children are a delight.  It is hard to think that as little as he is, he is in debt.  The present administration has handed all our children a tremendous bill to be paid for absolutely nothing but Obama's gambling on Solyndra, etc.  Makes me sick to think about it. We must vote him out of office in November. I wish we could do it sooner.  But unlike him, we cannot change the law just because we want to do that. Of course, neither can he, but it seems he just doesn't care about law...only his own desire.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

What Will We Ban Next?


While Chelle's family was here, we had ample time to take pictures, but it seems the camera was mostly pointed at the triplets...could it be because we adore them?  Any way,  Chelle and I needed to get a picture together, but we were always the ones shooting.

 Once when the kids were playing at Boettler Park with Greg and Ron officiating, Chelle and I took a nice walk through Southgate Park, a farm donated to the park system just a couple of years ago.   She took my picture as I leaned against a tree and then I took her picture.  Even though it doesn't look like it, we were trying to take shots  that I could combine in Photoshop.  However, I was leaning to my left and therefore away from her if I were to put her on my right as we had intended. It looked weird that way, so I switched and put her on my left.  However that put her right in front of a tree vined with poison ivy.  It is everywhere this year. 

In other words, this is not as dangerous as it looks.  She did not break out  in a rash and spoil her vacation.  She was actually on the other side of me, with plenty of distance between her and the three leaf  wonder plant. 

Vacations are fun, except maybe if one goes to NYC. They are waging war on the people.  First, they started with smoking.  I don't like smoke around me, so I wouldn't fight that.  Yet, because we didn't give them a big problem about that, they have rushed head long into other prohibitions that hit more and more people. Bloomberg then banned sugary beverages over 16 oz.  Hey, I don't drink anything that big either.  However if I wanted to once in a while, that should be my choice, not the government's! This is a free nation, where we can pursue happiness.  The only time I believe a person should be stopped from having that much sugar is when he/she is stealing it.  

Oh, and because he got away with the sugar ban, now he is cutting down on the amount of sodium in foods  given to  the hungry of New York.  

All these 'laws' will affect New Yorkers and tourists as well.

What will it be next?  If you have a guess, please add it to the comments.  Sooner or later, it will be something you feel strongly about.  Then you'll be sorry we stood back and let this man run lose in the city.


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Beautiful Ashley


The last couple of weeks have been so packed with good times and photo shoots, that I have many pictures yet to use in layouts. If I had them all done, we'd have enough for another  book. It  will take me some time to catch up with them.

I love this picture of Ashley. It is  very colorful and  soooo pretty.  I'm hoping she likes it as well as I do.

This is old news now, but I still can't get over our president saying the private sector is doing fine...like fine at what?  Choosing soup kitchens?  Cutting their budgets to the bone?  Shaving down their grocery lists? Filing for bankruptcy?  

I am glad that Mitt Romney is not letting him get away with the stupid things he says.  Because Mitt is on the offense, Obama had to retract that statement the same day.  

I'm glad to see people waking all around us..  Many are seeing the light and are no longer parroting the old song..."he's still cleaning up after Bush's mess". Can those who say that really still believe it? Do they not see how bad things are and that everything this president and his gang does is doing the exact opposite of what should be done to fix the economy? 

May our God deliver us and allow us to once again be a 'nation under God'.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Taking Time To Smell the Roses



ORU gets busier and busier as we grow older. I never thought it would be this way.   Always thought things slowed down as you aged, especially past 60, but it doesn't.

 Of course not all of us are over 60 but some are and we are just as busy as the younger ones...oh I forgot Kalai whom no one could surpass in that category. I just received her  spring newsletter and emailed her  to ask if they really did all that in one year.

Back to this layout.  Today, we were able to get only 4 of us together for a celebration on the lake and a time to relax a little.  Everyone has had FULL days for some time now and we are all wanting to coast, a few hours at least, before going headlong into VBS mode.  Well two of us here are not in on that one, so we have a little reprieve before the next project...as I write this I'm thinking, really??? I already have mine lined up and waiting.  Why are we like that?  I think it is inborn in us. We don't know any other way to live. If we were not busy, it couldn't be for long. We NEED to be doing something.

Still, today was a sweet time to let out frustrations and commiserate with each other.

 Of the 'girls' missing, two are traveling, one working and one sick (yes, that happens occasionally as well). And then there is Kalai, who is now in TX and trying to organize the state or something like that.

It's getting so bad, that we barely have time to run the world.  But even with just a few minutes, we could fix all that is wrong in this country.  We know the answers.  Just ask us...or stand around long enough and you'll hear.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

A Little Boy's Dream



A little boy's dream...to drive a tractor. This tractor was at the top of his mind the whole time he was here. He often went to the garage asking to see PaPa's tractor.  He wanted to 'dig dirt'.




Sign up at www.TheTeaParty.net -- It's time to take our country back!


Saturday, June 9, 2012

It's a Miracle Next Door



This layout should have preceded last night's, but I was so excited about his cute dance that I finished that one first. This, however, is a much better picture of the little guy...his bright eyes taking in the view of Mr. Norm's tractor next door. It's as if he were watching a miracle being performed. 

Oh, the sweetness of small children turns me to jello. I pray he will always be as amazed by God's goodness as he is by that tractor now.

To God be the glory forever and ever.



Friday, June 8, 2012

Tractors and Dirt

First of all, I am trying to post earlier tonight. Generally I leave it until the last part of my day, most get dropped into the blog near midnight.  Because of that, I very often make egregious errors in grammar, spelling, etc.  I was just reviewing some posts and  am totally embarrassed to admit  I actually made  mistakes a second grader wouldn't make.  So keep me on my toes. I don't mind if you comment and correct those gaffs. As a matter of fact, I welcome correction. I may learn something.


PaPa's tractors were the two biggest things on Caleb's mind while he was here.  He would say, Dirt, 
Tractor, Dig over and over. I suppose it is a little boy thing. I imagine he will want to be a construction worker.  His dad wanted to be a trash man at that age because he liked the way they took the bags out of the cans and slid them down the drive to their truck in snowy weather.  Of course he was also inquiring as to what a king did.  Okay...trash man or king...hmmmmm.

That made me think of our president who promised  Paradise and thinks of himself as a king, yet delivers trash. 

Be planning to vote.  With all the fraud the liberals are planning, we will need every red, white and blue vote we can get in November.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Family Reunion Birthday


It isn't really accurate to call this a family portrait since so many were absent, but we'll go with what we have.  That is one thing about a large family...It is nearly impossible to get them all together when they all live in different states from California to Florida to Eastern Pennsylvania.  But whenever we plan something, there will be some who can be present.

This time, the kids wanted to give Ron a surprise birthday party for his 70th. They couldn't do it on his birthday.  They opted for the week before, with even more chance of it being a surprise.  Then they included his brothers and their families in order to make sure he would be there.  Two of our sons, Mark in CA and Tim in FL couldn't make it this time. Neither could Tim's children, Brandon and Brittanie. April's husband, Tim, and daughter, Lauren, couldn't be here and neither  could Kim's husband, Woody and her daughter, Leah.  We only had 12 of the 20 here, but it was a great surprise. 

I've already told them I don't want a party when I'm 70. I want them to wait until I'm 80 and call it my 60th.



Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Always and Forever Friends


Not only have I not had a chance to do this layout, but I've put it off.  Most of the time, I just don't want it on my mind that Teresa is moving away. She's been here over 26 years and even though she has never adjusted to the weather, we were hoping she'd stay forever.  Well, it just wasn't meant to be and she will be going back south soon. 

 ORU has lost members before, but can it continue? Or will we OH_PA natives be left all to ourselves some day?  And an even worse thought would be that even some of us might defect.  

In the picture is Teresa's  pond...she  won't be taking that with her, but we may not see it again.

Now we must  start saving our change and air miles so that we can at least go visit her.


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

LIne 'Em Up


Caleb likes lining up his cars. He fooled me into believing he is ultra organized for his age.  Then, in two year old mode, he scattered them all over the room one at a time. He played that game for a while,  sitting there  rolling them in all directions as far as they would go, each time we would collect them from all corners.

We enjoyed checking out the dates and place of manufacture of each vehicle.  We found two identical red fire trucks, the first made in Hong Kong in1976 and the second from  Malaysia in 1978. Either Mattel changed the place of manufacture, or the second one is a counterfeit.  These cars belonged to Caleb's dad who was born in 1980, so evidently they were owned previously by John's older brother, Mark.  Whatever the origin, there are lots of cars, trucks and airplanes in that box...plenty to keep a two year old very busy for  long periods of time.

It was good to see such wonderful support for Scott Walker in Wisconsin today. God Bless America.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Sprinkles



No time for layout building, but I did find a few minutes to drop this picture Chelle took of Caleb with his sprinkled cupcake, into a ready-made layout made with Ang Campbell's Opposites Attract Collection on www.scrapgirls.com.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Blue Eyes Beaming



Still haven't had time to do a layout, but just have to show you one of the 69 pictures I took of Caleb  today.   He had gone out to play with the ball. An older neighbor boy in Colorado has taught him  to kick a ball. So he thinks he is playing soccer. After kicking a while, he climbed up onto the swing, with his colorful ball, his big bright blue eyes beaming.  I snapped this photo.

 The swing kept him busy a while, then he went back to kicking. But the boat caught his attention and he started yelling  PaPa. We took him into the house and his grandpa couldn't resist, so even though it was getting close to his bedtime, we headed out on the boat, across the lake to the ice cream shop where we tied up the boat to a tree stump and sent PaPa and DaDa off for cones.

I am quite tired, been having too much fun, so instead of making a layout or two, I will soon be turning out the lights.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

The Family Reunion Birthday




Our kids came in for a surprise Family reunion...birthday party for Ron. It was wonderful to be together like this. However, we really missed those who could not attend.  John and family came the farthest from Colorado, then Kim, then Chelle.  April is the closest,  but still has over 6 hours to drive.

We missed seeing Mark (California) and Tim (Florida).

Both of Ron's brothers live in town. Denny has all his children are here and while Jerry has two daughters out of state, one is still a local girl and was able to attend.

All the children were quite the entertainers and we had two stages for them to dance and sing.

I hope to make layouts of some of the very best pictures our daughter Chelle took; but right now, I'm longing for sleep and plan to hit the bed much earlier tonight than usual.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Surprise


The son, John, I mentioned here on Wednesday drove in with his wife and 2 year old boy from Colorado and surprised us.  When he was here in our driveway, he texted Chelle to let him in the garage. He then called his dad to do FaceTime.  As Ron was talking to him, thinking he was at home in Colorado, Beth and John (carrying Caleb) walked quietly in the back door and right up to him while still doing Face Time. Ron continued talking to Caleb until John finally turned his phone toward Ron's face.  Ron couldn't understand why his own picture was there instead of Caleb.  Then our daughter and I told him to look up. John was standing right there in front of him. To say he was surprised was certainly an understatement.

We are so very glad to see John, Beth and Caleb. Now we have a house full. Chelle, Greg, Mason, Ashley and Aussie...and John's dog, Rado who is very interested in our cat, Chipper.  That seems to be mutual.