graduation

 It's hard to believe that David has graduated from 8th grade.  Next year we're on to the adventure of high school!  (And early morning seminary!)  Here are the proud mama and papa with their boy:

With his proud mama.

With his proud papa.

He won a Presidential Academic Excellence award for maintaining a 3.5 to 3.99 GPA all three years of middle school.

Standing with his class to be recognized.

Congratulations, David!

half a hundred!

For weeks I planned and prepared and tried to keep things a secret, even when Nelson felt that no one cared about his birthday.  At last the day of his party came, and he was indeed just a tad surprised:

Even though it was Memorial Day weekend, many friends and family came.  Burt (who was our best man when we got married) and his wife came from Portland; Nelson's parents came from Salem; John (a friend from Nelson's U of O dorm days) flew up from Santa Barbara.  And lots of local friends came and packed out house.  We all sang:

Heather was my camera person.  She caught lots of well-wishes on video:

Miscellaneous pictures:

My friend Fred (Meyer) made a lovely cake.

Nelson's Mom made a scrapbook.  There were paper and pens for writing greetings.

 Friends brought food to share.

 

I made a poster of events from Nelson's birth year.

 

 

 

Happy birthday, Nelson!

jack: sometimes he bites back

Nelson brought home a special "friend" from school:

it's amazing i'm still alive

Here is a list (in no particular order) of foods I have been told I must not even put in my mouth, because they are bad for me and will kill me.  Surprisingly enough, I'm still here...

red meat

chicken

fish

raisins

orange juice

milk

apple juice

apples

canola oil

butter

margarine

Crisco

eggs

soy foods

table salt

sugar

corn syrup

bread

grilled foods

theater popcorn

Mexican food

Chinese food

MSG

white rice

white flour

hot dogs

bacon

lunch meats

potatoes

pasta

tap water

bottled water
chewing gum

etc.

etc.

(Good grief!)

why, yes...

I DO drive an old car...  :-D