The Puzzle

Problem solving a must for practicing science.  

Glassford Clan

 We decided to take family pictures because Angie was in town!! It was cold... but totally worth it!! 

 Richard takes great pride in his muscles, and doesn't mind showing them off!! 

 The four Glassford Girls!! It was great to have Angie in town so we could all be together again!! 

 WOW... Heather you are soooo tan!! Is that natural??? I think so!!! 

 Next time for pictures: Jessica you must TRUST in Heather that she can carry you!! Its possible, she has been lifting the weights and pumping some iron!!!! 

 The "babies"

The Identical Sisters... I can totally see it! 

The best Family ever!! 

We have had a lot of things go on this summer, so much in fact that this blog has been slightly neglected. I ( Jessica) have taken it upon myself to compile a few of the fun things we have been able to do this summer. Because of unfortunate circumstances, most of my Dad's side of the family was in town. We all got together at David and Gina's house for a BBQ. Despite the sad undertone, I think we all had an enjoyable time.

 Derek is a funny boy, he only likes a handful of people ( all family ) and the rest he is terrified of. If they come into his three foot bubble he start crying. Grandpa is one of the lucky ones. Derek just gives him a shy face and giggles. Most of the time that is where he tries to run.... but hey, at least he isn't crying. 

 Aunt Jamie and her family where able to come out. It had been awhile since we had seen them. It was Ellie's mission to get Jake and Derek to like him. it wasn't til the last day he was here when both kids where having fun playing with Uncle Ellie in the backyard.

most of the boys joined in on an impromptu basketball game. Sorry if the pictures are kinda fuzzy, my camera has a hard time with action shots.

Here is Grandpa playing with his Grandkids. They love him and have so much fun exploring and learning with Grandpa.

It was also my Dad's Birthday in July.

He turned 50!

 I had a birthday party over at my house. We had balloons, cake and presents.

It was nice having Angie there.  Grandpa G also came over for the party. Jake was super anxious while Dad opened his gifts. Happy birthday Dad!!

Images for Grandma H.

Here a  few images of Grandma Hawkins and family.  I thought you all would like to see a few images. 

We have many found memories with grandma at the cabin.  It was always more fun when she was with us.  We loved taking walks to look for flowers, fossils, deer, elk, bear etc.  She was a naturalist at heart.

Angie and Grandma at a party. 

Lynne and Grandma having some fun playing games.

Auntie Anne and Grandma at Jessica and Dan's wedding. 

Four beautiful women.  A very proud mother and her three daughters. 

Grandma was a good badminton player. She enjoyed playing games with us.

At Kim and Greg's pool.  Cooling off during one of our family swim parties.

Playing a game downstairs in grandma's basement.  I think it was a family Christmas party.  She is protecting her duck from Heather.

Grandma has a wonderful smile.  She had a way of making me laugh.

We went to Thanksgiving Point with Grandma Dan and Jessica. 

One of Grandma's favorite knarly trees up at the cabin. We stopped for a picture as we went on a walk over to the spring on the west side of the cabin.

Lynne and Grandma chilling together in our basement.

Angie did a report on Rue and we went over and took some pictures with Grandma.  She really loved this bird and Rue loved Grandma.  It was fun to watch them interact.  Ever since I knew grandma she has had an exotic bird. The first bird I can remember was an African Gray..... I cannot remember the name.

Grandma loved the stadium of fire.  She always invited us every year.

We took Grandma to San Diego a few years back.  Kim, Greg and family went with us. We had a wonderful time.  Jamie and Grandma are sitting at a picnic table at Mission Bay.

We wanted to go deep sea fishing and grandma did not miss a beat. She was an adventurous person and I was impressed with her desire to stay involved with her children.  She always made me feel welcome. 

Jamie hanging out as we drive out to the fishing spot. 

One of my favorite images of Grandma. 
We miss her dearly and look forward to the time we can be together again. 

Fall at the Pumpkin Patch

Tradition says we will visit the Vineyard pumpkin patch at least once.  We have fun watching the kids interact with each other and all the fall stuff on display.  The last few years we have gone with the Astins.

I wish the lighting was better but we did get a shot of three of the Astins with the pumpkins.  Next year vineyard should get a hold of me if they want some real big ones on display.  Ha!

They had a big corn maze and the kids ran around with the exploratory freedom that only a child can enjoy. Derek was fearless as he explored the maze. 

I was showing him some of the corn and before I could say don't eat that he stuck it into his mouth and tried to take a bite.  This was not a staged photo as he was looking at the corn he decided to have lunch.

Jacob being the young naturalist that he is, tried to dislodge some seeds.  He found it harder than expected.  Both of the boys are very intreged with nature. I think all kids start off as scientists and as they get older though the process of trying to protect them we turn them off to science.  We use the words gross, dangerous etc.   I am still guilty of doing that.  I guess the trick is to say and do things that keep them safe without creating any anxieties of the natural world.   I hope to get that down with my grandchildren.

I love looking at their squash / gourd trellis.  Both of the boys were trying to jump up and grab anything they could get there hands on.   Jacob has some hops and Derek was working on it. 

This image just made me think OUCH!

Derek is suppose to be in the bottom but he became distracted or Heather was not doing her job.  Ha!

Everybody in the right spot and looking at me as well.  Miracles do happen.  Three nice pumpkins... finally after 173 images.  This was not an easy task. Good job guys.

They also have a few toys for the kids to play on.  Jacob was trying to climb up the slide but find it challenging and accepted some help from a kind mother. It is so nice to see other people help and support children other than their own.  This is what makes a community work.

Jacob running down the slide vocalizing his joy only like children can do.  I think the rest of us (old people) need to learn from these kids.  We needed to find something that gives us the same joy.  That can be watching the kids.... growing a world record beet or just experiencing a wonderful sun set with someone you love or seeing a new species of insect for the first time.

Jacob gets gnarly on the slide.... can you say air time.

Jacob picks out his favorite pumpkin.  Of course we all tried to show him one that we thought was better but being true to himself he had his own opinion and selected this wonderful pumpkin.

Don't turn your head because this little guy we go off exploring at any chance.  I think he over turned every little squash he could until it was time to go buy our stuff. 

Thanks you guys for spending an afternoon with us. Until next year !