I love Fall

This tree across the street from us is always the first tree in the neighborhood to start showing signs of fall. It was just beautiful on Saturday morning.

I love fall because it is cooler...and because of the beautiful colors...and because it means it is time for our trip to Bainbridge Island to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with Drew and Ross and their family. This year they decided to do it a few weeks early so we could enjoy the nice weather and eat outside. We had a little time before catching the ferry and so we went and walked around the docks for awhile.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day in Seattle.

THe puget sound is such a beautiful area and we love the waterfront in Seattle.

We sat and watched this seagull for a long time. It had a starfish stuck in it's mouth.

As we headed toward the island we snapped a picture of the waterfront. Isn't it beautiful!

Mt. Rainer looked majestic as we rode the ferry.

Got busy and didn't get a single picture with the gang at dinner. Drew cooked for two days. The meal was fantastic. Turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, corn casserole, bean casserole, salads....three kinds of pie. I didn't even mention the delicious appetizers. The best part of the day was the company. Ross and Drew have a wonderful family. Hayley and Claire are the sweetest girls. Ross's parents and sisters are so very nice. Their friends are all wonderful too. We always enjoy spending the day over there. One of these days I am taking Drew up on his offer and I'm going over there for a retreat. They have such a beautiful yard....nobody around....it is so peaceful. I think a good book and Drew's couch would do a girl good.

CONCERT!!!!!!!

On the 28th of August my niece Kelly and I went to the Keith Urban/John Mayer concert out at the Gorge. It was a beautiful summer night. The music was incredible. It was the best concert I have ever been too. The ladies went wild when Keith Urban came to the stage. We sat up on the hill....but it didn't matter because they had the big screens set up....and we had our trusty binoculars too.....the view was great. Keith put on one heck of a show. Then John came out and joined him on stage for a few numbers before Keith finished up his set. Some people left after Keith was done.....but they were crazy. Mayer put on a great performance as well.....and then Keith came out to finish it up with him. It was the longest concert I've ever been to. It lasted 4 1/2 hours. Kelly and I were up and dancing and singing for most of it. I had so much fun. Those two guys should tour together all the time. This was a special deal out at the gorge.....we were so lucky to get them both at the same time. It was AWESOME! Thanks Kelly for a great girls night out.

An elect lady!

Today would have been my grandmother's birthday. We lost grandma in 2003 and there is not a day that I don't think of her. Sometimes we get an extra special blessing from our Heavenly Father. Grandma Viv....was one of those kind of blessings. There will never be another quite like her. She was a special lady that not only touched my heart....but I was so happy that I got to share that blessing with my children and they got to have the best great grandmother that the world had to offer. I spoke at grandma's funeral and I asked a lot of the grandkids for memories they had of grandma. Some were beautiful....some were funny....and some I know I will have to answer for when I see her on the other side someday. Here is a list of special memories I have of grandma.

*chocolate cake with fondant icing

*ice cold glasses from the freezer for our grapefruit juice

*her little dish of jubejube's.....it was alway's full....unless Tim had been there

*gingersnaps and chocolate chip cookies

*The Lawrence Welk show

*Royal Milk

*forgetting the punchline to her jokes

*praying for each of her grandchildren by name

*The world's worst photographer....she always cut off our heads

*Ooli gog

*chasing my kids around with her false teeth out and making them squeal

*Burping contests with Chris....which she almost always won

*Spongy hair

*Driving through the "Red Light" district in Edmonton with me.

*Being at my provincial speech competitions

*Pushing her in a wheelchair all over the campus of Eastern Washington at the National Science Olympiad competition for Kevin

*"While you're up"

*two ice cubes

*rice balls

*The way she doted on my father

*Always making me feel important in her life

*Sunday calls

*"Strawberries sure improve the taste of these pancakes"

* Saying that my husband Scott is her favorite...and I have it on tape to prove it.

*Her Unwaivering faith. No matter what trial she was facing.....she never lost her faith.

I am so greatful that Grandma Viv was chosen to be my grandma. I am so proud to have her name. Chandra Vivienne King Jackson. I love you grandma....and miss you....but I am sure that you are with dad....and he has a smile on his face...because he doesn't have to share the cupcakes with us. You only get four grandparents......and if you are really lucky.....you get at least one that is exceptional. I was that lucky. She was all that I needed.....and then some.