The Big 4 - 0

This year I turned 40.   40 seems very ancient.

Golden Delicious made me a beautiful cake to celebrate.

Clark was down from Sandpoint and played an awesome rhumba bass accompaniment to Golden Delicious and my singing.  We sang "Something Stupid" ala Michael Buble and we sounded marvelous :) 

Fathers and Sons Outing

The boys and Mr. Bechtel had a great time with Grandpa this year for Fathers and Sons.  They went down to the Golden Spike and saw where the railroad came together.  They also toured Thiokol, saw various rocket contraptions,  and camped out in the desert with an amazing view of the stars.

The Spy Twins even got to drive a bit.  Everyone had a great time.

Arrow of Light

This spring Granny Smith earned his Arrow of Light award for cub scouting.  He and Mr. Bechtel burned the midnight oil completing his last few requirements before GS's birthday.  They did things like change bike tires and fix cars and other "handyman" requirements.

Now Granny Smith is an 11 year old scout and ready to start earning merit badges.

Good Job!

Monopoly

Granny Smith and I played an epic game of Monopoly several weeks ago.  Mr. Bechtel was in Japan, the Spy Twins were in Nebraska, Golden Delicious was flitting about from one social activity to the next, and so GS and I just set up our board, and for several days waged a furious battle on the financial front.

I tried my best, but was soundly defeated.  I knew I was sunk by the time Granny owned hotels along one whole side of the board.  So even if I managed to slip past "Boardwalk" (which he owned), I was sure to land on one of his other holdings.  After I landed on Boardwalk (and owed him thousands of dollars) he generously granted me safe passage along the deadly path until I had paid him back.  I felt a kindship with coal miners, and tenement dwellers, etc.  But we had fun!

JC Martin Wade Saddle

 Several months ago the Spy Twins bought this saddle.  After scouring Craig's List for weeks they found this, the perfect saddle.  They pooled their money and went to talk to the lady who owned it.  They got a good deal on it, but when they got it home and put it on their horses, it did not fit.  It was a POJ.  The leather looked like plastic, and we were all discouraged.

The saddle sat in the shop for several months.  The boys re did the mule hide wrap on the horn, and they put new stirrups on.  But it still didn't fit even though it looked better, so they re listed it on Craig's list.  I said, "boys, you bought this saddle.  You're going to have to sell it yourself."

"No problem Mom.  We'll make a profit on it too."

And before I knew it, they'd sold it for $100 more than they'd bought it for, and the guy was totally delighted with the saddle.

Mr. Bechtel and I have decided that we're having the boys do all of our negotiations from now on. 

The Big Night

We had so much fun at Graduation!  The wind was howling and it was freezing - so Idaho!  But we had a great time anyway!

Mr. Bechtel's mom, and sisters, Laura and Sarah, came up.  Grandpa and Grandma Ricks came too, and we were a good cheering section.

Golden Delicious aced her speech.  She nailed it perfectly:  perfect length, perfect timing, perfect story.  I was super proud of her.  She has worked like a little trooper and it was awesome for her to have a moment in the spotlight.

Granny Smith got a little bored as the announcer was reading names.  He said, "this guy is going too slow.  They need an auctioneer to read these names!"

And the happy graduate with her Daddy and Co.

Preps for Graduation

Getting Golden Delicious graduated was a full court press for the entire family.  (Since Braeburn could not be bothered with such formalities, it was also our first experience with such things.)  G. D. had to give the Valedictorian speech at graduation.  She wrote a beautiful talk, had it approved, and then the day of graduation she changed her mind and decided to re-write the whole thing.  AHHH!  She wrote and wrote, Mr. Bechtel edited, I gave a few comments, and Mr. Bechtel edited again.

At the last minute, she realized that graduation would not be complete without a decorated hat, so Mr. Bechtel and I found ourselves racing to Wal-Mart for bling, and then to the stadium to reserve seats for the occasion.  Miss Delicious came up with a cute design for her hat.

Then, she worked on her speech some more.  Then she said, "mom, do we have anything to eat??"

"Um... well... there's some cold cereal..."

"Nicole's family and so and so's family is taking them out for a nice graduation dinner..."

"?????"

"Ok, I"ll have some cold cereal."

"good idea.  Sorry."

"Good Luck with your speech, Darling!"