Memphis Memories

Who comes to mind at the mention of Memphis, Tennessee?

Our very own Johanna, Tal, and Luke, 

Elvis Presley,

and the civil rights martyr Martin Luther King, Jr.

We toured the Presley property, airplanes, tourist stores, and grave site. 

I'm not sure what Graceland Fudge has to do with Elvis, but it was delicious.

Family dining room in the mansion.

Mansion entrance evokes grand southern traditions.

We also spent hours in the National Civil Rights Museum, trying to take in the complexities of the civil rights movement that led to the assassination of Dr. King here in Memphis. The irony of his violent death as the culmination of his effort for peaceful change was clearly communicated. This experience was one I could share back at school with the sixth graders, too.

Historical preservation of the hotel balcony where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot.
The interior of the structure has been converted to a museum which explains the sequence of historical events.

Luke was in the driver's seat while we toured the Memphis Zoo.

Out front of Johanna's house is a view of their growing neighborhood.

The temple grounds share the parking lot of the meetinghouse where Tal and Johanna attend church.
It was a surprising location, understated and so close to home.

Gourmet meals!

Every day with Johanna we were off to a new adventure, including a visit to the Memphis Zoo. The facade was a reference to Memphis Egypt, which was another fun 6th grade connection!

Memphis Zoo

Downtown Memphis

Rendey-vous is a place where famous people like Luke go to eat really great BBQ ribs.
You can send an order FED-EX. too.

 This birthday boy was about as interested in his chocolate cake as he looks in this picture. I don't get it.

Exploring Indiana

During my Spring Break, Jared and I traveled to some parts of the country we had never seen before.

We are on our first visit to our kids and grandkids in Indiana at Easter. It was perfect--everyone and everything was beautiful.

Easter Sunday in Indiana

  I thought it was pretty great that Candice could just walk out her back door,
past the patio,  and take long walks each morning around the mowed "track" of the field behind the house.

Exploring the backyard with Maggie in the lead. 

Jacob loves to romp around in the woods and fields that nearly surround his house.

Walkin' the plank.

A private school owns the acreage here and behind the house
where we played on the equipment and walked through the woods.

The beaded jewelry was designed and assembled by this beaming duo.

"Mr. Vine" is available for the strong and stout-hearted
after a short walk in the woods behind the house.

View of the Ohio River from downtown Madison. Main street is just a block over, and all the town is a historical district.

Three Ballerina Babes

Grandma Suzanne 1963...................Kristine 1989....................Anna 2011

My mother drove from Anaheim to Fullerton sometimes three days a week to take me to the ballet studio of Lois Ellyn,
who was a soloist for the New York City Ballet. Grandma would stay in the waiting room and knit while I danced, watching me through the glass sliding doors.

Kristine grew up in Fullerton and also
studied under Lois Ellyn. Kristine participated in her performing group, the Nouveau Chamber Ballet.

Anna lives in Arizona and has started ballet training there, the third generation of little girls interested in ballet.
If Anna lived in Fullerton, she could also study with Lois Ellyn who is, amazingly, still teaching today.

Princesses and Pirates for Birthday #2

 We are still smiling about the great weekend we had in Santa Paula to celebrate Bethany and Isaac's Birthday #2.  Jared and I got to dress up twice--once for the Princess and Pirate Party, then again for church on Sunday. Different outfits.

Bethany was decked out head to toe, but quite willing to share her treasures with the pirates.

Grandpa Lee in full regalia kept one eye on his little mate.

There was a satisfactory exchange of  goods!  

                          

                                     Grandpa introduced Isaac to a pirate's bounty...

...of one kind and another.

Power tools! Oh, yeah.

Palm Springs Christmas 2011

What a fantastic "bonus year" we had at Christmas when so many of the kids could stay with us in California. We decided to try Palm Springs this year, instead of Newport Beach, 

and explored the Marriott Shadow Ridge Enclaves. 

Somehow, we pretty much had the pools in this area to ourselves.

Lulled by the warm water into a moment of calm relaxation poolside. 

 I think we all felt pretty much the way Isaac looks. Flying high on this beautiful Palm Springs morning, elated!

 Luke must think Christmas is a beach. And probably the cousins would agree!

The beach entry pool was just right for water play with Anna, Scott, Isaac, and Bethany.

One evening while we were there, Grandpa Jared led us in a family home evening and then we opened presents early. I must have been busy just enjoying the scene and don't have photos to share, but my heart took a picture.  Just want to say thanks, again, to each of you for the wonderful memories.