This photo is of Doug's oldest son, Russell. I went out to his graduation in 2007, which took place in the Phoenix area. Somewhere in my various boxes of photos, I have a picture of myself with Russell in his cap and gown, but right now, I can't locate it. So, here is the family...
As you can see on the photo, the date of Russell's graduation from high school was May 25, 2007. Left to right - Mickey, Hannah, Russell, and Sarah.
Krista was the next one to graduate, I don't have photos of that event. Not sure why...maybe they will turn up as I get more into sorting... Here is one of her senior photos. She also graduated in 2007, and I was there for that.
Here I am with my two daughters.... Alitza next to me, and Diane on the far right. I can't remember if this was at Krista's graduation, but I think it was. The ceremony was held at an outdoor football field, so we had a quilt and some seat pads along for comfort.
I tried to be present for my grandkids' important occasions, and in this case, I had flown to Phoenix for the graduation. Unfortunately, I have not kept good records about these trips, so I don't have dates to go with some of these photos.
Many times when I was in Phoenix, it was at the time of year I could attend my granddaughter, Krista's dance recitals. David often did not come with me, as his work at the research farm was always very busy during the spring and early summer. We were really only able to take vacations together in August, when he had a bit of a break between the planting and growing seasons, and the fall harvest. He had a big field day at least once a year, and had an annual garden field day as well, and sometimes there was also a field day in the spring. On those occasions, we often had busloads of students from area schools, as well as area farmers, and sometimes state and university dignitaries attending these events, so it was important that the farm looked really good and that all the work was caught up.
With my first grandkids close together in age, I was out in Phoenix pretty often to attend their graduations. Now that they are nearly all grown up and out of their parents' homes, I don't get to see them very often, so the times when I do get to be together with them are special.
My trips out to visit my kids in the Phoenix area were sometimes interesting. One time, Alitza and I flew out to visit, and on the plane going out there, we sat next to a man from Japan. He spoke very good English, and we struck up a conversation. He gave a candy bar from his dinner tray to Alitza (yes, back then, dinner was provided, as were drinks and snacks...), and that smoothed the way to talking to me. He told me that he owned a big paper company in Tokyo and that he often traveled to the U.S. on business. He also told me that he and his wife enjoyed theater and drinking. (Interesting combination!) When the plane landed in Phoenix, I thought that would be the last I would see or hear about him, but I got a package after we got back to Kanawha, and it contained a beautiful Japanese hanging calendar. I assume it was produced by his company. He also sent a letter, but in reading it, it came to me that he wanted to send his kids to America, and that he was looking for a family to 'sponsor' them. Well, I just couldn't have done that at that time...had to work, and didn't really have enough room for any extra people living in our little house. So, eventually, the correspondence with him ended, and I never heard from Mr. Uda again (think that was his name, but it's been a long time...) I still have that calendar, and now it is hanging in my art room as a decoration. Life can bring all sorts of surprises!
I am planning on posting some of the photos I took on various trips out to visit Diane and her family, and Doug and his family. At that time, Diane and Jerry lived near Auwatukee and Doug and Gail lived in Scottsdale, so a visit out there made it possible to see both families.
Here is Tyler in his slightly soggy graduation cap and robe. That night while we watched the ceremonies, it began to rain. The graduates were all seated on chairs on the football field, and they got pretty wet. But, we had a good time anyway. And, in Phoenix, in May, it is usually pretty warm...
My trips out to visit my kids in the Phoenix area were sometimes interesting. One time, Alitza and I flew out to visit, and on the plane going out there, we sat next to a man from Japan. He spoke very good English, and we struck up a conversation. He gave a candy bar from his dinner tray to Alitza (yes, back then, dinner was provided, as were drinks and snacks...), and that smoothed the way to talking to me. He told me that he owned a big paper company in Tokyo and that he often traveled to the U.S. on business. He also told me that he and his wife enjoyed theater and drinking. (Interesting combination!) When the plane landed in Phoenix, I thought that would be the last I would see or hear about him, but I got a package after we got back to Kanawha, and it contained a beautiful Japanese hanging calendar. I assume it was produced by his company. He also sent a letter, but in reading it, it came to me that he wanted to send his kids to America, and that he was looking for a family to 'sponsor' them. Well, I just couldn't have done that at that time...had to work, and didn't really have enough room for any extra people living in our little house. So, eventually, the correspondence with him ended, and I never heard from Mr. Uda again (think that was his name, but it's been a long time...) I still have that calendar, and now it is hanging in my art room as a decoration. Life can bring all sorts of surprises!
I am planning on posting some of the photos I took on various trips out to visit Diane and her family, and Doug and his family. At that time, Diane and Jerry lived near Auwatukee and Doug and Gail lived in Scottsdale, so a visit out there made it possible to see both families.
Here is Mickey, Doug's youngest son. This is his graduation photo, and his graduation took place in 2010. I was not able to attend his ceremony because that same time my sister and her husband from Dallas were going to be visiting in Iowa, and I felt I needed to be there. As it turned out, it was a good thing that I went to see them in Cedar Rapids, because that was the last time I saw either of them. My sister Margaret was on oxygen at the time, and her health continued to fail. She passed away in September of 2012, and her husband Al died in 2011. Neither of them were able to come to Iowa and visit again after that time in 2010. I don't know how I knew that I needed to not be gone while there were in Iowa, but call it a 'gut' feeling....I knew...
I found this photo of Sarah with her graduation gown on, but I'm sure I have a better one somewhere. I'll try to post it once I locate it. I am not certain what year she graduated, but I think it might be 2011. These first five grandchildren were born very close together.
I also went out for bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, so my visits were frequent then. Now, Doug's youngest daughter Hannah is the only one still at home, so I don't go out often. Hannah will graduate in a few more years, and I will make every effort to be there for it!
Meanwhile, I will keep on adding stories and photos about my life and activities. I will try to keep it somewhat interesting, but I am pretty sure only family members will want to spend time reading it all...
Until next time... I have to go put my feet up. Today was a rather nice day, and I got a lot done... washed the screens and got them on, planted some big pots with flowers for the patio, painted a little wren house that hangs on our deck, brought some deck furniture and decor upstairs and put it out on the deck, and now I'm aching and tired. Both David and I have arthritis, and especially when we are active, those old joints begin to show our age. Tonight it's my ankles... So, folks, later....
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