J&S Express

Today we punished ourselves and went to the park of dreams in 100 degree weather. Luckily we had a chance to cool off during a 15 minute train ride through the park. The train is called the J&S Express. It was created in the memory of Washington State Trooper James E. Saunders who was tragically killed in the line of duty on October 7, 1999, in Pasco, Washington.

It's great fun for the kids and at .50 for kids and $1.00 for adults it's a great deal. Gage was asked if he wanted to sit up front with the conductor and blow the whistle, he of course said, Yes! His smile stretched across his face so wide that it looks like his eyes are closed in the picture (top.) Hudson had a blast and continually yelled out, "Hey Buddy, go faster." I wouldn't be lying if I said that I was a little white knuckle on this kiddie ride. I honestly thought we might tip over with some of the tight turns and everytime we hit a bump (every .2 seconds) I thought that the little cars might become unconnected. Hudson of course loved it all. If the conductor had driven us straight into the river, Hudson would have cheered louder.
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R.I.P. Grandpa

I still can't find any words to express all of my sadness about Grandpa passing away. For once in my life I am speechless. It's not that I can't think of what to say, but rather there is so much I want to say and it would take a year to write it all down. It seems selfish of me to only write a paragraph or two about how much Grandpa meant to me when there are so many more wonderful things about this man. Maybe in a few weeks I will regain my thoughts.
ALTON HAYMAKER

Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home

Alton Haymaker, 82, died peacefully on July 2, 2009 at Kadlec Medical Center with his family around him. Al was born on August 10, 1926 in Everett, WA. After graduating from Everett High School he joined the Navy and served 2 years on Guam during WWII. He ran a carpenter crew of Japanese prisoners of war, and when he left they gave him many presents they had made. He attended Santa Monica Technical College in CA, and became a Journeyman machinist. He met and married his wife Joan in 1947.His main love was farming, having spent his summers on his uncles' wheat farms in Waterville. He bought his Block 15 farm in 1954 where he grew many crops before planting his first cherry orchard which later became 'Columbia River Cherries.' He was honored for his conservation practices. The 'Eleventh Commandment' hung on his wall. It said that you never really own land. It is only entrusted to you, and you must leave it in better shape for the next generation. The family farmed for 50 years before he retired at 75 and leased his land to 'J&S Orchards.'Al always stayed close to his old school friends and cousins. He could talk to any stranger he met. He loved to read, to learn and to explain things to his granddaughters. He enjoyed doing research on the computer and corresponding with his email buddy, Sarah. He taught his children good work ethics which they are grateful for today. They always had farm chores and he kept their hours in a little book. They got paid only after the crops were in. He sometimes held down 2 jobs so the family could live a little better. Al is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan, his son Craig Haymaker (Marlene); daughter Gai Larsen (Bart); and three granddaughters, Mary Simpson, Laurie Devine (Richard) and Lisa Gibson (Robert). His great-grandchildren are Kylie, Taylor, Haylie, Addy, Brandi, Levi, Savannah, Devin and Hudson. Also surviving are his sister Harriet Koster (John), sister-in-law Nancy Bowland (John), nieces Cheryl Yeates (Charlie), Kai Scheerer (Bill), several Ludeman cousins and his cat 'Cuddles' who sleeps on his bed, recliner or desk. He was preceded in death by his son Gary Haymaker, his parents Alton C. and Mary Ludeman Haymaker, a step granddaughter Virginia Atkins and a daughter-in-law Carol Haymaker, and many Ludeman uncles, aunts and cousins.We want to thank the many doctors and nurses who cared for him at Lourdes and Kadlec Hospitals. Kadlec Medical Center made our final day with him a very comforting experience. Also special thanks to Dr. Jim Campbell who took care of him over many years, and a hug for Lluba and Amber. Granddaughter messages: Thank you for teaching me the names of the stars, I loved your stories even if I've heard them before and I'll look for a sign from you. Following Al's wishes, a private family service was held on Sunday, July 5 at our granddaughter's home. For anyone who would like to remember Al, he would have liked for you to give to a cause that you believe in, or to the American Heart Association.
www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.
Published in Tri-City Herald from 7/7 to 7/8/2009

Hudson plays T-ball

Hudson finds a red baseball glove. Now he can play ball.

Hudson wants to play. He will throw the ball to the coach. Oh' no...

Coach said, "No Hudson!" Too late. The ball hits coach in the head.

Hudson is mad. Hudson is sad. Mommy says, "Come here."

See Hudson get mad? See Hudson throw his Red Baseball glove
on the ground. Hudson is naughty. Hudson will NOT play T-ball
if he is naughty. Mommy says, "Do you want to go home and play
no more T-ball?" Hudson says, "Yes, I want to go home."
1 point Hudson********* 0 points Mommy

Hudson the Ball boy

See Hudson find a ball

and another?

Hudson looks at the ball.

Hudson finds more balls.

There goes Hudson searching for more balls.

Mommy says, "Please Hudson Please stop taking the balls.

See Hudson Play T-ball

See Hudson run.

See Hudson throw the ball.

Hudson is proud. See Hudson being proud?

Hudson finds a stick. See him play with the stick?

Hudson's mom says, "Put the stick down and play ball."

See Hudson do the booty dance and laugh!

There, their, they're

What is wrong with Blogger? In my "Frog race" post I have corrected the grammar several times. However, my post continues to use the wrong "there or their." Does anyone else have this problem? I edit the post and 5 minutes later the misused word is back. Maybe I have some type of Blogger virus on my computer. Nonetheless it is very irritating and embarrassing. I've had other posts as well that refuse to except any changes to misspelled words. Perhaps the problem is only on my side and no one else sees it. Let's hope that's true.

Water Fight

We had around 75 people attend the party. We filled 500 water balloons for some of the games, but in the end we had about 400 left. Somehow or someone started the water fight by throwing a water balloon at an adult that was innocently standing there. With in seconds chaos broke out and balloons were being thrown from every direction. Soon there were Super Soakers and Water Blasters shooting water through the air. No one was safe. I wish I had a picture at the start of the fight because then you could see the sheer scope of craziness that broke out. I was afraid that my camera wouldn't survive a direct water balloon hit. After the fight was over we were left with a huge mess. Broken water balloons were strewn though the street and our front & back yard. Later on about 4,000 little "Pop Its" (those little paper things filled with gun powder, that make a spark and pop when you throw them on the ground) with those little paper wrappers were left all over the street. A disaster zone. In the end, everyone did a great job packing things up and putting stuff away. The party was a huge hit and we're already planning for next years party.

4th of July Games

Top Picture: Addy shoving licorice into her mouth during a relay race.

Next: Clean up time.

Next: Water balloon toss

Last: Robert and Savannah in the three legged race.

Three Legged Race

Robert and I tried to get in on the fun too, but it proved harder then I thought it was. Since there wasn't any other kids in Taylor's age group for he and his friend to race against, Robert and I volunteered. Taylor informed me that I would have a heart attack if I raced against him and I nearly did. It wasn't my fault however, it was my partners fault. Who could keep up with, right foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot, left foot, right foot, right foot, left foot, left foot......

***I just want to add that I look so huge because of a new MS medication that I am on. It makes me blow up like a balloon. So, No I am no expecting a baby and No, I am not taking anabolic steroids!

Frog Races

We had a huge 4th of July party at our house this year. Some of the events included frog races. This is a picture of Addy and Savannah racing their frogs. The winners received trophies, metals or ribbons. It was a huge hit. Locating enough frogs for all of the kids was not easy. We went frog hunting on Thursday and Friday in order to collect enough. My parents farm and their are zillions of frogs out on the country roads near their house. People see us out there and think we are nuts! Robert rides on the outside of the Expedition carefully balancing himself on the running boards while holding on tightly to the door with the window unrolled. The kids all have their heads poking out of all the other windows. Meanwhile, I drive slowly with the "Frog Lights" on and when someone saw one they scream it out and Daddy jumps of the car and chases after it. I can only imagine what my parents neighbor's are thinking, "Oh look there goes that city idiot again!" Of course everytime we do this someone is bound to accidentally leave the lid off of the frog/toad bucket and several larger ones always manage to jump out. Then we have sheer pandemonium in the car with everyone screaming. On Friday night after Robert located another toad he walked over to my car window and held it out for me to see. Before I knew what happened the toad jumped out of his hands and landed in my lap. I was screaming for Robert to "Get it off of me NOW!" but he couldn't find it. I didn't want to move in fear that I might smash it, but finally I jumped from the car and did a "Ewww, it touched me dance" along side the road. Robert claimed he found the toad, but I seriously think it's still in the car. The kids thought it was pretty funny too!

Brotherly Love.

Need I say more?

Take me Out To The Ball Game.

The boys all went to the baseball game and the girls stayed home and enjoyed a quiet house. This was Hudson's first baseball game and by the look of the pictures, I'd say he liked it a lot. The one thing he hated was that pesky mascot "Dusty." He kept teasing Hudson, so Hudson smacked him with the free back scratcher stick that they gave out. Why would they give out back scratchers at a baseball game? Do they not know that a stick equals a weapon to a 4 year old? Sorry Dusty.

Shhhh! Don't tell.

Total Blackmail! This is too good to be true. Robert dozed off and the girls offered him a facial massage. He thought he was getting some moisturizer and wrinkle reducer, but the girls had other plans. I can't wait until he wakes up and looks in the mirror. Even more funny is the fact that we are expecting someone to stop by and drop something off any minute now!!! "Honey can you get the door, I'm busy."

***Since I know the question will arise, let me answer it now. YES, you have my permission to make copies of these pictures for any of your Black Mailing Needs (pay raise, yard work, around the house handy man and any other needs you think you can black mail him into doing.) YES, you may post these pictures in public places. Yes, you may all raze him for the REST of his life!

NO and let me say it again NO NO NO, you may NOT use any future embarrassing pictures of me that may or may not be posted to this blog in the future by a disgruntle husband.

Sleeping Angels

The top picture is of Savannah sleeping. She has slept like this since birth. She says that it's the only way she can sleep. It's funny to think of her sleeping like this at age 25. The bottom picture is of Addy and Hudson. They fell asleep while watching a movie.

Another step towards independence.

Bikes today, Cars tomorrow! Someone please tell me how to make it all stop. For some reason I don't remember seeing my other children grow up so quickly. It seems that everyday he has taken another huge step towards independence. I didn't really see any changes last summer in him, but this summer he seems to be changing daily. He is no longer amused with just playing inside with mommy. He wants to hang out with friends and have secrets that I am no longer cool enough to know. He said to me yesterday, "Mom, can I ride my bike to the end of the street now?" I am thinking, the end of the street, what's wrong with the driveway? It's such a big step to give him the entire street. In a week from now he will be asking for a quick trip to the corner store for some candy. I don't know why I can't seem to find happiness in all of his new found independence, he's just growing up faster then I can keep up.

Could it be?

Have a good long look at this picture. This kind of thing is on the endangered pictures list. It continues to get harder and harder to catch this elusive type of picture. Pictures like this are few and far between. When ever I try for one of these, I have to hide outside and stalk my prey for hours on end. I sit and wait with my finger on the trigger waiting and waiting for the elusive smile to appear. If the "smile" knows that I am about to take a picture it quickly disappears and the rolling eyes appear in it's place. Anyhow, I just wanted to show some proof that the smile does appear sometimes and the subject is in fact Happy, sometimes!

Skate Sailing

Doesn't this look like fun? Savannah and her friend decided to use towels as sails and let the wind carry them for a fun ride. I'd try it, but Savannah said that the only way it works is when you wear nothing but a swimsuit. Not gonna happen!