The Eaton Family has moved in!

Well, I'm going to try to do this blog posting thing... Hope it works because I have lots to tell.

We have a cool family that moved in the last Wednesday in July. Jeff, Chelsea and their two children, Savannah (8) and Michael (5). They got a job in Idaho but are waiting for a government clearance to start work. Since it is pretty much impossible to rent month to month in Iowa, we invited them to live with us. We have enjoyed them so much in our home.. Every day it's like a party. We've had walks, talks, laughs, tears, and LOTS OF 6 dice games. Ok, some of you know how much I LOVE to drink blended salads..(our favoriete is: 1/2 soy, two large hadfulls of spinach & romaine, 1 fz banana, 1 C fz blueberries, 1 heaping TBS fz OJ & 2 handfulls of Ice all blended together - if it's too thick, add a little water) They are so delicious and such an energy boost... well, don't just think those thoughts... try it... BUT.. the good news is.. I now have someone who shares these great breakfasts with me.. We like them so much that we could have one first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and one mid afternoon. But, we're trying to limit them to one a day. But now we wake up most mornings longing to drink one. Before the Eatons moved in, Carlee (my grand daughter)was the only one that shared my delicous drink, but because she was only 1, she couldn't tell anyone else how how she liked them and kept asking for more, but even if she could, who is to believe a 1 year would enjoy something like that..

Well, I think that I got off track from the Eatons because of the shake... Sorry.. I will try to contain myself and tell you more about the Eatons...

After the fire I felt impressed to put up a cross-stitch that I made when I was in primary 50 years ago... (Oh My... That officially just made me feel "old") I had it tucked in my cedar chest for many years because the frame was broke. I liked that saying which reminded me daily of what I should do so I kept it. (That's the quote I inserted a picture of). On the Sunday after they moved in she asked: "Are you related to the Bingham's" .. Long story short.. her great great grandfather is the son of my great great grandfather. (Erastus Bingham) Isn't that the coolest thing! We are meant to be together.. Families Are Forever.. I am thankful the The Lord gave us this opportunity to be together, and top it off by being cousins.

Well, it's late. I'm going to bed..

Too Long

It has been too long since we updated. We have recovered from the fire and are moving forward well. Mom went to Washington in May to visit two new granddaughters and daughters and their families. Clint and Shannon visited end of June. Dustin Melanie, Logan, and Ashlynn visited for the 4th of July. Brianna is in Washingtton for girls camp and EFY. Things are good. Here are some blasts from the pasts.

Christmas Fire

Hello Everyone.. Well here are some of the pictures of the fire that we had on Christmas. There was so much smoke damage that everything on the top and main level had to be removed, including the carpet. They say that we could be in our home now on March 15th.. We are living in a rental home and today or tomorrow they will be finishing the painting.. All three levels had to be painted. Good news though... it's all going to be fresh and painted.. something I wanted to do for a couple of years.. so, that is a blessing. Today Brianna & I picked out the light fixtures and had a nice time doing that. It was so easy with this company that we were done by noon and went and rented movies and picked up a burrito from Pancheros and went home and ate it while we watched a movie... That was nice. All last week I went to Home Depot, Menards, & Lows to try and find what we needed but was unsucessful.. So.. what a relief when it is done... YEA!!! Wednesday a representative from J.C. Penney's is coming to our home to help me with the window treatments that match the paint and carpet... So... bit by bit.. it's coming along. Stay safe and happy. Mom

Brad's First letter home

Brad wrote on Sunday, October 12, 2008. We got it on Friday, October 17, 2008, Mom's Birthday.

He wrote: Hello Family

I'm writing to let you know that I am fine. I am not even in basic training yet. I'm still in processing. I don't know when I am going to basic, but I was supposed to tell anyone I write, not to write back to this address. I will write to you when I am in basic and you can write me as much as you want. Apparently processing is harder than basic because they are trying to get us ready. Since I have been here, I have gotten 9 shots. three on each arm, one up each nostril, and one on my butt. Not cool.

I did pretty good on the mile though. I got six minutes and 30 seconds. I think that is the best I have ever done and that was the morning after all the shots, so I was all sore. Now I am sore from running and all the shots.

The food is better than I thought it was going to be. We can't drink soda though. Just milk, juice, and water. I have to wake up at 5:00 every morning, and go to sleep at 21:00 every night. I'm starting to get used to it. The very first morning after I got here one of the first things I did was get my head shaved. A couple of days later, I got my nerd glasses. I look pretty sweet walking round in my uniform though. I'm going to bed now, good night.

Sincerely,

Bradley.

Garth's - Dad's Seven Things.

Seven Things I Plan to do before I die:

Take mom (Loretta) to Europe: Paris, Germany.
Finish my Personal History.
Visit all 50 States.
Stay below 170 pounds.
Make my wife happier.
See all children married in temple.
Be a kinder, gentler Man.

Seven Things I do now:

Do yard work - mow lawn, shovel snow.
Work long hours.
Enjoy traveling eastern Iowa
Enjoy working for the Church.
Love my Wife - Loretta.
Be proud of all my children.
Enjoy the blogs.

Seven Things I can't do:

Touch my toes with my legs straight.
Read without glasses.
Run 10 miles.
Stop eating when I am not hungry.
Speak Swahili.
Buy a Mini Cooper.
Drive as fast as I would like.

Seven Things that I love about my wife:

Beautiful
Witty
Happy
Compassionate
Excellent Mother and Grandmother
Best Friend
Tender

Seven Things That I Say Most Often:

What ever!
Hello, This is Garth.
Iowa FM Group, This is Garth.
Where are You?
No.
Where are you going?
How much?

Seven Celebrities that I like

Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black. She even took his name.
Clint Eastwood
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw - because they have stayed married.
President Bush
Jimmy Durante
Harrison Ford
Tom Hanks

Seven Favorite Foods

Strawberries
Tomatoes
Grape Fruit - pink
Loretta's Hot Whole Wheat Bread
Salad
Peaches

Seven people who I invite to do this.

I will leave this part to my kids.

Trip to Amy's Wedding in Portland and Seattle

We had a lot of fun seeing family and the sites. The wedding took place August 8 and we went a day or two before and stayed a day or two after. It was very good to see Melanie, Logan, and Ashlynn who were unable to make it to the reunion in June. Eric, Amy, and Carlee make a great family.

July 24th

I was off on July 24 and 25th. On the 24th, I surprised Mom with a trip to the John Deere Pavillion in Moline, IL - Quad Cities. She really liked seeing the tractors she used on the farm and the new big stuff.