Foxes

We have been having some of our deck garden tomatoes either mysteriously disappearing or being munched on and weren't sure who the culprit was. Then yesterday morning as I was on my way out the door to go to Albuquerque I noticed some strange unidentified "poop" on the deck (aren't you glad there is no picture here?). This morning we saw two foxes in our backyard and figured that they are the tomato snatchers! We didn't get a picture of the foxes because they were too sneaky and quick--or I guess you could just call them sly foxes. Gotta love the wildlife around here even if they do figure out how to get my veggies.

Capitan Coming Together

Last weekend was a very good one for the Capitan community. After months of organizing and planning, one of Ed's visions came to pass--several Lincoln Churches descended upon Capitan and just gave back to the entire community. They erected a huge circus-type tent on a vacant lot on Smokey Bear Blvd. (the main highway) and hosted events on Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26. Saturday afternoon was primarily for the kids with an inflatable jumping toy, lots of games and relays, and face painting,as well as a fire safety training trailer that educated the kids on what to do in case of a fire--how to find their way out, etc.There were also 180 backpacks full of school supplies given away to any elementary student and free immunizations for school.Then in the evening a local restauranteur brought a huge portable grill and served free hamburgers and hot dogs to anyone who came.After that there was gospel singing with several local church groups on stages under the tent. On Sunday morning many of the local churches dismissed their services and met under the tent again for lots of singing, fellowship, a message, and chicken fajitas cooked by Pete the restauranteur. Everything provided was by donation, so Capitan was just able to enjoy lots of Christian benevolence and fellowship without being asked for anything in return. This is Christianity in action!

My Sister Gail's Visit

After the famous skydive my sister Gail drove back to Capitan with us to spend a week of her vacation. We were excited to have her this year since we really didn't get to do too much when she was here last year because she was so sick. Unfortunately, she hurt her foot again in the skydive so couldn't do quite as much as we had planned. On the way back to Capitan, we spent one night in Midland with Ed's mom Vi so we didn't have to drive all the way from Dallas in one loooong day. On the way to Midland as we were passing by Big Spring on the interstate, Gail wondered if Aunt Nonie (our mother's youngest sister) was at home since she divides her time among there, NC, and CA. We called and dropped by for about an hour's visit. It was really good to see her. Even with Gail's bum foot we did enjoy happy hour on the deck in the late afternoons, several games of Scrabble (she won 2/I won 2), and a day trip to Albuquerque. She wanted to see some of the "touristy" things, so we went to Old Town. We decided that next year when she comes we will spend the day in Santa Fe. She was able to stay through the weekend and enjoy the community events during Capitan Coming Together, so it was a very good week.

The Friendly Skies Via Parachute

After listening to my brother Vince tell of his sky dive adventures since he first jumped from an airplane in 1969, I decided in April that I would like to jump too. I had him sign me up to jump when I returned to Dallas in July to watch Jackson and Grayson while Meaghan went to camp, and before I knew it we had a crowd--Ed, my sister Gail and her two sons, David and Jason--also signed on for sky dives. It was fun planning and anticipating the big day, but nothing compares to the actual event. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had! With the exception of Vince, we all had to do tandem jumps from the Otter, a really cool bright yellow plane, also known as the flying school bus. Gail, Vince and I were on the same flight (they only put 2 tandems with their videographers on one plane) along with several single free fallers. We all crowded along the two long bench seats in the Otter and were told to buckle our seat belts. I thought that was a little ironic since we were all going jump out of the airplane anyway, but rules are rules. After my instructor Mark and I were securely attached, we scooted to the open doorway. He said "Ready, set...." and on "Go" he hurled us out the door, all at 13,500 ft. above Dallas.There was never a feeling of falling, just a lot of wind coming at my face. We were in free fall for about 8,000 feet, and then he pulled the shute and we floated over the earth.It was so peaceful, just looking around and having him point things out to me. I chattered all the way down, so I'm sure he was glad to get me unharnessed!David and Jason went on the next flight after ours, and then Ed was on the one after that, also with Vince. Vince intended to catch up with me on the way down but did not anticipate that I would fly as fast as I did (129-131 mph) so he didn't have enough time to catch up. He was able to catch up with Ed, so they enjoyed that experience.A note about Ed's instructor, Ernie: He is part of the World Team that set a world record sky dive of 400 people who jumped from 6 planes over Thailand in 2006 and connected to each other mid-air. They are currently in training to connect 650 people in 2012 (Go to YouTube and type in World Record Sky Dive for the awesome video of that event). It was really interesting to sit outside Vince's trailer at the Drop Zone listening to the experiences of a lot of sky divers. David has already signed up for AFF (free fall) classes, so hopefully, he will be doing solo flights. The rest of us are starting to talk about our next sky dives, so stay tuned.

The Other Side of Being a Grandparent

I'm assuming it's because we are so much fun to play with.....the kids both decided to get up really, really early this morning. Grayson woke up about 1:00, but I managed to keep him happy with his "plug" until 2:00 at which time I just decided to feed him...good choice because he was starving! He went back to sleep with Grampa until about 6:30............... but in the meantime, Jackson woke up at 6:15 saying, "Let's play bowling, Nana Jo!" So, of course...we played bowling. As hard as this is at times, we will definitely miss these little critters next week.

Why It's Fun to be Grampa and Nana Jo!

Today was just one of those fun-to-be-a-grandparent days. We played awhile at the house and enjoyed the kids a lot. Then we loaded up and went to the mall to play in the kids area awhile and, of course, we had to go the the Disney Store. Jackson knew exactly where it was, and believe me, we looked at EVERYTHING in the store at least twice. He only asked a couple of times if he could take something home but was ok when we just played with them there. Later, though, Grampa went back and got the Disney bowling set to play with at home. Then we had a hamburger for lunch at the food court and decided to ride the carousel. Jackson was thrilled with his horse ride, especially when it went so high up and ran so fast! After a good nap, we surprised him with the new bowling set and played with Grayson and his toys as well. It was a good day.

Like Mommy, Like Son

Tonight Jackson had canned Spaghetti-O's (with car shapes) for dinner which really tickled Grampa and Nana Jo. His mommy, Meaghan, took Spaghetti-O's in her lunch thermos to school every single day for years! We couldn't believe she could actually stand to buy them again, but Jackson really, really loved them as you can tell by his face in the picture.

Playing at Home and Going to the Aquarium

Today after Jackson and I fixed breakfast we decided we would go to the Dallas Aquarium to stay out of the heat. Only problem was...everyone else had the same idea so it was really crowded. Jackson enjoyed the rainforest part of the Aquarium better than the fish because he could see the birds and monkeys a little better. Grayson enjoyed all the sights and sounds from his stroller. The best part was lunch at TGI Fridays where Jackson ate a whole 4-slice cheese pizza. Both boys slept all the way home.

Playing at home has probably been the most fun. Jackson and I played a lot of Mr. Potato Head, and also a game he invented called Doctor. He made me lie down on Grayson's blanket and then put his "friends" (Disney figurines) in my elbows, under my shirt, and between my toes to make me all better...all after sticking a Mr. Potato Head hand in my mouth and saying to me, "Now, don't talk or laugh." Very difficult orders to follow

Jackson played with Grampa using his Handy Manny tools and his Black and Decker toolbox.

In Frisco With the Boys

We got to Frisco on Saturday evening just in time to go with the family to Bounce U for a birthday party for one of Jackson's friends. Grayson was ready to go.This is Jackson with his "best" friend Reed. They share the same birthday and had a joint birthday party in April at Bounce U. Sunday we went to church, out to eat BBQ at Rudy's with Meaghan's Special Needs Department, and then back to the house to help Meaghan and Michael get packed and ready to head to camp early Monday morning. It is a M.A.S.H. themed week, so there was lots of army stuff and camo. Meaghan & Nana Jo made posters for all the counselors and Jackson played cowboy with his Daddy's camp hat and Grayson's giraffe. He also tried on his mommy's heels. What a boy!
Watching a Tom & Jerry DVD with Nana Jo on the big bed.Grayson & Jackson took a bath together and played with the stick on letters. This is G for Graysonand J for JacksonHere is Grayson sacked out early in the morning with his Mommy (who hid under the covers from the camera)On Monday we just stayed home and played with the boys, trying to decide what we wanted to do for the remainder of the week.

You've Gotta Love July 4th in a Small Town

We have had a really fun-filled Independence Day weekend, beginning with our grilled pizza cookout on Friday night. Then on Saturday morning Ed & I rode in the Smokey Bear Parade with our friends Jack & Linda Greene in his Model A Ford pickup.

Here's Linda's miniature schnauzer Barney (since they live on "Mayberry Hill") dressed in his "doggles" and cap.

He was not too impressed by himself, but he finally resigned himself to looking ridiculous and just enjoyed the ride. It was a lot of fun being in the parade and seeing everyone lined up along the highway, but Linda said I should have been in the front because all she heard were kids hollering, "Hi, Mrs. Vinson." I didn't get any pictures of the actual parade (which lasted about 45 minutes) because I was too busy throwing candy to all the kids (and my students) along the highway. This is one time that there were definite traffic jams in town but nobody cared.

Then today after church a few of us stayed for a cookout on the lawn. Everyone brought their own meat to cook on our new church "event" grill, along with side dishes and desserts. We ate under a tent and just enjoyed the 70 degree weather--no wind, no flies, no rain. For those of you who know most of the folks at our church, the guy in the cap in front below is Leon & Darlene Snyder's son Les visiting from McCamey, Tx.