3 days left in count-down to sun, heat, water

Hello again ! It has been 2 weeks of wonderfully relaxing time to sleep in, slow down and renew friendships. Once again, as we return home from spending time abroad, no matter how exotic, fascinating or enlightening the travel has been, we always realize quickly how much we love living in our Rogue Valley home (at least after Spring break and before Thanksgiving). Sure, there are aspects of life here which are not our favorite. Who likes fog, 20 degree temperatures and scraping windshields, but we consider them a small price to pay for living here in this beautiful area. And while we're at it, we love the USA! This land has been blessed. Since arriving home we've had nice times enjoying a good meal with you at Cafe Dejeuner, Macaroni's or 38 on Central, or attending church together, or at target practice or Liam Neeson movies, or resurrecting dusty, old carpentry skills, or just visiting and a dozen other things. Our tans have faded, but what a small price to pay. Besides, we're getting 'em back again real soon. It has been nice to experience the more normal ( some would say mundane) rituals of being at home...think picking up at the Cleaners, buying milk, paying bills, watching the news on TV, Home Teaching, visiting the barber, buying stamps and sending UPS, etc. But there is a measure of comfort and familiarity in these tasks which we all crave at times, especially without the pressures of reporting to work at 8 o'clock every morning. Besides, by next week our biggest task will be whether to catch fish or look for lobster or scallops for dinner.

We want to introduce some very special people to everyone. Sadly, these members of our family were unable to join us on our Panama adventures due to job requirements, but we kept them in our hearts, and we want to highlight them here. Above are son Marc with Britni and Malia a year ago at Marc's graduation from the Northern Arizona Police Academy.

And below is our "special" son Chris, who graduated from Burger King Academy recently. We are so proud of him. He has now mastered Double Whoppers and is working hard on Fish Fillets.

We are "truly" proud of Chris and Malinda. They graduated last summer from St Louis University School of Medicine, and Chris is now an ER doc-in-training in Tucson.

This photo was from Disneyland last summer when all of our children and grandchildren reunited for a blessed week. What joy ! (and noise and mayhem). We can't wait to do it again. Here are Ella and Eli.

The debate is over. The election has been held. The votes are counted. The electoral votes have been tallied. It was a clean election with no evidence of voter fraud, pregnant chads, or bought votes. We ran a clean, honest, positive campaign. The concession speech has been given. It is now time for my acceptance speech. I proudly acknowledge that I do have the cutest and smartest grandchildren. Kathy has administered the official "Grandpa Oath of Office" (though she said it wrong and has to re-administer it to me during the Super Bowl).

Please meet Ella, Malia, Amalie, and Eli.

Amalie and Suede.

What can be said? Heaven looks like this.

Beautiful Britni, Marc, and the girls in Lithia Park last November.

Grandma Oregon, Ella Tucson.

Father Williams. I miss my Mom and my Dad. I think of you every day.

Kathy's Mom Jo at Cassandra's graduation from Phoenix High in 2007.

So that's some of the rest of The Fam. We love you and miss you. You make it hard to leave and easy to return.

Keith