Wednesday, June 09, 2004


As you enter the room, this is how it looks. The color of the walls are a little off in this picture, they are a somewhat more yellow.  Posted by Hello

After 24 years in the garage, it finally made it into the house. The drawers of the dresser were destroyed years ago when we stored squash in them. Maria liked placing the books in the openings, thinking that they added a splash of color. Posted by Hello

The other one. Posted by Hello

One of two built-ins. Posted by Hello

Almost done for the day. Posted by Hello

The next step is the staining. Posted by Hello

They were sure glad for the large umbrella. Posted by Hello

Zachary taking a little time out from his many activities of the day. Posted by Hello

New arbor where Zachary set up his lemon selling stand. Posted by Hello

Tuesday, June 08, 2004

The Latest from Home

Well Hi All,

Been awhile since I put anything up on the site, so maybe It’s time to pass along a few thoughts.

Picked up Zachary at Los Angeles International airport last Tuesday and have been enjoying having him around. We thought we had to pick him up at 1:00pm but as it turned out, the time was a little after 2:00pm. The trip to the airport started out on a slow foot, we left later than we should’ve. Forgot about the traffic situation around the airport that time of day. On top of that, we had driven almost the 30 miles to Santa Barbara and realized that we had left the paper work on which flight Zachary was coming in on and the permission slip allowing us to pick him up, sitting on the counter at home.

So after driving back home, picking up the paperwork, and getting back down to Santa Barbara, we were about an hour and half behind schedule. All in all, traffic wasn’t that bad and we got to the airport at 12:30pm. That’s when found out he was due for almost another two hours. Also that only one of us would be able to go to the gate to meet him. Bummer. Anyway, he had a good flight and we were happy to see him. We picked up his luggage and headed off to Los Olivos. The moment we got home, Zachary was off to survey the back yard to refresh his memories of his boyhood home.

Maria and I told him about some of the plans for the next month, camping with Austin and Talon up near San Francisco, maybe a ride on the BART train into San Francisco and the street car down to the waterfront, and maybe, depending on finances, a trip to the aquarium in Monterey. We’ve rented a trailer in a campground near Morgan Hill. It has a swimming pool, miniature golf course, a small stream to play in and a youth clubhouse. Should have enough different things to keep us all occupied. We though Zachary would need a little spending money, so were having him help us strip and repaint our picnic set. He saw our lemon tree with all the lemons on it and suggested selling lemonade out front of the house. We thought he would have better success if he just sold the lemons. He set up a little stand under the new arbor, made some signs and he was in business. In the two days he had his stand open, he made over $4.00 with the lemons priced 10¢ each. Last Saturday and the last two days, he’s been working on the picnic set. He and Maria got the first coat of stain on today. Not going to do the legs; will wait till the old paint buckles and falls off.

Maria spoke with RenĂ© last night. He likes his new job, working security on Nellis Air Force base outside of Las Vegas. He’s working a modified second shift, 1:00 – 9:00pm. In the area he is stationed, the guard post is in the shade when he arrives, so it’s somewhat cooler. Sara is doing great. They have started feeding her a little rice cereal, so the other night she slept 5 hours straight and he and Joy were thankful for that. They made a quick trip to Santa Barbara to see Al off and Sara seemed to be okay with the traveling. RenĂ© had an experience changing her diaper, ended up using three of them. I’m sure that won’t be the last time there will be a multiple changing. He didn’t say how far along he was on his plan to have Sara potty trained by the time she was 10 months old, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

The remodel is done in Nicole’s old bedroom. Just a few knick-knacks to go. It came out quite nice, at least Zachary is getting some good use out of it. I really have to give Maria credit, when she has a vision of how something should look, it most often comes out looking extremely pleasant. Next room on the agenda is our bedroom, but not for awhile though. Our tomatoes are growing well, been eating our broccoli for several weeks now and the cabbage is almost ready. But never again will we try to grow cauliflower. Ours came out bitter with even a more bitter after taste, if that was possible.


time to sign off and publish this message.

Love to you all,

Ole, Dad, Grandpa or Junior (Depending on who is reading this.)

Saturday, May 15, 2004

New presence on the WEB.

Well hi all. Found this new place that provides space on the WEB for us to expound about whatever crosses our minds. Thought we'd try it out.

As you all know, Joy and Rene's new baby arrived on the 30th of March. She was so anxious to get here, she forced Joy to go to the hospital a week earlier than the first early date that had been set. Do you think that this was a procurer to Sara Crew's future attitude toward life, (I'm ready, lets get on with it!)? Only time will tell. In a call the other day, Rene said she is progressing well. She has added almost 2" in length and gaining weight also, her face and fingers are filling out. He also mentioned that he had gotten the new job he had applied for in the security force assigned to Nelis Air Force base outside of Las Vegas. He was very happy about that.

Zachary will be visiting Los Olivos in June. He will be flying into Los Angeles on the 1st of June for almost a month long stay. The week following his arrival, we will be picking up two of his cousins, Talon and Austin, and taking off for the San Francisco area for a week or so for fun and games. Nicole called giving the flight info so we'd be ready for him. Looking forward to our time together with him and the other boys.

The home Nicole and Brett are re-furbishing in Midway, Utah, is slowly approaching the point where they will be able to move in. Almost all of the painting is done, the kitchen cabinets are done with the new tile on the counter tops. There is a window that needs fixing in Hannah's room and the the slate flooring in the kitchen needs installing. Even with all that they and Brett's father and we have done, they will have their work cut out for them for some time to come.

Nicole will will be visiting us around the first of July. A friend of the family will be getting married then and Nicole went through high school with her and wanted to attend the wedding. It is also that same day, her high school graduating class is holding their 10 year reunion and her best friend, Jamie Nichols will be her for the wedding and reunion also.

For Mother's Day, we travelled to the north to Michelle's home for the celebration. Liza and her family were there also. Sure was plesant. Julia, Liza'a oldest daughter, is looking forward to going off to college. Will be attending BYU Hawaii. Her close friend, Chad I think, will be attending there also, so she'll have some from home to hang around with. We've visited that campus and it's really pretty. Also, it's only about 2 blocks from the ocean, the very warm ocean on the north shore of Owahu, (sp?). we're sure she have a great time there. Liza and Willie are looking forward to going over there with Julia to help her get settled in.

Well, I think I'll sign off for now and publish this message so I can see how it will look.

Love to you all,

Ole, Dad, Grandpa or Junior (Depending on who is reading this.)