Saturday, April 30, 2011

A GREAT WAY TO CELEBRATE "THE" WEDDING

This just in from Rhiannon:  I think she created a winner!

In honor of Will & Kate nuptials, we Carltons threw a Royal Wedding Viewing Party Friday Evening.  Everyone wore head wear and we enjoyed watching the whole wedding while eating Mixed Nuts,Baked Potato Poppers, Mozzarella Sticks, Grapes, Strawberries & Cream, Egg Salad Sandwiches,Turkey & Swiss Sandwiches, Salt & Vinegar Chips, Bugles, Carrots, Cucumber, Celery & Ranch, Sugar Cookies & Mini Eclairs. I figured I could get my house of men to enjoy the wedding with me if I had really good food to keep them interested. We first had appetizers then a while later something else and then something else. It was great fun to decorate and fix all the food.
Cheers
Rhiannon

Friday, April 29, 2011

KATIE AT WORK

We were in the mall and dropped in to see Katie at work at Bannana Repbulic.  With her good eye and great taste and employee discount, she has a fantastic wardrobe. 

Taken outside the store with a "ray" of sunshine.
She's ready to make the day's quota.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

CLYDE DALLIN WESTWOOD


Clyde and Kaye Westwood go back to our Hawaii days.  They have been our dear friends through the years.  When Clyde was in the Air Force he had a tragic accident that left him paralized from the shoulders down.  He was only expected to live five years at the most.  Clyde holds the record for living the longest as a quadrapalagic.  That attests to Dad not dropping him and Kaye's wonderful care giving!  Clyde released Kaye from their engagement, but she knew he was the one for her and so they married and had a wonderful life, having one child of their own and adopting 5 more., or as the obituary says, 1 home made and 5 store bought! 

While we lived in Hawaii Dad and Clyde decided to get their Master's Degree so for two nights a week for two years, after work, they drove the hour into Honolulu and took classes and then the hour drive home.  This was before the American Disabilities Act, and there were virtually no ramps on building, so Dad would haul Clyde up and down those stairs, not an easy task for Clyde was a big man and that wheel chair was heavy.  Clyde really had to put his faith in Dad's strength. 

Clyde was a remarkable man as testified by the attendance at his funeral.  There were hundreds of people attending and all felt the same about him.  He was one of a kind. He was one year younger than Dad.

Dad was asked to speak at his funeral.





Clyde at 19

BEAUTIFUL BOXES

Here we are in Utah for a funeral of a dear, dear friend (more on that later). We're staying at Dennis and Sue's home and as expected at this time of the year, things are really popping with a senior HS student about to graduate. Since Sashy is the president of her dance class, Timp View Dance Company, Suzanne as the Mom of the President has a very busy job as well.
Suzanne MADE these boxes (and the flowers) for each of the girls and for each of their mothers.  The girl's boxes are the upright ones and held a little gift and the mother's boxes are the oblong boxes that held a little sweetie.  They were so pretty I just had to take some pictures.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

THE FAMOUS "DEVIL'S TOWER"

As with most of the things they visited, since it is off season, they pretty much had the places to themselves.  Devil's Tower was no exception.  Ken said they didn't see a car for miles and miles as obvious in this picture.

Trip's over.  The weather got too bad to keep going to Iowa
so a visit to there will have to be another time.

A VISIT TO THEWORLD'S LARGEST SNAKE AND AMPHIBIAN MUSEUM.

Ken said the visit to this museum was well loved by all.  The Cobra really wanted to get at them, and probably the alligator as well.


A VISIT TO THE CRAZY HORSE MONUMENT

There is a plan to build a monument to Crazy Horse. It is not too far from Mt. Rushmore. It has been started, but has a long way to go. Actually when we saw it 5 years ago, it looked about the same so I think it will be a few years before it is finished. Nevertheless, the size is very impressive.



Thursday, April 21, 2011

MT. RUSHMORE

One (of many) highlight of the trip was a visit Mt. Rushmore. It is a breath taking scene.  The majesty of it is really indescribable.  A must see.  If you haven't as yet, you must add it to your bucket list. 
KEN


NATHAN
STEVEN
MAYRA
DAVIS

WHO ARE THESE STRANGE ANIMALS?

A VISIT TO THE WIND CAVES OF SOUTH DAKOTA

The caves are huge and there is even a lake in them. It stretches more than 100 miles and is one of the longest caves in the world, and the first cave to be designated a national park.  It is listed as the 7th longest cave in the world, and they are still discovering more of it.  It may move up in the list!
This was the original opening.

This is the entryway into the caves.
Lots of stairs to descend.
They had their own personal Ranger tour guide.
S-M-I-L-E !

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

THEY VISITED MUSEUMS AND STATE PARKS

Ken, Mayra, Davis & Steven

Nathan at the Hot Springs Museum (former VA Hospital)
Steven checking out the displays.
Cool looking exhibits of the Ghost Dancers ceremonial shirt.
Former Fort Robinson's Officer's Quarters

SPRING BREAK PICTURES FROM THE MAPLETON GROUP

As promised, here are some pictures from the trip that Ken took with Mayra, Davis, Steven & Nathan.  I'll post a few each day.  It's a great trip and I hope everyone will get a chance to do a similar trip sometime soon.

The first place they headed was to see Aria and catch a game or two.
Happy to all be together again.
They found a nice place to camp.
Gorgeous scenery and MEN!
And wonderful trees to climb.