Broken door

This strange photo is of inside of our entry door, showing how we are (sort of) closing the door and screen with bungees. More than sad, this situation leaves a crack just big enough for mosquitos to enter, which they have been. This Springville RV park is pretty nice except it is situated near a swamp-like body of water. Do the math.

I am doing this post at Amanda's urging. I said I didn't want to do it since it is so discouraging. Amanda said that one day we'd look back on this and laugh. We'll see.

It is an interesting tale, in a discouraging way. The door and frame were badly twisted in Idaho when a strong wind came up, grabbing the open door and slamming it around. Two repair places concluded the door would have to be replaced. So, OK. We started the process on August 1st. The door order was placed with a manufacturer in California. Then we found out that this particular door had to be custom built. After waiting on the delivery for a month, it arrived. It was wrong. They built it for a trailer rather than a motorhome. Short story, every one is frustrated. The RV service place here in Salt Lake City, is very reliable. They have done good work for us over the years. They are trying to find a solution for us. Today is Sept 7. We had planned to leave Utah next week, not to return until next August. We don't know what we'll do. We can't continue traveling with a broken entry door.

Obviously this is an abridged story. We may know more tomorrow. So, far I'm not laughing.

He calls me Papa

One of the highlights of my summer has been my Grandson TJ (Thomas James Connelly) beginning to call me "Papa," which is my favorite grandfather sobriquet. When he sees me he says "Papa". It makes me smile. Now, TJ is working on several words, but his 17 month vocabulary is still limited. Being a basic boy his best words, often said in his strong voice, refers to anything to drink (Wad-der) or anything to eat (Cookie). So it's an honor for me to now be included in his limited loved-ones list, which of course includes "Mama" and "Daddy," which he begins yelling when his father comes in the door from work. It has been very special to spend some time with TJ and his brother David and his sisters Rebecca and Sara .

Cougar-kind

Isn't this a fun front page of the BYU newspaper, "The Daily Universe"? The story is about the football team as it gets ready for its first game as an "independent" this Saturday (9/3/11) at Mississippi. This is the "giant leap". Go Cougars!

We were on campus this week. It is orientation week and there is electricity in the air. We saw so many young adults scurrying around getting ready for their adventure. We can remember when we were starting this chapter in our lives. So much has changed, but much remains the same.

Ganon's Graduation

Yesterday's (8/11/11) Commencement exercises and today's (8/12/11) Convocation marks the conclusion of Ganon's 22 years of schooling (K thru today--Mom's count). The ceremonies took place here at the Marriott Center on the campus of BYU Provo.

He received his Master of Business Administration degree from the Marriott School of Business, ranked among the best business programs in the USA

Here comes the graduate!

He is waving to Heidi during the recessional (not the girl in the lei)

GP and his close advisors and supporters

Dad was happy to be here...

as was Mom and sister Becca

This lady deserves much of the credit for Ganon plowing through a very heavy workload and finally reaching this honor

ahhh

The fam sat up in the rafters where TJ had room to roam, here with Papa's hat

Five Connelly men ( Jon w/sons l to r Kevin, Nat and Michael) came together to enjoy the reception and honor Ganon. (Note TJ trying to get into the photo--he makes the sixth Connelly man in the photo)

Heidi was up late last night preparing candy leis for this Hawaii boy

GP, we are proud of you on many levels! Congratulations!

Dinner and a Show

The dinner tonight (8/3/11) was spaghetti at Ganon and Heidi's.

The show was our grandson TJ Connelly. With enthusiasm, he began eating with a spoon in his left hand. Soon the spoon was augmented by his bare right hand. Then the spoon was transfered to his right hand and then discarded altogether and he began shoveling the tasty dinner into his mouth (and environs) with both hands. Our laughter didn't slow him down as he ate 5 or 6 bowls full. His mother insisted that he did have lunch. Gramma, whose recipe we used, was pleased that TJ enjoyed the meal.

Gramma and I remembered that our Becca as a baby ate spaghetti in much the same way. Somewhere we have a picture of her with spaghetti sauce up into her eye brows.