President Bush Summer Home on Walkers Point in Kennebunkport, Maine

Sitting on a small peninsula, the Bush Compound at Walkers Point is beautiful. I can't imagine waking up to such a magnificent sight each morning. The house is spectacular. However, it doesn't compare with the beauty that surrounds it. The ocean waves crash over the rocky shore creating a soothing sound. On the east is the ocean. On the west are incredible homes(The sad part for most of us is that these homes are summer homes. A majority of them only have residents sporadically. Some of them are gigantic.). Protestors are going to miss coming to such a beautiful place on earth. The residents of Kennebunkport will probably be relieved.

There is a main house, and then several other buildings. As you get closer to the road, there is a guard house with a formidable gate. There is always a well-known black suv parked near the guard house.

I cut the gate and guard house out of picture, but if you could keep moving to the left on your screen, you would soon come to the guard house. I am sure you noticed that there is really no fence because the natural barriers provide good protection. It really is even more beautiful when the leaves and the grass are green. I know it will never happen, but it would be wonderful to actually take a tour, and see how the other half lives.

Christmas 2008

Well another year has come and gone. Carrying on traditions that you have celebrated as an extended family can be quite challenging when you are down to five. We have tried, but things are never quite the same. On Christmas Eve, we had the traditional clam chowder and chicken noodle soup, but alas no oyster stew or spahettios. Next year I will get the spahettios, but I have no idea how to make oyster stew. We missed the recitation of Carol's "Ode to Oyster Stew," and Bob's "Rebuttal," but we are sure the poems were read. If anyone taped them, send them our way. I would really love to have them for posterity especially Kaleb. I would be happy with even a written copy of the poems. We could even try to recite them. I should have taken a few pictures, but I didn't think, and I knew I would get in trouble for using my Christmas present too early. Next Year????!!!!!

The rest of the night was quiet. We are used to lots of noise and confusion. This is quite an adjustment. Finally, it was time for bed, and the excitement of Christmas morning. At 6:00 A.M. , Jamie burst into our room and turned on the light. She couldn't take it any longer. At least it was an hour more than we used to get. I opened my present first(like on Saturday, December 20. I had to figure out how to use it.).



Jame and Dylan finally got their phones. Jake and I have been holding out as long as possible. Thank heaven Dylan is such a patient and understanding young man.

Kaleb was a bit surprised to get this gun because we didn't even have a system to use it with.

However that all changed very quickly!

By the time we were done, this is what Jake and I looked like. You don't think I am crazy enough to put a picture of myself zonked out like this. Besides Jake is sooooooo much more handsome.

Christmas Day was as quiet as Christmas Eve. We played games, and had dinner, but we missed all the love and excitement of family. We missed the prime rib and the story about the man with his bag. We did get to watch Jase open his presents with the webcam, and talk with Josh, Che, Zach, and Carly. The age of technology brings a little of that excitement into our home. I hope that all of you had a very Merry Christmas.

Snow (Blizzard) Day!

Weather is a strange and fascinating thing. Most of the time it is pleasant and nice: a few snowflakes here, a raindrop or two there. Sunshine abounds. There are those times though when Mother Nature is just outright angry (maybe playful), I guess. Yesterday was one of those days. Apparently if I were a true "Mainer," I would already have experienced these kinds of storms which were common years ago. I, however, come from the desert. At least, I didn't realize it until we moved here. I only remember it snowing like this once in Utah about 18 years ago. It was my only snow day in a 16 year teaching career in Weber County. This is the second snow day this year! I am highly amused that I have to go to school tomorow. One day this week and it just happens to be a Tuesday.

Living in a nice, comforting home, I can appreciate with awe and amazement anything Mother Nature does. When the snow began to fall, we were at church. With about an hour of church left, the branch president dismissed church and urged everyone to hurry home. On a normal day it is a 25 minute drive. Needless to say, it took us a bit longer yesterday. ( I keep hoping we will change times, but 9:00 is our time every Sunday. That's what I get for being so spoiled!!!!)

We did arrive home safely, and watched as the snow kept falling. We couldn't believe the snow attached to the windows, and it just kept falling.

Kaleb wanted in on the picture taking, so I told him to stand real still because I wasn't using a flash and it would take a second. Obviously it was a little difficult for him, but the rest of the picture is in focus.

Outside the storm rages, while I am tucked in my warm and comfy home.

When we awoke the next morning, about 16 inches of snow covered our yard. It was a beautiful sight. The pine trees were bent from the snow perched atop their branches, and the barren trees had grown a white leaf. Jake and Dylan dressed in their warmest snow clothes, and began the arduous task of diggin us out. Two hours later, the snow was moved.

What a cushy pillow that would be if only it wasn't sooooo cold!

The snow was packed in the wheels of the four-wheeler. When Jake had finished, there was so much snow that the plow got stuck in the up position. Thank heaven the cable wasn't broken because I think we will be needing it a little.

This will make for a dandy white Christmas. It really doesn't get much better unless you are with family.

Alas the days of Summer!

As I sit here watching the snow swirling around outside, staring at the piles of snow, hoping I don't lose my power, wondering if I will have school tomorrow, knowing we probably won't have school, and wishing my Christmas shopping was done, my mind wanders to a time that seems so far removed from today. Summer! As a family, we have had so much fun at the beach. The water never gets real warm, but warm enough to swim in by July. A smile spread across my face as I watched the videos of summers past. I can't wait to go looking for hermit crabs, starfish, and strange creatures. I can't wait to wander in the ocean hoping you don't feel anything wriggle beneath your feet. I can't wait to go looking for seashells. I can't wait to watch Jake fishing and the kids swimming. I will enjoy where I'm at, and be glad for the snow. However, I hope you get as much enjoyment out of this video as I did.
Happy Snow Days!!!!

If you can't beat them, join them!

Jake and I have never been too fond of video games. We did buy a game system some 27 years ago, and Jake enjoyed playing Mario's world. He was a little obsessed with it, but after he beat the game, he was done with video games.

We have thoroughly despised the games believing them to be an absolute waste of time, and so what do our boys do. You guessed it. Being part of the technology generation, they love them. We bought only the one game system, and ever since then if the boys wanted a game system, they bought it. Well, Dylan got him a little job at Shaw's, and saved the money and bought an Xbox 360. Games have come a long way in 27 years. Jake has finally relented and plays them every now and then. I am really bad, so I don't play often, but I did a pretty good job with MarioKart. I was quite amused tonight, as Dylan donned his headphones and began to play. Low and behold, Josh and Zach were on as well. It is amazing that they can actually talk to each other as they play. Jake decided he wasn't going to miss out on the fun, so he joined them. I couldn't resist.

Dylan and Jake are in Maine playing Zach and Josh in Utah. Unfortunately for Kaleb they could only have four players, so as usual he was stuck watching. He is a pretty good sport about it.

All I can say is HAPPY PLAYING!!