Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs Arkeybald!

Annie, Brittany, Jake, & Jordan Archibald 6-4-09

June 30, 2001...ah, I remember it well. Brittany and Jordan were married in the Washington DC temple. It was a sunny rainy humid day. The power went out in the Marriott Hotel where we were staying. Forget about blow-drying my hair for the reception. The real question was, would we find our way down the stairwell? The flowers were beautiful, the food delicious, but nothing compared with the ceremony performed by Jordan's Uncle Bruce Hafen. It was a wonderful time with great memories. And then the plane that was supposed to take the happy couple to Bermuda was grounded for the storm. So they ended up spending the next day at Jordan's parents, opening presents, while Chelsea and I, oblivious to their plight, roamed around the mall. Do you think they could have called me? Do you? Do you? (okay, I threw all that in for Brittany because she still hasn't forgiven me for getting rid of Orange Kitty, that is to say, adopting her out to a nice family in the ward).

And now, 8 years later, 2 precious children and one on the way, 3 degrees under their belts, with 4-6 moves behind them and a few more to go, they're better than ever. What a team...what a family...what inspiration! I love you all...very very much!!!!!

But such a shame for his million dollar education they couldn't get the name right.

Welco Babbe Cousi

If my goings and comings are confusing you, well they're confusing me too. However, since I just returned from the Babbel Cousins Reunion in Midway, UT, I thought I'd quickly post that today and then get back to my previous ramblings later.

A perfectionist might be bothered by the sign below. However, not I. Wrapping the remaining letters around the corner I hoped we were smart enough to figure it out considering we're loaded with doctors and lawyers and plenty of Indian chiefs. But ya never know with this crowd!

Grandpa and Grandma Babbel had 9 children and 59 (there was much confusion and many inaccurate guesses as to the actual number but I know I'm right, in true Babbel fashion) grandchildren. Two died in infancy and one more was adopted later on, bringing the final tally to 60. About 27 or so, along with some spouses, were able to get together. For 5 hours on June 20th we ate, kibbitzed, sang, laughed and cried. Testimonies were shared along with the ever famous "Cisco Kid". One general conclusion was drawn by all...We're proud to be part of the Babbel Family. What a heritage! What a legacy!

Brad Harper, DDS, Blackfoot, ID, carrying on Uncle Wendell's tradition

L-R back row: Dennis & Joanne Smith,Sandy Marble,Marlene Gallacher,Cheryl Munns,Joyce Woolf

2nd row from top: Wendy Babbel & Larry Ferguson,Brent & Kim Harper,Candy & Rob Bateman,Brad Harper,Bruce Harper,Candy Croft,John Woolf,MaryJane & Dave Babbel,Darrell & MaryAnn Back,Norman Schenk

3rd row from top starting with red pants: Connie Brundage,Bernie Mortenson,Gayle Woolf,Ann Babbel,Fred & Soni Babbel,Kay & Jim Ivins

front row: Kelly Gallacher,Fred Woolf,Lee Brundage,Jay Munns holding Samantha,Bill Woolf,Brian Harper,Gary Babbel. Ivy Chase, Doug Cloward, and Bret & Mariana Harper had to leave before we could actually get organized for a picture.

You may be surprised to learn that I actually hail from tall folk. For instance, cousin Bruce, the one whose head is between my two sisters, Marlene and Cheryl, is actually standing on the ground...not on the hearth like those of us on the back row. The only ones there, shorter than I, were Samantha Olea Munns, 12 months old and of course, Baby Sawyer, 7 months old. I'm tired of being the runt in the family but occasionally it comes in handy for, oh, say, 6 hour plane rides to Boston.

Boston-Part 2

Chelsea, Sawyer and I took the JetBlue redeye from Long Beach to Boston on May 19th. This was Sawyer's first airplane ride. He also seems to be the only one who got any sleep. We arrived at 2:00am PST or 5:00am EST and took a taxi to One Western Ave., Boston, known among locals as the ugliest building in Boston--known to us as the student apartment Brittany, Jordan, and kiddos lived in while at HBS. I have grown very fond of their 7th floor digs, and will miss all my good times there. The Archies were still in Potomac having been at Jordan's sister's wedding and didn't arrive until later in the afternoon at which time I drove back to the airport to pick them up. The following are some of the things we did those beginning few days before Brittany and Jordan alohaed it out of there.

First we all had to play with Baby Sawyer.

Chelsea, Sawyer and I walked to the Harvard Bookstore and posed above the Charles River.

Later we went to Walden Pond, got lost looking for Thoreau's house (because it's not there) and found our way back to the crummy little beach that was loaded with strange-accented speaking people. This was one of our only "hot" days. Which is why the crummy little beach was so cram packed with "s-as" people. Chelsea was convinced as we wandered through the woods that men from Deliverance were lurking behind each tree. Annie and I perservered singing "The Bear Went Over the Mountain", and Chelsea chimed in on the chorus, "Enough already I tell you, enough already I tell you, Enough..." (you get the point). I'd been wanting to go to Walden Pond for so many years, to wander through the mighty forest that inspired Thoreau and countless generations, that I was a little disappointed by some of the commonness of it. However, Brittany said that when she was there in the falltime it was gorgeous and quiet and uncomplicated. So perhaps I will have to go back.

In spite of all they had to do before taking off 2 1/2 days later, Jordan managed to surprise Brittany with a little late night pre-birthday party and ice cream cake from BR's so we celebrated along with some of their friends. It was fairly casual.

I drove Jord and Britt back to the airport on Sat and then the rain started coming and it rained and rained. We even had thunder and lightning. (No big deal for some of you, but I don't see much of that since I left Houston.)

But not to be outdone by Mr. Badsport Weather, Chelsea and I started planning some great day trips, threw the kiddos in the car, and off we went...exploring again...with bottles and diapers and car seats and maps and GPS's and cell phones and Cheez-Its and Goldfish and sippy cups and Diet Cokes and Aleve. Oh yes, coloring books and crayons and balls and dolls and blankies and blankies and blankies. And more Diet Cokes and Aleve.

More to follow. I leave for Utah tomorrow but hope to continue this exciting saga while on the road.

Yours truly, Jack Kerouac

The Boston Trip

This is what Brittany and Jordan did when they went to Hawaii :



This is what I did:

Reggie...11/94-06/08/09

Eli called from Salt Lake and said, "Mom, Dad got me a new puppy and I'm bringing him home. He's part border collie/Australian cattle dog/blue heeler. I know you don't want a dog in the house so I'll keep him in his kennel when he's inside". That was almost 15 years ago. And he slept in the kennel for oh, maybe 5 days. From that point forward he was one of the family, sleeping anywhere he darn where chose.

Reginald Storey, "Reggie" became the best friend any boy or girl could ever have. He brought me such joy and companionship. He listened to my secrets and never passed them on. He greeted all my visitors but kept the bad guys out. He encouraged me to go on walks and hike in the Sierras but loved to take naps and watch TV as much or more than I. Although he was Eli's dog I got to have him alot of the time while he was travelling the world or working in far off places. Family reunions and large family dinners will not be the same without his hanging around our feet and eating the leftovers.

Last week Eli called to tell me that he didn't think Reggie would make it much longer. He had Old Dog Vestibular Syndrome and couldn't stand up, was very sick, and literally on his last leg. A few days passed and it became clear Reg would have to be put down. How sad we were when we heard it was finally over. Eli will pick up his ashes in 2 weeks. Hopefully I'll be able to join him in the Sierras as we sprinkle the ashes in the wind. And hopefully Reggie will be one of those who greet us with other family members and friends as we pass through the veil and enter act three of our lives.

Reggie, I hope you're running and jumping and chasing squirrels. You will be missed.

If You're Fond of Sand Dunes and Salty Air

I'm back from New England and have lots to talk about but company's coming tomorrow so things will have to be put on the back burner again. However, I had to post these pictures of Jake and Annie's Crocs and their treasures. Jakey was playing with the McDonald's kids meal toys while we were at Cape Cod and Annie was collecting sea shells. She also wanted to make sure I got a picture of her Cheez-Its. Unfortunately, Annie buried her dinosaur and when it was time to leave she couldn't find it again. In desperation she went from mound of sand to mound of sand digging away. Nope, nothing there. Perhaps that was her first experience in the vastness of the "sands of the sea".

Okay, one more picture.

There were some men from the Hyannis Port Conservation Department bagging clams. They had a few on the end of the truck that were separate from the rest. I told Annie she could take one home with her. Unfortunately, we didn't remember about it until several days had passed and Chelsea started commenting on the "strange" smell in the house. Ah yes, the clam had begun it's stealthy getaway. Stinky! Stinky! Poor little clam had to go down the apartment trash chute. Poor apartment trash chute collectors had to deal with it along with the MOUNDS of diapers that also went down the chute. Those guys are unsung heroes.