Cache is here

Our little bundle of joy was brought into this world Thursday, September 18 2008. Cache Allen Calkins was born at 2:27 pm and weighed a hefty 9 lbs 2 oz and was 21 inches long. He was 5 days overdue, but he came just in time. We love him so much. There is pictures and my labor story posted on my blog. He is so cute and I can't wait for you all to meet him.

Before and After

This is the old city hall before window trim.

AFTER
The photos below show the result of many months of hard work and perseverance. The window trims that Dad has been working on are beautiful. Just another step in the complete restoration of this building and a labor of love on the part of Dad and all those who believe in this project.

Way to Go, Camden!

Dad e-mailed me some great photos of Camden's Court of Honor held on July 27, 2008. He earned his Eagle along with 5 other young men in his Ward. Wow, they must have a great scoutmaster and a wonderful Bishop! What an accomplishment for Camden. A man from Hogle Zoo brought an eagle to the event-this eagle was nursed back to health but was not able to return back to the wild. I'm sure it must have been powerful for all to see this magnificent bird and realize that the Eagle award in scouting is a great achievement. Congratulations, Camden!

Leslie and Jason are Married!!!

Here are a few pictures from Leslie and Jason's wedding. The photographer will have many more, but we won't get those for another week. Thanks to everyone who shared this great day with us. It was fun to be together and we missed those who couldn't make it. The day was beautiful, but hot! The flowers were gorgeous! And we had a lot of fun!

Paint World Show

We came to Ft. Worth with a few thousand of our closest horse and rider friends for the annual American Paint Horse Association World Show. The Will Rogers Memorial Center is kind of like Temple Square for horses with three big indoor air-conditioned arenas etc, etc. More boots and hats than we knew ever existed.

Kate is competing is several events, both Western and English. To make a long story short, Kate won the Novice Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation (English tack, riding a pattern to qualify for the finals and then in the arena with all 16 finalists riding along the rail together). She is the 2008 APHA World Champion in the event.

We were thrilled for her! People come to this show year after year and never make it to the finals.

She had friends watching the live video feed in Arizona and California, who called their mutual friends and Kate had a dozen phone calls congratulating her within about 20 minutes of the win.

Kendall and Alyson Buchanan

Kendall and Alyson were married last Thurday-May 15, 2008. They are such a darling couple and their love for each other was evident in their eyes and their beautiful smiles. Karl and Kate have had two wonderful additions to their family in just a matter of days! Carolynn and Matt were there with their beautiful new baby daughter Kaiya. She seemed to take everything in stride!

Mother's Day!

To all the mothers in the Buchanan family-I want to wish you a happy day. I feel so blessed to be in the same family with you. I learn so much from you-the way you nurture, teach, take on new projects, manage and love your families, and continue to be the great examples you are to me.

Our Little Adventure

Jennilee and Logan joined me and Brent on a 4-day cruise from San Diego to Vancouver with a stop in Victoria. We experienced very rough seas the first 2 days. Unfortunately, this was Logan's first cruise and he soon found out that he had a tendency for sea sickness. You really never know until you get it! Brent actually does get it too but fortunately, I had sea sickness patches for them and that really helped. We spent time in our cabins watching movies and that was fun. They had a DVD library on board and we caught up on some great flicks. You had to learn a "new walk" to get around but we really did have a great time. The last day was smooth sailing and they put the water back in the pools and hot tubs so everyone could enjoy that. Here are a few pics from our trip...

Your Table Is Ready!

Lincoln has a promising future as a waiter. The family prepared a special dinner and was waiting for Dad to come home! It was a great occasion!

one spring day at a time

You know how it is in March and April...one day you feel the hope of spring, the next day you are drawn back in to winter. I remember one reading day at BYU in April, laying out on our front lawn studying and getting sunburned. The next day it snowed and I had to walk around in warm clothes (lots of layers) with sunburned legs. Not fun. Well, nothing too crazy here, but we are taking advantage of the warm days we have until the rainy cold ones come right back. Bring on the month of May where the weather isn't so confusing.

I'm not sure if I'm doing this right. All the rest of you in the family have little kids to show photos of as they change from day to day, but grandma and I never seem to change as far as our appearance so we won't send you pictures of ourselves. We can send pictures of the potatoes from our garden in a few months or sunshiny days which will soon be coming. For right now here are two photos of the progress on the Old City Hall. A few days ago I installed the first frame of 22 windows which we hope to have done in a few months.

Window Trim

Happy Easter

Hello Family! I was just outside noticing the beautiful daffodils that are popping up everywhere lately and it just reminded me of how much my Heavenly Father loves me and shows it to me by the beauties of the earth. I hope everyone is having a great Easter and I love you so much!

Our Old Houses

Julie, Brent and Devin came to visit us on Easter Sunday. They took a tour of our old neighborhoods and found some of the houses that we have lived in had changed-a lot! Here are some pictures of the house on 2475 East (we lived there in the early 60's) and the house on 3020 South (we lived there in the late 50's-early 60's).

A Shower?

I remember when I was little and mom had been invited to a baby shower. She was just leaving the house with her present when I noticed that she had forgotten her shower cap. So, being the helpful little daughter, I ran and got it for her. No one had bothered to tell me that they didn't take showers at a baby shower!

Last Saturday we had a fun time at a baby shower for Carolynn. We had a small brunch and opened presents and played silly games. (Name the candy bar) But the most fun was just being together. We love our family and wish that everyone could have been there! For those of you who haven't met Alyson yet (Kendall's fiancee), she's sitting next to Carolynn in some of the pictures on the slide show. We are so happy she is joining our family.

Check out my Slide Show!

Deer Dad

Dad sent me some pictures he took last Saturday morning as deer wandered into his yard-acting like they owned the place. At first I wondered if they were decorations left over from Christmas but no, they are real. Just so they stay off the highway!

Engaged!!!!

Last week Leslie and her boyfriend, Jason went on a cruise with all of their friends. While in Jamaca they hiked up Dunn's River Falls. At the falls, Jason pulled out a ring and proposed to Leslie. Boy was she ever surprised! We are so excited. No date has been set, but they are looking at sometime this July. Congratulations Leslie & Jason!!!