UTAH GRANDKIDS, HALLOWEEN '09

Here are some pictures of the grandkids in Lehi and Riverton, as they went about their Halloween festivities. Thanks to Kim and Cheniel for sending these to me. The only people missing are Jeremy, who was working - and Lexxi who was in Idaho for the weekend. Oh by the way Kim, we could still use some pictures of Tyler. . . hint, hint.

ELIZABETHTOWN WARD, 'TRUNK OR TREAT'

Mike, Amber and Madi came down on Saturday night to attend our Elizabethtown Ward, Trunk or Treat activity. I took a few pictures of the night's festivities and I am adding some of them to the blog.

I had contemplated the possibility of dressing as the Grim Reaper and masquerading as the, 'Spirit of Hope and Change'. Another possibility I considered was to wear a tombstone costume and go as, 'ObamaCare'. Owing to the fact that it has been a VERY long time since I've been enthused about any Halloween activity - let alone dressed up and participated - coupled with the fact I didn't actually HAVE a costume, I simply turned my pockets inside-out and went as an American taxpayer. Halloween has just flat creeped me out for very long time. I have my reasons. It (Halloween) wasn't always like that for me. I could dress up and be as ghoulish as the next person. My kids loved it. But now. . .now it's different. Normally, I will stay home and pop one of my favorite movies into the DVD player and chill as I wait for trick-or-treaters. Bottom line? Halloween just doesn't float my boat.
Tonight was different, however, in that my favorite little chick - granddaughter Madi - would be accompanying me. That sweetheart certainly loves her Grampa Hutch. And who can blame her? After all, I'm a pretty lovable guy. Oh yeah, my other favorite chick - Lynne - was there, too.
I made a big batch of spaghetti, sauce, garlic-cheese bread and a salad for supper. After eating and being entertained by Madi, (and a couple of HD football games) we headed over to the church. The parking lot and cultural hall were packed with people dressed in full Halloween regalia. The missionaries also attended and seemed to really enjoy themselves.
We stayed for an hour or so and then came back home for more fun, conversation and unabashed Madi adoration. Oh yeah, and football, and the World Series, and more football, and. . .well, you get the idea. It was a nice evening. . .even for Halloween.

JASON'S BLESSING IN AUGUST 2009

A few days before we left for our China vacation, I flew out to Utah and Idaho because Cheniel and Jeremy had invited me to bless their son (our newest grandson) Jason. This was a great and fun, albeit short and rush-rush trip. I was able to visit with my parents and my sister's family in Idaho Falls, stop by the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication in Utah, spend some unforgettable and quality time with my children and grandchildren and basically just enjoy my time there immensely. Lynne stayed in Kentucky to finish preparations for our departure to Beijing, so she missed out on the chance to visit with seven of our eight grandchildren. The only grandkid missing was Madi. . and she, of course is in Louisville. Lynne was able to soften her disappointment at missing the other grandkids by spending some quality time with Madi while I was gone. Now we learn that Michael and Amber are expecting again! Yee haw! Baby due in June. Ain't life grand?

KENTUCKY AUTUMN ON A GRAY OCTOBER MORN

These photos were taken at Bernheim Forest, which is located across the highway from my office. The colors, normally vibrant and ablaze, were somewhat softened, subdued and muted by an overcast sky that threatened rain at any moment.

LINK TO LYNNE'S CHINA VACATION JOURNAL

www.lynneschinajournal.blogspot.com

HERE IS THE LINK TO OUR CHINA VACATION BLOG - "BEYOND THE BAMBOO CURTAIN"

http://www.hutchensadventure.blogspot.com/

I will be adding more pictures to the China Vacation blog in the next week or so. . .additionally, I will do my best to add some more photos to THIS blog. As Lou Costello would say, " I been a baaaaad boy."

MORE BABY JASON & KAYDEN'S 6TH BIRTHDAY

Cheniel sent me some more photos of Jason's first couple of days in the hospital. She also sent a few of Kayden hamming it up at his 6th Birthday Party. You hear this all of the time, but it's amazing how quickly these little guys (and girls) change and grow up before your eyes. It's the same with all of our grandchildren . . . and although we haven't seen any of Nick, Lily, Andrew and Max lately, we know they are growing just as quickly. (Hey, Kim - hint, hint, wink, wink.)

On another front, our vacation to China has been re-scheduled to August 27 thru September 11. It's been a bummer having to change all of our plans, particularly when we are so excited to go, but in the end, I think we will enjoy our time there even more. Hopefully, this Swine Flu situation will have sufficiently abated by then.