Playing with my grandkids

Rachel made some ornaments from clay and let the kids paint them. It was fun seeing their creations.

Playing with William as he put together his A-B-C puzzle. With each new piece, he sang the ABC song. It was really cute!

Tsurugaka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura

On two different days, we took the train to Kamakura. The first day we went to a shrine.

We climbed these many steps, but once at the top, no photos are allowed inside.

These beautifully dressed Japanese women posed for me. 

The streets of Kamakura had many, many very interesting shops!

Change of Command Ceremony

Monday, December 9, was a very big day in our family. It's the day Hans was promoted to Captain of the USS Curtis Wilbur at the formal Change of Command ceremony. My feelings for this day are many, but the biggest one is the pride I feel in my son's accomplishments. Here are some of the photos I took of the day. The Commodore assured me a DVD will be coming my way of the complete ceremony.

Before the ceremony, a small reception was held in the ship's wardroom. It was the first time I saw Hans in his dress uniform, complete with ribbons and medals. When I saw him, I got very emotional. He looked just awesome! He introduced me to the Commodore and the outgoing Commanding Officer. 

I have never seen so much brass!

The outgoing Commanding Officer giving his farewell speech.

The ceremony lasted about an hour. It began with a welcome from the Executive Officer, the presentation of the colors, followed by the singing of both the Japanese and American national anthems. By the way, the female vocalist had an awesome voice! After the invocation, the Commodore spoke and then both the outgoing Commanding Officer and Hans gave speeches. Hans was eloquent! The conclusion was both the outgoing CO and Hans reading their new orders. All in all, it was very impressive. There were perhaps a hundred in attendance. A reception followed the ceremony in another place on the base.

This photo was taken after the conclusion of the ceremony. The kids need a little work on their salutes, but I think they're cute anyway!

A family photo

A Tour of the Ship

A couple of days before the ceremony, Hans took us on a tour of the ship (bunting was being put in place).

His state room has custom made pillows on the sofa.

In the wardroom, as well as on the bridge, there is a chair that only the Commanding Officer is allowed to sit in. 

Hans in the CO chair on the bridge. 

On the deck of the ship

Josiah had been bored on the ship until we were in the control room. One of the sailors started communicating with him on this headset, and then he had fun! We could hear their conversation on a speaker. 

The stage was set up for the ceremony.

Watching a sailor preparing to lower the flag.

Mt. Fuji

On Sunday, Hans drove Steve and me over to see Mt. Fuji. It was a wonderful time of visiting while seeing some of Japan. Approaching the mountain, most of it was cloud covered. Hans was really disappointed in this, but of course, could do nothing about it. However, on our route we drove through a lengthy tunnel, and when we came out on the other side, there was Mt. Fuji in all her splendor! She had some snow on the top.

(Please ignore the buildings in the foreground.)

I spotted this Kentucky Fried Chicken and asked to eat here. I was glad Hans and Steve agreed. From our table we could see Mt. Fuji while listening to Josh Groben singing I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. I said, "It doesn't get any better than this!"

I bought a couple of Christmas gifts here.

After eating, we drove to a shrine at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The entrance of the shrine is really pretty, cement lanterns lining the way. The large trees were towering over the shrine. I thought they might be sequoias, but learned later they are cedar. 

I like standing by this tree because it makes me feel thin!

These large rope ties were were really interesting. 

Josiah's Flag Football Game

It was fun getting to see one of Josiah's flag football games. While he was playing, Annika was cheering.

William enjoyed traveling around on the bleachers and peering through his binoculars.

Congratulations, Hans!

Congratulations, Hans!

Today Hans was promoted to Commanding Officer of one of the US Navy's guided missile destroyers. His dad and I were privileged to attend the official ceremony in Japan. This is a huge responsibility for which Hans has worked very hard. I hope to add photos of the ceremony once I am home.

Leaving on a jet plane . . .

My bags are packed and tomorrow morning I will be on my way to Japan where I will have the honor of seeing my son, Hans, be promoted to Commanding Officer of one of our nations finest guides missile destroyers. I've been looking forward to this for a very long time now. I can't wait to see him and his family. Josiah is 9 years old now, Annika is 7 (almost 8), and William is 4. I haven't seen the kids or Rachel since August and haven't seen Hans since the beginning of July.

I'm looking forward to seeing Japan again, too (I was there in 2006 when Annika was only 3 weeks old.), because I think it's a very interesting country. I loved seeing the way they respect one another. And I couldn't get over their cleanliness. I remember thinking our country looked so dirty when I came back home. It made me so that I stoop to pick up trash when I see it now.

I will post more as I'm able.

"Bring Him Home, Santa" Early Christmas Wish

This wonderful video was recorded by the USS Curtis Wilbur Family Readiness Group. The purpose of a FRG is to plan and conduct social, informational, care-taking, and morale building activities that will increase family readiness and enable the total Navy family to meet the challenges of the mission and military lifestyle. Here and there are photos of my three grandchildren and their wonderful mom, Rachel.  Seeing these kids just melts my heart.

A Grateful Heart

My heart is full of gratefulness this year. I've been blessed beyond measure with good health, travel, being with family and friends, a nice, warm house, flowers in the summer, music, theater, good books, helping to welcome a new pastor and his wife at our church, a great job, and much, much more. God is so Good!

Christmas Brings Much Anticipation

This year Thanksgiving falls as late as it can be, leaving a smaller amount of time for Christmas preparations. Stores will be opening sooner than ever for that famous "black Friday." This morning I noticed many folks in foreign countries had been searching "Christmas" on the Internet and landed on two of my blog entries from the past: "Christmas Decorations in Our Office," and "The Christmas Season Has Begun." When I noticed this, the entries were from Gateshead, United Kingdom; Masterton, New Zealand; Athens, Greece; Toronto, Canada; London, England; Kiev, Ukraine; Paris, France; and Singapore.

As I write this, I'm sitting at the reception desk in our office while nine people are putting up the tree and the garland on the stairways. Plus, this year they are running the movie It’s a Wonderful Life on a TV. Talk about fun! I love it.

Happy Birthday, Peder!

Peder, age 4 or 5

Peder in high school

Peder with Aurelia, who is now 6

Sarah holding Leo, Peder, Aurelia, and Felix

Just 40 years ago today, Peder was born to our family. What a delightful child he was, and what a special man he has become.

Peder, I love watching you as the years go by. It's a joy to see you with your wife and children. I hope this is a very special time for you as you march into another decade of your life.

Happy Birthday!

Heidi and Marshall

I sure enjoyed having some special time with my daughter and Marshall the last few days. I don't get to see them often enough.

Last night they, Peder and I had a very nice dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. I loved it! Then Heidi and Marshall stayed over night with me. This morning, Marshall climbed into the bed with me and Heidi. I announced, "This is the first time there have been 3 people in my bed at the same time." Heidi corrected me, "Mom, there are 4 of us." "That's right!"

 Nels thought it was really fun to jump into Heidi's luggage.

After baking chocolate chip cookies this morning and visiting for awhile, we went shopping and out to lunch. Again, we had a great time. I had to say farewell to them this evening, but hope to see Heidi again in a few weeks on my way to Japan.

Marshall playing with Legos at the Mall of America Legos Store

Happy Veterans Day!

To all veterans, I thank you for your selfless service to our country. I'm grateful for your sacrifices and am so proud of you. Thank you to your families, as well. I know my son's family has left many friends, homes, schools, and pets behind to support him. This doesn't go unnoticed. Thank you, Rachel. Thank you, Josiah. Thank you, Annika, Thank you, William. Thank you, Hans.

Marshall Turns 5!

When someone says your life is like a roll of toilet paper, you'd better believe them. The closer you get to the end, the quicker the time goes. Honest. It seems like it was only a year or two ago that I was holding Marshall in my arms and rocking him. Today I was celebrating his 5th birthday!

Here are a few photos from his party:

Happy Birthday, Marshall!

New life!

Today my former co-worker and friend, Whitney, brought her 2 1/2 month old twins to the office for all of us to see. I loved seeing and holding them. The little boy, now 13 pounds, is named Elliot. His little sister, Ruby, is a little over 10 pounds. They are both as sweet as can be. These are the first twins I have ever known as babies and the first I have ever held. Later I got to go to lunch with them, too. They slept the entire time.