Mary Mary Quite Contrary.........

Well this will be a big surprise to get 2 posts in one day...especially to the Gray Household....but since I was already here thought I would give an update on our "Square Foot Gardening Project". As you can see when compared to the last pictures, which were the day we satrted the garden, it has changed quite a bit. That "Mary Mary" girl would be pretty excited I think. Overall the project has done well. We have learned some things. 1. The mix of compost, vermiculite and peat moss did work pretty well, (though next year I will up the antie a little on the compost)...(making my own right now)! 2. I will buy fresh seeds and starter plants that I personally pick out (or Kim of course), 3. I will thin the plants early enough to actually be able to thin them without damaging the healthier ones, and 4. I will plant the things I know we will eat.

But considering we did not use any actual soil for this garden, it does not look too shabby. The production has not been as good as I would want, but that is where I think more (QUALITY) compost will make the difference. But so far we have gotten tomatoes, zuchinni, yellow squash, and lots of cucumbers. The jury is still out on the corn, potatoes and sweet potatoes, but we will see. The beans were a flop...I think it was the seed???? Whatever the end result is, it has been a great experience for both Kim and I. It's exciting to go to the garden each day and see how much and how fast things grow, and once in a while we get to actually eat something from the garden...Kim more than I because I am so picky!!!!!! Kim is excited, I'm not sure she has ever actually had a veggie garden???? Our pots on the back deck are doing very well. At last count I had 57 peppers growing and we have yellow, pruple, orange, red and yellow ones, so even if we don't eat them all (we really will though) it is pretty just to go look at them. The cucumber bush is producing a cuke about every 2 days and the tomato plant is pretty heavy with tomatoes. So if anyone wants to try a garden that is easy to care for, and fun to grow just give us a call or I will try and put the link on this blog. Happy gardening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BE grateful for the doors of opportunity, and for friends who oil the hinges..............................kjb

More Baby News

The last posting I had to grab some Pics from the past to make things a little interesting since I did not have current ones of the expecting Mom's, but that has all changed now and here are a few. Once Jessie had given us the news we really want ed to go see her and give a very personal congratulations. So we arranged with Holly and Micah to come in early since we would be going to the fireworks at McIntire Park later and got them to go with us down to Jessie and Tanner's. Jessie had her Mom, Brian, Mark and Danielle, Jake and Tiff, Josh Ellie and the kids, and the "Big Yellow Bus" down for their annual 4th of July campout on the James River. So we loaded up in the truck , which I'm glad I took and headed down to James River Farm. One of the really exciting things for Kim and I , is the fact of having two daughters pregnant at
the same time. So one of the 1st picture we took were of Jessie and Holly together, each pointing to the others, not so big belly yet! But that will come and we know it will. Just got pic from Holly showing her tummy starting to poke out a little, and she got to hear the heartbeat with Micah yesterday. See link to Holly and Micahs blog for much more detail and pics. Here I get to give Jessie an official welcome to Motherhood, I love you, and so happy for you HUG! Tummy still not grown much from above but thought I would point at it anyway!
Yes!!!!! Ivana was really excited too. Though I'm not sure if she was more excited about Jessie or being able to be so close to "The Big Yellow Bus" But whatever it is, there is a big beautiful smile there for sure.
And of course, enough can not be said for the excitement of Grandmothers. They understand not only the joy but the hope that a child brings into our lives. Especially when she/we know how much both these girls want a baby, and to add that deeper meaning to "FAMILY", that can and should bond each other together. Yeh, that's not the James River behind Kim, but it is water, there is a big happy smile, and seemed like one I hope she won't be to upset I put out for the world to see.
So until we wrtie again, I bid you all farewell, and may your life be as beautiful as a summer day with just enough clouds to help make you appreciate the sunshine..............keith

BIG SURPRISE

Guess you are probably wondering, What is he doing adding another post so soon, especially after that last one. Well one this 4th of July 2008 Kim and I got up real early to go fishing. I know that is what Kim really wanted to do on a day she could have slept in, but being the trooper and support that she is we headed down to Bob Snows to get in a couple hours of fishing. The weather was nice, the fish were biting, especially on all the new lures that Holly and Micah had gotten me for my birthday. As far as I was concerned it was a great start to celebrating being an American and enjoying a great American experience. And Kim was actually enjoying catching some fish. Had to give her a few pointers on the flyrod thing. She couldn't figure out that whole why the line kept balling up around her foot. But we got that figured out and I think she actually caught more fish than me. But i was OK with that, it is a part of the conversion plan to turn her into a fisher person!!!! She hung one really big bass and I ran to help but just as she was getting it to land, the big boy (or girl) got off!!!! But it was a great training session for the new fisherperson to have. In the midst of all this fun we got a call from Jessie and Tanner. Jessie insisted that Kim put the phone of speaker phone. So with fishing rod in one hand with fish attached and phone in the other, we listened as Jessie expouned..."Guess what, you are going to be Grand-Parents again. I'm Pregnant". I can not express the surprise, excitedment, and gratitude I had at that moment, nor the joy I had for Jessie at that time. I know she has wanted children, and I am thankful for blessings that come from sources that we often overlook or take for granted. I know this will be one of the greatest blessings and adventures of Tanner and Jessie's Life.

Anyway, here is a picture of the happy couple. And I understand they are both very excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now Kim and I are priviledged to not only have two daughters that are beautiful, but that are both pregnant at the same time. Here I am with my two beautiful daughters and as happy as I was in that picture, there are not words exquisite enough to explain the joy that is now Mine and Kim's. Next year 2 new grand children, and maybe even another wedding (hint hint Jacob). Anyway just a short blog entry for the day we have food to cook and eat, fireworks to watch and gratitude for our country to express. To all a wonderful 4th....kjb

First Shot

Well with the help of Holly I think I may have been able to load the video I was trying to do last week, having fun with the gun I got for my birthday. As you watch you may sense I could be the Poster Child for the Local Redneck Association, with members from Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene Counties and the State of West Virginia. And as I have watched it over I would agree. But I had a lot of fun shooting. The video is a little wobbly, Jessie was having a hard time keeping the camera steady with no tri-pod and lots of noise. As we are going into one of my favorite holidays celebrating our independence and formation of our great country. I am thankful for the foresight and insight of our Founding Fathers as they built in the 2nd Amendment to The Constitution affording each citizen of this great country to own and bear arms. To many it may seem a trivial or unnecessary thing. But I know the day has been and the day will come when many who do not understand the importance of this will gain insight, insight even as our Founding Fathers had. So don't judge me too harshly, but you can take the boy out of the country, but you will never take This Great Country out of the boy. May you each have a wonderful 4th of July, and may each of us reflect on freedoms, that are literally not had any where else in this world, and give thanks for The United States of America and the privilege and the responsibility to live and love our country.................kjb

Happy Birthday to ME

Well as you might suspect this is the infamous
Birthday Blog I had mentioned in our previous BLOG. I'm not that big on birthday parties at least for myself, but get great joy in having my family come together and watch them as they get to celebrate with me. Kim worked really hard to put things together, and both she and I got a big surprise when Joshua was able to pop in and join the party. Now that he is an area supervisor (or??? for Dick;s Sporting Goods" one of his stores is here in Charlottesville, and he worked it so he could drop in and surprise us and he did. I still have not gotten the knack for getting the pictures or captions for the pictures figured out yet, but I hope you will get it sorted out as you have the opportunity to read. As you can see in this PIC food is always a big part of a birthday party. I got to wear the outdoor cooks belt that Jessie and Tanner got me for Father's Day and made sure that we had some great grilled hot dogs, my famous baked beans, and Kim took care of all the rest. So we know no one left hungry! Then came the "Hot Fudge Cake" Kim made. It is not my favorite, but I will have to admit it was pretty darn good, and by the way it disappeared, everyone else must have thought so also. Then came PRESENTS. I'll have to admit I was too well treated this year. Holly and Micah bought me a bunch of fishing lures. Holly made the mistake of going into Dick's and asking for help, and the salesman tried to sell her the store, and from the picture you can see she bought a good part of it. I've already tried several of them, and caught fish on every one that I have tried to date...what an awesome gift for this Dad. Then I got another big surprise when I got a group gift from Josh, Mark, Jacob, Jessie, and their spouses (even though some spouses didn't want anything to do with it...but thanks anyway)...a 357 magnum 6 shooter, with enough ammo to pretty much do whatever I wanted to do with. I have wanted a nice pistol for the house for years but would never spend the money for it. It is a beautiful gun, has a big bang (see video), and requires much practice to be accurate (see video again). Jacob, Tiff, and Jessie took me out to shoot some last week, (see video again) and I came back a little bloody from the kick of the gun, but had a great time. But with all the goodness that was poured out upon me by my wife and kids and family, the best gift of all was to be together. I didn't get to take a group photo this gathering even though I know some were taken. The closest I got was this one of everyone getting ready for the family PIC. But I rallied in having us all together, and having opportunities like this to show we care for one another, will make sacrifices for one another, and that we find great joy when we are with one another. Are we the perfect family....not even close, but when the need is there we will be there one for another. And that is one great birthday gift for me. So I say thanks Kim, Josh, Ellie, Luke, Emma, Mark, Danielle, Holly, Micah, Jacob, Tiffany, Jessie, Tanner, Mom, and Charlie. You each made my birthday, truly a celebration of living. I love you all...hope you enjoy the video....love Dad....Well looks like the video will not post Sorry...but it was really cool........shucks!!!

Fathers Day 2008

There are few things that can compare to opportunities of bringing family together. There are times when it is emotionally challenging like when a loved one passes through the veil, and then there are these moments: Like Father's Day. I woke Sunday morning to a bevy of phone calls and Well Wishing. Let's see, there was Holly and Micah at 745am...(what were they doing up that early on Sunday?), followed by Jessie, then Mark, then Jacob and finally Josh. Kim made me a big breakfast...normally breakfast is one piece of wheat toast and a banana....not exciting but healthy!!! But this morning it was crispy (pork) bacon not the Turkey stuff and a pile of pancakes that would feed a small army. Now that was exciting to my taste buds and tummy. Of course that set the mood for a morning nap. Early morning meetings at church were canceled for Father's Day, so a nap was doable. Is "doable" a real word? Eh, works for me hope it does for you! We got to church and I was truly surprised to find Jessie and Tanner sitting in our unauthorized "Family Pew". Then Micah and Holly came to our Ward today for Father's Day. It was great to once again fill up our Family Pew with FAMILY, normally sits 5 comfortable, but today it sat 6 wonderfully cozy. As I said before I love my family each and every one of them and appreciate the small and large things they do because they know how much joy it brings to me. Kim and I have decided for Mother's Day and Father's Day we will let the kids, put in the major efforts for the type of celebrating and the level of celebrating they want to do. Of course we do our thing, but want to allow the children to
experience the opportunity of putting in efforts
of their own in this capacity, to help them learn the importance of giving and sharing in this capacity, without too much coaxing. So instead of a big dinner for Father's Day, we left it open and would only have light sandwiches etc...if anyone came by. Well free food of ANY kind is absolute bait for Holly and Micah, not that that was the only reason they showed up on our steps on Father's Day, but Kim and I are always glad for guests, especially when they are among the "guest we love best". Oh that list of guest we love best includes: Josh and Family, Mark and Danielle, Holly and Micah,Jacob and Tiffany, Jessie and Tanner, our Moms, and Our Siblings! But today only Micah and Holly made it by and that is OK. Jessie and Tanner were at church to visit, Jacob and Tiff were still at the beach, Josh and Ellie and kids live 2 hours away and Mark and Danielle are way south of here. But it was still a great Father's Day. I got to tell my Wife and each of my children how much I loved them, and for me that made for an exquisite and beautiful day for any Father. And for that I am most thankful!! Plus look at all the extras that came in...Chocolate and socks from Jessie....a new constellation book from Kim, Holly, and Micah, and I got to hang out with Holly, Micah, and Ethan... oh if you don't see Ethan he is the little pudge just below Holly's navel!!!! Awesome Awesome Father's Day. A great Father's Day...so let's not cry because it's over, but let's smile because it happened...I am, and I hope you are too! Check back soon for the big 56th birthday bash when once again, family comes together, and the ties that bind were snugged a little tighter, smiles were a little bigger, and I got some more great stuff.......................................kjb