45 to 40: The Traveler

Posted on June 3, 2019 by sumoflam

When we first met in Provo in 1978 I don’t think either of us had an inkling of what lay in store for us and our future together. Like any youthful souls, we had idealistic hopes and dreams. Of course, our main goal after being engaged was getting married, starting a family and finishing college.

Little did we know in July 1979, as we were bound together in loving matrimony, that we would have a future filled with the wonder of travel. For me, by the time I was 22 and married, I had already lived in five states and six cities. I had traveled to Canada twice on band trips. Julianne, on the other hand, had grown up and lived in Mesa, Arizona all of her life. The majority of her travels had been to Utah for family gatherings and to California to stay with her oldest sister Kathy. She did make a cross country trip in 1978 with the BYU Orchestra, which also went into Toronto and on to Washington, D.C.

Our first road trip together, during our honeymoon, was to Monument Valley in southern Utah in 1979.

After vacillating to determine my college direction, I ultimately settled on a dual major in Asian History and Geography at Northern Arizona University. I probably followed my heart more than my brain. My original plan was to become an attorney, but various things along the way led me to choose a different path. Admittedly, my sweet wife was not happy with my change in direction, but, thankfully stuck with me all these years, even though the “what ifs” have often crept into both of our minds at times.

We later visited Monument Valley with the family in 1993

Family visiting Abraham Lincoln home in Springfield, IL in the late 1990s

As I look back today, I honestly believe that following the path we chose has enabled us to have a life rich in experiences. We have never had the riches that many lawyers enjoy, but I think we provided our children opportunities and memories that few American children, especially those born in the 1980s, ever got to experience.

By 1987, we had the opportunity to live and work in Japan. Our children went to Japanese public schools, got to be in numerous TV commercials, were in local TV shows, learned a new language and culture and all that came with that. They were enlightened with a mindset of diversity and global thinking. And I am grateful for that.

The family in Oita Prefecture in Japan in 1989, visiting with Governor Morihiko Hiramatsu, who I worked for.

The family visiting the Usa Shrine, one of Japan’s famous Shinto Shrines.

My Dad visited us in Japan in 1991 and we went to Kyoto, where we visited the Kinkaku-ji (The Gold Pavilion)

Julianne and David, visiting the old Tulum ruins in Mexico as part of a cruise.

At the age of 20, I don’t think Julianne would have believed anyone if she were told she would live in Japan for four and a half years and have the opportunity to visit places in Canada and Mexico while also traveling to most of the 50 United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. But, that we did. We enjoyed many opportunities to travel together and continue to do so to this day.

Japan was quite the culture shock for Julianne initially. The weather was different, the people were different, the language was strange and many of the foods she was offered were a bit more than unique. But, like our children, she learned to love the land and the culture, became engaged and conversant in Japanese and really found great pleasure in the variety of unique dishes in Japanese cuisine, as well as the Japanese take on other ethnic foods. To this day, all of us enjoy the variety of foods from all over the world.

Julianne enjoys some real ramen with Marissa and Chelsea at a small Mom and Pop ramen shop in Japan in June 1988

We still enjoy good food. Here we visited Koreana, a local Korean restaurant with my cousin Lew and his daughter.

Visiting the Mystic Pizza shop in Mystic, Connecticut

Over the past 15 years or so, we have traveled all over the United States. At one time, we had Amaree living in Montana and then they moved to Port Orchard, Washington. Seth got his first job out of college and lived just north of Cincinnati, but job changes eventually took him and his family to Connecticut and later to Houston. This meant opportunities to travel for visits. These became long trips that afforded us the opportunity to see many new places.

Then, in 2017, we had a giant family reunion that began in Kentucky and eventually took most of us as far east as central New York.

Watching the grandkids on the beach at Old Orchard Beach in Maine.

Visiting the Field Museum in Chicago with family

Julianne and I at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota

Travel in Virginia

Visiting the Washington Monument in Washington D.C.

We were able to check out glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska

With family in West Virginia

Julianne on a canoe trip with Chelsea and her family on the Little Miami River in Ohio

On a visit to Washington, we got to see Mt. Rainier National Park

Chelsea and Julianne at Letchworth State Park in Castille, New York

Visiting Antique Archaeology, famous for the TV show American Pickers in Le Claire, Iowa

Julianne having fun on the beach with grandchildren in Hilton Head, South Carolina

Enjoying the grandeur of Glacier National Park in Montana

Visiting Pittsburgh on a recent trip to visit her sister

Travel runs in our veins. Julianne may not like the long road trips that I enjoy (as do many of my children and grandchildren), but she still loves to travel. Annually she has a sibling trip to San Diego where she spends her time in a family time share on the Pacific coast. And now that her sister Laura is closer, we make occasional trips to Pennsylvania or meet Laura and her family in Ohio or West Virginia.

I am grateful that we have had so many adventures and memories. I hope for even more to come.

Enjoying the beach in San Diego with her sisters Maren, Kathy and Laura

Do you like travel? Are you aware that I currently have two books about offbeat and quirky places? You can use these to take on your road trips. You can see both of my books at http://amzn.to/2ks6fQZ. Working on Book 3, coming in late Spring 2019!!

Countdown 365: #268 – Olivia Matthews, Grandchild #6

Posted on January 9, 2016 by sumoflam

Today is the 6th birthday of my 6th grandchild, Olivia Matthews, 3rd child of my oldest daughter Amaree.

All of my grandchildren are special to me and each brings a different personality to the world. But there is really something endearing about Livvy, as she is called by her family.

Maybe it’s that she is the only girl and has grown up fighting her way with 2 older brothers and another younger one. Or maybe it’s her God-given personality, but little Livvy is delightfully spunky, independently fearless and yet has a smile that melts the heart.

Hanging with the Matthews grandkidz, including Livvy

It saddens me that we live so far away from the Matthews family. We rarely get to see this brood. But, last July we were blessed with the opportunity to spend 10 days with them in Washington and I got to see the blooming of this flowery sweet Livvy.

Indeed, we had visited her in the past when they lived in Montana. But she was still young (yet wickedly spunky even then – in a good sense).

But the trip to Washington really let us see her independent and strong-willed character. I saw that, despite her age, she is a force to reckon with as far as her brothers are concerned.

With Grandkidz in Seattle, summer 2015

Livvy loves butterflies and Orca whales. And like a butterfly, she is gracefully and colorfully flies through life. I sat on the beach in Neah Bay and watched her and her brothers play in a pool of water. Her brothers would run and barely jump in. She would LEAP with gusto time and again, fearless as an orca. I was amazed at her gutsiness — especially as a five year old girl.

Despite her fierce independence, Livvy is still a girl and she loves girly things. Dressed up for church she looks beautiful and her big eyes and bright smile certainly delights the soul of anyone that catches a glimpse of her.

Livvy

Livvy is cute in braids

She loves getting her hair braided and Amaree strives to get creative with Livvy’s Goldilocks blonde hair.

Livvy is sharp as a new knife and is quick-witted like her Grampz. She has a propensity to tease her brothers and she carries out her plans with excellent precision.

Livvy will be a leader and show the way

Honestly, I can see Livvy growing up to be a company CEO, an attorney or even a politician. She has that kind of powerful character.

I love and adore little Livvy. She is most certainly one of my greatest blessings. I am so grateful she is a part of my life and only wish that I could spend more time with this delightful child of God.

Following are a few more of my favorite shots of her.

Livvy and Grammy

Livvy running on the beach to prep for a leap into the pond

Livvy is a loving sister, here with her older brother Charles

Livvy and brothers having fun with Mom

Leaping in with gusto

Livvy loves to learn new things. Learning to sew at age 5

Livvy loves to learn new things. Learning to sew at age 4

Goldilocks

Livvy – the sand dollar collector

Pumpkin picking with little brother Benson

She and her brothers turn their Mom “Inside Out”

Livvy’s smile will warm your heart and melt your soul

Countdown 365: #360 – Grandkidz Rawk

Posted on October 9, 2015 by sumoflam

(Editor’s Note: As I approach age 60, I am “Counting My Many Blessings” by doing a daily countdown from 365. These are in no particular order, but, as you will see in days following, there is a method to the madness.)

David and Sam Sept 2015. Grandchild #10

On August 31st of this year I became a grandfather…for the 10th time! Almost one month later my oldest grandchild turned 10. What a joy. What a blessing… or should I say “What Joys! What Blessings!”

Over the course of this countdown, each of my grandchildren will get their own special posts on their individual birthdays. This one is the “Cumulative” post of gratitude for my grandchildren in general.

Back in January of this year I wrote about 40 years of blessings on the 40th anniversary of my baptism into the LDS Church (see post here) and noted that I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would have ANY grandchildren before I turned 60…and, before I was 59 I have ten. I wonder how many more will come along over the next 2 years??

With 9 grandchildren on Christmas 2012…the last time they were all here together

Making faces with my 10 year old Autumn, back in 2014

I love hanging with my grandkidz (yes, with a Z!!) who call me Grampz (yes, with a Z!! I’m a hip grandpa). They are fun and I can feel like a kid again. We go to the movies, to the park, to fast food joints. I love to take them places.

As a grandfather, on these special Grampz and Grandkidz outings we have already developed a routine. “What is the first thing we do when we get out of the car?” (No, its not look both ways…)

Their reply is now always…”Take a picture with Grampz.” Sometimes it is said in fun and excitement. Other times its like its a drudgery, until we do it. But, they know it brings joy to Grampz’ heart and soul. They are all truly my little sunshines.

Taking a picture with Grampz at the movies…Landen, Autumn and Joselyn

Taking a picture with Grampz in Washington. My Matthews grandkidz – Livvy, Benson, Charles and Kade in summer 2015

Rockwell and Grampz at Old Orchard Beach in Maine in September 2015

I am also blessed that I have children who make sure lots of photos are taken of the grandkidz. And I too take lots of them without me in them (believe it or not!!) Here are a few favorites from the past couple of years. There will be many more appear on this blog throughout the next 359 days. You can rest assured!!

Rockwell and Sam Kravetz – the only “namesake” grandchildren (photo by Marissa Noe)

Hanging with all of the grandkidz except the Matthews Christmas 2014

Landen Noe in 2014 (photo by Marissa Noe)

My sweet wife and I with grandchild #10 in Connecticut, Sept. 2015

Olivia Matthews at the beach in Washington 2015

The Matthews kidz on a hike in Mt. Rainier National Park in 2015

The Noe kidz 2015 (photo by Priscilla)

Reading to Grandkidz in Montana in 2013

Olivia and Benson buried in sand at the beach in 2015

Olivia and Benson buried in sand at the beach in Washington state August 2015

Hanging with Autumn Summer 2015

Young Lyla scampers along the beach in Maine in September 2015

Rockwell on his first day of school August 2014 (photo by Holly Kravetz)

Baby Sam Kravetz – September 2015 (photo by Marissa Noe)

Joselyn Noe – her (soon to be) 8th birthday photo shoot

Olivia and brother Charles, who turned 8 earlier in 2015

Getting ready for a treat at Wendy’s early in 2015

Fun with little Bensy in Washington August 2015

Cousins in summer of 2011

Lyla plays peek a boo on a road trip to Nebraska in 2013

Joselyn inspecting a plant in Connecticut Sept. 2015

Kadester…Washington 2015

Landen at the park in 2015

Lyla romping at a park in 2015

Charles at the Seattle Market

Livvy taking a dive into a pool of water at the beach in Washington 2015

Yes, my grandkidz bring me immense joy and happiness. Money is nothing and cannot compare to the wonderful feeling being with these amazing souls can bring.

Fun with the Grandidz on my 59th birthday, Oct. 4, 2015

Fun with the Grandidz Landen, Lyla and Jos on my 59th birthday, Oct. 4, 2015

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Assorted thoughts and reflections on life

Tag Archives: Port Orchard (WA)

45 to 40: The Traveler

Countdown 365: #268 – Olivia Matthews, Grandchild #6

Countdown 365: #360 – Grandkidz Rawk