Massacre at Bear River - First, Worst, Forgotten by Rod Miller

The husband of a member of my book group wrote this book, and we are reading it this month. He's going to come and talk to us about it.

I found the book interesting - it is very well researched. In January of 1863, the military attacked a tribe of Shoshone Indians on the Bear River (just north of the Utah territory). It was the first attack to use some of the military tactics that later became more common. It was the worst such massacre to occur, and it has largely been forgotten over the years. 

I am a dolt

Looking back over my blog, I noticed that I did indeed post about Elizabeth already. The day she was born. I even gave the post the same title. So, Tweeter - have you really been reading the blog? 

I might need to be committed. Or at least get away for a while. Or lose myself in a really good book. With some good chocolate at hand. Not today, but maybe tomorrow.

She's here!

She's here, and eight days old already. I have been remiss (I hope that sounds better than the truth, which is that I must be a loser grandma because I haven't posted about this yet). Thankfully my sister and her family reminded me that they've been waiting to read about Elizabeth. I got caught up with having Austin and Matthew here, a wild and wonderful conference weekend, and hosting a wedding reception here at my home tonight. Not great excuses, but my excuses nevertheless.

So here's the scoop on Elizabeth Linford Hanks. She arrived April 2 at 1:43 a.m. She weighed 9 lbs. 7 oz, and was 20 inches long. She is a chubby little thing, and already has little fat feet (my favorite baby feature). After close examination of Elizabeth and then looking at Audrey's baby pictures, we think she strongly resembles Audrey. Lucky girl!

Here are a few pictures, taken on the day of her birth. I had every intention of coming straight home and posting them, but as you know, that did not happen.

Here's the beautiful new baby:

Here she is with her loving, if forgetful, grandma:
Elizabeth and her grandpa (called Pa'a):
Elizabeth's favorite uncle Ray - he's an expert on holding nieces:
Oh yes, I almost forgot - Elizabeth has a mother. Here's Audrey - doesn't she look great for having had a baby only about 8 hours previously?
Here's the happy family, Joseph, Audrey, Austin, Matthew, and Elizabeth. Aren't they beautiful?

Volleyball update

Unfortunately, we lost the volleyball match last night. Fortunately, the Cosmo obsession was put to rest. We arrived at the game, Austin stood in his chair searching the stands, saying "Where's Cosmo?". Then he sat. He told me "Cosmo is a cougar" (heavy emphasis on the first syllable). That was it. He watched the game, and when it was all over told me he loves the volleyball games.

More Bear Conversation (see previous post)

Me: What do you want for lunch?

Austin: Hot dogs. Cold. What's his name?

Me: Whose name?

A: The bear

Me: Cosmo

A: I don't like the bear

20 minutes go by.

Me (mid conversation): I love you Austin

A: I don't like the bear

Me: That's okay

A: Cosmo is nice. Matthew, Cosmo is nice

Matthew: Cosmo is nice

Another 20 minutes:

A: Cosmo is nice. He is a Cougar.

M: Cougar's are scary. Cosmo is nice.

A: I don't like the bear. Cosmo is nice.

(pause)

A: Can we go to the volleyball game now?

Me: No, we'll go later. After dinner.

I think I can predict most of the conversation for the rest of the afternoon. It will be interesting to see how the game goes tonight.

True Blue

Ray and I have season tickets to the BYU Men's Volleyball games. Last night we brought the boys along with us. Here is a close approximation of the conversation Austin (age 3 1/2) and Matthew (age 2) had about the game this morning:

A: I like the volleyball game last night. The Cougar Song was two times (BYU's fight song).

M: I like the football game too

A: No, it was the volleyball. At the B-By-U.

M: I like the football game at the B-By-U

A: No, the football game is at the Bingham school (where Joseph teaches High School). The volleyball is at the B-By-U.

M: okay. I don't like the bear (Cosmo, BYU's mascot, which is actually a cougar)

A: I don't like the bear.

30 minutes later:

A: Maybe I go the volleyball game tonight. I don't want the bear. I still want to go the game.

Here's what happened with the bear. We were at the game, and both boys declared they needed to use the toilet. At their ages that prompts immediate action. I grabbed them both by the hand, and crept past the other fans with the usual "excuse me, excuse me, so sorry", etc. We finally reached the bottom of the stands, and there stood Cosmo. He was ready to be friendly and high five the boys. The boys on the other hand became frozen with terror. They gripped my hands so tightly I thought my circulation would be cut off. I reassured them that Cosmo is friendly. No dice. I finally said loudly enough that I thought Cosmo might take the hint - "Cosmo will move out of our way. He won't hurt us." I had to pick up Matthew and drag Austin past the doorway, and out into the track to be on our way to the bathrooms. The boys would not let go, their heads swiveling rapidly from side to side, trying to keep Cosmo in their sights.  Then when we reached the bathroom, they were too scared to go. Well, I didn't leave till there was some action in that department. Finally they finished. Then they didn't want to go back - because of the bear. 

I don't know when I have encountered such resistance. Feet dragging, hands gripping mine, I finally had to pick Matthew up again, and dragged Austin along. We got back to the entrance of the stands and they wouldn't cross the doorway - where was the bear?? I told them the bear wasn't there, and somehow I managed to get us back in our seats. Austin immediately put on his coat and pulled the hood over his head (extra protection, I suppose.) He spent the remainder of the time scanning the stands for Cosmo, asking repeatedly "Where is the bear?" As soon as he would spot Cosmo, he would freeze and watch to make sure he wasn't coming any closer. Yes, I tried to explain that it wasn't a real bear, that it was just a boy dressed up like a bear - kind of like Halloween. Hah! Austin looked at me like I'd lost my mind. He endured the game. I thought he'd be scarred for life, but then he had the above conversation first thing this morning.

Just now: 

A: I want to go the volleyball game tonight. At the B-By-U. 

Is he trying to convince himself? 

I wonder where they get it from???

talkative [taw-kuh-tiv] - adjective - inclined to talk a great deal

This word springs to mind constantly. I have Austin and Matthew here with me for a couple of days and nights while Audrey is still in the hospital with Elizabeth. 

Adjective or genetic trait?

She's here!

Elizabeth arrived early this morning. Here are a couple of the details every grandmother loves to share:

Time: 1:43 a.m.
Weight: 9 lb. 7 oz.
Length: 20 inches

You can see her abundance of brown hair. The tips of her hair are a little lighter than the rest - is there a secret hair salon in the womb? We've heard her eyes are blue, but she was asleep the whole time we were there, so I'll just trust her parents on that one. She is so chubby! It is so fun. She already has little fat pads on her feet. Ooh, she is positively delightful.

Grandchild number five. Third child for Audrey and Joseph (two boys, and now one girl). While Audrey, Joseph and Elizabeth are enjoying their hospital stay, the boys are enjoying a couple of days Chez G'ma. We are having treats, going for drives, and even going to the BYU volleyball game tonight. Party on!