The Nolans ready for take off!

Now it is the Nolans' turn to visit our family in Hawaii! It is so funny that, no matter how we talk and talk and try to explain the wonderful sights awaiting her, Maddy just has no clue what is in store! I can't wait to hear the tales she has to tell when she returns to the Eldoplex!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Meet "the crazy haired leprechaun from central Arkansas"! (Her mother gave her that title so I am not worried about hurting anyone's feelings!)

I sent this picture to my sisters in Hawaii; here are their responses:

BARBARA: "And what mischief is she going to be up to today, I wonder?"

JANE: "Is that a darling munchkin or what? She does look like the next photo would have her getting caught with her hand in the cookie jar! Precious!"

Both sisters included Jenny in their reply and this is what she answered: "Or chewing on a banana peel... 'cause that's exactly what she did this morning. Before she brushed her hair with the hand broom and crawled around the house with a rubber ducky in her mouth... little duck body poking out. She is a mess!"

Yes, Hattie is fitting right into this family!!!

Amber checked in from Okinawa

I mentioned in my last entry that I was still concerned about our niece (to be honest, our GREAT niece) who lives with her husband, Jeremy, in Okinawa. All is well with them. She is getting into facebook and she sent me a friend invitation. I just had to copy her profile picture to share. I can't wait to show this to Lucy, who is a prolonged Cinderella stage!

Tsunami watch in Hawaii

I have talked to my dad and gotten e:mails from both of my sisters so I know my family in Hawaii is safe. I almost hate to turn on the news tonight. So many tragedies - in so many locations!


I have called my brother-in-law to check on his granddaughter and her husband, who are stationed in Okinawa. He knew no details but had been told they were safe.


I am sad to report that La Mariana Sailing Club, a restaurant that I posted two pictures of during my Hawaii travelogue entries, was destroyed by the tsunami today. I am not at all suggesting that the loss of a business compares to the loss of life we will be hearing and reading about but it does merit mention since I had just told you all about the place.

3/17/11 Just saw a news clip, forwarded by my sister, Jane, reporting that the restaurant at La Mariana Sailing Club was NOT damaged - just the marina itself! The video showed an interview with a tearful employee guiding the TV camera through the restaurant. I learned some interesting things about "artifacts" I had seen but not fully appreciated. Thank you, Jane, for sharing this good news!

Jenny and friends after LR Marathon

Jenny and three of her friends ran the Little Rock marathon as a relay team. They completed the race in three hours and twenty eight minutes! CONGRATULATIONS to what had to be the cutest quartet competing!

Stephen's birthday present

Stephen let it slip that he envisioned a split rail fence on the property he and Jill have bought out by a lake. That was enough! His father-in-law took the idea and ran with it! Here is Stephen's birthday present:

Once again, Tom has proved that he has infinite patience! I would have had a huge bonfire long before this structure was successfully erected!

Talented granddaughters

Hannah is too good an actress - and someone else is too good a make-up artist!

I neglected to update you as to Hannah's success at the drama competition I mentioned a few weeks back. Her group won everything there was to be won and will represent Arkansas in the national (world?) competition in Nebraska in June! Hannah, herself, was named an All State Actress!!!! Way to go, Banana!!!

Lucy drew a princess for Papa. Notice the crown!