Learning Chess

Dave is teaching Jayson how to play chess. I can't tell you how many times Dave has tried to teach me how to play chess to no avail. No matter how many times he tries, I am too stupid to learn this complex game. As far as I am concerned, I think that chess should be played like checkers. Anyway...here's to Jayson's successful learning chess. At least he has a great teacher. Grandma Alice hand painted the chess pieces when she made ceramics. So, this is a special game.

Happy 16th Anniversary !

Our Engagement Picture. We were younger and thinner. Notice the nice permed hair...what was I thinking?

Sixteen years ago today, I married my sweetheart. We were married at 10:00am in the Seattle LDS Temple. As April can be, it was a cold, rainy and blustery morning. That didn't matter, because there was "sunshine in my soul". We were marrying in God's Holy House. We had many friends from the Spanaway Ward there and the sweet man who performed the ceremony was Vern L. Wheeler. We occasionally see him today and he remembers us. He has to be near 80 years old this year. After we were married, we had a ring ceremony at our Church building because no one in both of our families are members of our Church and couldn't attend the Temple with us. This allowed our families to see us exchange rings. We had Dave Van Arnam sing "The Wedding Song" and we walked up the aisle to "Jesu, Son of Man's Desiring" which has been used in my Mom's wedding, my sister's wedding and then our wedding. In fact, when I hear that music today, I still am catapulted back to my wedding day. I still can't listen to it without tearing up. We had a great reception in the Parkland building. We had over 300 people crammed in there. My kids still make fun of my color choices, which were dusty rose and teal...such early 90's colors. Anyway....I still love Dave and look forward to an eternity with him. We have such a great life together. It is full of laughter, kids, funny stories, Church and Scout service, and love for each other. What more is there in life? Let me tell you...the answer is NOTHING. I have it all. I love ya, Dave.

My hubby loves me!

Dave sent me this picture this morning. He wrote that on a roof at Boeing. He is getting ready to remove a large section of the roof and he wanted me to know that he was thinking of me. What a nice thing to look at when I was checking the e mail this morning. It is super cold outside.

Happy 51st Birthday Dave !!!!

Don and Alice Mathison, Dave's brother and mother

Background: Kenny Smith, Leavitt Castro, Rebekah Castro, Sasha's crazy hair,
First row: Skyler Hoeppner, Jayson Mathison,
Rick Hoeppner, and Dave's hand

Dave Mathison reading his birthday cards.
Leo Castro supervising progress

Andrew Smith, Sarah Mathison, and Kenny Smith
sitting on the front porch swing

Linda Hoffman (Andrea's Mom) and Pene Mathison
(Dave's step mom)

Most of Dave's family . His mom Alice, Dave, his brother Don
and Lloyd, his dad

The two brothers! Dave and Don !
Can you guess which one is the little brother?

Granddad Rex Hoffman and Jayson Mathison
relaxing on the couch.

Last night we celebrated David's 51st birthday. We had a lot of the family over and several friends as well. It is always fun to get together. Instead of cake, we had a huge pan of brownies and ice cream. It was super nummy. I get tired of cake all the time and this was a nice change from the regular birthday fare. I think Dave had a nice day of it and enjoyed the company. Here's to many more.

Dave at Camp Hahobas-Boy Scout Camp

L to R: Ron Hjelm, Ryan Harrington, Malik Serrano, Len Castro, Jonah Hjelm, Heath Dooley, Daniel Tomlinson, and Dave Mathison

This picture just came from Dave this morning. He has been at Boy Scout Camp this whole week. Unfortunately, this week was the hottest week on record in the Puget Sound area since they started keeping record in the 1800's. The boys had a great time and Dave said that he did too, especially when it finally cooled off yesterday. It will be nice to have Dave home again. We really miss him when he is gone. It just isn't the same without him. He will definately get a huge nap when he gets home.

Dave is hard at "work"

Dave is hard at "work" at Boeing

Dave just e mailed me this picture of him at work. Actually it is his lunch time, so I guess he can snooze if he wants to. He is tired after all the driving that he did getting us to and from Idaho this past week. I am glad that he gets a well deserved rest. He gets so tired. Too bad he can't take naps every day like all of my daycare children do. Isn't he cute?

Dave in Moses Lake

As sometimes happens, Dave got the call last week that he would be working in Moses Lake, WA this whole week. I am totally bummed that he is gone. I HATE it when he is not here. Even Sasha and Jayson commented this afternoon, right about the time when he usually gets home, that "it feels lonely when Dad is gone". "When is Dad coming home???" I agreed with the kids and told them that he would be home before they knew it. What is actually happening is that Dave is going on a Boeing sponsored "vacation". He sleeps in a nice hotel that has a swimming pool, gets to eat out at every meal, and even gets paid mileage to go there. On top of that, Boeing gets to pay the whole bill. He sleeps in a bed all by himself with no wife that snores all night, he gets to eat nice fancy meals that he rarely gets at home, and most importantly.... there is no "Honey do" list in Moses Lake. Oh I wish that I could go to Moses Lake too. We all miss Dave when he is gone. Hurry Home, Honey!