I'm still here!

Our May Weekend

After a lot of hard work these past couple of weeks we actually got to take some time off and enjoy just a fun day in Seattle. The first big job that had to be attacked was the septic tank that had to be dug out and another drain field added. That took about a week of hard work, especially for Garth. How fun can it be to find the septic tank that is buried about five feet down. Dig, dig, all by hand. Then on to find the drain field and the decision to replace it. Thank goodness for the backhoe. We helped fill in with rocks and dirt with shovels. Hopefully it will last another 25 years. Truthfully, I don't believe it is because of bubble baths. (Hah!) But yes, it probably is the pine tree roots that are to close to the system. Then we planted a pretty good garden in the back . Just please let the tomatoes, raspberries and watermelon do well this year! That's all I need to keep me happy. Next Brooke and I planted a lot of flowers around the house and barn. It will be pretty in about a month, I think! Brooke and Garth hauled a lot of boxes out of someones storage to be able to purchase an oven for pottery. Sore shoulders and a few bruises later was the results of that adventure. Then the fun weekend. The three of us went to the Temple on Thursday then to Seattle bright and early Friday morning. Our first stop was the garment distribution store and then the mall for missionary shoes for Brooke and walking shoes for me for Italy! Next on to the zoo. We had a wonderful day, with perfect weather. It has been at least ten years since we have been to the Woodland zoo. After four hours of walking and viewing exhibits we were exhausted and it was closing time. Out into the Seattle traffic on I-5 to the Wharf for our traditional Ivar's fish and chips. Brooke asked how long we had been doing this tradition. Well, as long as I can remember! Sitting outside the restaurant eating fish and chips and listening to the noise and of the harbor and the call of the seagulls. What a fun day!

Time will tell, yes it is spring!

With more light comes more beauty! Finally the tulips and daffodils are in bloom, but that doesn't mean that it is warm outside yet. I think that this might be the first year that I can remember that the tulips and daffodils bloomed at the same time. We have had a really late spring and so the daffodils hung in there during the bloom time for the tulips, therefore the front garden area was a little prettier than usual. It's just too cold to want to get out and do much spring work in the garden. I just hope that by the time spring actually comes with beautiful weather that I havn't missed out on some of the nice plants at the nursery! Time will tell.

Our 5th beautiful grandchild

It's early spring and we have a new grandchild added to our family. William was born April 6th, 2011. Brooke and I arrived in Indiana the end of March, but this little one didn't want to come on the due date. So we kept busy during this waiting period by making crafts with the kids, cooking new recipes, cleaning and trying to keep some ants under control! They finally had to resort to a pest control company to come and spray their house. I made a quilt top for Lucy's bed and got another one cut out for Josh's bed. That kept me busy for a few days and finally we learned the comings and goings for Leslie's busy family. There is soccer, voice lessons. gymnastics, library, scouts, piano and trumpet. And lets not forget watching the movie Tangled a zillion times the first couple of days we got there, and playing the Wii and play dates. I must have forgotten something but I was to busy to remember what it must be I forgot! Finally, Little William arrived April 6th. All the wait was worth it. A beautiful baby boy added to the family. Wow, think of all the missionary work this family will eventually do! Four boys and one girl and a wonderful Dad and Mom!

Can You Believe Another Road Trip? Christmas 2010

Watching the weather has been our past time these few month. We had to time our trip again around more snowy weather. This time we were going back to Leslie and Steve's for Christmas vacation. We had Brooke with us and Krystal was flying into Indianapolis Dec 23. Reece and Caitlin were heading to SLC for their first Christmas, with Caitlin's family. After another of our famous overnight drives, we got to Bloomington late in the evening. We stayed here for a couple of days and then headed over to Mom's house in Lewis Center, Ohio and stayed for about a week. She was thrilled to have company at this time of year. The 2nd Christmas without Dad. The house was decorated beautifully and it brought back wonderful memories of Christmas at home. We ate Mexican and once again traveled to Amish country. Everyone really enjoyed the beautiful countryside of northern Ohio. We went back to Bloomington a couple of days before Christmas for all the holiday fun. The grandkids were out of school, and there were cookies and candy to make and a bit of shopping to finish. We all played lots of games, made gingerbread houses and some crafted wooden critters. Fun Fun! We even all pitched in on a great Italian dinner with recipies furnished by Brooke. We also had some fun experiences with ethnic food. Christmas Eve, we had dinner at a resturant serving Afghan food and a few days later we had food from Morocco; sitting on the floor on cushions surrounding a low table. Yum, I love trying different ethnic dishes! Our Christmas program was great using the nativity puppets I made years ago and gave to Leslie & family. Santa found everyone December 25, 2010. This was the first time Garth and I have gone to any of our children's homes for the holidays. It was really fun! What will next year bring? It was weather watching time again, and we left Indiana a day early and ended up in Utah for New Years Eve and New Years Day. We slept on couches in Krystal's apartment for a couple of nights and New Years Day enjoyed the lights on Temple Square. Lights shining bright on the new year of 2011. Good things are happening, and we know we are blessed as a family.

Returning from Italy

In a few months I will be returning from Italy, but for now, it is Brooke who is returning from her semester abroad in the beautiful country of Italy.







Brooke left the first week of September for an experience in Italy not soon to be forgotten. She won her airfare in a drawing at BYU. We know that it was a blessing from the Lord and that she was supposed to go on a semester abroad program. It was a long wait until she actually got to take advantage of this blessing, 11 months to be exact! Life is good! Brooke had some wonderful experiences and made friends with other students on her program. Experiences and friendships that will be remembered for years to come.

After three months in Italy, she returned on December 2. We had only been home from our Thanksgiving vacation about 3 days when we picked her up from the airport in Spokane. It was a great day. She was home for about one week, when she walked into the bedroom, and said ,"Mom, can I talk to you?" She then said "I'm going on a mission!" O course, that caused a few unexpected tears in my eyes that morning. It had been something that she had mentioned several times in high school, and college, but I guess that it had been on her mind now and again in Italy. What a great decision! The next day, we started to get things in order by getting the physical, dental, and bishop and stake president interview taken care of. All in about 4 days! We were thinking maybe a mission call in March or so. The call came January 7, and Brooke was called to to the Melburne, Australia Mission, June 22!! Another long wait, 6 1/2 months to be exact. More wonderful blessings and experiences to remember a lifetime! For now there are all kind of things to talk about and to anticipate. The Lord truly guides our lives.

Catching up on life !

Its the last of February and where has the time gone? It's time for a little replay of our life since October 2010. Much has happened. I better write about it before it is gone!

As the year came to a close, Garth and I decided that we were really up to a couple of LONG road trips. You must know that is traditional for our family. Thanksgiving was anly a couple of weeks away, we watched the weather for snow in the mid-west, and headed out to Indiana about the 2nd week of November. We stayed with Leslie and Steve for a couple of days and had fun with the grandkids, then on to Mom's in Ohio for another couple of days A day in Amish country was on the schedulse while there.

We left on a saturday and headed to Atlanta to visit with Kalenn & Dave. Fun to see them for a couple of days and then the long trip to Reece & Caitlins for Thanksgiving. What is this about never staying in a hotel along the path? A 14 hour trip to College station Texas. A long drive, but interesting. We arrived late Monday evening and enjoyed eating at a Texas Barbeque.. Tuesday we drove to Houston to pick up krystal and stayed overnight. While in Houston we visited the Houston Space Cnter (cool)before heading back to Reece's. Thursday was Thanksgiving! Reece and Caitlin's first Thanksgiving! And we all crowded into their small apartment for a great Thanksgiving dinner around a little coffee table in the living room. A good memory for sure.

The day after Thanksgiving, instead of hitting the malls etc. We headed to San Antonio. There we walked along the River walk until time for the River Walk Christmas Parade. The next morning we went back into the city and visited the Alamo and 3 or 4 more historic missions in the area. What a fun and interesting couple of days. Krystal had to leave the next morning to fly back to Utah, and we also headed out across country, trying to avoid the storms We got into some wild country in New Mexico as we traveled through in Indian Reservation. Wild and Beautiful!

We visited a 103 year old trading post in the area. It was fillled with Native American items and other things. A bit of history mixed in with present day trade items. What a long trip. But really fun. It's good we both like to take long trips. We got home just a couple of days before Brooke arrived back in the United
States from her semester abroad in Italy!