YEA - W'ERE FINALLY ONE YEAR OLD

Present time is just getting under way. It was really fun to watch the little guys - they weren't what you call "excited" but just interested and liked the wrapping paper especially.

Evan and Davis reading a birthday card

Davis is learning how to open presents and tear the paper and eat it. Everything has to be tasted and inspected first. It was nice how each little family had their "space" on the floor and opened their gifts very carefully. Each little boy seemed to have fun with each gift - and then was ready to get the next one and pull at the paper and the bow.

More Birthday fun

Scott, Grant, Avery and Bodee all wondering what is in the big box. It was a little 4 wheeler for Bodee - but Avery really liked it too and tried it out in the living room. Earlier in the day, the boys had been in the back yard and Av somehow (who knows) got wet. Later that day I went outside and found the little trike in the pond plus part of the Sit and Spin. hmmmmm What can I say only that boys sure seem to have fun.

BIRTHDAY FOR BODEE AND DAVIS

GRANDMA'S 102 BIRTHDAY PARTY

This is Ruth just stopping by to wish Grandma a happy birthday and pat her hand. She lives on the same hall and is such a sweet little lady.

GRANDMA'S 102 BIRTHDAY

It is birthday time again. Dad and I were the only ones that could go to Grandma's today. Too bad - but everyone was either sick, or busy or out of the country. We had a nice time though and it was fun serving everyone birthday cake.

This is Whitney holding Grandma's cake. She is a really nice Aid that works with Grandma.

I'm not sure what Grandma is thinking - probably "just cut it and feed me"!! She did say it was sure pretty.

Grandma is waiting for some more cake. Dad is sitting there on the left - he offered to feed her for awhile. Then later he got the camera and took a few pictures. She looks like she's really bundled up but it's just her dress protector over her chest to keep her clean. She really enjoyed the cake and ice cream too.

Grandma's 102 Birthday

Saturday, March 23 we celebrated my mother's 102 birthday. I really had doubts that she would make it this year to be 102 - but you know Grandma - she's not giving in easily. The day started off good - I brought everything over before her lunchtime so that I could feed her lunch in bed. We thought that would be best being as she can't stay up in her chair for very long. As the other residents were coming back from the dining room we had them all sit at the tables in the hallway for cake. They all just loved this part. It was a white cake with lemon filling. Dad came just in time to feed Grams her cake. Then he got busy and took some pictures while I good over the feeding.

Scott's Baptism

Grandma Winnie opening her big package - "A New quilt!!"

No comment - not many smiles. Just a very loving Grandma.

After Christmas Eve dinner at Mindy's. Ben's still eating. Dad's relaxing. This is Evan's head. You can see Taboo sitting there - that's the game we played. Pretty laid back family for sure.

Christmas Eve at Erin's. Bodee was wide awake here and hanging onto Ben's ear - ouch?

Christmas 2006

This was Christmas Eve and we had gone to Erin's to deliver presents. Avery was just trying to wake up from a nap and I think he is actually trying to stay asleep. Kristi and Ben were with us so we did a little caroling there too.

Christmas 2006 Memories

This is the moment I had been waiting for all December. Dad opening his Christmas present, a video camera. After all of these years, I finally broke down and bought one for him. I couldn't wait to see his expression - and you know, it was dang good. I reallly think he likes it. Now we just have to remember to have it ready to use. We did our first dvd (with Ben's help) and when you see it you will probably snicker but that's okay with us. It was a trial run anyway.

September in San Diego

This is a huge outdoor organ in Balboa Park. Concerts are given on Sundays. The organ pipes are behind that gold, arched door. While we were there the organist was practicing and he was on the right hand side of that arched doorway. We looked in and saw him as he was just finishing playing. Mom at LaJolla Beach. It was such a perfectly beautiful day. A little breezy in the morning but by afternoon it was just right. We bought Subway for lunch and ate it on the beach. Gavan got busy making a small sand castle and Andy and Mercer played in the water with his boogie board. Dad and I just tried to take in a little sun and have fun with family. What more could anyone want? we did an early morning session in the Temple. It was so beautiful inside and out. We asked the Brother senior missionary to take out picture to remember it by.

top photo: Andy and I by a shop that had Mexican wares in Old Town. The bottom photo was at Sea World stopping for a minute to eat ice cream .

September Fun

This is the Stingray pond at SeaWorld. Dad bought us some little boxes of small fish to feed to the Stingrays. They were pretty big and they come right up to the edge of the pool to get their food. There was a little child showing me how you hold the fish for the stingray to suck it up. You hold it between your fingers and he just comes up and sucks the fish into his mouth. We petted them and they feel like smooth, wet leather. It was really a fun experience. The stingers had been removed by the way. There is a sink and soap area nearby where you can wash your hands when you're done. Otherwise you smell kind of fishy all day.

L&STimes: AUGUST OUTING

L&STimes: AUGUST OUTING

AUGUST OUTING

This is Dad after the cruise. This is me after the cruise too. Saturday Dad and I took the day off and just had some fun. It seems like a long time since we have done that. We drove up to Newport, WA especially to check out a campground that we had previously made reservations at for September 8 and 9th. I think it will be a good one to stay at. We had lunch down by the lake - it was beautiful and serene. From there we drove through Priest River and into Sandpoint. We had reservations for a little cruise around Lake Pend Oreille on the Shawnodese. It was a cute, little cruise vessel that holds about 40 people is all. There is an upper deck with lawn chairs and a lower deck with tables and benches and food and snacks. We sat on the upper deck because we wanted to use the binoculars. We did see an Opsprey flying and also a nest with the mother and babies in. The cruise goes from 2:30 - 4:00 and is most relaxing and so beautiful. Everything was blue - the sky, the mountains and the water. The captain actually constructed the vessel which took him 2 years to accomplish. His wife helps and also gives a really good history and geology lesson of the lake and how the ice dam was formed 17,000 years ago that led to the creation of Lake Pend Oreille. Children that come on the cruise can actually go up by the captain and be "captain of the day". Linda, his wife, takes their picture and gives them all a paper stating they had been captain on board. They have a little white dog whose name is Willie and he goes around and inspects everyone and is very friendly. On our way home, we stopped in Liberty Lake and Palenque and had our dinner. That is the Mexican Restaurant we all went to a couple of years ago. It sure has been a fun day. Hope you enjoy our photos. Their website is www.lakependoreillecruises.com