End of April and into May in pictures!

This is from the airplane on the way to Detroit.  It makes me grateful for the beauty of the world God has created for us!

Fuzzy but Ryan being recognized for all his hard work.

All the doctoral candidates.

It was a team effort by this little family to get this far!

A great day-FINISHED! 

Grandpa and I took the kids to Lake Erie.  We found shells and a bunch of dead fish-go figure.  We couldn't believe how big Lake Erie is.  It was cold but fun!

 SEATTLE

Seattle-these flowers were so beautiful and everywhere at Pike's Market.  Just $15 for a bouquet.  I wanted to get some to put in our hotel room!

Fresh fish but VERY expensive!  Fun to watch them throw it around though when someone bought some.

We got 3 beautiful days here!  It rained only one day out of the 4 we were there.

This was a lighthouse in Discovery Park.  I still love lighthouses!

Ok.  This had to be one of the BEST things we ate.  Well not so much to beignets but the dipping sauce.  In the menu it said "chicory flavored".  I just saw others with the powdered sugared scones and wanted some.  But much to my pleasure chicory is coffee flavor so you can imagine that I enjoyed the dipping sauce more than the beignet.   YUM! That is until Dad said," Don't you feel like you are sinning?!"  So I had to stop:(

We laughed and laughed when we were in this "car".  Dad said he felt like the guy in the Simpsons that is large and driving a small car :) We rented it to go around on San Juan Island-so fun!

Our trip to see our Texans!

The Beach!!!! Yes we went to the beach and yes Dad, Jeff, and Russ all got in the water to boogey board:) It is awesome to actually be able to drive on the beach. You sure can't do that in California!





We toured an aircraft carrier. Massive and at the same time, when we saw where the sailors slept-tiny.




This is the view from the front of Jeff's office building. Yes beyond the palm trees is the ocean-beautiful!


There is something about being able to see where your kids live that brings peace. We loved every minute of being with Jeff, Lib Bree and Trey. What a wonderful way to spend the holidays. We love you and are so grateful to you for having us.

Christmas Time

Christmas Day! Sunggies, harmonicas, money and remote control cars and helicopters:) Cinnamon rolls, sausages, scrambled eggs-love Christmas breakfast.



Temple square-always beautiful!




Sub For Santa is one of my favorite Christmas traditions. These people have so very little. It humbles me each year to see how little they have and how much I have. I realize I could easily get by on much less. They seem so happy with so little. A good lesson for all to learn.

Beautiful Winter Snow!

This storm came through the first part of November. I was amazed by the beauty of it. Just on our street, in our yard, so much beauty. In our own "spaces" we can find simple joys.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Today in our family prayer, Russ prayed that we would notice the love of our Heavenly Father by His creations. As I was on lds.org getting some help with my lesson for Sunday, I saw this youtube post In the Spirit of Thanksgiving. Loved it. Then, I saw these pictures at sunset. God truly does love us and I am grateful for all around us that testifies of His love.

Michigan at Halloween Time!

What a gift it is to visit any time but this trip was especially fantastic! I love Halloween and since all my kids are grown, I don't have all the fun of school parties, trick or treating, and just the excitement for the holiday that children have. I was able to go to the school parties, a ward party and a party at Ryan and Liz's house-awesome! We also went to a pumpkin patch-with cider and doughnuts! So very yummy. You have to taste the cider from Michigan. I have to say it is the best. And the doughnuts fresh out of the fryer with cinnamon sugar-to die for!
I watched soccer games-in the FREEZING cold-and I mean bone chilling cold! Kids are incredible in that they don't even seem to notice.
Oh, and if you haven't seen the Halloween show of Modern Family-it is a must see. I have watched it 3 times now-so hysterical! I never would have known if not for Ryan and Liz.
Thank you Ryan and Liz for having me. I love you very much!











We decorated cookies and then danced:)

Just a few more summer pics!

I couldn't find this group of pictures. I knew I had taken more but they weren't on any camera. On Saturday, I saw them on Jeff's phone and then discovered they were on the external hard drive-so yea! Summer went away too fast!