New Residents in Our Garden

If you were to come visit, you could see our new residents hiding among the plants! They are so friendly. My visiting teachers thought they were charming.

Don't We Hope To Look This Great??

We had a wonderful visit with Stena, who asked us if she could make us a sandwich. Really, at age 100, I think she has made enough sandwiches. Her 101st birthday is December 7, 2006 and her address is 219 Eighth Street, Petaluma, CA 94952. She remembers all of us and we should remember her with a card and congratulations!

Angela Baby

Sometimes she looks like Peter, sometimes, Andy, sometimes just herself. One thing certain, she has her whole family wrapped around her cute little finger! So cute!

See Mike Fly!

Mike invited us to meet him at the Silver State Helicopter Academy where he was preparing for a flight. Unfortuneately, the winds were too gusty for someone with his experience to go up, but we were able to get a close-up view of the helicopters, including one that was coming in for a landing.

Mike gave us a good look at the helicopter--about the size of a VW Bug. It surprised me that it was so small. He will also be flying larger ones. He told us that he has to check over every "nut and bolt" as part of his pre-flight plan each time he goes up.

Quiet Moment Near End of Great Vacation

Before we left Idaho, we had a moment to walk along the bank of the Snake River which runs along side of the Idaho Falls Temple where we were married forty-four years ago.

Potato Expo

While in Idaho we attended the Eastern Idaho State Fair, which in our memories was a very large fair. After being at the Pullayup, WA fair, however, the Blackfoot event is small potatoes (no pun intended.) We also visited Blackfoot’s Potato Expo, which was very interesting and informative–everything you ever wanted to know about potatoes from how they’re grown to french fries!

Visiting the Freemans

After Paul’s reunion, we spent two days in the mountains of Idaho at a farm with Paul’s high school friends, Jim and Karen Freeman. Near Mackay, Idaho, it is a beautiful location! Karen said, “I’m going to make a quick supper to take to a family who needs help. Jim, go dig the potatoes!” In my book that’s what's called starting from scratch! Jim and Paul went fishing on Birch Creek (Paul’s favorite place) while Karen and I played with fabric.

Paul's Fiftieth High School Reunion

Paul’s reunion was a huge success. His Pocatello High School class of 1956 had about 440 people in it, and a surprisingly large number attended the reunion. Paul had a great time visiting with old friends. One was Dave Erickson who we had known in San Jose where he and his wife Doreen lived with their children years ago.

From Washington to Idaho to Utah to Idaho

After spening two days visiting with Ralph, Joan and their family, we stopped on the way from Utah to Idaho at three different cemeteries where my great grandparents are buried. I had never been to the one in Deweyville, Utah. I took pictures of the headstones to add to my genealogy.

Foote Family Fun!

We spent a fun evening with Kelly, Wes and kids at their home in Spokane. They are doing well. It's hard to believe that Kylie, Eric and Ryan are all in school. Kelly is thinking about starting a small business. We brain stormed and came up with “Kelly’s Kookies.” I would definitely buy them. Kelly is a great cookie baker from way back!

Grand Coulee Dam

Paul has always wanted to attend church in Grand Coulee Dam Ward where he worked in the summer of 1958, so on September 3, we did! The little branch that met in a house now is a ward with a lovely building. Grand Coulee is a great vacation spot with lots of camping and recreation. Paul has special memories of that summer, so it was fun to drive around the little town and have him tell me about it. We found the dorm he lived in and stayed at the same motel where his parents had stayed when they came to visit him. It hadn't been upgraded, either!

Visit With the McCabes

Before heading home, we had to visit with Pat and Carol McCabe. Carol is finally doing great after her four surgeries over the past two years. Yeah!

Trip to Jackson

Pat and Carol took us to the Bar J Chuck Wagon Supper and Western Show (http://www.barjchuckwagon.com/) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which was a lot of fun. On the way to Jackson Pat drove us through Swan Valley where he lived as a child. What a beautiful valley!

Our Yard in Bloom

Here are a few shots of flowers we are enjoying at the moment. Did I tell anyone that it is pretty up here in the Evergreen State? (Top picture is our side yard and house. Bottom picture is our front yard with neighbor's house in background.)

Our Rock River

Our "rock river" is growing as we add interesting rocks from various places.

Asiatic lilies planted last year came back. Yeah!

New Roses

Lynn Anderson & Hot Cocoa

Sunsprite

Ebb Tide

Chihuly (He paid big bucks for his name to go on this.)

Gemini

June Roses in Bloom

In March we were impressed with the tulips. In June it is the roses! Paul, Val and I went to the Rose Garden at Point Defiance. So beautiful! When we moved to our new home with its "low maintenance" yard, I asked Paul if he wanted roses: "They are a lot of work; what do you think?" I asked. Paul replied, "Oh, maybe one or two." After seeing the roses it did turn into one and two–one dozen bushes making up two rose gardens! "Well, I have more time now to take care of them than I did before I retired." -Paul

June Birthdays

Our family has three June birthdays–Rae Ann (9th), Val (14th) and Monica (16th). Monica is patiently awaiting the birth of a new Merrill baby, but that won’t be until July. Rae Ann celebrated her birthday with the help of the Fields. Val was able to make a quick trip to North Creek Loop during her birthday week. We celebrated (several times) by going to lunch and having a party with the Fields.

Val, Paul and I had lunch at a great restaurant in Tacoma...Anthony's.