End of November

 The end of November was full of giggles and love.

The "Three Little Guys",

had an overnight with us, while the rest of the family were

at home, in bed with illnesses. 

 We treated them to lunch at Costco.

Boys this age (9, 6, 4), are not finicky about where,

 as much as what is for lunch.

So it was Hotdogs and Pizza!

To cold to go outside, so we had "table time", 

coloring!

Nathan found Papa's funny glasses.

:::::::::::::~~~:::::::::::

Thanksgiving in Tacoma, Washington!

Tom and I went back "home" to see our other grand kids and family.

It has been a few years since we traveled back to the Seattle area.

Sure have missed the sights!

Mt. Rainier greeted us with all  it's splender.

And the kids greeted us with splender, too!

Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a demonstration 

of  LOVE at the door!

Huxley is now 3 years old and just like his dad,

loves being in the kitchen, helping to cook up something.

Christmas presents were opened early and enjoyed for hours.

Turkey is ready!

Look who is back at the stove!

Group picture!

My older brother, Steve and his wife Jeanne were invited.

Trey was on his tip toes (haha), sweet Scarlett was still

enjoying her new nightgown and Tom was trying to make Steve laugh.

Brother Steve and Tom acted like little kids.

They really have missed each other!

Our last night together we went out for a seafood dinner.

You just can't get fresh seafood in Idaho like you can in Seattle.

Ahhhh.... home again, after a wonderful and

happy time with family.

~~~~~~***~~~~~~

"In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:16

Cross Country and then Cross Country

A Fall Sport!

This is a sport that all can participate in.

Yup, Cross Country!

Lulu, Levi, Ila May and Silas all

run Cross Country.

This was their first meet, after weeks of practice.

Mom (Kimmy) is their head cheerleader.

“You Can do this Lulu!”

Look at Lulu’s smile as she sees her mom.

This brings back memories of when Kimmy

ran Cross Country!

 I'm also a cheerleader.

Isaac is cheering them on, too!

They all did well and can't wait for their next meet.

 ***********

And now for another Cross Country!

I drove to Tacoma (used to be Seattle) for a few days.

I needed to see our other grandchildren!

It has been way too long since we've hugged.

(thanks to the virus)

I took the 8 hour trip all by myself.

The weather was beautiful.

When I pulled in, 

 the hugs started with these two.

But where is Huxley?

Oh, yeah, there's Huxley!

You have to look very carefully.

He's hiding in the couch.

That's more like it!

Todd and Huxley!

Trey is into building anything that is battery powered.

This is his domain, 

the downstairs workbench.

Scarlett is very busy doing and being everywhere!

Huxley loves his siblings and 

will sit still only long enough for a book.

And then there is school.

Tacoma hasn't opened the schools yet.

So, like many others students

it’s at the dining room table.

 While Trey is doing school, Scarlett and I read this one book over and over again.!!            

Huxley napped and mom & dad worked from home.

The book we read, was about painting coffee cups.

Todd got the idea to go to a pottery shop and paint our own cups.

What a good dad!

So, off we went and 

we each painted a special project.

So fun!

 

We took a day and went to the Zoo

Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma

What a great place. So beautiful and easy to get around.

Everywhere we turned, was an exciting exhibit.

We practically had the place to ourselves.

We were there when they fed the two huge Walrus's .

Simply amazing.

The kids got to ask questions.

And they had a lot of great questions.

Learned so much.

Then, of course we went to Puget Sound. 

My first love! 

Oh, how I miss being there.

For dinner we had Fish-n-Chips, outside.

It was perfect.

I came home FULL!

Full of love.

Full of leaning.

Full of rain.

Full of special moments.

Full of time spent with family.

And of course.

FULL OF HUGS AND KISSES

to last until next visit!

💖

~~~~****~~~~

"Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. "

Deuteronomy 31:6 

On The Road Again

Things are back to somewhat "normal" with 

my eyes, so we took off for an quick 

camping trip.

We jumped into our Van and headed out to one of 

my favorite camp sites.

We weren't sure what was open or 

what we could or couldn't do.

The web site said, 

no fires, no showers and no garbage pick ups.

But we prepared for just about anything. 

Good morning!

Hot coffee served with a smile.

Banjo had a great spot, as a look out.

And he was thrilled to meet anything or anyone.

These two played for the longest time.

While we talked to his owner.

And so did these two!

Dogs and kids are Banjo's favorite things!

As it turned out, we could have a fire.

(plus showers and garbage pickups)

Bring on the Polish Dogs!

Because I didn't think we could have a fire,

I bought a treat for Tom.

What's camping without S'mores?

Did you know you could buy 

S'mores already made?

Not as good as the real deal.

But I think I should of told Tom ahead of time

to take the wrapper off.

OH, well, he enjoyed his way.

The smoke and sunshine created 

a interesting picture.

You can actually SEE the sun rays.

God is good!

Time went quickly and we headed home with a promise

to be back soon.

** Word of Warning to all **

Dog Lovers!

While Banjo was out for his supervised (on a leash),

  walks in the woods,

he came in contact with a harmful and potentially, deadly weed.

(But we didn't know this)

After every walk, we'd inspect him and pick off all the pine needles

and anything else that stuck to his fur.

He started limping and whining.

We couldn't see what was bothering him.

One week later, he was still limping and licking the bottom of his foot.

We'd looked and looked, but nothing!

Finally, we saw that his foot pad was pink'ish.

I ran for a flashlight, a magnifying glass and tweezers. 

Tom saw it and pulled it out!

 The remnants of an awns from

 Hare Barley.  

Research told me that it is very harmful, even deadly, to dogs.

Praising God for helping us track it down and 

removing it from Banjo's paw.

This is the remnant of an awns,

  next to a fountain pen.

It's was very small.

No wonder we couldn't see it.

And look how sharp it is!

OUCH!

Banjo is doing fine now.

~~~~****~~~~

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'

Jeremiah 29:11