Update:

It's been a long streach between posts!

(prepare for lots of pictures)

We said good-bye to Banjo at the first of this year.

We re-homed him.

Long story but he is better off with another loving family!

Tom and I took a trip to the ocean for a reprieve.

Cannon Beach is our  "Go To The Sea To Breath", retreat.

Tillamook Cheese Factory is a must.

 

They have the biggesst ice cones in

the world! (wink)

Another favorite place in McCall Idaho.

If we drive the VW and the sun is out, 

the top goes down.

A Bon Fire is a must when we have overnight guests.

Our Washington State family has been busy with all sorts of fun things.

Trey (10 yrs), was Shrek in his school play. He sang, danced and

said his lines perfectly for the family.

While we were back "home', we visited with my brother.

Our gardens are ripening and growing fast. 

Almost as fast as our grandkids.

I'm trying to keep up with new ideas and recipes with things from the garden.

Here I made Rose Water, out of our roses.

There were moments of refined culture.

We took the family to see 

Riverdance.

EVERYONE loved it.

For Mother's Day I recieved a Chicken Coop and two chicks.

What a surprise!

Introducing Henrirtta and Dixi Chick.

No eggs yet but soon.

We find  "Love Notes" all over our home.

Ila May put on a One Man Show for our family.

We all signed in, recieved a Program and some Red Licorice. 

Then found a perfect seat.

 Her Mom even had a Reserved Seat.

Ila May danced, sang, read poetry, did magic tricks, and entertained us

with her spunk!

Volunteers were asked to join her on stage.

Tom is always the first to raise his hand.

everyone.

Boys will be boys!!!

Tom has the younger boys waving to passing cars!

And yes, some honked back.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT !!!!!

Kimmy is pregnant with  #7 

and it's a 

GIRL!

Due date: early December

Her name has already been revealed...

Pearl Christine!

I couldn't be more honored!

 

March Highlights

March is a fun month.

Long time ago, when Tom and I were planning our wedding, 

we choose March, because it seemed like a quiet month. 

Now, 43 years later, it's been one of the busiest times of the year.

~*~

To celebrate our anniversary, we kept it low key, but fun.

We decided on a dinner and a movie!

We tried to go see the movie DOG,

 but it was sold out!

We ended up going out to dinner.

But..... the next day we went to a matinee!

We were the only ones in the theatre!

Every seat was open!!

One of the many perks of being retired.

~*~

I joined my fellow Patriots on the Freeway over pass.

 

Flags were waving and cheers irrupted, 

as the Truck Covy to D.C. drove through Idaho.

It was very inspiritional.

~*~

Tom is healing from his hip surgery.

Lulu came over to watch a movie with her Papa.

The movie was one in the series of 

 Lord of the Rings.

So glad he had someone to watch with him.

~*~

Banjo got pampered!

After                            Before

He still is recovering from the Pit Bull attack  (PTSD). 

Wearing anything around his neck, like a collar or coat, makes him crazy.

We decided to grow out his fur so he could keep warm during Winter.

He loves his Spring hair cut.

~*~

Isaac and Nathan came over and spent the night.

It was Nathan's first time spending the night with us.

We had to make it special.

A visit to the playground,

special breakfast (cinnamon toast) and of course 

keeping very busy.

Here they are, getting ready for St. Patricks Day.

Love these type of hats! No pinching these two.

~*~

Helping out with yard work.

Mark and Kimmy are busy adding to their backyard.

Here we are raking rocks to get ready for grass seeding.

~*~

Tom had a "Boys Weekend" with 

our son,Todd and grandson, Trey.

I love Facetime...  they suprised me with a call.

The Boys Weekend was at Cannon Beach!

It brought back so many memories!

And now creating new ones.

Tradition is having your picture 

taken in front of Hay Stack Rock.

Crab Shack, a must!

Another tradition... CRAB!

Lunch and Ice Cream...

These three guys are all ice cream aficionados.

Tillamook was THE destination!!!!!

Two very happy guys, Todd and Tom

Todd and Trey with Hay Stack Rock in the background.

~*~

Lulu asked me to take her shopping for her mom's birthday present.

Well, you don't have to ask me twice!

We jump into my convertable and off we went.

We kept the top up before we went shopping.

But on the way home the top came down.

(It's all about the hair!)

The music was turned up and we sang

all the way home.

~*~

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

2 Timothy 1:7

 

February Happenings

I'm trying to get back to Blogging.

The time off was enjoable but

 I missed being creative.

I tied to find my voice by writing.

Not here, but letters and emails to 

Politicians.

It was an outlet to state my concerns and thoughts.

But I wasn't heard!

I remember years ago, I wrote to my local represenitives. 

They either wrote back or even called me!

Times have really changed!!!

So, I have come back, to be creative and 

share my interests and life.

I still participate in causes.

I joined our church for,  March For Life.

Here we are at the end of our walk, 

at the Boise's capitial.

~*~

Kimmy and family wanted to go skiing, one more time.

We headed up to McCall.

I went along to help out with the two littles, who don't ski yet.

Of course, I'd go for any reason!

Tom couldn't make it.

(Read to the end to find out why)

SNOW!

SUNNY!

LAKE FROZEN OVER!

OUR NEIGHBORS!

CLIMBING THE SNOW REMOVEABE MOUNTAINS.

It was a fun weekend!

~*~

Below is a series of pictures that Kimmy took.

We needed an updated picture of Tom and I,

for our church directiory.

Guess which one we used?

~*~

The other day, we had sunshine and short sleeve shirt, weather.

Ahh... so nice!

Two of our grandsons came over to help get our

 gardens ready for Spring planting!

This is Silas cleaning out dead plants from our pots.

 Levi built metal, raised, vegetable gardens.

It is so wonderful to have helpers who can 

really HELP!

It didn't take long!

Then a week later......

SNOW!!

Banjo is happy

~*~

This is the day we have been waiting for!

Tom had his hip replaced!

This guy has gone through so much 

pain for the last year! 

We searched and searched for a Doctor,

plus a hospital that would take us and our philosophy.

Tom has previously, had both knees and one hip replaced.

Now,  he had the other hip replaced.

DONE!

Rejoicing and standing up right 

right after surgery.

It was a Day Surgery 

so we were home by evening.

Even Banjo was smiling!!

 Tom is in recovery today and doing really well.

NO MORE PAIN!

singing .... H A L L E L U J A H !!

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

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidance,"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me." 

Hebrews 13: 5-6