Easter Lily in July

Richard put our Easter Lily outside on our deck and 

it started blooming again a week ago. He diffently has 

a green thumb.

ENJOY.........

I did it!!!! I will update soon.....I promise.

I am still going.....

I thought it would be fun to share some pictures from Gary's

travel blog to North Dakota.......they look like they are 

having a great time.

Gary, Jan and Matthew buying 4th of July fireworks. WOW!!!

Gary, Kirsten, Eric, Jan, Matthew, Jazzy, Rhonda, David 

and dear friend Irene.

Rhonda, Kirsten, David and Jazzy.

The kids: Eric, Kirsten, Jazzy and Matthew.

The gang at the Ralph Engelsad Arena in front of the

huge pipe organ.

Matthew and David out in the backyard with Lilly and Theo.

Out for their morning bike ride with the dogs. Guess who is

pulling who.....

Kirsten made her famous 4th of July cake....with Eric's help.

Beautiful Jazzy relaxing in the hammock.

Gary and Kirsten relaxing in the backyard.

Matthew and Kirsten.

Kirsten loves Mac and Cheese.......

Jazzy and Matthew.

Da da da da....It is now JULY and I am back on schedule!

HAPPY 

4TH OF JULY !!!

I borrowed this fireworks picture from Gary's blog

he created while he and Jan are in North Dakota visiting

my brother David and family. AND celebrating 4th of July!

Richard and I stayed home and enjoyed some fireworks

that were going off in our neighborhood. We sat on

our deck and was able to see some shows across the

river from us. It was fun and our dogs did pretty well with

all of the noise going on around them.

And......

We celebrated Richard's birthday in June...

AND Jakers came home to help us celebrate!!!

While Jake was working at Michael's in Mesa, Arizona, he framed

a war picture of the flight deck where Richard was stationed. I

brought the original picture with me when I went to see Jake in 

April, and he brought it back with him on this trip. Richard had 

tears in his eyes when Jake presented it to him. Here is the framed 

picture.

Jake was home for a week and we enjoyed every minute of

our time with him. I took the week off from work so we were

able to do somethings together. We did some shopping and

just hanging out together. Tuesday Jake went to see his long 

time friend David in Monmouth. He stayed the night and drove

back home the next morning. A couple of hours after Jake

returned home, he and I took a day trip to Lincoln City. Our

favorite place ever! First, we stopped at Mo's and had some

lunch.......

Afterwards we headed to the outlet stores and did some shopping.

I bought Taylor a darling top and short outfit. Perfect for the Fourth

of July celebrations.....Then, on our way to the beach....

We take this type of picture everytime we make it to the

beach together.........he is my heart!!!

The weather was cloudy and windy but we managed to walk

on the beach and pick up some treasures. Another favorite thing

we love to do at the beach. We had a wonderful day. We arrived

back home around 8:00 p.m. I wish we would have had more time

at the beach, but I am thankful that we had this time together.

Richard took Jake back to the airport early Thursday morning and

I went back to work. I already miss him.........

Whew........I am on a roll!

May Birthday: My brother David's birthday was in May. I don't have 

any pictures because he is in North Dakota. But, we

did our usual e-mail birthday card greeting. Gary and

Jan are going to North Dakota in July, so I will have

some current pictures of family at that time.

Ok, Now on to April, May and June.....I am almost caught up!

For my birthday in April, I went to see Jakers in Arizona!
When I arrived at the Phoenix Airport, Catherine and Jake 

picked me up. We went right to "The Coffee Shop" where Cat 

works and we had lunch and a mocha. It was so nice to sit and 

relax and visit with Cat and Jakers.

It was so GREAT to finally be there............

Cat went back to work, and Jakers drove me around the 

town showing me different places that he and Cat visit 

often. We did some grocery shopping and went home.

That night we sat around and visited and went to bed. 

This is the first time I met Taylor and she is a sweetheart. 

Her smile warms my heart.

Saturday night we went to Black Angus for dinner.

I met Cat's mom, Crystal, and her boyfriend Raliegh. 

We had a wonderful time and I am so glad to know 

that Jake has a family in Arizona who love him and 

are there for him.

Cat went to work Sunday morning and Jake, Taylor 

and I spent some time at the pool. Taylor loves Jake 

and they had a great time in the pool. Jake is so big 

and Taylor is so little that she used him as a spring 

board. It was great to watch them have so much fun

together!

Laying low at their appartment cooling off....

View from their balcony. Milo and I spent alot of time 

out there together.

Their dog Milo. What a kick he is. I know, he has a face 

only a mother could love. But, he is adorable and hooked 

onto me real quick. He followed me everywhere and slept 

on my bed at night. He was my protector, although he 

growled at every noise througout the night. Jake said 

that after I left on Sunday to go home, Milo went all over 

the apartment looking for me. I miss him.

My last day there: Sunday morning Jakers made pancakes 

for me and Taylor. They were very very good and Taylor 

enjoyed them too. Thank you Jakers. 

Before Jakers took me to the airport that evening, we all 

met at Cat's work place to visit. This time, I met Cat's younger 

sister, Kristen. Very sweet. 

So, my flight home was at 8:00 pm and I said goodbye to Cat, 

Taylor and Milo and cried and cried. Jake took me to the airport

and I cried and cried and cried. I gave Jakers a big huge hug and I

didn't want to let go. It was very hard to leave him standing there

and walk toward my plane. I think the lady on the flight next to me 

thought I was nuts. It was so very hard to leave Jake and his life in 

Arizona. But, I saw how happy he is and how much he loves Cat, 

Taylor and Cat's family. That makes me feel great. I will see him 

again soon...

My sister-in-law Jan also celebrated her birthday......I am sorry I

don't have any pictures. Happy Birthday Jan!!!

UPDATE TIME........

In March we celebrated Gary's birthday........

We had a great time!

My niece, Kirsten, was in town with her boyfriend, Eric. Eric is so sweet and we enjoyed getting to know him. Kirsten is beautiful as ever. We haven't seen her for a long time, so this was a treat for sure!

Also, Matthew was in town, so a double treat for all of us.

Pictures of Jan and mom..........

and the four musketeers on the couch!

During the evening we visited and had delicious cake.

It was a fun evening for all of us.