California Quick Tour

When Lindsey went away to college, we assured her we would be there when she graduated.

Finally on May 9, 2012 she graduated, and we were there because we DROVE there and back in five days (remind me not to try that trip again!)

Here are a few photo mementoes of the trip.

Dr Paul Chappel with Al after the graduation.

Patti and Mike McKee with Lindsey.

Al and I with Lindsey.

Vineyards everywhere!

Fresh strawberries... so yummy!

Garlic, onions, leeks? Sally loved these
and I liked taking the picture!

The trees kept getting bigger. We told Sally
"This is a SMALL Redwood!"

Definitely the BIGGEST tree I ever saw!

We got to the ocean just as the sun set!

And OH, what a sunset!!

The morning gave us new photo opportunities.

Tried so hard to hide the white car on the road in front!

COWLITZ

We are on a road trip to California this week with Sally to see Lindsey McKee graduate in Lancaster CA. Driving is tedious, so Sally and I kept talking to keep me alert. (Al slept or rested in the backseat with his earphones for most of the day.)

Passing through Cowlitz County in Washington, Sally remarked with an amazed look, that she had NEVER heard of that county before.  "COWLITZ? REALLY?"

WORD GAME time! I don't recall who exactly said what after the first few exchanges, but it got funny pretty quickly.

SALLY: COWLITZ? I NEVER heard of that County!

ME: MOO-LITZ!

S:  Huh?

ME:  MOOoooo-Litz

S:   SHEEP-litz

GOAT-Litz!
HORSE-litz!
DOG-litz!
CAT-litz!
CHICK-LITZ!!! (high five!)

(LAUGH OUT LOUD!)

Engaged!

In February Matt proposed to Sally. They plan the wedding for August 4 this summer, so I have started arranging pages for her scrapbook memories. This page is done except her personal memories of the engagement.

Posted online at the Scrap Girl gallery. Most of the kit was Brandy Murry's Shabby Blanc.

Rose Card Design

Hubby asked me to design new cards for the church. This is number two.

Designing at the beach...

We were able to get away for a Valentine event in Ocean Shores and finally had time to use the latest tool I purchased for designing.

Oh, my goodness! What fun! Using a fresh photo from this morning and Brandy Murray's new Ultimate Artist actions, this card was SO FUN to make! It can be modified to any other occasion, too.

Next, the roses...

‎"Prince Caspian" was a wonderful movie adventure last night with hubby.

The movie is still running thru my head, like it did after I read the book many years ago when the girls and I were trading off the series of books as we finished them. [They are still in the library! Might just have another "look-see" at those fun adventures and allegories!]

I was again impressed by Lucy's awareness of the presence of Aslan, because she was 'looking for him'... what do we miss because we want to do things our own way before we ask His direction?

 2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Sea World experience!

The animal exhibits at Sea World were a treat to see. Anders wanted to see the Penguins, so we went to Sea World for the day. Besides the penguins we saw otters, sea-lions, walruses, sharks, dolphins!

The penguins were all lined up to see the "show" of people parading past them!

Flamingos too!

We enjoyed the walrus and seal show, too. Made me think of Alice in Wonderland.

It was a challenge to catch these guys in the air, but I did it!

FEED ME! Big guys! They were fun to watch!

Another one up in the air!

Nursing new baby seal pup... awwww!

At the end of the day, I finally remembered to get a photo with ME in it...red face and all!

Between shows we rode two of the roller coasters. YES, I did ride them too! I was kind of backing off from the one that hangs from above and does several flips and loops, but in the end, I went on board with Jon and Anders, after all. It was an experience I will remember and not likely repeat! I am glad my vertigo did not reactivate while there!

After walking for five hours and only sitting one hour in that daylong trip, we were ready to drop Anders off at the base and head for the hot tub to refresh our feet. We still had to pack and be ready to check out in the morning, so off we go to bed! Thanks for looking!

San Antonio- Anders, Amanda and sore feet.

 It was a wonderful experience to see Anders graduate boot camp. We are so proud of this young man! He has been thoroughly "formatted, and reprogrammed" in 8 weeks!  I hope I can get a photo of his ID before and after! Incredible changes!

We saw the 865 graduating men and women in formal parade. Then Anders' dad went down to tag him to leave the ceremony. That was a nice emotional reunion. The family posed for a few photos before we headed over to Ander's lodging where he has been living for the past 8 weeks.

Jon, Ethan, Anders and Aaron after the parade.

 

 We WALKED to Ander's dorm area. We are talking LONG walk, here, up and over foot bridges on the base to his housing unit, where the BULLDOGS lived.

 We saw his neat and tidy closet and living area, as he prepared to spend the day with us. Believe me, this closet and drawer shows an incredible "change" in this man!

 We stopped to eat lunch after the housing trek, and Anders and the other "men" sat at one table, while Joy and I ate across the aisle. We went to a mall afterward, so Anders could mingle in the civilian world for a bit. Then headed back to our hotel room to just rest and fellowship with each other.
    Joy and I snuck in a short nap, knowing we still had more walking ahead for the evening in downtown San Antonio, where we were meeting our long time friend, Amanda Coale Ruiz and her sister, Stephanie Coale. I had not seen Amanda since we were in China, and we weren't sure if it was 2003 or so... a very long time! Hope to see her in our area some day!

We saw the "Tower of the Americas" downtown, and headed up to meet the ladies.

At the top, a passing lady took our picture as the sun set on San Antonio.

After MORE walking we found a restaurant "Mi Tierra" that was recommended to us earlier in the day. We sort of blended into the background, don't you think? Maybe that is why it took so long to be served? Maybe they lost us for a bit!

Heading back, it was too late to actually VISIT the river walk, but we SAW it as we passed by. I was disappointed, but its just a place, right? We managed to find the Alamo, at least, after several wrong turns. There it was! Happy me, but not so happy FEET. We needed to get our poor feet to bed.

Tomorrow is another day, but first, we are sleeping in! (what is that?)

Flapper FUN- Old Fashion Day

Joy found a flapper costume for Old Fashion Day at Bible Baptist Church. It was too cute!
Posted online HERE

Bailey found a lily

While at the lake on Saturday, baby Bailey discovered a sweet lily and hung on tightly to it. After awhile she began to nibble on it. When we prevented that she began to push it to our faces for our approval. After we smelled the sweet fragrance, she cuddled it close to herself again.

This is such a sweet memory of this darling little girl! Thanks for looking...

Date nite at the BALL GAME

Brandy Murray's Zoomba ZIP page was a perfect complement to our ballgame memory page. When walking into the stadium we remarked how we had our first date at a major league ballgame in Detroit MI. Thankfully the Mariners WON 5-3 that night. Great date!

This page can be seen online with comments at my gallery in Scrap Girls on this LINK. 

Thanks for looking...

Not the little girl I was...

Challenged to scrap a page about myself related to a "song" I scrapped about how Al & I met. We have been married 43 years, but have known each other since he started first grade.

The journaling reads:

“Little Allan” moved to the neighborhood in the summer
of 1954, just two blocks from Barb’s family.

Barb’s dad worked with Ernie Leasure, who lived across
the street from the Hughes’ new house. Thus, they met
soon after Allan moved to their house on Winifred Street.

After his parents passed away, Al moved to the north end
of Detroit. When he called to meet up with Barb in 1968,
she was not the little girl he once knew,
and he asked her to marry him that summer.

Posted online in my gallery at Scrap Girls  HERE

Back in the saddle again...

Barb with her 43rd Anniversary gift: a 24" girls Schwinn.

For our anniversary this year we decided to stay home and have a cook-out instead of going out on the roads on a Friday night. We also stopped and picked out a 24" bike for me, since I can't reach the ground well on the 26" bikes. After falling while biking on vacation, we felt it safer to be short sized. It fits just right!

Our current vehicles sneaked into the photo too. Notice the Mazda with her perpetual "smile". Such a sweet car to drive! 2011 has been a good year! :D

Watercolor moods...

Bluebird on a branch

3 Cherries under construction on vacation

3 Cherries - completed July 2011

I have been enjoying my watercolors again... Restful times! 

Thanks for looking! 

Thank the Lord for PEAS...

I tried to ride the bike for my exercise this morning. I logged in five minutes before I attempted to stop at the cabin to say goodbye to Al, leaving for his walk in town on the Rails to Trails in Kila Montana.

As I slowed to stop, my feet missed the ground on the "too tall" bike and I kept going toward the ground. Skinned my knee and hand, but nothing amiss. The bag of frozen peas made a nice "ice bag" for the knee to prevent it from swelling.

Oh, well. Guess I will try walking later today for my half hour of exercise!

All Star 2011 Little League games...

The All Star Games 2011 were held in Belfair WA this year and it was wonderful to watch grandson, David, play third base again. Seeing him field the balls was exciting, as well as hitting the ball, running the bases and having a great time with his team mates.

They played well together, and we are happy he was able to play them again this year, his third year on the All Star Team for South Kitsap Southern Little League Team.

Good job, David!

SCRAP GIRLS GALLERY VIEW

12 Grandkids in a Picture...

Charity asked for a new photo of her 12 kids this past week. What fun to get some of the non-smilers to smile for me! :D

Scrap Girls High Noon Challenge this week was "white space", meaning more paper than pics, usually. With 12 faces to see, I left the photo larger intentionally.

This is posted at Scrap Girls in my gallery HERE, if you wish to see the comments of other viewers.

SISTERS...

full 2 page view

Left page - SEEN IN GALLERY HERE

Right Page -SEEN IN GALLERY HERE

One of the best treats on our recent trip to Colorado was spending time with my sister, Jan, and her husband, Chuck. Al and Chuck became more acquainted while Jan and I had some good bonding time again. What a blessing to have "like minded" family we can fellowship with!

Staying in their home was a special blessing for us. Sweet memories!