Warning . . . she's technically challenged!

I have decided that my challenged state of mind, when it comes to understanding technical stuff is going to shine through when posting to this blog. Maybe I am too old? Anyway, I can't figure out how to make my posts go in order of newest to oldest. Sorry they are "messed up," just bear with me. I will keep trying to fix it. Meanwhile, I will try to keep the world aware that we are still alive and functioning well.

Hello Again!

A long time ago I started this blog for our family. Then it happened . . . I forgot the password and life remained busy and the blog was, well, ignored. Round two begins . . .

Believe it or not, this is hiking in the evergreen state! On our way home we stopped to explore Lake Lenore Caves. We were sure glad to get back to our air conditioned cars! (spoiled, aren't we)

We even saw these "pipe people" guarding the gate! They had a friendly look about them so we took thier picture.

Our Grand Coulee trip wouldn't be complete without visiting the windmill garden!

Yes, this is a generic "everyone gather for a picture" picture but, if you only knew . . . what it took to figure out the timer on the camera and then racing back to be in the picture and we are all controlling our giggles!

To celebrate the last day of school we went with our friends (yes, we have friends), the Fowles family, to Grand Coulee Dam to see the laser light show.

Natalie goes to Forks

We had a great weekend on the Olympic Peninsula!

Look what we found in Port Angeles! It's the restaurant where Edward and Bella had their first date. After a busy day in Forks we were hungry, so . . . yes, you guessed it! We ate at "Bella Italia"!

Then there was the drive over to La Push . . . where we were safe from VAMPIRES!

Uh . . . does every girl dream of driving and old (very old) red pickup?

We followed the Hospital sign through town and guess what? More smiles and giggles erupted!

Natalie will be a freshman this Fall . . . will there be an "Edward" at her High School?????

Our giggley 13 year old found the Cullen's mailbox. Here she is rubbing it (much like one would rub a magic lamp) perhaps hoping Edward would appear?!

Memorial Weekend was all about Natalie . . . and she is a "Twilight" fan! So off to the Olympic Peninsula we went. Bary was a great dad, driving his little girl everywhere her heart desired!

Tyler has made it to Germany! His first area is south of Hamburg in the city of Minden. After many hours of travel and the time difference (9 hours earlier than the west coast) his new companion and trainer, Elder Ivens (on the right), tells Tyler how exciting life will be in his next "home"!

The beginning of the next two years . . .

Here is Elder Tyler Elison at his "new" home until Feburary 3rd when he leaves for Hamburg, Germany! His letters report that he is happy and wondering if he will be able to learn enough German before he leaves! We love you Tyler!

Family time . . .

Here we have Tyler, Natalie, Bary (holding Colton), Deanna, Darren and little Connor, and Jared. Not pictured are Melissa and Emily (they are taking pictures) and Brandon who stayed home because he had to work.

Shepherds . . .

After viewing the Nativity, as we were walking away I looked back and saw the perspective you see here with the shepherds walking toward the manger. At this point the thought crossed my mind "Who do you follow?" and "What do you look to in this life?"

Christmas Light on Temple Square

The night before we took Tyler to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo we visited Temple Square in Salt Lake City and saw the beautiful lights. This was something Tyler wanted to do as a family . . . we all enjoyed the experience.