Disneyland 2009

Grateful for a quick Disney "Halloween" trip with the Pies!!

And a few more . . .

Home Sweet Home!

Just some photos of our new digs . . .

Our new rescue dog . . .

We have been thinking for a few months now it was getting time to think about another dog. The opportunity literally jumped right into our laps on Saturday. This is Molly. She's a St. Bernard mix. We were able to rescue her from being put down that very day. She's very sweet, likes to fetch and run, walks well on a leash, but is a bit clutzy with her huge feet. She already seems right at home with us!

Moving in . . .

Just a few photos of getting moved into the new place.

Hawaiian Happiness . . .

Snorkeling . . . .

Totally enjoyed snorkeling at Hanauma Bay and Shark's Cove . . . and especially getting Danielle into the "deep end" of the ocean!!

Luau Lunacy with a two year old!

We totally enjoyed the PCC luau . . and so did Madison! She liked most of the food, especially the red punch! She was really grandpa's girl racing in the stroller, clapping, singing and generally having too much fun!

ALOHA! Day one at Ko Olina Resort in Oahu . . .

Just home from 10 days in Hawaii . . . how we love being there. We are already planning our next trip back!

Surprise Birthday for President Brookes

What a Surprise Birthday Party! Our "branch" kids threw Larry a birthday party last night for FHE. Nothing like 60 or 70 kids to celebrate a birthday, I tell you. They brought all his favorites, even sugar free berry pie and diet root beer! After the hilarious "this is your life" segments, we enjoyed swimming, volleyball and other games. Had a great time . . . we truly love the Richland YSA Branch!

Granddaughters are amazing. Enthusiasm for life, they love you even if you don't have on makeup, make the most profound statements of obvious truth, and are overall pretty perfect!

Some have all the talent . . .

Lara has such a talent with photography . . . I've had so many people stop at my computer and asking about her photo "For the Love of Music". Thanks Lara!!

Idaho, Utah and Arizona . . . oh my!

On March 31 we traveled to Caldwell, Idaho to stop and see our great Sypherd friends, then up the next day and on to Salt Lake with stops in the Joseph Smith Building for a fun dinner and a few purchases . . . then up the next day and on to Provo to take Anna to the MTC. The snow was a total surprise, so there I am in sandals and no coat! Anna was more prepared and our good byes were very sweet. Then back to Salt Lake, hop on a plane and into Phoenix! Fun helping to build some grow boxes (ok, so I'm hammer-challenged!) and a pergola. Loved every minute of it!!! Thanks to the Pies for taking such good care of us and being such awesome parents.

Our Day in the Temple with Anna

Anna took out her own endowments at the Columbia River Temple on January 17 in preparation for entering the MTC in Provo on April 1. We enjoyed a great day in the Temple . . . outside temperature was something near 20* so we look a bit "frozen" . . .

Anna will serve in the Raleigh, North Carolina mission.

Danielle . . . these are for you!

More updates . . . snow!

Just a couple more photos, taken New Years Day . . . more snow and a shot of our bedroom floor (new wood down) and a little bit of the master bath . . .

2 1/2 days on our knees .. . and voila . . .

More house progress news . . Larry and I spent part of New Year's Eve, all of New Years day, and most of the next laying down over 900 square feet of wood flooring. Larry (of course) takes the brundt of the hard work, on his knees and making sure every plank is perfectly straight. I just had to pick and lay out the wood for him. We make a pretty good working machine!