We had a Great storm roll through the valley on thursday night and it was such a pleasure to stand and watch the power of nature. Dennis tried to get some pictures ( because I asked him to and he seems to enjoy humoring me ) But as everyone but me already knows it is almost impossible to get really great lightning strikes. So he got these instead. Some show how bright it got and some are not too bad . Dennis is amazing at telling where the lighting will strike next. So enjoy my silliness and his great indulgence.The rain was coming down in such big drops it hurt to stand out in it. So lucky for us we has a little overhang out the back to keep out of all that water. My hubby rocks !

So Benny knows this guy see... and he said hey Benny wanna take my bike out for a ride. and this is what happens when you let a car salesman talk you into taking it out for a ride. :D

What could be better than a great sunny day and the flowers and spring. I think there is nothing better that to see God's handiwork in action. This is my spring joy and the thing that is a visual symbol that God really does renew all life. Think spring :D

Let The SUNSHINE IN :D

Sunshine and more sunshine seemed the order of the day today. Truly this was a great Palm Sunday as we were able to walk through the warmth of the sun to hear the words of our great Prophet and Apostles. I love spring time and all that comes with it.

Fishing with Papa

Ewan and Sejena came to visit with us for the weekend and Ewan and Papa went fishing. We have a great kids pond where you have be under 14 to fish there. Too bad there were not any little fish to be caught and they had to settle for this big rainbow trout. Ewan caught it all by himself and Papa only had to help him get it up from the shore. He is going to be a great fisherman just like His Papa. Way to go Ewan.

Is it Spring Yet?

This morning as I was out with Benny on his way to work I see bank reader. It read, Are you ready for this 22 DEGREES I know I know those of you still in Idaho think that IS spring weather but for here in sunny Walla Walla That is winter time stuff. Now I know that winter still has a week or so to hang on to our hearts with it's icy grip but I can't help but long for spring to come and blow way all this cold. If we have to have Daylight savings time it should be spring. I love seeing the crocus and the tulips bloom and am so excited as My hollyhocks are returning from last year and perhaps they will bloom this year. SO Once again I plead with the mighty heavens to bring on the spring weather. And if that does not work I will relish the snow in the mountains and enjoy one more mug of that nectar of winter HOT TANG !
This is Derek at the Bonfire last week up at our friends who live up in the mountains


Nettie

What Joy our Family is for us. We love it when all our kids come home and bring their sweet children home.
We had such a great time with Isaac and Dylan's birthday that we are going to do it again in august for Ewan and Gary. And what could possibly be more fun than a giant truck party. With tonkas everywhere including the cake we were sure to construct a great time.



Most of you know that I love chocolate. It was evident that the chocolate loving gene was passed on to yet another generation with Dylan digging into his first birthday cake.

Isaac was no less appreciative but he was a lot cleaner. The blessing of being 2 I guess. But it was a great party and everyone got to take home a little something to remember to toot your own horn every now and then.

I love a great Birthday party :D

WOA WHAT A VACATION

We had such a great time on our Vacation to Nauvoo. Dennis and I have not gotten away just the two of us for that long in years. and it was marvelous. We flew into ST Louis and Mom and Dad came down and picked us up ( which was super sweet and very nice of them I think)
It is a 3 hour drive from St Louis to Nauvoo and we chatted all the way. Well Dennis slept most of the way but he had a bad flight. Mom and Dad had a Missionary dinner that Monday and we were blessed to be able to join them and meet a lot of their friends that we hear so much about. Everyone was most kind and made us feel very welcome. And THEY LOVE MOM AND DAD :D Everywhere we went they had to tell us how much they love our parents. That was so nice to hear.

We were able to attend the temple every day that we were there and we did all the touristy things that you do when you go to Nauvoo. We made some rope and got some prairie diamonds and took a carriage ride and walked to the river. We took in the show in the evenings and laughed and sang and had a wonderful time. We even borrowed the car and drove to Independence and saw Far west and those sites. We ate dinner in Kansas city at this great little rib place where the computers had gone down and they were only taking cash. The place was nearly empty and they had the best ribs, I am glad we found them. We are still sorting out the pictures so I will have to add some of those later.

When we got back to Seattle Dennis surprised me with a trip to the beach for a couple of days.
On the way there we had a very close encounter with the wildlife that caused us to acquire a new windshield.

But we had such a great time I told him I might even be willing to come back again. although not for my birthday. We had a cute hotel next to the beach and the weather was so nice. SUN EVERY DAY! We were able to walk on the beach and to go down to the tide pools and even enjoy the aquarium.



I love eating at the small shops in towns. You get much better food most of the time and the service is always sure to bring a smile. We had breakfast at the pirates cove, I think was the name of the place, It was off the side of the road one morning and it had the jolly Rodger flying along side of the stars and stripes. so we said how bad can that be and went in this was the parking sign LOL The Food was really great and the waitress was Fantastic.



The drive home was lovely and we stopped at all the waterfalls along the river getting home. To get to most of them you have to take the old highway and drive very slow as most of it is still 30 miles an hour. But the sun was out and it was warm and we had our windows down for almost all of it. How can you go wrong though if you are anywhere with the people that you love the most.
I love how our beautiful earth changes her clothes each season and each outfit is just as glorious as the last.

We love you all and wish the best for all of our family.


Love

The B's

Yay for New our new Grandson.

This has been a great couple of weeks. Our newest grandson Gary Allen Buchanan,arrived on July 15 and I was so blessed to be able to go up and help with Isaac. So that means I got to help with our new little Gary too. I love the wat new babies make everyone feel so wonderful. And wonder what is it about holding them when they are sleeping that makes you want to fall asleep. Gary is such a great baby, He sleeps all day and talks all night LOL not really but he does do a great deal of sleeping. Isaac and I had so much fun giving kisses and hugs and helping with the dishes and sweeping the floor. I love my little helper Isaac. I know that is is so hard for the first few months and I am really gratful to Sonya and Greg for letting me come and take over their home for nearly 3 weeks.

I am going to miss all of the smiling faces at their house. When Isaac and I went to the hospital the first day the nurse gave his a sticker that said "Big Brother" he was so cute with it on his shirt. When we went back the day before Sonya and Gary came home, There was a different girl. When we asked for Isaac's big brother tag she just put sonya's room on it like all the rest of us were wearing. I should have asked her to change it as the other was much cuter. But Isaac is so wonderful with Gary he hugs and kisses his head and pats his back when he need to be burped. Sonya will have her hands full for a few years but they are going to be great friends. How blessed we feel as Parents and Grandparents to have such a wondeful family. To see it starting to grow and to be able to interact with our grandsons is truly the joy of our lives. WE love ALL our FAMILY :D

Camping and Scout Camp

Well Dennis Finally talked me into going up to the cabin and hanging out with him at the blazer scout camp overnighter ! SO after two days of river fun we took off for the blue mountains and the cabin. It belongs to a great friend of ours who uses his property for the scouts every year. He was Dereks scout master for a few years and served in the YSA Branch so our kids have been there and Dennis has been there but this was my first time. We arrived on thurs morning and what a wonderful setting. we had a small cabin set on the side of mountain and two ponds below. Above us are acres and acres of untouched forest. I am sorry that it took me so long to take Our good friend up on his offer and most likely will be found resting up there again.

On Friday morning we headed out to hike the trail. we found all kinds of animal tracks and even a small bear who had come down for a look see.

The scouts arrived on Friday evening and we had great fun helping them get their gear set up. I thought I packed a lot for 3 days and these guys were only coming for overnight and WOW Dennis says he will never complain about my overpacking again. We were treated to an evening of campfire and smores and cubscout jokes. On saturday Dennis taught the first aid class and the fire building class and the knife and axe class.

I sat in my chair and watched and read a good book. LOL I LOVE CAMPING. I did clean up and mop the dirt off the floor before we left much to the dismay of our friend who claims that the dirt is what makes it a camping cabin and not a house. But he also said we were welcome to come back anytime. We just might have to take him up on that.