Summertime!

Well it's summer time and the living is busy.  Currently we have been 5 days without air conditioning downstairs, I do go upstairs to Emily's closet for a timeout (coolest place) We keep finding little projects around the house, and we are fostering a dog named Macy.  Macy has been my shadow and I hope to find a good home for her, but it's a little hard to part with her. If anyone knows of someone who would like a pretty one yr. female dog just let me know.  We are moving Emily into a house in JC this week, taking furniture to her, hoping to clear more "stuff" out of this house.  I ventured through my neighbors backyard on a walk with Roxie. I defy any of you climbers to beat me at new trailblazing.  I always heard that there was a path from the Lake only, I didn't find it.  Roxie showed me her way of going, along with the deer and the groundhogs.  Let's say I will be not be taking that route again.  Enjoying fireflies and sunsets.

gregory's bald

My first trip to Gregory's Bald on June 17, 2009. What a pretty site!

SpringTime :)

Hey Family!
I haven't written on my blog or our blog in a long time. I think that the winter was so long, cold and wet that I was distracted by trying to make it in a new job, new lifestyle of figuring out what full time ministry looks like, in a new state, new roommates, new communities, and new adventures. I am so glad that I made it through my first winter in the NorthWest. I am thrilled to explore the mountains around me and lay on the beaches under the sun rather than the clouds ;). I look forward to a walking to the store more, since it is day light now from 6:00am to almost 9pm now! I look rollar blading around GreenLake and biking to meetings with leaders, staff and friends. I have really enjoyed playing softball in the afternoons, running the bases and teaching very teachable middle schoolers. :) The flowers are blooming the tulips are almost waste high and the cherry blossoms are screaming for attention :) I am currently sitting on my porch with Cooper enjoying this fine day! Cooper is a big yellow lab and is asleep next to me. I am house sitting and dog sitting :) I will have to go take him home to be alone while I head to softball practice. I would take him with me but we have a game on Saturday and the girls will be really distracted and won't pay attention. Tonight I am visiting a Wyldlife club and haven't decided if it would be smart to bring him...the kids would love to have Cooper there. I know he will do fine, but again I don't want to be a distraction. Anyways, I thought I would write a little on our blog and say thanks for loving me through a very hard and long winter! I am glad that with all the newness comes the familar sun! I am glad to see its familar face! :) and all the friends that comes with its radiant light :) I hope this new post finds you enjoying your day!
I love you all very much and miss you tremendously!
PS I found a new hike only 1hr away...called Wallace Falls. Beautiful! :) but no LeConte :)

Honeymoon

We took so many pictures of art I couldn't possibly post all of them.
Above - some wierd Dali sculpture. Below - eating ice cream in the artist district.


Hannah at the modern art museum. Pompidou
Skulls at the Catacombs.
View from Versailles.
The only way to travel in Paris.
Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
Les Invalides

The people were COVERED in pigeons.
Impressive mirror inside Notre Dame
Me and some strange lady at the Louvre.
Nike aka Winged Victory (my favorite sculpture at the Louvre)
As if to say, "What! Only a dollar tip!?!?" Reminded me of a disgruntled diner waitress.
Hannah on top of the Eiffel Tower.
Small car.
Louis Vuitton, where I bought Hannah all her new clothes. hehe
Hannah in front of the tower.
Me kissing my new wife. : )

Mt LeConte

Nana, thanks for the weather warning...

LeConte holds a lot more memories, stories and we can have hot drinks on top without carrying a stove!

We will save Charles Bunion for a warmer time!

We were all so glad Jeff came!

Yeah folks think we are crazy to hike further...but they are crazy not too...

look what they are missing!



How many bridges to the parking lot?

I think I count going up everytime, but I still am unsure when I am coming down. :)

Boomer Point

Scottie, Em & I left Jeff a message & a water bottle...

Jeff got the water but not the message....oh well it was fun arranging the rocks.

The top was clear and really windy...you could see Sevierville.

I am happy after a nice hot cup of coffee! Thanks Doug!

Cliff Tops are just above me

we met up with Miller just around the next corner! :)

Miller found the Chimneys

Going Down...

Dad say cheese!

Miller, Jessica & Emily at Arch Rock

Miller said she slipped going down the stairs midway and it wasn't fun...so I am taking it slow

Thanks for the advice Miller!

The get away car...WE GOT 'EM! You can't steal from the Park and get by us!

Brick Oven Grill

Pizza!

Hot Drinks and Peppermint Bark

Hannah, Kenny & Jeff

ZoZo and Scottie trying to get to know each other...ZoZo gets scared easily...

(just ask the white polar bear...)

Thanks Miller for hosting our hiking day! We had a great time...

even if Ben won at BLURT! :)

Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! :)

WOW! Look at all those presents & stockings! Yippee Merry Christmas!

Mom did such a beautiful job decorating the mantle and Dad & Em did a great job making each branch of the tree full of memories.

Yum! Breakfast...ham biscuits and cinnamin rolls!

The unwrapping begins!

I am thrilled about my new hiking bandana from Emily and my new bird feeder from Dad and that I am home for Christmas! Yippee!

Ben got a fancy suit, over coat, scarf and blue dress shirt for his new job in Chicago!

Watch out Chicago!

Dad's Birthday!

On Dad's Birthday, Nana & Pop came to help us celebrate! Dad got books and shirts, us girls got some beautiful scarves, ZoZo got a yummy bone and shared a bone with Roxie. We all got our favorite Historical figure, Ben Franklin, protrait in our favorite color, green.

Thanks Nana & Pop!

I was still recovering from "the hurry up and wait a long time of travel" to the East Coast :)

Ben took the picture...thanks Ben!