Summer

Check out our

new friend....

Love, love, love

summer!

Martin's Cove

On the 6th of July we traveled to Martin's Cove.... about a 700 mile ride.... so we could "trek" for 3 days to kind of 'feel' of the spirit of the saints who traveled along those trails with all their trials out in almost no-where to get to the Salt Lake Valley. Our ward group was about
56 counting the
young men & young
women, ma's & pa's,
the cooks & company leaders. It was a tremendous experience for us all.
The sacredness of the area, the quiet beauty of those massive hills up there
kind of on top of the world, the wonderful stories & council the missionaries shared.... we couldn't have asked for better weather. And the
mosquitoes were not that bad now that were are away from the swarms!!!

There's that tired old trekker out on
the trail... looking at the flowers....
drinking in the sights & feelings

At 6th Crossings we forded the
River 3 times on our 10 mile trek
for that day. After the women's
pull & our warmest day it was
a delight!!

Bishop B. checking
out the campsite.

June family fun!!!

We had a great mini reunion the last of June..... good weather, yummy food,
and a wonderful family. Julie & family came for the summer. Steven & Erin spent a week. Terressa & Jake took a
day to be here & all the family from
here was able to join
in the fun.
I love to have family
get-togethers with our
special family!!!

Now that's just Ducky

We added a railing to our deck!!

Like I mentioned last post, we were

away for a few weeks. Well, Mr. & Mrs

Duck took a liking to the property & I

guess we were close enough to the

canal.

Anyway it took a few days to find her

nest & we had fun watching their

comings & goings.

Her nest was under our bedroom

window behind a Colombine

plant.

We calculated the days &

kept watch. But........ they

weren't very friendly & left

in the dark of the night. So

we didn't get to see the little

ducklings or even collect any

rent.

Just thinking.....

A couple more fun things about our trip!!!
How fun to take in history... only a few minutes from home... (Stonebridge) near Nokesville....




Spring is beautiful where ever one may be! Life is really great... We are so blessed... We are so very grateful..............

I've got a BUNCH of highlights from our trip!!

We enjoyed the hospitality of Brad & Becky & saw the

beautiful area in which they live a n d got to see our
cute little Ethan man!!

We decided Brenda & Roger's part of Georgia
is pretty.... Atlanta is a bit too big city, but
where they are is do-able. We had a great time seeing the sights with them...... We
did downtown Atlanta, going to the CNN
building, Merrill was going to do the afternoon news but we were in a bit of

a hurry so the world missed his news cast...

We played @ the Olympic Olympic Park

We went to Stone Mountain

one day.... rode a tram up

the rock mountain

& learned all about

those depicted in the

rock carving...

Kyle thought we were on the top of the world & he could see clear to Washington DC

We helped Brenda celebrate her birthday

They ventured across beams & ropes high over head at the park & saw a 4-D movie













We went to Mount Vernon....

And visited the Shenandoah Mountians!! While there we saw an awesome cave!!!

Colby celebrated his 7th birthday & was so excited because he then only had 365 more days until his 8th birthday & then he will be able to be baptized.

February Projects

Grandpa made the great grandchildren's row into rows so we could have more room to display all the cute little people that are being added to the family. With everyone living in all the distant places..... we need at least one place where they can be close.


Meanwhile back @ the ranch.....

Company came & grandpa was a

perfect host.....

what all you served up

was water???