Visitor

Well, after having an open doggie door for the past year or two, something besides the dogs finally decided to use it - one of the Stellar (Blue) Jays that live in our neighborhood. We found it hiding behind the curtains. It didn't seem hurt, but our 3 chihuahuas went bonkers chasing after it. Don finally shooed it to the bathroom where he closed the door, took the screen off the window and let it fly back home. Happy ending.

31st Wedding Anniversary Excursion

Don and Michelle were married November 21, 1980 but due to schedules celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary Friday Nov. 11th with a trip to Seattle. It was a blustery and rainy day, and Michelle's travel umbrella was blown to pieces. The celebration started off with a trip to the Seattle Art Museum, followed by lunch at the Metropolitan Grill, then on to the Fremont district for a tour and sampling at Theo's Chocolate Factory. They then stopped at Southcenter Mall before heading to the Showare Center for a Disney on Ice show (Toy Story 3). It was a fun day.

New Cars

Our Ford Exploder is no more. With a cracked engine head and broken timing chain it wasn't worth fixing. And the old Subaru's rear end was going out, so yesterday we bought two new Hondas, a CRV and an Accord. After a few years of no car payments, we now have two. Yikes! No more eating out.

Trip to Utah and Spenst's Wedding - June 2011

Michelle and Don traveled to Salt Lake June 15-20 to visit Chris and McCall and attend Spenst's (Michelle's father) wedding. We had a fun trip. Don was able to visit his brother Dick as well.

Don and the Dogs June 2011

Michelle took this photo on Don and the dogs last Saturday morning.

2011 Mothers Day - Good to have Becky, Dani, and Brady home

Dani's WSU Graduation, May 7, 2011. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was the Commencement Speaker

Easter Bunny Shocker!!

Easter Bunny Shocker!!
I came home after work and noticed a little bunny lying on the lounge chair in our bedroom. I thought it was one of the chihuahua's play toys - they have a bunch. But when I took a closer look, it turned out to be a real bunny rabbit - a dead one. I guess Tinkerbell had found it in the yard and brought it into the house. Poor little cottontail. Michelle freaked out.

Mariners Opening Night

I attended the Seattle Mariners home opener against the Cleveland Indians. Great opening ceremonies but lousy game. Indians scored 10 in the 4th inning alone. It seems that most of the games I attend the team loses. But that's our Mariners.

Don's New Office

Don moved into his new office at the new Bonney Lake Justice Center. Initially it is kind of cold and lonely as only 4 other people are on the same floor.

Brady's Visa Application

You wouldn't believe what was required for Brady to apply for a Visa to Brazil. About a dozen different documents, many in duplicate, and most had to be notarized. As usual, Michelle did most of the work. Anyway, we finally finished it and sent it certified mail to the church mission travel office. Hope we got it right, and they don't send it back with corrections needed.

Don's Birthday

This was the first time I celebrated my birthday with just Michelle and I. Dinner and a movie, then home to open presents.

Brady Received His Mission Call

Brady received his mission call to the Santa Maria, Brazil mission. Santa Maria is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is the Southern most state. It is Southwest of San Palo. He leaves around June 1st after his visa arrives.

Michelle's 53rd Birthday

Michelle doesn't mind telling her age, as she looks much younger. For her New Years birthday celebration, we went to the Seattle Center and watched Tron Legacy on Imax 3D, and then went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. After we returned home, Michelle opened her birthday presents, and then we played board games.

Christmas 2010

Doug, Linda, John, Mark and Hannah joined us for Christmas Eve dinner. Christmas day was fairly low key Christmas. We opened presents, lounged around, and went to the movies. It was good to have Dani and Brady home, but we missed not having any grandkids here this year.

Dave and Emily Parma Kids - Our cute grandkids (Bria, Liam, and Cali)

Welcome, Reese

Grand daughter Reese joined Chris and McCall on November 10th. She is our 6th grandchild. Welcome Reese. See Chris and McCall's blog for more info and photos.

Lucky the Raccoon Hunter

Lucky, our fearless but stupid Chihuahua, loves to chase and tree the raccoons that frequently visit our yard. Once he's on their scent, he becomes psycho and there is no calling him down. This morning he managed to tree a family of 4 raccoons.  They were mostly just annoyed by Lucky, whose bark is much more ferocious that his bite.  Fortunately, they didn't make mince meat out of him.

Trip to Maui and Oahu 09/10 to Take Brady to BYU-H - with Chris and McCall

Snowbird Summner Vacation

We enjoyed an extended family reunion and vacation at Snowbird July 24-31. Pictures will be loaded into a photobucket slideshow as time permits.