Celebrating!

We just recently celebrated Hannah's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is but there maybe a clue in one of the pictures. Women just don't want that information to get broadcast too much. We had to wait and celebrate her birthday until we got back from Phoenix. Hannah is still doing great. Nothing came about her kidney pain issue, so we still feel that it was a kidney stone that was causing the pain. Still on track for a June 21st delivery.

The Family with our new dog Kaiser. He is a German Shepherd, about 6 months.

Happy Birthday Hannah!

On April 3rd, we also reflected on and celebrated Susan's life and the impact she has had on us all. We were down in Phoenix and spent it with Susan's parents and with her brother's family. So we had some shared special memories with Susan. It has been three years now and it still does not get easy. But I can look at all the children and still get a vivid picture of the her energy, her love for life, her love for Jesus, her love for others. I miss her dearly. But she is in a GRAND place that we can only imagine. I love this picture of Raylene Brands, Susan and Laura (taken probably 6 years ago). Raylene and Susan are both in heaven now due to cancer. They both helped each other through the chemo process and blessed others along the way.

Sorry, I realized that this is a scanned picture and didn't have good resolution.

Sarah finished up her CNA schooling back in December. And yesterday, she took her skills test and passed. YAY! So we are also celebrating that with Sarah. She will now take her written exam next week. So be praying about that.
Jake is going through the process of applying for the Coeur d'Alene Police Department. He took the exam and passed it with flying colors and has gone through the physical fitness exam and passed it too! So be praying for that process too. He will make an outstanding law enforcement officer.
Jason just got back from California. He visited two universities down in the LA area. BIOLA and Azusa Pacific University. He will be taking his grad classes for Psychology. He really likes Azusa Pacific in Pasadena. Beautiful campus he said and really friendly students. So we will see what kind of scholarships and financial aid will be needed. He plans on playing soccer for them too. Be praying for Jason's plans in these college areas.
And me, I have been training for the Salt Lake City Marathon which is on Saturday. Pray for my trip down and for the run. I have been working hard on the training runs, so I am ready. In May, Nathan, Jason and I are doing the CDA Marathon. Sarah will do the half marathon again this year.

Back From Phoenix

We spent a great week down in Phoenix, in the record breaking heat which felt soo good. April 2nd was 100 degrees and that set a new record for the Phoenix area. Usually in the lower 80's this time of year. We flew out of Pasco, WA (2.5 hr drive) on Allegiant Airlines which flies directly to the Mesa Gateway Airport that only has Allegiant Air as a carrier. But they have cheaper air fares and it is worth the drive to Pasco. This picture was the day we drove over to Pasco. It was a 2 hr 4 min flight down. The airline doesn't even give free water out any more. Things change.

Mary, Kayla, Sarah and Laura at the Pasco Airport

Here is a collection of pictures while we were down in Phoenix. We stayed with Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Rick and Aunt Cheryl.

Here we are at the Shopping Mall. Pretty hugh? And so was the day. Girls and shopping just go hand in hand. And me, along for the ride.

On my hike one day, I captured this Cactus Wren on top of a Saguaro Cactus. Last year, I got a really nice picture of a Collared Lizard which Mary Carol submitted into the Gold Canyon Magazine. So my name was in the magazine as the photographer. She is going to submit this one also. My name is getting out.

This is a flowering cactus in front of Rick and Cheryl's house. This time of year is plenty of flowering activities. Nice time of year down there. Unlike the July/August 115 deg temps.

Another cactus. This one in front of Jack and Mary Carol's house.

A group hike up in the canyons of the Superstition Mountains. This day just happened to be on the 100 degree day, but early in the morning when it was only 85 deg. We found the shade!! Leah and Jed flew down the day before. They came down not only for part of Spring Break, but also to go to Nick Dreckman's wedding. Here in the front row, Jed, Leah, Jeanne (Susan's sister), Kayla, and Laura. Back row is Rick (Susan's brother) and Tess (Lindsay's dog).

A bobcat sneaks away near G&G's house. We saw two bobcats this trip near their house.

A picture of Nick as the wedding started.

The family at the wedding. We had a nice time seeing friends and visiting.

The sunset at the wedding. That day it was cloudy and cooler, in the lower 90's. The outdoor wedding temps were very comfortable.

Laura and Mary at the wedding

The kids with Grandma Mary Carol and Grandpa Jack
The kids with Uncle Rick and Aunt Cheryl