Posts

Showing posts from December, 2009

Decade in Review

It's that time of year when people reflect back on the past and after watching the news I realized this has been a BIG decade for us too. The year 2000 brought us the start of a new century and the end of our working careers! We took to the road on Labor Day 2000 and have been there ever since and still loving it. Since then we have added 2 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. One of our grandchildren has become an internationall Miss.. currently living in Germany. We have even seen a few of our children marry and have added a new daughter-in-law. Cyn lost both of her parents and we have lost so many of our wonderful friends. Our blessings include being able to visit every state in the union including Hawaii twice (however not in the rv) and every Canadian Province and even a few of Mexico's states. This past year took a scary turn when we learned Earl has to have brain surgery; however we have been so fortunate that the surgery went without incident and Earl ended up i

Newport, Oregon

Image
Traveling south from Long Beach we stopped 1/2 way to switch drivers.. this seems to work well for us now. Then 1st stop was Les Schwab for 2 new tires for motorhome. Then on to Whalers Rest Thousand Trails park just south of town of Newport. This is one of our favorite parks not only because it so well run but a wonderful location too. Our 1st day here we had to drive over to Salem for a blood draw. We were so fortunate to meet up with friend Candice. We had a great visit and it was so good to see her again. She looks great! Afterwards stopped at Costco and then headed back with snow and sleet falling. Oh my gosh, it was slow and scary going through the hills but we made it home safe and sound and were so thankful. Talked to Candice later since she had to travel all the way to Trout lake in the gorge. Portland was literally shut down due to amount of snow they received. Next day went south to Reedsport to meet with Cyn's ex-in laws. Had a great visit with them too at th

Long Beach, Washington

Image
Finally on the road again after months of staying still... 1st 4 1/2 months at Wish Poosh; then another 3 months for surgery and recovery... Although there was frost on the ground we packed up 1st thing in the morning and headed south. 1st stop on route is Long Beach, Wa. At Thousand Trail campground. Big surprise, no lodge.. they removed it entirely - no building - that was a big surprise and then of course no wifi... so took walk on windy cold beach instead... Lovely really although miserably cold. Stay 2 nights and spent next day visiting cute little town of Long Beach. One of our favorite spots there is the Cottage Cafe. Lots of good eats to be had there (as though we need them)...

Fun Christmas

Image
This is so great of Early had to share... just caught him at a good time - laughing and happy!

Christmas Day

Image
Nothing quite like Jolly Old Saint Nick paying a visit or Papa Earl! Made this fun bag to deliver gifts... joined in the fun at daughter Mary's and family. Scarlett and Kenny joined us too so quite a houseful for brunch. The grandchildren seemed so happy with all their gifts as was everyone else.. didn't look like any duds this year!

Family on Christmas Eve

Image
There are always advantages and one for us this year was being able to spend Christmas Eve with son Alex and granddaughter Jordan. So fortunate she was here for a few weeks from Germany. She is really growing up! Alex is an excellent cook and we enjoyed our evening very much...Nothing quite like Christmas movies and family with a cozy fire and good food.

The new store - Scarlett

Image
Our daughter Scarlett surprised us with the news she and special friend Kenny have leased a building in West Seattle to open a new pharmacy. He is a pharmasist by trade and they apparently have been negotiating and planning this for some time. They are currenly in process of remodel in the interior and hope to be open in a few weeks. What a shocker... anyway, they are very happy and enthusiastic. Our hope is all goes well for them.

Merry Christmas to All!

Image
Looks like Santa has made it to the coach! Earl is doing much better and we are still working trying to get his blood to the right level... we are getting closer but still not perfect. Hopefully we can get this stable before too much longer but at least the blood draws are only once a week. They are working with us so we will be able to leave the area on the 26th and next draw will be in Salem, OR. Seems a little wild but guess it will work. Hopefully this holiday will be a blessed one for all of you and we can only wish you all a Very Happy New Year!

Birthday greetings!

Image
Our family has a number of birthdays in the month of December and although we are all spread out and can't visit with all at their special time we were able to have a little bit of a celebration for Reisa. She is the new baby's mama and we just heard to day they will be moving back to Arizona next month. Fed Ex is going to transfer Roy back to Tempe to start late January. Let's hope short sale on their Hawaii Condo goes ok. they have a lot to do in a very short time.... Today is her and our son Earl III's b-day so we wish them all the very best for another year!

Aloha! The guys...

Image
Although it was not the best of days (a lot of vog) we all went off to Hilo (other side of island from Roy's place) looking for waterfalls and wanting to see the volcano in action. The road to the volcano was closed due to poor air quality. The volcano was sending off a lot of sulferic acid in air which makes the air quality bad (vog) and this year it seemed to travel from the big island to the other islands. In past it went the other way so air was much cleaner. Nice that Alex did get to see Rainbow Falls here in Hilo. no rainbows since it hadn't just rained but pretty just the same.

Aloha from the Big Island

It is now Thursday evening and we have been here on the big island a week ago tonight. We celebrated by going out on a sunset dinner cruise. Lovely, simply lovely. Am writing on another computer and don't have photos to download yet but will put a slide show together later from our trip. So far, so good. Granddaughter Jaylee is adorable and a very good baby. For only 2 months old she sleeps nearly everynight all night so that is a big plus! She seems to be thriving in this climate. This is our 3rd trip to the Hawaiian Islands and the 1st time we have experienced rain, vog (created by the volcano) and some humidity. Don't remember ever having experienced those before but can't say it's a problem. We are a lovely time and enjoying the family very much... Will be here until Tuesday when we return to the mainland... until then Aloha..........