2012 Trip -- Washington 3 -- Multnomah Falls & Ice-Cream

Uncle Chet and Aunt MaryPat treated us to ice-cream this afternoon on our way to Multnomah Falls...

While eating ice-cream, I spotted this car. Very cool.

The dog is wearing a life-vest!

My favorite picture of the day. Complete with an American flag. ;-)

When we were at Multnomah Falls, we decided that a picture was necessary. Good memories!

Beautiful!

The very top of the falls.

Lily found it! The falls should be renamed in her honor. :-D

There was so much spray in the air.

Such a beautiful family! My only wish is that I could have included Kylie in this picture. Ah well. Next time!

The rainbows from the spray and glancing water make the rocks even more beautiful.

Ava and Lily pose through a tree. Aren't they adorable? :-)

Chet and MaryPat... 11 years next month.

2012 Trip -- Washington 2 -- Babies 'n Things

At the request of my dear sister-in-law...

Isn't this little gal adorable?

The toll bridge.. we paid $5 to cross.

My cousin Kyla. She reminds me of a beautiful fairy or elf.

I can never tell these two apart... so I'm not even going to guess which one is Abigail ....

.... or which one is Isabelle. But they are gorgeous and smart and kind!

Grandma had a spider on her corn plants.

My grandma Caroline and Aunt Gail.

On the other side of the family... Uncle Chet was making my cousin Lucas laugh.

Lucas.

Ava and Lucas.

Ava and Lily.

Eli and Grandma Pat. They are having so much fun!

Steven lost his car. He was so upset about that and never stopped talking about it all evening. Even while were eating chocolate cake.

Trip 2012 -- Washington 1

Our first night in the country was spent at my aunt Edi's place. We woke up in the morning and discovered they had the cutest kittens ever.

They also had a goat!

In Seattle, we used the ferry to get to my Aunt Suzi's house. It was my first time on a ferry.

Jesse was enjoying himself immensely.

The view of Seattle was amazing.

When we got to Aunt Suzi's, she had made some wonderful patriotic snacks.

Blaire and Graeme...

Paige's expression seems to say, "It wasn't me!" Lol.

Now, we're off to Grandma and Grandpa Holter's house. Oh such fun! But we will miss Suzi, Duncan, Graeme, Blaire and Paige!

update... photos

We're back home again. Had a lovely visit with my grandparents and other relatives... I couldn't get over how lovely Washington is in the summer. So green, so lush, so bright.

The singing was a success. PTL! We were worried up until it was time for the performance but when it was time, it went very well indeed.

And, last but certainly not least, we were able to stop in at our friends in Lethbridge and visit them. It's such a blessing to see and talk with close friends. God has been very good to me.

When we got home, I opened another envelope from the package that my friend sent me for my birthday... and found this poem. If you can take the time, will you tell what your thoughts are about this poem? I especially like 2nd, 3rd and 4th stanzas.

God Knows Best

Our Father knows what's best for us,

So why should we complain...

We always want the sunshine,

But He knows there must be rain.

We love the sound of laughter

And the merriment of cheer;

But our hearts would lose their tenderness

If we never shed a tear.

Our Father tests us often

With suffering and with sorrow;

He tests us, not to punish us,

But to help us meet tomorrow.

For growing trees are strengthened

When they withstand the storm;

And the sharp cut of the chisel

Gives the marble grace and form.

God never hurts us needlessly,

And He never wastes our pain;

For every loss He sends to us

Is followed by rich gain.

And when we count the blessings

That God has so freely sent;

We will find no cause for murmuring

And no time to lament.

For Our Father loves His children,

And to Him all things are plain;

So He never sends us pleasure

When the soul's deep need is pain.

So whenever we are troubled,

And when everything goes wrong,

It is just God working in us

To make our spirits strong.

--Helen Steiner Rice

Well, we are almost to our water supplier and internet provider ;-) so I should get this ready to post. :-) God bless you, my readers... and bring you to a more clear understanding of God and his goodness.

In Washington! :-)

I'm in the van with my mother, sisters and dearly beloved grandmother. :-) It's a pleasant morning in western Washington, with the sun filtering down through the trees, a slight breeze making the leaves tremble with joy. We're on our way to town to pick up ingredients for making homemade icecream for the anniversary party. And Grandma is talking about making salmon for dinner. :-) So, it's a happy time at the moment.

I was wondering if you all could pray for us? We are scheduled to sing at the party but a number of us are battling colds. (Surprise! :-P) As the head of the group, I'm feeling a little stressed. I know that it will all work out for the best in the end, but I need patience and wisdom as I make decisions that will be pleasing to the Lord. It will be fun to see everyone again and a little nerve wracking singing for them. LOL! A lot of these people have known us since we were babies. ;-) Lovingly, of course. Hehe.

The trip went fairly well. The first day, Ruth got car sick.... she didn't warn anyone so it went on her pillow and Hannah's sleeve (who was seated next to her). Ruth hadn't been feeling well all day, so it wasn't a big surprise. Needless to say, we were so very glad to arrive in MT that night! 17 hours on the road that day and over 11 yesterday. That's a lot of hours on the road. We were doubly glad to finally see our grandparents again. :-)

Happy Canada Day!! :-)