ENGAGEMENT News!

Last week,  Great News for our family! 

Lori traveled to Portland to celebrate Adam's BIG News!

Adam put together an elaborate surprise.  Unbeknown to Shantel,  (Adam's girlfriend) he planned a surprise party, including Lori,  Shantel's family,  a special dinner and a surprise ring presentation on his knees!

All went well according to plan and the surprise was complete when all appeared at the precise time!  And the biggest news was. . .Shantel gladly accepted the engagement ring!  We'll keep you undated with any future plans!

We all congratulate Adam and Shantel and wish them well as they develop their life together!

Lakeside Changes

It's hard to believe that we've had the cottage at Lakeside over 25 years!  We planted a small Mimosa tree, partly visible on the left, which now has grown above the house loaded with branches that surround the power lines that attach to the house!  Over the years, I trimmed around the power lines and and shaped it with many trim jobs.  And everywhere you trim,  10 new branches sprout! As we recently examined the compact limbs and those around the power lines,  I knew it was more than I could handle!  We agreed it was time for the tree to come down. . .but where do I find someone willing to do the job at a reasonable price???  Last week before we left Lakeside,  a young man came over recommended by our good neighbor there and offered to do the job at a reasonable price!!  The Angels were again watching over us!!!  We accepted the offer and the tree is now gone!!!

The beautiful Mimosa has spread it's canopy wide as you can see!  Even though it's a dirty tree, always dropping branches, leaves, blossoms and sap,  it always makes a grand show late summer!  Time marches on and as we grow old,  so does all our possessions and repairs become more difficult for everything and everyone!  (click on photos to enlarge)

Catchers

Wherever you find our family,  if flowing water is around,  you'll find someone with a fishing pole in one hand and a fish in the other!   Add a boat to the mix and the fish get bigger,  and sometimes almost as big as the kid with the pole!  Enjoy the catches and the kids.  Great times of sharing and learning!   Actually,  what all do we learn from a fishing experience!  Many life lessons!  Patience,  be careful what you touch,  never give up, pay attention to the details. . . .and on.  Why don't you add to this list?  Luke,  Blake, Evan,  Alice and Annie all know how to fish and are learning more than they know!  Of course all the adults do too!

(click on photos to enlarge)

Framed Flowers!

If you look at freedflowers.com  you will find over 150 close-up flower photos.  You pick a flower and send it to someone important. . .and no charge and no strings attached.  Recently,  we visited a friend who was recovering in care a facility.  I gave him a web card.  He found someone with a computer and enjoyed my flower photos so much he asked me to pursue large framed photos for his home. Several months later,  he came to our home and we went thru all my rose photos.  He picked the two shown.  Now it was up to me to find a provider.  The photos for our home were printed 22 X 28 by Office Depot for about $10 each. I then had to matte and frame them!  For Al,  I needed a provider that would print and frame at reasonable prices.  There are lots to chose from on the net!  We decided on Easy Canvas Prints.  He agreed on the Red Rose 24 X 36 printed on canvas and wood framed and the Yellow Rose 22 X 24 on canvas, wrapped around a 1 1/2 raw wood frame. . .all for $143 freight free.

I was very anxious to see the quality since my files only 6000 pixels each.  When they arrived, he called with excitement and was very pleased with the results!  (click on photo to enlarge)

Texas Go Go

If your lucky,  you might find Roly and Candy at home!  Usually their in Texas but recently the whole gang spent the holidays in Breckenridge, CO and presently spring break on the Gulf coast fishing. The new boat handles most Gulf waves with ease and carefulness. . .between the beautiful
fish catches.  Nice Sheep Heads and Red Snappers make for great catching and especially great eating!  Beyond the good times with family,  they are filling their memory baskets with wonderful family times, the enjoyments of old age!!!  (Click on photos to enlarge)

Christmas in Colorado

When graduating from Hi-School,  Tyler decided to explore the West in search of lots of snow!  He landed in Colorado,  hiked up Pikes Peek ed at all the snow and after 4 years of college at 5000 ft above sea level,  decided to reside in Vail.  Now as an authority of snow pak,  he persuaded his entire family to spend Christmas with him in Breckenridge!  and close to a dog sled park!  The photo is the whole gang with a few dogs!  Who would ever think you could find Alaska in Colorado!  They all survived with lots of smiles! (click on photo to enlarge)