NANA NELSON

I LOVE MY FAMILY...ALOT!!

2012-01-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

GOOD TIMES IN VEGAS

2012-01-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

We got a little sun burned after walking a long way to the Vegas sign & back!

~Two nights at Excaliber~

~Pajama Party~

We held back this year on the jumping after I nearly broke my back falling on the hard bed & with Jamie being pregnant!

We went back to some of our favorite places from last year...here we are at the Bellagio water show with the Paris-Eiffel Tower behind us~

~The Mirage~

It's hard to keep this girl down!!

We love the Derby Horse Races at the MGM Grand (the only one left in Vegas). It takes quarters. We spent hours at this table! We got our money back and then some! I never buy lottery tickets but I get weak when it comes to spending $20 on these horses!!

Jamie felt a little silly wearing this mask but she had to protect her little "kumquat" from all the smoke!

We walked alot of miles going back & forth on the strip...sore calves & shin splints~

So many crazy characters on the street, this is Kotton Kandy explaining to us that God told him he was suppose to do this, huh??!!

"Taco" giving Jamie a hard time and it only got worse! I am sure he picked on her because she looked like the youngest and most naive person in the restaurant!

What more can I say, the pictures say enough!!

And we were out of there and not any too soon!

What we say in Vegas stays in Vegas!!

WORK HARD-PLAY HARD, THAT IS JUST WHAT WE DO!

2012-01-08T06:21:00.001-08:00

This quad ride began in the desert near Boyce Arboretum (elevation 2400)

We rode on long, narrow & rugged switchbacks up to Montana Mountain (elevation 5400). I have to admit, at times I was a little scared!

It was so worth it though...this is magnificent Montana Mountain

Jim and some of the boys have hunted this area before so Jim wanted to show me a few favorite stops along the way. This is an old stone house by an abandon mine shaft.

I love this picture, the reflection of the saguaro is so amazing!!

This was old horse corral that had this windmill on it. It was fun to watch the water get pumped up from the ground. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good picture of the corral!

At the end of a great riding day!

Gorgeous desert sunset

We started this quad ride near the Pinto Creek mine (elevation 2800) outside of Superior. It wasn't very appealing at first.

We enjoyed our ride through Pinto Creek Canyon (elevation 5500). It was crazy how much it changed in the canyon, it was so pretty!

It is so fun to explore new places. Jim and some of the boys have hunted this area as well, but it was a first for me. We made a stop at this old farmhouse-barn.

This was an old bridge we had a picnic at and crossed over several times. This is also where we had a couple things go wrong!

First mishap: Jim was setting up the tri-pod/camera under the bridge where there were a lot of dead trees and rocks. He set the timer on the camera and as he was running back he tripped on a tree stump and went tumbling onto the rocks. We were lucky he didn't beak anything but he was really scraped up on his arm and leg. I felt so bad for him. After a few minutes we were both laughing & laughed even more when we saw this picture the camera took after the tumble.

Second mishap: I accidently dropped the flash to my camera off this bridge (about 20 feet down). Jacob bought me this flash, I was sick! It was cracked & in pieces. Unbelievably, it seems to be working but we will need to send it into Canon, along with my camera for repairs. My camera lens (or LEN, as Jamie would say) is scratched from all the abuse I give it!!

This is Jim's sad face after climing down to get the flash (and it's parts) under the bridge.

The beautiful moon at the end of our day!

NEW YEARS EVE (a day in the desert part two)-I love this place Jim found!

2012-01-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

Great company, lots of food and fun...good times!!

Carly loves to pose!

Gotta Luv This Smile...Dirty Face and All!

Cooking the Peach Cobbler (thanks to Joey's cobbler skills) & Hot Chocolate

HAPPY 2012!!

Cute Chelsea & Jacob just chillin after church on New Years Day

I ONLY WISH!

2012-01-01T14:52:00.000-08:00

I am truly very grateful that ALL of OUR KIDS LIVE in ARIZONA right now, I am very fortunate!! But, it's moments like this that I wish Aaron, Becki & Tre lived closer to us! Carly had just learned to ride her bike without the training wheels and was able to ride it down the street to Papa & Nana's house.

JACOB AND JAMIE...READY TO GO TO THEIR 10-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION! At the reunion Jacob was voted most "eligible bachelor"!

Jamie, Jacob, Burkley & Tyler from Mountain View's Class of 2001.

Taking care of the kids while Daddy & Mommy were at a dr's appt and while Jacob & Jamie's went to their reunion. I try to keep them safe!

JOEY'S BIRTHDAY DINNER at

2011-12-30T10:18:00.000-08:00

The four of us had a fun evening together...it's always a nice treat to spend time with our kids!

They made an attempt but the three of them together could not accomplish the challenge!

We saved enough room for dessert though...yummy!

CHRISTMAS

2011-12-26T10:30:00.000-08:00

It was Johnny's parents turn this year to have Johnny, Jamie, and their little family for Christmas. We celebrated our Christmas with them just before they left. Jim & I were blown away when we received our Christmas present from them. Jamie spent months burning all our vhs tapes onto 75 cd's, yes 75 cd's! Obviously, I was just as ocd about capturing family memories as I am now! What an amazing gift!!

We bought a Christmas book for each one of the families when we were in North Pole Alaska, signed by Santa Clause. This was no Norman Rockwell moment. This only lasted about 30 seconds. They were not crazy about sitting down & listening to a story after they opened their presents!

Christmas Eve at Mark & Sharon's home

Christmas dinner at Aaron and Becki's home

Tre's Christmas present from Dad, Mom, Papa & Nana

Chelsea THE Bubble Champ

A Day In The Desert

2011-12-21T19:03:00.001-08:00

Johnny & Jamie's new Christmas toy...they just HAD to try in out BEFORE Christmas!

Johnny & Jamie were taking care of their nephews Ty & Jax for a couple of days. The kids had a great time together~

~Brody~

~Carly~

~Jax~

~Ty~

Will he ever grow up...I hope not!

Have you ever seen someone who can't sit indian-style or cross their legs...you have now!

Wiped out by the end of the day!

The rays from the sun through the clouds was a beautiful sight, this picture doesn't do it justice~

The day was awesome spending time together! One of the quads broke down at the beginning of the day but we still had a great time!! We went to the Nelson family Christmas party straight from the desert...dirty & tired! It was at our neice Tiffany's beautiful new home. The food was yummy & it looked like everyone was having a fun time!

NANA & PAPA'S CHRISTMAS PLAY DATE TO VISIT SANTA

2011-12-17T18:26:00.000-08:00

We took Carly, Tre & Brody to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. It is such a great place to take the kids. The picture was free & there is so much for them to do before and after the pictures. The only scary part was we have three VERY active grandkids and they were going in three different directions most of the time! We don't move nearly as fast as we use to. Suprisingly, we managed to not lose any of them!!

Lunch at Chick-fil-A

More fun at Nana & Papa's house

We bought these t-shirts & reindeer toys for the kids when we went to North Pole, Alaska in September

HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY TO JOEY (& more)

2011-12-13T19:26:00.000-08:00

Raegan threw a party for Joey's birthday, at our house. We had such a great time with our two families and some of our favorite friends. Jim calls these friends, our "step-inlaws"! We look forward to taking Joey and Raegan out for his birthday dinner during the Christmas break!

Fruit Ninja

Tomi came down from Utah and took our family pictures again this year. She is so patient with our crazy family!

This is just one thing she had to put up with!

I snapped this picture real quick because I thought it was so cute!

Afterwards...Lunch at Cafe Rio & Christmas Money!

We took the kids to the park afterwards so their parents could go Christmas shopping

Tre was King of the Water Fountain

Silly String

Frosting Christmas Cookies

Poor Brody fell off the swing onto the rough rubberized ground, face first, within a few minutes after we got there. He scraped his chin up pretty bad. He cried for quite a while until it was cookie time!

Flying Tre's Kite with Papa

Pregnancy, Brody's Christmas Playschool Program & Socks?

2011-12-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

After two years of trying to get pregnant and many infertility treaments Jamie's ob (Steve Nelson-Jim's cousin and his nurse practitioner Amber) decided it was time to give Jamie's body a break for a few weeks and begin again after the first of the year. Anyone who has experienced this, knows infertility is a very emotional journey, as it has been for Johnny & Jamie!! They went through all of this before to get cute little Carly here. Low & behold after just a couple of weeks without treatment THEY ARE PREGNANT!! Jim & I were in shock when the kids came to bring us our "early Christmas present". The video they took of Jim is priceless!! We are soooo excited for another grandbaby!!!

Carly and Brody are so happy that they are going to have a baby sister or baby brother!

Sorry Brody, you are not the one who has a baby in your belly!

Brody's Christmas Program at Spuhler Sprouts. Brody would not smile but he did do the motions & moved his mouth a little bit to sing. At least he wasn't crying like a couple of the kids!

Brody & Lundyn (Tyler & Hawli's daughter)...cute little buddies!

It is so awesome having Jacob back home while he is in his 3rd year of podiatry school & his first year of rotations. But, there is just one thing I have to call him out on...

He borrows Jims ties & socks, which normally would be no big deal. But, Jim has (or should I say had) a ton of socks. When asking Jacob where all of Jims socks went, he actually said "I have no idea, I have more socks that I know what to do with". I honestly think he believed this. Really Jacob, I love you tons but, this is what I found in your room today...120 PAIR of socks & many matchless strays!! I should get the Mother of the Day Award for turning them all from being inside out, washing them & matching them all!!

My Weekly Blog Update

2011-12-05T05:05:00.000-08:00

~CARLY'S CHRISTMAS DANCE RECITAL

JINGLE BELL ROCK

Miss Laura

RUN RUN RUDOLPH

Miss Sarah

SUNDAY NIGHT WALK

We watched the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional with Jacob & Chelsea. The messages from these three inspired men were wonderful and the music was beautiful!

I love coming home from work to see this

and this!!

I have so much to be THANKFUL for, these are just a few of the things...

2011-11-28T17:32:00.001-08:00

What a perfect way to start our Thanksgiving Day! We are anxiously waiting for the arrival of our nephew Sargeant Derek LeCheminant from Afghanistan after serving his third deployment overseas-

Sgt. LeCheminant

Back in the arms of his family! We are so proud of Derek's dedication & appreciate the sacrifices he & the other service men/women have made to defend our country. We are so grateful for his safe return!!

Raegan & Tre have bonding experiences over their boots. Although, Tre was a little disappointed that Raegan wasn't wearing her "blond" boots that day!

THANKSGIVING DAY AT MARK & SHARON'S HOUSE

"The Amazing" Uncle Jim/Papa Jim is always good for a hug!!

The Participants of The Chubby Bunny Contest...I should be ashamed, but it makes me laugh every time!

We had such a blast with Chelsea's X-Box Kinect playing games & doing (or I should say attempting) "our moves" with Dance Central. We all loved it so much that on Black Friday Jacob bought two more Kinect boxes & fun games for it. I think we will be doing alot more of it during the Christmas holidays!!

NELSON THANKSGIVING AT THE PARK

Babysitting Carly & Brody while the other family members braved Black Friday!

I love our tradition of going to the movies as a family during the holidays, it is just about the only time most of us go to a movie during the year!

Just as the movie started Brody gagged on a piece of licorice & ended up throwing up all over Jamie & himself, this is why he has no shirt on!!

The credits begin at the end of the movie & so does the dancing!

~MORE OF A BUSY NOVEMBER~
Mark's 50th Birthday at Work

Carly's Primary Program...she was so cute saying her part & singing all the songs~

Jacob took me on a date! Dinner & to see Chelsea's beautiful dance performance "Catching Dreams 2"~

Jim & I went on a date as well to see our neice McKayla perform in "Anything Goes"~

NOVEMBER PLAY DATE

2011-11-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

~Decorating Turkey Cookies~

~Handpainting Art Project~

~Cooking & Eating our early Thanksgiving Feast~

These three play so well together & it makes me so happy!!

~Red Light Green Light~

The kids loved waving to all the cool planes flying out of Falcon Field on Veterans Day!

Hula-Hooping...some people have it & some people still got it~

It is so nice having Uncle Jakey-Jake living at home again while he is doing his rotations and to have Uncle Joey & Aunt Raegan live close enough so they can come home on occasional weekends~

It's obvious on Raegan's face that she was as disgusted as I was at pictures Jacob took of a procedure that he was just involved in, on a freshly cut off leg!!

~Tre showing us his break dancing skills~

~$1 store finds~

While Johnny & Jamie went to St. Johns to attend a funeral I had Carly & Brody, who were not feeling too well, so we stayed in our jammies all day long!

SNOW~COLD CRISP AIR~WIND~FUN

2011-11-07T04:29:00.000-08:00

I went up to Show Low & St. Johns to take care of Carly & Brody while Jamie coached the Show Low High cheerleaders on Friday and taught classes on Saturday (Johnny was hunting). I wish I had taken pictures of her coaching, I got this one by accident. She amazes me!!

The kids loved the attention from the cheeleaders!

I got such a kick out of this. Carly was right there primping with the girls as they were getting ready for the football game!

I found this picture hilarious as well, Brody is also working on his hair!

Show Low High School mascot is the cougar. Brody was pretending to be one of the cougars that were caged up, too funny!

~It snowed over night just enough for the kids to have a little fun playing~

~SNOW BALL FIGHTS~

I love this, Brody was laughing so hard after Carly hit him with a snowball that he fell down.

Brody took off after he hit Nana in the bum!

Carly and Brody loved playing in the fall leaves~

This was the home that belonged to their great-great Grandpa & Grandma Hamblin(their great grandpa Hamblin was born here). Such wonderful childhood memories for me!!

This could only happen in St. Johns. Seriously, this lady was walking her lamb on a leash down Main St. She was so sweet, she asked if the kids could get out of the car to pet her!!

The snow was beautiful driving over the rim on our way home!

HALLOWEEN 2011

2011-11-01T18:20:00.001-07:00

"Cousins Day" with Carly, Brody & Tre

This picture does not show it but Carly really did like both boys kissing her!

I made this picture board 10 years ago just before Jacob left on his mission. Every picture has all four kids in the picture (with Jim & I occasionaly in them). It has been a topic of many conversations and made for some great laughs over the years!! Tre was so intrigued picking out his Daddy in each picture~

This is what Jim & Jacob saw from our back porch. An owl in our neighbors back yard?!

DEWITT STABLES

Just like Mesa, AZ in October, it was such a hot day but we all had a great time anyway!

Mini Petting Zoo

Train Ride

Hayride & Pumpkin Picking (this was definately the hottest part of the day)!

Oh my goodness, this made us laugh so hard. While Carly & Brody were picking out their pumpkins Tre was asking each person who had a pumpkin to hand it to him so he could "scan" it!!!

Halloween Night in the Nelson Neighborhood...ALWAYS a good time!!

Suzanne, Brooke & Jamie grew up together in Val Vista Ward

Jessica

Carly & Marly

Poor Brody was sick! But, we got a little sugar in him (or I should say a lot of sugar) and he was smiling again!

Our good friend and neighbor Margi

Jakey-Jake

MONSTER BASH (11th Annual Halloween Work Party)

2011-10-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

JACOB & JAMIE's 29th BIRTHDAY

2011-10-25T05:24:00.000-07:00

Their birthday fell on a Sunday this year so we had a last minute get together at the house for games & halloween rice krispie treats! On Monday night we were able to get together & eat dinner at Joe's BBQ (not an easy task with Jacob's rotation schedule, Jamie's coaching and Jim, Johnny & my work schedules). It was a fun couple of nights!

Crazy kids!!

And Crazy Family~

MORE SURGERY, THE HOSPITAL & DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS

2011-10-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

Nana & Papa have been busy (and having lots of fun) babysitting while the kids Mommys were at the hospital & doctors apppointments~

Watching Bubble Guppies~

Picking Papa's "green" oranges!

Who is babysitting?????

W-A-R-N-I-N-G...disgusting!
More surgery for Jim, he had a blepharoplasty to help his vision. We are starting to see his beautiful blue eyes again!!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

MISS CARLY TURNS FIVE

2011-10-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

~Papa & Nana's Date Night~

We had such a fun time together at Cafe Rio, Toys R US, spending the night at our house and breakfast...it was a blast!!

~PARTY TIME~

Obviously Brody loves chocolate cake!

Gotta Love Those Dirty Faces~

What was Jacob talking about that got them so worried?!!

Games with Uncle Jakey

Che loved his resting spot

Old Val Vista Warders!

A -L-A-S-K-A

2011-09-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

Jim's friend and teamate (both at Arcadia & ASU), John Cadigan, has been asking Jim for a long time to come to Fairbanks for a hunt. So, the plans started for Jim and Mark to go to Alaska to moose hunt. The guys decided they wanted their wives to come along. I am ALWAYS up for a trip!! We closed the office down for a week and off the four of us went! Jim was actually the only one who was hunting & unfortunately for him it was unsuccessful. The antlers have to be at least a 50 inch spread & the one he almost took was questionable. You just can't take a chance! With Jim's luck lately it would have been just a hair too short. As always though, he said they had the greatest time & took the quads places he thought would have been impossible!

~NO GIRLS ALLOWED~

A very strange dude they happened to stumble upon!

While the guys were gone on the hunt for 4 days...Sharon & I relaxed, read, and took long walks in the beautiful crisp air & gorgeous fall folliage! We also enjoyed going to the University of Alaska-Museum of the North.

Yep, it says "keep off pipe"...such rebels!

This was such a cute little town with year-round Christmas Spirit~

Eielson Air Force Base...it was AMAZING watching several planes take off!

The four of us had more fun times going to some great little shops, a visit to a fur company, the cultural center, and ate at some yummy restaurants~

Just our style, it would have only set us back $10,000!!

I have never seen a sunflower this big!

John's sauna next to his cabin-so cool!

MORE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS SUMMER

2011-08-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

On Our Way To A Cousin Day~

Playing games with Uncle Jakey and Papa. It was great having Jacob home while on a break from school~

We LOVE These Three So Much & They LOVE Us Back!!

Aunt Raegan Came For A Visit~

Waving Bye to Aunt Raegan~

Bags I made for the kids with a few fun things inside~

Uncle Jakey did a cute activity with the kids...planting sweet peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. An hour later Brody looked at the dirt in the pot and said "it's taking forever"!

And a few weeks later, the results~

Jacob & Joey's Scoot Time~

He passed!!!

These two are quite the pair!

~A SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE HAMMONDS~

Playing Hide & Seek Under Nana's Dress~

GOT (too much) MILK?

Brody & his hedgehog friend Mymo...he asked for a Hedgehog Haircut so he could look like a hedgehog for church...hilarious!

Carly Taking Self Portraits~

Tre stayed in this position like it was no big deal, he definately gets his limberness from his Mom~

After telling him to smile for this picture, he let me know it was an upside-down smile, sooo funny!

Tre is getting much better letting me take his picture~

Only at Nana's can they get away with this!

I love my new washer & dryer...Carly and Brody find it very entertaining!

Roll-Playing "Papa" and "Nana"~

A few quiet moments with Mommy & Uncle Jakey~

Johnny was invited to participate in the Gilbert Fire Department Intern Academy. He did awesome, we are very proud of his hard work and dedication! Jamie left her memory card at our house so I took some of her pictures for a change. I love these pictures!

As It Has Been Said, Bad Things Happen in Three's. It Did!!

2011-08-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

#1 Crashing the quad into Jamie's car

#2 Jims emergency surgery & 2 1/2 months off of work

#3 Jim's Car Accident. Yep, that's right!!

Jim was on his way home from work on Sunday morning going South on Val Vista. As he was going through the light at Brown, a man driving a van (going west) blew through a red light. Jim's truck was t-boned on the drivers side & did a 360 and was airborn part of the time. You can see his skid marks in the picture, barely missing an electrical box. As expected, Jim was very shaken up and disoriented for most of the day (he hit his head). He has had the usual neck & back stiffness/soreness that will take a little more time to get back to normal. But all in all, thankfully no one was seriously injured. It seemed a bit odd, the man who ran the red light gave a police report & had someone pick him up (& his 3 young kids that were in the car) and left. He didn't even want the fireman to check his kids out, one had an airbag go off on him.
Another fact that was strange is he is a finacial planner & doesn't have enough insurance to cover the accident! Both cars were totalled. Fortunately, we do have great insurance so our insurance will cover the accident & then go after him personally to get reimbursed, with no penalty for us. We are so grateful! Anyone of these three incidences could have been tragic!!

Side note: as Jim was going into the emergency room after the accident, Jamie's camera was on his lap...it slipped & fell to the ground. Yep, it is broken! Does this mean this is the start of a new "things happen in threes" or can this just be the continuation of the car accident?!!!!!

~Watching the Cute Cheerleaders from Show Low High School at Cardinal Stadium~

2011-08-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

~On Our Way~

~Carly was so much fun to watch as she copied the cheerleaders motions~

~Brody enjoyed eating, climbing & watching their Cougar Mascot~

JOEY'S WHITE COAT CEREMONY at THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

2011-08-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

Reciting the Class of 2015 Medical Students Vision & Mission Statement~

~"Student Dr." Joey Nelson~

We are so incredibly proud of Joey & what he has done to get here. He is bright, happy, full of energy, enjoys life & loves people...he is going to make an outstanding doctor!!~

Joey has been very blessed to have such a supportive wife who has been there & encouraged him throughout this journey!~

What a joyous occasion this was for us, one of those very "special moments" we have in life!!~

Joey and his friends Casey Heap & Brenner Freeman...he is so happy that they will be there together, good studying buddies too!~

Raegan & her friend McKelle (Casey's wife) are excited to be in the same ward!~

Joey took us on a little tour of the medical school & hospital.

After sleeping at Joey & Raegan's cute new apartment & seeing a little of Tucson we ate a yummy breakfast at Viv's Cafe, we drove to Mt. Lemon. This was on the way up, with the city of Tucson below~

It was beautiful at the top of Mt Lemmon. At one point it got as low as 66 degrees (that was even in the afternoon)!~

Before we headed for Tucson we were able to attend the sealing & luncheon of our nephew David & his bride Stacey. This day was a perfect way to celebrate our 33rd anniversary!~

ANNUAL 24th of JULY CELEBRATION in ST JOHNS

2011-07-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

~THE CAMPORAMA~
The scooters were a big hit throughout the weekend!

~Think Joey should specialize in pediatrics?!~

~Family Dance~

~Carly's Favorite Cowboy~

~Brody's Favorite Cowgirl~

~It was late & Brody was done!~

~Dog pile at Days Inn~

~The Parade~

~Playing at the Park~

~Reminiscing at Dad & Mom's house ('79-'99)~

~Oh my gosh...our kids played, caught crawdads, & ate crawdads from this dirty water!!~

~Lunch in Payson~

AN AMAZING ADVENTURE!!

2011-07-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

After flying into Portland, we put nearly 1800 miles on our rental car (in 9 days) traveling all over Oregon, some of California & a little in Washington! There was so much water that I could hardly keep track if I was seeing an ocean, a lake, a river, a stream or a "babbling brook"! :)

Crater Lake was a beautiful sight...it is hard to describe the beauty of this place!! Pictures just don't do it justice!~

We saw all kinds of wildlife...Jim was hand feeding this little chipmunk, he was so cute. At one time he crawled on my lap...I was a little freaked out!~

One day in the snow & the next day on the Rogue River in a jet-boat, so awesome!!~

Over the bridge to Vancouver, Washington...these water lillies were all over the place~

There were incredible wild flowers of all colors everywhere~

Yes, the sign says "no trespassing"...go figure!`

~Mt Bachelor~

While we were traveling through some backroads in Oregon there were several beautiful Christmas tree farms & fruit stands with fresh picked strawberries, blueberries, rasberries & marion berries...oh my goodness they were so unbelievably yummy! You could buy them on an "honor system". You took what you wanted (or picked what you wanted) and left money in a metal box.

Salmon berries were just growing on the side of the road~

Picnic at Drake Park on the Deschuttes River~

The greatest fireworks show we have ever seen & it was only 55 degrees!~

The Oregon coastline is gorgeous...there were so many bridges, light houses, & sea life to see~

It's hard to see in this picture...this was a gray whale & her calf who were lost in the Klamath River. They were suppose to be in the ocean, I really hope they survived!!~

Sea Lion Caves, so fun to see but soooo smelly!!

California...two different days in the Redwood Forest was absolutely awe inspiring~

The tree we were able to drive through~

~Mt Hood~

~Portland's International Rose Test Garden~

Tillamook Cheese Factory, the BEST jamoca-almond-fudge ice cream ever!!~

A crazy thing happened at this place in Lincoln City, OR. A patient at work highly recommended that we eat at this place where they serve the best clam chowder (topped with shrimp)in the world, in their opinion. I looked up the address & the hours on my phone, just as we were driving into this town. It said it closed at 8pm. It was 8:15pm. As we drove by, disappointed that we didn't make it in time, we saw a sign that said it was open. We went in & ordered the clam chowder. While we were waiting, our waiter asked where we were from. We said AZ. He said he grew up in Scottsdale. I said I grew up in Scottsdale. He said he grew up on Exeter. I said I grew up on Exeter. He grew up 5 doors down from me!! He is a younger brother to one of my school mates. We had a good time reminising about old friends & neighbors. What a small world!! I don't eat clam chowder but Jim agrees that it WAS the best clam chowder he has ever eaten!

We went to a crazy street fair & some interesting farmer's markets~

These signs were everywhere, I would have been concerned but it only drizzled 1/2 hour during our entire trip, we really lucked out. The weather was perfect!~

The weather was anything but perfect in Phoenix the night we flew into Sky Harbor. Although, my flight to Milwaukee last summer still tops my most frightening experience on an airplane (if you don't count flying in a little airplane with my Dad as the pilot)!! We could feel the rough weather, see lightening in the sky, dust storms swirling around, & rain on the windows of the plane. The pilot tried to land once but couldn't, we circled around the city & came in for another landing & the pilot still was unable to land. We were re-routed to San Diego, landed, refueled, & waited in the plane until we got an ok from Sky Harbor. Several hours later we finally arrived safely into Phoenix where it was hot & humid!! Speaking of how small this world really is, while we were patiently waiting, we met one girl & her family on the plane which happened to be my neice Tracy's best friend growing up & another guy who was a friend to Jim's cousin Steve's kids. Wow!~

This trip was worth every single penny we spent, it was incredible!!