Sunday afternoon Al and I drove to Seattle to spend some time with the Busch family. We hadn't seen Oliver and Mae since Christmas and that it too long. We also wanted to celebrate Joe's birthday. It was a beautiful day and even though they had been to the park to bike ride in the morning, Kaia and I took Oliver and Mae to a different park in the afternoon. It was fun to see the kid's excitement as they ran from one thing to the next.


Little Mae loved it all from the train, slide, swings, to the monkey bars. She is not afraid of trying anything. It made Grandma a little nervous.



They are on their way to the slide. The first time down for Mae, she got a little push from her brother Oliver, but after that she went down by herself many times.


Mr. Oliver is trying to decide which way he wants to come down. He did it all --on his bum, on his tummy, and sideways. He has no fear!! This makes Grandma nervous also.

They loved to swing, being pushed by their Mom, Kaia. The higher the better.
We loved being able to spend time with the kids and their parents. We ended the afternoon by making home made pasta and then a wonderful dinner with the pasta.

Shalon My Friends

Last night we went to Tacoma to attend Ava's first grade music concert. The first and second grade classes from her school participated in this concert. I was impressed how her music teacher had total control of all of the children. The teacher sat at the piano and played and the children knew when to come in and sang their hearts out. I am always happy to have music a part of their education. Last week we went to Emily's music concert for her school. I hope someday Emily will be able to play the piano for a concert and Maia will be able to play her guitar for a concert.


I love the joy you see in the faces of the children.



They closed their concert with the song "Shalom". They sang together and then did it a round. It was a fun evening for Ava and her friend Will (in the stripped shirt) and also for Mom, Dad, Olivia, Grandma and Grandpa, Will's Mom, Dad, and sister Amelia.

Shalom my friends. May peace be with you.

No Broken Bones--No Blood--Only One Dead Fish

This past week, Al and I spent with Ava and Olivia. Their Mom and Dad went on a trip to Miami. Zach had meetings for American Express and Sara went for some time of rest and relaxing. We had a fun week with the girls. They enjoyed getting up a little later, eating breakfast at home, and being taken to school and day care. Each morning they got up there was a special card for each of them from Mom and Dad. You never know what kids are going to notice on a card. For them, it really mattered how many XO XO XO XOs were at the bottom of the card. They love those hugs and kisses from Mom and Dad


For Christmas this year the girls got a salt water aquarium. It is really fun, just to sit and watch all of the fish, crab, and creatures move around. It was my job to feed them three times a day. I loved watching the fish and crab try and catch all of the little shrimp I put in the tank. One night the girls came to me and asked me to come into the living room, because the beautiful blue fish had died. They wanted to pray for the fish. When I got to the living room, they had all of the lights off except for three battery operated candles. We each had a candle. They proceeded to sing, dance, pray for the fish and then we had to clink our candles together. The fish had a great celebration of his life and I got to see the girl's faith in action.

Each day I let them pick out their clothes for the day. They usually picked out dresses or skirts. It was my job to try and give them new hairdos every day. We had fun coloring, playing games, cooking, setting the table, going swimming, getting Valentines ready for the school party, and doing first grade homework.


Tucker, the, dog, and Tommy, the cat, were two of our other charges for the week. Tommy is an indoor cat, who liked to hide during the day and who would love to go outside. Tucker and I enjoyed a long walk everyday. One day we even walked down on the water front. It is too bad we don't live closer, I could walk him every day. It would be good for me and I know he would love it.

Ava and Olivia, Grandma and Grandpa had a great week with you. We thank your Mom and Dad for trusting us with their two beautiful girls.

Waters of Baptism

Al and I were privilaged to attend the baptisms of Corrine and Jordon Gilbertson. These cousins are both in college in Oregon. Corrine's family lives in California and in Arizona and most of Jordon's family lives in the Portland area. The celebration happened at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. This is the church Al retired from. There were three sets of Grandparents, one set of Great Grandparents, Moms, brother, sister, cousins, Aunts, Uncles, friends, and the whole congregation. Their Grandma and Grandpa Gilbertson attend this church and are very good friends of ours. It is exciting to attend a baptism of a young child, but even more exciting when a young adult chooses Jesus as their Savior and friend.


Jordon, child of God, you have been washed by the waters of baptism and sealed with the cross of Christ forever. Thanks be to God!

Corrine, child of God, you have been washed by the waters of baptism and sealed with the cross of Christ forever. Thanks be to God!