The Hillsboro Barkers Come for a Visit...July 2nd-July 7th

We're so glad they could come for a visit...it's always wonderful to see Briton and Robin and the 3 little monkeys, Talmage and Sydney and Clara. It's a long way to come from Hillsboro, Oregon, and we appreciate the effort. Here are some of the memories we made over the quick 6 days.


Day #1
Saturday, July 2nd
We spent some time picking raspberries and enjoying the lawn, watching the adventures on the jeep, celebrating Talmage's 5th birthday, finishing with Papa Murphy pizza and ice cream cones.
Photos & Videos: https://picasaweb.google.com/103890614854568345609/HillsboroBarkersJuly2nd?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIX_hef8ko2IvgE&feat=directlink

Day #2

Sunday, July 3rd After church, Autumn came up from Provo and we all spent some time doing artwork and playing Sorry Sliders and eating Hawaiian haystacks.

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/103890614854568345609/HillsboroBarkersJuly3rd?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNLLgfqTv6LaqQE&feat=directlink

Day #3

Monday, The 4th of July!

Grandpa and Grandma were up early and off to Provo in order to see the Freedom Run racers (Briton, Robin & Abram) who started their 5 and 10K jaunts at 7:00am. We were joined by Autumn and Airie and grandkids to watch the exciting parade. Some of us took a stroll around the arts and crafts booths. Then we went to the Hardy's where Baron joined us. We played Wii and Guitar Hero games, ate lunch at JCW's, and celebrated Paula's Birthday/Retirement with cake and presents. Next we were off to the Trafalga Fun Center for more fun and games...Mini Golf, Go-Karts, and the Arcade. We finished the day at Red Lobster for dinner. Whew! we really packed in lots of activities while celebrating America's Birthday.

Photos & Videos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/103890614854568345609/HillsboroBarkersJuly4th?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIbokZW-tbKseA&feat=directlink

Day #4

Tuesday, July 5th

We spent the day picking more raspberries and enjoying a Pool Party in the back yard. It took quite a while to fill up the new big, blue pool...but it was a hit. After lunch, it was back for round two. Then we looked for a park with swings but found out they are a rarity in Farmington and Centerville. Robin went to buy fireworks. We ate BBQ hamburgers on the deck, Talmage spent some time on his scooter, we all got into a game of croquet, and ended the day with fireworks in front of the house. WOW!

Photos & Videos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/103890614854568345609/HillsboroBarkersJuly5th?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLO8xPOwre-fowE&feat=directlink

Day #5

Wednesday, July 6th--LAGOON!

We made it to Lagoon close to the 11:00am opening and stayed all day. Robin took Clara home for a short nap in the middle of the day, but most of us made it until 8:00pm...B&R stayed on until 10:00pm. We had pizza and chicken for lunch in the kiddie area and Arby's for dinner in Pioneer Village. Mom got to ride Wicked (the most amazing ride in the Universe) and Colossus and The Spider with Briton and or Robin, while Grandpa took the T & S & C on more kiddie rides. It was a lot of fun for G&G to watch the kids having lots of fun. Lagoon was a big hit once again.
Photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/103890614854568345609/HillsboroBarkersJuly6th?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM7OisCPiPKqBw&feat=directlink

Day #6

Thursday, July 7th

After a big breakfast we had a little time to play more games in the basement before it was time to say goodbye. The visit went by so quickly and we had so many good times together. Thanks for coming...we love you all!

Photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/103890614854568345609/HillsboroBarkersJuly7th?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLuNhfrZt6GyywE&feat=directlink

Last Day of Work--June 30, 2011

These are the chocolate-dipped strawberries I took to work for everyone on my birthday on the 29th.

My office, my jungle/greenhouse. I was lucky to have such a nice space and a window.

My fig tree and watercolor teapot with flowers.

My last day...yeah I'm smiling!

Closing the door on 11 and 1/2 years with the Division of Behavioral Health Services.

Visitor

Dad spotted this young fellow in the yard...laying down in the bark by the fence up top...acting like he owned the place. He wasn't very shy and even posed when Dad walked out on the ramp over the pit with his camera. He nibbled on the red twig dogwoods and the ornamental pears...nice. We saw him the next day or two, once sprawled out in the southwest corner of the yard.

This fellow is not a visitor...more of a resident along with at least 3 other friends/family members. Look at those tiny feet!

Wyoming Adventure Day #3 June 25th

PLEASE GO DOWN to DAY #1 and WORK BACK...I guess I have to create posts backwards from now on if I'm going to try to do it this way...sorry. Thanks to Autumn and Briton for Technical Support on creating albums and blog sign-ins! I'm also posting Cars and Father's Day before this one...

Day #3 started in Casper...beautiful weather and more fun stuff to see and do. We guestimate that we put more than 900 miles on the CRV...more than a few on unpaved dirt or gravel "almost" roads. Check out the photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/103890614854568345609/WyomingAdventureDay3?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOSO8IGQtY3F7QE&feat=directlink

Wyoming Adventure Day #2 June 24th

Us at Martin's Cove on day #2. Follow the link to an album of photos for Day #2.













https://picasaweb.google.com/103890614854568345609/WyomingAdventureDay2?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLGIjKTC7vy2jQE&feat=directlink

Wyoming Adventure Day #1 June 23rd

This is Day 1 of our Wyoming Adventure to see the Martin & Willie Handcart Company sites. We met with 11 other ward members bright and early on Thursday morning at the chapel . John and Kay Percival were our trusty guides. They served an 18-month mission at some of the sites, 6th Crossing and Rock Creek Hollow, about 4 years ago and were anxious to share their old stomping grounds and stories. We traveled the route of the rescuers of the ill-fated handcart companies. It was an interesting perspective and we learned a lot about the saints in the Salt Lake Valley who sacrificed so much to send provisions and wagons and teams and manpower to save the emigrants.

Here's the link to an album of photos for Day #1:

https://picasaweb.google.com/111020246944524313801/WyomingAdventure02?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKG0s5SS8Yzk8AE&feat=directlink

Father's Day 2011

Happy Father's Day, Dad. It was too rainy for croquet, but still enjoyed steaks on the BBQ.

A remote/wireless meat thermometer...great after Dad figured it out!

Cookies and a salted nut roll, plus a big warm batch of homemade white chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies!

Mom got some gifts, too, since Mother's Day happened while we were back east. The scarf is just wrapping material.

Mushroom plant stakes!!

Attack Uno with the kids and grandkids.

Fun and games.

Brielle set the table for dinner...thanks for your help.

Cars

On June 17th, Dad and I went to Bountiful to see a Car Show/Fund Raiser...Coats for Kids. We missed seeing Dan & Mary Springer and their GTO (1960s) that won first prize for best original condition (we didn't walk down Main Street far enough.) But we did see lots of cool cars and thought you'd enjoy seeing a few of them. Check out those flames and the "Drive-In Movie" speakers.

Cobra
Another Cobra
This is The Burnout...a competition to see who can "peel out" the best, i.e. create the most smoke and leave the most rubber. It was a very popular event.

This is the same car Dad had in High School...red & white 1956 Chevy, only he had a hard top.

Lime green with black blobs? Check out the fan.

We think this one is from Australia, at least according to the license plate.

Not sure what to say about this one.

Mom and a Chevy, probably mid 30s.

Dad's first car, a 1937 pickup truck just like this one, well not quite as shiney, but more of a rusty red!