Happy New Year

Well it is the last day of January and I made a resolution to write a post on my blog at least once a month.....So I better get on it tonight. So much has happened since my last post that I do not know where to begin. I am so impressed with my loved ones who post regularly and I want to join the ranks of regular bloggers who have cool blogs that people can't wait to log on to and see what I have added to my blog. In summary, November was filled with fun and family and so much to be thankful for. The picture is our family gathering for our Thanksgiving celebration. It was a day full of blessings and fun. December ushered in a flurry of activities and parties. We had days full of baking and wrapping, a tacky sweater party for all of Bethany and Bekah's friends, dinner parties with friends and family and much merriment and caroling!!! It was a season of JOY. The other photo encapsulate our month of December. FUN furry friends, lots of smiles and JOY!!! I will write again soon.

A Little bit of Heaven on Earth

This is my first attempt at downloading pictures onto my blog. I guess three out of four isn't bad....sorry that the one gorgeous pic of the aspen tree is sideways. You will have to turn your computer around to see it properly.
These pictures were taken in the Grand Tetons. The final phase of our anniversary trip. I will keep working on my posting skills so that I can create a chronolgical recap of our fantastic time driving through Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.

The flora and fauna of the region were absolutely fascinating. We saw many Moose, Buffalo, Elk, Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goats. I will try to find the best pictures of each.

I was awestruck by the beauty of the reflections at the Oxbow Bend of the Snake River. We stopped every day at the samd place to take pictures. We were convinced that each day the view were more gorgeous than the last.

Stay tuned for more pics and more descriptions of the grand adventures of Rick and Kerry on their 30th Anniversary trip.

Giving blogging a try

Here I go.....i actually think blogging is a great way to communicate the comings and goings of my life with the people I love...or maybe it is just a fun distraction for me while I am trying to adjust to this "empty nest" season of life. I have managed to make it through the first three weeks of having none of the girls at home. True confession-I have only been home for 4 individual days of these past 3 weeks. So now the real test begins.....We set up Bethany's apartment and Bekah's dorm room at APU beofre leaving on Sunday September 2nd after a fantastic chapel service put on by the APU staff. Rick and I left the girls in the care of the Taylor family (fantastic friends who live right near APU) who took them out for lunch as we drove up the coast to Salinas to attend the wedding of Kelli McDaniel (Jess was a bridesmaid). Two days later, I left for Colorado to visit some dear friends and attend a training for my FIRST Response team. This FIRST team is a great group of women who are now trained and ready to respond as trauma counselors (God's hands and hearts), bringing hope and healing to people in countries in the 10-40 window. After that training trip, I was home for one day and then Rick and I left for our 30th anniversary trip to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. It was a glorious trip filled with hiking, boat rides, geyser gazing, wildlife scouting and tons of picture taking. What a way to start my empty nesting!!!