We spent yesterday in Monterey with Sarah, Daniel, and Lucas. We had a fun day and rented a surrey to peddle around in. It was a workout, that's for sure! Lucas had fun waving to people as we rode by.
Down at Fisherman's Warf there was this guy with trained exotic birds and he placed one on Lucas's arm so we could get a picture.
Above: Part of the bay. Below: Lucas playing in a water fountain.

Nathan's baptism.

Story Book Island...
We took Logan to Story Book Island for his birthday and later to Chuckie Cheese for lunch.











Becky with the Cat in the Hat....

















"...follow the yellow brick road..."



















Becky and Logan

Here we are in SD, having a nice time but missing Doug :-(

At Mount Rushmore-----









Ellsworth AFB Golf Course...














Crazy Horse Monument...






























Becky on the 4-wheeler, Uncle Scott standing by...

It's been nearly 2 months and people probably skip over my blog all together by now. Lots have happened. Andy and Jessica visited the end of April and we were so happy to see them. Lucas turned one and we had a great time with his party.

Our saddest news is Andy was deployed on June 6. He is in Kuwait for a month of training and then will be in Iraq after that. Jessica is sad and misses him dreadfully and vice versa. Please keep them both in your prayers.

The kitchen transformation was great and it looks pretty good. We are pleased. I love the wall color.

Our next venture is off to SD.

Here is a view from the Miller's home in Hollister. It's so amazing to look out from the top of their hill. We also got a 4 generation picture with Bev's mom, Bev, Daniel and Lucas. While we were with Sarah and Daniel over Easter I gave Lucas a bath in the kitchen. He loved it and splashed a lot and made a big watery mess. He also figured out how to turn the water on and pulled the sprayer in and out. Giving him a bath this way is easier on Grammy's back.















Below is a picture of my cupboard transformation. It takes a little time but easier than stripping and having all that mess. So far, I've been told it looks really nice. It's been scarey for me painting oak cabinets. Goes against my "grain." ha ha

Last Sunday, on a whim, we decided to head up to Monterey and go to the Aquarium there. We wanted to do something fun and enjoyable before Doug left for Colorado in the morning. It turned out to be one of our best outings! We asked Sarah and Daniel if they would mind bringing Lucas to play with us there. We sure had a blast with him. There he is sitting in a "clam" and also touching the barnacles in the "touch and feel" aquarium. He also touched the sea cucumber. He had so much fun and couldn't get enough of playing in the water. Later, we all went to Bubba Gumps for dinner. It was pretty fun. We headed home about 7 pm. We can't stop talking about what a great day it was!

We had some film from last fall finally developed. It ran through the xray at the airport when we went to NC and I wasn't sure it would develop correctly. It did. Here's a picture of Emma and Becky all dolled up for the Homecoming Banquet at VCA.A picture of Lucas making his funny face. Becky and Ashley in their costume for Halloween as two baskets of laundry.

This Blog is dedicated to Steve!

We had fun with Lucas these past 6 days. He's very much on the go now. He just wants to get down on the floor and go, go, go!

He sure is a happy little boy!











It was a great week for us.

Nathan Patrick was born Monday. Here is a picture. We met him today!

I caught Becky on camera doing her homework today. I guess those early morning practices are
tough on little girls like her. My question is how long did she "pose" as doing her homework before I realized she wasn't. She looked too precious to disturb, though.

We just got back from San Jose. We forgot to get pictures but these are from Sarah's last visit about 2+ weeks ago. Lucas is amazing and pulling himself up and walking around furniture. He'll be walking soon, I think.

Tullia and Macha have been removed from their parents' presence. They had been upsetting the nesting process. I think Belle and Chester are greatful. Thanks for the loan of a cage, Terry Lynn!! They seem to be settling in and comfortable right now.

Macha and Tullia, about 11 days old. Macha, Chester, Tullia, and Belle.

Macha and Tullia are ready to grow up. They are pecking seeds on their own but still beg from Chester and Belle for food. Becky thinks Belle is a true mom and ignores them. Chester is an old softy and feeds them more often. By the way, Macha means "plain" in Irish.

Family Room, Before




This weekend I had a big painting project, the family room. It turned out nicely.














After

The baby doves are about 1 week old now. We've named them "Tullia" and "Macha." I can't remember what "Macha" means but "Tullia" is Irish for "peaceful". I think that is an appropriate name for a dove. We're thinking of keeping these.

That white round thing in front is not another egg. Just part of bird "leave-behinds". Birds are not necessarily the cleanest of nestkeepers.

We had a great weekend with Sarah and Lucas. Lucas is fun to hang out with.