Tuesday, July 24, 2012

A Milestone for Nolan

Michael told me to bring my camera...what could this mean? Ah - the milestone....



I knew it was just a matter of time.....I had some laundry quarters left so sent them all to the vending machine to choose a celebratory snack.


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Highway Meetings

We enjoyed a last lunch with the girls and my folks and then hit the highway. We stopped in Grants Pass to meet Mom G. She is on her way to Eugene. I can't believe how quickly our leave-taking happened.  We sat and talked and reminisced....in the very restaurant where I first was introduced to Dad and Mom G....all to soon it was time to line up and say our farewells.


We headed on to Redding, CA and Mom G drove on up to Eugene. We'll finish the trip to San Francisco to catch the flight to Japan tomorrow. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

LEAVING - NOW - QUICKLY

So glad we motivated a lunch at BJ's with BOTH girls, Rebecca, Mom and Dad, all of us and Kent too. It was a nice time to sit and visit with all - and now that we are in hyper speed mode to LEAVE ..... glad we did it.


Sunday evening Arielle and Nolan helped paint VBS tribe and station signs. You may remember the blue paint from earlier in our stay when Nolan helped paint until 1 a.m. 




The rest of us went to the girls' apartment, did LAUNDRY (so glad now that we are LEAVING) and visited. Krista had stored away some poppers which the kids enjoyed. We watched Aragon and Ever After.

Monday, Michael applied for a passport. ::snort:: The girls and I met Sherri for lunch. GLAD we did this as we're now LEAVING (as in quickly).  We spent the afternoon lounging at the pool, while Michael continued to work on errands and passport application.

Right at dinner we heard we were going home...LEAVING Tuesday a.m. to drive to CA and then on to Japan.....so we called the girls and my folks and had dinner. We headed over the girls' after dinner to help them eat ice cream  (Dad brought the rest of Michael's watermelon which he had for breakfast) and we worked on designing the new Team G shirt....it's going to be awesome!

Some gave their all 

Michael in the Coke kitchen.

This a.m. we're up and running. Michael always adds a zany touch to my travels. ::snort:: He pings...and I've gotten my routine down....so on travel days I must be sure the blog is updated. I cannot START a trip behind or I may lose all motivation and never blog again - and he likes me to keep the family journal up.....so I knew I had time to blog and pack....and here we are 10 min before we are to leave the hotel.

Michael ran out and bought another suitcase...this will allow us to "redistribute" if any suitcase is heavy.....and um....some of us shopped more than we thought. LOL



Lined up and ready to go - 6 travelers - allowed 12 bags - taking 5 bags. We're good!  He picked out a nice turquoise/teal bag over black - because he loves me. LOL

8 minutes before Michael heads to pick up a rental van and I check out and head to my folks. The bags are in the van......the rooms are clear...I'm turning off the laptop..... We'll be over in a few minutes, Mom and Dad. 

Love the Airforce...hurry up....wait...HURRY UP what are you waiting for? ::snort:: 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

The Wild Side

We were pleased to join a group from our local home church, Calvary Open Bible, on a trip to the Wildlife Safari in Winston, OR. Michael and I had gone a LONG time ago  - 1984 - with my Mom and baby brother - Squirt, Than Man,  Nate!  It was fun to see how much this has changed. I hadn't realized it was "fairly new" when we went the first time.  The animals no longer roam as free as they once did.  The concept is the animals are in their habitat and YOU are in a cage (your car).  Now the more dangerous animals are in large fenced in areas which you can drive near. Still - fun for the kids. A really nice contrast to the zoo we visit in Japan (animals aren't in as good health as they are in stateside zoos). 


I took over 150 photos; be thankful I'm only sharing 30 or so. 


I don't know - this guy was pretty scary tapping on my window! 






Yep - hump - Grizzly. 


A boot in his mouth? 









In velvet

Lovely area


Why should *I* move? 










G'ma enjoys a second childhood

Nolan is taller than G'pa
Incredibly fun day! 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...