Trip to Olympic Peninsula, Washington July, Aug 2017

July August 2017

Sandy and I went on a lovely trip to the Washington State Peninsula.  We flew to Seattle and then drove to Port Angeles staying in a little cottage through arrangements with VRBO.

The first day we hiked in the Hoah rain forest.  This is the wettest place in America and has many different kinds of plants.  After that we hiked in a beach area.

The next day we went Whale watching.  Though the sea was quite choppy we saw sea lions, sea elephants, orca whales and humpback whales. 

 The next day we went along the coast.  We hiked at Shi Shi beach which was one of the neatest hikes we’ve ever been on.  We also hiked to the most west land in the continental US, called Cape Flattery.  On our way back we stopped and bought some halibut which we cooked for dinner that night.  It was wonderful.  

Friday we hiked up Hurricane Ridge and had the most spectacular views of the area.  We also hiked in the Ewaah Valley.  That night we cooked a salmon dinner from freshly caught salmon we bought.  It was likewise wonderful.  In the evening we walked around the port and saw, surprise, surprise a raccoon. 

Saturday morning we went to the Dungeness marine reserve.  It was a wonderful walk to the beach. 

Brandon and Jaimee Piano Recital, April 2017

Later that day we went to Brandon and Jaimee’s piano recital.  It really was enjoyable to hear them play the piano.  Sarah and Wil are a real handful in these events and I can see why Mindi says they don’t go out of the house much. 

Visits from Albanian Friends 2017

April 2017

Some dear friends from Albania came over for Sunday dinner.  Besmir, Ema and their daughter, Ariel, with Ema’s mother Majlinda came over.  It was wonderful to see them.  We dusted off our Albanian and felt like we were back in Albania for a few hours. 

July 2017

Netti Lapsjet and Besmir Gjoni stayed at our house one night prior to going to the airport.  As usual, it was wonderful to visit with them and catch up on old times.  

March 17 Dallin and Lacey Birthday Party

Dallin and Lacey had a cute birthday party.  Their birthday is the same day as Nate’s and it was fun to have a celebration at Kaelynn’s house with both of them.

March 17 Trip to Twin Falls

13 March 2017

I had a great visit with Mike and Andrea and the girls.  I went up there on Monday and played with the girls, had a good talk with Andrea and played games with Mike and Andrea, which I lost badly.  Nicole and Tara were so much fun to play with.  Tara is particularly at a sweet age.  When I got her from her nap, she said, “I love you Papa” multiple times. 

We were building towers to knock down with blocks and Tara kept climbing on my back.  Several times she got off my back and gave me a kiss and a hug. 

Feb 2017 Trip to Moab

After dinner, Sandy and I went to Moab for a little getaway.  The weather was beautiful and we had a great time. 

Jan and Feb 2017 Grandchildren Experiences

Brandon, Sarah, Will came over on Friday Evening.  As we were eating dinner, Sarah asked why I had a place for Jaimee.  I told her I didn’t know that Jaimee was going to a Birthday Party so I had a place for her.  She told me, “You’re an adult.  You’re supposed to be smart and know these things”.  She also told us she is very sad, “Because I am not right handed”.  Brandon made a treasure hunt with clues.

We had a good family dinner on Sunday of this week.  Everyone came except the Idaho and Cedar City families, and Spencer and Beth who went to a fireside.  In addition, Bert and Betty as well as Dick and Joy came over.  Nate gave a fine spiritual thought. 

I’ve been taking Spencer and Preston skiing on Fridays to their ski lessons in Nordic Valley.  It’s been a lot of fun to be with them.  They have gotten to the point where they can snowplow down the beginner hill.  Spencer thanked me the other day and said how much he enjoys skiing and how much he appreciated me taking him skiing.