Oceanic Pics

Jillian put a few things already, but here is a little bit from my viewfinder. After a 13 1/2 hour drive we saw the western coast of our land. Hours, no weeks of anticipation built up to the moment we looked out the windows and took in the vastness of that great body of water. God is a really awesome Creator, and seeing His great things makes you wish to praise that marvelous greatness.
We had a wonderful vacation to Oregon, beautiful sunny days, nights of ocean mist, activity balanced with relaxation. It was great to see extended family, and we could not get enough of horseback riding or walking the beach. No bikinis in sight thank goodness, but lots of fresh sea and of course an inevitable collection of seashells. At grandma's there was always plenty of goodies, soda, chips, movies. What are grandparents for? It was enjoyable and I wish we could have stayed longer.



Okay, the funny thing about Wii was Grandpa teaching Hayley to use it. The reverse of all modern stereotypes.


We visited a marine science center, where our biologist Jillian could have spent hours.



I have been waiting for months to walk on the beach with Pacific Ocean swirling around my ankles.

Jillian enjoyed it too.

Seal Rock, Oregon, U. S. A. It was worth all the waiting.

Our Great Trip

Well, we are safely returned from our trip to the homeschool conference in Seattle, WA. It was encouraging, rich, and wonderful to see the area. The weather was sunny and spring-like, the hotel was comfortable and provided a great breakfast, the speakers were dynamic and great, and there were all kinds of wonderful books at the vendor tables.

My father flew out of the Sea-Tac Airport on Friday evening and was able to spend Sat. and Sun. with his parents and siblings celebrating his father's 80th birthday. He enjoyed that very much and the family was glad to see him. We picked Abba up at about 2:00 on Sunday afternoon. My mother was very glad to relinquish freeway driving back to him. We met up with an old friend Dave Pedersen, and his daughter Kelsie and spent the afternoon eating Krispy Kreme Donuts and touring the enormous mall. I have a picture of the shop we thought was the coolest in there.

We visited the famous Space Needle in the evening, then hung out with the Pedersens, with the addition of Dave's sons Colin and Jordan. It was nice to have some friends to visit with and show us some of the area. Living in a tourist area like we do I know it can get a little old to take visitors to places we have been a hundred times. So thanks for the great time Pedersens!

Now I hope you enjoy some of the pictures taken over the past five days!

The Space Needle! (Hey Hannah, think wind harp sound affects.)

Some of the terrain of eastern WA. It is green right now.

Car Pics!

I could not get enough of all the flowering bushes and trees. The air was loaded with sweet fragrance.

We took the monorail from the Space Needle to the downtown Seattle shopping center. Street musicians, fountains, and very expensive stores were all we found.


It does not matter where we go, we always end up adopting a girl who thinks having an all girl family is the greatest thing in the world. Kelsie just loved being with us.








For all our sword-loving friends this was the best store the mall had. Swords and knives galour. Way better than clothes, movies, and shoes combined.


Here is closer picture of Laurel and Jillian in the homeschool chorale. It was an excellent performance.