Hello from Seattle

This post will be a little backwards. We took this photo on the way back to the airport to come home.

We stayed our last night in Seattle with Brent's brother in law, Roy and his wife Connie. Roy drove us through the parking lot of the Seattle temple and then straight out.

I figured I wanted proof we had been here so I asked if we could stop for a second and he obliged. Nice guy! (We teased him a lot!)

Earlier that day Roy showed us his electric car that he built. We got a kick out of seeing that! I thought dad might too!

Roy got his car from a scrap yard and took it to Salt Lake where he worked on putting all the pieces together with his son.

They towed the car back to Seattle and here he drives it to work every day and then brings it home and charges it up!

 He uses the same batteries in golf carts because they last longer and are cheaper than lithium. If he had to do it again he would have used a pick-up truck instead of a car to put all the batteries in the back instead of 9 up front and 20 in the back. whoa!

Connie took us on most of the sight seeing tours. We visited a Farmers Market where I had to get some tacos and kettle corn!

Our first stop was Pike's market but Brent has those photos on his phone. This is Snoqualmie Falls. It was pretty impressive!

Right next to the Falls is a quaint little hotel... hate to say it, I added it to the bucket list! This was a cool place!

Taking this shot meant leaning over the railing which freaked me out that I might drop my phone! You know we can't live without them these days! I felt like a stunt man...not!

This time I REALLY leaned over the side... freaky!

At Connie's house these 2 ducks kept acting like they were pets. (In addition to Connie feeding them bird seed!) But this duck finished eating and then stood at the door for 20 minutes asking for more!

Connie also took us to a Salmon Farm. Brent and I got a kick out of  watching these cute little kids jump their little hearts out!

Ryan and Sami's Wedding

First comes love, then comes marriage...

Ryan and Sami knew each other in high school but never dated. After Ryan's mission their two best friends were married and so their social network crossed paths frequently a year ago. After we came home from our cruise we saw less and less of Ryan.

After a couple weeks of dating they knew they'd found someone special in each other. So April 30th was the magical day!

I felt like we all had a perma-smile the whole day, we were all so happy for them! (Except my feet had perma-pain the next 2 days!)

Unfortunately the wind was freezing and hard that afternoon but Sami was still able to take some wonderful photos! They both went to Cancun on their honeymoon and had endless fun, good food, and great adventures! Now they need to unpack their presents, straighten up their new home and be ready for family visits!

(It might take a while I hear!)

Israel Trip

One of our first visits in Israel was to Masada.

Another view on top of Masada.

Brent in the Dead Sea. (The lady in the background is not allowed to be floating on her stomach.)

Showing off how high you can float!

(The salinity level is over 33%).

The military warns swimmers to stay on their backs. If you get salt water in your eyes or mouth, it can cause serious damage.

The Western wall of the temple, aka, the "wailing wall".

On temple grounds at the Muslim mosque, "The Dome of the Rock".

Standing at the Southern end of the temple mount, overlooking 'the City of David', or the area believed where King David reigned.

In Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity, in the cave where Jesus was believed to be born....(and apparently, the 'exact' spot - weird!)

River Jordan.

At the ruins of Beit Shean.

Our bus took us to about 5 or 6 stops a day.  Tons of touring!

Our Israeli guide, Amos points to a picture he discovered of his father on a ship carrying Jews back to Israel after the Holocaust.

His father is the furthest upper left in glasses.

At Caesarea Philippi, where the springs that feeds the River Jordan comes up out a rock from underground.

Visiting one of the towns where Jesus performed many of his great miracles, later it is destroyed and still left in ruins.

Ruins  of Capernaum.

Arbel Cliff.

Brent coming out of Hezekiah's tunnel.

Overlooking the Dome of the Rock, and 'Old Jerusalem'.

The Garden Tomb, my favorite spot. Just a ten minute walk down the street from our hotel, and 2 minutes from Damascus Gate of the Temple in Old Jerusalem.

Fine! I will start posting again!

Welcome Fall!

Yesterday we celebrated Halloween at the kids' school.

I tutor 14 kids every day, here are 3 of my favorite kids!

Kai's classmate Josh... 

I think this is the best halloween costume!

I brought the pirate costume for anyone who needed it.

So Omar grabbed it, I just love this dude!

He's so sweet... and yet sooo mischevious!

I also tutor Cate, she was so excited to show me her costume!

Her teacher didn't even know she was missing from class!

Kai was a zoo-keeper for Halloween.

Simple. Easy. I like his style!

Masia and Sara dance around for Kai.... silly girls!

Avery looks adorable!

Denny is the Ninja. He randomly shows up at our house with his brother and the 2 of them play with Kai until we have to kick them out. (His mom had to come looking for him one day!) 

Last year I tutored Troy in the reading program. 
His mom is here today helping with the party.

Bunch of comedians!

Kai caught his teacher's shot, which is funny because she kept tricking me into shots, little devil she is! I love that Kai is in her class this year!



Santos gets bored in tutoring, he's a little stinker!

Watch out for the bear!

Is this a clip from a movie?!

Caden is one of my favorite kids... an absolute sweetheart!

The kids are supposed to be in their seats to get a cupcake...
mission impossible!

Ann and Brent came over to bring treats - LUCKY KIDS!

 I took Kai and Keala straight to the Moser's house first! They spent weeks building this 'spook house' onto their front porch. It was so creepy! Full of spiders, and zombies, and spooky noises! Cool!

I was thrilled it was so warm last night! I couldn't believe how many ward members drove into our neighborhood to trick-or-treat! We were the happenin' spot! So  many families were walking up and down the street!

One of our neighbors was even cooking hot dogs for everyone! (The Dad came and walked the kids with step-mom and me.) Brent opted to pass out candy (and keep his eye on the Jazz game!)

Last Friday I had a 'Witches Night Out' party. Kai and Keala were supposed to be with their dad for the weekend but Kai had a cough and didn't want to go. Good thing he didn't, one of his cousins suprised us with a visit! Keala invited the neighbor's new dog, so she brought over the dog and both her kids. It was an impromptu kids-party downstairs while the moms were upstairs. Fun for all!

Witches having fun!

My school picture this year!

I love, love, LOVE working at the kids' school!

They love seeing mom come into their classes and I love getting to know all their friends! I just adore these little guys!