On my way to Visalia, California tomorrow 7/24/08

Tomorrow morning I leave for Visalia to spend two weeks with my Dad. He has been in a nursing facility after spending a week or so in the hospital. When Jeff and I were there in June he was not doing well and after we left he was admitted to the hospital with a lot of fluid on his heart. He was a very sick and weak man. But, we are happy to say that he's been getting much stronger in the last week especially with hopes of maybe going home while I am there. My sister, Nancy, and brother, Tom, live there and take care of him. I'm anxious to go spend time and help. Nancy just became a new grandma on Monday morning early when Leah Hope Hansen was born a month early at 5 lbs. 2 oz. She is tiny but is making great progress I hear! I'll be able to see her! So it will be awhile before I can update the blog again. I'll have lots of new baby pictures to post! 

Michelle and Robert visit! July 21-24, 2008

Our niece (Jeff's brother Brian's daughter), Michelle, and her new husband, Robert, have taken a road trip across the USA. We were delighted to have them spend a few nights with us. They have seen the DC sights but we couldn't let them leave without taking them to see USNA. Here they are in front of Tecumseh and Bancroft Hall. As we walked up to go into Bancroft Michelle noticed the yard dog aka squirrel perched inside the cannon! Pretty cute!

Train To Philadelphia July 19-21, 2008

Jeff spoke on Sunday, July 20, at a conference of school dieticians from all over the country. We rode the train up on Saturday afternoon. It was very hot and a long walk to the historic sights so we didn't see much. Jeff worked on his talk up to the last minute and I read in the hotel. He had worked every spare minute on this very important subject as it relates to school lunch programs. I wish I could tell you the specifics but it makes so much sense when he tells it! Sustainability! As it relates to food production and even how garbage is handled.

Tim spent a week in Annapolis July 11-18, 2008

The final and fourth week of Tim's protramid training he was here in Annapolis on the yard. He had liberty each afternoon and evening so came home to eat and enjoy his guitar. Jason Mahuna came a few times with him. 10th Company friends forever!

Lavender and Lilies

I loved to sit out in our yard and smell the lavender and lilies! So fragrant! The bumble bees were buzzing up a storm in the lavender. I cut and dry the lavender to make sachets. 

Williamsburg and Jamestown July 4, 5 '08

Williamsburg, Virginia July 4, 2008

Tim had spent a week of aviation training at Oceana Naval Air Station near Virginia Beach, VA. We drove down on July 3 and picked him up since he had the weekend off. July 4th we saw the sights at Williamsburg.

Walking around Providence, RI

Jeff and I flew to Providence, Rhode Island on Sunday, June 29. He had a meeting to go to on Monday so I went along! We stayed at the Biltmore Hotel which was right near the convention center. This is the biggest chair I've ever sat in! 

Working on the blog

I just posted a bunch of pictures from our trip to Oregon in June. Today is July 12, 2008. Since our Oregon trip of which I stayed until June 27. I got home and we put together a dinner for the MD Parents of USNA club here at home on Sunday. That night I flew to Rhode Island with Jeff. It just worked out for me to go with him and we decided at the last minute. I'm always so sad and lonely after coming back from a long trip so we decided I should go! We cleaned up from the dinner and made it to BWI to catch an earlier plane to Providence RI. I sat and read in a Starbucks while Jeff was in meetings the next day. We flew home Monday night after a 24 trip! On Thursday, July 3, we drove to Virginia Beach, VA. to pick up Tim from Oceana Naval Air Station. He had the holiday weekend off so we drove down to join him. We went to Williamsburg and Jamestown. I'll post the pictures later. Sat. night we took him back since he was shipping out the next day for Marine week at Camp LeJeune, NC. Jeff and I drove home. Today we've enjoyed listening to all of Tim's Marine stories...he got back to USNA last night and reports back tomorrow night!

Fun at the park

There's a park just down the street from Dan and Anna's house. We walked down with the kids the night before Jeff flew back to MD.

Tooth pick anyone?

When I looked back at the post for Father's Day and Micah b-day there were no pictures of Josiah so he gets this post all to himself!

We all got together at Dan and Anna's for Father's Day and to celebrate Micah's 2nd Birthday. Dan BBQed and it was fun to have the whole family together. Micah is quite a ham! Cambria loved her exersaucer.

More of June 15 celebration

June 15 Father's Day and Celebrate Micah's 2nd BDay

Micah got a bike from Grandma and Grandpa. Daddy put it together!

Mike works at Bike 'n Hike

Back to Corvallis

Sunday, June 15, 2008 Mike was in a mountain bike race in Blodgett. Jeff and I drove over to see if we could happen to catch him finish. We waited for almost an hour and sure enough he came into view. It was worth the wait. I think he was biking for four hours...wow!

Catherine and her mom arrive!

We said good bye to Dan, Anna, kids and Jill after lunch on Friday as they headed home. We went back to the Eagle to wait for Catherine and her mom, Carrie. Carrie had driven Catherine over so they could see the Eagle and Cat stayed to spend time with Tim! His leave did not begin until Saturday am even though he was on liberty the whole time we were there. Tim gave a tour of the ship and we got to go below deck to see his bunk...spacious!!!

Fort Stevens