The Garden Tomb just outside the old city walls

Jerusalem and the Western Wall

Driving into Jerusalem was such a thrill!

We had a taxi driver from Tel Aviv offer to drive us to Jerusalem. He was 87 years old, he was amazing and acted as our tour guide as we drove the hour to Jerusalem. Rocks, sand and more rocks. But finally a view of the Holy City and what a thrill it was to drive into Jerusalem and find our apartment that would be our home for a week while we explored this historic city. We got settled and then our guide came and picked us up for our first glance of the old city walls and some panoramic views of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Amos Ron was our guide, an Israeli Jew who loves mormons, we had fun with him.

Ruins from long ago!

Israel, Jordan & Egypt

We arrived in Tel Aviv to begin our amazing adventure in Israel. We were of course very tired so we went for a walk on the beach and then crashed. But first thing in the morning we went swimming at the beach. Playing in the waves was so fun and the water was soooo warm. We loved it for about an hour and then got cleaned up for a day of exploring. We are with our friends Dean & Heather Nish from Cranbrook, B.C. We had so much fun exploring with them. First day we took the bus to Ceasarea. A city that Herod built that has lasted these hundreds of years, well some of it.

Cabin Time 2009

We had so much fun this year because all the kids have grown up and wanted to try some new things in the water. We got Caleb, Matthias & Eliza up on the kids water ski board. Caleb loved it the most and was weaving in and out of the wake. It was fun! But most of all we just enjoyed hanging out and eating and playing in the sun and the water. Grandma babysat with Lindsay while the big kids went white water rafting. We had fabulous weather and good company. No injuries, except my heart, when everyone left. Families can be together forever if you can just get through today!!

William Isaac Law May 29th, 2009

It was a happy day when Isaac was born! We were all so excited and surprised to meet Isaac. Adaline assured us that she was having a baby brother. Catherine Nicole said to Adaline one day, "What if your Mom has a little girl??? Adaline just looked at her in utter disbelief and said,

" My Mom is not having twins!" So we welcome this sweet little boy into our family and into our lives. He is a happy boy and shares his smiles most generously. We love you Isaac!!!

Europe with Martha

Martha and I had the opportunity to travel to Austria, Germany and Czech Republic. We saw many wonderful sights! The most sobering sight was Dachau, just outside Munich. I am so grateful for the freedom I have enjoyed throughout my life, nothing could ever really help you understand what those people went through but being there was sobering. The stories, the cramped quarters, the photos, the reality that humans can be so cruel to one another, makes me a little homesick for my Heavenly Home where I know love abounds. Arbeit Macht Frei is written in the gate that all the prisoners walked through. It means "Work makes one free"! Work is a blessing in our lives and gives us purpose for every day, work hard and you will find joy! This day will bring me tears as Martha leaves for Ecuador and her new life away from my daily association with her. Martha I love you and hope that you have the most amazing experience in Ecuador and Utah. Don't forget that love is the most powerful force in the world. Fill yourself with as much love for yourself and for everyone around you, go Martha and let your light shine!! I love you Martha!

New life in my window

We came back from being away for a week and left this window open at the cabin. A mother robin built her nest and layed 4 beautiful turqoise eggs! Two weeks later 4 baby robins were hatched one day at a time. Now they are almost ready to leave the nest! They are hungry all day and the mother is very busy feeding them so they can grow every day. We wake up to them chirping for food and several times during the day. It has been sweet!! We also caught a baby turtle, so cute!! We have seen wonderful sights this year with nature and the lake and weather has been soooooo beautiful!

Young Women's Echo Lake 2009

Dallas, Spencer, & Payton flying low on the tube of doom!

Mallory, Payton, Erica, Mandy, & Spencer jumping for joy!! We had so much fun together, swimming, wakeboarding, water rugby, water races, and just having fun! We also had Hilary Steed, Hillary Hironaka, Yael Davis, Dallas Sloan. I love these girls and their ability to have fun and love and support each other. I love working in Young Women's, best job ever!!!! and the leaders are amazing also!! We had Melissa Laqua and family, Julie Vaz and family, Jamie Walburger and family, Alisha Peterson and her family, we are so blessed to have fun together! Love all of you!!!!!!!!

Memories from March

I have enjoyed California from one end to the other! We froze in the rain, warmed ourselves in the sun and shopped till we dropped!  Martha and I did a road trip all down the coast of Cali and met up with Michelle in Newport Beach before we flew home. I was home for about 3 days before flying back to California to meet up with  Brad and Tilane. Bryan and Brad attended a dental conference together and Tilane and I went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park with Becky, Michelle, Leah and Jenna! Fun Day!! Then we went with Marilyn Lowry out into the ocean to go whale watching and it was sooooo fun! I got some great photos! Then off to the temple Saturday morning and met some old friends, ate good food and enjoyed our time with Brad and Tilane! March was a whirlwind of travel and new experiences. Then off to Montana with all the Laurels to sew and build our testimonies of the gospel. It was a great weekend and I think we will do it again. 

January can be.......

 Sometimes you just need to be still!  We slept, laughed, talked, ate, and just explored a few new places. We even had a few friends to share with. Becky and Roger were there. Jim and Arlene were there in Apache Junction. Juli and Tony were in Prescott. Greg and Florence took us on a flight and out to dinner. All in all it was relaxing and renewed our energy and our friendships. We also visited Matt and Becca and their four children. Children are so refreshing! This photo is a piece of petrified wood sitting on the grounds of the Mesa temple. It was so still and beautiful! 

What a gorgeous city. The architecture is breathtaking and so photogenic. I couldn't stop taking photos of all the buildings.

Bryan & Janet in Germany & France

Bryan and I went to GutIsing just outside of Munich, Germany for a conference. We had a wonderful time staying at GutIsing, a beautiful countryside equestrian retreat with wonderful food and scenery. We toured Munich and the sights. Janet was also able to go to Austria with some of the women. But the most fun was our 4 days in Paris just seeing all the sights and taking in the most we could of that amazing city. Bryan's first and my second visit to Paris. Loved it!!

Ashley returns from her mission

On February 27, 2008 Ashley Jane returned from serving a full time mission to Houston, Texas Spanish speaking mission. She served and loved the people in Houston and the surrounding area. She had a wonderful Mission President and companions and friends in the mission field. Coming home was bittersweet as it always is for a missionary. But life goes on and Ashley is working in her field as an Occupational Therapist. She has travelled to Italy and Spain and back to the mission field to  show her mother the wonderful world of missionary life. It is a joy to have Ashley home again and part of our lives everyday.