God Bless America

Marty and I enjoyed watching the Rockin' R Ranch Fireworks from our balcony. We feel so blessed to live in this great land of liberty. May we all unite our prayers for God to bless America through the trials ahead.

Key to Happiness

We send our love to all our dear children and their spouses and our precious grandchildren. We have found the key to joy and are delighted to share with each of you the key which opens the greatest treasure of life - "happiness and peace in daily living" - This key only works to open this sought after treasure when we notice the little positive details of the people we love or want to love with gratitude. The bonus is that when we also notice little positive details of daily living with gratitude our hearts swell with more joy than we can contain. This key is very simple, but when used with determined effort, then all our prayers can and will be answered. It is worth it to guard this key and use it diligently.

Family Fun in Las Vegas

Being with some of our precious family is the best fun we can imagine. What a delight to spend several special several days with our Jensen grandkids in Las Vegas. Friday evening we enjoyed yummy shrimp quesedillas with a dance show afterwards performed by the little girls. They can actually ballet on their toes - the choreography is incredible! On Saturday we had such fun at the park. On Sunday we enjoyed the peace of chuch meetings. On Monday evening we had great fun with a special patriotic family night, learning about the first flag of our country and the declaration of Independence - we learned how to make a 5 point star - and finally we had a spectaculor firework show put on by all of us, but directed by Ben - and last of all, a yummy old-fashioned blueberry cobbler with icecream! A multitude of original craft projects were interwoven into every available hour of the day and evening by the children - from crowns of all sorts, to stars, to all manner of drawings and colorings of cards and pictures, to a noise maker made with 2 cups taped together and filled with rice. It seems like all of our grandchildren are bursting with creative ideas.

Celebrating Dad

Father's Day 2009

In honor of the truly great father Marty is, the morning began with blueberry pancakes - then church meetings - then a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings - then the family over for homemade ice cream and rasberry/blackberry cobbler (purchased fresh and frozen several weeks earlier when they were on sale) in the evening.

Trip to Las Vegas for Liesel's baptism

Time to get on the road - Should take 5 1/2 hours plus a couple of stops Are we there yet? When will we be there? OoooHH! Kind of scary at Hoover Dam! Friday at Red Rock - Sooo windy, but sooo incredible! The kids loved hiking up the rocks and exploring the canyon! The views were amazing, the company was the best - but we had to take our picnic lunch home as it was too windy. (We stopped at Costco for pizza instead) ;) Saturday was a special day - it felt like Sunday. To celebrate Liesel's birthday we enjoyed breakfast cake, German showstopper pancakes and fruit salad. Her baptism was at 10:00. Marsie gave a beautiful talk. Liesel was beautiful and so happy. The day was memorable and sweet. The weather was kind of chilly, but we were all warm with love and family activity.

It's a Bird - It's a Plane - It's Superboy!

Jeffrey is flying through the air - it's magic! The cousins had such a great time together at Hanne's house. Thank you Hanne and John for your hospitality and yummy food. What a memory of the great barbecue - At least it finished cooking before the storm drove us indoors. The trip to the bead store was great fun, especially for Dad and Beth. Best of all was visiting with my daughters and watching the grand kids play.

Discovering Treasures at the Cabin

Eric is holding the sweetest treasure, little Alice. If you look very close at his shirt another treasure can be seen.

Visiting Hanne

Sweet Lavender - Sweet Life

This lovely lavender is thriving at the cabin. Yay! It's so fun to see the surviving and thriving plants. This is like people who survive the winter cold and summer heat of life and thrive when it seems as if there is little hope. It is a time to feel hope and feel reminded that the journey of life is full of promise.

A Small Gift of Joy at the Cabin

It's interesting how one little blossom can bring so much delight! We thought the Iris' were all blossomed out, but found this little treasure hiding in an unseen spot. Kind of reminds us that no matter how small or insignificant we feel, we have something to share that will gladden the heart of others.

Birthday Fun from Marsie

What a fun surprise arrived - an adorable apron with my creative name embroidered at the top and yummy William Sonoma croissants to bake. Marty had a lovely box of birthday pears delivered and we just keep on celebrating. Thank you Marsie, Ben and kids. Thanks to all our children and their families for the special gifts. You are all so treasured.

Birthday Fun

Thanks to all for the delightful birthday gifts. Creativity and thoughtful choices fill my heart with sweetness and fragrance like my favorite flower - the gardenia.

May Day

Lovely birthday gardenia bush from Marty

Delightful art from Elsa

A detailed view of Spring from Robin

Cheerful Flowers by Elsa

A gorgeous birthday bouquet to brighten the day with love from the Nunleys!!