REDEMPTION WEEKEND

Harry and I went on a mission this past weekend in Boise.
Our mission: Use up old gift certificates!
We did a pretty good job.
Gift Certificate Number 1 - Thunder Mountain Line Train Ride
We received this as a Christmas gift from Pete and Jenn in 2004!
Mission accomplished!

The ride took us along the Payette River from Horseshoe Bend to Banks.

Gift Certificate Number 2 - $50 Chili's Family of Restaurants
Yummy meal at Macaroni's Grill!
Mission accomplished!

Gift Certificate Number 3 - Tickets to Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
We received this gift certificate from Elly and Robbie last Christmas.
Our plans to see "Twelfth Night" were thwarted by a nasty thunderstorm that passed over the theater a few minutes into the production. We were assured that ticket-holders could rebook a future show in the next two months.
Mission aborted.

WHEELING THROUGH LIFE

Brad and Adriana with their "new" pickup.

In preparation for the new baby coming, Pete and Jenn "upgraded" to this minivan.

Because these vehicles are used, neither of our kids bought these cars on the cash-for-clunkers program. They did not want to pay the higher isurance payments that come with the purchase of a new car.

SPENDING THE NIGHT AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE

Because their mom and dad wanted to check out some used cars and trucks in Boise, Kaya, Ava, and Benjamin got to spend the night at our house this weekend.

Movie Time

Harley dreams

Ava is getting the manger ready for Christmas???

Little lady, Kaya, on the dairy. (I love the purse!)

Benjamin getting cleaned up at the end of the day.

CHILDREN OF THE CORN

"Children of the Corn"

Gracie in the corn, which is about one month away from harvest.

Lizzie picks wild sunflowers.

BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING

Elly is having teachers' in-service sessions the next two days, so Lizzie and Gracie are hanging-out with grandma. I took them back-to-school shopping. Each of them could pick out two shirts, one pair of shoes, and a pair of earrings. The only stipulation was that everything had to be on-sale. It was interesting to see the girls' taste. For nine-year-old Lizzie, anything that looks like it could have been worn to Woodstock is what attracts her attention. For seven-year-old Gracie, sparkles do the talking.

SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER!

(sound on)

A ROSY DAY

We hope that everything is "coming up roses" on this, your birthday, Jenn. Have fun celebrating! We wish that we could be there with you.

(I love this picture of you, Jenn. You are so beautiful!)

GLASSES NO MORE

Vereni is in Boise having lasik eye surgery this morning.
Be praying that goes well!

Update August 11th : At her follow-up appointment Dr Broek reported that Vereni's eyes are 100% perfect, stating that the surgical work was beautifully done! PTL

STATION WAGON MEMORIES

After Jake was born we bought this used navy blue Ford station wagon to accommodate our family of seven...Dad, Mom, Joey, Adriana, Elly, Peter and Jake. It's such an ugly car but fond memories reside therein. Those were the summers that we had the pass to Banbury's Hot Springs. Several days of the week we would load up the car and head down the road to the pool with our own kids, and sometimes even more, to cool off for a few hours.

Having a larger car made it possible for me to pick up the neighborhood boys for the Boy's Brigades meetings. I remember picking up the Loman twins, Eric and Robbie, for one of those meetings. No seatbelt laws were in effect then, and before I was even out of the driveway, those two rambunctious boys had climbed over all the seats, from back to front, and pushed every button and switch in the car. Little did I know that one of those little rascals would end up being my son-in-law!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
ELLY AND ROBBIE

August 1, 1998

Cutting the cake at the wedding reception.