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All times of the year are georgeous here.... we love the rain, fog, sunshine, etc. The view is always changing and lately we have had lots of rain as well as fog. Love to see the fog lift and looking out now, the clouds are below us covering all water view, but the mountains are clear...LOVE IT!! This is what I am looking at right now..

Remembering our previous "off road" experiences, this latest "off road" was nothing like what I had remembered. Doug found a nice place to check out in Belfair in the Tahuya State Forest. After venturing around and through an area, we hooked up with a very knowledgeable guy who offered to show us areas within the Forest that were suitable for our level of experience. Others we watched him do that we would save for much later. Pictured are some of the areas Doug took:

Was a challenge to know where to put what when you've never decorated for Christmas in a new home. Was fun to pull out the Christmas bins that hadn't been used the previous 4 Christmas's.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year with Doug, Amylia, Jordan, Michael, Sabryna, and Preston. We spent Christmas Eve with them enjoying their tradition of Doug reading Dr. Suess's "The Grinch" and then enjoyed a delicious mean of "roast beast". Last year we were snowed in and couldn't go out of the community for 2 weeks, so this year was wonderful being with family! Amylia does an amazing job of decorating and this year was no different. One of the highlights was watching the grandchildren gather on the stairs and then go together to see what Christmas surprises awaited them. Sabryna got the surprise of her life when near her section she thought Jordan was standing above her, only to discover (was fun to watch)she had a life size figure of Jacob Black from the Twilight series. With encouragement, it didn't take Preston all day to open presents this year. Love the age where they want to enjoy the present after opening it and the rest can wait! Great times with family!!

What a wonderful trip we had going Coast to Coast - but it was great getting back home! Was great visiting with all the children and grandchildren, friends, and relatives! From the visit to Cheri's family, we went to North Carolina and spent 10 days with Michelle and Josh. Josh toured us through the University of North Carolina - Charlotte, and we saw the research project he is involved (using lasers)which was very fascinating. Michelle took us to the Tiger Rescue Facility which was amazing. Great times with them! Back to Cheri's where we met Cheri, Jared, Alana, and Tolan in Nashville and spent the day touring that Grand Ol' Opry area before heading back to Cheri and Craig's home where we spent 4 more full days of enjoyment. Cheri sent us off after a hearty breakfast of home made french toast to travel to Arizona where we spent time with Paul's father. Interaction in Arizona with Paul's father, sister and brother-in-law in the beautiful weather this time of year in Arizona was fun. MMMMM Buffalo Burger in Tombstone! Fun visiting with Paul's old boss and his wife in Fountain Hills before heading to Utah. We spent a night with my brother Goldie and his family, and stayed with Mom and Dave's family. Thanksgiving was at Goldie's where Doyle and Alicia (from St. George) joined us. Was fun also having Goldie's daughters, Chantel & family, and Melanie there. Melanie entertained us with her puppet (what a talented ventriloquist she is). Since there are now In and Out's in Utah, we of course had to go with Dave and family there a few times. Dave, Jen, Brandon, and Jake took us to the Grizzly's Hockey Game which eventhough they lost, was still entertaining. On the way through Idaho we stopped again at Anne and John's and then spent time - and dinner - with old friends from Massachusetts that we hadn't seen in years - Doug and Carolyn! It's amazing how the years just melt away when you get back with good friends!!! We are truly blessed! Was very nice getting back home again. Tolan loved his "Papa" gently flying him around in a basket (no hardwood floors this time and no playing superman) Alana is ready to go to her tap dancing classA pair of tiger cubs at the Tiger Rescue Facility. The place was large with lots of acreage to hold several tigers, including regular and white tigers; black bears; monkeys; grizzley bears; cougars; bobcats; ostridges; mandrills; peacocks; snakes; turtles; lions; and others. We usually make cookies or goodies together when we visit Brandon and Jacob. These are especially good and easy to make.It's not done till dipped into melted milk chocolate!Double crust lemon pie is a family tradition and favorite. This pie is one Michelle made from scratch while we were there. I made one with her and then I also made a couple more at Dave's. Some things you just have to do! :-)

We're going coast to coast with stops here and there along the way to visit family and friends. Our first stop was with Anne and John and see their new home. They have a lovely place and putting their own touches on it. We then traveled to Utah to spend time with my Mom and also Dave, Jen, Brandon, and Jake. Went to the range and practiced our accuracy shooting at targets. That was great! On to Ames to be with Aunt Martha and daughter Lynn, and Aunt Ginny. Martha's daughter Chris was able to get away to join in a meal which was fun to be with everyone. Below see pictures of some of the things we did while in Ames. Presently we are in Tennessee enjoying being with Cheri, Craig, Bryce, Jared, Alana, and Tolan, and soon onto North Carolina to be with Michelle and Josh...... Fun continues....dIowa State University
Coover Hall - dedicated to Paul's Grandfather, Mervin S. CooverLynn, Martha and Paul in front of the beautiful new addition to Coover Hall dedicated last year.
All of us sitting in front of the entry to one of the new classrooms in the Coover Hall addition. This classroom was to be an annonymous donation from Paul's father,George - son of Mervin S. Coover
Jonathan Browning Gunsmith shop in Nauvoo - one of the interesting sites we toured.
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We're enjoying activities with Cheri and family..... Alana's gymnastics glass was fun, then a picnic at Johnson Park with time to play before going back to their home.

All the kids but Michelle were here. Surprise, they made fun cake-cones for Jan's birthday.

We enjoyed S'mores after a day at the beach. Paul kept us going with the boat while Tolan took a nap in the V-birth.