Fall 09

I've officially "retired" from my job (not really, just changing focus) so we have more time to travel now. Went up to Syracuse for a week and had to drive through snow in Pennsylvania (on October 15). But in Syracuse it was sunny the whole time we were there, not warm, but sunny. Got to see old friends, and walk around Onondaga Lake Park and Green Lakes. Got fresh apples too.

It looks like the twins were enjoying some of the same weather in Seattle.

Twin fun

Right after labor day Deb, Kermit and the twins came to VA Beach for a week.

We spent a day at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. Loved watching the kids enjoy themselves.

We had a really great time! The weather was beautiful and we spent many hours at the beach. The kids love playing in the sand and the surf. It was a week worth waiting for. We know it's a real long trip (2 planes each way) but the kids did real well.

August 2009

We decided to take a short trip up to LilyDale, NY this summer. It is south of Buffalo. This is the house we used to own there and it now belongs to our very good friend (and fellow Spiritualist) Patti. So we got to see her and stay there for a few days.

This is what we see when sitting on the porch of Patti's house. Many, many people stop to admire it. I sit there and think how I'd like to paint it!

This house we also see from the porch, just to the left of the other one. The flowers are such a treat for the senses.

Our friend Jean, from Syracuse, was also able to come and meet us there for a few days. The whole trip was such a pleasure.

Many of the houses are being renovated back to the Victorian styles they were in the 1800s.

July, 2009

We had a great car trip this month. On our way to Minneapolis we stopped to see Helen and Russ in Berea, KY. Enjoyed a few days of their wonderful hospitality.

We then headed up to Minneapolis to spend a few days with Dennis. Although Brian and Julianne lived near Berea in KY, they were up in Canada fishing so we stopped to see them on the way back.

We got to see a live golf tournament, toured some lake areas and neighborhoods, played lots of cards and missed Jim as he was in Nepal for the month.

While up in MN, Dennis drove with us to Mt Rushmore in South Dakota. What a fantastic feat that was to create!

We also got to see Crazy Horse (another huge mountain carving that is a long way from finished but fantastic.

On the way home we stopped in Rapid City. They are placing bronze statues of all the presidents on their street corners. Fun to see!

Still in Seattle

One day was so nice we decided to go to the beach at Puget sound.  It was fun to watch the ferries leave and dock and the kids hunted for shells and climbed on a fallen tree.

Week with twins

At the end of April we made a trip to Seattle to see the twins just a few weeks before their birthday.  On May 25 they will be 3 years old.  We were so surprised and excited to see the changes in them.  What a fun week we had.  The weather cooperated (5 days of sun) so we were able to get out alot.  The kids had minor colds so were not always at their best but still happy and active.  And when we were inside we were still playing.

Newport Beach, CA

                                              Jim and his mom Lorraine

                                             San Juan Capistrano

We then left San Diego and headed up the coast to Newport Beach to meet Jim's family.  We stopped at San Juan Capistrano Mission on the way up.  We then headed up the coast to Newport Beach to stay at Jim's Mom's house.  The weekend was cloudy and cool but we really enjoyed meeting Jim's Mom and his twin brother, Edie and his family.  We also got to see the house in Riverside where Jim grew up and  went to have lunch at a beautiful hotel called the Mission.  However it was only a breakfast buffet and we passed it up.

San Diego

                                              Tom in Balboa Park

                                             Balboa Park- one of the museums

We had a wonderful week in southern CA.  We spent the first few days in San Diego.  We took a bus tour and saw the highlights of the area.  Then we went back and spent most of our time in Balboa Park.  We went to the zoo and many of the museums.  We also went to Old Town a couple of times.  Old Town was one of my favorites.  I just LOVE the Spanish architecture.

I loved the bell tower which chimed every 15 minutes with lots of music sometimes.  Here's one of the shorter ones.

More oceanfront

Okay, I got some good feedback so I guess I'm ready to move on.  These next 2 videos are of a huge statue of King Neptune that is on the boardwalk.  You can tell I'm not too used to using the video camera yet and knowing what I can do and can't do (like walking as I video).  But I'll learn.  The hardest thing to figure out is the sound.  The speaker's in the front so my voice can't be heard (unless I'm yelling).  I thought I could describe what it was that I was photographing.

Starting out

So, today, I just set up this blog.  It will probably take me awhile to get the hang of it.  I wanted to put some videos on so we'll see how that goes.  I love reading blogs of family and friends and I hope I can do as well.  We are having a few glorious days here.  It was in the 70s yesterday and up to 80 today.  We walked the boardwalk (along with many others out for the beautiful day).  I took a video of the ocean.