Videos from Europe

MaryLynne was recently able to go visit Susan, Paul and Laura at their new home in Switzerland. Beforehand, we visited with our dear friends Rolf and Birgit in Wuppertal, Germany. After visiting everyone, we went to France and saw the sights in Paris, Chantilly, Giverny, and Normandy. All in all an awesome experience, and a great opportunity to keep up a bit with the lives of friends and family on the other side of the world. And a great opportunity to taste lots of fresh chocolate, cheese, and croissants!
Note: Before viewing, pause the music down below and turn up your sound....

Here's a view of their new Swiss backyard:

Here are some of the happy Swiss cows:

And the beautiful waterfront along Geneva's harbor, with the Jet d'eau in the distance (it's huge and operates 24/7)

SHADY

We're sad in our house right how; our sweet dog, Shady, passed away on the evening of Tuesday, May 11. She had never really been sick before; just a healthy and happy dog who still had lots of "puppy energy" when company came by - or a squirrel invaded her space! By the time she let us see that she wasn't feeling well, she was already approaching the final stages of kidney failure. What a strong little girl she was! Just a month ago she was walking with us all over the neighborhood and prancing joyfully for us when we came home. It has gone quickly for her -- and for us -- we are still a bit in shock that she's really gone. We will miss her caring watchfulness over our family and her sensitive soul. We've loved you, Shady.

Mendocino Trip

Bert and I somehow escaped all the busy-ness of late and went to Mendocino together for a while -- just the two of us! It rained some, and shone some, and there was a lot of wild wind and waves -- we had a glorious yet relaxing time. We sure do love the California coast.
We stopped at several State Parks, beaches (and gorgeous Mendocino Gardens) and had walks, picnics, and rock-hunting expeditions (heart-shaped rocks are especially a treasure!) When it rained we just read in front of a cozy fire. A super-nice way to spend our 32nd anniversary (Wow!32?!?!)
Here is a video taken while we sat at our picnic table in Salt Point State Park. If you want to listen to the wind and waves, just pause the music down below...



Bert at the picnic table adjusting his camera settings -- actually, you might hear his camera beeping in the background during the video above... It's almost like you're there with us!

Reed's Binkie

Above is a picture taken of Reed exactly one year ago! (sigh)

But now to the present... so, we've been teaching Nate to drive the little green Aveo (with its clutch) and all that that involves! We remember what it was like to learn how to "slip a clutch" way back when... it can be a real task. He's doing fine and we keep reminding him that one day it'll seem fun. While he was cleaning the car this last weekend he found something -- under the seat there was a forlorn and forgotten little pacifier, left behind back when Reed was here with his parents in November.
Sniff.
We sure miss the little guy...

East or West, Camping is best!

One of the things our family LOVES is camping. We used to just go out and enjoy the Great Outdoors in our tent, but Bert's Dad had an old Aristocrat Land Commander waiting to be used (and rescued!) so we upgraded to trailer camping. We replaced the potty, refrigerator, linoleum floors and light fixtures. We also reupholstered the seats and hung new curtains and voila! we were ready to roll. We've gone all over in our little trailer -- well, mostly all over California. But since California seems to have a little of everything, we've had lots of fun seeing the sights. Here is a picture of us camping by Lake Oroville in Northern California in the Spring.

We love travelling with our little Aristocrat; it's super light to pull (about half the weight of other trailers its size) and small enough to fit into most spaces. We're trying to make our trailer last as long as possible (it's circa 1964). It only sleeps four (cozy) or sleeps two with much more room. So Bert and ML have some more excursions planned for our future; including at least one trip to Utah, and a trip to Yosemite.
Trailer camping has been great because it's inexpensive (compared to hotels, etc.), and you're right there where you want to be in the middle of the trees and mountains. Food tastes better when camping, and nature walks can take you a long way without seeming like your really exercising! So our little trailer is fun for us; when we step inside of it to clean it or re-stock it, we are swept up in memories of fun family times, great sights and great smells, and can't wait to get out in it again! It may be getting old and creaky, but we love adventuring in our little trailer.

Reed on the phone

We just had to share this video. Hopefully this process will work, since the whole "video post" is new to us. But it makes us happy and thought you might enjoy it too! (Note: you might want to pause the music down below first...) Now be patient and watch the WHOLE video -- and tell us; do you think he's ready for a phone call from Oma?

Reed

Have we mentioned how much we love our little grandson, Reed? He's part of the cutest family in Utah, in one of the cutest houses in Utah! We are so happy for the blessings that have come to their family -- and the rest of the Larson family. We had to share a picture of Reed's first (and only?) house, and Reed's first Sunday-go-to-Church tie. He's a sweet stylin' guy...