Mt. Rainier

Ron and I took a little day trip up to Mt. Rainier today. So this past week we followed the water from the Nisqually Glacier on Mt. Rainier, to the Nisqually River, down to the Nisqually Estuary, to the Puget Sound, crossing the Straight of Juan-De-Fuca into Canada. Only backward...because we were in Canada last week and at the Glacier today. It was a beautiful day to do a little hiking. The Mountain with all its wildflowers and waterfalls is absolutely stunning! The French gentleman we asked to take our picture here on the steps, said "Oh to be in love!" How did he know??

Oh DEAR!

Lot's of waterfalls

...and more waterfalls

This quote is engraved on the steps.

I'm so glad we bought a National Park pass this year. It has been so fun-interesting-amazing and educational seeing all the beautiful gifts God has created just for us!

Activity Day with my girls

We went to the Nisqually Bird Refuge for a little field trip. The girls were really great. Just so much fun to be with.

Ellie, me, Balentina, Brooklyn and Haley. (Bethany and Camille were on family vacations.) We had a picnic, then set off to see what we could see. Apparently they have psycho squirrels at the refuge that aren't afraid to steal your lunch, pick your pocket, or drive away with your car!:

My sweet husband was our driver, chaperon, and "look-out" for squirrels-gone-rogue.

It turned out to be a beautiful day to be outdoors.

The Pickle Juice analogy

An excerpt from one of my favorite Apostles, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. His talk was given at the April 2012 General Conference. ....Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those. Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,” as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live..... *Such a great reminder.

GOT MITT?

I was following behind this truck on my way to the Post Office. I just had to pull out my phone and snap this picture! It might be hard to read because it was taken with the worlds lamest phone. But it reads: OOPS! (in Obama font) then 1.20.13 (the next inaugural date) and under that it reads: THE END OF AN ERROR. *Uhh yeah!

Our little bunny visitor!

I have a big garden window in my kitchen. I love looking out back especially in the morning, because there are lots of little creatures who visit us. All kind of birds come and dig for worms in the morning. We've had squirrels, raccoons, and this little guy comes around every few days. Today I saw him hopping towards our garden so I grabbed the camera and caught him nibbling on the strawberries that are still left. I sure hope he doesn't like tomatoes!

He knows us.

I continue to be amazed by my Heavenly Father. Not that I've ever doubted his magnificence. I've experienced the miracle of perfection in our tiny new grandbabies, and in the awe-inspiring grandeur of Zions Canyon and the Pacific Ocean. But what I am always amazed at, is that Heavenly Father knows me. He knows me. He knows me! He knows my heart. He hears my prayers. He answers my prayers. And when I need Him to, He answers them quickly. Recently I've had an attitude about some issues. I didn't like the way I was feeling about these issues. In fact, to be honest, my heart was hurting over my attitude about these issues. Like a physical ache. And you probably know that when Satan sees someone at the tiniest bit of a low point, he thinks he can squeeze his little toe in the door and then his foot and then his leg and then his bum and then his other leg...and well, before you know it, he's got his whole self inside your home and your life and your head. I didn't want to have these feelings and I really needed the Lord's help. This morning in Sacrament meeting, the Spirit was so strong, and everything that was spoken was exactly what I needed to hear. And I was so aware even at that moment, that Heavenly Father was answering my prayer. He heard my pleading, He knows my heart, and he made me aware of the fact that those messages were for me. I love my Heavenly Father.

We took a different ferry back to Washington. This one took us through the San Juan Islands. They said it takes about 2 hrs and 15 minutes. I wasn't keeping track, and the time seemed to fly by. Before we knew it, it was time to get back into our car and get ready to make like a tree and leaf!

This ferry took us real close to Whidbey Island, so we spent a couple hours with Grandma and Grandpa Talbot. They are such amazing people. So Christ-like.

We went to an early dinner at Zorba's with Helen and Cecil. It was my first time going to a Greek restaurant. Yummy!