A Four generational reach

While in Alaska recently our latest (17?) great granchild Rowan Alley was born. His parents Janelle and Derek (Marla and Jim) invited us in the birthing room about 45 minutes after he was born. It was a special moment as Rowan grasped both Carol and my fingers. It was also an emotional moment because our hearts were so full of the blessings of family since we had already experienced a wedding of Carly (Marty and Nikki) to Jed and many other family times. In this picture you can see Rowan, his mother Janelle's hand and Carol and my fingers. Only person not seen in this four generations was Marla who took the picture.


It is only fair since I blogged the gross picture of Carol's eye just after the doctor put steroids into the center of her eye. This is my gross forehead as I am on a treatment to get rid of a bunch of pre-cancer spots on my forehead, face and arms. The special cream I apply daily basically burns the skin off layer after layer for four weeks. And yes! it hurts.
Carol and I are basically in good health but seem to require a lot of maintenance.

Thankfulness

I seldom feel like adding to this blog unless I have a photo which adds the proverbial "thousand words".
I am at a loss for many pictures of the last three weeks from my camera that will do that . Most of you know that for over two weeks we were in Alaska. I can't imagine how many photos, both professional and amateur were taken of the events of those days.
We had a wedding of a granddaughter, a couple of showers, a birthday celebration , an actual birth of a great grandson, an engagement of a grandson and a retirement party for us. for those of you who are connected to our family on facebook, many of these photos of these events have been uploaded there. There were all kinds of other family events, potlucks, dinners out and in. We came

(Picture: Grandmother and mother of the bride)

back exhilerated/exhausted! I did a couple of different pictures, if only for pictures sake. Scott and Mason on a huge rock on the beach at Clam Gulch and a different photo of Carol and I with our great grandson Rowan Alley. We saw him when he was less than an hour old and he tightly held both of our fingers. A generational reach and touch that can't be beat.

I want to thank all who made this one of the most moving times of our lives. These included: All the Alaskans who provided hospitality. The professional photography of Kara and Jeremy. Jim's taking of the video at our retirement party and Jeremy's labor of love in making it into a DVD. Scott's helpful presence in many situations, the Van Diests for the use of their vehicles. I could go on, but most of all we thank our God for the blessing and permancy of a family that is founded on the Rock of Christ.

Trip to my past

60 years ago I fished commercially out of LaPush WA. I spent 2 summers,

one before and one after my senior year in high school, on a small troller

fishing for salmon in the Pacific along the WA coast.

The boat I fished with was just like this one.

Along the way up the coast of Washington we saw some spectacular scenery.

We went through Aberdeen (where I once spent two nights in jail) and then on

some not so travelled roads that go along the beaches.

We also visited some of the rainforests along the way. The Quiliute National

Park contains four trees that are largest for their species in the world.

We ended the trip by visitng some friends in the Forks area.

OOPS!

This is the air museum continued. The trip highlight for me was three things I saw in the museum. One was a WW2 exceptional fighter the P-38. This plane was a phenomanal fighter. However, In 1943 a squadron of these planes was placed in Port Angeles and affected our family's life forever. We were displaced and our family had to move to Bremerton, Wa where our dad worked at the shipyard there. There's more to the story...

My buddy and now brother-in-law Jerry Kelly had a Model A Ford quite like this one. What adventures we had in that while in high school.

This is the space ship that Russian astonaut Yuri Gragarian flew in space. I once talked to him by ham radio after he succesfully returned.

Flight Museum

A few days ago-Memorial Day to be exact-Carol and I spent a day at the flight museum near McMinville, Or. Quite a place. They have two separate, museums one for flight and one for spaceflight.Nice to have such a quality place so close. It features Howard Hughes Spruce Goose. a fascinating airplane and a fascinating story of Howard Hughes, the genuis who really was a "mad" inventor.

April showers=May Flowers

Carol and I just got back from a long bike ride and
I so enjoyed how our place looks right now.

It was a cold rainy last couple of months. the last few
days have been perfect and it is forecast to continue.

You will notice the rhododendrems are blooming as
well as the Iris's.

Flag is up for Memorial day. We prayed for a whole
bunch of servicemen who are relatives of people in
church this morning.

Plan on going to McMinnville tomorrow and visit
the air museum that has the Spruce Goose as well as
a lot of other aircraft-war and otherwise.

I served in the army in the Korean war. Not much of a
sacrifice though. I served in Alaska in the Signal Corps.
We have a ex Navy man in our church who was in
Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. I thank
God for all who gave so much-some everything- to
protect our freedom.

Where and What for the last Month

For the last month I have been mowing and doing some sprucing up at the InterAct office. Carol and I spent about 5 hours out there today.

We both think we are pretty healthy, but it seems like we are always going in for some minor repair or checkup. I for my bladder cancer check (OK), blood pressure issues and skin cancer stuff. As you can see from the gross picture above, Carol's eye problems have come back with a vengeance. This is what her eye looks like now (gross) after she went to a Retinologist yesterday. She has to have a surgery to repair her retina on June 3rd. In the meantime it is numerous drops every day. It keeps us close!

Last night we went to a jr high band concert where Josh and Kaylie both played in their respective bands. Kaylie was give the honor for being the best female band student and she

played a duet with a flute player.

We made a weekend trip to Anacortesto speak to a youth group going to Kokrine Hills In Alaska.
We stayed with a wonderful couple who have a fabulous place overlooking the San Juans. He was a pilot for one of the Airforce One planes when Truman was president. He also spent quite a few years flying 747's for United.

I bought Carol a new table for Mother's day. Our old one was 5 foot when extended. this one extends to 7 foot. Easier to have company and we had our mens' group (Old Geezers) here and all of us sat around it for breakfast

We went to Matt's and Maralees for Mother's day and Mark and Shari took her out to Applebees and I got to tag along