A lot to learn

So we got a new camera.... Now I have to figure out what to do with it.

These aren't the best pictures in the world but you can see the results of some of the features on the camera. It has a 10x zoom. It is a 6.0 megapixel Nikon Coolpix S10.


I already like the zoom. It also has a face recognition feature. I have it in fully automatic mode until I read up on all it can do and do some experimenting. But all I can say now is hurray for new technologies!

Baby Shower

We had a nice little baby shower for Simon and his mom last night.

He is well on his way to being a very well dressed little guy.
Thanks to all of you who came and "showered" him with gifts and love.

Lalita, I am so glad you are a part of our family. We kinda like having you and Bob and the girls around. We are looking forward to doing our share of spoiling that grandson too.

Congratulations. You are going to be a great Mom.

Yay Pictures

I like flowers in case you've never noticed. I especially like my impatience.

Alyssa and I bought the dads some tulips for Father's Day.

We had a nice brunch as well.

What do you think....is Max going to be jealous of the new baby?

I recommend that everyone that visits the G-fam up in Lacey be prepared for a wicked game of croquet. You won't win but it will be fun.

Har's giving some pointers to Courts. Logan isn't using typical croquet form. When he does though watch out, he isn't a force to be taken lightly.
We popped by to see Dad/Grandpa. Harlan played the piano and we sang a hymn together (Iris and Dad sang in Finnish).
Just chillin' with some tunes. Wyatt always looks so grown up when he is doing something that the big kids are usually doing.
CHEESE! I'm sitting with my Gramma.

NO Pictures this time.... :_(

A power glitch caused one of our computers to tank. It happens to be the one that is attached to the printer with the card reader that I use to get all my pictures off of my camera and into files on our file server computer. So all the terrific pictures I took of our lovely weekend up at Alyssa and Logan's house and all the fun pictures I took of Wyatt and Genevieve at Joylynn & Jess's house are still on my camera.



I am super exited about Alyssa's ultrasound tomorrow. If she doesn't have a super shy "Batman" in there perhaps they will have some news to announce.



Joylynn needs to go in for another ultrasound in early July. I would like to go with her and stealthily find out what gender her little "Gnome" is. Lys and I came up with the name "Gnome" because Joylynn insists that we can find gender neutral clothing for her baby which is as of this time nameless. Gender Neutral nO naME baby.



Harlan thinks I don't need to know. I don't know what it is about wanting to find out gender before birth. I don't open Christmas presents early. But if I had the technology to find out what was in the package without opening it perhaps I would want to find out. Come on guys we have the technology......OKay I'll wait.

You never can sometimes tell...

Our weekend was pretty full. This picture is actually one of the last ones I took today but wanted you to see our gang with the USS Bunker Hill and my cousin Tom.
I have been on a quest for a good picture of Wyatt and Genevieve together. I took one this morning. Perhaps they are going to cooperate with the Gram-mommarazzi from here on out.
Airsoft warfare. I guess it is extremely fun. Looks like some of these are serious about the game.
I really like this picture. Krystle took it. Perhaps she should get her own camera.
Debbie can we start a club and have that shirt as our uniform? I sooo feel like that sometimes.
You never know who you are going to run into at the WaMu waterfront village. Gary D is cuddling with a very content and precious Judah Gary W.
I told the kids to get together for a picture. These are the only ones that took me literally.

We also got to spend some time with the Nuttelmans. Congratulations on your graduation, Jon!

All things relative

We were happy to get acquainted and in my case reacquainted with a cousin of mine. We are first cousins (my mom and his dad are siblings), raised 600 miles apart, 9 years different in age, but yet we have common bonds. Though we hadn't seen each other in more than 30 years we were able to introduce my children to a bit of what it was like growing up in Michigan having very "interesting" relatives. I'm glad Tom took a bit of his shore leave from the USS Bunker Hill to spend the evening with us.

Who are these little relatives to be going to resemble and emulate? It will be fun to see them grow up together.

Could Adam be related to this former president? Notice the sign above the picture of Abe? I'm going to leave my kids unattended sometime and see what kind of puppies they have :-)

Blog for the Birthday Boy aka Sgt G.

Happy Birthday, Logan! I was looking at the post I did last year for your birthday and commenting that we look forward to celebrating on your actual birthday some year.


We did it! Not only did we celebrate on your birthday but your birthday eve too.
Hope you know that you aren't just our "Guitar Hero" you are a real one as well.




Even Sponge Bob was excited for your big day.










We are so proud to call you our son-in-law. You are the perfect husband for Alyssa and you are going to be a great Dad in the fall. Just make sure your little guy or gal calls you Daddy and not Sarge or Sir ;-)

We pray that God will continue to bless you in the year ahead. That He will also keep you safe and guide you with His hand.
We love you. Happy Birthday.

Summer's gonna be funner....

This morning while Har and I were on a bike ride Wyatt called and said "Gramma can I get a pool? Please." Since we were heading over there anyway a quick stop at Freddies and Wyatt and Genevieve have a pool.

Summer is definitely going to be funner at their house now.

The 100th Rose Festival

The Portland Rose Festival opened their Water Front Village yesterday. There are many events that will take place over the next couple of weeks.

One of my favorite things is the fireworks that officially kick off the whole thing. We arrived down at the East Bank Esplanade around 7 p.m..... 3 full hours before the fireworks were to start. Even at that time the places that didn't have any obstacles in the way were taken.

It was a beautiful day and it seemed that a ton of people brought their suppers down there. We were in that group as well. A brief stop at Dominoes and we had a Pizza Night Picnic. Sebastian ( our grand-nephew) came along. Our friends Tom and Kim met us down there too.








Finally the fireworks started. I am glad we went. It was worth the wait!