****One WILD and WONDERFUL WEEK!!!!!*****

Ron and Marlene had a wonderful week. We worked in the temple on Tuesday from 5:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. That evening we flew to Portland then drove to Olympia to Brandon, Amanda, Brody, and Ashton's home. We arrived at 12:30 a.m., so we talked awhile and went to bed. The next morning we were so excited to see Brody and Ashton that the minute we heard them stirring in their beds we went to see them so we could start the fun. And FUN it was. Amanda fixed the most amazing meals that we gorged on then we toured and played to our hearts content. As you will see below, we went to Seattle to the Space Needle which was such amazing view of the surrounding city and ocean. We visited the Seattle acquarium. It was incredible to see the immense variety of fish Heavenly Father has created for our viewing pleasure. We ate seafood outside at the water front then took a water taxi to the other side of Seattle. Friday we went to the Farmers market and enjoyed fresh cherries, strawberries, and apples. We enjoyed lunch at the "spray ground" next to the Capital building, bought a toy at the toy store, then went to the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma. We sure had fun. On Saturday Ron and I drove the scenic route back to Portland and enjoyed seeing the Bonneville Dam, Cascade Locks, the fish hatchery, Multnoma Falls, Horse Tail Falls, the Columbia River and breath taking vistas with lush green hills, gorges, rivers, pine trees, wild berries in bloom along the road, and much more. We flew back to Phoenix where we stayed in Mesa so we could attend Portlyn's baptism on Sunday, and the zoo on Monday. Pictures below give some indication as to the wonderful week we had with our loved ones.

Ocean Shores Beach Was Beautiful!

Getting HIGH on the Seattle Space Needle:

The Seattle Acquarium Was Great For Us Fish FINatics!

Lotsa Fun and Laughs at the Toy Store and a Tour of the Boston Harbor Marina in Olympia Washington:

A FUN-FILLED Afternoon at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma:

Ron and I Left Brandon and Amanda's family, boo-hoo, sniff, sniff--how I hate good byes. We took the scenic route back to Portland, 'twas gorgeous!

A VERY SPECIAL BAPTISM for PORTLYN...

We Spent The Last Day of Our Vacation at the Phoenix Zoo With Cameron and Valerie's Family.

Our COOL Escape to ALPINE, AZ.

Ron, Marlene, Alan, Sharlie, Dannen, and Jaxon loaded the trailers and toys and escaped the heat and headed for Alpine. We camped at Apache Trout RV park at Big Lake. We enjoyed the beautiful pines and aspens, seeing wild life, and playing together in the cool.

ATV TOUR

We took a couple of "FUN RUNS" on the ATV's. We saw deer, turkeys, and over a hundred elk. (Jax counted them!) We even found snow--in JUNE--in ARIZONA!!!

We Fished the Black River East Fork

The Black River East Fork is rocky, brush filled hiking and tricky fishing. In other words, we didn't catch very many. Alan and Ron were the most skilled fisherman and caught the biggest and the most! Jax caught Grandma with his lure which Richard and Pat jumped all over and sent me a t-shirt saying, "I'm hooked on my grandkids!" (funny and true!)

THE CATWALK at Glenwood, Az.

We enjoyed a couple of hours at the Catwalk. We hiked and then cooled off in the waterfalls and pools.

Last Stop, Glenwood Az.