On the Bike Trek we see Alpacas after they have had their summer hair cut.  They are so cute.   There is a large white dog that watches over them, and Lavena was making friend with him. 

This was after day one.  They always have baked potatoes with chili and toppings.  After 67 miles it is refreshing!!!

These are the handle bars that Jason donated to the cause.  Thanks they are awesome.  I have a passenger who attends each Trek.  This way Lavena and I communicate with each other as we are going up hills and I am too busy breathing to let her know I am still behind her.  

From our garden!!!!  This has been the most prolific year.

This is also the first year for blueberries and even though they are young plants they are full of berries.  

Don and Rudy came over to play music like we use to years ago.  

The girls took care of us for the weekend.  

smoky fire

Becca was our traveling partner when we went to NY a few weeks ago. 

This little guy came into our house for a few minutes while he recovered from an attack from another male hummingbird.  Lavena and I watched him get beat up by the beak from the male, he literally was jabbing him with his sword.  The poor little guy just lay on his side waiting for it to get over.  Lavena threw some sticks at them to scare the mean fellow off this little guy.  Then he flopped off the roof and landed on the ground.  We went over to rescue him.  Later we took him out to trees on the other side of the house and he took off .   

These beautiful Lady's Slippers are at Becca and Richie's house near their  mailbox.  

We always know it is trek time when the lupines are in bloom.  

Here is how we know we are going in the right direction. 

This beautiful Jack in the Pulpit came into my yard on its own.  

I feel safe on the road with our new RN

I don't remember the seat being this hard!!!!!

On our training rides we came across this beaver dam. 

Pa and the bikes! 

HI!!

Grandpa's 91st BIRTHDAY celebration 

We had a nice meal and ice cream brownies with chocolate sauce!

Jim and Anna helped us celebrate with a nice wine and home made treats.

Joy and Charlie with Dad

It was last year at this time that mom passed away and it is one of life's most difficult realities.    Dad I hope that you know you are loved.  

He is doing wonderful at 91!!! Keep it up and you only have 12 years to catch up to your mother at 103.  

Artie is at the same nursing home as my mother was last year.  It is so important to have family around when tough times come.  I hope Artie knows how many people pray for his restoration and recovery.  We love you!!

Christmas 2014 was celebrated at Becca and Richies!  Pa was home with the flu and needed to rest and recuperate.
We started out with the Living Nativity on the common last Sunday night celebrating the 50th year of its performances.  It is always a high light of the year and one that our family has participated in many tomes over the years.  Then a candle light service for Christmas Eve was packed full of thankful people for what the Lord has done for each and everyone.  We are then moved to Becca and Richie's for fun, celebration and enjoying each other's company.  

Do you recognize this young lady?

There was time to relax and visit and for some much needed rest.  

New PJs are always fun to try on!!!

Richie got a coffee mug with precious memories from the year.

The girls plan on doing some traveling and were excited to get animal neck rests.  

There was no shortage of special gifts shared with family and friends. 

Becca was excited to get these peacock covering.  Notice the hand drawn reindeer in the background.

And the drum set!!!!!!!!!  I bet you can hear it!!!!!!

What they don't think of!! This is a straw that runs around your head before you get to drink the juice. 

Tucker and Lavena are having fun making their wonderful monkey bread.  It was really good and hard to stop eating.   It has become a family tradition for her since she first had some years ago.  They are wonderful couple working together so Lavena can finish her RN program.    

Sisters-!! They have fun together and I am so thankful for that. 

The girls always beg Richie to toss them up in the air.
He spends a lot of time being a wonderful dad to his special girls.    

Nan is given a wreath that the whole family took part in making.  The girls hands are decorated as reindeer. with antlers and a tail.  Richie cut all the wood pieces and Becca assembled.  We also have one decorating our entryway.  

This is a special family sharing their love with so many.   

                     

The camera did not capture the beauty of the pond on Christmas day.
We were skating on here a week ago.

They had their Elf on a Shelf visit them and now they have an elf in a box.  

Here is the results of the Monkey Bread! I am sorry that Tucker did not get in picture.  By the time we were done there was very little left over.  Great job sharing your love and talents.    

There was time to get out in the sun with a trip up in the woods on snowshoes.  

Like always there was so much good food and good people to share it with.  

Richie at work.   When it comes to the mean everyone had a part in making in it.  

Pa along with so many of you were missed from this table. We do hope and pray that you were able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with family and friends.  We especially missed Jason,  Melissa, Jack, Maggie, parents and siblings at this time.   God Bless and know that you are in our prayers.