X-Mas Lights, Manito

Christmas Lights at Gaiser Conservatory

Manito Park 2012

Went on a fun outing to see the lights in the greenhouse.  This is the same place Karin went to, when visiting this last summer.  The lights and flowers were beautiful.  Even the cacti were lit up.  So many different colors of lights, I think our favorites were the brilliant blue, & purple.  It was like a fairy land, hundreds of lights, where your imagination takes flight.  Next year hot chocolate and doughnuts would make a perfect night.

 

Jeremy, Laura, Sonja, Mom (Marie)



Gaiser Conservatory at Christmas Time



Johnny and Mom

 

The coolest tree.  Reindeer pulling a sleigh.
(Can't see the sleigh.)
Johnny & Laura



Sonja & Johnny





First Snow 2012

First Snowfall

November 2012

On this morning with beautiful new snow.  I had a brilliant idea to take pictures of Mom, to send with her Christmas cards.  She had just been to the hair dresser, a perfect time.  We dressed her up, she was such a good sport, and Laura was a great help.  We took over 20 pictures, on the back deck and in the front yard.  Snow falling and a little nippy outside, but we had a good time.  This is one of our favorites.  Mom has such a beautiful smile.

Marie Dahlquist, Mother, Grandmother, & Great Grandmother, a Sister too.



85th B-Day

85th Birthday

October 21, 2012



Mom' Birthday:  Key Lime Pie for dessert.  Which is her favorite.  Aunt Carol makes the best, to die for Key Lime Pie.  But today, this one is store bought.  We are very grateful to have mom live with us.  She is very dear to us.



Mom (Marie)






Grandma's Birthday
Laura, Jeremy, Grandma, Johnny



Fall in the Wall

"Fall in the Wall"

Waterfall

 For the year of 2012 I have added 12 new waterfalls to my list.  A few I wasn't able to take pictures of.  Such as Multnomah Falls in Oregon, which Anna-Marie and I saw in the biggest downpour I have ever experienced and it was late at night.  But it was fun.  Saw a couple more on the coastal cliffs of Orgeon, not sure where those pictures are.  It was a fun year of waterfalls.  Looking forward to 2013 with 13 new ones.  Sorry to bore everyone with my waterfalls.  But it has been one of the best things I've done.  It has gotten me out of the house, and with my children seeing beautiful country.  It definitely has put a smile on my face, something to look forward too in life.  My therapy!

     "Fall in the Wall"  is literally that.  Falling into a wall of rock and making a sharp left turn.  I even found a hidden trail down to the rocks, to get a closer experience.  I just want to thank my family for being with me on these fun adventures.  Tomorrow Jemery enters the MTC, to start his mission.  I'm going to miss him a lot.  I guess I'm going to have to get Johnny to get out of the house and join my adventures.  Wish me luck!  Miss you Jeremy!!!



Jeremy, Mom, Anna-Marie
Fall in the Wall Falls



Fall in the Wall Falls





Fractured Arm

"Falls Creek Falls"

by St. Maries, ID

Summer 2012 when Dad (Johnny) fractured his arm.

       Johnny, Sonja, Laura, and Jeremy went for a nice summer drive into Idaho.  To spend the day at a summer festival in St Maries, ID and see a waterfall.  First we headed to Falls Creek Falls, a beautiful drive, and not to far from home.  The waterfall was close to the road and there was a bridge that went over the river.  We were having a wonderful time.  The water was icy cold, but we took off our shoes and waded across the river / stream, except for Johnny.  He didn't want to get his feet wet, I can't blame him, with age my feet are getting more sensitive too, and it was very rocky.  So he stayed at the bottom underneath the bridge.  The rest of us, headed up the waterfall to explore.  Note the picture of Johnny sitting up by the bridge, this was taken when I was at the top of the falls.  I thought it would be fun to take a picture of him going back to the car, to me he looked like he was eating something, couldn't understand what he was doing.  It was a long ways from us, meaning he couldn't hear us call to him.  I remember making the statement that Dad was being a "fuddy - dud", not joining us, and heading back to the car.  We continued to explore for about another 15 minutes, then headed back to the car.  And was truly surprised at what we saw.  Johnny was all bloody, major nose bleed, bumps and scratches on the face, blood all over his shirt, holding his arm.  And very pale, faint.  He was a mess!!  "I was worried", is an understatement. Turned out that he had a fractured arm, that took months to heal.  No broken nose, he was lucky, and bumps on the head.  He was a trooper and still wanted to go to the festival, but I definitely said "No Way", and we headed home, being a weekend he refused to go to urgent care.  How did he get injured?  He decided that he would go back up to the bridge and cross it, and come down the other side so that he could join us in exploring the falls.  His way up was very steep and lots of loose gravel.  Reaching close to the top where there was a guardrail, he slid on the steep gravelly hill, and fell head first toward the guardrail, arm hitting the rail, and head first onto the pavement.  Hitting his head hard and about to pass out.  We didn't see him struggling to the car.  I wonder if he'll ever go with me again to explore my waterfalls.  We are grateful that he has fully recovered. 

Is Dad being a "Fuddy-Dud", eat my words "NO" he's about to pass out.



Laura, at Falls Creek Falls, Id

 

Can you see Laura? Falls Creek Falls, Id



 

Falls Creek Falls, Id
Good swimming hole on a hot day.

 
 

Jeremy at top of Falls Creek Falls
This stream has very deep narrow crevices
in the rock, at least 4'deep, crystal clear water.



Deer 2012

"Deer in the Backyard"

Summer 2012

In the neighborhood we had five residential deer, and a moose.  They liked my hanging Fuschia, tomato plant, and of course the apple tree.  Kept my flowers safe, up on the back deck.  We love seeing the deer.



Deer underneath the apple tree, you can see it through
the slats of the railing.

  

Backyard deer, I tried to get closer but it jumped
 the fences.






Sonja and Johnny
Kids comment that there aren't any pics of mom and dad
together.  One of us is always taking the pic!



Dad likes this picture better.







Franklin Falls

On the Same Trail

From Denny Creek  Falls up to

Franklin Falls, WA

Jared had visited this waterfall earlier this summer, and stated that I wouldn't be able to take any pictures.  The mist is so heavy it would ruin the camera.  But lo and behold-- I was quick in taking the pictures, and my camera is still working.  Plus the run off wasn't as full.  On our hike back down I did keep the camera lens open so it would dry out any moisture.  Or maybe I was just very lucky.  This was a beautiful waterfall, not one you can swim in. 



First view of Franklin Falls, Sonja, Laura, Jeremy



Franklin Falls



Anna-Marie, Jeremy, Laura
Franklin Falls



Anna-Marie, Jeremy, Laura
Franklin Falls



"Crazy Family"
Laura, Anna-Marie, Jeremy, Mom
Saying good-bye to Franklin Falls, the mist of the falls was so thick
our hair and clothes were damp.







Sonja on the trail from Franklin Falls,
a smile full of JOY!



"Legs"
Why did I add this picture?  Because I think it's cool!!
Anna-Marie's leg on the left, Jeremy's on the right.
Picture accidentally taken when I was walking along,
 swinging the camera, to dry it out.



Laura "STOP", "A Flower", "It's so pretty"
Driving on the woodland road above the
falls, on our way to another waterfall.
Flowers everywhere!!