Riverfront, Karin

"Riverfront Park with Karin"

June 2012

A fun little excursion to downtown Spokane, to see the Spokane Upper and Lower Waterfalls.  On our way we stopped at Wolfie's, for the burgers, fries and the best milkshakes ever. Yumm!!

  


Anna-Marie & Jeremy in background, then Karin & Mom



 

 

Jeremy and Mom (Sonja)



Totem Pole on Canada Island

Karin, Jeremy, Mom, Anna-Marie



Spokane Upper Falls

 



Spokane Lower Falls

 


   

Karin taking in the mist of the Spokane Lower Falls

 

Leavenworth 2012

"Leavenworth, WA"

June 2012

Leavenworth is a Bavarian village up in the mountains (Alps) of Washington.  A trip that I have wanted to take all these years of living in Washington.  Finally I made it.  Mom, Karin and I, had a girls weekend trip.  And it just happened to be when they were having the "International Folk Dance Festival".  Beautiful flowers on balconies and hanging baskets everywhere.  German food available, which we did not try, I guess we are to Americanized.  All kinds of little shops.  They are known for their Nutcracker store.  I thought mom would like to see all these shops, but not so.  She enjoyed watching all the different international dances.  That was the high-light of the trip, for all of us.  I do wish I had taken more pictures of mountains and the lush green landscape.  The weather was overcast and rain, with occassional rays of sunlight.  The rain (for Sonja) was enjoyable, it didn't dampen our spirits.

Leavenworth is nestled in a mountain valley.

International Dancers

  

Mom, Karin, Sonja

                            

 

Dancing in a rainstorm.



Dancing with bottles on their head.





 



AM Spring Break 2012

Oregon Coast --- March 2012

"Anna-Marie's Spring Break with Mom"

The plan was to go down and back up the Oregon Coast.  Just wandering, camping, having fun.  Waterfalls, lighthouses, beaches, shopping at quaint beach towns, whale watching.  Started out at Jared's in the Seattle area, stayed the night with him.  Had dinner with Jared and the Campbell's at Cheesecake Factory.  The food was great, the Thai wraps were the best, and of course the yummy to die for cheesecake.  We went to the Space needle, walked all over trying to find the disgusting gum wall.  Didn't find it, but it was an adventure, with a lot of laughter, hustling up the steep streets of Seattle.  We saw the Astoria Column, camped one night, then I got really sick, went to church, had a blessing, then stayed in hotels (thanks to Johnny for booking the hotels for us).  Even seeing Multnomah Falls at night in the heaviest downpour of rain, "that was fun".  But no pictures of it, the camera would have been drenched and ruined.  Anna-Marie was a trooper, so patient with her mom being so sick.  But I have to say I was a trooper also, I smiled and had fun, I couldn't walk a long distance, due to extreme weakness, but I did my best.  Our trip was cut in half, but we can look back at it fondly, with smiles of  joyful memories of being together.

Lighthouse ?

"Seattle Space Needle"



"Octopus Tree"



Whale watching "But no whales!"



"Astoria Column" -(Anna-Marie far
right) You get dizzy going around & around
up the winding stair-case to the top for a
beautiful view.





"Ruins of an old ship"
Sonja is so bundled up: A shirt, sweater, sweatshirt, heavy
green coat, scarf, and on top of all that Johnny's big heavy
coat.  Just to stay warm in the drizzly, windy spring weather.



Manito with Karin

Manito Park

During Karin's visit to Spokane, we went to Manito Park.  This park is huge, with multiple gardens.  A must see when visiting Spokane.  Formal gardens, Lilac, Japanese, Perennial, Greenhouse, Rose, Iris, all individual gardens.  And I think I'm forgetting some!  Also a large pond, fountain, playgrounds, kids water-pad, rolling hills, stone bridges, scenic drive, tennis courts, many picnic areas, bike / walking trails.  And grand old houses bordering the park.  Do I love it?  Oh-- Yes I do!!!

Gaiser Conservatory (Greenhouse)

Mom and Karin
"The colors were so vibrant"



Mom smelling her favorite flower Jasmine
I "LOVE" this picture.



Duncan Garden (Formal Gardens)



Karin



Karin at the fountain,
Flowers were not yet in full bloom.

Japanese Garden

Karin by Pagoda Sculpture
and a little waterfall.

"I'm in the picture!!!  At least my eye is."
Sonja, Karin, Mom



Karin and Mom
Japanese garden at Manito Park.  Spokane is sister city to Nishinomiya, Japan





Karin - Spokane

Karin's Spokane Visit

June 2012

We had a wonderful visit with Karin, here in Spokane Wa.  She drove the whole way from Salt Lake City, and stayed for about a month.  Hanging out with Mom, visiting, watching HGTV, knitting hot pads.  Side trips:  Manito Park, Coeur d' Alene, Leavenworth Wa, Riverfront Park (waterfalls).  Taking a break of all her non-stop activities / responsibilities in Utah.  Hope she had fun and relaxed here.  "We loved having you Karin, you can come back anytime, we would love it."

"A hot day, and Karin is cooling off."
Coeur d' Alene Lake, Id
Had lunch at the Hotel / Resort,
 with a beautiful view of the lake. 





Karin and Mom
Lunch at Coeur d' Alene Resort

 

Turret House, Spokane Valley
 A unique home with brick and iron turrets.
A piece of Art.



Lilac Parade 2012

Armed Forces Parade

"Lilac Parade"

Anna-Marie's Last parade with the Airforce Band (May 2012).  She has been their piano player, and filled in, in the percusion sections.  She plays the piano, drums, marimba, etc.  I wonder what her favorite instrument currently is?  The Airforce band is disbanding.  She will be transferring to another division in the airforce, not sure yet what it will be.  So proud of her, keep at it Anna-Marie.



Anna-Marie is the drummer.



Laura, Anna-Marie, Jeremy



2011 Waterfalls

"2011 Waterfall Adventures"



Anna-Marie, Laura, Johnny at
"Indian Canyon Falls" WA.
Lush & green trail up a narrow canyon.
Lots of mosquitos, and a cave.
  

 

Sonja & Anna-Marie at
"Crystal Falls" WA.
Beautiful view, but no way done to the bottom.



 

Sonja & Anna-Marie at
"Whatcom Creek Falls" in downtown Bellingham, WA
.Beautiful walkways, and salmon hatchery near-by.



Anna-Marie & Jeremy
at "Skalkaho Falls" Montana.
Icy cold water. "Brrrrr"



Anna-Marie at "Chamokane Falls" on an Indian Reservation in WA.  Sonja and Anna-Marie wandering on unmarked roads and trails to find this waterfall.  On one of the hottest days of the summer.  And we forgot our swimsuits in the car.  Sonja was not going to hike a double trip, just to get her swimsuit.  Anna-Marie came back the next day with Jeremy & Laura, to play in the water.