Monday, January 14, 2013

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.


Monday, December 31, 2012

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


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

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.

Monday, November 26, 2012

2 Tragedies; Jacuzzi Time

"Two Tragedies" that turn into "Two Miracles" in 2012

1st tragedy/MIRACLE: Jeremy walks away without a bump, scratch or bruise.
Jeremy was working on a Saturday driving for Bountiful Baskets on a rural highway.  During an extreme Spring storm of snow, icy roads, and extreme high winds.  He was sliding & spinning, but thought he had control, but the winds forced him sideways into the guard rail, where he did a cart-wheel flip over the rail, car landing on its side.  He climbed up and out the passenger window. Car was totaled, we will miss Laura's bronco.  But angels were watching out for our Jeremy, not a scratch, bump or bruise, maybe a little shaken, but he sounded calm.  Laura and I (Sonja) traveled on those bad roads, to a little town, to get Jeremy.  It took us a couple of hours to get there, you can imagine the wild imagination of a mother, tell she sees her son, in one piece.  A grateful heart that he was watched over and protected.
 Pictures taken after they up righted the bronco.  When taking the pictures the wind was blowing so hard that it was hard to stand in one place.  And in our other car, you could feel the car shaking in the wind.  To give you an idea of the flip, in the 2nd pic, before the bronco went over parallel to the guard-rail it was facing the other direction.  I believe Jeremy was going under 25mph.


 2nd tragedy/MIRACLE:  Anna-Marie Lives and walks away after beheading a deer with her motorcycle.
I think it was the first part of June when Anna-Marie was heading home from Bellingham. Jared met up with her to spend a couple days camping above Leavenworth, Wa.  Then she continued her trip home, riding her pretty red motorcycle on a beautiful sunny day.  She reached the open hilly prairies/ farmlands.  As she went up and down the sloping  hills it was difficult to see the road beyond the crest of the hill.  As she crested one she did not expect to see 5 deer in the middle of the road, as she was coming down.  Going at least the speed limit of 65mph she did  her best to slow down, but knew she might not make it.  Then she noticed an opening between two deer and thought she just might make it.  But last second the frightened deer jumped in her path and she hit it.  Anna-Marie stated she doesn't remember the actual impact, but remembers rolling & sliding on the pavement, wondering when she was going to stop.  No broken bones, she was able to stand, and a little bit later a car stopped and helped.  The gentleman called me (Sonja), to tell me of the accident and that Anna-Marie appeared to be alright.  I wasn't able to talk to her, she had her helmet on, (which you leave on after an accident tell medical help arrive).  Again can you imagine the worry and horrors a mother imagines, till Johnny could drive to the hospital in a little town, couple hours away.  I stayed home to attend Jeremy's seminary graduation, that was a hard decision.  A miracle that she survived, and walked away with only minor injuries.  Again angels watching over my children, prayers are answered.  I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for protecting them.  They are my treasures.

                 


      
Anna-Marie is so faithful in wearing her jacket and gloves, but on this day, was the first time she didn't.  Her arm had a deep hole that she nicknamed "my bullet hole", also 2nd degree road burn, multiple wounds on hands and fingers, hip.  She was told that the tip of one finger would fall off and not grow back.  But with good nursing it didn't fall off and healed completely.  She was lucky that she had just finished all her piano performances at college.  She was also lucky that her extra helmet was in her backpack, strapped to her back, for she slid on her back with the helmet in the pack, a buffer form the road, protecting her from further injury.  Her backpack was shredded.  Thank goodness she was wearing a helmet on her head too, her visor was really scratched up, it protected her face and head.  It took the whole summer for her to completely heal.



"Jacuzzi Time"
 Winter 2011-2012
Mom enjoyed having a membership at the YMCA.  There she enjoyed water aerobics twice a week.  She loved the exercise, it rejuvenated her.  She also loved the people in the class, and the instructor. A high-lite was the visiting with other class members, "a social time".  Then in the Spring she had surgeries, and we moved.  She really misses going.  And she really misses the "Jacuzzi Time" , a time to just sit back and get toasty warm.  She liked putting her towel in the sauna to get nice and warm, so when she got out of the jacuzzi she had a heated towel.  Laura was a great help in taking her grandma to the gym.  Mom would be in class and Laura would swim.  Thanks Laura.



"Snowy Winter" 2011-2012
Mom "loving the snow" at our old house, backyard.


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

"Surprise Visit" & Jeremy Graduation (2012)

"Surprise Visit"
Spring 2012

Heidi was flying into Spokane for a couple hours, while Joe was at an auction.  The "Surprise" was, unbeknown to Mom, was that Karin was coming too.  It was truly a surprise, and Mom loved it.  It was Karin's second plane flight in her life, on a smaller plane, did she feel any turbulence?  I wonder!!  Did she like it???  It was wonderful that Heidi came and invited Karin too.  Thank you Heidi, it meant a lot to Mom to see you both and Joe (for a brief moment).  We visited our new home, went to lunch, and saw a peek of Spokane Falls. 

       Karin & Mom at Cottage Cafe for lunch                              Heidi, Karin, Mom  "Sneaking a peek of Spokane Falls"



  Mom & Heidi & a "Beautiful Plane"                                                                                                           Joe and Heidi
       Karin, Mom, Heidi                          
 
 "Thanks Joe for bringing them." 
 Love you guys.
(Click on pictures for a larger view.)


Jeremy Graduation
2012
 Jeremy graduated from Gonzaga Prep High School.  And from 4 years of early morning Seminary.  To celebrate he had a school all-nighter, loads of fun.  We took him out to dinner, a brazilian restaurant in Coer D' Alene, Idaho, all you can eat.  He is currently working a full time job, saving for his mission.  He plans on going in May 2013.  He is currently attending the Home Ward, does not have an interest in the Singles Ward, which is just fine with me (mom).  Occassionally he does go to the Singles Ward or activities when Anna-Marie is in town.  This summer Jeremy was my comrade in my waterfall adventures.  He is a joy to be around, we watch TV together (Once Upon a Time, Last Resort, Revolution, NCIS - LA,), video games.  He enjoys running, biking, basketball. Past summers he worked as a kayak river guide on the Salmon River.  Having a good job gives him some play money, and he loves to buy snacks, "munchies".  (I don't know where he puts it all.)  He does an awesome job on the lawns, all summer and fall, I rarely had to ask him, he just goes and does it.  He always helps me, rarely complains.  I don't think I've ever seen him in a bad mood, (maybe just once).  Next Sunday he will be ordained an Elder.  We are proud of him or I should say we are very pleased with the young man he has become, a good son, he brings us joy.  Jeremy we LOVE YOU!!! 

Dad, Jeremy, Grandma
Gonzaga Prep 2012


                                                                          
                           Jeremy &Grandma, Seminary Graduation