Well after having 2 weeks off from work I returned to a brand new class. I am now the school age teacher. It is really more fun. The older kids can do more complicated crafts ( ones that involve cutting). We are having a great time. We will learn about a different national park each week . The kids will be able to earn recognitions for knot tying, cooking, trail marking, compass reading, book reading, etc. They are a great group. I only have 6 students and it is just perfect.

Jerry went to the dunes with Matt and the usual summer group. I was sad not to be able to see Frank and Alice to say good-bye but Ididn't really mind staying home. Jerry had a blast.

Mom said that they had a big meeting with all of Georges doctors and he probably won't get to go home. They suggested contacting hospice. Mom is pretty upset.

Well thats it for now.

When I was a little kid, about 5 or 6, we went to this magical place called Peterson's Rock Gardens. It was beautiful. Wonderful buildings built from small agates and other rocks. There were lakes with bridges and peacocks. I remember looking at family pictures from that trip. Peterson's Rock Gardens is located just outside of Redmond. We were just recently in Redmond and as we were driving down the road I saw the sign for the rock gardens. Jerry being the most patient man in the world said we could go. When we pulled in I was a little disappointed. They had a donation box for $4.50 ea. and I made Jerry pay the fee. We started walking around and it was obvious that they hadn't done a lot of maintenance since I was 6. There were still peacocks though. I called my Mom and told her where I was. I mentioned the maintenance issue. She laughed and said it wasn't much better when I was 6 except it was free then. I guess somethings are better left alone. Oh well we still had a wonderful trip and I did get to buy a thunder egg for Josh.

Home from Alaska. What a wonderful trip we had. We have decided that cruises are the best way to go on vacation. Alaska was beautiful. We had the best weather 75 to 80 every day. Our ship had 2 24hour buffets, a hamburger/hotdog bar, a pizza bar, a ice cream bar and 2 sit down restaurants. In addition it had 2 fancy restaurants that you paid extra for. It had a full spa, 4 swimming pools with 8 hot tubs, 2 saunas, 2 steam rooms, a fitness room, 2 children's pools, and one pool undercover. They had Broadway style shows every night plus movies under the stars and movies in the theater. They had classes on almost anything you might what to take. Jerry and I took ball room dancing. At every port there were excursions you could go on. We went on a bus ride to the Canada up to a frozen lake. We also went to a Rainforest Garden in Juneau.

In Skagway we went to Liarsville and then went on a tram ride. The next day we went up the Endicott Fjord. We saw eagles, whales, seals, bears and dolphins. We also saw the Endicott Glacier. It was beautiful. In Ketchikan we went to the Lumberjack show and then we took a duck and toured the town and went out into the harbor. Then next day our ship docked in Victoria. Since we had dinner reservations at one of the really nice restaurants for Jerry's birthday we elected not to get off in Victoria. We had been there many times and really enjoyed staying on board. We got home on Saturday and then had to mow everything and and clean everything for an open house on Sunday. It was one of the best trips we have ever taken. To see all of our pictures check out facebook.