Goat Lake

It has been a long time since we camped so, last year Jeff, Sarah, Josh, Jacob & I went to Goat Lake. We ended up going over 6,ooo Ft. We made camp for 1 night. It was very cold. Then the next day we went up to the lake itself. It was snow flurries that made us even colder. It was mid August!

European vacation Part 1

We had a rough time getting to Amsterdam.  We finally got out of Seattle about 9:30 PM.  About 80% there we learned that because of the volcano's in Iceland, we were diverted to Scotland.  We landed in Glasgow.  They gave us one choice.  To go to Iceland & wait for a flight to Amsterdam.  We decided no.  We ended up in Endenburg to fly to Amsterdam.  It ended up costing a lot of money but!!!  Those who went to Iceland stayed there 3 days.  We had bungalows & 2 rental vans we already paid for so that would've cost more.  Another stamp for the passport!

Back in April May of 2010, Opa took his kids & their spouses to Holland. Some of us went to France afterwards, some went to Germany, Austria, Italy & some went home after Holland. Those who went were as follows. Opa, Mary Jane, Josh, Karen, Diane with Frank, Ady with Kirsten, Patricia, Christian, Judy with Jack, Pam with Mike, Jeff with Val. If I forgot someone, shot me later. I have more segment's to go.

One of the places we went were Amsterdam. We went twice. The first time we went to see the Richsmuseum. That is were they have a lot of Rembrandt. That is including the Night Watchman, which is VERY IMPRESSIVE, even for those who aren't into art. Ady was like in the Celestial Kingdom.

At the end of the day we ate at a local Cafe. When in Europe do as the Europeans do, EAT. We loved just sitting, eating and talking about the day's events. It's fun to people watch. Ask Mary about her being towed on the walker. Never take your eyes off the person as you are pushing. Jack, Josh & I were looking up at a guy who was sitting on a ledge of his flat like he was going to fall. But he wasn't the one who fell! Mary was! She was a trooper. She said she was fine. We knew better!

We took a canal ride. It was fun. Our Travel Agent got us a real good deal. I happen to know where she lives, I think she will get a tip! It's a fun way to see the City of Amsterdam.

When we decided that we wanted to park outside the city and take the train in, Then we had to buy tickets for the train. We had to have cash cause the machine wouldn't take debt cards. So, everyone had to pull together & put their money together. Afterwards we handed out 50 cent Euro coins so everyone could go to the bathroom. In Amsterdam you had to pay 50 cents to use any public bathrooms! We also went to the Ann Franks house. I've been to Amsterdam 3-4 times & that was a 1st. For those who went, it was very nice.

Adian's return

It was a quick 2 years. I hoped he was able to learn the language that fast.

Adian going on a mission & coming home

When Adrian went on his mission there was a lot of stress. Oma was with cancer & he knew that she wouldn't be there when he came home. He was a brave young man.

These photo's are when he was being set apart I think. It was a long time ago. I thought I should share them with you.

I will have the homecoming on the next blog. There are a lot of missionaries that have went out and a lot that will be going out. I know that I'm thankful for these young men.

Can-Cun #2 2002

This time I'm not using photo's. In November 0f 2002 we made a trip to Can-Cun. Present were Oma, Pam, Mike, Jeff, Val, Ady. This is when we stayed at the Barcelo for the 1st time. As Ady would say, "Your resort isn't as good as ours!" We went thru the Mexican Customs. It had a stop sign with green & red. You hoped for the green. The pools had a bar at the end. We had endless Diet Cokes! We played basketball in the pool. We had a German lady that thought she was still in Germany. Very little on at the pool. We went to canoe in the Gator invested lake, Zip-line, And the Se note. We took a rest in the hammocks, Ady swam in the Gator invested lake. He almost became bait! Of course there was a lot of food. I took the basketball game serious. Best of all, it was a very relaxing time except for those who had keys that didn't work. I had the best fade-away shot. It was great to go there when it was November cause it was nice & warm. We missed the Michael Jackson show. We either got there a day late or left a day before the Friday of the show.

A few months ago we went to Virginia City and had a lot of fun. What Jacob and I did was even more fun. We spent the night there. We stayed at the Silver Queen Hotel, reportedly haunted. We stayed in a room that a lady saw something and ran away, never again returning to Virginia City. We also took a Ghost Tour. It was our 2nd one. The 1st was in Gettysburg. This even included our hotel. They took us into room 11, were a lady committed suicide. Then we went to the Pypers Opera House. Built in the 1880's, the 3rd one, other 2 burned. They saved part of #2 on this one. We went inside and a lot of the guest had what they call the K2Y reader.

They think that if there is a ghost, the lights go off. All of them were going off. I didn't feel any ghost at all. The 1st 2 photo's is the Opera house with the one in the middle of the 3.
to the right is the Washoe club. Back in the day this room was

used as a temporary mourge durng the winter. The ground was

frozen so they embalmed the bodies there. Now it's a storage

room! The bottom 2 left are the front of said buildings.

Virginia City

About a year ago We went back to Virginia City. We always have fun going. This time I was able to ride the Steam train. This engine wasn't one of the original but it is over 100 years old. The last train that the virginia & Truckee owned was 28. The original company closed down in the 50's. It was started again with the engine being #29.

We were able to ride in the open car. It was a beautiful day. The 2 miles covered 90% of the original route. I did have a blast going back into history. This is the only wasy I can do that since I don't know anybody who has a time machine that works.

Koekenhoff 1

One of he days that we were in Holland we went to Koekenhoff. It's a beautiful park with lots of tulips & other flowers. It's hard to explain how beautiful it is without being there. Here's Patricia & Christian on a cycle. I found the VanderHoeven clan rooming the premises. They are enjoying the beauty.

I'm trying to figure out what Jack has found. Typical Dutch wonder!

We are about to leave the park. As usual they have souvenir shops at every tourist place & Koekenhoff is no exception. I almost bought bulbs & had them shipped straight to me but!!! I had to be careful with he funny money, "The Euro!"

Train ride into Amsterdam.

After Pam figured out how to get the tickets, we're on our way. Since I loaded this picture 1st, I need to talk about it. Ady was judging who was the "The best of the West." We would clap for the person he would say. The loudest applause won. I wonder if he really knows that people were laughing and mocking us as we were leaving? The ride into town was pleasant. It beats driving in Amsterdam, trying to park and all. We saved time not having to try and find parking!

After we got there we had a WC break. NO Cokes for you!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are3 talking and waiting for the train. That day we say the Ann Frank house, The red light district, passed a few Coffee shops. Now it's time to get on a train. We need to get the scrooges on board.

It was a very pleasent day. We all enjoyed it.

A trip to the city of Amsterdam.

When we went to Holland we decided to divide Amsterdam up. We decided to stop outside the city limits and take the train in. Well it took us about 20 minutes to figure out how to use a machine that didn't take $20 notes. here's how it looked when we were buying tickets.

Proud to be an American!

I wasn't there to hear the story. But, let me repeat it for those who did hear the story. We were at the American Cemetery at Margraten, The Netherlands. We were there during their version of Memorial Day. Some saw an elderly man put some flowers on a grave. Ady asked the gentleman in Dutch, "Sir, why did you put flowers on that grave? Why that soldier?" The gentleman replied "I was 9 when the Germans took over Holland. I was a teenager when young Americans like this one gave up their lives so I and my fellow countryman can live in peace. I have adapted this grave to put flowers on it to pay my respects for the youth of Americans who sacrificed their lives for us willingly." For the first time I didn't want to take a picture. It's times like this that makes you swell with pride And thankfulness for those young men. Maybe on Memorial Day next year we should reflect the real meaning before we start our fun.

Easter 2010

This Easter we had it at the Sirrine's We had lots of food, games & some traditional basketball along with family. Even though our family is getting smaller in Washington, we still had a great turn out. Tarrance's sister here. She seemed to enjoy the rat race.

The kids tried to pose for Uncle Mike. I'll give them an A.

Here are my models for one of the games.

I have people at work that think I'm crazy for a big family. I'm thankfull for a big family. Being crazy also helps. It's nice that we can entertain ourselves. Until the next party!

4th of July 2008. Part 1

This had to be one of the best. We really had fun with the fireworks. Is this family extreme or crazy? Whatever it is it makes life fun.

He enjoyed the food for sure!

Let the battle continue!!!!!

The carnage of war!

Preparing for war.

Cousins.

The Walsh's

Oh how much WE Love these! We'll be seeing a lot more of these in the near future.