Fall Fun

Wow we had a busy fall. We flew to Anchorage, stayed a few days for the beginning of tax class, then we drove the Escalade home. It was a beautiful drive as usual - long but beautiful!

We deterred through Banff National Park which is one of my favorite places. The ice fields and glaciers are incredible. We also deterred through Yellowstone but only saw a few animals this time.

We're lucky to have driven the Alcan Highway 4 times and each time enjoyed the beauty of the time of the year. The January drive was the scariest, coldest and the one I wouldn't want to do again.

Spring Colds

Well we know it's spring because we have a cold. It seems that's the only time of the year that our immune systems hiccup and allow that nasty cold virus to grab a hold. We're looking forward to the Liberty Convention in Virginia Beach in a couple of weeks and then a week at one of our favorite spots, Heise Hot Springs in Idaho. Meantime, we are enjoying the grand kids, doing some furniture redo, and resting our tax worn bodies! Happy Spring!

Tick Tock Tick Tock

The clock is ticking and it's almost April 15. Have you filed your taxes yet? Lots of people in Alaska have and we've done their returns! Carma was on Channel 13 today for last minute tax tips.

We are ready for spring and itching to go camping - mostly itching to just get home!!!

Is It Really March

I haven't posted since Christmas so it is about time to update you on Anchorage, Alaska. It has been a mild winter compared to the last two. It's still in the 20's and we just finished our big Fur Rondy celebration. That's short for Fur Rondevouz. It's a big winter celebration and Liberty always has a float in the parade. We decorated on Friday night and strutted our stuff yesterday in the parade. Our huge blow up Statue of Liberty is always a big hit and we have some of the best dancer/wavers in the business.

We have a post peak family bowling party this Saturday and that's always fun. We have had a great season and our numbers are up. We are finally getting some rest and working 10 hours instead of 14 or 15. All in all we are doing well. We are however, looking forward to spring and home.

Turtle Bay, Hawaii

Lee and I had a wonderful trip to Turtle Bay, Hawaii. His sister Ginny and her husband, Dale, joined us for a week of sun and fun. Here are just a few photos from our trip.

Camping in the Uintas

Carma hiking down to Trial Lake

Lee hiking up to Wall Lake

View of Trial Lake on the way down
Wall Lake

View of Washington Lake from our 5th Wheel

We spent a wonderful week at Washington Lake in the high Uinta Mountains. Hiking has become one of our favorite things to do and we did some great day hikes. There are so many beautiful lakes and many many trails. Hiking at 10,500 feet takes a little effort for us older folks but we survived and loved it! We also fished, read, and played cards. We had good weather and loved the cool temperatures! I'm ready for fall to arrive - my favorite time of year.

Summer Fun in Words

Yes I know I haven't posted for a very long time! I will post our summer pictures in the next few days. We have been camping at our favorite spot, Washington Lake in the Uinta Mountains. It is so beautiful there and cool! We fish, hike, read, play cards and just generally relax and enjoy ourselves. We've met some very interesting people as well.

I spent a week in San Diego with Hadley and family and had so much fun. 5 month old Michael is so sweet and such a happy baby. There is always someone to hold and play with him. The kids are sure growing up and are SO busy.

We spent a week at Heise Hot Springs in Idaho with Shelly and family. We had very rainy weather but still had a great time. We went to Yellowstone, Jackson, played golf, and enjoyed the hot springs.

Steve and family have joined us at Washington Lake a couple of times this summer and we spent a couple of days with Shelly and family near Strawberry Reservoir.

We are looking forward to a week in Hawaii (compliments of our boss at Liberty Tax) in September and plan another drive to Anchorage in October to drive a vehicle there and start tax classes. A "Top Gun" convention (Liberty Tax) in Virginia Beach follows the trip to Anchorage.

In between all this, we enjoy spending time with our families and love those grand kids!! We have had a great summer and my favorite season is just around the corner. I love fall (guess that comes from living in Connecticut). Canning peaches is not far away either.

My Grandma's Sewing Machine (newly refinished)

I thought you might like to see pictures of my Grandma Chandler's treddle sewing machine. My talented husband refinished it and it looks beautiful. What a treasure to have - thanks Lee!! You did an awesome job and I love it!

Home Again Home Again

It is nice to be home - we love the beautiful green grass and warm weather. Another tax season is over and we survived! We miss our friends in Alaska and hope they have a warm summer.

We are looking forward to camping and fishing but have to wait for the snow to melt in the mountains. We are heading to Idaho in mid June to Heise Hot Springs - it's one of our favorite places.

It's great to be around family again - I got to go to San Diego in March for the birth of Hadley's new baby, Michael. Shelly came too and we enjoyed some girl time. Michael had a rough start but is doing great.

Steve and Andrea are expecting a baby in November so we keep adding to those grandkids! That will make 14!

Lee's back to furniture restoring. He is refinishing my grandma's singer sewing machine cabinet and it looks wonderful. The only room left to refinish is the bathroom downstairs but I can't get him enthused to do that yet. After that he might build something that he really wants to.

By the way, Hadley, thanks for the bug to finally update my blog!

Fur Rondevous in Anchorage

Our Float in Route
All the Parade Gang
Carma and Josh, our Front Office Manager

Hi all - Thought you all might like to see some pictures from the parade today. This is a big deal in Anchorage and we had a great if not exhausting time. We decorated the float last night, and participated in the parade today. It started snowing right at the end and has continued all day - we must have gotten at least 8-10 inches.

We made it through "peak" and work remains steady now. We plan a bowling party of all of our staff and families this week-end, then I get to fly to San Diego to welcome Hadley's baby (she is due to be induced March 10 if she doesn't go before.) Lee will be running both offices and isn't looking forward to me being gone.

We are doing well. We are halfway through tax season and survived! March brings a hint of spring and chances to go sight seeing! Happy Birthday this week to Shelly and to Lee (next week) who will "celebrate" without me!

Who's eligible for Social Security? and Dancing With the Stars

Wow, I had a great birthday yesterday! Shelly and family, Steve and family all came over for pizza, salad, cake and ice cream. I got a great laptop from my dear husband and tickets to see Dancing With the Stars at the E Center tonight from my 3"kids." Then we had a slumber party with the five grandkids. Little Emily had to go home with mom and dad. We had a lot of fun all in the same room and mostly slept. We had pancakes for breakfast, candy for snack and spaghetti and hot dogs for lunch! We played Rock Band on Wolf's WII and just had a great time.

I grateful for each birthday as it means I'm here another year to enjoy my family. How grateful I am for them and the closeness we have. I am so lucky to have two great son-in-laws and the best daughter-in-law there is. Love you all and thanks!

Dancing With The Stars was great. My dream was always to be a dancer so I thoroughly enjoyed it and Lee actually liked it, too, although he did roll his eyes a couple of times.

Happy New Year to all and may you be healthy and feel peace and joy in your lives.

Merry Christmas!

I am late with updating my blog, adding a Christmas background and getting my Christmas letters out, but . . . finally I've done all three!

I spent a week in San Diego with Hadley and family. Corey has a leading role in "Traditions of Christmas", a San Diego musical tradition. Julia and Aubrey also had roles and they all did wonderful. We spent the first 3 days at rehearsals and then got to see the show. The musical has continued for 10 days and Hadley is wondering how to fit shopping, dance recitals, baseball tournaments, etc. in. What a busy life they lead. What a fun and talented family.

I stayed with Shelly's kids while Ryan had his surgery. They are always so fun and easy. His surgery was successful and today they learned the lymph nodes are negative. What a great Christmas present!

We attended cute little Ashley's preschool Christmas program and she did great. Andrew said ho ho when he saw Santa - so cute.

Lee and I got away for a couple of days to celebrate a little early for our anniversary and my birthday. We are looking forward to spending some time with Shelly and Steve and families. Sure wish Hadley and family could be here, too!

We wish you all Merry Christmas!

My New and Improved Craft Room

A duvet cover turned into curtains!
My new craft closet!
Yes, it is nearly full!

I have the greatest handyman living here - my incredible husband! He had already finished building and painting my craft room. He just hadn't built the cabinets yet because he was waiting for me to decide what I wanted.

He finished my craft closet (4 doors wide)and I love it! Now comes the counters for scrapbooking, sewing, wrapping, etc. I will have more storage and a peg board. I didn't realize I had so much stuff - his word was a little more graphic.

I switched the day bed to the guest room and put the futon in the craft room. Of course, then the colors didn't match so I took the duvet cover off the day bed and made these curtains and a couple of pillows. I am very happy with them and love it so bright and cheerful.

So now after he finished the pool table room, guest room, saw room, finish room, he is working to finish my craft room. The only room left in the basement is the bathroom and that will be next year.

Thanks to my wonderfully talented all around handyman husband who can design, build, and repair anything! You are awesome!

Peaches Peaches Peaches

A few weeks ago Shelly and I canned 4 boxes (104 lbs) of peaches. We ended up with 36 quarts, 24 pints, and 16 frozen containers! It took us 12 hours and lots of diet coke/pepsi but we did it. They are so yummy and we are very proud of ourselves. Thanks Shelly - it was exhausting but oh so worth it!

Lucky #13

I give everyone a hard time when they don't post to their blogs and I haven't posted for a very long time, so here goes.

First- Lee and I will be grandparents for the 13th time! Hadley and Pat are expecting their 7th - yes, their 7th child at the end of March. It was very much unplanned and unexpected but after a few tears, they realized this must be the Lord's plan and they are excited. Hadley is not feeling too great but hopefully will be over that soon. The kids are very excited.

Corey (Hadley's oldest) started college and loves it. The rest don't start school until after Labor Day. Shelly's two oldest are in school, Megan starts preschool, and sweet little Emily keeps Mom and Dad smiling. Ashley (Steve's) started preschool and little Andrew, who is healthy and all boy, keeps Mom and Dad on their toes at home.

Lee and I have enjoyed a lot of camping and are sad to see summer coming to a close. As it gets cooler we will just have to go south a little bit. We're headed to Anchorage (yea I know, that's north) for a week in September to get tax school started and plan on doing some fishing. It will be fun to see something besides snow and ice.

We love reading your blogs and enjoy your pictures so keep it up and I promise to do better!

Fun in San Diego and Summer Camping

Okay, I know it's been forever since I posted. We spent a week in San Diego in June and had such a great time. Corey, our oldest granddaughter, graduated from high school and Emily graduated from middle school. I drove down with Shelly and kids and Steve and his family were already there. It was so fun to be together with our three kids and their families. Unfortunately Lee and Ryan weren't able to join us. We had a great time going to graduations, the beach, and, of course, visiting In N' Out, several times! I can't believe Corey is headed to college! She's so grown up and is going to go far with that beautiful voice. What a talent she has!

Early July Lee and I spent a week in Heise Hot Springs, near Idaho Falls. It is one of our favorite spots. There is a 9 hole golf course and we golfed every day at least 18 holes. We left there and met Shelly and family at Lagoon and then on to Cherry Hill where Steve and family joined us. We loved Cardiac Canyon! From there we sent to Pineview Resevoir for 4 days boating. Ryan's parents were kind enough to bring their boat and join us. We had a great time! Lee and I tubed and he water skied. What fun to watch the kids have such a great time. Little 3 month old Emily did great and the boat just rocked her to sleep.

It's been such a great summer and we love going in our fifth wheel. What great family fun!

We took these pictures at a lake near San Diego. Getting 12 kids to all smile and stay in one place was a challenge but they look great! Corey is the oldest at 17 and Emily the youngest is 3 months.

All our cute grandkids!
This one was tricky to get!
Corey's graduation
Emily's graduation

Wedding Bells in Portland

Alan, Hadley, Shelly and Emily
Todd and Angela
Alan's 6 and 2 of my 3
Carma and Emily

My youngest nephew, Todd, got married in the Portland Temple last Saturday. Shelly, Hadley and I flew to Portland on Friday and had a great week-end with my brother Alan's family. It was so fun to see all of them and see how their kids are growing. I treasure the time with Alan and Sharon and don't get to see enough of them.

It was fun to spend time with Hadley and Shelly (and new baby, Emily) and we missed Steve. He was running with Andrea, Ashley and Andrew in the Brain Injury Association of Utah 5K to support their friends, Angel and Rob, and their sweet little baby, Charlie Cooper. What a worthy cause and we are so proud of you.

Lee and I are flying to Virginia Beach this next week-end for a Liberty Tax Convention. Lee is golfing and I am fishing - hopefully I won't get seasick. It should be a alot of fun meeting with everyone with whom we've been in competition with all season.

We still haven't found time to go camping but that's next on the list!

Welcome Home!

Pictures from the trip home... We actually saw some wildlife on the way home because the temperature was finally above zero. Coming over the mountains, the truck had several inches of ice which took two days to melt, even after a car wash.



We are home and loving it! I personally cannot stop organizing, rearranging and just plain "nesting". It feels so good to be in my own home. I planted my pots outside and it feels like spring.

Thank you to Andrea and Shelly for cleaning our house, putting fresh flowers out, and the welcome home message on the garage door. Thanks, Megan, for the great picture you drew.

Thank you to Kara and Justin for taking such good care of our house. It didn't even look like anyone had ever left (just ask one of my neighbors!)

We had a good trip coming home. We stopped to see Lee's sister and brother-in-law in Okanogan, Wash., and played cards for 3 days. A couple of days she and I didn't even get out of our pajamas until noon! Oh did it feel good to rest! On a sad note, Lee's sister-in-law had a heart attack and was in intensive care in Spokane, so we went to see her and Lee's brother. She is doing better and we were so glad we got to have a short visit with them.

Thanks to Michael (owns the Liberty Tax offices) for giving us this great experience, for the wonderful remembrance of Alaska you gave us at the dinner, and for the appreciation you constantly showed us.

We are looking forward to a summer of time with family and camping. My nephew is getting married and my granddaughter is graduating from high school! Where does the time go?

Prince George - Day 4

We arrived today in Prince George, BC. We started out with snow again, but it turned out to be a beautiful drive. We went through a lovely valley and had dry roads through the mountains. I have never been anywhere that has so many lakes and rivers as British Columbia. It must be so beautiful in the summer. The rivers and lakes which are starting to melt are a glacier blue - spectacular! We have one more day in Canada and then we will be to Lee's sister's home in Washington State. We will visit with them a couple of days and then head home.

These few months have been an amazing experience. At times it was awful, a lot exhausting, certainly rewarding and relationships we made are treasured. I personally grew tremendously in my abilities and understanding of managing 20 - 30 people. I certainly found out my strengths and weaknesses. Lee already was experienced and he just ran with it. His staff loved him (except for the two he fired!) I had to be pretty tough in the beginning and hopefully my staff respected me and I think some even like me!!! I know I made some dear friends who I will miss.

What a unique experience to see as much as we have. The Alaska Canadian Highway was an experience unto itself. There is so much untouched wilderness and so few people. It is 425 - 500 kilometers between towns, so driving is a shorter day or a very long day if you go two towns instead of one. Anchorage seems so small and so little traffic - we love the rural feeling. The traffic in Salt Lake will be overwhelming for a while. However, home cooked meals (even by me) and our own bed will feel good - also green grass and glorious sunshine!

We miss our kids and grandkids and look forward to a great summer with family and friends. How will we ever thank Kara and Justin for keeping our home safe and cared for. Thanks guys. Thanks to you who phoned us, emailed us and kept us in your prayers. An experience to remember.

Tax Season is Over - On Our Way Home

Hi everyone - tax season ended and we had a great season. We almost think it was worth coming! We are headed home and are in Fort St. John, British Columbia. We left Monday morning - Canada is huge! We had beautiful weather Monday and Tuesday and woke up today to snow and had it all day as we wandered through 300 miles of mountains. We have gone 1300 miles and have nearly 2000 left. We have seen lots of wild life this trip - buffalos, reindeer, mountain sheep, and various little critters. We are anxious to get home but want to "enjoy the journey".

By the way, I got my splint and cast off and am trying to exercise and get my wrist stronger. Yea, it's getting better.

We will update as we go - love to all.