I made it to the NW for a very short visit, but in that time I got to breathe in the fresh mountain air, say hi to Davis and Lambert families and eat excellent holiday food

Janelle took the "people pictures" so I'll post those when she returns

Mom's (Lambert) Christmas Eve dining room

Truly a masterpiece, both in decor and dinner

Janelle and niece in Louisville Park

Below is my enjoyment of the park through the eye of my camera. I just love how green winter is in Washington! Please don't take it for granted all you who live there! It is God's glorious beauty and character shining through in nature.

"Mascara in nature"

"Sleepy Hollow"

"Abundant life"

"Marfanoid by Nature"

Last look

Mt Adams

Last look

Mt St Helens and Mt Rainier

Decorated

The nice thing about truth is that it never goes out of style. Here are several quotes that are as timely today, as when they were first uttered.

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
Thomas Jefferson

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
George Bernard Shaw

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
P.J. O‘Rourke, Civil Libertarian

Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.
Frederic Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)

If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it‘s free.
P.J. O‘Rourke

Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn‘t mean politics won‘t take an interest in you.
Pericles (430 B.C)

What this country needs is more unemployed politicians.
Edward Langley, Artist (1928 - 1995)

Our Florida Getaway

Thaddeus expressing our feelings of being together for four days without a pager going off

In my element...sun, sand, camera, and knowing it is winter elsewhere

No sunblock on this kid, but he did sport mommy's sun hat quite nicely

Our little Huck Finn

(Notice the stick in the mouth)

I just liked the layering of subjects in this photo, so I had to post it.

The kids in the background are the niece and nephew of a friend of ours in Michigan

A highlight of the trip was the adventure of putt putt golf with a very excited 16 month old

Thaddeus could hardly control his excitement to hit the ball, run after it, hit it again, or pick it up and drop it in the hole

What makes a little boy, or man for that matter, happy...

A stick

A ball

and a hole

a lesson in golf putting

Family on Vacation

Another day at the beach

Thaddeus loved the feel of the waves and sand

Can't let go of his hands yet, as we still have to teach him about "healthy" fear

Awaiting the next wave to envelop our feet

Beach combing with Mommy

Yoga at the beach

Downward Dog...or "downward puppy" as they call it at gymboree's baby yoga class

Always a proud dad

Being picked up out of a wave

Our last evening we stopped by the beach one last time at sunset and got a nice show from these surfers

Reading the waves

Hitting the sweet spot

catching air

Riding it back in

Soft curl in evening light

So today was amazing...70 degrees in Michigan in November!!! Unheard of.

We spent the afternoon outside in the front yard and Thaddeus was big stuff helping out!

Hi, I'm a farmer.

"I can handle this rake"

"Err...it's a bit awkward"

"Let's do a little dance..."

"I love the outdoors"

First look at Baby Boy #2 for Seth and Janelle

It is beautiful fall in Michigan!!

Thaddeus is enjoying his "flower" (skunk) costume.

I'm squeezing every bit of joy out of my yard before the snow flys

Winter Pansy with evening light

Winter Pansy amongst the Hausta leaves

Thaddeus in his stylin' clothes thanks to generous doctors and grandparents

Soaking in the last days of sunlight!!!

I think he is dreamy ;o)

Our "stinker" is learning to climb everything! I guess all the rock climbing lessons have paid off, because he is yet to fall off any heights.

Our Street

Pumpkins at an apple orchard outing a couple of weekends back