Welcome in Washington...Home to Idaho!

Heber & Chalonn's family welcomed us to a sunny Seattle. Mckay had a list of things he wanted to do and kept Grandpa occupied with one after the other. London was fun to watch with her 'in charge' way of making everything her idea...busy, cute, and confident.

We went on a picnic to a beach on the Puget Sound. It was beautiful, but cold. Had to stop for Ivar's clam chowder, then ice cream, of course.

A great day visiting and enjoying the family and eating great homemade food.

Snuggling buddies during FHE.

Mckay wanted us to eat lunch with him at school. We felt like giants on those little seats. Kind of fun being in a child's world again.

London loves the park close to their home. It was a lovely walk in the sunshine and fun to remember the thrills of swinging high and hearing that laughter. Are excited for baby to join them in May. We loved being with the Redd family! This is real joy!

We arrived home to Idaho Feb 3rd, after 2 1/2 wks of visiting the other children. Chantel, Aaron & Michelle and family and Ben & Jessica Wyeth family were there to greet us.

How was it to see Chantel. We had lumps in our throats and feelings in our heart that were so joyful. She seemed pretty pleased below...

Sure was fun for us to be surrounded by this little group.

This came after 6 unprintable attempts at a smile for Mom.

Thank, Ben & Jessica, for taking the pictures and joining the party.

Home Sweet Home

The first order of business was ice cream...grandpa fulfilling his promise.

Grandma helping make Valentine boxes for Jacob & Kylee.

Sunday evening family fun...sumo wrestling with Carter & Will. Just learning to walk, they'd bump into each other and fall. Undetered, they were immediately up and off again. It was so entertaining.

Such fun to be home and with Aaron & Michelle. I think it has really helped our transition, not to have an empty quiet house to ramble in. We have 3 rooms, A&M have 2 rooms and we share the rest. It's great! They sent us the rules we will live by...like their kids not crossing the line into our office and room, and them buying all the toilet paper. It's working quite well. We are content and happy. This is real joy!

Getting Ready for the Farewell and Transition...

Our last trip to Las Colinas church camp with the missionaries. After several hours of playing on the day before they leave the MTC, they then go to what we call the 'grove' to ponder and pray and write in their journals about the next chapter of their mission...their hopes and goals. It is reverent and beautiful to see them scattered across the amphitheater area.

Oliber and his family are in charge of the camp and live here. They have always been so helpful and delightful. Two darling little boys always kiss us and greet us like family.

Our last group foto at Las Colinas...farewell to this beautiful spot that was a place of peace and joy for us every 3 wks during our time in the MTC.

Jan 4th was the dinner and farewell for us with the Area office couples and the Area Presidency. The Masks (L), the Johnson's (R). They read an original poem about us as Papa & Mama Bear and the littel green bears at the MTC.

We were honored with Dr. & Hna Taylor, also leaving. It has been a privilege to serve with these people.

Final MTC Devotional with Elder Jim & Hna Jenny Martino of the Area Presidency. We wish we had served with them a longer time. They are delightful and inspiring.

FHE with our MTC Branch Presidency. We knew the Duran's in Chile. Both the Barrios (R standing) and the Fajardo's (L standing) served as teachers at the MTC. We have loved these couples and thank them for their service. The dinner was wonderful...the food a mixture Thanksgiving, Chilean, and Guatemalan.

Some of our friends...Dad worked with Alfonzo and his family for over a year teaching the gospel and getting the missionaries to teach them. He was able to baptize Alfonzo and Amanda (R). The rest of the family are 'en camino' (on the way). We had to say goodbye to them, so the little family took a taxi, we met Alfonzo along the way and all met at a McDonalds central to all. We hope the little family will be able to get the the states soon, where Amanda is a citizen. They are waiting for Alfredo's visa. We love this family and hope to keep in touch.

Dear friends, Hector & Paula. He did our hair every 3 wks. On this day I trusted him to highlight and help me prepare for my 60th birthday by going lighter. He did a nice job. We talked about the gospel, gave them a Book of Mormon, talked about families. Our family was always a point of fascination because we have so many children and are away from them. Their son is Kieran's age. They are a darling family and we hope the gospel will touch them one day. They are very faithful evangelical and always 'thankful the the Lord' for everything. Several of the Area office go to him for their hair. So, to be continued...thank you Hector & Paula.

The day we were to pick up the Steimle's...we had done all we could to be ready. We were a little anxious, so we decided to go to our serene place for lunch...to Antigua. It was a beautiful day, cool, yet perfect with sunshine even on January 15th. We sat on the rooftop part of the Don Rodrigos restaurant. It was the perfect ending! Savory black bean soup and shared filet mignon and watermelon juice. We will miss this beautiful get away and always remember it with delight.

Mariachi band in the courtyard.

Dad pondering the next hours and the passing of the wand.

We have been blessed and have found peace and joy here.

Doug & Dyan Steimle arrived the evening of Jan 15th. We spent a busy 16th telling them more than they wanted to know or could possibly retain. Then we just flew away...and prayed for them! Bless us both.

Our Last Outings in Guatemala

We took a trip to Santa Lucia Cotzulmalguapa with the couples from the Area office, led by Pres Mask who is well acquainted with history in Guatemala. He found this stone while with Daniel Ludlow 15 yrs before. Below is an old church which David found intriguing. It was Jan 2nd. I liked the Christmas decorations and real poinsettas on this home we passed by to see an iguana farm.

To the side of the home above was the cooking area for another home.

Here is Monument 21 in the middle of a cane field. Nearby the plantation owner has built a small museum for the archeological stones he has found in his fields over the years.

We went to an early morning breakfast with Masks...stopping on the way at the place he feels is more likely place for the Waters of Mormon. It is surrounded by a park for the local people, but the waters are hidden in the hill and much more protected and small than the waters of Lake Atitlan. It is interesting to think about.

Our last outing with the Masks and in Guatemala was absolutely wonderful. We traveled north to Quirigua, a Mayan archeological site in the midst of a banana plantation area. See the carved stella below 35 ft tall.

Quirigua...green and serene

Banana plantations on either side, and the volcano in the horizon.

We stayed at the Banana Palms resort on Lake Izabal. This was our open air thatch-roof restaurant overlooking the river. Cool, peaceful. We talked for hours here.

Early morning walk around the tropical resort. Our room is in the distance.

Part of the resort. Now this is the life...I think a mission president can fall asleep in seconds.

Just to the side of our restaurant with the same view of Rio Dulce. Tropical paradise and what a delight to share it with our friends, the Masks.

We took a river boat on Rio Dulce. This is the Castle San Felipe which was very near our hotel.

The hour and a half boat ride on the Rio was breathtaking...green towered above us on both sides. We were dwarfed by nature. Rounding every bend was an adventure and new beautiful view.

We traveled a little out into the Carribean then to find Siete (7) Altars...where we walked on wet slippery stones to find 7 separate little water falls and ponds. The view was pretty and the walk challenging not to get our feet wet. But it was peaceful and enjoyable.

This was as close as we got to Livingston...a rusty old boat covered with pelicans and their droppings. It seems this is a good representation of Livingston, a port city, from what we heard.

More of the view...not doing it justice. Try to imagine.

Isle of flowers...just one little place along the way where there were thousands of water lilies surrounding the island.

Relaxing on the deck of our room, overlooking the Rio.

Breakfast of tropical fruits, huge omelet with delicious refried black beans and warm bread. Yum!

To the Castle of San Felipe.

Fun with hidden rooms and lots of exploration places.

Fences made by just planting sticks in the soil. With in a short time they become green and flourish and thicken as well as a fence. Anything will grow here.

We felt so blessed to have this final view of Guatemala with our friends, the Masks. We talked for hours of family and church. We have known each other for 37 years and find them as easy to love and visit with as we did meeting with our little babies that many years ago. We are thankful for seeing the beauties of this land and for so many blessings of our two years in Guatemala.