Merry Christmas 2011

Our theme for Christmas Eve dinner and program was THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS.  The meal consisted of favorite foods from the kids memories--thus, black olives, grapenuts and half and half in memory of G. Luekenga, cracked wheat cereal, and salad.

We also enjoyed Mom's homemade rolls and strawberry jam, whole wheat bread  for our turkey sandwiches.

We rented the clubhouse at the condos for the 46 of us who gathered.

We welcomed Travis's Mom and his 2 sisters.

All the cousins love getting together to play and celebrate

The families exchanged gifts with one another.

Bob, Mitch, and Matt did the technical stuff for our power point slide show of a few of our favorite things.
The grandchildren loved seeing pictures of their parents as children doing some of the same things that continue as traditions--sleeping under the tree, skiing, boating, sub for Santas, picnics, scripture reading, FHE, etc.  They wanted us to show it over and over.  Tammy had made DVD copies for each family.  It was a great event!

The Windstorm of 2011

Trees fell on houses.

They blocked streets and driveways so no one could get out.

Fences blew down.



Roots tore up sidewalks.



This was the EXTREME Makeover home. 

Sunday the community united and loaded all debris to various dumping sites.

Everyone in the neighborhood had all the help they needed.

The lines to the landfill were miles long.

Then they decided to chop our tree down before it fell down!

It came down, limb by limb.

We are soooo Thankful 2011

Amy and Matt hosted us, Kt and Jeff's families this year

We all brought food and it was so delicious.

Grandpa told all of us about the first Thanksgiving.

We made blankets for Lori's 2 sons, Kate and Travis's sister in law.
We used her husband's shirts for the quilt.  He passed away last year.

Grandma sewed the edges.  It was such a fun project.

Dan Rogers telling us about the synagogue in Nazareth

Mt Vesuvius from Pompeii

My brother , Richard at the base of Mars Hill in Athens

Jewish family coming to celebrate Succoth

More Jewish worshippers on the day of the Feast of the Tabernacles

Mostly Jewish families at the wailing wall.  Note the seperation of male and female

A good father teaching his children to honor their holy days

Our dinner group--Whitlocks, Roses, Adams, Rogers and Luekengas

Mediterranean Cruise 2011

Bob and I were group leaders for 54 LDS people who followed the Journeys of Paul on a 12 day RCCL cruise. We had such a wonderful experience. We were watched over and protected. What a blessing in our lives.

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Our group consisted of outstanding couples from Utah and Idaho plus my brother Richard and Polly from Richfield. We met each evening for prayer and review of next day. We also held church services and had an additional 12 LDS people join us.

We had excellent guides on each of our days who knew their information well. Here we are in Pompeii.

Another view of Pompeii and part of our group.

This is a view of a street in Amalfi, Italy



You'll recognize Dome of the Rock on the temple mount in Jerusalem.

Just entering the Garden tomb which states "He is not here.  He is risen.

Bob and Connie, Glenda and Lonny Adams with the Sea of Galilee in background.

Bob sitting on the ruins in Lindos overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Bob in "Old Rhodes Town, Greece.

At the site of Mary's home in Ephesus where the apostle John took her to live.

The Acropolis in Athens.  Overlooking the amphitheater ruins.

Attending the Acropolis Branch in Athens, Greece.

Dan and Luana Rogers, Glenda and Lonny Adams and Bob in Crete, Greece

The library at Ephesus

Looking onto the promenade from the 8th floor.

Fish eating her dead skin from off her legs.

Beautiful street in Chania, Crete, Greece

Grandma's Art show August 2011

Viewing the art

Enjoying the treats

Cousins love to play

Everybody has fun