Friday, June 20, 2008

Vacation 2008


On May 18th Fran and Al began their trip by going to Lincoln, NE to visit a student doing her clinical rotation. Then it was on to Cheyenne, WY and an over night stay at the KOA campgrouund. Next morning Billings, MT was the destination for lunch at their favorite restaurant, Dos Machos. Yum Yum. Can't beat the food.
That night found them at Lethbridge, Alberta. Then it was on to Carstairs, AB to visit with Bob and Norma Disney. They have a really beautiful mobile home and a great visit and lunch followed. Thanks Bob and Norma.
The next two nights, (Wednesday and Thursday) were spent at Eva McMullen's with visits to Dad. His health is failing rapidly so this was the main reason for visiting Edmonton. Probably the last time Al will see his father alive (at least on this earth).
On Friday they headed for Vernon, BC to visit Fran's folks.

On the way to Vernon several black bears were seen. Just before this one there was a sow with two cubs. This one decided to come over to the car and was almost run over by a truck.

The place Mary and Murray are in is very nice. Murray is on the lower level since he requires more supervision while Mary lives upstairs in an apartment. Her meals, cleaning, and medical supervision are provided but she can come and go as she pleases. She is very happy there and has put back on some of the weight she had lost before moving here in January.

This is the front of the Assisted Living facility.


A view of one of the sitting areas in the home.

After spending over a week with Mary and Murray it was on to Cody, WY to meet up with Lori, Brian, Cheyenne, and Tanner Manley. A visit to the Buffalo Bill Museum is always a must whenever Cody is a stopover.

This is Al and Fran's temporary home. Actually we stayed in the KOA kabin for 7 nights and took day trips to Yellowstone Park and other areas in the bighorn basin. Lori enjoyed revisiting childhood spots.







Heart mountain is still the vocal point of the bighorn basin. We were not able to climb it this time but it is still available for the hearty.


The weather in Yellowstone was quite variable. One moment you had beautiful sunny skies the next you could be in a snow storm. We still enjoyed the two day trips we took. Not as many tourists when it is only in the lower 50's




Lori was dead set on finding the cave we had visited when she was a child. It was on the Clarks fork canyon but we were not sure exactly where. After climbing to several places we finally found it. In the background is the cave and Lori, Brian, and Tanner were the only ones with enough energy left to make it all the way in. Here they are returning to the car.

We all had a great time in the Bighorn basin and Yellowstone.

On the way home we swam in the hotsprings at Thermopolis, WY, stayed in Cheyenne, WY one night, stayed at the Malcolm Russell's over Sabbath, and visited the Omaha zoo. Due to flooding in Iowa a detour was made but we arrived home Monday evening, June 16th. Just over 4 weeks, 6500 miles, about $800.00 worth of gas, one rock on windshield, but a bunch of happy memories.





Monday, April 28, 2008

Grandma Mary Grier's 85th


Thanks to Joan for baking Mary a cake to celebrate her 85th birthday.


Mary seems to be enjoying the celebration.


Very nice cake eh.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Shawn and Family 2007

Thanks Shawn for the pictures of your family. (l-r) Shawn, Carrie, Connor, Zach, and Lexi.

Monday, November 12, 2007

The Maestro at the violin

On Sunday afternoon, November 11th, Tanner performed in a violin recital. These are some of the other performers that were in his group.

On your mark, get set, and go.


Tanner did very well playing his number after just 3 weeks of practicing it.


He looks very much at ease don't you think?

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Covered bridge 2007

The second week of October will find the McMullen clan heading for Parke county in Indiana to attend the annual covered bridge festival. It has been a tradition since the Peaks invited us back in about 1975. Whenever possible we have camped at Turkey Run state park for a weekend of fellowship and flea market browsing.

It use to be that many of the covered bridges one could drive through but now very few remain open to vehicle traffic. This was one that our kids remember driving through on the way to Bridgeton.


The family at one of the covered bridges in Parke county Indiana.


Kylee, Tanner, and Cheyenne at the entrance to one of the covered bridges.


Thanks to Cindy and Edwin we had a popup trailer for the covered bridge without having to rent one. The kids enjoy a campfire.



Tanner checking out the ashes just before we broke camp.

Cheyenne and her friend Kylee enjoying breakfast.


Tanner waiting for a fire so he can warm up. It was a very nice weekend with only one night getting down in to the 40s. During the day it was 60s and low 70s with some cloud cover.

The Manley's all packed up Sunday morning and ready to go flea market browsing before heading home. We really miss not having the Peaks with us. just not the same. Our numbers have dwindled over the years to just the Shows and McMullens/Manleys. Maybe the younger generation can get other families to join them so the tradition continues.






Thursday, October 4, 2007

The Square Dancers

Grandma returned from her trip to Canada with some of Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa's square dancing outfits. The Manley family modeled them.

Twirlling Tanner


Tanner and Cheyenne taking a bow

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Peaks 2007

We attended our annual lab reunion held again at the Peak's "cabin" on beautiful Silver Lake just outside of Tommahawk, WI. Fran got to see and hear her favorite bird the loon. We also got to watch a bald eagle give chase to 2 ducks. It tried to catch them but after flying half-way around the lake he finally gave up the chase.

Sunset from their pier.


The fellows worked on fixing the steps down to the pier. Not a professional job but it makes it easier for Lavonne to get up and down the hill.


This year we had the grandkids (well some of them) come for the reuion as well. Our kids Lori and Brian with Tanner and Cheyenne are on left. Jodi and Charlene Marsh (Herb and Lavonne's daughter) with their children Adelle and Jared also were present.


These are the individuals that worked in the lab at Hinsdale (l-r) Owen and Sandy Spencer, June Clements, Al McMullen, Herb Peak, Steve Clements, Dick Show

The Hinsdale reuion (l-r) Sandy, Owen, June, Steve, Lavonne, Herb, Fran, Dorothy, and Dick. Al's taking the picture.