Julia's birthday 25!

                                              Happy Birthday, Julia!  25 candles

                                       

                                          Matt and Julia were over and she got to open a few things

                                            We love you, Jules!

Kara's August visit

Kara and her family visited us in August on their way back from a beach trip in North Carolina.  Luke was gone during the week and we spent time with Kara, Jacob, Blake and Ava.

  Ava and Claire at the playground

                           Daniel, Meg and Claire were here and also got to visit with them.
                                           

                                                          Dan on Dad/Uncle duty

                                                                     Jacob

                                                                 Kara and Blake

                                                           Ava insisted we wear these :)

                                                                            Luke and Dave catching up.

                                                                         Thankfully Ava got some good pics.  :)

BEACH with Kara's family and Julia

In August  Kara and her children Jacob, 8, Blake, 6 and Ava, 2 came to visit on their way home from a family reunion of Luke's in North Carolina.

 We had two days at Ocean City, which was just right for us.

 The boardwalk was very pleasant in the evening.

                                                           

                                                              So fun to be together!

Happy Birthday, Dave!

                                           Julia was able to come spend Dave’s Birthday with him. 

                                            We went on a walk that morning. Dan and Meg joined us that night.                                                      Happy Birthday to the best man I know!

Vacation to Seattle 2017

After Boise, Dave and I flew to Seattle to see James family.  

                                         One daye went to the Seattle Zoo, and I have to say it was my favorite of the three we saw that season (also Cincinnati and Boise).

Alek and Audrey really liked the animals and did really well walking around.

                                      It was out first time to see David Adam Meiners, Dave's namesake.

                                   Alek and Audrey both like to practice flashcard, and they know lots of words!

                                                         at the park near the petting zoo...

                                             Alek and Audrey both got their own pony ride!

                                 at the marina where the ferry comes...

                                      Tammy and James live very near the water.  Too bad the ferry wasn't running that day to the little island.

James and Tammy take the kids out often.  We had fun picking strawberries and going to several interesting parks and gardens to hang out with them and the kids.  And the weather in Seattle was much more beautiful than I had supposed.  I don't remember any rain at all.  It was a great trip!

Vacation to Boise 2017

 At the end of June David and I flew to Boise to see Erika, Tyler, their dog Vivee, and their new house in Caldwell.

                                                    at the Boise Zoo

                                                         at the Art Museum

                                 Tyler really wanted  us to tour the old penitentiary!

                                           

and we enjoyed the coolness of the State House on a hot day

               One day  we went to the cemetary where my grandparents and several other family member are buried.  Both of my parents were born in Boise.  We also helped Erika paint two desks one day, and we went out a few times looking at the new house construction in their area.  There are new subdivisions popping up everytwhere. A very cool place to live!

Cincinnati for Memorial Day

For Memorial Day, Dave and I drove to Cincinnati (well, Dave drove) on Friday to Tuesday. 
Kara, Luke and their children Jacob, 8, Bake, 6, and Ava, 2 drove from Saratoga Springs, NY to meet us at Dave's mom's house in Cincinnati.

 Saturday Dave worked around his Mom's house.  Sunday at church Dave saw some people he knew from many years ago.  Dave's sister Nancy was also up on Saturday, so it was nice to see her too. 
 Monday was a nice warm day and we enjoyed seeing the Cincinnati Zoo together!  They had a few fun animal shows. It was nice to have Kara's family join us!