MORE CHICKENS

The chickens had to be moved from their night enclosure in the barn out to the fenced yard to scratch all day.
Shannon does the duty with chicken meal and a long stick in hand.

Defiant Rooster

Here chick.

Master of the chicken yard.

CHICKENS!

Chickens was definitely the theme at the farm house. 

The light hanging over the kitchen table.

Some of the chickens were a little feisty.

This one had beautiful feathers.  And look who is giving the attention.

Chinese Checkers in Leavenworth

Chinese Checkers is a game staple of long standing.  When the kids were home, we frequently challenged each other to a hotly contested game where one single wrong move cost the opponent the game. (That would usually be me.)  We were delighted to find the game among the choices at the farm house.

Shannon took me on.

Then Joel wanted to know what was so interesting.

He liked what he found and his interest sparked.

Grace decided to join us at the table. 

Shannon and I had been replaced.  Some day these two will play with the same fierce competition.

Chinese Checkers is hard work and Grace is worn out.

Game anyone?

Apple Wood Bracelet

While bringing in firewood to keep the "farm house" warm.  Bob spotted a knotted piece of apple wood.  He asked Phil to bring it back to Olympia in the back of his car.  Between then and Christmas, he spent time in the cold garage and turned the knot into this lovely bracelet.  It was carefully hidden in the pocket of my new Christmas robe.  Indeed it is a treasure.......the bracelet and its maker.

Train Window With a View

As we rode the train last December, through landscape that we had traveled hundreds of times by freeway, we sensed that we were really seeing it for the first time.  Thankfully, Brooke caught those scenes on camera for us to always remember.

The contrast of the barren and the evergreen along the Nisqually River.

Puget Sound ...........a study in blue-gray.

Who would want to come ashore here?

I remember the first time driving over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge; it was with great fear.  Robert had educated me on the demise of the "Galloping Gertty", the previous bridge.  Now there are two bridges, one coming and one going, to accomodate all of the traffic volume.  This view from UNDERNEATH the bridge gave a new perspective.

Industrial Tacoma along the waterfront

Coming into Seattle

The sun set at 4:20 in the afternoon as we left Seattle and the King Street Station.

     Capturing a reflection in glass of the train window of the setting sun.
The enlargements show wonderful detail.

More to follow.

Elizabeth's Poetry

We received this fun poem from Elizabeth and Ron.  He claimed that Elizabeth wrote it all by herself.  We enjoyed it so much that we wanted to share it with all.

Judy and Bob and 50 Years

When Judy and Robert met at BYU,

They made a decision to each other to be true,

A wedding in November began the trip

From Provo to Washington - no blessings to skip.

First came Kemp, a delightful addition;

To make it two children, Jay came full of ambition

To make life exciting, especially for Mother,

With his climbing ability to keep things aflutter.

Now, Ross joined the clan, a blonde dynamo,

Then time for the girls - Joleen and Shannon to go

In a feminine way and make life more rounded,

Keeping both Mom and Dad completely well grounded.

Ben came to join the group in 1981,

Reminding you all that life can be fun.

He managed to round out the family in full,

Keeping everyone busy; life was not dull!

In between all the children, there was more than one place

From Seattle to Tacoma, to Cooper Point Road they did grace,

And then, in 1967, came the more to Amsbaugh Road (or 41st),

Which became the permanent place all could roost.

The years hurried by, Bob sailed and he scaled

Mount Rainier more than once; his courage never failed,

He became master ward clerk, among other callings,

And always worked to provide for all of his darlings.

Judy raised children, spent time gardening and sewing,

Distributed the Olympian both afternoon and morning.

Kept the Young Women and Relief Society on track

And never had any extra time to look back.

Where did the years go?  Not lost in the past

Existing in memories of a full family that lasts,

Who rejoice with them in this grand coup de gras,

Fifty year together - a feat to harrah!

                        
            Thank you Elizabeth!

Making New Memories

Our dear children plotted and planned for a celebration of our 50th anniversary.  It included round trip train travel to eastern Washington so we could stay in at the Brender Family Farm and be in Leavenworth for the lighting of Christmas trees and more.  And the best part was:  we were doing it together!

Jay and Ben are giving each other the amazingly same look.  On Friday noon we ( Bob & me, Ben & JoLin and kids, Brooke, & Jay) boarded the train at the Olympia station out on the Yelm Highway.   The wind was cold as we were having below freezing temperatures during the day.  Phil met us at the station and took the extra baby seats and food as he and Joleen were driving over the pass.

                              Our youngest traveler, Quinn.                      

Brooke was at her best.   She entertained the kids and was our official photographer.  What a great attitude.   We were so happy that she chose to go on this trip with us.

Trains were made for Joel.  He was so excited and was such a good traveler.  Going to Wenatachee took 8 hours.  Half way over the pass and in the dark, the train stopped to do some repairs to the engine.  That wasn't too bad until the lights went out.

Shannon, David & Grace joined us on the train at the Seattle station.

The Brender Family Farm house where we stayed.  Our first view of the house was 11 o'clock at night and it was aglow with Christmas lights.  This rennovated home was perfect.  A big country kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, with room for every one .  I will include interior pictures in a later post. 

Saturday morning was frosty, but sunny.  Blue jays hung around this bird house tree.  I think this was the black walnut tree.

More to come!