Part of the time that I was in Seattle, Mike was in China. This town is called the Venice of China. I guess you can guess why.

Here are Mom and Dad with Aaron Michael. The three of them look great, don't they?
"The happiest days are the days babies are born!" (quote from Gone with the Wind.)

And as promised, pictures of Aaron Michael and Patrick. We are so blessed! What beautiful grandsons.

Welcome new grandson!!!
We have a new grandson, Aaron Michael Obert.
Born Tuesday, April 17th, at 7:20 AM, weighting in at 7lbs.9ozs and 21 inches long.
Parents, Mike and Angie, and big brother Patrick are all doing well.
Cant wait to hold him, and grandma will arrive on Sunday.
Keep checking in here. Pictures to come.

I have been putting this entry off for more than a week. Our Gracie is gone. She would have been 15 years old this May and has spent more actual time with me than anyone in those 15 years. She kept me company when all the kids were off on their own, and when Mike was working in China. When we were in Mexico, and I would have one of 'those' days, she was always by me to comfort me. I remember telling a good friend that Gracie did something every day that made me smile. She always had 'limited sighting', and once I asked the vet just how much she could see and he answered, "Not much". We used to joke that Gracie had her own 'person for the blind'. You could not let your mind wander while walking with her. Like when we used to take her to go sailing with us. If we did not pay attention, she was apt to walk off the end of the dock. We got her her own life jacket so it would be easier to get her out of the water, as she was not the greatest doggie paddler around. But she was smart and could preform many doggie tricks right up until she had her doggie stroke a couple of years ago. She could do all the regular dog tricks, like sit, stay, roll over. But she would also bark when you asked her to "Say Good-nigh, Gracie", and she would growl when we would say, "Shiver me timbers". At the end she was completly blind and disoriented. She did pretty well on the last move though she never fully got the feel of the new house and you could track her progress through the rooms by listening to her bump her nose on the walls and doors. She leaves a big hole in my heart, and I will miss her. She was sweet, gentle and smart. I wish everyone could have a dog as good as Gracie. Good Night, Gracie.

Here is Miss Maddie all ready for a day at Whistler, BC, Canada where we spent the Easter Weekend. It was a lovely ski resort, even though we were there at the ending of the ski season. But the villages and shops were great. I had my first massage using one of the chair things that you kinda sit in backwards with you face resting in a donut like pillow. You are fully clothed and this rail thin girl beat the begeebies out of me. It was so loud that I thought she was using some kind of paddle. At one point she was pushing so hard on the back of my neck that I thought my tonsils were going to pop out of my ears. But the most embarrasing part was when she took my arm and began shaking it all about. The breeze from the flapping skin of my upper arm was causing the rest of the clients to put on there jackets!! But it did help me to sleep that night, but I am not sure if it was from the relaxing (?) massage or because I was so tired from being beaten half to death. We went to some really good restaurants. That is always fun. And I got to go to Easter Mass at, "The Lady of the Mountain Church". The preist was a delightful Irishman, who made everyone feel welcome and delivered a lovely sermon. But the poor old dear could not carry a tune in a bucket. Still I loved every minute of it. Thank you Dennis, Natasha, Tricia and Chris for inviting me along.

Happy Birthday, Kent!!

Well actually, the birthday is not until Sunday the 8th. But I will not be near a computer then. So I wanted to send greetings early. You are looking good, son-in-law. And we are happy to have you as a member of this crazy family. As I have told you, 'you are a brave man'. Hope you day is a good one. Hugs!!

Happy 30th Birthday,

Katy!!!

Here is Katy on her Birthday. And here is Katy when we celebrated her 30th birthday together before I left.

Katy you have given us 30 years of love and laughter. You have been a source of pride and joy to us. I hope this 30th birthday is just the beginning of many wonderful times. Kiss, Kiss, hug, hug!!!

Happy Birthday Sami,

Beautiful then and Beautiful now!!!

I hope you day is wonderful.