Yellowstone July 2009

Jay waiting around

Joel and I thought we'd try our hand at a good old fashioned family trip--and what says family trip more than Yellowstone National Park? Nothing does. Days off were taken, bags were packed and reservations made. We started off our trip with a luxurious one-night-stay in exotic Layton, Utah. Let me explain. We went to Lagoon all day our first day, then since we were over an hour into our trip we stayed over night there on our way up to Yellowstone. Here are some pics of the not-so-magical kingdom (But hey, we did have fun--the kids liked the Pioneer village best . . . go figure). Followed by some of Yellowstone.

the famous (or is it infamous?) log flume ride. one corner, one climb, one drop, then another corner . . .and . . . done.

one cutey paTOOTHy!

love this Roooobs

Now, try to pose fancily (they succeeded!)

scared or happy?

Old Faithful (all of our first time seeing it!! check!)

Yeah! a picture with Daddy in it! This was at Mammoth Springs (?) in Yellowstone-- I loved how the steps formed coming off the geysers.

Who wants to see Old Faithful when you can look at this cute face instead?

Eden, Ruby and some dude waiting for Old Faithful to erupt

We pulled over to see this Buffalo grazing. We were out of the car for a total of 2 minutes and Ruby received 9 mosquito bites on her little legs. ITCHY! But isn't this place beautiful?

We went on a little boardwalk around this river the first day we were there.

A REAL eagle sitting in her nest--very cool! (So cool, in fact, that she caused a 30 minute delay getting into the park every day!)

Mommy, Deedee and grumper pants

Shhhhhhhh. she doesn't know I'm taking her picture! :)

my 2 favorite gals!

Laying on the dock, just feeding gigantic fish with processed cheese! This was at Big Springs.



We met up with Mimi and Grandpa for a day on our trip-- its always more fun to see big fish when there's little people around! We had so much fun with them--especially when we got to see the wolves howling and the kids (not our kids--we got there too late--rats!) hide food for bears to find (at the Grizzly and wolf discovery center). We also got to picnic together at Mammoth Springs.

Jay was just glad to get home and get out of that suitcase!

Pheeeeeww!

Yellowstone was great--but we always love being home together too!

We had a great time--we loved The grand Teton National Park with its breathtaking jagged mountainous points. We stopped in Jackson Hole then drove on through Star Valley Wyoming and stayed in a motel/cabin where we were so tired that we plopped down and watched probably 4 episodes of Hannah Montana then went out for pizza. It was beautiful and relaxing there--in the middle of farms, rivers and mountains ( I guess I've got some Johnson blood runnin' through m' veins!)

Back to summer nights at home--AAAAHHHHHHH! the best!

In a Class of Her Own

I think its pretty rare for Joel and I to have as many living grandparents (with our advanced age and all) as we do. I still have 2 grandmas and a grandpa, and as of last week, Joel now only has one grandma and one grandpa (on different sides). Over the past 10 years I was lucky enough to develop a sweet relationship with Joel's grandma Huebner.

When we would visit his grandparents, it would always be at Cannon Beach. I don't know how many hours grandma and I talked and talked in the kitchen. I remember feeling so loved because she was always genuinely interested in everything and everyone. We carried on about anything under the sun, except, of course, anything derogatory or mean. This woman was gracious and kind to the core--never heard a mean word come out of her mouth. Not only would she not speak poorly about anyone, but she would lift people up and pick out admirable qualities and emphasize them. And I do mean emphasize--in fact, one of the things I will miss the most is the way she would say, "we just think Joel's ve-e-e-e-e-e-ry handsome", or "that sounds ju-u-u-u-u-u-st terrific".

I will miss seeing her walk around with her crisply set hair, her white slacks, peach blouses, and gold jewelry. I will miss her talking to Aunty Neva in Macedonian and her stories about her family. I will miss her mediating between grandpa and the little kids (or BIG kids too). I will miss how gentle and sweet she was--and her example. I will miss seeing how much she loved my husband, kids, and myself. And I will definitely miss the Happy Birthday phone calls--for everyone's birthday--and how she would get grandpa to sing the whole song with her (even leave it on the voicemail if we weren't home)--the cutest thing in the world.

We were lucky enough to make it up to Oregon in time to see her before she passed away and say goodbye. It was an experience we will remember forever.

We love you and miss you grandma!


here is her obituary, thought you might want to see it:
(isn't she beautiful?)

MARGARET "MARTY" HUEBNER
April 19, 1925~August 29, 2009

Marty Huebner of Vancouver, WA passed away August 29, 2009 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born in Portland, Oregon on April 19,1925 and left an 84 year legacy of love.

Marty was an elegant, vibrant woman. She radiated happiness to all she touched. We will always remember:
-Her grace and poise, she lit up every room she walked in.
-Almost 62 years of a beautiful marriage to her loving husband, Art.
-Her love of Cannon Beach where her family gathered in happiness.
-The way she made everyone her friend.

We are so blessed to have had the delight of giving and receiving her love every day. She will be loved and missed by her husband Art, children Bill and Su along her husband Fred, 4 grandchildren and their spouses, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday September 3, 2009 at the Fairway Village Club House, 15509 SE Fernwood Drive, Vancouver, WA.