Isaac finishes his mission to Japan

Isaac finished his two year mission to Japan.  We had the opportunity to go and pick him up and come home with him and see a little of Japan.  It was great to see him again after two years.  Here is Isaac with President Zinke, who is the Mission President for the Kobe Japan Mission.  He said Isaac was a great missionary.

Isaac with President and Sister Zinke and Jacquelyn and I at the mission home.

Tianna and Caleb came with us on the trip.  Here is Isaac with his big sister at the mission home.

In this blog I'll stick to some of the church people we got to meet.  Then I'll do another blog on some of the sights we saw.  This is Brother Yamada who was showing us around Kobe.

We also got to meet Sister Yamamoto who is one of the new convertes that Isaac taught while on his mission.

Sister Yamamoto with all of us and the skyline of Osaka in the background.  She spent the whole day with us and showed us Osaka Castle, the Aquarium, and other sights in Osaka.

 

 

 

We went on a giant ferris wheel with Sister Yamamoto.

This is Sister  Yamada, a college student, that Isaac taught the gospel to.  Isaac's companion at this time was also from Puyallup.  Elder Taggert.

We were there on Sunday and were fortunate to be there when Isaac did the baptism of Sister Yamada.  That was really a special moment.

This is Sister Misaki, who is the third one of Isaac's new convertes that we met.  They were all very very nice people and excited about the gospel.

Isaac with a couple of other missionaries.  The two on the ends were companions that were Japanese native missionaries.

 
Finally we got to see and go through a session in the Tokyo Japan temple, right in the middle of Tokyo.

It was a great trip and so much fun to see Isaac and part of Japan.  It made the trip really special to meet three of the people he taught the gospel to, which was the whole reason for his going to Japan and being a missionary.  We are so greatful for Isaac and all that he did for the people of Japan and to help spread the gospel.  Great job Isaac.  You did good.

 

A Visit from Nathanael and Mary-Anne and Jacob

Nathanael and Mary-Anne came by for a visit on their vacation and stayed several days.  We were real happy to see them, and especially their baby boy Jacob.

Jacob is just 7 months old.  He is such a cute baby and smiling all the time.

Here's Jacob with us, the proud grandparents.  We don't get to see him as much as we would like since they live out in Utah.  Jacob really liked us though.

Here's Nathanael and Jacob roasting hot dogs in the back yard.

More pictures of Jacob.  He's really photogenic.

Jacob is such a fun little baby.

Here is three generations of the boys.  Jacob, dad, and granddad.

Jacob and I posing for a great shot.  (Nathanael is actually behind me propping up Jacob so he doesn't fall over backwards)

Thanks for coming to visit Nathanael and Mary-Anne.  We had a great time and really enjoyed seeing you, and all the other kids and grandkids that came by to visit too while you were here.

Boeing

I've been working at Boeing for 30 years now and received the following service award.

First we spent a little over five years at the Boeing facilty in Wichita, Kansas, and then here at various Boeing facilities in and around Kent, Washington.  Seems like a long time.

Graduation from High School

 Caleb graduated from Emerald Ridge High School on Saturday, Class of 2012.

 He got honors awards for two classes.  Science and Natural Resources.

 And Honors for Band.

 Graduation was at the Puyallup Fairgrounds.  Here is the Senior Class marching in.

 Half of the grads.  Can you pick out Caleb?

 The speakers stage and the diplomas.

 Caleb watching the ceremony.

 Caleb graduating and receiving his diploma.

 Talitha came to watch and celebrate the event with Caleb.

 Also Malachi with his two children Andrew and Mallory.

 Tianna drove up all the way from Spokane, here with Evan and Ashton. 

Two proud parents.  Great job Caleb, you did good.

Now we have all 8 of our children finished with High School.  Four went to Rogers HS and four went to Emerald Ridge HS.  What are we doing to do now that all our children are grown up?

Caleb's Graduation from Pierce College

Caleb graduated from Pierce College on Friday, June 15, 2012 with an associates degree.

Class of 2012.  He went to Pierce College for his classes as part of high school in the running start program.

Graduation was at the Tacoma Dome.

Here is Caleb receiving his diploma after his name was read and shaking hands with the chancellor of Pierce College .

Caleb going through the line.

Picture with Dad.

 Picture with Mom.

Congratulations Caleb, that was great achievement.

Talitha's birthday

We had a family celebration for Talitha's birthday at our house the other day.

It was nice to have her over and to celebrate her birthday.  We had a fun time and some of her little nieces and nephews were there to say happy birthday.  Talitha and Elliott above and Talitha with Andrew and Mallory below.  And Talitha took Julia to get a pedicure.

It was great to have visitors all the way from Alaska.  This is Elliott our youngest grandson and this was the first time we got to meet him.  We were all surprised at how big he is.  He is not a little baby at all anymore.  He is about 5 months old already.

Julia was there too and also Rebecca.  Julia is growing up.  She is always so much fun.

We did Skype so they could talk to Joshua in Alaska on the computer.  We saw Ethan and Christian also and Ethan was talking and talking and talking.

Grandpa (me) with Julia and Elliott.  Elliott took right too us.

Also over to visit was Malachi and Layne with their children.  Andrew is always ready to have a good time.

And Mallory is so happy all the time.

Of course Caleb was there too and he took his share of punishment from the children.  He loves it.