Hello from the Baltic Sea!

Hi Everyone!
Just a quick blog to let everyone know how we are doing! This is day 3 at sea. Harold and I feel like the youngest couple on the ship. At least we don't have to fight for a treadmill! Last time we saw this many old people, we were in a rest home. hahaha

London was wonderful. The word we have picked up is "sorry" pronounced "sawrie". It's very British! Our hotel was right across the street from Hyde Park. The night we left they were having a Nelson Mandela concert. We heard the bands warming up the day before. We enjoyed seeing double decker buses, red British telephone booths, taxi cabies and many people wearing tuxedos.

We visited The Tower of London, which was very cool because of our love for the show "The Tudors." We cruised the Thames, visited Big Ben, Westminster Abby and The British Museum. We didn't want to leave!

Back to the ship...so far Harold and I have slept until noon every day! Of course with the time change of 9 hours that isn't so impressive. Tomorrow we will be at our first port which is Tallin, Estonia. It looks very quaint. We plan on walking the streets and doing some shopping. "Sorry" we can't upload pictures on the computers. We'll add pics when we get home.

Love and miss you all!
Mom and Dad

FAR FAR AWAY

It's time for our Russian adventure! Royal Caribbean is taking us far, far, away. I'm happy to report my big suitcase was only 45 lbs! I'm sure it will gain some souvenir weight over in Europe! I asked my sister Michelle what she thought about London...she said it was so "Neverland". So Harold and I are outahere! Here's our itinerary: London, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. Hopefully, I'll be able to post some pics!

Little Angel

So Here's to You...Jessa's Dad!

My Dad :-)

I love this pic of Harold

Crue (Grandchild)

Harold (I believe that's Mason)

Sabina and Jordan

Aubrey and Issie

Harold and Jessa

The Dish Washer!

When I was a little girl, I couldn't have imagined how hard the role of Father really was. I took for granted all my Dad's sacrifices. I've had so many good times/memories...Lake Powell, snow mobiles at the cabin, the perfect yard, Mustang's, combat card games, boating, camping, extra surprises at Christmas, 10 speed bikes, my pink bedroom, getting kids to church, perfect hair, etc.

My Dad set the bar very high for fathers, I guess that's why I appreciate Harold so much. He provides so many people with a wonderful lifestyle. He worries constantly about his children and grandchildren. I've never met a man who takes this father role so seriously. I hope we don't ever take him for granted! Thanks for everything, Babe!

WILD KINGDOM!

Yesterday, Harold and I heard a strange sound (like papers flying around) in the house. We looked at the front door and saw someone had left a flyer. Problem solved! This morning, as I was sipping on a very good cup of coffee, I heard the sound! I must need more coffee! An hour later...there it was again!

When we first bought this house there was a dead bird in our furnace closet upstairs. Ever since, any noise makes me paranoid that there is a wild animal in the house! I went upstairs and mentioned to my brave husband (aka The Bird Whisperer) that I thought there was another bird in the furnace closet. He laughed at me! He walked over to the closet (I was hiding behind the bedroom door) and opened the door...OUT FLEW A FREAKIN' BIRD! I went running...screaming my head off! Harold was a bit shocked because of the screaming! The bird was flying like a wild animal around our house! When it finally settled down (on top of our light fixtures) calm Harold spoke softly to the pesky bird. We opened the front door, hoping it would fly out. The bird was very happy flying around from light to light. When it was bored it migrated to my plants...now that ticked me off! I grabbed a mop hoping to chase it out the front door. The Bird Whisperer wanted me to be calm, but I had a wild animal in my house! Jason offered to shoot it with a pellet gun. Harold thought about target practice with his 22. I had my mop! Finally, the bird flew low and went in my front room. The Bird Whisperer trapped it behind my shutters and grabbed it with his hand! OHMYHELL!!! We are saved!

What a large family we have!

Harold's brother Ray came down from Montana for his 50th High School reunion this weekend. Our family get together was much overdue! I lost many brownie points with Harold's brother when he came to the house and didn't see all Harold's trophy animals hanging on the wall. What can I say...I've always been a city girl! I don't hunt! I'd do CPR on any little gofer that is shot in my presence!

Ray, Jessa & Harold

Gabe and Max

Erica and Jana (cute boys)

Kathy, Erica & Chris

The Kramer Side

It was wonderful having my family over for a BBQ. I enjoyed introducing Carter, Maddox, Mason and Ell to my side of the family. Everyone had a baby to hold and they were in heaven. I watched my Dad play with Maddox and it reminded me of all the time he spent with my kids when they were babies. I can't believe how fast time goes by.

Triplet Blessing

On Sunday, Julie and Jared blessed the triplets. These pictures were taken in their blessing outfits. I love Julie's expression in the family photo!