World famous Keukenhof

Seeing Hollands Keukenhof tulip fields is something I've always wanted to see. So now, I can scratch that off the bucket list. The next few posts will be pictures I took there.

A river of hyacinth...incredible!

This garden paradise is a photographer's dream.

Dutch houses 2

Go Holland!!

In honor of the World Cup finals!

Here are some of the cutest Dutch houses...photos from the last trip. These are mostly from the old town of Staphorst, old fashioned religious community that still dress in the traditional clothing.

Trent and Chelsea

I loved doing their wedding...

Old WWII gunnery installation - now a park

While out on the coast M'liss and Trent decided to scout out this area to shoot the next Knuckleheads catalog...great photo potential here.

The purpose of the fort was to be on the lookout for Japanese subs trying to get up the Columbia River.

great old color on the wall

hmmm, maybe I should help with the photo shoot M'liss

A day when you can sit and make clover blossom chains with your granddaughter is a great day!

Washington coast

One trip at a time.

Before I put more photos of Holland on (the country, not the granddaughter), here are some photos of a recent trip to the beach with the grandkids. Walks on the beach are soooo relaxing and invigorating all at the same time.

Lily just has to be in the muck and the gunk of nature.

A day at the beach makes all other days easier to deal with.

Photos from Holland trip

Cutest LITTLE house in Rotterdam.  The house looks to be just one room and a tiny room at that.

If you want to see tons of photos of cute, quaint, old Dutch country houses then keep checking back. I have some awesome things to show.

aaarrrhhhgg!!!

So...I have been on 9 flights, count em' 9!!!!!  in one week, including one over-niter in the kids play area of the Seattle airport...me and 4 other men on various benches!  

Not me..you knew that right?

There were no hitches. Even though I was toting two heavy carry-ons, I managed to transport a small bag of "Old Dutch all dressed" potatoe chips (spelled the Canadian way)  for Trent. I'm sure they are smashed to bits but I get an A for effort.

 So...my tote bag was searched and the dumb TSA guy left out my make-up bag, with my meds in it!! So here I am in Vancouver...the other one...with no make-up AGAIN! The last 2 trips here I forgot my new hanging makeup bag on the bathroom wall. It was not my regular routine! I was inspired by Melanie's make-up bag and I found the perfect one in Birmingham.....the top opens like a suitcase and has elastic loops for makeup brushes and a zippered pouch for a toothbrush, It's awesome .....and now it's gone...with ALL my best makeup!

I called TSA in San Francisco and they may have it...I'm waiting to hear.

4 hours later.....they found it!!!! yay! So even though it wasn't my fault that it was left I have to pay $30 + to have it overnighted before we go to Holland on Tues. What a pain.

Vancouver temple dedication

These are some of the youth from the temple district that met Sat morning for a special meeting with Pres Monson. They put on a wonderful cultural celebration event that night.

The dedication was....can't quite think of the right adjective. Tears were streaming down my face so that about says everything.

I love Vancouver. I guess I feel at home here like Dad does in Holland.
I met people that knew my mom and dad. That was special to me. I felt close to them this whole trip. I can only imagine the celebrating going on with the Kyle's, Jensens, Oxsprings, and many others.

One cool thing that happened was meeting Bobby Burgess, a returned missionary from Salta Argentina that served with Brett.  His grandfather served as Bishop of the Vancouver 2nd ward at the same time that my dad served as Bishop of the 1st ward. It dawned on me that these 2 Bishops who had served a lot together in many ways, had grandsons that were also serving together. I think that's cool. Those two Bishops were probably watching over their grandsons at the same time and talking to each other about it!  I think Bobby texted Brett right away to say he just met me. It's really small world sometimes.

Springtime in my garden

There is nothing like being in the south in April. It's so beautiful everywhere. 

Creating a garden at this house has been one of my great joys in life.

Welcome to my garden...

Belle, my garden guardian