Thought you might like to see a couple of Lilyanne photos. These were taken by Roberto who is a really good photographer. This baby is going to have a lot of photo albums, I'm sure.... These were all taken in the hospital the day after she was born. As you can see, she doesn't look much like me but she is a fusser so there is evidence that my DNA lives on in child number six as well.

I have enjoyed getting outside again now that I can actually bend down and walk up a hill with a wheelbarrow without thinking my heart is going to give out. I don't think I could even begin to do a seven mile hike with Andrew and Jen but touching my toes is a good first step for me!

Orcas Island

We headed to Orcas Island this past weekend. We almost didn't go because the weather was supposed to be so beautiful here in Ellensburg, but we ended up having almost perfect weather there as well. We were able to spend a night with a friend in Anacortes on Friday night and see Harold & Carol on the way back home. The time on the island was relaxing, with a mix of exploring, hiking, and eating well. We thought about trying to find a nice place to stay...and actually did, but instead of the $150/night B&B where Jen wanted to stay, we settled for a $19/night piece of dirt in a state park. This was Jen's compromise for going to a nice restaurant...halibut and scallops - most excellent! I also forced her to take a 7 mile hike to the top of Mt. Constitution the next day as well, but she thanked me in the end. Above is a view from the mountain looking south towards Seattle and Mt. Rainer. Below is the Olga Store, which Carol told us that Grandad Lyons owned from 1970-1974. On the ferry ride over we thought of the great memorial service we had for him...felt very fitting, especially after seeing how the store overlooked the sound.

This took a "stinking" amount of time and tried Erica's patience.. but she stuck with me and you get to see a picture of Erica and a close up of a bleeding heart. 

Visit with Hutchins!!!

We arrived on Tuesday night and were able to stay until Sunday afternoon. It was a wonderful time as we shared our affinity for Mystery Science Theater, Key Lime Pie, Balderdash, and Alice's amazing pizza. Plus they introduced us to their little area in Appalachia (which I now can pronounce correctly, thank you Jordan :) As always, we left the Hutchins awash in love and rich memories. Some pictures below:


Their back yard. I thought their setting was incredibly idyllic but then I wasn't the one mowing it. Note the free-range chickens. :)

I think this is when they were rotating the tires. They also switched out the spark plugs.

Wendi getting schooled at Art Ditto.














Jane was way too much fun. :)



















Picnic at the Biltmore estate.
















Ice cream in the Biltmore gardens.














A hike on the Appalachian Trail:





























And a game with the Asheville Tourists, a minor league team of the Colorado Rockies:

A rainy Saturday afternoon, just finished a lovely nap and Wendi is in the kitchen with Jane cooking up some delicious dinner. Think we will play Balderdash and Apples to Apples this evening for some extra bonding and laughs before they have to leave for Ft. Bragg tomorrow. We have had a really nice time. They are the easiest house guests ever, talking, eating, napping and taking walks. Doesn't get much better than that. We will miss them when they are gone but Julie and Roberto are arriving Friday morning to keep us occupied. I will feel sad when May is over and it is just us again.

I figured out how to post a photos, so here is me contemplating the very large green Easter egg that somehow got under my shirt and a phots of most of our guests on that Easter afternoon. Alice