Thanksgiving Camping trip

We had a small crowd for Thanksgiving this year. Nicolette, Ryan and Gabe went to North Dakota for Thanksgiving. Cousins, Ben & Brittany Crane and their cute little Hallie joined us for Thanksgiving dinner at our house.

As crazy as we are...right after dinner Randal, Racehl and I left to go camping right along the Shenandoah River. It was nice to get away from the busy life....

This is our beautiful camping spot. We wanted to camp down close to the River so we spent the first night in our tent. We slept pretty warm but it was windy and rainy during the night. The wind continued to blow the next day and as you can see in this picture blew our tent down. We gave up and slept in our camper trailer in the parking lot the next night.

We enjoyed playing games eating snacks and staying where it was a little warmer. I won "Clue" for the first time in my life.

We enjoyed going for scenic drives around the area. We came across this old well that years ago provided "cool clear water" for many travelers and the surrounding community.

Overlook of the Shenandoah River. Next time we will bring our canoe.

Ben, Brittany, and Hallie joined us on Saturday. It was sunny and a much warmer day. We enjoyed going for a little hike and then for a scenic drive. We came back and enjoyed a warm bowl of chili. It was fun having them there.

Rachel and Hallie BUG!!

Cold, rainy, windy....secluded, peaceful, beautiful and fun.....

Becky Field Trip

Before Becky left for her mission we had a "Becky Day" and took her on a field trip and visited some fun sites with her. Dad came too, crutches and all!!


GARDENS

Can you find Becky?..................................................................................There she is!

Becky among the Lilies...

Matthew 6:28 "Consider the Lilies of the field...."

We told Becky we will come back to this spot in a few years when she has a wedding dress.....

Dad was good to Hop along with us


MUSEUM




Go Becky Go.....................................................................I think she lost the race

FORT WASHINGTON












Fort Washington was established in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War to guard the Nations Capital. It was built on a hill overlooking the Potmac River. It is bigger than it looks. We actually lost Becky inside there and sent out a search party looking for her.... It was actually another visitor that was there with his 8 yr. old daughter and said it doesn't matter if they are 8 or 21 it makes you nervous when you can't find them. She was having a great time exploring.

FAREWELL DINNER

We had a farewell dinner for Becky on the Sunday that she gave her wonderful Talk in Sacrament meeting. We invited a few of her friends that are still in the area and of course her loving family.

WE LOVE YOU BECKY

WE WILL MISS YOU

June 2009 Idaho-Utah Trip

In June 2009 we made a road trip from Virginia to Utah and Idaho. We first arrived at Chris and Brindy's. After catching up on our rest we went up above Spanish Fork for a picnic. We took a short hike to a water fall grotto. It was a nice and beautiful spot.

We then drove to Nephi where we watched Justin and Jenny's (our grandkids) while they had an anniversary trip to Las Vegas. We enjoyed the kids and took them on a weaner roast and smore trip up the Salt River. We also made cookies...yum yumm!

On Saturday, we then gathered for a picnic at a park in Taylorsville for a picnic with Mom Stoker, Karen Stoker, the Jaynes families and the Whitehead families. We played games and enjoyed visiting. On Sunday morning we went to the Tabernacle Choir and Spoken Word at Temple Square and then met at Dad Stoker's gravesite for a memorial and prayer.

We then traveled to Twin Falls where we stayed with Brian and Marcella. We went through a session in the Twin Falls Temple. We took a stroll down memory lane by having a picnic in Randal's boyhood adventureland--now the Rock Creek park. We went on a drive by two of the former homes where Carol and Randal lived years ago, the waterfall by the Perrine Bridge, Shoshone Falls, Caldron Lynn, and the old farm in Buhl. While close to Buhl we went to the aligator ponds and then to Niagra Springs where Randal formally proposed to Carol 31 years ago. Just to make sure she would still accept, he proposed anew--and yes she did accept!

We then gathered at Kenny and Ilene Hulse's place (Carol's brother) were we again feasted and played lawn games, ping pong, and visited.

On our way home we stopped by the Nauvoo Temple, went through a session there and enjoyed a few shows. During the night (we were tent camping) it started to rain hard. We broke camp in the rain and made the final trek back to our Virginia home. What a wondeful and memorable trip!