Not over the hill yet!!!

Welcome home Brian!

2010-07-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

Hurray!!! Brian is finally home!

The Marshall Islands were a long way away. It is so nice to have him home so we can give him lots of hugs and know that he is safe.

Our family is back together again. We are only missing Mark (we wish you could have been here). What a great feeling to have everyone home.

Stay with me!!!

2009-04-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

Americans are so starved for history that we even go down into holes in the ground for research. Mayan storage, the guide told us. After being in close quarters together someone made the comment about fatus. Our Spanish guide didn't understand the meaning of the English word. He finally got it. What a hoot!!!

The Grand Plaza at Tikal where the kings were buried. The court yard was unbelieveable.

I hope you endulge me a minute so I can share a little of the history I have learned about the Land we are recognizing as being the possible site of the Book of Mormon. The ruins in Guatemala City as I mentioned earlier dates 600BC to 200BC which for other reasons is considered the City of Nephi. From the information in the Book of Mormon they could see that the Nephites were a part of a high culture. They had a written lauguage. There are places that are written there that date back 1000 years. The Book of Mormon tells about many cities built and the geography matches the discriptions in the book. I find it interesting that the events in the Book of Mormon can match so closely to the geography of the land. The Nephites and the Lamanites had boundaries the Lamaites in the highlands and the Nephites in the valleys. Tital has had a unexpected dicovery of a fortication found around its borders . Moroni's call to defend themseves if you remember. The more I read the more amazed I am.

Still more!

2009-03-31T17:24:00.000-07:00

Tikal was my personal favorite. Just the height alone was staggering. How did they do it?

My knees shook at the top of # 5 Temple. Not much room at the top!
The first night in Tikal which is in the heart of the jungle we could here a deep breathing sound coming from outside in the dark. The next day we found out it was howling monkeys that were far into the jungle. They live in the tops of the trees and are very loud when you get up close. Steve took close up video with another camera. I will try to post a closer look later.

More!!!

2009-03-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

After seeing the time it takes to polish the small stones these pieces are amazing.

Steve had to find the most functional hat possible. Fashion was not even considered.

Even the parrots were fun to watch. .

Honduras, Copan Ruins were our first view of the larger structures. Even though the roads were

crazy getting there!!

Guatemala cont.

2009-03-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

Touring Antigua was interesting. The cities beauty is all behind walls with small doors that lock securely. Dustin found one of the Indian lady weaving the traditional tipika cloths. Amazing the time it takes to weave.Part of the tour was a jade factory. The workers are polishing pieces of Jade for masks and jewelery. Ther were some amazing pieces.

Guatemala cont.

2009-03-29T16:19:00.001-07:00

The first ruins we were able to visit was right in Guatemala City. Kaminaljuyu , is considered to be the city of Nephi. It is older than Tikal and little has been uncovered. It is right in the city. It was amazing to think we might be seeing and touching a city Lehi and Nephi were a part of.

What an amazing reunion with a family Elder Gilbert loves. We were welcomed to a wonderful dinner following church. Thank you Vickie and Brenda's family for being so kind and thoughtful.

Dustin walked us through his first apartment. The Elders were just walking out and let us in.

Dustin was so good with the kids. He paid 10 kets to shine his old shoes. Antigua was a fun town to visit but the streets were confusing. No street signs. We had to get a taxi to drive us back to the hotel after dinner.

We headed to Copan. Over the boarder into Honduras. The ruins were amazing. We took our lives in our hands driving on the roads. The villa we stayed at was very nice and town was very compact.

We ate at a little place just around the corner from the villa. What a hoot! Just ask Dustin how hard to parrot bit his finger.

A trip of a life time to Guatemala

2009-03-27T18:28:00.000-07:00

I hope you will indulge me. Spending 2 weeks in Guatemala creates many pictures and vidoes. I hope you I can share even just a little of the experience with everyone. Here goes!!

We (Steve, Dustin and myself) started our trip in Guatemala City meeting Dave and Ellen . Steve reserved an oasis in the middle of black smoke from the buses and machine guns/shotguns that the guards of most stores had. In the first few days we visited a couple of Dustins families and went to the Temple and found the people to be an oasis in the midst of caos

Our first day, we spent going to the temple, a wonderful experience. Even though Ellen and Dave's recommends were expired. (Sad!!)

Kaminaljuyu was the first ruin we visited. It was inside Guatemala City. It was very small but there are many mounds of dirt not yet worked on. It is very expensive to excavate.

2009-02-26T07:12:00.000-08:00

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a handmade gift from me during this year. When and What will be a surprise. There's a small catch though....Post this same thing on your blog and then come back and leave a comment telling me you're in. Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift

2009-01-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2008
We enjoyed a visit at Lamar and Pam's home with all their family home. Dustin surprising dad with a clean shop, grandpa and grandma over for Christmas eve, rainbow jello, new bed frames, (Thanks Cory and Lori) A new family tree picture (Thanks Mark and Angie) a long phone call from a very missed missionary, food, food, food. A trip to the temple and a treat from Cory and Lori, dinner at PF Chang's yum,yum! A wonderful Gilbert family get together, Lori making Rice Chex Mix, Cory and Dusin killing themseves with intense exercise, Sledding down Niefer hill, Zeke loving the outside and the 4 wheeler, A Beautiful white Christmas, New Years at Uncle Ricks and Aunt Joan's with all their family, Cookie decorating, Card making with Angie, Yaz, and Debbie (Thanks Angie), Rifle and guns target shooting, Shopping the day after Christmas for fun Christmas specials (Good worker Lori on the Christmas trees)and Holly getting thrown into the snow. (And Lori warning everyone that they would be dead if they even tried to throw her in) Can you pack any more in!! Yes! we would have added the gang from Houstin and one in the Marshall Islands. We love our family!!

2009-01-25T18:33:00.000-08:00

2009-01-25T18:23:00.000-08:00

Amazing work!! A six and a half foot snowman coming up!!

2009-01-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

Mr. Snowman grew bigger and bigger!!

2009-01-25T17:13:00.000-08:00

A treat to have most everyone home for Christmas. We did so miss Angie and Mark and the joys of out lives Parker, Kas, Addison and Bailey. But it was fun to see traditions started in there home.

Grandpa was giving us words of wisdom but I knew if I didn't catch everyone in a quiet moment I would not be able to catch everyone. Food, visiting, and white elephant exchanges!!

2009-01-25T17:06:00.000-08:00

Our days were full of snow, puzzles, crafts and setting up Steves shop and organizing his tools. Dustins gift to his dad.

Helicopter wars Christmas Eve! Fun after Family Home Evening!!

2009-01-25T16:54:00.000-08:00

Snow, Snow Snow!

Zeek loved the day and going after the 4 wheeler. Lori was even a trooper and took a turn behind on the knee board.

2009-01-25T16:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve Dinner is always fun. Candle lights and rainbow jello. We spent the first 20 minutes just tying to get the jello out of the mold. Fun Fun.

2008-12-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

Snowman at the yellow house in Ogden and plastic sliding down the elementary hill.

2008-12-24T16:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas 1987 at Grandpa & Grandma Gilbert's.

2008-12-24T13:55:00.000-08:00

Cory, Lori, Dustin, Sue, Zeek, Allan, Josh Herrud and me knee boarding behind the 4 wheeler Dec 24th.

2008-11-15T02:23:00.000-08:00

The first rock on the house. Boy the yard has changed, Mom has done wonders it. There is proof on video that all of you had a part in the building of our house and it was appreciated. A great Gilbert family get together, my my the good times roll in Gilbertville. Angie you were a regular Pelai

2008-11-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

Fond memories of Lake Roosevelt in 1998

2008-11-09T22:37:00.000-08:00

Remember: Practice every morning before school. And a recital every year at the local church. You would think I could remember the teachers name but it slips my mind. Cory stopped playing at about 12 years old. Angie continued to love the piano and Cory lost interest. The magic of music. We loved it !

2008-11-09T22:08:00.000-08:00

Remember: Snohomish 1991 Family fun. What a hoot, dad found an ad in the local paper for a go cart and the fun began. A boys heaven. And Cory's Christmas airplane

Shelby was our dog. The neighbors ( Curtis and Jason G.) had some surprise puppies at their house. I remember the day they brought a German Shepherd/ Sharpe mix puppy to our house. They talked us into one of the most interesting and cutest puppies that the whole family fell in love with.

Remember all the Gilbert family over for a trip up through Deception Pass. We had people everywhere. Jared and Jason were on the kitchen floor. Angie had all the girl cousins in her room and all the boys were in with Cory, Dustin and Brian's room. All the Aunts and Uncles were on the floor in the livingroom. We had a family Bump basketball game just before we left. Fun memories!!!

Halloween 1995

2008-11-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Remember: Halloween has been a fun time for our family. Dustin was so tired and sweaty from all the weight he started slowing up behind everyone trick or treating. By the end of he night all pillows were out and he was up at the front of the line at each door!!! Cory drew his own picture first of Santa and then made his costume to fit. Santa on Slim Fast. What a hoot!!

2008-10-31T22:15:00.000-07:00

Memories:First recorded Halloween 1985. Halloween was always fun. Sue loved to join in sometimes and dress up and walk the kids around trick or treating. Dustin just starting crawling that day and Cory decided at the last minute not to wear his costume.

2008-10-31T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is Ang reading and her first Primary talk.

2008-10-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

Angie and Addison treating us to a great breakfast during their visit last week. It was fun to have Angie, Addison and Bailey for a short (to short I might add) visit. We did miss Parker, Kasidee and Markley, but heard stories of overflowing toilets etc. that dad put up with at the home front.

2008-10-28T22:13:00.000-07:00

Bailey and Grandpa

Addison and Grandma mowing the lawn in a very intricate design.

2008-10-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

Cory, Lori, and Dustins help was greatly appreciated in helping to put up the summer project, the pergola.

Cory and Lori visited us this summer after they finsihed their jobs in CA

Keeping up with Elder Gilbert

2008-09-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Brian's first glimpse of Majuro from the airplane. The Island is very long a narrow. His companion is from Phoenix, Arizona Elder Haller. Brian immediately fell in love with the coconut trees.

The people are very loving. This is Namol with Andy

Brian drives out to his area in a car and then spends the day biking to appointments. Rain or shine. Have you seen the rainfall average?

But when the rain goes away it is beautiful. Brian's favorite picture so far. He loves it there and is busy teaching. The language doesn't seem to discourage him. Little by Little is his motto.

2008-08-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

2008-08-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Brian entering the mission home :)

2008-08-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

Blue Angels, F15's, YF22 Raptor, heaven, sunburns, good company, heaven, fun all in one day at the Spokane Air Show

Girls weekend at Seaside OR 6/20/08

2008-06-22T22:32:00.000-07:00

Nancy Collins, Barb Hammond and myself on the beach

Barb Hammond, Ellen Collette, and Myself

Yoga at its finest.

Dad trying successfully to get my "$5 goat" into the plane. He picked me up in Hermiston.

Getting Island fever

2008-06-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

Brian went to the store for milk and came back with souvenir's. I'm afraid coconuts will be on his plate many times in the next two years.

We love being Grandparents!!

2008-06-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

Spending time with Parker, Kasidee, Addison and new sweet Bailey was so much fun. Brian came along . The only thing missing was Cory, Lori and Dustin.

Kasidee was a natural. We miss you Kas.

2008-06-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

As you can see we have some green coming up. First garden in years!!! Almost weed free. It's fun to play in the dirt.

My summer project

2008-06-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

I am beslaving Steve & Brian to finish up the backyard. I tried putting up the swimming pool today, but there is a hole in it so I had to stop the filling.

Forced Fun

2008-06-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

I have officially started my mom in the blogging world. She has no choice now but to add to the fun. Love you mom!