flowers instead of snow

Yesterday I went to outside and picked flowers from our yard. We have a beautiful flowering tree and I thought it was time to enjoy it inside. It does feel wrong to have flowers blooming around Christmas time but Leland tells me if I can't have snow I should enjoy the flowers.

Here are a couple of pictures of the flowers.


Here is a picture of my parents house. They have gotten 23 inches of snow this past week and could not get out of their driveway for 2 days. I just checked the weather in Spokane and it is snowing again. Hopefully they get less snow than expected so they are not stuck in the house again.

Even though the snow can be a pain...it is so beautiful.

A Little Bit of Central WA

Central WA is making a come back here in Louisiana - 1978 style. The final years of the Milwaukee Road in the west, right here in Ruston. A few photos of the train layout progress.

The Milwaukee Road's history is particularly interesting. It was the final transcontinental railroad built in the United States - and the only one to have been abandoned. The photo of Jenni and I that adorns this blog was taken in the shadows the old Milwaukee bridge at Rosalia, WA. Just one of many reminders of the old line's presence in the West.

Check in with the Lost Rail blog for more thoughts on "America's Resourceful Railroad."

Tree's Up

Well, it seems as though it's December and mid-December at that.  Here are some pictures of the Christmas tree that now proudly sits in the living room.  Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas from both of us here in (warmer than most other places in the US) Louisiana to all of you.

Thanksgiving week

Our house was full of people throughout the week. It was great to see so many people we love.

On Tuesday, Karen and Greg arrived and that morning the hot water heater broke. We were busy making phone calls and praying; fortunately it started working before everyone arrived. It was great to see old roommates and catch up on life.


Thanksgiving morning we went for a walk with our parents through campus. It was a pretty because the trees were beautiful. It was fun to see everyone enjoy each other.

We ended our week of company by having my Great Uncle Herbert visit. It was wonderful to share a day with him and listen to his stories.