Birthday for Luke Chappell

We all gathered for Luke's Birthday at a 'kids gone wild' place in South Salt Lake. I watched Zach while Oma kept track of Kate. Stacey and Brent made an attempt at tracking the wanderings of Luke, Austin and five kindergarten kids. Sponge Bob Square Pants (or whatever his name) was the cake's main feature.

After a laser game for the adults, Oma and I headed back to Salt Lake so I could take her to work. What a role reversal! Me taking her to and from work while I did some shopping! Go figure what's happening in this world of ours.

Fall is In Full Color

You know Fall is here when emploees dress for Hollween and Mandy enjoys the newly fallen leaves.

The costumed folks are from the Olympia hospital where I'm consulting.

A Rainbow

It is fall in Olympia and that means rain every day. I was surprized one evening when going to the hotel. Enjoy!

Consulting in Olympia, Washington

Olympia is the state capital but only has 50,000 residents. It is located at one of the most southern tips of Pueget Sound.

The State Capital building is framed by a quaint town and lake that makes the overall beauty of the area even more enhanced.

There is a walking / jogging trail around the lake that I travel each night. Twice around equals nearly four miles but I must admit that it has not countered the increase in calorie intake the past two weeks. I've got to buckle down and do better or else I'll undo all the hard work I've done he past two months.

I'm really enjoying the consulting engagement at Capital Medical Center and hope to continue through the rest of the year.

Fishing In Alaska

Opa spent the week fishing for Coho (Silver) Salmon at a cabin in Ketchikan, Alaska. While we were there one week early for the main run (and the salmon were about a week late from their normal arrival time) we still managed to bring home 150 pounds of fillets (between the three of us).

Tommy and Justin Wittman are friends from Phoenix, Arizona. We enjoyed the experience; that included rain, wind, rough seas, and long hours trolling. But that's what you expect this time of year. It's also what is REQUIRED for the salmon to enter their familiar breeding grounds.

Opa looks forward to returning as soon as possible. Anyone want to come along?

Dallas & Trenton Participate In A Wedding

One of the main purposes for Dave and Bri to come to Salt Lake City was to attend the wedding of Bri's close friend. Dallas and Trenton participated and experienced their first time in a Tux. How cute are they!

Fishing in Midway

Took Trenton and Dallas fishing while in the Heber Valley area. Never too young to start!

Dave and Bri's Family Visit

So far the days are spent with Trenton, Dallas and Brooklyn. They change so fast. Took the boys to the aquarium for photo ops. More as the visit continues.

Park City Arts Festival

Yesterday's event made Ann and me want to find our artistic side. Photography, gourds and music caught our attention. Here are some examples...

Photo 1: Frog on flower

Photo 2: Wood vases and bowls

Photo 3: Carved, painted and stained gourds

Oma's 90th Birthday

The Nursing Home Gave Oma Baloons













Stacey and Family Gathered to Show Love to Oma










Ann and Kids Sang Happy Birthday: Both the English and Dutch Versions









Oma LOVED the Sweet Treat Stacey Brought










Zach Was All Smiles With the Singing and Attention









Oma is 90 and hanging in there. She is more awake and aware than in the past several years due to better hydration and improved medication control.





She was thrilled to see Stacey's family and enjoy singing and a treat from Stacey.

An Aquarium Outing with Kate, Luke & Austin

Fun time with the Chappell grandkids. New aquarium in Sandy was the backdrop for a group photo.

Summer Day At Hogle Zoo

Austin Butler Chappell with Oma & Opa.

Memorial Weekend

Great weekend that included visits to graves, golf, Oma Rossaert, movie (Pirates) and lunch up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Great to spend time with Mike.

Spring Brings Little League Soccor

Oma loves time with baby Zach

Spring Has Sprung

Water Feature and Plants Begin to Flourish

Land Prices Gone Crazy

I just don't understand how people can ask huge sums "plain 'ol dirt". The Anderson's have lived in the house across the street all of their 52 years of married life. He was getting tired of the yard work and decided to sell when offered over $500,000. I don't blame him. But then the absurd started to happen.

First, the buyer was living in California and just wanted it for an investment. Then a neighbor found out and contacted the buyer, offering cash to have him release the contract. We speculate that the new sales price increased to nearly $600,000. Mind you, this is a .58 acre lot with a structure that could only be torn down. I'm thinking that this new deal is way out of reason, especially when you consider that it will take over $500,000 in new home construction costs to replace what was there.

Now the new owner has torn the old place down and has sub-divided the lot into two-1/3 acre lots with a price tag of $500,000 each! Greed!

Easter 2007

A day of firsts. First No. One: Dave, Bri and kids were not among us for the traditional egg (plastic eggs with money) hunt and gathering. First No. Two: Mike has found a GREAT young lady that all agree is one of the nicest girls we've met. She was able to travel from Nevada to spend time with us all. First No. Three: All the little tykes were well-behaved and made the day very enjoyable. First No. Four (and final) baby Zach was blessed by his proud father on the very day we celebrate Christ's resurrection.

That's what its all about. Family gathering to insure each knows how special they are to one another. Individuals who see themselves reflected in the embrace of the whole family. Understanding the universality of the family as the basis of our identity. We are all individually unique within the commonality of the group. How lucky we are to know of our devine origin that ties us to each other throughout all time and eternity. And it is this day, Easter, that calls all these things to our attention.