Not quite over the hill - #43!

I'm not quite over the hill yet! Thank goodness. Every year after 40 seems to bring some new ache with it. Scares me to think of 20 yrs. from now. I'm attempting to exercise more so we'll see if this improves things overall.

I slept in this morning - a real treat! And for breakfast McDonald's delivered a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit minus the egg w/a large diet coke in bed nonetheless. Thanks Riley!

I went and had a manicure/pedicure this afternoon. Using my Christmas gift from John & the kids finally. I really enjoyed it. It's something I could get used to. It's funny how 'pretty' you feel after getting your hair or nails done! Can't remember the last time I had my nails done so it was the perfect thing to do on your bday!

We had cheesecake & candles at 4:30p for my bday celebration - just between Riley coming home from work and Austin leaving for work. It's been a good day.

Happy Father's Day - John!

We always seem to need to get up and moving after Sunday afternoon naps. We don't make it a habit of going to the beach on Sunday, but every once in awhile it sounds like a good family time activity.

John had suggested that we go to the beach to watch the sunset. There was a good little breeze so it kept the humid feeling away a bit. We got there a little too early this time so we enjoyed ourselves but ended up not staying 'til the sun went down.

Happy Father's Day - John!



We told Parker & Macey they could go in up to their knees. They obeyed (for once) but sat down to experience the full effect of the waves! The beach itself with the wind, water and view was peaceful. The drive to the beach, however, with Parker & Macey exchanging jabs in the back seat was not! Life - gotta love it.

Where in the world is - Albania?

Thought we'd post a map of Albania as a quick reference for anyone who is geographically challenged such as I am.

Interesting Facts
*3.6 million people
*87% literacy rate
*Life expectancy 74 years old
*Currency - Lek

Physical Facts
*28,780 sq. ft (slightly larger than Maryland)
*shares borders w/Yugoslav republics of Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia
*also shares border with Greece
*70% of country is mountanous and often inaccessible

Ethnic Facts
*two major subgroups: Gegs and Tosks
*separated by Shkumbin River
*these two groups account for 90% of Albanian population

Religion
*70% of Albanians are Islam
*the Orthodox church is a distant second
*less than 10% are Roman Cathothic
*www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/contact-us/albania
*shows 1838 lds members, 10 congregations, 1 family history center

Agriculture & Industry
*main farming regions located on Adriatic coastal plain
*chief crops: corn, grapes, olives, potatoes, sugar beats and wheat
*chief livestock: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens
*mining is the leading industry in Albania

Housing
*densely overpopulated
*average living quarters for a family of four is one room

Riley received his mission call to . . .

Riley received his mission call today!!!

We waited a whole hour to open it until Grandma Swensen could get home from Visiting Teaching in rural Paul, ID! She had it all figured out for us to use SKYPE so she could watch Riley open his call. (It was worth the wait).


Anticipation!


Posing with unopened envelope!


Opening the letter!


Reading the fine print! Then 'Googling' it!

"You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Albania Tirana Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months. You should report to the . . . Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, October 21, 2009."


Grandma looking on as they look for the country on the globe. Riley & Austin trying to steady the globe and position it just right in front of the webcam for Grandma to see.


Riley taking a closer look himself at where he will be going.


Looking up more info on Albania!!! "WOW!!!" Those were Riley's exact words when we asked him what he thought.

Grandma Swensen's Visit for our Momentous Moments of Life

Grandma Swensen visited for Austin's graduation Fri., 5/29 and Macey's baptism Sat., 5/30. We always wish she could stay and play longer. The last couple years her visits seem to revolve around an 'event' and so we don't get the fun time and productive project time she is so good at helping with. One of these years.

Riley has submitted his mission papers and we are waiting for his call! Two weeks will be this Wednesday! We would like to get your 'vote' on where you think he might go. Post your comment! Joe & Emily say - Uruguay.

School's Out! Macey 2nd Grade.

Macey's so glad there's an alligator at school. They did flowers in old shoes. They played games with twirlies outside. Macey and her teacher, Ms. Cabrera.


Macey and Hailey; Macey and Tara.

School's Out! Parker's Class

Parker & his teacher, Mrs. Kathleen Meyer; Parker & his friend, Thomas Matragrano.

Parker's 4th grade class. Crazy bunch!

"Little Sally Walker, walking down the street. She didn't know what to do, so she stopped in front of me. Hey girl (guy) do your thing, do your thing, switch."
(dance move - someone copies and does their own).