The Incredible Redwood Forest!!!

Unless you have been here yourself you really can't appreciate the vastness and the size and magnitude of the trees.  It truly is one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen.  So incredible.  So amazing.

On the Road to the Oregon Coast!

Brian grew up in this beutiful country, and he wanted to share this Oregon experience with us.  I am so glad he did!  I have been to the Oregon Coast and the Redwoods many years ago, but I hardly remembered it.  This was a trip of a lifetime!  We stopped in Boise to pick up Connor and Rocky from their mom and went to the Children's Museum there.  We stopped at a lake in Oregon and the House of Vortex (strange and interesting place!). 

VanderSloot Family Portraits

This is our family of 9! What a wild and crazy bunch we are! :)

And Here is the entire VanderSloot Clan at Frank and Belinda's.  Our family is on the far left side on the tractor.

            

Happy Birthday, Rocky!

Rocky turned 6 and we celebrated by having a party at home that the kids helped plan.  He wanted a Pirate Ship for his birthday and of course his beloved Pillow Pet. :)

Random Summer Pics

Our Annual Trip to Grandpa Mortensen's for the 4th of July.

GameWorld, GameWorld, GameWorld.  It finally closed its doors forever.  I wanted to go to the final auction for old time's sake.  It was emotional to be there.  I have so many memories of Lence working in there.  Just looking at the big playland reminded of all the hours we have put into that business.  Michael hadn't been born yet when we owned GameWorld.  I found it only fitting that I bring him and let him experience GameWorld before it closed its door forever. 

Grandpa VanderSloot invited us to fly on his private plane down to Utah for his annual horse sale at the ranch.  This was Michael's very first plane ride ever.  He was thrilled to be flying of course!  Just like his daddy, Lence, who WAS a pilot.  :)

Brian always says, "Kids are the best part of life."  It is true, they are.  Brian is getting lots of lovin' from all of his kids.  :)

This is our back yard before we put our new lawn in.

Taking Bella to the vet.  The kids are hoping she will have puppies soon!

A bird flew into our garage and the kids (Laurie) caught the bird using her unique skills and put the bird in Simon's Crate.  Laurie tried to open it for a moment and the bird escaped. 

Trip to Island Park and West Yellowstone

We took a wonderful and fun trip to Island Park. We rode horses, went canoeing, played in the hot tub and went fishing. So much fun! The kids were delighted to find a little frog too! Then we all took our bikes to Yellowstone Park and rode our bikes around Old Faithful. Such good memories. So much fun!