Family Time

Sisters!  Lauren bonding with baby Penner

                                              

Lauren and Bensen, Christina and Eric's son.  Lauren was in their wedding 

a few years ago.  Cristina is having her 2nd baby (a girl) about two weeks

before Allie!  

                             

 Lauren with Allie and Cristina - Auntie Lauren is so excited for two babies this year!!

           

Lauren having some bonding time with her dog Arla!! Lauren

raised Arla from the time she was 8 weeks old. 

                                    

Allie, Jesse and baby - I think its a girl!!

We had a chance to be together as a family over the Labor Day weekend!  It was great to have Lauren home and we had a chance to celebrate Allie's birthday as well.  

Recent Adventures!

Here is the 18 week ultrasound - on the right you can see the profile of  baby's head.  Allie and Jesse have chosen not to find out if it is a boy or girl.  They want to be surprised!!!

Allie is 20 weeks now!  Half way there!  Her baby bump is adorable!  At least grandma and grandpa think so!

Sorry it's so small, but here is a picture of Lauren with her kitten (well cat)!

                  

Europe 2010

For my 50th Birthday we took a trip to Eastern Europe.  It is such a beautiful part of the world and we enjoyed so many nice lectures, tours and walks in some of the most magnificent cities I have ever seen.

We started in Budapest, Hungry then our boat took us to Bratislava, Slovakia, on to Vienna, Durnstien and Salzburg Austria, up into Germany and the towns of Vilshofen and Regansburg, Germany.  From there we disembarked and took a bus to Prague, Czech Republic.  Enjoy the pictures!

The boat across the river (The Blue Danube) is the one that will be our home for 10 days!

The view from our hotel, Budapest

Hero's Square, Budapest, Hungry

Looking out over the Danube towards the "Pest" side of Budapest, Hungary

Outside the State Opera House, Budapest, Hungry

Up early to see the lock

In the first of many locks on the Danube

Rain in Bratislava, Slovakia!

Later it cleared up and Eric donned his "Accidental Tourist" look!

Dinner in Vienna at the Palace Palaico

Visiting the Shonbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria.  Summer home of the Hapsburg's of the Austro-Hungarian Rule.  This is looking from the back door towards the massive gardens.

Durnstine, Austria

Looking towards the Salzburg Castle.  Amazing gardens which were used in the "Sound of Music"

Salzburg, Austria

Looking across the river towards the Salzburg Castle

Regansburg, Germany

Vilshofen, Germany

                                              

View of Prague Castle

Astronomical Clock, Prague

Powder Tower, Prague, Czech Republic

Great News!!

Well, it's official. We are going to be grandparents!! We are so excited for Allie and Jesse! They are expecting their first little one in December. Lauren is very excited to be an Auntie. One of the things Allie asked us to do is decide what we want to be called - Jesse's parents are Oma and Opa - the traditional German grandparent names. We also have a few great grandparents in the picture. I suggested Nanna and Popa, but Eric vetoed Popa. So someone in the OR at Fresno Surgical Hospital suggested Grammy and Grumpa or Grumps! Of course Eric liked it and I tried to gently tell him that maybe this was not a compliment!!?? But for now it seems to have stuck and we'll have to see over the months what transpires for sure. We are so grateful for this little blessing and pray for continued growth over the next months and that Allie will stay healthy. Jesse has been a big help to her during these first few month where where she is a little green. More to follow!

Eric's Birthday Party 2010

Happy Birthday Eric!

Joni & Bill Carveth, Greg & Cindy Mellor and us!

Friends Joni, Margie, sister-in-law Caty and me!

Cherie Smittcamp and Allie Penner

Jesse & Allie hosted the event at their home. The pizza oven was a hit!

Gordon & Caty and Eric's parents Harold & Harriet. Blake Smittcamp in the background. Watching Eric open his gifts.

Aubrey Rose Smittcamp - helping Uncle Eric blow out the candles!

Gordon & Caty, Eric, Thea & Carly and Jesse enjoying the heat by the pizza oven!

Harold, Eric and Gordon. Father and sons. Missing Mark!

Eric and friends - Gordon, Todd, Brad & Michelle Richmond

Mike and Jake Pizzo

Pizza is ready!!! Cherie Smittcamp and Mike Beers serving up the slices!

Carmel AT&T

Sheri, Marilyn and Darlene.

We have been friends from high school!

Joni, me Marilyn and Sheri

The beach

Thailand January 2010

Typical huts that we stayed in

Meal time!

Allie, Darlene & a few of the little ladies from the school!

Eric inspecting the dam that was built last year in the village of MawKrow

Andrew bringing The Word with Somsok who is the local evangelist in the area and works for ITDP - he also was our translator for the clinic. He speaks Thai, English and Karen.

And some more

This picture was taken in the village we were in last year - Maw Krow - where we did a water project. It was amazing to see the difference water makes - gardens, fishponds, cleaner village and a real sense of pride. This was Jean (2nd from the left) and my house mom. She was so excited to see us and wanted s to stay! She loved meeting Allie!
The sprinkler system on the gardens at the school.
This young mom and her baby were burned on the 2nd day we were there. The little baby boy was burned pretty badly - we were able to treat them each day and by the time we left they were healing nicely!
Taking a break from driving on very rough roads!
The fish pond at the school - you can see the school in the background. This is the Ma Ho Jo/De Bu Se La Ka area.