California, Here We Come!

Patience...Patience. What a virtue we all need and I seem to demand of you (whoever you are that still enjoy reading my once-in-a-decade blog for our family). Well, enough of that... After Glenda and I returned from Orlando and our time at Mickey's house, we prepared for our trip to Southern California to visit Christy and Tobin and my sister Cathy and her husband Don. Of course, without their son Darryl we would have never gone to the huge Glendale Mall. (My brother-in-law told me that this was another place he wouldn't go on vacation.) Well, we had a wonderful time all the way around. We went to a ghost town near Barstow, California, Medieval Times in Anaheim, the J Paul Getty Museum, Boogie boarding in La Jolla, shopping at Farmer's Market, and to my brother's home in San Diego. Whew! I must say that it had been awhile since this old whale (I like the term in the KJV Bible better--great fish) spent so much time in the ocean. It was so much fun. (Thank you, Tobin). We celebrated Christy's 28 birthday early and played on her Wii that was given as her gift. Our visit with Christy and Tobin were the bookends to our visit. In the middle we traveled to Santa Clarita to visit my sister and her family. Don took the week off, and he was able to enjoy our adventures with us. He had to lie low the first day because he was sick. (He really just wanted to avoid the 2 1/2 hour drive to Calico Ghost Town.) My sister hosted a BBQ with all my cousins, which was truly a delight. It was good to get all the Miller boys back together again; it's just too bad that we are not young enough to be wreckless again--not really. A good time, I think, was had by all. We even got a ride back to the airport on a flat tire. The time was too short, and soon we were on the plane heading home.

Heigh-Ho Heigh-Ho, It's Off to Disney World We Go

Every fall Glenda and I make every attempt to go somewhere for vacation. When our fifth grandchild, Porter, was born this spring, Glenda was able to spend a week with Maryanne and AJ and little Porter. She had a wonderful time, but that altered some of our plans where we wanted to go on vacation. When I returned from my last trip to Washington, DC on June 21, I began looking at various possibilities. We want to travel to the East Coast sometime in the fall to catch all the leaves changing colors. I looked into a cruise at that time, but the cost was prohibitive when the airfare was added in. I considered a couple other possibilities, but then my eye caught a vacation plan offered by Alaska Airlines to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Well, the more I looked into it, the more inviting it became.

We did in fact go on that very vacation on September 17. What a remarkable time we had; Glenda couldn't say enough good things about it. We picked one of Disney's off weeks, so the plan was inexpensive when considering it included airfare, lodging, all meals, and a park-hopper pass for 5 days. Now we both agreed that this is a one-time vacation at Disney World. Boy, we enjoyed the two days spent at Epcot, the day at Animal Kingdom, the day at Hollywood Studios, and the day at the Magic Kingdom. We walked and walked and walked and walked.

When I made the reservations, I was asked if we were celebrating anything special. Since Glenda and I had just celebrated our 39th anniversary, I told them that. When we arrived at the resort, we were given Happy Anniversary pins which we wore everyday. Boy, did we get the "Happy Anniversary" greeting from all the workers and characters throughout Disney World. It was a great way to celebrate.

Here are a few pictures starting with a couple I know our grandkids will love.

More Sights We Saw

Hope you enjoy these pictures. We surely had a fun, relaxing time although our feet and legs ached at the end.

A Few Pics from the Oregon State Fair

What's a fair without the animals? You're right; it's not a fair. The corn dogs were hot and soooo good!

Grandkids Are the Greatest

August has been an exciting time for Glenda and me. We got to see all of our kids early in the month. It was definitely a busy weekend, but it was soooooo enjoyable. We even got to go to the Oregon Zoo with Andy and Christy. Of course Gracie, Benjamin, and Zoey made our day. Christy finally linked up with us at the zoo after being lost in Africa. After passing the fruit bats three times, she knew she was going batty. We are so thankful for cell phones that helped us connect, and I am glad she didn't give up and just leave. After a full day at the zoo and riding the train, Andy and the grandkids left for Salem; and Glenda and I had a delicious dinner with Tobin, Christy, and Tobin's folks (Marty and Darrol). Then on Sunday morning all of us got together at Andy and Ruth's home for a relaxed brunch. We are so thankful for our grandkids because they really keep us young. Then at the end of the month we stayed with the DeBackers so that we could help paint at AJ and Maryanne's new home. We also cut down blackberry vines and bushes. On Sunday after church Glenda and I took Gracie, Benjamin, and Zoey to the fair. We met AJ, Maryanne, Porter, and the DeBackers there. Benjamin and Zoey got close up and personal with a python.

Relaxing Hours Working on the Yard

After returning from my travels to Washington, DC this spring, I was able to spend my time working on our yard. After our driveway was completed, I was able to weed the front flower bed. Since then I have worked in the backyard--mowing, pulling weeds, and mixing soil. What a relaxing way to spend a summer.

A Concrete Change You Can Believe In

We tried abstract and stayed with concrete.

Some Concrete Thoughts

Well, something concrete has finally come the Millers' way. We moved into our home on 6th Street in July 1989. Our driveway was not in the best of shape then, but over the next 20 years it deteriorated to a crumbly mess which still had a firm base. This year it was finally fixed: out with the old, in with the new. You will see the process to the finished product. Christy, come home and skate on it!

A Few More Memorable Moments from My Tours

I had the opportunity to see a Washington Nationals game and a Baltimore Orioles game in their respective stadiums. And the three days I spent in New York were outstanding and so much fun. 59 days in all leading kids around the East Coast. It started on January 17 and my last day was June 20. Wow, I have to pinch myself to believe I really get to do this. Thanks to all who prayed for me; your prayers were definitely answered.

What a Season!

I know, I know. There's no one really reading this blog anymore because anyone who used to care thinks we have finally made it to the other side of the grass. Well, we haven't. My touring season this year included 59 days of leading schools from all over the United States. God has blessed me with such a marvelous job.

Everyday on my trips I am challenged to do my very best. Most days extend well past 15 hours, but I love it. I get my energy from the kids, parents, and teachers I lead. The sites I have seen so many times become new everytime I hear one of the students "oo and ahh." Who would have thought an old English teacher could be so successful on the right coast when he had spent all his days on the left coast?

I was privileged to visit New York City with Calvary Chapel School from California. What a spendid time I had. Here I am on Fifth Avenue doing a "Chick" thing.

Here are just a few highlights.

My next post will have a few more pictures and a few from New York.