National Bird

Often on the drive from the Driggs house and town, you can see these birds on the power lines. I had my camera recently and stopped to take their picture. They come back every year and it always fun to see them.

PUZZLER

Dayna started this puzzle when I came home in May. She was still working on it when I left in July. She finally completed it before I came home this time and I thought we might have to eat Christmas dinner over it, but finally convinced her that it had to go. So we took a picture for the record.

Dayna indulged the parentos on a drive through Grand Teton National Park to see the leaves and look for elk. When we finally gave up seeing any, we found a herd across from Teton Village on the way back to Jackson hole.

Go Aggies, Bengals and Broncos

While in Idaho recently (we went to get the Driggs house ready for the pending winter weather) I took the opportunity to check up on our three college students. They are all doing great. A few things to note is Dayna's very 70's pink sink. She has a pink and blue bathroom to go with it. Here she is with her roommate and best bud Laura. Bridger promises me that Idaho State is upgrading the closets in his room (also the window coverings and desks). I had better wardrobes in most of my moves. It doesn't appear to interfere with his social life. Here Mason is posing in his dorm room. Dayna loaned him the camo bedding because it just didn't work with her new pink environment.

GO WYOMING

The entire family went to cheer on the Wyoming Cowboys when they played Texas (ranked #2) in Laramie in September. The first half was amazing and then the real Texas Longhorns showed up and put a damper on the party. We were proud of the Pokes as they played a pretty darn good game against a national power. Ray ran into two buddies from his graduating class.

This is the day in August that I had my colonoscopy. It was an absolutely beautiful day and Ray convinced me that we should get in the car right from the digestive center and take a drive to Coopers Landing because he heard from the guys on the slope that the Reds were running. Salmons are a fascinating breed of fish. Hopefully you can see the red in the water. As they make their way from salt water to fresh water and their breeding grounds, they bodies change color (notice the green head) and some get a hook nose and hump back. Pacific salmon die after they spawn and it creates a whole ecosystem. I had fun just sitting in my lawn chair watching them spawn. Ray was fishing for Dolly Vardens and trout that follow the Reds up to their spawning grounds. We stopped for the sunset on the way back to Anchorage and you can tell it was worth the wait. Plus we were treated to dall sheep on the slopes on the drive back. Alaska really is a beautiful place.

Denali National park

A few pictures from Denali, Talkneetna and where I volunteer at the Log Cabin in downtown Anchorage. We had such a nice time when the kids were here. Hopefully, they enjoyed it as much as Ray and I did.

Smith/Palmer Reunion 2009 - Heise Hot Springs

Marshmallow Dodgeball & Water Balloom Volleyball

T-shirt Painting Annual Event

Mikki was a saint as she patiently helped those that wanted to paint a t-shirt. She kept her cool no matter how many came unannounced.

Everyone Seems to Enjoy Painting T-shirts

Horseshoes Anyone

Proud Trailer Owners

Hunter likes describe how he swells with pride while taking out their trailer on its yearly trip.

First Camping Trip

Nature Hike along the Snake

Slide Wars

Kelly and Linsey's inflatible was a huge hit with the younger crowd.

Around Camp

Verdon working on some handwork

Erin is just glad to be here with the fam. She informed Francisco when they got married that the family reunion is a mandatory event. We'll see how next year goes when #6 is born. They are a such a cute bunch and it was great seeing them all.

Jezne being everyone's friend.

More from the Reunion

We were glad to see Jeff, Julie and family this year. Wow, we must be getting old because everyone has grown up so much!!

The High Rent District

No reunion is complete without lots of family, fun (including cards), and food. We were glad that so many made it a priority this year. it was great seeing everyone.