All Dogs Go To Heaven

God created and gave life to every creature on earth. I believe each is entitled to respect... and then we move on.
Our hearts go out to Kevin, Wendy and the kids for the loss of their dog Delphi today.

Mackenzie's e-mail home

hey there. i just put a letter in the mail with some pics i got developed
for you. going to the temple today, and me and my comp are gonna do sealings as children.
should be a good experience. i loved the dwight return address too. that was great.
and to
mom, send me all my bedding (pillow too please) and other things you think i'll need. alex is in my district.
love you lots!
Elder Morrison.

Poor kid must have carpel tunnel syndrome.

Great Ending to an Over Worked Weekend

Today Deb & I went with Ruth and Spencer to Leavenworth. We left the kids home with Tyler and headed for the hills (mountains rather) at about noon. We went through shops, ate ice cream, listened to the Grateful Dead music and just enjoyed each others company. We got home at about 9:30. Fun was had by all!

Memory Mates -- COMPLETE !

Kevin & Wendy will be interested to know that last night I uploaded 331 separate orders to the lab. Tyler added up the hours and it only took 29 1/2 hours! Wendy should be able to get it done in 18 hours easy.

Tyler Goes Back To Work

The Moses Lake Family Aquatic Center opened this weekend and Tyler starts his 2nd year of lifeguarding. Deb & I took Creesh & Kevakin to the pool for about 3 hours on Saturday while Tyler worked all day. Today Tyler starts work at 11:30

Early Bird

I guess you can tell which kid got up first this morning.

Good News... Bad News

Well, the good news was Kevin & Wendy came up to visit for in this hot little mustang. The bad news it was only for a short time (dance studio pictures). Oh, the other bad news... Kevin locked the keys in the trunk. More good news... the locksmith arrived before 1am! Kevin might go on record as the only person locking keys in a convertible!!! There might be some blonde hair under that gray!

The Pains Of Being The Photographer's Kids

Tonight Deb & I set up at "Today's Generation Dance Studio" gearing up for tomorrow's dance pictures. Kevin and Wendy just flew in to Spokane and will travel to Moses Lake tomorrow. We take pictures from 3pm until 9pm and build memory mates every night for the next week. On another note, we received an email from Mackenzie today. A "single liner" that said... "new mission rule, we can email on p-day, this is my addy: morrison.mac@myldsmail.net". That kid is going to wear himself out just communicating with his parents. I'm guessing his fingers must have cramped up or something.

Anyway when you see the countdown clock for his mission in the column next to this post, you will also find a link to his email. Drop him a line, I'm sure he can read longer than he can type.

Blake Lewis in Moses Lake !

Watching American Idol last night with the family brought back some memories. The last time we saw Blake Lewis he was performing with his ACapella group Kickshaw at the Moses Lake Amphitheatre. The projected vote at our house has Blake loosing. I hope we're all wrong.

Hockey Practice

Ty and I spent the evening testing our reflexes by throwing a tennis ball against the house and letting it bounce back into a pretend goal. Deb thought we looked like idiots and came to our rescue with the camera. What a loving wife.

Another Day At Work. . .

This man and his wife went on vacation to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away. We communicated by email and I wrote saying, "You can pay the embalming fee and have her shipped home for about $5,000, or you can have her burried there in the Holy Land without embalming for about $1500." The man thought about it and emailed me his request to have her shipped home. I asked why he would want to spend $5,000 to ship his wife home, when he could spend so much less and have her buried there? The man replied, ". . . long ago a man died over here, and three days later he rose from the dead. . . I just can't take that chance."

First Letter from Elder Morrison

Apparently he really misses us!

Getting Ready for Church

Fathers & Sons "a non-sanctioned stake event"

Kevakin & I went to Sun Lakes State Park (about an hour drive north of Moses Lake) along with
Spencer & Mason Grigg for our
"non-sanctioned" stake fathers and sons campout.
We had a great time visiting, eating, fishing and more eating with a surprise dinner of Alaskan King Crab. What a great treat!
Kevakin and I were the only ones with a successful fishing experience... Mason & Spencer actually caught fish they had to clean and eat.
Friday night between the hours of 1:00 & 3:00 am the wind blew through camp at an amazing 179 miles per hour. OK maybe it was more like 35, but it seemed like 179. The tent trailer moved from side to side and yes, even up and down. Kevakin slept through it all.All in all it was a fantastic experience. Tyler was not able to attend because of a mandatory in- service meeting for all city employed lifeguards. Better luck next time.

Good News for Lorraine

I just got off the phone with Gary Armstrong. Lorraine's CAT scan results came back today. To make a long story short, the Dr. will have Lorraine do some physical Therapy for the next 6 weeks and then take a look at surgery options after that. Perhaps by the end of September. There were some positive indications that surgery after physical therapy will take care of 90% of the problems. We hope the best for her and always keep her and Gary in our prayers.

All Wet !

The little kids had their last swim meet today at the High School Swimming Pool. They seemed to have a good time even though they got a little wet.

Next season starts after Memorial Day at the Moses Lake Aquatic Center. Go Moses Lake Manta Rays !

Oh Happy Day

Does he look like he's ready to preach the gospel?

Loving Grandparents

Where would we be without loving parents...?... well, here you have it... a dead beat mom and dad that made a loving grandma, grandpa and two sweethearts for aunts take Mackenzie to the MTC!
By the time Kevakin gets his mission call, you guys are going to be pros.

In all seriousness, THANK YOU!!
It meant the world to us.

Mackenize's Address until June 5th

Elder Mackenzie Craig Morrison
MTC Mailbox 231
MO-STL 0605
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

You may also contact him thru www.dearelder.com while he is in the MTC (just click the title of this post and set up an account)

The Countdown Has Begun

1 year, 11 months, 29 days and 23 hours. He'll be home before you know it!

In fact... Kevin will not even be half way thru his bishiopric calling by the time Mackenzie gets home.

The Spreading Apart !

This morning when we were getting ready to go to the Stake Center to have Mackenzie set apart for his mission, Concretia asked what time Mackenzie was being spread apart... well, it's 10:00 a.m. and he has been spread apart. This picture of Elder Morrison was taken just outside the stake center.

Mackenzie Math = No Worries

According to Mackenzie and his math on this napkin, missionaries are prayed for every two minuets, just from prayers at the temple alone.

No worries!

Varoom Varoom!

Clint (our apprentice) took me to work today on his motorcycle. I know I really look cool, but on the inside I was saying " oh &^$%^*&(*!!!".

Official Diagnosis

All the tests came back and the final diagnosis is...
Gilbert's syndrome. It is an inherited disorder of the liver that results in an overabundance of a substance known as bilirubin. Other names for this mainly unharmful disorder are constitutional hepatic dysfunction and familial nonhemolytic jaundice, just in case you wanted some real medical terminology to snack on.
Blood tests will be taken again in a month or so to see how he is doing, but nothing else to do at this time.
Our next test will be to see if there is a medical explanation for why he acts so weird. Chances are, we will never find out.

What I Learned From My Mother

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill Kerry, do it outside".

My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you kids don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

My mother taught me LOGIC. "Because I said so, that's why."

My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that roof and break your neck, you're not going to Clarks with me."

My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that German spaghetti is gone."

My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room looks as if a tornado went through it."

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a thousand times...Don't exaggerate!"

My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until dad gets home."

My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

My mother taught me HUMOR. "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My mother taught me GENETICS. "You're just like your dad."

My mother taught me WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

My Mother taught me ESP. "Put your coat on; don't you think that I know when you're cold?"

My Mother taught me SHARING. "Play nicely with that shinny rock or I'll just take it away from both of you."

My mother taught me about ENVY."There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

My mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids and I hope they turn out just like you!"

But most of all, my mother taught me LOVE. "You know that whatever you do or whatever happens, I'll stand behind you because I love you."

The Nitty Gritty Garage Band

You too can have your own Nitty Gritty Garage Band. All you need is a garage sale accross the street and $2 in change.

Oh, ... and 3 kids that will do anything to get out of Saturday housework.

Gobo Fango Returns

I just got home from work to find a package sitting on the front step. It was from Wilma and addressed to our entire family.

In it was a number of things... for me, a 2007 calendar from Oakley that had "back in the day" pictures including one of the class of '81 (my class) when we were in the 4th grade. The package also included a cool diary for Creesh, a Missouri- St. Louis Mission tie tac for Mackenzie, a "touch it you can catch it" ball for Kevakin, an LDS music CD for ty called "Not Your Mother's LDS Music", and a really cool Oakley Valley Cook Book that had Deb's name on it. Which leads me to the picture... When we were in Oakley last we drove up to the cemetery on Kevin's 4-wheelers and visited some graves including the grave of Gobo Fango. I was shocked to see one of his recipes in the cook book. I think Gobo has been dead for nearly a hundred years???

Thanks to Mother Burch for all the cool stuff! It brought back many memories and made us extremely homesick.

Got Willie?

Yes... Yes... Yes...!

Tickets went on sale today, and I got 'em.

He will perform at the "Gorge at George" amphitheatre on July 4th.

Can't believe he's still "On The Road Again" at the age of 74.

Cute Little Dummies...

...and their holding such cute dolls!

Concretia and her friend Brindy made cute little dummy puppet dolls in school today. They are having a great time with them.

Happy Birthday Jale Kade

Here's to you birthday boy... hope you have a great birthday and nobody makes you cross!

Mom & Dad's New Home

Mom just emailed me the picture of their new home...

It looks like Dad is trying to figure out where to put the TV and lazyboy chair.

What a beautiful place to serve a mission!

Have You Ever Seen The Hearse Go By...?

The owner of the well known

"Woody's Restaurant" passed away this week. The funeral service was today at the LDS church. At the families request the procession passed by the business with the hearse and limo pulling up to the drive thru window.

Just when you think you've seen and done it all!

The Results Are In... sort of?

Tyler's blood test results came in today from Dr. Hourigan. He has diagnosed him with Gilbert's syndrome. At least for now...

Dr. Hourigan still wants to wait until the GI doctors have a chance to look at the results to be sure.

Gilbert's syndrome is hereditary and is caused by increased bilirubin and is found in up to 5% of the population.

The main symptom is harmless jaundice and does not require treatment. It is caused by elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the bloodstream. Hopefully this will take care of itself.

Happy Anniversary KaeLynn & Jason

10 Years later.... and they said it wouldn't last!!!
Hope you have a great Anniversary!

Official Count Down

One week left before Mackenzie boards the plane to the MTC. At the rate he is going, he should be packed and ready to go sometime around Christmas. His feet are dragging... and with size 14 shoes, you actually notice these things.

Tonight he is in Ellensburg saying good-bye to his old college buddies.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Closing Down The Beach

Sunday night was best of all! If we were at Lagoon we could have said that we closed the park down, but here... we closed the beach down.

We had spent several hours together combing the beach and looking for fish and other living things in the tide pools. The wind was non-existent and the spirit in the air was calming. Everyone got along and loved each other's company. It got dark quick as the high tide was moving out. It was easy to loose track of time and even easier to loose track of where you were.

This picture was taken by Mackenzie as the kids were trying to find their way back to camp.

With no stars, and no lighthouses, it was as dark as the inside of cow.

This day will, no doubt, go down as one of my top 10 days with family.

The Rear View Mirror

What a sight to see on the way out.
We are home now, the tent trailer unpacked and the house filled with dirty laundry.
More pictures and writings to come.

Total Eclipse of the Moons

Happy Sunday!
Yes these pictures are part of our proud parenting moments caught through the lens. Kenz and Ty had to do a little hockey fighting, but all is well now.
At low tide this morning we went to Hug Point where we goofed around until about noon. Then we made our way to Dooger's for a little Eggs Benedict with Crab.
We went to Ecola State Park in the afternoon, the weather was great. We even had a little fog roll in to set the mood.
Tyler and I went back to hug point where we flew kites for a couple of hours. The wind died down and we had to quit.
Creesh, Kevakin and Kenz are swimming while Deb gets some laundry done.
It's time to sit down and catch our breath before hitting the beach tonight.
The high tide has come in... It's hard to believe it's the same beach we were at this morning, it looks so much different.

Haystack Rock

Today was a great day! We went to Warrenton to pick up some shoes for Tyler, Creesh & Kevakin. While there we decided to go to Fort Stevens for a while and horse around. Then we went back to Seaside to eat at "Big Foot".

We then went to two different locations just south of Cannon Beach. The picture of the family was taken at Haystack Rock and the one of Kevakin & Creesh holding hands was taken about 3 miles north of Hug Point.

Tomorrow will be breakfast at Doogers and then spend low tide time (8:35) at Hug Point.

Fun in the Sun... or slightly overcast skies

Had a great time today just playing in the water. Here are the two younger at Cannon Beach just south of Haystack rock.

Happy Birthday Zach!

Sorry we couldn't talk to you today, but are thoughts were there anyway.
Hope you had a great birthday.

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

A beautiful sunny evening on the beach!

Tyler and I spent some time last night flying kites while Deb and the rest of the family went swimming.

The weather was nearly perfect. We only flew kites for about an hour, but within that time we managed to break a set of lines and damage the tip of one kite. We will need to see a kite repairman to get it sewn if we want to continue.

Today we will travel south about 5 miles to a place called Hug Point. This is a favorite spot on the beach for exploring caves, finding sea creatures and general beach combing.

What The Heck?

Wednesday we should have gassed up the Suburban in Moses Lake at $3.19 per/gal. but we waited until we left on Thursday and paid $3.29

Last night we added a little to the tank here in Cannon Beach at $3.89 per/ gal. That will get us to Astoria where we saw it at $3.49

I got on line to find that oil is less than $60 per barrel... why are gas prices so high?

Home Sweet Home

"The weather is here... wish you were beautiful"

Yes we are a dyslexic family.

We made it to Cannon Beach about 8 o'clock last night. Set up camp, connected the electricity and water to find out we had a cracked faucet. Even after winterizing things can go wrong. After about an hour the water was cleaned up and we were ready to settle in.

I am headed to Warrenton today to get a new faucet, then all will be well.

The boys are well rested, the girls... well it will take a bit to get Creesh settled in.

Today... swimming, playing in the sand, and flying a kite if the rain will stop.

Happy birthday to Mom today!

Hope you have a great trip with Larry & Linda.