4th of July - INDEPENDENCE DAY

Beautiful sunny Long Beach....

Pictures dad took as we walked through the Aquarium of the Pacific...an all day tour.

Several of the shows had divers who would talk with us about the different fish.

Seals in training... dad really enjoyed the Sea Otters

Another favorite was the Lorikeet Forest, The Aquarium's aviary, home to approximately 100 birds flying and cherping all around us.

It is a beautiful harbor and lovely boats to enjoy

One of dad's friends he met along the way.....

We walked all around the Harbor

This is how close we were to the Queen Mary and the stand you see on the left of the Queen Mary is where they shot off the fireworks.

The sun started to set and the fireboats arrived....we knew it was getting close

This is where we finally sat after a very busy day. Hiking to the lighthouse we watched the boats going in and out while waiting for the fireworks to start. We stopped to get take out from "Dave's Barbeque"....hmmmmm the best!

BEAUTIFUL fireworks on the water next to the Queen Mary

At the end of the show we went back inside the Aquarium while the crowd left the park. We later headed for our car but the street were bumper to bumper, no matter which way we went and the Freeways did not clear up until we got back to Santa Monica, taking 2 hours travel.

Diving Birds were one of our favorites. They would continue to flutter on top of the water, dive down to the bottom, and back up. Lots of energy which reminded us of our Heather with her 3 children plus twins...always going and going and going.

Sharlene & John

Sharlene and John had made Marv a special birthday cake a few weeks ago to celebrate his birthday. We spent the day with them, going to the church bookstore, out to lunch at John's favorite Mexican restraunt and then came back to visit and have cake.

We also took Sharlene to her heart doctor. She has been having heart problems again and recently found out that her heart is leaking 40% and may need some serious surgery in the future. Prayers in her behalf would be very much appreciated. One thing about Sharlene...even though she has had a difficult life, she always has such a positive attitude. She and John are enjoying the church and hoping to be able to attend the temple in the future.

John's mother passed away a few months ago and his father passed away last week. We are so grateful for John and all he does to help Sharlene and make her happy. They are best friends!

FAMILY PHOTO'S..Our Precious Gifts

MATT & HEATHER'S FAMILY

MARYLYN & ANDY'S FAMILY

LISA AND DAN'S FAMILY

JOHN & MARRIANNE'S FAMILY

RUTH & BEN'S FAMILY

JOE & HEATHER'S FAMILY

DAVE & HEATHER'S FAMILY

A FEW MORE HOLLAND PICTURES

One of our very favorite pictures from Holland

Kate...such a cutie

Last day we had our Easter Egg Hunt

After several stiches, our brave little Ashley after getting her finger caught in a heavly door hinge.

It took three trips to the doctor before all the stitches were out.

Beautiful Tulips...April & May are great times to enjoy Holland and their flowers.

Peting Zoo

A very tall tire swing

Continuing towalk around the tulip gardens

And another windmill

HEY.....Ruth, Ashley and Grandpa enjoy a rest on some Hay.

Bikes are everywhere...the most popular mode of transportation.

Ruth & Ben's staircase in their home

Their three story home while in Holland

Dad's Birthday

One of our favorites too, Matt....he will do about anything for his grandkids.

Playing dart guns with his boys

Littel Marvin with his dad, mom, and brother Gene

THANKS FAMILY FOR ALL THE PHONE CALLS, SONGS, GOOD WISHES....

Thanks Lisa, Dan, John, Marrianne and grandkids for the great dinner celebration for grandpa's birthday. We had delicious barbequed chicken, green jello salad, green lettace salad, and a wonderful apple dessert...hmmmm was all sooooo good!

When is Brooke going to get her front teeth?

And when is Madison going to stop growing?

After good food it was time to open presents...

Sorry pictures are so small...phone camera.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE "MEMORIES" sent by internet...he loved each one of them.

OK Joe...here's the 'orange coat' picture

THANK YOU STEVEN for the great song and you had great back up singing. No, really, thank you all for the wonderful song and happy birthday messages.

Great singing and thank you again for a fun Holland vacation. See you in October!

In honor of Marvin's birthday, Annika had to call and tell grandpa this joke that was on her DORA popcycle stick:

Why didn't they tell the joke to the window?

I don't know, why?

Because they were afraid that the window would CRACK-UP
Oh...and good singing too, Marylyn. Dad said all those Choir practices really did pay off.