(view from the Space Needle)

Grace, Michelle, and I headed up to Washington on friday after school.

We stopped in Lacey, had dinner with Lindsay and left Michelle with her for the weekend.

Grace and I headed for Seatlle and when we got there it was sunset

and boy what a beautiful view. Grace was so excited she was talking non-stop.

We stayed with Mike & Dennine in Marysville. They have a wonderful

view of the sound and all the surrounding mountains.

Saturday night Jeff, Wes, Tim, and Colleen came over for dinner and visited.

Both Grace and I got some quality time with Aunt Ginger.

Sunday, on our way home, Grace got to see Seattle in the daytime. She

tells me we have to 'Definitly' come back to that town. She loved the Space

Needle and wants to go there soon.

HUG A VET TODAY

1988 Star Craft Tent Trailer

We decided that it would be so nice to have one.

We have been looking for quite awhile.

Yes, the counter tops are yellow. The curtains are yellow and brown.

This is just the right size for our family.
9-7-08

I went through all our camping tubs and put everything away

in the drawers. I love not having to pack and repack. The girls

cleaned the stove and washed everything down yesterday. Dave

did some minor repairs and is looking for chores to do that only involve

the trailer (his new toy). It looks like we may take it to the ocean here

in a couple of weeks. Oh how fun. Everything seems to work really well.

This is an amazing book for adults and children. I read and it and plan to buy it.
"A recipe for healing after loss."

You Belong in 1951

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Year Do You Belong In?

Banned from Wal-mart

This is why women should not take men shopping against their will.

after I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - - she loved to browse.

Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart.

Dear Mrs. Samsel,

In the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr.Samsel are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras..
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2 . July 2 : Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked t he clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least.
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'

First day of school for Michelle and Grace

LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2008

Perry South Campground

Outside of Madras

My Girls
Gabby loved the hammock, she took her nap there everyday.
Michelle & Grace's Tent



Doesn't this remind you of driving down to the cabin.

The road, driving in to camp
One arm of the lake


The Sunset

Look at the dirty feet (we only had pit toliets)
funny girl
Ernie and Luanne went for a drive and found a campground 5 miles away

there was no one there. What a pretty campground too.

campsites right on the Metolious River

Driving back from Monty we saw Dave down fishing

This someones private home, very pretty
On our way home we stopped at viewpoint

called Balancing Rock

Michelle, Grace, and Tom at the end of the trail.


Natures own balancing acts

Before we left we made one of our own.