The epic battle... not seen in the final cut of the movie. 

Family Time

We always enjoy having the family over... this day was special. Evan and Isabel were quite entertaining in their roles... kind of a mix of Star Wars and The Matrix!

"Leah" aka Isabel 

"luke" aka Evan 

Interesting sculpture outside a cathedral 

Mikalah really, no!, really really enjoyed her time in France: sightseeing with family and friends...helping encourage missionaries in their work in Paris. 

Notrer Dame 

...Can words say any more? 

Notre Dame 

The back is quite impressive too! 

...You have to see it to really understand! 

Special friends... 

Many sights! 

The Paris Opera House... a must see for Mikalah!  

Awesome vistas... 

Enjoying the Mediterranean climate in Southern France... 

Traveling roads that are not designed for the faint of heart... 

Spectacular views... 

Enjoying the Mediterranean climate in Southern France... 

The brothers three... 

Jon and Sami... showing signs of rough play! 

Am I coming through to you Uncle Matt?!

Jon and I were playing in the back yard. 

Havin' a chin-wag with Uncle Dave... 

With Uncle Frank at a recent men's retreat. 

Iain doing some target practice... 

Morna and I went on a BWCA canoe trip together... what fun! We got blown around a little by the wind. But, once we got the equipment arranged correctly in the canoe, we were making quite a wake! 

Mikalah... bridging the "gap" (actually there is no gap, don't want to start any rumors... just a harmless play on words... because of the t-shirt grandpa's wearing, get it?) 

Some of our children seem to like eachother a lot... you can never tell when this kind of affection might pop up! 

Mikalah in her make-up mirror... I was just playing around to see what would happen. Her eyes looked spooky in some of the pictures, but this one was better and the tinting was a special bonus feature.

They really are happy! 

Yes Iain was there too! 

Sometimes pride is a good thing... Mikahah turned 20. We all turned out at one of her favorite haunts in Stillwater, MN to have a cup of coffee or sugary milk (some like it with a hint of coffee flavor) with grandma and grandpa Olmstead!!

Exciting Stuff! 

Celebrating Mikalah's 20th 

Around Mikalah's Birthday '05 

Cousins... David was a trooper. It was a hot day but they really hung in there and had a great time together. I remember watching them in the simulator... around and around. And there we fathers were... standing in the sun... long lines for lemonade but well worth the wait!

Tired after the Flying Cloud Airshow '04 

Flying Cloud Airshow '04

Flying Cloud Airshow '04 Amphibious Aircraft... ya gotta love 'em!

Flying Cloud Airshow '04
This is my favorite shot from the day... in terms of the aircraft.

Flying Cloud Airshow '04... Coming in for a landing.

Flying Cloud Airshow '04 B25 Mitchell coming in for a landing.

Flying Cloud Airshow '04 ... some capacity in this baby to carry some hurt!

Ruthie and I stood on these steps for a picture after our wedding in 1983! This is what we have become 22 Years Later...

When I saw this picture I was amazed and touched by the illustration of the profound faith of a child. Oh, for a heart like that!

beginning

I was just thinking that this was kind of an accident... I never intended to start a blog today. There were no plans, no predetermined ideas or agendas. It's kind of embarrassing to think that there are so many things of significance that one could talk about and to pick one would reveal personal bias and shallowness.

How many people have related beginning a blog to birth? We have no control in the circumstances of our entrance into the world... And yet, there it is, the comparison has already been made. Darkness and a knowledge that I am, then squishing pain and a glaring light with a sudden onslaught of sound and, slap! Ouch, what did I do wrong already!? Well, one thing I know for sure... I have made mistakes and I will probably make mistakes in the futre (oops!).