Thanksgiving

Oh, I have so much to be thankful for! I love this time of year. It really helps me to reflect on all that I have been blessed with. 
The Boise temple was rededicated on Nov. 18 by Pres. Monson. It is now officially open!
Greg left the MTC on Nov. 19 for New Mexico. He got to call us from the SLC airport. It was so good to hear his voice!
Drew flew in that night for the week. It was so good to have him home!

We spent Thanksgiving at the cabin. This year it included, lots of people, no hot water (the pilot light kept going out on the water heater), and a big bonfire!

The little kids put pillows in their clothes and played sumo wrestlers!

Grandpa bought a ping pong table for the bonus room at the cabin.  So, I ask you, "how many guys does it take to put together a ping pong table?"

Rachel making pumpkin pies. Mikaela is suppposed to be helping, but I think she is the "Official Tast Tester!" Oh well, pregnant ladies get the benefit of a doubt!

Due to a shortage of oven space, Grandma cooks her turkey outside on the barbeque! Of course, it was perfect as always!

All summer, Grandpa has been cleaning off the other lot. He had a huge pile of tree limbs and undergrowth. So what do you do? You light it on fire!

All things said, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving! Even with the cold showers!  Everyone missed Greg, but look forward to 2 years from now when he will be home!

Greg's a missionary!

Boy, the time does fly!  With the business of getting Greg ready to leave on his mission, and helping with the Boise Temple Open House, October flew by. But we were able to get Greg to the MTC in Provo on Oct. 31st. Two weeks before he left, Mike, Greg, and I went to Logan so Greg could go thru the temple.

Mike and  Greg heading into the temple.

Greg's old roommate Daniel, met us at the temple for the session.

 About 10 days before he left, he spoke in our Sacrament meeting.  Then we had a breakfast afterward at our house. 

Greg and his friends Dunja and Corey, who came to support him even though they are not members of the church!

Mikaela shows off her baby bump!

Lots of family and friends there!

We left for Provo the day before Greg was supposed to report to the MTC. Here is his last picture at home, and it's with Max!

We stayed with Marty and Rachel that night. Megan helped babysit the kids while Mike, Greg, Rachel, and I went to the Draper Temple.

The next day we took Greg to the MTC!  It was also Halloween. Rachel's kids were all dressed up in their costumes to wear to school!

When we got to Provo, we went to the Provo Temple and took some pictures around the temple grounds.

This is the last picture that I have of Greg before he disappeared into the MTC.

I did really good, I didn't cry until after I got back into the car! Then I looked at this last picture all the way back to Boise!  This will have to sustain me for the next 2 years!

Greg's Mission Call

About 6 months ago, Greg made the announcement that he wanted to go on a mission. Mike and I were quite shocked! We watched Greg with cautious optimism as he worked on getting himself ready to go. Over the next few months, our caution turned into full fledged excitement as Greg prepared himself to be a missionary. His papers went into the bishop the first week of August. His mission call came in the mail on Sept. 6th! Because of the family's schedule, he couldn't open the call until 9:15 that night.  But, he either held it, or kept it by his side until it was time to open. He wasn't letting it out of his sight! (notice the white envelope on the couch by Greg?)

Finally, he gets to open the call!

Reading... Reading....

He's going to Albuquerque, New Mexico!

Our friend, Frank Carollo, and Greg's Young Men's Pres, Tyler Haws, also came over.  Tyler Haws played a huge role in helping Greg get ready for his mission. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude.

Greg enters the MTC on Oct 31st.  Halloween!  Maybe we should dress him in a Super Man costume?

End of summer.. (sigh........)

We are now officially back in school. Summer is over. But we had a few last minute fun adventures!
Over Labor Day, Mike, Megan, and I went to the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa for a few relaxing days.  On Saturday, we went for a hike. We hiked the Boulder Lake/Louie Lake Loop. It is about 6.5 miles, with 5 of it being up hill!

Here we are at our first stop, Boulder Lake.

Once we left Boulder Lake, we climbed up and over the summit to Louie Lake.  Here we are along the top. People say that this meadow is full of wildflowers in late June/early July. We may have to do the hike then to see them!  The whole time we hiked thru the meadow, I kept thinking of the opening scene to "The Sound of Music."  Can anyone sing, "The hills are alive......."

About half way down the other side, you get to Louie Lake. It's not as big as Boulder Lake, but it is still just as beautiful!

 

 

 

 

Here we are at the end of the loop, very tired, but excited we did it!

 

 

 

I have had a goal for the summer to ride my bike from our house to Lucky Peak. So the weekend after Labor Day, I finally made the big ride. Here's my pictures to prove it!

 

 

As we say goodbye to summer, we have lots of great memories!  And can start dreaming of next summer!









Oregon Coast

Yes, once again, my family got to go to their favorite place for vacation! The Oregon Coast!  But this year, the Bakes Family Reunion was at the coast! We had lots of company this year!

Our family, the Erickson family, and the Bodell family, all stayed at Beverley Beach campground in yurts! Grandpa and Grandma Bakes decided to rent a condo at Little Creek Cove. But, they visited at the campground a lot!  Here is Mike and Greg in front of our yurt.

Of course, lots of eating went on at the yurts!

Greg served up chicken and dumplings, and Grandma made a banana boat.

Grandma and Rachel making potato bowls.

Of course, you can't go to the Oregon Coast without playing on the beach!

Mike helping MJ fly his kite.

We visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium,

went crabbing,

and of course, ate at Mo's!  (That is a tradition!)

On the beach outside Grandpa and Grandma's condo, a pier had washed up on shore. The pier had broken off during the earthquake and tsunami in Japan over a year ago. It had floated across the ocean, and was now inbedded in the sand at Newport, Or. 

Here is some various pictures from the reunion.

I think Lizzie is reading Cosmo!

Next year, the reunion is back at the cabin!  We love family reunions!