Nancy's Notes

Our trip to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills

2010-11-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

This October Brian and I traveled to the Black Hills to see Mount Rushmore. This had been on my list of places to see for a long time. We drove through three loops in the Black Hills . They all were spectacular scenery. The square view of Mt Rushmore is through a single car tunnel . The lake is Sylvan Lake. It was featured in the second National Treasure movie. We hiked all the way around it. The rock formation is called Needles. They are spectacular!

The Badlands

2010-11-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Badlands are beautiful in a very different way. Very rugged. We hiked a one mile trail into them to a ladder that was to lead us to a unique view. No so.

Mammoth Site, Hot Springs, N.Dak.

2010-11-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

We were able to squeeze one more site into our weekend. This is a working archaeological dig where they have found over 50 skeletal remains of wooly mammoths. They are still finding them. Volunteers and interns come every summer and dig. They leave the bones where they are when they unearth them as they are not fossilized and are fragile. This was a sinkhole that filled woth water from a spring and they believe when the animals came to drink they fell in and were unable to get out so drowned. It's an amazing place.

Basement Ready For Carpet!

2010-04-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is the bigger room, Looking from each end. Can't wait to see it with carpet. !

2010-04-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

FInal Stages of Basement Remodel

2010-04-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share with those that are interested a few pictures of the basement. These are of the rooms that are getting carpet laid as I write. These pictures show them cleaned out and ready for the carpet.

The first one is looking down the stairs. Kind of dark but shows the color at the base of the stairs . The room is to the right at the base of the stairs. New wall hiding Brians workbench and soon to be back to my sewing area.

Current Status

2010-02-22T18:02:00.000-08:00

Here's the finished fireplace and a few of the painted walls . The next step is building free standing storage cabinets for another room. Today we sanded and primed part of the pieces. Ill try to post more pictures in a few days.

2010-02-22T17:57:00.000-08:00

Jose and Brian at the end of the day. The fireplace is done ! The hearth and mantle are coevered in plastic til the final cleaning of the stone.

FInishing the firplace

2010-02-22T17:36:00.000-08:00

The next step was to finish the fireplace. We picked out the stone and found a beautiful peice of solid cherry for a mantle. Brian got everything ready but was feeling a little out of his comfort zone. The Lord sent us Jose, a professional stone mason Brian had met at the brick company to help. Jose volunteered to come and help Brian for a day. They were able to finish the entire fireplace in 11 marathon hours. alot of trips up and down the basement stairs to cut the stone in the garage. Brian stopped counting at one hundred trips. The finished product is beautiful and we are extremely grateful for our new friend Jose. We couldn't have done it without him.

basement project

2010-02-22T17:17:00.000-08:00

This fall we started a remodel/finish of our basement. These pictures are for our family and friends who have asked for pictures. We have drywalled and insulated the outside walls, built built-in cabinets at one end of the large room, installed a gas fireplace. All this was done before Christmas. We cleaned the basement up for Aidan and Jaxon to be able to play . You can see the fireplace in the corner behind the chair. It is just installed in the drywall for now.

Sol Duc Trail and Falls

2008-11-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

We also hiked to Sol Duc Falls to the site of a virtual geocache. We enjoyed geocacheing as we made our way around the Peninsula.

Olympic Peninsula

2008-11-02T18:16:00.000-08:00

After leaving Meg's we toured the Olympic Peninsula for a week. We stayed in Port Angeles for a couple of days . We drove by beautiful Crescent Lake and hiked through a rain forest to Marymere Falls in the Olympic Park .

Grand kids continued

2008-11-02T18:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a few more pictures taken before we took Ben to school. Aidan loves to jump on his trampoline and play outside in the backyard.
He loves to play Rock Band with whoever will play with him. Here's Ben and he playing together.

Grand kids

2008-11-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of our precious grand kids, Aidan 2yrs and Jaxon now 5 months. We had fun visiting the Vancouver Zoo and just hanging out together.

Ucluelet

2008-11-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

After leaving Tofino we drove south along the coast to Ucluelet. The coast was very different from the sandy beaches at Tofino. Very rugged and beautiful.We hiked the Pacific Rim Trail.

Tofino, September

2008-11-02T17:46:00.000-08:00

WE are finally getting around to publishing some pictures from our trip to BC, Canada. WE visited Megan before taking Ben to Capernwray Harbour Bible School on Thetis Island. ( off Vancouver Island ). After taking Ben to school we visited Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. These pictures are taken on Meares Island where we took a boardwalk to one of the largest red cedar trees in Canada. The tsunai sign we thought interesting as we had never seen one before . Note the little guy trying to get up the cliff.

2007-08-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

The Keppler Cascades . We parked the car right near this when we began our hike. Breathtaking!

2007-08-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

This shows Ben hanging our backpacks on the bear pole for obvious reasons. Fortunately or unfortunately we never saw any bears.

2007-08-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

2007-08-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

The third day of our adventure we took a 6 mile day hike to the Shoshone geyser basin and Shoshone Lake. The scenery on the way there was gorgeous and the geyser basin like another planet.

2007-08-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

2007-08-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

2007-08-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

2007-08-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

2007-08-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of Ben sitting in a warm spot in the sun at our campsite.

Hail in August.

2007-08-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

Here we are the second day at our camp waiting out a hail storm. We couldn't believe it was August and hailing the size of marbles. We were very thankful Ron had made room for the dining fly in his pack . All the white on the ground around us is hail.

Beuatiful scenery

2007-08-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

The scenery was beautiful in spite of the clouds and rain. WE soon came upon our first geyser, the Lone Star. This was the end of the paved trail and into the back country.

2007-08-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

Still having a good time

2007-08-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

Before we'd gone the first mile it started to rain , but we were ready with our rain gear and garbage bags to cover our packs.

On Our Way

2007-08-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here we are the Lantz family and the Swanton family at the beginning of our Yellowstone adventure.
L to R, Brian, Ben, Nancy, Peter Hilda, Noah , Ron.

2007-02-28T16:18:00.000-08:00

Back to Christmas

2007-02-27T16:52:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I have posted. I guess I am content to look at Megan's blog . She is much more faithful at journaling than I. Here is our new family picture from Christmas. It was so wonderful to have everyone together. Aidan is 4 months old here. We had great fun together.

Parents of the Bride

2006-10-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

Here are Jack and Joan waiting outside the church for the new Mr. and Mrs. Knight to appear. You can't tell how dreadfully cold it was. Thye make a pretty nice looking couple themselves.

2006-10-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

2006-10-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

Marissa and Tom's wedding

2006-10-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

We were privileged to attend the wedding of Marissa Boyko and Tom Knight on Oct.14th. Marissa was a good friend of Meg's in high school and after. Her parents are special friends of our's . These pictures are especially for Meg who was unable to attend the wedding. Our love and prayers for God's blessing on their marriage. May you always make Christ first in your lives and marriage.

October Snow

2006-10-23T19:03:00.000-07:00

I know I am behind in publishing this but what else is new? We awoke October 12th to our first snowfall of the season. It was very beautiful but still early for us and we were grateful it was gone by late afternoon. We did receive about 2 inches throughout the day. Just a teaser to get us ready for winter.

2006-10-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

Thankfully our fountain was still running so it didn't freeze. Don't know that I've ever seen it with snow on it though.It was a beautiful sight , but not one we wanted to last. Thankfully it was gone by afternoon.

Megan and Aidan taking a rest.

2006-08-31T12:13:00.000-07:00

Megand and Aidan love to cuddle and take a rest together. Meg is still recovering from her quick but intense labor and delivery. Everyday she looks beter and feels stronger.

Is He Cute Or What ?

2006-08-31T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a close up of Aiden at about 2 days old. After looking at Megan's and Jamie's baby pictures he seems to be a good combination of the two. He is so far a good easy baby, which is always nice for the first one. Megan and Jamie are adjusting well to the interrupted sleep and change in their lives. Thankfully Jamie is still on summer break but will start back to work after Labor Day.

Aiden Has Arrived !

2006-08-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

I know it us awhile to finally post a picture of our very new grandson but we are still up at Megan and Jamie's so had to figure out how to do this. Thankfully Doris, Jamie's Mom had the technology required. So here is a picture of our most handsome grandson with "Papa ". Aiden James was born Aug. 24th , the day before we were to arrive. We thank God for answering our prayers that we might be able to spend as much time with him as possible. They were home by the time we arrived Friday evening.

Turks head.

2006-07-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a close up of their beautiful and difficult Turks head weaving. It marks the center of the wheel so you know the rudder is amidships.

Brian's pride and joy

2006-07-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

While Ben and Nancy were gone to Missouri, Brian spent several hours stitching a suede cover onto the wheel of our sailboat. ( he had removed it and taken it home). He did a beautuful job. After he reattached the wheel we had to tie a Turks head knot at a certain place on it. Brian thought I could do that with my experience with stitching, embroidery etc. but I could not make heads or tails of the directions. Thankfully Ben figured it out and he and Brian were able to do it. It was really more like macrame, one thing I never could do.

Trip to Branson

2006-07-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

One day we drove to Branson. It was really hot and we decide to skip Siver Dollar City this time. We did a little shopping, played miniature golf etc. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Norm and Betty and look forward to visiting them again.

Shootin Range

2006-07-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

The first day at Norm's he and Betty took Ben and I to a shooting range in the Mark Twain National Forest. Norm helped Ben zero in his new sight on his 22. We all got to do some shooting. We then drove around to see some of the country side.

Dooley

2006-07-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

Ben had a great time with Norm and Betty's dog Dooley. Dooley took quite a liking to Ben. They did a lot of running and playing hide and seek together. He has quite the personality. He even winks.

Norm and Betty

2006-07-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

Norm and Betty live in the Ozark Mountains about an hour east of Branson. They have a neat log house with a great view. We had a great time with them and wish we could have stayed longer. Maybe next time Brian will be able to go too.

At the Top!

2006-07-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

This is proof for all who know Nancy's claustrophobic tendencies that she made it to the top. What mother's do for their children. It was a beautiful view. We made sure we took a picture of Busch stadium where the Cardinals play for Jamie. You could also see the Old Courthouse below where the famous Dred Scott trial took place. Definitely a lot of history in a small area not counting the beginning of Lewis and Clark's Expedition. The museum under the Arch is impressive.

St. Louis arch

2006-07-23T12:43:00.000-07:00

Ben and I drove from Grandpa's the first day to St. Louis and went up in the arch. It was a beautiful day . The little car you ride in to get to the top is very claustraphobic. Like getting into a 50 gallon drum. But we survived and even met a nice couple going up and a nice father /son coming down. Ben took this great photo from the base.

Trip to Missouri

2006-07-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

My ( Nancy) brother Norm and his wife Betty retired this last year to Missouri. Since we had not seen their new place yet Ben and I decided to visit them for a couple of days. Brian had to stay home and work. :( . To break up the 1400 mile trip we stopped at Grandpa Price's in Ill. coming and going. Here's Ben with Grandpa.

Designer Firepit

2006-07-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

Nancy decided that we should have a firepit in our backyard. That way we could roast hot dogs, marshmellows and have other families over. It is also a great way to get rid of all of our dead wood and fallen tree branches. That way we done need to rent a wood chipper every 3-4 years to grind them all up.

National Honor Society Member

2006-07-09T17:44:00.000-07:00

This year Ben was invited into the National Honor Society. As long as he maintains a certain grade point average and does a specified number of hours of community service each semister he will be allowed to stay in.

2006-07-09T17:38:00.001-07:00

Black Powder Shotgun Shooting!

Marksmanship Campout

2006-07-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

Ben's last campout as a boyscout included an afternoon at the Rockford Sportsman's Club where we had a chance to watch a "Cowboy shooting" competition. Afterward they allowed the boys to shoot some of their pistals and shotguns. Here Ben is siteing his 22 Magnum. He just recently bought a scope for it and took it to his Uncle Norm's in Missouri to practice with it.

Ben's Jazz Band Concert, May 2006

2006-07-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

Ben completed the school year with a Jazz Band Concert. They all dressed up in Hawaiian shirts and played great music from TV and movie themes. They played "Autumn Leaves" and Ben and some of the other kids played extemporaneous solos. It was a great time and fond memory.

Mother's Day

2006-07-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Mother's Day together; Church, Brunch out and time to rest and enjoy each other. The pink dogwoood behind us was a gift from my Mother, and we have taken pictures by it each Mother's Day with Nancy's Mom and my Mom when ever they were over.

Coloring Easter eggs

2006-05-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Our annual tradition of coloring Easter eggs. Ben decided to make one in the image of Mr. T, from the old T.V. series "The A Team". Lots of fun and great deviled eggs the next week.

Thetis Island harbour

2006-05-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

This is a view of the harbour from the Bible School. Beautiful scenery of the Pacific Northwest. It would be a great place to study God's word for a year. They to ocean kayaking, hiking, wilderness survival and alot of service to the community.

Thetis Island Bible School

2006-05-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

This is the dining hall and guest housing for the Bible School. It sits on about 90 acres on the coast of a small island off of Vancouver Island. There are about 140 students from around the world that come here for 1 year to study the Bible. It is the same school, although a different location, that Megan went to. Her's was in Texas. We had a wonderful visit, and gave Ben something to think about.

Visit to see Megan & Jamie

2006-05-01T17:41:00.000-07:00

We recently had an opportunity to visit Megan and Jamie over Ben's spring break. We wanted to see Megan while she was pregnant for the first time. This is a picture of them outside their new house in Abbotsford, B.C. We had a wonderful time of relaxing, playing games, and just enjoying being together. We watched Jamie play softball, saw Megan's place of employment at ReMax realtors and took a two day excursion to Thetis Island to visit a Bible School with Ben.

Ben's 16th Birthday Party

2006-04-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

Ben's 16th Birthday Party was a paintball outing in our backyard. About 9 paintball friends showed up to shot at each other and me for about 3 1/2 hours. Great fun and special memory.

Dad's Valentine Gift

2006-02-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

Ben gave me a Valentine's card and on it was this gift. FREE TARGET PRACTICE! Dad, you get to shoot your favorite target, ( me), with 50-100 paintballs. For rules, see back of card.
Happy Valentine's Day. Ben.........
ONCE IN A LIFETIME USE ONLY!
Rules: 1. You ( the shooter ) must be stationary.
2. I ( the target ) get to run around.
3. 50-100 paintballs may be loaded into the marker.
4. No time limit.
5. You must allow the target to regain conssciousness after every hit.
6. Marker may not be dialed above 250 ft/sec.

Drunkards Path Quilt

2006-02-10T13:30:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my Drunkards Path quilt! I started this quilt on our mission trip to Togo, West Africa in 2000. It is entirely hand pieced and handquilted. It only took 6 years! :) Really, I did do other projects in between there, i.e. my whole cloth quilt which is all handquilting and took about two years to do. I am ready for a new project, a quilt for Ben and a baby quilt !

Shopping for Megan

2006-02-10T13:21:00.000-08:00

While in Chicago Megan sent us on a mission to Gap Maternity as it was the closest Gap Maternity store to us. We were able to find a few of the things she had picked out on the internet site and they are on the way to her via airmail. Apparently she will need them soon. :)

How far is it to Vancouver?

2006-02-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are curious about how far Navy Pier in Chicago is from Vancouver, we came across this sign.

Strictly Sail Show- Chicago

2006-02-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

The 3rd and 4th of Feb. Brian and I went to Chicago to the Strictly Sail Boat Show at Navy Pier. This was the first time for us and I'm sure just the first of many. We had a great time looking at new boats and getting ideas for things to update our boat. We took a few classes on diesel engines and night sailing. We even ran into fellow sailors from Hastings and Grand Rapids.

Michigan Winter Wonderland

2006-01-21T15:14:00.000-08:00

I took this picture this morning after a 5 inch snowfall last nite for two reasons. First, it was really beautiful and second and perhaps more important, to prove to Jamie that it really does snow in Michigan. We'll do better next year Jamie!

Backyard Paintball

2006-01-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

Ben and I did a little work on our paintball field, in our backyard recently. After playing a while and running out of paintballs, Nancy decided to take our picture for the album and future reference.

Happy New Year from all of us!

2006-01-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

2006-01-02T11:34:00.000-08:00

We thought you all might like to see Ben in his Jazz Band outfit. He looks great in his blue pin-stripe suit we found at the Salvation Army store. He loves vintage clothing, hats and of course is still in love with camoflage.

The Girls politely snatching each others gifts :)

2006-01-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

2006-01-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

We were able to have Christmas in Illinois at Grandpa Price's with all the family. My sister Debbie and her family and my brother Norm with his wife and daughter. It was nice to have Lori there as we had not seen her since she moved to Florida a couple of years ago. We do a men's and women's gift exchange and then play a game to trade gifts.

Christmas 2005

2006-01-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

Wow, Another Christmas has flown by. We are so grateful Meg and Jamie got to come home again to be with us. Ben always looks forward to when they come, ( as well as Brian and I ). This year they arrived on Christmas Eve so we had Christmas morning together for the first time.