On our drive last night...

There were nine elk in a field near Newman Lake...we were driving around looking mostly for deer and turkeys but ended up on our way home finding these elk

Prior to the elk we saw some deer but then saw these Tom Turkeys...they were strutting around and were just beautiful...maybe this year we'll get one...?

These Toms were HUGE!

We had an exciting drive last night!

Home from Kauai - Part I

We were in Kauai with the Dreisbach family from March 27 through March 31. We had a blast with the family and enjoyed the Kauai sunshine!

Self photo at the golf course

Earl and I at Spouting Horn Spouting Horn - the sound was so neat. There was a roar like sound that occured with each spout as the waves rolled in and out.

Home from Kauai - Part II

Earl was able to get a little golf in with Erik and his dad Brian

This is the view from the driving range - Amazing! Wiamea Canyon the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"

A Monk Seal that beached itself for a little sun. We were at Salt Pond Beach for about an hour and a half before we realized that it was there...we saw the cones and avoided the area but didn't really pay much attention until we left - thank goodness for zoom on the camera!

Brennecke Beach where we boogie boarded and did a little sunbathing.

Kauai was absolutely beautiful and we had a blast!

Thank you to Charlie and Brian - Mom and Dad for such a wonderful family experience!

Lots of love,

Earl and Dawn

Thinking about Hawaii

Changed the background for our Hawaii vacation with Earl's parents, brother, sister in-law, nephew and niece. Can't wait to see everyone, to all be together, and we can't wait to enjoy the island of Kuaui!

No photo...Just a yummy recipe!

I discovered a recipe for TACO SOUP! It is super yummy and is just basically a thin bean chili, here it is:

Taco Soup

3 cans of beans, drained (any three - I like pinto, black and kidney)

1 can tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes (I like the kind with green chile already mixed in)

1 can corn, drained

1 pkg of taco seasoning or 1/3 cup bulk taco seasoning (I have the big Costco container)

1 lb ground meat

1/2 medium-large onion

1 1/2 cup water

Brown meat with onion. Then add your tomatoes, beans, corn, water and seasoning...bring to boil and then simmer for five or more minutes. Makes a big pot but is REALLY good with sour cream, cheese and tortilla chips!

Enjoy! I know that Earl and I really do!

Saturday Hike

Earl, Porter and I went for a hike at the Liberty Lake conservation area. It was super nice out and it really made me want spring to come a bit earlier this year!

We took some time for a few photos...

...as well as, noting the crazy number of Lady (type) Bugs that were everywhere! I mean thousands and thousands - these are just a few!

Do you think they thought it was spring?

Well it snowed today so spring isn't quite around the corner...
At the very least not much snow stuck around.

Would you believe we were seeing green grass yesterday..?

Well it is true!

Matter of fact, Earl, Porter, and I left Parma a day early due to the up and coming winter storm watch...Last night we arrived in Spokane to balmy winter temperatures (40's) and woke up to SNOW!

This is the backyard (our maple tree) at about 630 PM

The front yard at about the same time...Between Earl and I we have been shoveling machines (more Earl than myself to be honest)...Oh and you can see in the photos - STILL SNOWING!

An up close and personal shot of Porter this morning, he is really enjoying his romps in the snow. It was windy this morning - the snow is almost horizontal in the photo so he was squinting to keep the snow out of his eyes...