Sioux falls to Niagra Falls, part one

visiting Chatterley siblings is the top priority. here is Jim an Cederic. Jim loved going out to see the property that his bro manages and share the family love of service, we loved going to church here as the spirit of missionary work is strong. We stayed and Lenny and Joleas new place and had a great swim the next morning

Sioux falls

traveling by rental car from Minneapolis 

we had a quick visit with Ruth and Tom, which sadly ended quickly as Tom had an emergency fall playing pickel ball

at the Green lake which topped our visit with Lenny N Jo

we biked and canoed and boated for a fun visit, and got to revisit with Charlie and Wendies family

nexted we traveled to Chicago to see Tanya, and here shows her beautiful healthy hair as I honor her, She knew she looked good here and showed joy in her posture.

sharing music and family stories was not enough to open up the memories floating in Tanyas mind, it was touching for me to just sing and laugh with her as the men visited.  I was hoping that as I sang songs from her pasted that it would spark a memory, but all she said was, Oh thats pretty.

and so is she

as we travel down the highway of life

stop and see the pretty

 

spring into fun 2023 with Mercados

visits to canton Michigan always bring great love and fond memories of my youth in Pennsylvania. FAMILY times, the weather and here ,the beautiful sun sets

canton cup with Erik doing great defense and goaling

the family getting ready for victoria's graduation party! they will have a big outside party with  LOTS of prep before

victoria and date at prom

Valeria with all the prep

victorias last dance recital

austins birthday

showing off the one handed pull ups

enjoying all the fun

each of the family was suffering with ailments, broken bones, COLDS, earACHES 

our traditional family photo to show our love and unity. this is MY GREAT JOY

Panama Canal

Jim's dream of seeing the engineering of the Panama canal along with our being together with Terry and Doug and Loraine and Whitney.   We had some challenges with sickness and travel but all in all we love being together and having good entertainment and food and warm sun. I love meeting people from different cultures and this time we got a semi private dance class in Cartagenia, Colombia

getting dressed up is fun for me and Jim ,Here we are in the quiet place where we could meet up with Doug each day and even have high tea before dinner ( AS UF WE WERE EVER HUNGRY!)

we visited Cabo and Acapulco Mexico on the way down 

here Jim is watching engineering while we walk to the beach. We walked by the local fishermen bringing in their catch and stopped and watched an artist working on a large sand art work. We chatted with local students near the fort San Diego.

working on Vit,D

Local engineers  in Puerto Quetzal share with Jim most recent uses of energy near coal shipping

my favorite part of the whole cruise was going to the Panama temple, We were there on a Sunday and got to go to church and share our love of the Gospel and the blessings of learning from each other all around the world. The story behind this photo is, the person that took our photo said, "loosen up" and so I did! I  was so happy to be there.

!!  

famous tree from Africa 

famous old wall 

famous new artists

famous travelers

our semi private dance class learning the combia in Colombia. We spent about an hour learning and then they served empanadas. So much fun and being with the locals is what I love then best

v

we enjoyed time together, and continuing to learn more about this wonderful world. We are blessed to have the health and time to travel

n

the SUN

the days are getting longer and the sun is shining and lifting me out of the winter blues,  and I realize that it isnt the cold of winter that is hard but the lack of sun,

my Mountain in winter is still strong and firm and lifting my spirits as it does reminding me of our Savior  Jesus Christ, As we learn and serve in the temple we see and learn changes within the house of the Lord and LOVE our Savior even more.

oh how I love being together

oh how I love being married to Jim and seeing his inventions and service each day, He loves adventures like me, but not so much in the SUN!! He loves serving and worshipping the SON and has been a great example to me

Each day I search for the brightness of HOPE

Jake is a great example for me and I love seeing him grow.

Being together more and more is teaching me about putting others first, Even though, as a young mother I learned this, I now am being reminded again and again each day of serving others