lunch with old friends

Had the best time Saturday in Mesa visiting with old friends from High School. It doesn't matter how many years go by we just pick up where we left off. We had a lot of catching up to do because we stayed at lunch for 4 1/2 hours. Back row left to right: Celeste Wardrop, Cindy Allen, Julie Nielsen
Front row left to right: Michelle Hollis, Tami Shill and I.

Church of the Spilled Blood in Russia

The Church of the Spilled Blood in Russia was where Peter the Great was murdered and they built the memorial in honor of him. Traveling in Russia was a little scary especially with the conflict going on in Georgia. St. Petersburg restores its castles and churches while the everyday people live in shambles. The people do not greet you or smile. It didn't look like things were going that great for them. Our guide was studying to be a lawyer and would only make $1,000 a month. He told me it was one of the top paying jobs in the country. We ate lunch on one of our tours in St. Petersburg and they had soup that tasted like swamp water, cavier, and some wierd desert that didn't have any sugar. Oh, and they serve vodka instead of water.

The Hershey Church in Denmark

This is a beautiful Danish church. The domes looked like Hershey kisses. Of course I turn everything into chocolate, right? This church has the statue of the Christus that the church obtained permission to copy and placed in the SLC temple visitors center. It also had the life size statues of the 12 apostles.

Last Time with Greg

Greg telling my friend Tammy Johnston how he used to steal my bottle. I've never been the same after that traumatic experience.

I really missed Greg today. I wanted to fire off a real sassy remark to an idiotic teacher who likes the communistic Reading First Program. Why can't he still send e-mails?

Hit the Deck

Celinda, Grandma Stokes, Renae Miner, Candy Beckstead, LouAnn and Larry Stokes all relaxing after a big day of eating and cruising.

Going Crazy on a Baltic Cruise

This was the first summer I haven't worked in about 6 years. Jim says everybody whose any body works all year, quit your belly aching, but I tell him... not school teachers. When you work with small crazy children you have to have the summer off or you will start to act like those you teach. I think it's too late for me. After 14 days with grandma stokes though, I almost wished I could go back to work. We went to Denmark, Sweden, Russia, and Germany. We visited Peter the Great and Catherine the Great's castles. This picture was taken with Uncle Larry and LouAnn. Thank goodness for the aunts and uncles to save me from insanity.

Jenni's Graduation

Yeah Jenni! She graduated from U of A in May with her Masters. We're so proud of you! L to R are: Brad, Nate, Arden, Celinda, Jim, Nicole, baby Susan, Jenni, Carter, Randy, Gavin, and Halle.

Mark's Graduation

Mark's graduation from BYU in April 2008. He's off to NY to sell security alarms. He and Jae have both graduated from BYU now.

New Additions

It's been a busy 2008 for the Palmer clan with two new additions joining us on January 8th and January 11th, and then Jim's birthday on the 13th. We are so excited they are here safe and sound and we can't wait to spend more time getting to know them.

Brigham Howard Palmer came first on January 8th, weighing in at 7 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches long. He is number four for our oldest son Brad and his wife Amy and what a handsome little devil he turned out to be.
Here's a picture of Brigham with his big brother Nathan. Both so cute and sweet.

Next up, little Susan Jane Lamb was born on January 11th, coming in at 8 lbs 9 oz and 21 inches. She is daughter number two for our daughter Nicole and her husband Mitch.

I got to spend a week helping out with Susan Jane at Mitch and Nicole's home in Salt Lake. In addition to helping out with Susan, I also got to take over Arden duties and enjoyed spending time with the grandkids we don't see quite as often.
The jury's still out on which side of the family she resembles the most, but either way, she's a doll.