A friend has died

Our friend Butch died on Wednesday. A wonderful guy that Ralph had known for over 40 years and he and his family had been part of our family for decades. We are taking it hard and are really gonna miss him.

Please keep his family in prayer.

Ervin William Wakeman Jr.
Ervin William Wakeman, Jr. "Butch" was born July 17, 1943 to Ervin Wakeman, Sr. and Winnifred Allen Wakeman in Tacoma, WA and passed away October 24, 2007 surrounded by his family from heart failure. "Butch" served as a Radarman and a Military Police officer in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed his many years of working for the school districts, most currently Fife School District at Hedden Elementary. He enjoyed trips to Vegas and stray animals always found a home with him, especially Boo-Boo his cat. "Butch" is survived by Susan his wife of 40 years, children Lance & Kimberly Wakeman, Melanie & Nick Hausner, Shawna & Michael Cronin, Angie & Aaron Thiessen, grandchildren Tyler & Nathan, Emily & Noah, Alicia & Mikala, and Aly, sisters Lillian & Wayne Fisher, Lorraine & Tim Kelly, James Allen & Sally Wakeman, Don & Gena Wakeman and several nieces, nephews, and an abundance of friends. In lieu of flowers any donations received by the family will go to benefit the kids at Hedden Elementary.

Johanna's engaged!

Wonderful family news to share. Ralph's cousin Johanna became engaged to Bryan on October 6th. We are so excited for them. They are looking at a December 2008 wedding, after they both graduate from college, he with a Masters in Business Administration and she with both Nursing and Music degrees! Woohoo!



Jo and Bryan

Okay, I'm feeling blessed

We haven't been to a play since I can't remember when, been a very long time. Just never seemed to make the time for it somehow. One of our little promises to ourselves when we got back to the states was to do more of those kinds of things: plays, concerts, etc.

But since we aren't yet working we haven't done any of those things. Now we've been blessed with a pair of complimentary tickets for one of my favorite plays and it's being performed right here in town!!! Macbeth! And even though Shakespeare is not high up on Ralph's hit parade as far as plays go, he's agreed to accompany me! So next week we are having a night at the theater! I'm thankful that we get a nice night out for free. God is good!!

Savannah's birthday

Hard to believe it, but Savannah is seven! She had a cowboy/fishing party at a local u-fish pond and it was really fun to see her and her friends "reel 'em in". Darane' prepared a big "chuck wagon" meal of BBQ beef sandwiches, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and corn muffins. Yummy! All the kids had cowboy hats and bandannas and all the decorations were cowboy themed. It was really cute. And while it threatened rain off and on we never actually had a drop during the party. It was great!

First you have to fortify yourself with mom's great food:



Savannah's first cast:



and her catch:



Nick caught a pretty big one too:



You have to have strength to whack the pinata!



Nick hit it so hard the head came off, so he came away with a trophy!



Bryce actually broke it open and everyone scrambled for their share of the loot!!



Gotta blow out the candles:



and open the presents:



All in all a really great day!!