some of our favorite picture from the Hawaii trip June 08

As I said wonce before I'll never be the same for having gone to Hanalei baby beach and the fern Grotto and Waihua bridge and Kalihiwai waterfal lookout and anini Beach park and Opaekaa Fall and glass beach and Pipu beach park and wailua falls and attending church in Hawaii and waimea canyon it was all so beautiful to me and a testimony of a loving father in Heaven who created a beatiful earth for us all .
I loved this light house I think it might have been called the kilauea lighthouse--pretty huh?

this fall was so incredible--it was hard to catch it on film

Dear family,

as you know--(but I want to share a few details anyway)

besides the graduation for Hayley we had some other great experiences

*hiking along the Napli coast

swimming at many beaches, snorkling, eating, swimming and hiking some more

some of our favorites I'm probably not spelling correctly but there was

*a blow hole

* a grand canyon

*a swinging bridge

*water falls--of many shapes and sizes--Hayley jumped of some --but dad and I were to old for that but we did swim under one (really cold) water fall

so here goes my attempt at some pics

Ray Oscar Gertsch

Hi family I wanted a pic of my dad and couldn't find the one I wanted so I'm using this one from the good old days--and I don't have to crop him---alone, so you you get the tail, end of the fam. me , LaNae, my mom and my dad

on our trip to Hawaii dad and I had a man cross our path as we were in the ocean --and he was there too and he told us some of his interaction with LDS people and asked us to clarify a point about us not wearing crosses. Dad is good at listening to people and hearing their thoughts and then expressing the truth--It prompted me to want to bear my testimony to our ward and to each of you so that you will know that "your mother knew it" was true as it says in the B of M
Last Sunday (Fast Sunday) I bore my testimony of the influence of the Holy Ghost in my Life I believe that the H.G has bouyed me up so many times when I have been un-easy or down right scared---and needed courage to do or say or teach you or do my work--etc...its incredible.
(brad kerri and hayley heard all of these thoughts about this because they were there and gave me courage to share my thoughts --but I wanted to share my thoughts with the rest of you that we're not there.
I also testified then and now to you :
*of a Father in Heaven that loves us and answered my prayers --
& and I also spoke of my love for a Heavenly Father --who gives us the Freedom of this land.. I spoke a little of my dad Ray--He had been on my mind a lot the day of the testimony (july 5th) that was the day of his funeral 23 years ago--I was proud of the way he loved education and taught me to love it too.
I told of his serving in WW II --and how Bonnie met him for the first time at age 2--I didn't mention this at the time of testimony--but It was so very sad for him--his brothers were also in various branches of the army or navey for the war too (four brothers all together-) then the sad day came of the news that their mother Elise had died from an illness--my dad was heartbroken to miss the funeral. Also serving in the war--set him back in some of his goals personally --for example building his dream home for his new bride etc. (that goal of the new home was put on hold for many years)--anyway..I recently read some letters during this time that he served and he was so positive and he tried very hard to learn of his war experiences. Well family I share these things with you now. because I am proud of the part my father played in preserving our freedoms and I bear testimony that I feel he had a mission to fulfill and Heavenly Father put him in places during that time to be protected to fulfill all that he was sent to earth to do.
we are in a spiritual war of sorts--building our testimony is so important..I don't know what the future holds but I believe the apostles of the church when they tell us to have individual testimonies--I am glad that each of you are trying to build the kingdom and I close tonight with my testimony that was first just hoping and believing the gospel was true --but through trying to live the gospel priciples--now I can honestly say that I "know" it is true and I love it and am glad to share these thoughts with you about my feelings from things that I have come to know.

payson Lake outing

oh how I love our family to be together in any setting--but my favorite is Payson lake around the lake and then back to the campground and around the fire--thanks everyone for making it memorible and fun and being good sports about the things we forgot to pack with us for the trip
it was a big sucess faye--the games, the canoe and inner tube rides the swim, the walks the games (yes I know I listed that twice--cause there was two fun ones) the good company of each of you and yours was my best part and the worst part was that it had to end so soon--
so glad that you are all willing and happy to maintain that tradition for the family--dad and I love you more and more as we have these bonding times --and appreciate the love and friendship you all share among yourselves...so with that in mind--keep up the great job of being good to us--in our "old' age--and making these the golden years...from the traditions that we started years ago--well--it seemse to get easier and easier to prepare and go each year--especially since we leave thing and food home--com by and eat all the food I was supposed to bring with us--like choc chip cookies and eclairs and such (: love mom Dad

happy birthday Kaci and Hunter this month

wow
I love all stages of the grandkid's ages--I wanted to add a shout out to my blog spot for Kaci and Hunter and their being so cute and cheerful and bringing so much joy to both of their families and to our extended family --what great natured little spirits they are --sent down to us in the last dispensation to be an example of goodness to us already even at their young ages--
we probably already told you but I'll say it again\
we like: the way Hunter pushes around things like the green tractor and acts so big for his age--I like when he smiles at us and how he is so patient--how he splashes in the cold water at the lake--how he looks at you with his big eyes--
how he likes to be playful

we like: the way kaci smiles and wrinkles up her nose--I like that she holds out her hand to me--when she wants to play--or needs food or drink--I like when she splashed in the water at the lake--how she scoots around and how she puts the golf balls in the little plastic bottle --I like how she looks at the decons pass the sacrament in church and she looks around at people
hope your birthday is fantastic you two--love --hugs and kisses grandma and grandpa

happy birthday Kaci and Hunter this month

happy birthday Stephen July 6th

its so great to celebrate birthdays I think--its fun to Celebrate Stephen's birth

sure glad that you are a part of this crazy family of ours. you make it even more fun. It was fun to come down to your home Sun night and celebrate--Nancy and the girls had made a Super Dad cake (looked like a superman/superdad cake) I had fun playing uno and match game and eating, visiting and hearing about Stephen's residency.

there are so many great things we can remember back doing with stephen and so many great qualities that we could state. I'll list a few

* Stephen went camping with us even before they were married-that was so fun getting to know you better while camping and roasting marshmellows and canoeing

* I remember you always being so thoughtful to Nancy from the beginning and going the extra mile for her

* you are good at putting others at ease and this quality will surely make you an even more sought after physian

* you are FUN!

*You really teach your kids some -awesome things --you make them feel like they can do things

and are so positive with them

* you go along with our inside family jokes and create new jokes to add to the already exising collection..

*Hope your birthday was wonderful and that you get your wishes (plural) for the coming year

Happy Birthday from us all

Hawaii pics-Jun 08

Hi family --I don't know if we ever told you but one funny thing we did-- after the graduation for Hayley we out to Hukilau beach and and Hayley jumped in the ocean in her cap and gown it was fun..we also had pictures with her roommates on campus (before she jumped in the ocean)
..since she lives by hukilau--her jumping in that ocean was a good way to end the graduation-festivities...I thought you would get a kick out of hearing that she did that--the movie is better but here are few pics --have a great day--we'll celebrate her graduation on Fri night at Payson lakes after the kids go to be--help me think of something cute to do or say--(besides the trophy and usual) (; love mom