There is quit a change in Gpa and Gma's lives. Gpa retired on the 28th of August and we have moved to our home in Montpelier Idaho. We found the perfect sign to show just who Gpa is! It's nice that Gma will still stand by.

We have gotten most of our house in order. There was a lot to do but it is coming together. Just want everyone to know - we have a, real no fooling, guest room. So, come on down.


We have been planning to go to Indiana since the birth of our 16th grandchild, Jane Elizabeth, Aaron and Alida's new baby. We are excited to see them and have been looking forward to the trip. We have made a few stops on the way including this, which is one of the original Pony Express stations located in Gothenburg Nebraska. It is also located on the Mormon Trail. it was fun to see one of the places our ancestors were.


Our next stop was at the Mormon Trail Center in Omaha Nebraska. We had a great guided tour of the center that gave us some new insights to what the pioneers had to go through just to get to Winter Quarters. It is well worth the stop, if you ever get there. We were able to stop by the Winter Quarters Temple (pictured here). It is one of the small ones and is just as beautiful as the rest. It was closed for upkeep but we got a good look at the outside. Again, it's well worth the stop.

More to come later in the trip.
Love to All
Gma and Gpa

Thanksgiving 2009

A couple months ago Matthew issued an invitation to all the family to come to our house for Thanksgiving. That invitation still stands. We will have all new floors and an new kitchen to show off. And since "certain" people couldn't make it to the 4th of July get together; it will be another chance for Mom and Dad to have all thier kids together before they put their papers in for thier mission.

To get to the point, who's comin'? Shane, Aaron, Jared; you have the farthest to travel. Do you think you can make it? I think Mom and Dad are comfirmed and I'm fairly certain Amber's clan can make it. Let me know.

Tina

A day at the beach

Memorial Day this year we went to Larabee State Park. It has a little rocky beach with lots of tide pools. The kids had a great time. They did very little wading or playing in the water but they had fun collecting shells, looking at sea critters and generally running around. There were star fish everywhere; big purple ones; as well as little crabs, fish and sea cucumbers. We even found one pool with sea anemones. There were these nice rock formations where we took a lot of group and individual shots. Then we went to the park playground and home for a bbq. We were tired out but had a fun day. Thank goodness for the sun.

P.S It rained the next day. boooo!

Science Fair Project

Aidan, Joseph, Natalie, Daisy & Ceili all worked together on a science fair project. Every year their school puts on a Science Fair. Eighth graders are required to do a project but anyone can do one who wants. All the younger kids said they wanted to do a project. I decided we should do only one. Aidan came up with the idea and we did it together. Thier subject was which brand of popcorn has the fewest unpopped kernels. So we popped and ate fifteen bags of popcorn and counted the left over kernels. I think they all enjoyed it. (Especially eating all the popcorn.) They got an outstanding ribbon. They are talking about next year. Aria will be doing a required project then so we will see.

Sorry Aaron, we almost couldn't wait for the pictures. These babies just look to good to not eat right away. Want you to know that your old fishing hole still has fish - a few less but still has fish. The one with the head on it was Chance's catch. Gma got two, Gpa got two, and Nathan got one. We all had several that got off. The worst of it was the one that must have run at least 10 pounds. I'm goina miss that one. And that is my story and I'm sticken to it. We all had a great time and would have liked to have the two, almost three, of you there to enjoy it with us. I just didn't want you to think those minnow sun fish are anything special.

Would like to see a post on here or yours letting us know what you guy were up to for this holiday weekend.

Enjoy Gma and Gpa

There was a couple of visitors at Gma and Gpa's homestead. This is a picture of just one of the red foxes that was in the pasture in front of our house. We hadn't seen them since they finished eating our chickens It was kind of fun.
Hope everyone enjoys Love to all Gma and Gpa.

Workman Family has been busy in April.

Joseph, Natalie, Daisy and Ceili all were in a play at school. Joseph was a member of the Very-Hairy Frowny-Face Tribe. Though he didn't frown much.

Daisy, Natalie & Ceili were all chameleons. They sang and danced and changed colors. Daisy tried out last year but got afraid during try-outs so didn't make it. This year was no problem. She had a good time.

This is Natalie & Joseph's second year in Missoula's Children's Theater. The theater group comes to our school and has try outs Monday. The cast is chosen that day and they have thier first rehersal. The rehearse the rest of the week and then perform on Saturday. Winds up being a very busy week.

The play was Robinson Crusoe. (But a very loose interpretation) Ceili was almost not in it. She missed the try out because she forgot her permission slip and came home on the bus. I took her to school with me to get the other kids. At the end of the tryouts it turned out everyone got a part so I asked the director if we could fit Ceili in. The director did a one-on-one tryout and Ceili did great. Looking the director in the eye the whole time and doing all she said.

All the kids had a great time.

Yes, we went to a Tea Party on Tax Day. I went alone during the day then took the kids with me later in the day for a short time. Aidan got into it the most making his own signs and standing at the curb the whole time. I'm not sure how much they really understood but they asked a lot of questions and learned some things about current politics.

This is Mariska's latest Anime costume. This is her second year running. There is a convention every year in Seattle. Both years she has made costumes using what we have at home. And that is her own hair. She cut it and bleached it out. It's teased up there but it is a short blond bob normally now. It actually looks very sophisticated.

This is Aria's newest art project. It is a friend of hers. She has been doing a lot of art lately and finding things she is interested in school too. She just needs to be challenged.

I'm not real sure how this worked out but here it is. Gpa tended to the home fires while Gma went to San Pedro, Belize with two of her sisters. As you will see from the posted pictures it was just the kind of trip Gma relishes - lots of sun, sand and sea water. Gma's sister RuthAnn and her other half Clair go to Belize every year for about 3 months or so. They have been inviting us to come down for some time. It was just to spendy for both of us to go. So I talk Gma into going (hard task). She called her sister Laura and the trip was on. They had a great time. Here it is:

This is Gma arriving in San Pedro, Belize on a Tropic Air flight that took all of 15 minutes from Belize International. When you get a chance to see her Belize scrap book you will see more of the flight.

This is the Tropic Air terminal. Not much to it but then when you are on a tropical island - who cares!

Can you feature this - Gma found a fabric store and brought home a little tropical print. Can't imagine what she will do with that. Let's see - maybe a quilt of some kind...


When ever your too hot - it's time for a cool one. Looks like they knew just where to go. (RuthAnn, Laura, and Gma - left to right)

The mighty fisher woman has arrived. This is a guided trip to the mangroves for bottom fishing

Gma caught this Baracuda just for the sport. I think this is the biggest fish she has ever
landed.

How do you like to overbite on this guy. Gma had a great time bringing it in. It was release, unharmed, after the pictures.

Dinner that evening on the Snapper they caught! Ya can't beat that for freshness. It was prepared for them at one of the local restaurants.

This is the famous Coconut Leo. There is a very long story about this that can be told only by Gma and Laura. Ask them!!!

Snorkeling in some beautiful water.
(Laura on left, Gma right, RuthAnn Center)

Gma with an aquarium view. I'm jealous!

Swim is over over. They had a great time and are on the way to the beach. (Lef to right - Laura, Gma, RuthAnn and Clair)

Seems that they boated to everything. Gma and Laura were being taken to shell hunt. You will have to ask Gma to show her collection. They found some beautiful shells.

Here are the three girls again. They are sitting in a golf cart. Golf carts, bicycles and walking was the only private transportation in San Pedro. Taxi's were all over and cheap but the island is small and walking worked for most things. They were touring the island is why they had the cart here.

There is a lot more to the trip but all I can fit in for now. Gma is putting together one of her famous scrap books of the whole trip. I'm sure she will bring it to the 4th of July gathering. She came home very tanned, very tired and wishing we could do the trip together. Who knows - maybe after retirement. We'll see.

They all had a great time - YA BETA BELIZE IT!!!

Love to All
Gma & Gpa

Hi everyone, I finally made it on. Yah! This is pretty cool. Here are the kids & our new orange tabby Max. Jacob just learned how to ride a bike and now he is going off jumps. Shayna is doing good in school but is a social butterfly. And Dani-Sue is just a llittle charmer. It is so nice to read what is going on in everyone's busy life. Talk to you soon.

Kristy

Hi everyone! I guess today is a day for posting... I am adding to the blog in hopes Jared will check in. Happy 31st Birthday Jared. We tried to call but your number is not any good... do you have a new one? Cute puppy Tina... ! Shane and Kristy need to get on board here. Love to hear about Alida and hope she feels better soon.. I also like Amber's comments.. even though we live in the same town I often don't see her for a whole week as she works such long hours. So I learn what they are up to also. keep up the messages! love to all G-ma

Just a few words and some pictures to let everyone see where Gma and Gpa went for our 42nd anniversary. As you can see from the picture, this a small place name "Inn at Arch Rock". It is in the small town of Depoe Bay. The picture window just above Gma's head is the room we had. It was nice with a view of the ocean and bay. We really enjoyed it.

We went to Chinook Winds for dinner and a comedy show. Dinner was a great seafood buffet, which was great and something we will do again. I wasn't sure if we would have to leave the comedy show, not knowing if the material and language would get too raw but it wasn't bad and we had fun with it. All in all, it was a great night. The next day we went to the factory outlets in Lincoln City. Found a few things we couldn't do without but mostly just enjoyed being together. We spent quite a bit of time on the beach. The weather was good to us and we were able to enjoy it. Not sure but I think we put in a few miles.

We headed home on Sunday by going to Sacrament meeting in Newport. Then took a five hour drive down the coast and visited a lot of the things we had already seen but still enjoy. Driving without stop we could have made the same trip in an hour.

This is Gma at the Devil's Elbow. The waves were spectacular. Gma still doesn't know her age and is still climbing rocks like a teen. I love it. One of the things I love about her is that you never know what to expect next!


On the other hand it is fun to not act your age at times. I thought it would be fun to stand on this rock while the ocean swirled around it. It doesn't just swirl around, it comes over it too!

All in all we had a great fun just spending time together. It has been a very long time since we have had this kind of opportunity without having to worry about someone else.

Special note from Gpa: I want everyone to know how much I adore Gma. She completes me. It has been a wonderful 42 years and I look forward to and eternity with her. I wish all men could be as luck as I.

Love to all
Gpa and Gma

Workman Clan still lives

Yes, I know we never post on the blog but we are alive and well.

Jonathan is still doing the same. Living in Lynwood trying to become a model.

Gavin has recently contacted us again. He is in Portland and trying to get into school there. I'm not sure what he plans on studying yet.

Mariska has quit CAP to focus on band. She wants to join a local youth symphony that meets at the same time. Plus she is trying her hand at tennis and wants to try debate. So she is busy.

Aria is social as can be. Going one weekend without going to a friends house is a crime to her. She has a variety of male and female friend though and doesn't spend all her time with only one. She is trying to convice us to get her into guitar lessons since the self teaching isn't coming along so fast.

Aidan is enjoying school and cub scouts. They just has the Blue & Gold Banquet with a dionsaur theme that he was really excited about.

Joseph is still all boy. He wants to start sports but somehow we keep missing the sign up days. He wants to be in basketball but is willing to try anything. He is enjoying cub scouts too and is looking forward to his first pinewood derby.

Natalie is still a girly as ever with all the drama that goes along with that. She is sure she is old enough for make-up. Really, her attempts at make-up so far haven't been bad. Maybe she will do something with that later

Daisy and Ceili are doing good. Enjoying school and wishing they were older so they could do more things but still great fun.

Matthew is still with Pape. He is working full-time in Mount Vernon now so no more travel. He had to take a 5% pay cut but at least he still has a job.

I am still into my medieval hobby when I can. I just got recognized for the first time. I recieved an award called an Award of Arms. Lowest level award you can get but I'm happy with it.

I also got a nice Valentine's Day present. I got the puppy I've been asking for, a miniature daschund. Her name is Antonia Porcini. She is sweet and silly and everyon loves her. I just hope we can get her housebroken soon.

We've been busy as a family going on hikes or to parks or the zoo. I have most of the pictures posted on Flickr.com. I put a few here but if you want to see them all go to this link http://www.flickr.com/photos/31592814@N06/.

So there is our news. I'll try to post more often so I don't have to write a novel next time.

Love you all

Tina & Family

Wright family up date

Well our update. Emily has made the decision she is going to go to Portland State University. She has been accepted to the college and to the Vocal performance program. Emily and Chris took a long weekend trip to audition at Portland State and at Boise State. In the end she was accepted to University of Arizona, University of Colorado and Portland State. Mom is very happy she is staying closer to home and PSU has a great program that Emily is excited about. So keep those checks rolling in she will need all the generous wealthy relatives we can find. So if your not one go find us one. Come on Binghams lets send this kid to college. GO TEAM!!!!!!! and for your genourse donations you will get front row seats at her first Broadway preformance!!!

Now for the rest of the clan. Nathan is doing good keeping his grads up and is involved in the school play, Once Upon a Mattress and is getting ready to try out for A mid summers night dream in his drama class. As we all expected he is loving acting. Not a big suprise to anyone who knows him for more then 5 minutes

Jaxon just had a birthday and is now 12. He has been trying to convence mom to let him go paint balling for a couple years and she finally gave in. He got a couple of friends and Chris to go. They had a great time got a few bruised but they had a blast.



Chance is doing good he just had his pine wood durby. The whole family got to go watch and his car did pretty well. He would have like to do better but he has a plan for next year.




Chris and Amber are both just trying to keep there head above water with all these kids, jobs and well just kids and jobs. We feel blessed to have both right now. Well love and best of wished all see you all in July.

Hello everyone, just sitting here watching Survivor and I thought I would write a short note to everyone. School is going fine, I feel smarter every day. Alida is still a bit ill but chuging right along. For my spring break we are going to go to New Orleans LA. for a few days. We are looking forward to that, neither of us has been there. I went camping with the Boy Scouts last weekend and It was nice until sat. I started to snow half way through the hike and the night was veery cold but I was ready for it. Hope to hear from evryone on here soon. 

Aaron & Alida

Hi all. This is our baby. I was so excited when they showed us the ultrasound, it made it so real. We saw the heart beating and he/she was moving around. The doctor said every thing looked good and that the baby was about 3 inches long now. The due date is August 3rd.

Christmas was good for us, I wish we were back in Oregon to share it with you all but at least I have a big family here to celebrate it with. It has been very cold here and we have had some snow this month and more to come, they tell us to expect more this week.

We send everyone our love and hope to see you ALL in July.

Love Aaron & Alida

News from the California Binghams

Gma and I just heard from Shane and Kristy. It was great to hear their voice and know that things, albeit tough, are still manageable. It will be so much nicer for everyone when this economy of ours turns around. I know most of our family is struggling just like everyone else. That fact doesn't make it any easier to swallow that pill.

We got a few pictures of the California grandkids and thought it would be fun to share them with the rest of the family. We are encouraging Shane and Kristy to use the blog also. Anyway, here is a couple of the kids on Christmas morning. Danny on the left, Shayna and moster man Jacob (Bezer). This was the "let's have a nice picture for everyone" pose. Then we have the Santa has come pose. Gma and I spent Christmas with them last year and really enjoyed it. We feel like we don't get to see enough of them. They grow pretty fast when you are over 60 and watching from the sidelines.

Wanted to bring a little sunshine into the lives of those of us that are suffering from the winter blues. Looks like SoCal is a difficult place to survive.

Look close and you can pick out all three kids in the sand. Jacob and Danny are obvious. It may take a bit of study to find Shayna.

Well, Love to all - WRITE!
Gpa and Gma

Gma and I decided to take a little drive to the sunny beaches of Western Oregon on New Years Day 2009. Gma just had to put her feet in the sand and feel the warmth of the tropical sun. There is just a little stretch of the truth going on here. This is the beach just south of Devils Churn on Cape Perpetuia. Gma is standing in sea foam - looks like snow but it isn't. We had just been up at the view point just above this and saw foam floating in the air. It must have been about 150 feet down to this beach. As you can see Gma still hasn't figured out how old she is. She just had to get out int he weather and feel the foam. We both got soaked in just a couple of minutes on the beach. I love it - it keeps us both young.

This is a picture of Devil's Churn. It is one of the places Gma and I like to go for fun. There is some spectacular sea action happening all the time. It was very wet and rainy with strong winds when we stopped this time. There were actually people down there during this storm. We weren't silly enough to do the same. It was an awesome storm to watch from the warmth and safety of the car.

This really was a very fun day. We are hoping everyone will have a very successful 2009. We are looking forward to next summer when we will all be together in Montpelier. Remeber there are no excuses - everone will be there.
Love to all Gma and Gpa.