Visit to Northern Indiana

Over the 4th of July weekend we visited Northern Indiana for a Bontrager Family Reunion. We got to see lots of Matt's family and spend time with Ma and Pa Nisly. Over the weekend we did lots of chatting, eating, and traveling. We drove all over and saw lots of fun sites. I've listed a couple below.


Just your average hay baler.


Matt showing off at an old saw mill.

Taking Back My Yard

Since we moved to our house 2 years ago, I have taken a passive role in the yard work. The people that lived here before us did a nice job of landscaping. A variety of different trees and flowers covered our property. God did a great job of providing the right amount of sun and rain, there was no need for me to get in the way. What I did not account for was the mass destruction that 2 dogs could cause. My once nice yard has been annihilated and left in desperate need of help.

Matt and I have been emailing friends and family to discover if the plants in our yard are friend or foe. I'm currently working on a plan of attack -me vs the big girls- in an effort to take control of my yard. Below, I've got pictures of some of the friendly plants we decided to keep.

A big leaf bush or tree that grows by the dog water. Not sure the name, please submit any guesses.

Our pseudo-rose bush. It has thorns and produces these buds, not sure the variety, but it's hot pink and pretty.

This is my favorite tree ever. I have no idea what type of tree it is, but it is beautiful year around. The picture below is a close up of the leaves and a flower it produces. If you know the type, please let me know.

Ornamental Plum Tree-produces no fruit and super tiny. I'm an ornamental wife :)

This is the only area of our flower bed that gets any sun. You can see 3 plants trying their best to survive. They manage to outlast the brutal attack by two bored dogs and now just want some new friends.

Our now empty flower bed. We have pulled piles and piles of leaves and are left with a near empty bed. For the past year the girls have been using it as a litter box when the yard is full of poop. Matt's working on building a fence around it to keep the big girls out so we can attempt to grow some plants that don't require sun (vampire plants).

Redwood National Park 2009

Matt standing on a Redwood.


At an old school house at the outside of the park. Please note the herd of Roosevelt Elk behind us. Matt was as giddy as a school boy.


At the base of the Big Tree in the Redwood Forest. It took Matt 32 paces to get around the base and the diameter was 21' in the center of the tree.


On our tour of the Redwood National Forest. We were along the Pacific Ocean and had pulled over to hear the seals barking in the ocean. There were over 100 seals sunning on two different rocks right below us.

San Francisco Vacation 2009

During our time in San Fran, we went on a bus tour throughout the city. We saw all that the city by the bay has to offer. We even got to see the birds at Telegraph Hill. Unfortunately, we were unable to get any photos of the birds...they were roosted already. We could only hear them.

I'm not sure what road this was, but you can see the zig-zag and the cars driving back and forth at the top of the photo. Our tour guide told us about a limo that got stuck on the turns.

This was a view from our boat leaving Alcatraz.

Matt and the Golden Gate Bridge.

2009 Memorial Day Fishing Trip

Getting ready in the morning before the whistle blows.

Saying hello to my little friend.

One of Matt's many catches.

MeMe, Rachel, and the jolly green giant.

Matt and Ben getting ready to take care of the fish for the day.