Lancaster, New York

We finally made it to our new home in Lancaster, New York. We are finally almost unpacked and getting settled in. Lancaster is a little village about 13 miles east of downtown Buffalo. It is a very quite, sleepy village. The location could not be better. It is 11.2 miles from our house to Fisher-Price and 11.8 miles to the University of Buffalo. The boys love the pool. I do not think I have ever seen them more tan. The humidty here is a bit tough to get used to, but for the most part, the weather is nice. The yard needs some work and my green thumb, but it is pretty much too late in the season for anything right now. There are some beautiful day lillies growing, but I definately need to start digging in the dirt. Stay tuned for more updates as we venture out to the surrounding areas like Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada, Palmyra and other places we really want to go visit.

Trip to NYC

Tania’s brother was finally able to get a visa for her mother to come from Haiti. This was the first time that the boys and I had ever met her mother, brother and the other 800 relatives (figuratively speaking). There was Cousin Fifi who is larger than life and chased the boys around to give them hugs and kisses.

It was an experience that is hard to put into words.

We spent the weekend in NYC. We did not do much sightseeing, but focused on building family bonds. We did take a drive into Manhattan one night to see the lights with Tania’s mom. It was beautiful, but we cut it short because it was terrifying to her mother. She has never been out of Haiti and to go from a place that has small, wood houses to massive concrete structures with people literally everywhere scared her to death.

On our last day we went to Coney Island. The whole experience is something that I will never forget. I feel complete now.

1LT Bringhurst

Sunday was an exciting day for the Bringhurst family. We have added another chapter to the story of our family. Tania was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. This is in preparation for her Nurse Anesthetist training which will begin this Fall at the University of Buffalo. The boys and I are extremely proud of her.

Picture from Mom and Dad

Although I have received a few pictures from Mom and Dad from their time so far in the Philippines, I received this one today and it really brought a tear to my eye. The picture is of my Mom on a service project. They were clearing a field so the Church could plant the field. The joy I see on my Mom's face is priceless. I know her and my Dad are doing what the Lord would have them do and to see the pictures of them smiling and to read their emails home are incredible.

Northwest Flower and Garden Show

Today, Pierce, Brendon and I joined some friends to attend the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle. There are not enough words to describe the beauty of some of the displays. It was hard at times to believe that they were real. Many of the displays were Asian themed with Asiatic Lilly's, orchids, water features, bamboo etc... I found it hard to not think about Mom and Dad. I did have the opportunity to talk to Mom tonight and she told me that many of the flowers that her and I both enjoy grow wild in the Philippines. Another one of the highlights was getting to see Ciscoe Morris for the first time in person. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you know who Ciscoe Morris is. For those of you who don't, he is a Master Gardener, hosts a weekly gardening show that the boys and I love to watch, and is probably a bit on the insane side. None the less, getting to see him in person was one of the last things I truly wanted to accomplish before we leave Washington State. Unfortunately, the picture I took of him came out very blurry, so I did not include it in this blog posting.

Off to Buffalo!

For those of you who don't know, Tania has applied for, interviewed for and has been accepted to begin her Masters Program in the Nurse Anesthetist program at the State University of New York - Buffalo. So, the Bringhurst family will be packing up camp and heading to New York mid June. We are excited and anxious to get some new scenery. It will be sad to leave Washington State, we have been here for almost 11 years now.

Goodbye Mom and Dad

My parents have departed on a 2 year journey that will be an amazing chapter in the Bringhurst Family's life. They have been called to serve as missionaries for our church. For the next 2 years they will reside in The Phillipines accomplishing amazing things. We pray for their safety and quick return. I miss you Mom and Dad. Stay safe and remember... Mahal Kita.

Thanks to my ever so thoughtful Sister-in-law, Kristina for taking these pictures.

Snow in Washington??

Although it does not snow very much in the Puget Sound, this winter has been the exception to the rule. Since November, we have had a brutal winter with powerful windstorms, floods and 2 major snow storms now... Something tells me that we are in for a rude awakening once we make it to Buffalo!

Brendon's Surgery

A few weeks back, Brendon had surgery to remove his adenoids. The pictures are in reverse order. I don't think he knew what he was getting into....

Halloween 06

Trip to Idaho

They had taken Uncle Alex's sunflower seeds....

So much food to eat!

Not sure if Pierce with a gun was the best idea in the world.. but he did fairly well! Take Cover! Tania has a gun... you are a brave man Sunny!

Yellowstone Bear World

Somebody has a favorite Aunt...

We took a trip to Idaho this past summer and had a blast. There were guns, food and picture taking.. just another day in the life of a Bringhurst Family Party!

Afternoon in Olympia

We spent the afternoon in dowtown Olympia where we took a walk on the boardwalk, toured an old tugboat, bought some fresh raspberries at the Farmers Market, watched a speed boat race on Capital Lake, had a shaved ice and then went to the Capital Park where they have dancing fountains you can play in. The weather has been amazing and the boys had a blast.