Vania at Youth Temple Day

Vania went to the Oakland Temple today with the youth. (from left to right), Sophia Scheib, Nathan Aleman, Vania, Casey Franke. Middle back is Vania's Brother Mario. Mario is planning on a mission in November. Nathan is leaving for the Mission Home on Wednesday. Vania is an avid temple goer. She serves every chance she gets. She just likes being at the temple.

Our pet duck, Sponge Bob

Yes this is a Duck. His name is Sponge Bob. He is our pet. He follows us everywhere we go. If I put him on my lap he will fall asleep.Ducks are very affectionate and sociable fowl. We get a ducking every year to clear out the pond guck. Then when they have grown to adulthood we take them to the local duck pond to set them free. By the time they are adults they have lost there attachment to people as a parent model and are ready to be with there own kind. At least this has been the case so far. You might think it odd that I would put a duck on my blog, but I have no children home anymore to show off. So, I am left with showing ducks.

Spring at the Rutman home

Well it is Spring, so time for gardening at the Rutman home. The sun felt so good Jeannine and I decided to start our gardening early. Planting, prunning, weeding and digging. It has rained so much this winter I forgot how nice it is to be outside. Now all I miss is the sound of my kids and grand kids. That's what this garden needs, kids playing.

Darius Rutman AKA "Joe Cool"

This is my grandson Darius Rutman looking very GQ. I think the phrase is, "I'm too sexy for my clothes" Here is the future James Bond.

Dad's new Den

You may ask your self, Why the pictures of this room? When a Rutman child moves away it has become the right of passage that I get to do with the room as seemeth me good. This is the remnants of Jared's bedroom. Although I would rather he still be here, I need to move on and have my study. This is where I spend most of my free time now reading and studying. We do have other free bedrooms, it's just this is the one Jeannine said I could use. I built the desk by myself, but all the other furniture is all 19th century American. Even though I have redesigned all the bedrooms, I must confess I miss my children very much. I would rather messy bedrooms over empty good looking rooms.

Rich is hanging up his gun after 28 years

Well, it has come to the end. Last year I was injured in a foot chase. I tore my knee chasing someone who was much younger than I. How foolish of me. After surgery and many months of rehab, the knee is done therefore so am I. I was with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office for 28 years. Here are some pictures of me from rookie to a photo taken from a news reporters car with a powerful telephoto lens. the woman in two of the pictures is Rose Mitre. She was my partner while an undercover officer. I now have white hair, but no pictures. I am glad it is over, but will miss some of the people.

Carmel

I took these with a very fast shutter speed (1/4000) and on f/22. No touch ups.

Snowy day in Calais France

Dinant, Bruges and Charleroi Belgium

Here are some new pictures from Jared. They are mostly of Charleroi and Brussels. The last four are from Calais, France where he is now serving. As you can see Jared's love for animals has not diminished. Jared speaks of his love for the people and the areas he serves in. He loves Calais and says it is by far the most beautiful place he has served yet. Each day he walks down a road that goes by the English Channel. I wish I had this Blog for all my children. I am so proud of everyone of them for where and how they served.