This picture was taken early in the morning while Mom and I were waiting for our flight to Frankfurt, Germany at the Tirana Airport.  This Albanian couple were on our flight. Many people in Albania who are about the age of this couple refer to themselves as the "burned" generation. They were "burned" by the communists and now when they are old enough to retire there is a very little retirement pension for them to live on. Thus they are "burned" again. 
Saturday, May 23, 2009, was a very busy Saturday. I got the boys started playing soccer early and then headed off to "Super Saturday". That's when all the Albanian Seminary students come to Tirana for the day.
Mom at Super Saturday keeping everyone's attention.
We had 50 seminary students in attendance for the activities which included, scripture mastery competition, talks and lunch.
Mom and I are always taking public transportation. Generally the buses are crowded, but now with summer temperatures rising, the buses are spas on wheels. Its a great way to lose pounds and make friends.

Resting on Mt. Dajti May 16, 2009. Eldorado is holding the camera as far away as possible while I'm trying to take a nap.
Mt.Dajti which is located east of downtown Tirana is heavily wooded, but not too many pine trees. It was on this path that we were stopped by a soldier. Apparently we had wandered on to one of the military bases located on the mountain.
The gondolas up Mt. Dajti pass over a number of small villages. From the gondola you can see a peasant woman leading her cows somewhere.
This photograph is looking a little north and east from Mt. Dajti. You get a sense of Albania's natural beauty.
Mirgen Hoxha next to the edge on the backside of Mt. Dajti.

Well, on Saturday May 16, 2009 I got Mom to ride the gondola up Mt. Dajti. She was heavily medicated, but she made it up and back.  As she later said, "That wasn't so bad." It was our monthly YSA outing and we had a blast. It was much cooler up on the mountain. We ate lunch; played frizbee and futboll. It may have been our best outing yet with over 40 present.
Everyone brought their cameras and lots of pictures were taken.
Only 8 were allowed in any one gondola, so it took some time to get everyone up the mountain. Kitio and Grisi up front.
Having lunch on Mt. Dajti. Roan on the phone. His girlfriend Ergina next to him and Yonada making the peace sign. Mom is way in the back in green shirt.
Some of the crew that went with us up Mt. Dajti. There are a number of military installations on the mountain and we did take a wrong turn which caused a soldier, with rifle, to give us some new directions.

As Mom says, "This is the best Institute class in Albania." "The only Institute Class in Albania."  This is a "live" picture of the Wednesday Book of Mormon Institute Class that Mom teaches. Its standing room only. 

Early Saturday morning May 9, 2009, Mom and I flew to Frankfurt, Germany. Mom needed an MRI on her shoulder which has been giving her problems for the past 4 months. There were no MRI facilities in Albania. So it was decided that the best thing to do was to get to the Church's Area Offices in Frankfurt and meet with the doctors there. Above is picture of the Imperial Cathedral Frankfurt, Germany.  The MRI showed that she has some bursitis, but with some rest and medication all should be well.
Mom standing in the historic Frankfurt city center. The entire city of Frankfurt was destroyed in World War II. It is estimated that there were only two buildings left standing after heavy Allied bombings.
Monday, May 11, 2009, we had a wonderful dinner with, from right, Elder Dye, Sister Maddock, Elder Maddock, Sister Dye and Elder Goodwin in the Dye apartment. Elders Dye and Maddock are doctors who are serving missions for the Church in Europe. They are responsible for the health of all the missionaries in Europe and Russia. Elder Goodwin is a young missionary from Utah who is serving in the Ukraine. He was in Frankfurt because he had broken his wrist and the medical attention he had received in the Ukraine hadn't been able to fix the problem.
This picture is of the Church Area Office building in Frankfurt. Behind the office building is the LDS Chapel (if you look closely, you can see the spire) with the adjoining Institute - Outreach Center on the left.
The highlight of the trip was a Saturday afternoon visit to the Frankfurt, Germany Temple. Mom and I have not been able to go to the temple for the past 7 moths. It was wonderful to be able to feel the peace and power of that sanctuary. There are now over 120 temples operating on the earth. What a great blessing to us all. 

Mom and Ally making a friend on the streets of Tirana, Albania. I don't think that Taylor and Buck believed Mom when she told them that we're always running into people we know on the street. While Buck and Meleah were here, every day we ran into an average of 5 people we knew. We love the Albanians!

This is 45 second portion of Meleah's and Buck's furgon ride to Kruja. Welcome to my world, Buck!

Taylor and Ally arrived Sunday evening, April 26, 2009. It was nearly mid-night by the time we got them home. They had missed their connecting flight in Rome and had to wait 12 hours to get the next flight. There's not a lot of air traffic into or out of Tirana, Albania. We took them out to Kruja the next day.  They loved the 1 hour furgon ride. Here Taylor, Ally and Mom are talking to a local woman who lives within the walls of the castle at Kruja. She really wanted us all to come in for some refreshments.
Walking up the hill to the castle at Kruja, Albania.
Tuesday afternoon we headed back out to the airport. This time to meet Meleah and Buck. Meleah had some very exciting news for us. Number 9 grandchild is on the way and due this November.
Heading to the Tuesday evening Fireside it was a little rainy. Buck is wearing my tie, my coat, but his own tennis shoes.
After the fireside we visited one of Mom's favorite places, the French cafe in Tirana. The deserts are to die for. We only had a 20 hour overlap with all 4 children. Not nearly long enough. It was so fun to have all 4 in our apartment. 

The Tuesday, May 28th Fireside was a big hit. The chapel was full. Ally, Taylor, Meleah and Buck all spoke. Their talks were wonderful and very powerful. The Saints were amazingly attentive and very appreciative of their efforts. I should mention that all 6 of us sang, "Families Can Be Together Forever." It wasn't the Von Trapp family singers, but it was well worth the effort. After the talks, everyone wanted to meet the fëmijë. Above, Meleah and Buck talking to Ina.
Taylor and Ally with Sonja Sarachi, Viola (in foreground) and Edi Çuçi.  Edi was the interpreter for the evening. He, as always, did a great job. He's about to put his papers in for a mission call. 
We took Meleah and Buck to the Mother of Albania statue.
We visited Tirana Park where I got roped in to a conversation with some gentlemen who did not speak English. I'm still looking for summer hat.
Meleah and Buck at the Skanderbeg statue in downtown Tirana, Albania.