No more pencils,No more books,
No more teachers' dirty looks.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARAH !
Today our firstborn turns 31. Sarah is the one who started it all, way back in 1978. She was the first to say Ma-Ma and Da-Da, the first to take those first, wobbly steps, the first to get a tooth (and the first to lose a tooth), and the first to... well, she was just the first to go through every category. In typical eldest-child fashion, she was pretty much born responsible. And she has always had such a great sense of humor - to this day, every conversation with her includes lots of laughter. She has blazed the trail well for her four younger siblings, and she has always been a delight to our hearts. Love you super much, Sarah. We had such a fun time celebrating at your house yesterday. Enjoy your day today!
Sarah and our sweet oldest son, Jake (which one looks more worried)?
Eating outside is great - you get to be as messy as you'd like.
Then dear Ben came along.
Then our bubbly David. This is Christmas, 1986.
Sarah with her best gift ever - her Cabbage Patch doll, Ina Nan. 
Of course, our dear Hannah eventually came along to join the line-up, and made our family complete.
During her college years, where she trained to become the accomplished second-grade teacher she is today.
Sarah with her amazingly wonderful and talented husband Chris, who loves her as she deserves to be loved. We are beyond blessed to call you our daughter, Sarah. Much love to you on your special day. Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HANNAH
Hannah is 22 today!
The years have flown by, and our youngest is now 22. She is a lovely young woman with such a sweet and compassionate spirit, and we love her so much. Have a wonderful day today, Hannah!
Hannah's first Christmas, 1987.
With her big sis Sarah.
Her smile is contagious and has always melted my heart.
One year our girls received fancy dresses from my brother John and his wife, and I couldn't wait to have their pictures taken with them.
Growing up!
One of Hannah's high school senior pictures, taken in 2004.
Hannah's picture was taken when she enrolled at George Fox University.Have fun tonight celebrating with your wonderful friends, sweet girl. Dad and I love you so much.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
A Crepe to Remember
Last night Mark and I met Jake and Beka and Hannah in Salem at the Olive Garden. The reason? To celebrate Hannah's 22nd birthday - a few days early. After a yummy dinner, we all went downtown Salem for dessert, to a place that specializes in crepes and gelato. While the rest of us downed gelato, Hannah ordered a fancy-schmancy dessert: a crepe filled with Nutella and sliced bananas, topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. She pronounced it delicious, albeit not as good as what she had experienced in France last year. Well, DUH! In what category would Salem, Oregon beat Paris, France? Apparently not in the crepe department. The picture above is of Hannah enjoying a crepe in Paris last year. Just looking at it (and her beautiful face) makes me long to experience France firsthand! (It also makes me wonder where Hannah's other glove is.) We had fun celebrating Hannah last night. Love you, sweet girl. Hope you have a wonderful birthday.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Images from Dayton, Part 2
After church on Sunday, we drove to the cemetery once more, because we had learned since our visit the day before that Fred (Mark's mom's husband for 11 years prior to her death), had provided one of the beautiful floral arrangements at her grave site. We wanted to get a picture of it. It's the one on the upper right of her stone.
This is the card that was tucked in among the flowers. We thought it was very nice of Fred to do that.
We then drove up the North Touchet River to Hompegg Falls, to a cabin that has been in Mark's family for generations. Above is a glimpse of the river behind the cabin.
Mark stands with the river at his back.
Us.
The cabin. It has been remodeled, added to, and updated over the years, but never ceases to lose its charm. The two-story portion to the left is the latest addition.
The cook stove in the kitchen.
The spacious living room.
The upstairs BED room. (I couldn't even fit all the beds in this shot.) Suffice it to say, if you sleep in this room when you visit the cabin, you will have lots of laughs to remember it by.
Mark relaxing in the living room.
We drove up the road a bit to the entrance to Bluewood, the local ski area. And yes, that is SNOW on the ground. In fact, we wanted to drive into the main ski area where the lodge is, but couldn't get through as the roads are still blocked due to the snow level.
One must open and close the gate when entering and leaving the cabin. Here I am getting the job done.
On the way back to Bud and Marilyn's house, the sun was in the right spot to see the Indian Head shadow on the hillside. I've never seen it so clearly before.
If you click on the picture above, you can read more clearly the Legend of the Indian Head.
On Monday we headed home to Oregon. It was so beautiful driving along the Columbia Gorge. Here you can see Mt. Hood in the distance as we drove west. The river is on our right.
There were a few barges in the river as well. And then soon we were back in Philomath. And be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Images from Dayton, Part 1
We spent the past weekend in Dayton, Washington, and had such a nice time. Mark was born there, our two oldest kids were born there, and we lived there from 1976-1981. We drove to Dayton on Friday afternoon (it's a 7-hour drive each way), and arrived at around 10:30 p.m.
First thing on the agenda on Saturday morning was the annual Dayton Days parade. Mark's Aunt Marilyn (above) and Uncle Bud always stake out their parade-viewing places in the same spot each year, so of course we joined them. Some of their kids, in-law kids, and grandchildren were also in town, and we watched the parade together.
Uncle Bud was enjoying the parade in the only town in which he has ever lived. He and Aunt Marilyn are such dear people, so generous and kind, and just so fun to be with.
This is me with Cadence, Bud and Marilyn's one-year-old great-granddaughter. I was so tickled that she allowed me to hold her, having just met her for the first time! Her mom and dad are Nathan and Ashley. Nathan is headed to Afghanistan for a year beginning next week, and our prayers are definitely with him and his family.
A view across the street from where we were sitting, to the crowd sitting in front of the courthouse. Dayton has one of the lovliest courthouses to be found anywhere.
Following the parade, we went to the cemetery to pay our respects to all the relatives on both sides of Mark's family who are buried there. First stop was his mom's and dad's site. Mark had made two wooden planters that we brought with us, in which we put geraniums to place on the graves. Click on the picture for more detail.
One of the planters Mark made.
My sweetie and me.
Uncle Bud and Aunt Marilyn have already placed their stone at the cemetery, to be ready when needed. Their kids love to tease them about it, saying that all they do is look at it and cry. Pretty funny.
Sunday morning we were in a quandry: where to attend church.? The years we lived in Dayton, we went to First Baptist Church. We still keep in touch with several people from those days, and we wanted to say hello to them on this visit. But we also love Bud and Marilyn's church, and their pastor is dear to us as well. But it all worked out, as we were able to do both. We didn't know what time the Baptist church started their service, and when we drove up at 9:30 a.m., we saw the sign out front that said their service started at that very moment. We went right in and got there just in time. We were able to greet all our friends, and enjoyed a wonderful worship service.
Another one of the banners up front.
After the service, all the people in attendance gathered up front to record a video birthday greeting to be sent to a young man in the congregation who is serving in the military overseas. Such hometown love and care.
Then, because that service was finished, we decided we could also attend the service at Bud and Marilyn's church. We arrived there just in time. During the service, Bud and Marilyn sang a special song together: "Lord, Build Me a Cabin, in the Corner of Glory Land." It was GREAT!
The church uses this song book as well as a traditional hymnal for their music. Both churches are filled with people who just love the Lord, and who show that same love to others so freely and willingly. All in all, it was such a wonderful day. More pictures and stories from the rest of our visit coming soon!
First thing on the agenda on Saturday morning was the annual Dayton Days parade. Mark's Aunt Marilyn (above) and Uncle Bud always stake out their parade-viewing places in the same spot each year, so of course we joined them. Some of their kids, in-law kids, and grandchildren were also in town, and we watched the parade together.
Uncle Bud was enjoying the parade in the only town in which he has ever lived. He and Aunt Marilyn are such dear people, so generous and kind, and just so fun to be with.
This is me with Cadence, Bud and Marilyn's one-year-old great-granddaughter. I was so tickled that she allowed me to hold her, having just met her for the first time! Her mom and dad are Nathan and Ashley. Nathan is headed to Afghanistan for a year beginning next week, and our prayers are definitely with him and his family.
A view across the street from where we were sitting, to the crowd sitting in front of the courthouse. Dayton has one of the lovliest courthouses to be found anywhere.
Following the parade, we went to the cemetery to pay our respects to all the relatives on both sides of Mark's family who are buried there. First stop was his mom's and dad's site. Mark had made two wooden planters that we brought with us, in which we put geraniums to place on the graves. Click on the picture for more detail.
One of the planters Mark made.
My sweetie and me.
Uncle Bud and Aunt Marilyn have already placed their stone at the cemetery, to be ready when needed. Their kids love to tease them about it, saying that all they do is look at it and cry. Pretty funny.
Sunday morning we were in a quandry: where to attend church.? The years we lived in Dayton, we went to First Baptist Church. We still keep in touch with several people from those days, and we wanted to say hello to them on this visit. But we also love Bud and Marilyn's church, and their pastor is dear to us as well. But it all worked out, as we were able to do both. We didn't know what time the Baptist church started their service, and when we drove up at 9:30 a.m., we saw the sign out front that said their service started at that very moment. We went right in and got there just in time. We were able to greet all our friends, and enjoyed a wonderful worship service.
Another one of the banners up front.
After the service, all the people in attendance gathered up front to record a video birthday greeting to be sent to a young man in the congregation who is serving in the military overseas. Such hometown love and care.
Then, because that service was finished, we decided we could also attend the service at Bud and Marilyn's church. We arrived there just in time. During the service, Bud and Marilyn sang a special song together: "Lord, Build Me a Cabin, in the Corner of Glory Land." It was GREAT!
The church uses this song book as well as a traditional hymnal for their music. Both churches are filled with people who just love the Lord, and who show that same love to others so freely and willingly. All in all, it was such a wonderful day. More pictures and stories from the rest of our visit coming soon!
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