The Family of God

The following pics are pics of important people of the past to our family. Pat & Bob Shimmin,
Lucian, Mahayla, Michelle Marichano (I butchered the spelling of their names)
Jack Boren, Karen Trout, Allison Trout.
Ron Snow, Sherry and Fred Payton.
Thelma Reece Wagner, Lois Trant, Virginia Connor.
When you have a church family, you have such a support system. Sometimes people forget that church is for sinners and only Christ is perfect.

Our Hero, the Fireman

These are pics of Nate's fire engine he drove for the Jacksonville, OR FD. Talk about a little boy's dream come true!!! He let me sit in it. You just can't imagine the computer stuff, etc.

Respects to Michael and Vanessa, Chris & Sydney

RIP young friends. Jesus is coming soon. We have this hope. Our privelege to know you, Michael. We won't forget.

My Lost Kids are found!!!

These are pics of some very special young people that I was beyond thrilled to see. The occasion was a funeral, a very sad occasion. Michael and Vanessa Pullen and their 2 little children, Sydney and Chris. They perished in an airplane crash in Butte, MT. Michael's parents are so dear to us and our hearts go out to them. But, even good things can come of tragedy. I found my lost "kids" and how wonderful it was to see them, hug them and know they are ok.

Next, Gary was able to visit briefly and cordially with his oldest son, Larry. That is miraculous.

These little stinkers have more energy than a proton bomb! If we could just capture it for our "mature" years. Now that's an idea. I see my retirement nest egg growing, oh, that's the weeds in the flower bed. Darn!!

Marco's bedroom is really cool. His daddy is a flight instructor. So, no surprise you'll find lots of airplanes in his room.

Luciana's bedroom

I love how my daughter has decorated Luci's room. So, I thought I'd share.

Gary and I drove downto Hesperia a week ago and visited the grands. We had much fun with them, but they remind us of how old we are. We were throroughly exhausted by bedtime.

I know I don't have the captions under each, but maybe this will help you figure out who is who.

Amanda's dad has a maroon shirt on.

Zac (Best man) is sitting with Nate, has a beard. Sister Emily is sitting with Nate (Blonde).

The family with kids is Nate's brother Jeff and his family.

The older couple is Amanda's dad's parents.

Emily, Zac and I painted Nate's car windows and shrink wrapped the vehicle. I got the idea of shrink wrapping the Forerunner the night before the wedding.

And fun was had by all. :-)

More of Nate and Amanda's special day.

The wedding took place in Medford, OR. Nate's best man is his friend Zac. They were friends from the diaper age. Zac's mom babysat Nate when Nate was 2 mo. old. The "Maid of Honor" was Amanda's sister, Cherie. It was a civil wedding and the judge was very accomodating. We had dinner in an Italian restaraunt afterwards and did some of the traditional things. Amanda's step mom brought little bells for everyone and everytime someone rang one, the couples had to kiss. Amanda's Aunt made the wedding cake. Her first attempt and did a beautiful job. It seems that our families will get along well.

Nate's Sister Emily and Brother Jeff both were able to make it. Kerri couldn't, she is in so. CA and it's too far with too short of notice.

They expect to move to Paradise, CA in April. Amanda's grandparents are there and will help them get settled.

I met one of Nate's firefighting buddies. He told me that Nate is such a good firefighter with lots of great skills. I know our son is in with all fours when he has a passion for something.

Well, this was a bright moment for Gary and I in our rather mundane life. We had a wonderful time raising our little boy and now he has given us a sweet little daughter. My gift to her is a husband that truly will cherish her. I guess I need to stop, getting too sappy.

Our Christmas Gift From Kerri

My daughter has it easy with the gift giving. She knows anything including my grands will make me happy.

Tomorrow my baby boy gets married. I just can't believe it.

Home made Christmas

I made the declaration this year that our Christmas gifts were to all be home made.

I cannot believe I said such a thing, because my fiends, Cathy and Jesse have all the creativity. lBut, I gave it my best shot. So, I paiinted a rock and it's supposed to be a cat. It's not that realistic looking, but enlarge the pic and maybe it won't look so scary.

Then, the other thing I made (for ea. of my kids) is a shadow box, containing a pic of my Grandparents, Paul and Ida Kunde's farm in SDl. It also contains some dirt from the farm.

That's as good as it gets!

Ahh, Winters in Bend, OR...gotta love it!!

The window sill pic is frost from the inside of the master bathroom. Do you think I dilly daddled in there?

They icycles remind me of when my mother would knock the icycles down from the roof in Anchorage when we lived there. They are really sharp and dangerous.

This is what the snow in our yard looks like right no. There are deer and rabbit tracks in it. I don't think they show in the picture, tho'.

A few nights ago when it was 0 degrees, I decided to go hot tubbing in our 104 degree water. This is a steamy look across the tub from where I was sitting.

Feel like playing in the snow? Come on up!!!

A different week.

On my week off, I so often veg in front of the TV and just slug it. But, this week, Gary and I went to my young friend, Keely's wedding reception in Redmond. She and Casey actually were married in Missouri in August and their church friends wanted to do the extra reception in central OR. Keely is an RN and work together. She is just a sweetheart and a delight to work with. She and her husband will have a good life. They did things in God's order.

Next, I had a couple of extra meetings in Prineville this week, not fun, but out of the norm.

I'm actually starting some craft projects for Christmas gifts for my daughters.

Yesterday, we had our grandsons, Shay and Dylan overnight. We had fun playing ping pong. Nana and Grandpa wooped them bad!! Yaa!!! We watched a movie, worked on crafts together and they took a soak in our hot tub. They had a good time. That makes me happy, seeing how they are both teenagers and still find it fun to hang out with the old folks.

Our headboard is actually an antique door that I initially painted the inner panels green and the frame an off white. I never really liked how it turned out. I had been mulling over what colors I wanted and then Emily suggested, black and white matching the picture of the Beatles. So, I think the whole bedroom will eventually change. I want to replace out prestent oak bedroom furniture with second hand pieces that I can restore. That will be a while away, because it will take some time to find the "perfect" piece.

Celebrate!!!

Well, the following is the celebration of "Grandson's" 5th birthday. It was celebrated at Chuckee Cheese. His best friend, Mason is the other boy in the pic.
First, is Mom and her little ones. Followed by the Batman cake. Then, the traditional "make a wish and blow out the candles". Hmmm, I think Marco wished for blue lips!!
The kids had a blast and Grammy was pooped afterwards. Trust me.

Marco's 5th Birthday