Christmas in Sweet Home

Christmas is always a busy time at our house. When I didn't work outside the home it was busy...so for working full time, it's been 19 hour days and short nights! It's all for a great cause, as Christmas is pretty important to our kids. Ryan is at the age where he doesn't like to admit it, but he loves it deep down. I had more 'Lets get this done' comments this year...yet he was right in the thick of it!! Kristin has the same love for decorating that I do...and she did much of it herself this year. We did lots together, but she got the boxes out, and sorted through them....and we both agreed, it's like Christmas decorating, as we reminisce and marvel over the favorite decorations. We decorated over several nights and weekends. Kristin even decorated herself with the tree skirt and the poor dog!



Teh following weekend we picked up our tree. We always seem to get a great tree at the Teen Challenge lot...and it's a great cause. Ryan's best friend Hunter spent the weekend, and helped us put up the tree. Nothing like two tall teenage boys to do a great job on the top of the tree! It was a fun weekend and we enjoyed the decorating.




The following week Kristin & I made some of our Christmas gifts and got them in the mail. We got our cards and letters finished and in the mail as well. It was a great family event as we stuffed, folded, addressed and stamped as a family. What a help that was. Why didn't I suggest this many years ago??!! On Friday, I took a half a day of vacation, and we headed over to pick up Charlie. The day was beautiful and we made it over the pass and back with no events.

Christmas Eve we were blessed with a beautiful day, starting with an awesome sunrise.


It was a relaxed day, preparing some of the food for the following day. With Bill & Kristin unable to eat any sugar or sugar substitutes, and Bill unable to have any wheat, it's a challenge. I challenge you to find 2 cans or boxes of anything in your cupboard that does not have sugar, fructose, corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, or any of those other sugar substitutes. Even Kidney beans and sour cream have sugar in them! At any rate, we made a pumpkin dessert with whipped cream and spices. Kristin is allowed Stevia and Bill is allowed in very small amounts. We made a rice flour crust, and they both loved it. We also made our own mayonnaise for seven layer salad. It's not quite the same, but Bill & Kristin were thrilled to have some regular food with us for dinner. All of this went into the fridge for tomorrow's dinner. We headed off to church after a very late lunch. It was a light crowd, and a wonderful service. We had dinner after we got home, eating late, and finishing well after 9:30. We did some finishing touches to Christmas dinner, and got the turkey on the smoker around 11.

Headed to bed around 11:30 and relaxed until after 12, knowing I needed to get to bed, since I had a daughter that was very excited, and I knew would be up early. We told her 7...however, her brother, who mind you is not excited about Christmas at all, came to me and said "Mom, she doesn't have too many more years to be this excited...you should let her get up whenever she wakes up"....hmmmm....wonder who really is excited??!! Needless to say, it was her brother who woke her at 6:45, and she came running into our room. We told her to wake Charlie...and off she ran, with a warning from her brother saying "Last time I tried to wake him, he chucked a pillow at me"...a chance she was willing to take, and off she went! When we came down, we found Charlie in the fetal position on the couch, not complaining, but not speaking either. Some coffee administered in IV fashion got him moving. (Just kidding of course). We made a quick check to the turkey that had smoked all night, and got to the gifts! As they all opened stockings, and got ready for gifts...we
looked out, and God blessed us with another beautiful sunrise.


Although it was a small Christmas for us, it seemed the lack of gifts and the "spendy" items didn't matter. We enjoyed each other, the thrill of thought that went into the gifts, and instead of unwrapping with no thought, it was a relaxed, wonderful morning. Kristin made me a beautiful apron, as well as a beautiful few sets of earrings, and two beautiful bracelets. Bill got a great transformer from the kids, Charlie got a new bible, Ryan two new hats and guitar strings, Kristin an awesome pink sweatshirt with a blingy keychain, and everyone felt blessed.
The kids got a multi game board from my folks....and both kids were so stoked when they found a crokinole board on the back--a game they learned in Canada and still love to this day.



We had a great breakfast of biscuits and gravy, and then a nap was in order! Dinner wasn't far behind the nap, and the fare was awesome! Of course we had turkey,smoked to perfection No traditional ham because we have been unable to find any ham without sugar cure. We had seven layer salad and Cream Cheese/Sour cream (all natural of course)Garlic potatoes topped off our dinner. First smoked turkey ever, and it was wonderful!!

This evening has been a lazy one. Some WII with Charlie made the kids thrilled. They have enjoyed having him home.
No one has gotten dressed today....hair has not been brushed..another slippers & coffee kind of day. Thank you Lord, for the gift of your son. For your blessings and for our wonderful family that has blessed us with a wonderful Christmas. You know who you are, and how much you helped. Love you all. Enjoy all the pictures below.

Charlie's Graduation Weekend

Friday, we had a lazy day then did a bunch of running around Bend, checking out the pawn shop, the Christian Book Store, and of course Fred Meyer for a few groceries that we forgot. We got a late start, since we wanted to miss the early morning black Friday shoppers. We had a great day together, and headed back to hang out after supper. Ryan insisted on a fire, so we had a fire, sitting out in the balmy 35 degree weather. Our fire was short lived, and we were very thankful for the furnace!

Saturday, we woke to beautiful sunshine, and 50 degree weather!! We headed out to do some sight seeing. Our goal was Tumalo Falls, as well as Cline Falls. We got to a closed gate and found we had to hike in 2 1/2 miles through the snow (uphill both ways!) to get to the falls. The road is not plowed past the gate in the winter months. SO...being we weren't really snow hiking dressed, we decided we would save that hike for a summer day!

We headed back toward Sisters & Cline Falls. We took the long way and got some beautiful views of Sisters! Bill also wanted to check out Black Butte Ranch. It was NOTHING like we expected. It was a resort/gated community type place. We took a tour through and knew this was not our thing! We did learn though, that Cline falls was also in higher country, and the guy at the visitor center said we would be disappointed if we traveled the 15 miles there. SO..again, we opted to check it out another time. I've never been disappointed by any waterfall! We headed back to camp, enjoyed chili for dinner, a walk and a nice evening to sit out for a bit.


Sunday we woke to another beautiful day. I'd been a bit stressed worried about getting the trailer back over the pass...but it proved to be sunny and warmer than normal. Thank you Lord!! We had a great breakfast, tore down camp and headed into TC for Charlie's graduation. It was a great weekend together and we were so blessed to be able to have Charlie with us for the weekend.





We arrived at TC, visited with the guys...enjoyed a great ceremony, and were blessed to be there with Charlie. It was a long 8 months...but we are so proud of him! Kim & Terry were a big part of the piece for Charlie's success. We are so thankful that God brought all of us together at just the right time to make all of this happen for Charlie. It's an amazing story.


We headed home by 2:30...and got over the pass just fine. Not even any rain until Tombstone Pass....then the valley rain began. Home before 5, and still dark when we arrived!! Praising God for no snow, and safe travels. Thanks to all for your prayers.

Thanksgiving on the East Side of the Cascade Mountains

Thursday morning….I woke well before the alarm, to see a beautiful sunrise….God’s way of saying to me “It’s OK to travel through the pass”….a peace had settled over us as we left at 8:30 in the morning to arrive in Bend by 10:30 or 11:00. We traveled about 30 miles before we hit snow. It was beautiful with the sun, still light snow on the road, but very passable towing the trailer. By the time we hit Santiam Junction, where Hwy 22, Hwy 126 and Hwy 20 meet together, it became a small skating rink. Little did I know it was ice until I saw the trailer coming out of the driver side mirror….toward us. A pretty scary sight. I said “BILL….” Like he was going to be able to do something from the passenger seat! In all my years driving in ice & snow in Michigan, it was 1.) on flat land, 2) Guard rails were anywhere you might go into a ditch, 3.) Salt kept you in the tire tracks. 4.) I never towed a trailer in the ice! SO…which way do I steer to pull this sliding truck & trailer back into the right lane??!! Thankfully, instinct and the Lord took over, and it seemed I knew what to do….what a blessing. The full bladder stayed intact, even though it was scary enough that it could have been a fearful sight!! The going was slow—30mph through the rest of the icy pass…One poor soul tried to pass us, and the trailer slipped again, and he decided it was safer behind us! We were thankful to see the east side of the pass where the sun had melted off the ice…and the rest of the drive down the east side of the mountain was uneventful. Very relieved to be on the other side of the hill…..and now praying to get back over safely on Sunday. If it’s snowy, we may take the long way home through Eugene, but that adds another two hours to our trip, but being safe is a priority. It will still be a trip over the mountain, but the grade into Eugene is much better than the steep 6% downgrade for 11 miles into Sweet Home.

We arrived at Tumalo State Park at 11, dropped the trailer, took care of our sick girl (Lexxi still getting car sick when we travel), got settled and headed over to Teen Challenge.

Charlie greeted us at the door, and there was food everywhere!! We had a great meal, cooked by Charlie, Kim, and a few other guys there.


SO good, and what a treat that we didn’t have to cook this year! We hung out for awhile, had a great dessert and then headed back to camp. Charlie is able to join us for the weekend!! Everyone crashed for a few hours, and at 8pm, we were still not ready to eat. We had tea, coffee, and just some great visiting.

We headed to bed by 10:30 and slept in until 8ish…it is a beautiful morning. We are headed into Sisters to the coffee shop to download a program, check our mail and upload the blog. We plan to head off today to check out some beautiful spots around here. Saturday will be more of the same, weather permitting, and Sunday is Charlie’s graduation. So proud of him! Probably won’t be back online until Sunday (unless I steal Bill’s phone)…so please be praying for no snow on Sunday afternoon, no ice, and a nice safe trip home.

From Zero to Sixteen in Minutes

It seems like yesterday when we brought this little bundle home with us....

It seems like yesterday when he was running through the house with cowboy boots, a rifle, spurs, hat and neckerchief....

It seems like yesterday when he was a handsome ring bearer.....

It seems like yesterday, when he started high school...
Where he went from toy motorcycles and guns to holding footballs....

It seemed like yesterday when he turned 16....



Oh it was just last Wednesday (Nov 16th)....

Wow..how time flies. Those of you who know Ryan, know that he has been a miniature man since the day he was born. Grandma Eyie (AKA Baughman) has always called him the little man. This is true. At four he explained to me what the bulls in the field were doing....at eight, he explained that he had conversations with God, and knew his purpose. At 14 he told me he was going to go to school after being home schooled his whole life. At 16 he is turning into that fine young man he has always been. Those who know him, know him by his integrity, his honesty, his compassion and his humor. Yes, there is a bit of "TEENAGE" attitude...but we couldn't ask for a better son.

Happy Sixteenth Birthday Ryan, We Love You!

Catching up from October

The 2nd half of October brought Charlie home for a long weekend. I was able to get off a few hours early on Thursday and Bill, Kristin & I headed to Bend. It was a beautiful fall day, and the colors (as much as they get here) in the pass were beautiful. Kristin & I were both anxious to get out and take pictures. We pulled over a few times, but Bill doesn't share our passion, and it was getting too dark to take some good shots...so we headed into Bend and picked up Charlie. He was as excited to see us as we were him. The best part....Ryan was playing his very last football game of the season in Sisters!



We took off from Bend, and arrives in Sisters (which is heading back West towards home) around 6pm, and got to there just at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. Ryan played in this game more than any of the others. It was so cool that Charlie was able to be there...and you could see that Ryan was proud to have his "big brother" there. The excitement had been building all week, and the night before Charlie came home, Ryan was bouncing off the walls. I picked him up from Youth group on Wednesday night, and I finally said "What is up with you". He said " I get to play football one more time tomorrow AND my Big Brother is coming home for the weekend". He was so stoked to have Charlie home. It was COLD over there, and by the end of the game we were all frozen! I will say this...Sweet Home is the most supportive football town there is. Sweet Home had more fans in the visitor stands than the home team did in the home stands....and we had a two hour drive there. Shame on those Sisters football parents!


After the game, we headed to get a bite to eat and then head back home. We then hung out at the high school until Ryan got back--as he had to ride the bus back. It was a late night, and I was so thankful I was off the next day! I offered to take Ryan to school the next morning, so he could sleep the extra hour, as he catches the bus just after 6, and rides for an hour.

Bill headed off to school around 10, and Charlie, Kristin & I hung out at home. Charlie caught up on his facebook & emails, while Kristin & I puttered around. After lunch we headed out and got a few things in the yard done. Charlie clipped back a bush, I hauled stuff to the burn pile and we put away some of the summer pots.It felt good to work in the yard.

We headed into town and met Bill at the new coffee shop that our church is preparing to open. Their main focus will be the high school as it right across the street. Ryan & Hunter started a bible study last year, and this will give them a place to go on their lunches. So cool.

Friday night the guys rented some "guy movies", Kristin headed to a birthday party, and I took the opportunity to work on some pictures.

Saturday took us to the coast. It was a beautiful day...and we had a great time bumming on the coast.

Before the day was out, we had some rain, but nothing major, and we were ready to head inside for great clam chowder at The Sea Hag anyway!


Sunday we headed to church, and then back over to Bend to drop Charlie off It was a great weekend, and it went all too fast.

Monday was Halloween and we had an appointment with Kristin at Bill's Dr. We had her tested and she too, is allergic to sugars...all sugars except the Stevia. No fruit, no honey, no natural sugars, no substitutes. Same as her Daddy. She however, is allowed Wheat.....which Bill is allergic to. She has been sugar free since Tuesday and is feeling much better. After our appointment, we took Bill to school and she & I had about an hour for shopping at her favorite place..Goodwill!! She had a big night planned...and had sported her famous Jennifer Lake T-shirt all day. She was dressing as a hippie for our harvest party later in the day, and had some of her "stuff" on, but other stuff packed away for the final 'hipster"!

We headed to Lebanon where the Harvest Party was. It was a busy afternoon, and while Bill & Kristin stayed, I headed in another direction to get Ryan. When we returned, Kristin was anxious to get dressed the rest of the way. She had leggings, headband, peace signs, and of course a peace sign wrap around. I am amazed at how she filled the part! She sported her Jennifer Lake t-shirt until it was time for the carnival...and she was worried about ruining it, so she changed into her original shirt of dark purple that wouldn't stain if she got something on it. Ryan of course, didn't dress up this year...this is as good as it gets!!




You can check the harvest party photos out (you'll recognize some of us in there!). Click HERE!


The rest of the week has been just as busy....I've managed 40 hours in 4 days...but it's been worthy to get caught up. Sometimes it doesn't pay to take time off. The weekend is full of plans to get some of the barn cleaned out for a future upcoming big project of Bills. Be praying for us!

Kristin's 13th Birthday & A Big Pile of Wood

Kristin turned THIRTEEN yesterday. It's so hard to believe that we have a teenage girl in the house. With Ryan, it really didn't hit us...but with a girl...it surely hit home. I really don't recall my thirteenth birthday, but I do remember being a young teenager. She is so different from me. I was pretty boy focused, she is pretty centered on her friends, her books, and her walk with God. We are so proud of the young lady she is becoming. While there are still the typical things that go on in any teenagers life....we are very blessed as parents...and are very thankful that they are on a straight path.
Kristin had three longtime friends over last night. She invited Sydney, who we know from home school group, and Alexis & Tanya who have been around for a long time. These young ladies have been playing together through babies, barbies, and now it was pure "teenage girl" stuff. Music, nails, and giggling was the theme, and they had such a great time with each other. They started out with supper, and making mini pizzas. Kristin opened her gifts, and was so pleased with the gifts she got. She really felt her friends picked gifts that really suited her, and she said that is the most special gift...friends that really care. They danced, they did facials, they painted fingers and toes, and just had a great time being together. Bill & I headed to bed around 11, and we heard a few giggles after that, but they did great being quiet, and three staircases away was a good distance.




After breakfast, Bill, Ryan headed right out and got busy on the wood. Being the girls didn't get up until after 10, I stayed in and made breakfast for them, and then headed out. Ryan & Bill were cutting & splitting, so I hooked up the trailer on the tractor, and started loading wood. Being we got such a late start, I had to unload the cord that was left in the woodshed, so we could stack the new stuff behind it. I'm sure I pulled wood off the bottom back row that had to be 10 years old!!




We worked until almost 5, and then came in to get cleaned up. We are heading out to celebrate Kristin's birthday as a family. It's her pick for where to go. Not sure where yet, but we're off for a family fun adventure!!

Pictures

Ryan's school pictures came back last week, along with his football pictures. Sad that there were no school pictures for Kristin this year, we decided to have a photo shoot on our own after church today. We headed out in yard, and enjoyed some time together....with Kristin's sassy sense of humor and her fun loving attitude, it was fun watching her goof around, and have fun. I did get quite a few of her personalities on "film" (THANK HEAVENS ITS NOT FILM, as we took over 300 pictures!!) Her brother even joined us....nice!

Here are a the ones we liked the best...including her dog!!

Football and Photography

Thursday (Oct 6) was one of Ryan's football games, and also Kristin's first photography class through 4-H. I headed to the game, while Bill went to pick up Kristin.
I arrived at the field just as the guys were coming out of the locker room. Ryan was chosen to be one of the captains for this game. He was pretty proud. I had no idea until the end of the game, or I'd have been pretty proud right there up front with him!! Regardless....this was a great game. Ryan played all 4 quarters and the improvement he has made is awesome. I give him tons of credit. The only football he ever touched before this was a nerf, or when Evan our good friend would toss the ball around with him. Football has never been watched in our house, as Bill nor I are into sports. I remember Ryan calling "Uncle Al" when he was 4 to find out the rules to basketball that he was watching on TV!! For him to be out there playing and having fun is a great joy to me. I was there through most of the first quarter by myself, and not having anyone to visit with in the stands, and no camera, I really got to watch what was going on. It was neat to see improvement, and a sense of pride in Ryan as he walked off the field...always watching to make sure we were watching. So cool!!





Kristin & Bill arrived, and Kristin shared some of her class, but she wasn't feeling well, as well as Bill, so they headed home at halftime, and left me to play with my camera which they brought from home (I came to the field straight from work). I found that I really need to work on my night pictures as well as the speed with which I am trying to capture. Always has been my week spot in photography. Guess I'm going to learn! It was a great game for Ryan, lots of play time, lots of pictures for Mom, and yes, I held my composure, and even remained seated when he was on the BOTTOM of a huge pile of guys!! The won 66-16.

We headed home, and Kristin & Bill were watching some TV....and Kristin & I chatted about her class. She was feeling better after having eaten, and was a flurry of "we did this, we did that..." She is one of the few with a point & shoot digital, so I think that I may break down, swap out my lens and let her take my SLR camera to class. She has been all over the place the last few weeks, in preparation of class, and after class last night & today, working on some of her pictures. These next three are hers along with the flowers at the top:




It of course has spurred me to shoot with her, so we had fun tonight after work, especially when she came in the house with the biggest chicken egg I have ever seen. WOW...I felt sad for the poor chicken.




Bill of course took my camera, and did a few pictures of his own...some turned out pretty fun...but some were typical Bill. I'll let you decide!!




Last but not least---I am GUILTY by association. Bill got his AARP card, and guess what came with it...one for me!! OK, so they can't know how old I am...they can't even spell my name right.


As the weekend is here...I know we will get some things done around the house, and maybe Kristin & I can take our camera's out and play some more. Look for more pics, coming soon!