What a great day it was! We headed out to our friends the Glancy's on Tuesday afternoon. Kristin was going to get to ride! She was so excited. I thought Ryan might want to ride, but when we got there, he said, no, he wasn't really interested. Janet offered to let me ride...oh my, it's been since our honeymoon almost 22 years ago since I've been on a horse! Before that, it was with girlfriends in college, and prior to that, it was all those 2 week vacations in Ohio, on my Aunt Corysue's horses. What a blast it was for me to get on a horse again. 
I made sure to make it a short ride...one, because I was yearning to get out of the arena, and run....and second, because I knew how sore I would be today!
Janet offered to let Kristin saddle up and ride--or to do some balance riding/learning. 
Kristin chose the learning, and she did really well. Janet helped her walk Moe, and then put her on the horse, with only a blanket saddle (no stirrups, almost bareback) and had her learn to balance. It also got Kristin very comfortable, because she was intent on balance, and getting the feel of a horse, as well as not having to worry about controlling the horse. (Although these were the best behaved horses I've ever been around. Very gentle, answered to every command, and so easy going!). Janet worked with her for 30 minutes or so, and I could see Kristin relaxing as she was on the horse. Next time we'll see what Janet has in store for her.
After we put the horses away, and cleaned up....we had the most incredible dinner. The sun was just setting out the window of their incredibly beautiful home and we enjoyed a wonderful pot roast, mashed potatoes, carrots & the most YUMMY biscuits ever! The company, combined with the atmosphere, combined with a great day, and good fellowship, topped the day off. What a blessing.
Thanks Janet & Bob for the blessings you gave us yesterday...fun, food & fellowship.
First bloom on the plum tree...
I felt it a few days ago, in the evening as I arrived home just after dark. I had been coming home in the light, but worked a bit later this particular day, and as I got out of the car, with the stars shining, I heard it...Spring....Crickets, frogs and more frogs. You could smell it in the air--that fresh Oregon air....what Bill & I still call "camping air"---you know that smell if you live in the city, and travel to a place that is free of pollution. It was a glimmer of hope to my soul.
I walked through the yard today, seeing how much had opened the last few warm days...ahh....refreshing!
New Rose Bush shoots....
How I love Spring, longer days, and the sounds of spring & summer. Each spring seems a new beginning to me. 
Lilac leaves....
It was a beautiful day today. I'm thinking we hit more than 60, but never really checked. 
Ryan cut the grass that was growing out of control, and we got the yard cleaned up, and the suburban washed. We were blessed to have Alyona come to help with a few projects, and she & Kristin got to spend some time together. It was nice to have her around, as we've missed how funny she can be. What a gift the sun was today....Thank You Lord!
We have been very busy...so just a few pictures to bring you up to date.. At Home School Group...we've been working hard on Science....pig science that is! You can follow this link to our Home School Page and catch up there...just to not be redundant for those of you that follow both blogs! Last weekend (Feb 6th)--we got out for the day with Nate, Katie & Auggie (AKA Audrie), and hit the home show in Albany. Kristin & Auggie did some cool tiles, and Nate just liked sitting on the Home Depot buckets. Afterward we went to Red Robin for lunch, and then headed separate directions...as we had some errands to run. 
On Saturday, Feb 13th, while Ryan went to a friends, we headed to the coast...we enjoyed our day with only one kid, and she soaked it up as well! It was drizzly, so no pictures, other than the HAND Kristin got to sit in at an antique shop we stopped at.
What I don't have pictures of, are work & school....I've been having a blast at work this last two weeks as my boss has put me on some special projects, just working to help others catch up. Really a team effort, but I've gotten to do some skip tracing....what a kick for me! Bill has just finished mid terms, and he is halfway through the semester. Looks like we are heading to Michigan over spring break. Just the two of us....yahoo. Not warm & sunny, but anxious to see Bill's folks new place, and see my grandparents. My folks will still be in Florida, but this is one of the few breaks Bill will have.
Tomorrow is another busy day....but fun--as we're going to dinner, and Kristin is going to get to ride...should be fun! I will post pictures soon.
Our crew behind the waterfall....
Kristin & Jason at the top of the falls....Ryan is back there too...
We woke on Friday to SUNSHINE!! At least sun breaking through the clouds..."Thank You Lord", I said as I left for work! It will be nice to have a nice weekend! The kids & Bill did a great job getting us ready to go while I was at work. As I was stepping out the door after work, the rain started, and by the time I got home, it was a downpour! I guess the sunny weekend was not meant to be! Thankfully, everything was ready, I woke Bill (Who is still suffering a migraine, that has been at one level or another for 19 days now), and we headed out. We arrived at camp just a tad after dark, and were blessed with a nice easy spot to back into....I say blessed because I drove and did the backing! Jen & Brady had just arrived thirty minutes before us, and were almost finished setting up. Bill & Ryan were pretty wet when they came in from setting up. We finished our 'set up' and headed over to visit with Jen & Brady, while Ryan & Kristin fixed supper!! Yahoo for kids that cook! No campfire Friday night, as it was pouring, and we had not scoped out the firepit, and trees to run a tarp to. Rain doesn't usually stop us from having fires, we put up the famous Oregon Blue tarp, run it to an awning, and have a cozy fire. Saturday we woke to no rain! It had rained until around 6am, but then cleared off a bit. 
We had a nice fire, and enjoyed catching up with each other. It had been WAY too long since we've been camping together. It was July the last time we were camping together, and September since we'd been out as a family. It was long overdue. There is nothing like waking in the morning, hearing the quiet, and knowing the only thing you have to do is enjoy the day!
After campfire & breakfast--we headed over to the lodge, and waterfall area. Since it was not raining, we hiked down into the canyon behind the falls, and managed to get wet! The kids thought it was cool to walk behind the big falls! 
Jason found a cool little cave to crawl into, and we decided to hike back out instead of continuing because the path was so muddy.
Back to camp-and then into town for water, which we forgot....along with lunch items. Having not been out in so long, the usual things that were in the trailer, were not in the trailer! Oh well....we had fun bumming through Silverton. We headed back to camp and the guys put up the fire tarps, as the rain had started again. We enjoyed a great dinner of "stone soup"--gathering items we all had to enjoy together. Kristin played inside with the kids, giving the adults (and Ryan) some much needed visit time.
Sunday brought more rain--with a few breaks. We enjoyed a morning campfire, and decided to head home, as Jen & Brady were heading out. We had the day to stay if we wanted, but since it was raining, and there would be no hiking....not much playing outside, we packed up and headed home as well.
Nice relaxing, much needed, and well deserved weekend!
It was a great day at the Richards' last Tuesday--we had the pleasure of having Miss Audrie for the day....also known as "Auggie".
She arrived a little after 7 in her cute fuzzy pink jammies, all ready for snuggling. I love how much she loves on us when she is here! We visited by ourselves for awhile, having some time with Mr. O'Malley the cat....
Kristin woke, and it was all over for me! They played Fisher Price, dolls, 
dress up, 
fixed hair (can you get all 10 of Kristin's pretties in my hair?), and had a great day together. I only had to change 1 diaper...Kristin did the rest!
We then headed to friends to check into an incredible machine that opens doors for those who have difficulty seeing. It makes it possible to read the paper even if magnifying glasses don't help...it makes it possible to take out a splinter in your finger--to balance your checkbook. It was certainly something I'd love to invest in for my favorite Grandfather! Besides checking out the machine, we had a great time visiting. The kids got to see the horses, feed the chickens and get a ride through the 100 acres on the "Gator"...they had a blast, and we enjoyed our afternoon there so much.
After a fun day, we had to give Auggie back to her Mom & Dad...who we met for supper at one of our favorite restaurants in Lebanon--the new mexican place behind Shari's in the Lebanon Plaza.
After a full day of playing, we headed home to clean up the house that looked like a tornado had gone through....BUT, it was all worth a fun day with Audrie!
This week has been busy! Bill started back to school on Monday, carrying 14 credits this term. He has one LONG day, Monday's--he leaves at 6AM and gets home at 10PM, however, the rest of the week is downhill, with classes ending the rest of the week by 12:30. Shawnna & Kids started back to Monday home school group and now my days off are Monday/Tuesday from the Credit Union, making it easy to get some things done around here with the kids, with homeschool and work for the dentist. The kids are doing great with their new home school program, provided by Central Linn School district...and Odyssey Ware. They do all their lessons online, the computer scores them, and we go over together anything they did not understand or did not get at least 85% on. We just added two more classes for the kids, and they are loving it. Ryan is taking Vietnam War History and Kristin chose a Science class.
We finished up the 12 days of Christmas on Tuesday....and although the tree came down last weekend, it was today (Saturday) that some of the other decorations came down. I just was not ready to take them down!Today started around 8, with coffee, and getting ready for a memorial service. Kathy Nida's Mom, Anna, passed away on 12/23--and the memorial service was today. It was a nice service, and we got to see the whole family. It of course was not a long enough visit, but a visit none the less. We got a Brooklyn, Jason, Brandon & Olin fix...AND got to meet Zane. I am so glad a gal at work offered to trade Saturday's with me today...so that I could be there. As we were leaving the service, Charlie called, so we headed to Teen Challenge to pick him up.
Once home, we took down the village, the snowglobes (Tilley the Frog was so glad to be back on her shelf!), and the nativity scenes--and yes, the snowmen are still everywhere! My feeling is that snowmen are "WINTER" decorations...not CHRISTMAS decorations...so I do not feel bad about my big snowman on the porch, nor the two in the yard--or of course the three billion in the house! It's still WINTER!
Kristin & Charlie decided to be productive in the kitchen. Kristin made her gingerbread house, and Charlie made brownies.
Lindsay came over to see Robert, and she came home from work yesterday with a fever, and we could tell she was still not feeling well. We pray she feels better soon!
We also pray that the rest of us do not get what she has!
We enjoyed a nice dinner of beef stroganoff--don't cook for seven too often....three of which are really big guys that eat a lot!! That's a lot of beef & a lot of "soupy" stuff for stroganoff!! Football was also a big thing here today, as was Wii Band Hero, and then a movie before everyone headed to bed.
Tomorrow is another full day...Church, homework, and then supper with Nate, Katie & Audrie, as we have not celebrated Christmas with them yet!
Hoping to head out camping this weekend...yahoo!!
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the new year: Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied: Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way. Minnie Haskins
Happy New Year! Wow...2010--can you believe it's been 10 years since we all feared that the Y2K scare??!! What a wild trip the last 10 years has been! What a wild trip the last 10 months have been! 2010 will be a new year for us for sure! We pray that it will bring blessings not only to our family and help us to grow in the Lord, but blessings to our friends and family. God is good....he does provide!
We had the pleasure of sharing New Years Eve with Robert, Lindsay, her parents, Willa & Larry, and what a great time we had. We enjoyed supper together, (thanks for helping provide Larry & Willa) and we ate munchies until we had no more room!The kids headed off to Youth Group overnighter at the new church property. It was good for them to have someplace to go. They had some good clean fun...and silly string eventually does melt away! Thanks to Chad, Claudia, Dillon, Allie & Charles for seeing to our kids safety--for letting them be kids in a good Christian environment, and for giving them the word!
We enjoyed a quiet (well, sort of!) evening in the living room, 
with Robert playing for us...
then Larry, 
and then the Wii Band Hero came out--and what a great workout Robert & Larry got! It was fun to watch them!
Backing up a bit....the rest of yesterday:
Bill & Robert got back to work on the basement bathroom that has been on hold for many, many, many months now! 
Robert got the toilet set...no test on the "upflush" toilet yet as we need a new feed line. 
Bill worked on drywall, finishing the storage closet, and spiffying up the garage! Wahoo!
Kristin's good friend McKenzie is here from Washington to visit neighbors Grandma Sharon & Grandpa Rex....they enjoy their visits so much.
This time she had her friend "Daisy" with her. She did great with our dogs & cats! Ryan & Shawnna had a day of catching up as well....phew!
All in all, a great day...complete with a 40 minute nap!
Today....the only goal--get up, blog, nap....
Everyone it seems...enjoyed the nap part!
We pray you have a great 2010....Happy New Year!
Today started out as a lazy day. We had some things to get done around the house, and after those chores were done, the guys headed down to watch a movie, and I headed outside to play with my camera (actually, I was headed to the mailbox, and saw how pretty it actually was outside with the frozen frost on the trees. I took lots of different shots, just seeing what I could get...what fun! Here are a few favorites...
Our annual Shore Acres Park visit was much different then years past! We haven't been camping this Christmas as normal, and we sure didn't make it to Georgia (sniff, sniff!), but we did get together with our extended family and head to the coast. We picked up Lindsay when she got off at 3pm. It was a late start, but she was worth waiting for...as she enjoys Christmas lights as much as the rest of some of us...minus the hum bugs! We picked Charlie up right after, and headed South. We had a beautiful drive along the Umpqua River and arrived in Charleston for supper around 6:00--all starving! We waited for a table for probably 10-15 minutes, and after 20 minutes of being passed by after we were seated, we figured it was time to find somewhere else to eat. Being in Charleston, there were not a lot of choices, so we figured we'd head back 20 minutes to North Bend...what did we have to lose??! As we were passing the motel dump, we saw a place called Forbys.....we decided to try it. WOW...were we impressed. They had great food, great portions, and great prices. If you're going to be in the area....make sure to hit this place. Incredible!! Needless to say, we all left full bellied at 8:00...OK...2 hours to eat..but off to the lights we went.
We walked down to the wall above the shoreline first...what an incredible display God gave us....we were not disappointed. Too bad the camera can't catch all that at night. We then walked through the spooky forest to the light display....and spent some time there--not as much as usual, because we got there after dark.
We enjoyed the lights despite the rain, and as always, we enjoyed a tour through the cottage, which is always decorated so nicely for Christmas.
It was after 10 when we headed for home, and 12:45 when we dropped off Lindsay, and after 1 when we arrived home. Some crashed as soon as we got in...others, had slept 20 minutes, and were unable to sleep, and were up until after 3...ugh. Makes it tough when the alarm for church goes off at 7:30!! It was all worth it...but we did decide that next year, it will be an all day event!
Check out the pictures...
I made sure to make it a short ride...one, because I was yearning to get out of the arena, and run....and second, because I knew how sore I would be today! 
Kristin chose the learning, and she did really well. Janet helped her walk Moe, and then put her on the horse, with only a blanket saddle (no stirrups, almost bareback) and had her learn to balance. It also got Kristin very comfortable, because she was intent on balance, and getting the feel of a horse, as well as not having to worry about controlling the horse. (Although these were the best behaved horses I've ever been around. Very gentle, answered to every command, and so easy going!). Janet worked with her for 30 minutes or so, and I could see Kristin relaxing as she was on the horse. Next time we'll see what Janet has in store for her. 
