Beach Trip

Saturday we took a trip to Seaside Oregon. Jon stayed home....to have independence I suppose, so it was just the three of us this time.All along the way it was incredible to see the damage from the storm that came through here the first part of December. The storm had hurricane winds that devastated both Washington and Oregon and left the mountain forests a horrendous mess. It also dumped so much rain that it caused terrible flooding all over for hundreds of miles. (Jon helped with the flood relief with Mormon helping hands)). Anyway, we saw first hand the thousands and thousands of trees destroyed on our way over the coast mountains. In this area we were able to stop, but just driving down the road it was incredible...trees down everywhere. In this place, the oldest living sitka spruce tree in the U.S. and the oldest living thing in all of Oregon was snapped in two. Very sad.
We stayed at a hotel on the beach...here Richard and Josh act up while I take their picture from our balcony. Our room was pretty, but the wind was so strong that our patio door creeked all night long and it was hard to get to sleep. But....what a beautiful view!!
Josh had alot of fun doing what he loves the most....DIGGING!! It was very cold outside and he had a blast digging. The wind was howling and Richard was freeezing outside with him (I was in the nice warm car watching the ocean), but he stayed out with Josh for over an hour.
Here he is building a bridge in this little river. He finally had to get in the car when it started hailing really bad, but he had a great time, even though he was soaking wet. He changed in the car:) We stayed until the tide got up far enough and took out his work.

CHRISTMAS FUN....

We've had some fun Christmas events. Christmas Eve we delivered our usual goodies to neighbors and friends, then headed out to eat with my brother and sister in law Art and Marilyn and their family. We have spent many years with them on Christmas Eve. This year we ate at a buffet place called Izzy's Pizza. Then we all went to their house for the nativity, Santa and our craft, this year the kids made t-shirts. Jon and Josh were very creative! Grandma and Grandpa Cameron and Aunt Ellouise came for Christmas morning gift opening and breakfast. We ate so much I never did cook dinner, we just snacked all day.
Tonight we had my brother Ron and his girlfriend Tammy and their kids over as well as G& G Cameron and Aunt Ellouise again. I made spiral ham in the new roaster I got for Christmas. Yum Yum...Here all the kids had a great time playing Apples to Apples.
G & G Cameron and my brother Ron.I hope you enjoyed this. It was very exciting to blog tonight. We got high speed internet today and it only took a minute to post my pictures. You will hear from me much more now!!

3rd Annual Esther Drew Memorial Scrabble Tournament

I only took 2 pictures, but this tells it all!! From right to left: Aunt Adele, Jane, Aunt Sue and myself in our Santa sweatshirts Jane made for us several years ago. It's fun when we can all get together and wear our shirts!!
I didn't hear a final count on attendance, but it was well attended!! Cousin Tim Lum joined us for the first time this year. It was held in Oregon (Beaverton I think) at David and Sarah Lum's house. We ate yummy soups made by different people, as well as breads, veggies and delicious snickerdoodle cookies. (Grandma Drew's recipe)The way it works is everyone sits at a table that has a scrabble game. We played 2 games this year. After the first game 2 people from that table move to a different table. In the end there's a handicap and the scores are added from both games combined. This year Carol Sibley, cousin Toms wife won. Debi sent little black coin purses as prizes since Grandma always carried a little black coin purse. David made a croetched piece as a prize as well. I took a picture of a board while we played, because Grandma would always say "Now isn't that an interesting board...we need to take a picture of it". SO...this time I did Grandma....in your honor!!!

Christmas Traditions Part 2

You can't see any of the lights and the tree looks plain, but it really looks nice in person. Joshua did a good job on the lights (even though I was a pain in the neck while he did it).
Josh loves to play with the train under the tree. He even followed tradition by getting his army men out and putting them on the train (they're usually in the tree too!)

Christmas Traditions Part 1

It was a very cold rain free year for cutting down the Christmas Tree. This was one of the easiest years to find a tree we liked...we found it within 15 minutes of arriving. Maybe this year the trees are just the right maturity.....
Josh plays his imaginary guitar... AKA saw.....
TIMBER!!!!
For those of you who have no idea what a tree farm is....there are acres and acres of different kinds of trees at our favorite place. Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Douglas Fir...etc....
You walk around and look for your favorite tree. Trees with pricetags are the only ones you can choose. There are saws on stands that you can use (or bring your own). Voila!! You're all done (It hasn't always been easy though...especially for us picky Moms who want the perfect tree.) The older I get, the less picky I am!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

From my house to yours!!Watch a parade....
Eat lots of turkey lurkey......
Have a GREAT day!!!

TAG....I'M IT!!!

1. Best thing you cooked last week?
Let's see....I don't like judging my cooking, so I asked Jon....he liked my enchiladas and cafe rio pork the best. Josh votes for cafe rio...I think I liked the teriyaki chicken best, though I do like cafe rio as well. Richard's already gone to bed.

2. If money, time and babysitting were no object, where would you go and with who?
The Oregon or Washington coast....in a luxury condo with an ocean view and room service....with Richard. I have no big aspirations of travelling the world. We're going on a trip to see church history sights this next summer and ideally I would LOVE to rent a motorhome to travel in. If money were no object I would buy a motorhome and travel the country (USA)....with my family.

3. When was the last time you cried?
I don't snitch on myself.....

4. Five things you were doing 10 years ago:
Taking Jenny to: Piano lessons, achievement days, unicycle, gymnastics...
Super Saturday (craft day at church)
Jenny Jon and Josh to birthday parties
Leadership meeting
Having a family picture made
Dental and vision appointments
Lunch with my sister in laws
Day after Thanksgiving shopping with Melanie!!
Okay....thats more than five things...but I cheated and checked my calendar ...it is what I did in a 3 week period in November 1997......boy was I ever busy....STILL AM!!!

5. Five things you were doing 5 years ago:
Cheated again.....Same 3 week period 5 years later
Stake RS stuff...Stake RS choir practice....making a wooden snowman at Super Saturday (we have it every November)...going to the Temple...taking kids to movies...shampooed carpet....went to the coast (Seaside Oregon) with Richard...had lunch in Chehalis Washington with my sister in laws and nieces.....got released from calling...got a new pellet stove...Jenny actually had her first date with Andy Lawler (see Jenny you really did have a date at 16)...went to the Temple.....started my Christmas cards...played Yahtzee with Jon...pack meeting with Josh....talked to my seester on the phone AND went shopping with Melanie.
Okay, okay... but my journals have so much in them!!!

6. Five things you were doing 1 year ago:
Piano lessons, visiting teaching, Temple, chaperone marching band , Enrichment, lunch with Ericka, turned the big 50, working 6 hours a day, birthday parties, wedding receptions, stake conference, band awards, Jenny home for Thanksgiving, taking Jenny to dentist and eye appts., shopping with Melanie!!!
OKAY...I'M DONE BORING YOU!!!

7. Seven of your favorite hobbies:
Does it sound like I have time for hobbies????

8. Five favorite foods:
Vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and walnuts, Hersheys Kisses with nuts, Payday candy bars, Mr. Goodbars, and chocolate milk. So is it any wonder I look the way I do????

9. Five places you've been:
To the hospital (3 times to have children), Thorntons Tree Farm every year to cut down Christmas tree, top of the Empire State Building, Pearl Harbor, HOME (is where the heart is).....

10. Five Favorite Memories:
All the ones I can remember!!! Sorry....too hard to narrow down!

I TAG AMANDA AND KRISTIE.........

THE LADDER OF SUCCESS

SUCCESS: The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted; A result or outcome.
Hot summer days, cold autumn nights. Hundreds upon hundreds of hours.....4 years of your life.....for this one final moment.
Silently waiting.....The chill of the night pierces you to the bone....but, you don't feel it. All you feel is your heart pounding.....all the memories come flooding into your mind.....Push ups and running the track.....Over and over.....RESET.....Your family of friends....some have moved on, some will remain....."O"....."The Gates"....."Inside the Box" ......memories of people that have helped shape who you are. Band camp.....water jugs.....dot books....it will never be the same.
San Francisco..... Anaheim......Disneyland....Spokane.... wonderful memories fill your brain.
Inching forward as you prepare to enter the stadium one last time. The long walk....the lights...the crowd cheering. Into formation....heart pounding....the time is here.
7 more minutes..... the final run. Now is the moment.... The crowd....many in gold.... You turn....you hear them cheer....EVERGREEN!!!!..... Your final notes....Your final steps. It doesn't matter what the prize, only that you did your best........AND THEN.... you know....you have reached your final show....THE LADDER OF SUCCESS.

FHE Halloween Fun

The pictures are a little dark....sorry.
Every year we have a little Halloween party on the Monday before Halloween. The kids often invite friends, and we play games and bob for apples, but this year we had just the 3 of us since Jon was at marching band practice.
I made a great spread of witches brew (aka leftover wedding punch), taquitos, pizza bites, lil smokies, mozarella sticks, deviled eggs, chips and salsa, chex mix and candy corn....oh, and donuts (nothing healthy). We were STUFFED!!!
Josh decorated the family room, complete with spider web and black lights, skeletons and other scary stuff (hee hee)We watched spooky movies while we stuffed our faces...."Frankenstein" and "Hold That Ghost"....Jon enjoyed the food when he got home....it was a fun night!

Musical Saturday.....

I had a busy and FUN day as our school hosted the Makenzie Classic Band Competition. I began my day cleaning up the stadium at 6AM. There was rival football game the night before. Here I am with Richard in the evening after I finished working concessions. I was going to work the booster table, but they were short on help in concessions so I spent 4 hours there. 20 bands competed and we performed as well. The stadium was packed to capacity...more than I think they've ever had. A successful day!! Here I am with Richard dressed up in my green and gold and band shirt.We ended the evening by once again picking up garbage at the stadium. It went much quicker with many more hands helping. Jon had a fun day and I think he is getting a bit sad that his band years are nearly at an end (although a bit relieved to get some rest) Next Saturday is the final competition at the University of Oregon.

FUN AT GRANDPA'S

We had a fun night at Grandpa Drew's raking leaves with David on Monday night. Josh was very excited to jump in the leaves then cover himself up and jump out. He may be going into high school next year, but he will always be my baby....he finds such joy in the little things!! Grandma is in Vietnam visiting her family. David had a great idea to collect the leaves. He is putting them on top of his garden for mulch, so we raked them onto a big tarp pulled it over and dumped them off. Very clever AND easy!!!
We are in full FALL weather here. This morning as I was driving down the road it looked like it was raining leaves. I wish I had had my camera....it was beautiful!! Today is quite windy and you really notice it when there are thousands of leaves falling and blowing around. Tomorrow we host our big band competition here at our high school so I will be tied up all day with that. Josh has a campout (brrrr....) and then will be working on an Eagle project at the campsite. Have a good weekend everyone!!!

For Amanda.........

These trees were at the park in Spokane where the band practiced for several hours during our trip. They were so beautiful that I had to take a picture for Amanda.

Band Trip Part 2

Here is the much anticipated gym floor picture. This is a picture of the girls side. Each night Mr. Kuske (the band director) gave them lights out and the kids were so exhausted that they actually fell asleep pretty fast. He wouldn't even let them whisper after lights out. It was funny because the first night the kids tested the waters a bit. After lights out, someone coughed, then someone else and so on until there were ALOT of coughs going on. Mr. Kuske came in and put stop to that right then and there. He said absolutely NO more coughing. I was holding back my own cough (a real one) as hard as I could. I've been coughing for several weeks from a cold. I told him about it later and he laughed. The funniest thing about sleeping on the floor with 200 people is the SNORING!! It kept us chaperones in stitches. The girls were much worse snorers. And then there was the occasional outburst from someone talking in their sleep. The chaperones woke up early each morning to get in the bathrooms before the girls. That was interesting .... Even though Jons eyes are closed on this one, I wanted you to see him with his many admirers. For some reason (I keep forgetting to ask him), during snack outside, someone started singing happy birthday to him. The entire band chimed in and EVERYONE was singing happy birthday to him. I just shook my head.....he's taking after his Dad, who is always telling people it's his birthday. Then when he was inside and visiting the girls before lights out, they all started singing to him AGAIN!! He's a funny guy.......... The girl in the blue in the middle( who also has her eyes closed) is who he went to homecoming with. Her name is Jackie.

Marching Band Season is Upon Us!!!

When I'm not scrapbooking (which by the way I've done 5 books so far), we've had homecoming, football games, and band competitions! I got back Sunday from chaperoning a 3 day trip to Spokane (pronounced spo-can) Washington. It was a very fun trip. We were on the go the entire time, and the 8 hour bus trip was not very comfy, but it was FUN!!About 200 of us slept on the gym floor of a middle school. The kids were very good. We put the boys on one end the chaperones in the middle and the girls on the other end. It was wall to wall sleeping bags. I'll blog a picture later. We ate like kings...the people in charge of our food are amazing. Breakfast burritos, chicken fahitas, brownies and ice cream, turkey sandwiches.....it was all very yummy. I loved helping prepare and serve the food. The kids were very appreciative. The weather was BEAUTIFUL!! It got cold at night so we had to bundle up then, but it was perfect marching weather.

Oh....and we WON!! We came in first in our division and won the Grand championship.
Our competition this weekend will be more challenging....there are one or two bands that will give us a run for our money, so I'll let you know. But we are having fun!If you enlarge the picture of the band, Jon is on the top left.

Okay, Okay Okay......

So WHY have I not been blogging? Well, I have been spending most of my time SCRAPBOOKING instead. Since Jon is a Senior this year, and his scrapbooks have not been done for several years, for the boys for Christmas I'm catching up. Jon knows it's for Christmas, but because it's so all time consuming, I have to do it in the open. Josh doesn't know I'm going to do his, so he will think I'm doing Jon's when I do his. So far I've done from 1999-2003 and filled up 3 notebooks. Jenny has 6 or 7 scrapbooks and hers are pretty up to date, except her senior year. She has most of the stuff to do that. The bottom scrapbook is actually one of the ones I did last time I worked on them. It was ALOT of work. Now I am mostly using black cardstock....I'm NOT using any fancy scissors....I'm ONLY cutting the pics in squares with my paper cutter and I'm being simple so that I can get it done!!! They will still be nice, just not as pretty. Hey, boys won't care!!
I work on 1 year at a time. The table is a great workplace. I have stickers, scraps, cardstock, paper cutter and all the other supplies I need.
I have piles on the floor next to the table of each month...in each pile I put pictures, award certificates, church talks and any and all things I have saved for them to look back and remember their childhoods. Since I can't remember most of MY childhood, my kids will remember theirs!!As a note..... after I get all caught up I'm going to do one with all Jon's scout stuff and another one for band. Those will be for graduation.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU......

Happy Birthday Debi!! I can't believe you are 55!!!
Just imagine....55 years packed with all sorts of life's experiences. I think you have more energy today than you did when you were a little curly headed girl. Now that you are an "empty nester" you will fill your life with new and exciting experiences. I know you won't let any moss grow under your feet!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY!!!!

What a Deal!!!

I was headed out to our yearly Relief Society craft day on Saturday, when pulling out of the driveway I noticed one of our neighbors was having a sale. I had been wanting to talk to them because I want to show them Jenny and Logan's wedding pictures. They were unable to attend the wedding and had their house up for sale with plans to move. My plans were simply to go say "hi" and talk to them. I left, having bought new furniture for our family room!!!
Chris and Jeff (the neighbors) had just bought all new furniture for their house and were selling their old stuff.(they took their house off the market) I got this sofa and loveseat...in near perfect condition for only $175.00!! On top of that when Richard and Jon went to pick up the furniture, Chris threw in 2 pictures I had looked at. (I had gone on to the church after I paid them...one of the pictures she gave me is on the far left)) Chris and Jeff told Richard to bring our old furniture over and they would sell it for us. The sofa sold before Richard even took it over, and they sold our chair. We got $60. That means the entire set only cost us $115.00. Good deal don't you think!!!!!
The boys love it and Jon is the one who arranged the furniture this way for me since I was gone. I love it... They were so excited they wanted to have scripture and prayer in the family room last night, to break it in.

They're OFF!!

Well, as most of you know, Debi and Melissa left us yesterday morning for the next leg of their journey....to Salt Lake and then Rexburg. We got to the airport about 5:30 AM and got all the luggage checked in. It was sad to see them go, but I was so excited for Melissa to get to college. I wanted to hide in a suitcase, just to experience all the college "firsts" with her and Debi....just like I did Jenny 3 years ago.
We had such a nice time....very relaxing for me, since I could use the excuse that my family was here to be a homebody and lay low for a few weeks. But, as is in her blood, my sister couldn't sit still for long. Her trip here was like a service mission. Not only did she give us ALL to die for neck AND foot messages, but she brushed our hair (including David's long locks) AND put together furniture AND mowed lawns (here she is at Grandma and Grandpa Drew's mowing.) We could all benefit from her example!!!!
We had our usual LATE night visits, staying up until 2:00, 3:00 and even 5:00 AM one morning (SHHHH don't tell anyone.) We loved listening to Melissa play piano for us...I especially loved singing the songs Jenny and I used to sing together as she would play. (come home Jenny :( I miss you) It was fun having "Extra" voices for scripture reading each night and they enjoyed having someone different to say family prayer at night besides them or Uncle Mike. We had a great time on Labor day driving up the Gorge. (I'll post more pictures later.)
THANKS FOR COMING DEBI AND MELISSA!!!

Applesauce Incident

See story in blog below.....We were all dying of laughter as you can tell by Uncle Ronnie's face.

Travel Log

Here are a few pictures we picked to show you that Debi and Melissa really ARE here..... Saturday was spent at Dad and Rose's house. Elizabeth, David and Henry came down from Seattle to visit. We all ate dinner together after putting together a new table and chair set for them. After dinner we all took turns mowing the front yard with their super fantastic lawn mower!
Sunday, after church, Mom and Bob, Ronnie (and his friend Tammy), and Aunt Ellouise all came over for dinner. Melissa played the piano and we all sang. It was a fun evening. Something funny happened at the dinner table. Debi was eating her applesauce (that she had put in a small serving dish). She was busy visiting and had put the bowl down. At the end of the meal she picked up the spoon and started eating the applesauce again. She wondered why she had so much applesauce in her bowl. She said, "This is a lot deeper bowl than I remembered." Then I looked at it and I realized she was eating out of the serving bowl instead of her own personal serving dish! It was a much bigger bowl. We all laughed so hard and Debi was so embarrassed, she crawled under the table!

Aunt Janes Visit

Aunt Jane was here from Arizona last week to attend her high school reunion. She has always been a "special" aunt to me. I thought I would share a few of my memories with you.......
*Aunt Jane taught me how to drive in her little yellow Renault. In those days small cars were an oddity. * She pierced my ears when I was in high school. She used 2 ice cubes and a needle. * I loved her clothes....she let me borrow her clothes sometimes...I felt so "Cool" in them. I wore her clothes in my Senior pictures. * She is very talented. I remember her learning to tole paint. She has done alot of different crafts throughout the years. *Jane is very generous and compassionate and is a good Christian woman. I remember going to church with her as a girl.Here she is with Grandma Cameron and Aunt Ellouise.....my other "Special Aunt" See you next time Aunt Jane!!!!

It has been about 20 years since I had a yard sale....and then again, I've only had 2 before this one. They are very fun to go to, but not my idea of fun to have. BUT....it ended up being lots of fun! Our family is planning a church history tour next summer and I thought doing this would be a good way to help the cause. Richard did a great job on the signs, don't you think? I was up until 2AM Friday morning getting things separated and priced. We used 6 card tables, 2 sheets of plywood(put on top of sawhorses), some shelves from Joshs room and I even put a piece of board on top of a big rubbermaid container to put stuff on. Richard found a plank that was about 7 or 8 feet long and we put it on top of some bricks and put shoes on it. My neighbor even had a round rack to put clothes on. This picture was taken on Saturday after we were done (Not Sunday like it says)The next picture was taken in the garage in the wee hours Friday , but I didn't remember to get one with everything put out in the driveway. Sorry so dark!!!
I began cleaning things out in June and my pile kept growing. We had just donated alot of stuff to the young women for their garage sale, so I really didn't think I would have much. By the time I got done, I had alot of stuff I could live without. I had a little bit of alot of stuff....crafts, fabrics, clothes, jewlery, lotions and perfumes, kitchen stuff, coloring books and a few books and games. I had decorating stuff like shelves, mirrors, silk flowers. We had a dog run, dog house (Lady never would use them....she stays inside mostly), canning jars, shoes....you get the drift! It is AMAZING what people will buy. I had my old earrings on on index cards, like 4 pair per card and old necklaces in baggies...they sold out in NO TIME!!
Oh, Richard was worried about me being alone taking care of the money, so we decided it would be a good idea to use a pouch. I actually used 2....one had bills and quarters in it and the other I used for nickels and dimes and paper, pen and tape.
I put really cheap prices on things. I walked around visiting with people. I placed an ad in the paper for Friday only because I wasn't sure how it would go and I didn't want to be tied down for 2 days if I didn't want to. I also put it on Craigs list.....a first for me. As it was we did do it Saturday, but we just put our signs up again for that day (Since our signs were generic). I must say I was totally exhausted Saturday night with all this yard sale stuff AND doing Josh's room. We were very blessed to have such a sucessful sale. I KNOW Heavenly Father wants us to go on this trip! The weather had called for rain, but we woke up to clear skies on Friday morning.