New Years Eve 2011

Well, now it's time to say goodbye to 2011... which for quite a few of us was a very bleak and worrisome year... one of which many of us felt as though we were teetering on the edge of a deep precipice.. I hope that you find yourself on the right side of that cavern.

May all your days of 2012 be cheery and bright...

Christmas 2011

Love this picture... the look on Jason's face is pure mischief!!

The boys playing with toys..



Jason and Grandma.

Christmas 2011

Jason learning how to open presents...

Jason in his rocking chair.. this is a family chair... his grandma used it, his auntie used it and of course his Momma used it.. now it's his turn... and he seemed to be greatly enjoying his turn!

Here's Jason figuring out how his "Lettersaurus" works... he watched Uncle George make it work... oh there's the magic button that makes it sing! =)

Christmas 2011

The stockings were hung by the Chimney with care... In hopes that Saint Nicolas would soon be there...

Ok.. so maybe instead of Saint Nick it was Uncle George.. We had a stocking waiting for Jason's First Christmas! It was filled to the top with yummy stuff... fig newtons, mango peach applesauce, tillamook cheese, and some really cute rubber ducks! Ok.. so no chocolate... this year... but next year?!? heeheehee '-)

Jason's first Thanksgiving 2011

A Pet Grandma... everyone should have one. LOL! Of course this is Jason and Grandma.

Uncle George and Jason checking out the toys.

Jason exploring an olive... or asking for a little bit more? heehee

Jason sitting at the table patiently waiting for his first Thanksgiving dinner to be served :) Bandit was disappointed as Jason was a very tidy eater.. nothing dropped for the doggy..

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving has come and gone... but the blessing of family and friends is present every day. I (we) don't always say it as often as it should be said but We are thankful for each and everyone of our family members, and friends. You make us crazy, you keep us sane, offer support and love, and share some laughs along the way! Whether we see you often, or very rarely you are always in our thoughts and in our hearts, big hugs and lots of love to each and everyone of you!! XOXOXO.

Guest room unveiled...

I just realized that I never posted any pictures of the finished Guestroom! So... here it is .... our gorgeous guestroom! We have gotten to use it for a guest yay! so just waiting for more visitors now =)

We are really happy with how it turned out! I wish it currently looked like this...however due to the kitchen painting project...it's full of food etc... so there will be pics of the new kitchen look hopefully before Thanksgiving!! and I've been working on making a library upstairs.... so hopefully that will be done this week... but I must say... after having hauled all of our books upstairs.... I really hate hardback books!!!! LOL

Happy Anniversary!!!

It's been 2 Years since the I do's took place... Here's to many more wonderful years. =)

9-11-01 ~ 9-11-11

Please excuse my departure from my usual light hearted rambling... but this is weighing heavy on my heart and mind for several reasons.... please bear with me as I know that you may not agree but that is the beauty of family, friends and Our country.... Thank you for letting me express myself here... D

With the 10th anniversary of 9-11 looming over the nation... I find it also lurking in my mind. That was a difficult and most painful day that resulted in a complete change in life from what we were accustomed to as a Nation. Suddenly there were security guards and protocols where there hadn't been, there was a feeling of fear mixed with a lot of anger... granted it was righteous anger... anger from being blind sided by a boogeyman we previously didn't truly believe in... not in the way the others... already victimized by him believed... but suddenly Our eyes were open..We felt...We bled... and We believed... and We struck back.. because bullies don't respect you if you don't and they will continue to attack and assult you until some hero comes to your rescue... We have as a Nation become the hero that backs up the little guy and runs off the bullies and monsters of the world... it's a big and often thankless task, but I'm not sorry that it's ours or that we claimed it. There are many detracters who feel that there are too many things wrong in our country to be worried about the rest of the world... and there are... but at the end of the day... our country still is by far the best.. faults and all... and since everyone needs a hero some time... even us... and since we've got the guts to protect them.. when no one else does... GOD BLESS THE USA~

Jason 7/30/11

We had a little get together on Saturday for Grandma's heee heee birthday... here's some of my favorite pics I snapped while we were visiting..

He's got such a fantasic smile.. but he's awful quick with it! He's smiling when I snap the pic...but before the shutter snaps its gone!! LOL

Hows this for the next gerber baby???? love this one!

hugs???

1st crabbing attempt, June 2011

George borrowed some crab rings from a buddy at work and we took off to Newport for our crabbing adventure..

We had a great time at the beach dispite the sprinkles of rain that fell...



We made the mistake of putting in off the jetty the first time.... then we moved over to the dock on the other side of the bridge... which was much easier to pull the rings back up... but unfortunately no crabs were in them...

however...on the bright side, it wasn't just us that didn't get any of the yummy treat... nobody else there that day was catching any of them either... so at least it wasn't just us!! lol!
but George had fun and is talking about trying to do some more trips, since he really enjoyed it.

Silver Creek Falls 2011

So after 10 years of living in Oregon... George finally went to see the famous Silver Creek Falls... we took the bike out for a nice ride sunday and did a little exploring up at Silver Creek Falls... took a small hike... saw some beautiful scenery... if you couldn't tell I'm slightly obsessed with foxgloves... the flower in the picture with George...

me standing at a viewing point with the south fall in the background....

A nice shot of the south fall... but I think it's probably hard to get a bad pic of this waterfall...

George at the top of south fall... there is a really great look out at the top of the fall that looks over the canyon.... it's quite breath taking..

Cruisin' down the highway....

Come fly with me.... oh ... wait... I mean.... come ride with me.... lol.... We took the bike out for a nice ride up to Silver Creek Falls on Sunday... it was nice to escape some of the heat of town for the cool shade of the trees.... and the nice breeze of ferns as we rode on by...

So I thought I'd share some of the images of what I see from my fantastic view while riding on the wings of spirit.. =) or other wise known as the "motorcycle".... lol... if I have to explain it .... you wouldn't understand.... =)

Magnolia tree

Well... I know it's gonna be hard to believe.... but it didn't take 2 years to plant the magnolia tree.... LOL!!!

We got this done today... George as usual dug the hole and I plopped the plant in... looking forward to watching this become a "real" tree... it's a baby and it takes time...

dragon's cave of serenity....

Here is my new place of serenity.... George put this gazebo/ arbor together for me in the back yard... it's still a work in progress....but I LOVE IT already!!! up til now the swing has been my favorite spot in the yard...and I still love the swing... but this I envision lots ot things for... maybe an evergreen clematis growing on it....some evergreen baskets so it's not sad looking in the winter... some cushions....and if I can make up my mind some solar string lights....all in good time... but... Oh...yes...definately a work in progress.... =)

at some point I'm hoping there will be a fire pit... and a small stone patio... just under the arbor itself... to help level it out... I love to go barefoot so I don't want to let go of too much of the grass!! See I wasn't kidding when I said I envisioned lots of things for this corner!! LOL!!!

It's got a great spot for a window type box... I've got it planted with several types of lavander and a really pretty fragrant thyme...

New Cousin

This was a year of Babies!! This is the newest cousin... introducing Cassandra Elayne Galla. (please don't ask if she's a 2nd cousin twice removed... I'm no good with that stuff!! lol) She was born April 16, 2011 at 2:20am (hope she's not always an early bird!! lol) weighing 7lbs 6oz and 20 inches long.

Here is Cassie with her loving family... that's my cousin Jenny & her hubby Nick... lots of luck, best wishes and hugs for you all!!

And here's a happy Pop!! Holding his first grandbaby! =)