Cinderella

As a preschooler, my parents gave me a Cinderella watch ... and 50 years later it's still ticking : ) This gave me the idea to collect Cinderella keepsakes over the years.

One night we put my watch on Calleigh's arm and let her model it. I don't know how impressed she was with the watch but she definitely liked the Cinderella figurine ...

Candy Cane Joe-Joe's

Okay ... I'm new to Trader Joe's Joe-Joe's cookies but I happened to be out at the new Tanasbourne store while holiday shopping and thought I would give them a try. I am totally sold on 'em ... delicious! If you're a fan of a dark sandwich wafer cookie joined with peppermint filling, you will love these!
Maybe after the high-calorie holidays I will give the regular ones a try. Mmmmmmm ....

It has been a while ...

Wow! It has been a while since I last posted ... nearly two months! Life has moved forward at such a rapid pace and with added stresses ... I've found it hard to keep up on those things which bring so much Joy on the Journey.
This Fall we finally made it out to IKEA (several times now) in anticipation of moving a few rooms around in our house. We moved the guest room downstairs and made the upstairs room into a playroom for Colin ... and Calleigh too. It looks like an IKEA showroom display. What fun we've had making a cozy place for the grandkids to play and spend the night at Grandma's & Grandpa's. To top it off ... the guest room is much more warm and inviting.
Now I need to invest in some toys and books for Calleigh. I'd better go back up in the attic and bring down more of my antique dolls and cradles : )

Bonus Beach Day

In September Mom and I spent the weekend at Lincoln City. We packed for rain and cooler temperatures but we were pleasantly surprised to find the weather improving the closer we got to the coast. It was one of those bonus September days at the beach ... blue skies and plenty of sunshine.
The weekend was filled with many firsts for me --
watching boats make their way from the sea to the Depoe Bay harbor, known as "shooting the hole."






I was thankful to be on land and not on one of the boats tossing around in the surf ... you could get seasick just being a spectator.

We spent the afternoon on the beach at Roads End where we discovered new beach activities --
watching the parasurfers was amazing and very entertaining Just as we were leaving to check into our motel an entire wedding party and guests walked down on the beach. What a gorgeous backdrop for a wedding plus a bonus of wonderful weather.

As we sat on our deck after dinner, we were blessed to see this splendid sunset ...






I think we need to do this more often : )

Shopper-in-Training

Seems like we always include a little stop at the outlet mall while we're at the beach ... all those Labor Day Weekend bargains calling us. I held Calleigh while swiping my debit card and she got so excited watching the transaction. Here she is holding her purchases. I think she likes shopping already : )

Brian Turns Thirty

Colin couldn't wait for Dad to open the gift he picked out for him. He even let it slip a few times ... there was so much anticipation!




The "Ants In The Pants" game turned out to be a big hit with all the guys. Great job, Colin!




"Happy Birthday to you" ............ look at all those candles : )

Bonding with Calleigh

What a fun weekend for Calleigh ... spending time with her uncles and Rae.
Look at the view from our front room window!!

Ready for Fun

Colin is ready for a fun day at the beach ...












"Do it again, Grandpa!!!" Colin loved jumping off the edge.

Hangin' Out at the Beach

Sandy toes : )


Shore is fun with Matt ...


Let's bury Dad on his birthday!


I can't remember a nicer day at the beach ... the colors all around us were intensified. It was warm, relaxing, and fun to just "play." So much to do and enJOY!

24-Year Tradition Switch

After nearly 24-years we broke from our annual tradition ... Wi-Ne-Ma Family Bible Conference over Labor Day weekend ... and rented a house in Lincoln City to celebrate Brian's 30th birthday. {Can't believe it ... 30!!}
It was a fabulous weekend of fun and family ... outstanding weather, great beach days, amazing view from every window in the home ... we couldn't have put together a more awesome weekend!
It was perfect timing ... it gave us some family time before saying "goodbye" to Tim and Rae as they head off to the Bay area for 8 weeks the following day.

This was our first experience in spending time in the Road's End area of Lincoln City and has now become our favorite beach spot. It is rather quaint and far enough away from the business district to truly enjoy the beach atmosphere.

Joy on the Journey???

I guess I need to share all the joy on journey even when it doesn't seem all that joyful.

This is the scene of the "joy-stealer" .....

I was helping Walt from the upper level of the front deck one Friday evening. While trying to assist him I stepped on a loose board and was catapulted into the nearby shrub, fell to the river rock below with my head hitting a railroad tie. Ouch ... the bush removed skin from my ribcage, my elbow was split and I was black and blue here and there.

I've decided to hang up my toolbelt and resign my position as construction assistant on any future remodeling. I think I'd be much safer in the house scrapbooking!!!

But look at the finished product ... what an amazing transformation from our old deck. Walt did a fabulous job even though it was built with a little "blood, sweat, and tears."

Speaking of Jewels

Only two short days before returning to work several of my co-workers got together on a rainy day in August and spent many hours at Nancy's fashioning jewelry, enjoying lunch together, and catching up on our summer stories. With a couple of months off work I was missing the fellowship of those I spend so much time with during the school year.

And an added benefit ... I have several new gems in my jewelry box : )

Birthday Surprise

Looks like I've just returned from an all day shopping spree at a scrapbooking convention ... but no ... everything in this picture is from my Bible Study Birthday celebration. Yes, there's even a new Barbie in there : ) It's amazing -- there were absolutely no duplicates and each item reflected part of my life or an interest. I have already completed several layouts using these fun new "toys." Seems like I've been in a scrapbooking rut and these new papers and embellishments have added new interest and detail to my pages. Yoohoo ... I'm almost starting my 2005 album -- just a tad bit behind ... but plugging along!
Thanks ladies ... you are truly jewels in my life!

Shaping Up

After a summer of one project after another it was time to enjoy the fruit of our labor ... time to have a BBQ and enjoy the view from our new deck.
Since Rae & I share the same birthday in July we decided to celebrate right in our own backyard ... complete with roasting marshmallows.

Yum! We always enjoy any celebration/occasion to spend time with the family!

Two New Digital Layouts

So ... after returning from Wallowa ... cleaning, folding, storing all the camping gear and laundry ... it was time to do something creative. In the past month I have been trying to learn digital scrapbooking using Photoshop. I used templates on the last two digital layouts but this time I wanted to create something on my own.

With all the great freebies I've found online and two "darling" subjects to work with I spent a couple of days creating layouts from our trip. I'm a hands-on, visual learner so I jumped right in to give it a try. I do have resources in case I get stuck -- Walt, a reference guide, and great online tutorials.

It was fun and very stretching(!) but I think the next step is to find out how others organize their files and downloads. I'm sure there are shortcuts and tips that would speed up the time necessary to complete a layout.
I know having something larger than my 12-inch iBook would definitely be a timesaver.

Another Wallowa Tradition

Twenty-seven years ago Walt captured a picture of Brian and I down by the Marina. Brian was pointing to something and I was trying to see what he was showing me. He was nearly three years old. In a few weeks he will turn THIRTY!!!!
So .... now we carry on this tradition with Colin.
Did I mention earlier ... we are a very traditional family !?!?!?! : )

Why We Vacation Here ...

It's always so hard to say "goodbye" ... especially when you've experienced such a great week. Despite several "setbacks" ... colds, fever, pinkeye, keys locked in the car/locksmith, lost and then found cellphone, back/chest pains --> emergency room visit, thunderstorm ... all will one day become great campfire stories that pass down from generation-to-generation.
This year included much joy and laughter ... plus ... an engagement (Jeremiah & Melissa) -- which is not a Wallowa first for our group. Steve and Mindy in 2000 -- and Doug is engaged to marry a local girl (he met last summer while at Wallowa) in October. Wallowa is such a big part of our family and our relationships with friends ... roots of tradition run deep.
That's why I must share this exceptional photo taken by Chris early one morning.

This will definitely be one of those campfire stories shared for generations ... it kind of captured the theme of our week: JOY and LAUGHTER.




P.S. Yes, that's a bikini top on the "rack." : ) Maybe there's a beach towel to match on another clothesline?!?!?!

These Boots ...

Paula saved up all year to buy a pair of boots at the Sports Corrall.
We all shared in her joy : )

Hhhmmmmm ... I think earlier in the week I noticed her checkin' out my new "Country Kicks" Barbie!!!

Our Little Star

Calleigh really enjoyed camping ... she seemed much more content living outdoors : )

I wonder if she will be the "outdoors-y" type as she gets older?!?!?

Camp Chores

This year we had another set of hands to help with the camp chores. Colin also liked to sweep out the tent and help with recycling.

The Rodeo Review

Both Colin and Calleigh were decked out for the Wednesday Night Family Rodeo. We found this little cowgirl outfit at the Sports Corral and Aunt Sissa gave her the boots.

Colin got a new hat AND a pony ride.

We started the evening at Ember's Brew House for dinner ...


And then off to the rodeo ...

Wallowa Treats

We definitely have Wallowa treat traditions. In the early years we would enjoy marshmallows and s'mores with the kids ... but as soon as they went to bed ... out came the gourmet treats : )
I think we have tried every campfire delicacy ... hot dogs (plain, stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon), a baked potato with all the toppings imaginable, every form of dessert ... s'mores using (frosting, snickers and other candy bars), pineapple upside-down-cake, baked apples -- just to name a few. As we've aged, we just can't seem to eat that much late at night anymore. Now our top treat / lunch(!) is an occasional ice cream cone from Joe's or the Swiss Village. My favorite is Mt. Huckleberry. Sure tastes good on a hot day.

Seems like we always celebrate a couple of birthdays while camping. Neil's on Sunday and mine on Tuesday. We enjoyed our new "camping cake" idea ... cupcakes, ding-dongs, and twinkies -- yum : ) Always a fun place for a party!
Notice the new Barbie ... Country Kicks Barbie!

Wallowa Weather

Is that fog ?!?!? This year the nearby fires left a haze around the lake resembling fog. The Myers caught a picture of lake where it appeared rather eerie.
In many of our pictures, the sky looks very gray and cloudy ... when we actually had temps in the 90's.

We did have one thunderstorm event on Thursday evening ... lightning, thunder, showers, wind ... but by morning -- the sunshine and blue skies were back. Fortunately, we didn't have any water or wind damage this trip!

Bathing Beauty

One of the advantages of the warm weather ...

Calleigh could enjoy a lakeside bath in her new bathing suit.

Wallowa Playground

This year Colin discovered the playground. It's actually pretty close to our sites, giving each of us the opportunity to take him down to "swing" ... Although, Dad was by far his favorite choice! : )


So much to do at Wallowa!

The swing in this picture became "my swing" and several times we had to wait our turn when it was in use.

Lakeside Lounging

These are a few of our favorite things ... down at the lake ...
relax, read, play games, nap, chat, floaties, ... just getting "refreshed" -- unwind. Sunday morning started out very hot in our site so we headed down to the lake early.

This year Colin and Dad spent hours with a tugboat on a stream that he named, "the waterfall."

Colin also made a new friend, Mr. Chris who played Tracball with him and "earthquake" on a floatie.

There's just no place equal to the fun we have down at the lake!