Family Time

Earlier tonight we enjoyed Christmas together with one son’s family who've been in Oregon for a week or so. We’ll look forward to a celebration with the other son’s family when they get back home to Oregon from California where they are enjoying the holidays.

Pictured is grandson NJ, looking dapper and a little "preppy" in a new outfit. He zoomed around our condo pushing his portable, interactive “gadget pack” that has music, toys and a phone – a Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa. The boy is a gadget-lover to be sure, and now he can “take them with him”. Click on the pic for a larger image; his eyes reveal the fun he's having.

Nothing like Christmas time with family for this grandpa who’s still full from dinner and grandma’s incredible home-made apple pie.

A Very Merry Christmas To You

Merry Christmas!

Raphael's "Nativity" gives us the real story of Christmas -- the Incarnation.

Budding Photographer?

The photo above was taken yesterday by grandson NJ. It's his view of the family Christmas tree from his vantage point on my lap.

As I've mentioned before, he loves anything electronic, and our camera falls perfectly into that category. He watched Kay Lynne and I taking pictures and wanted to try it out himself. He's 15 months old. Not bad, I'd say. He may be a natural.

After the camera fun, he climbed back onto my lap to check out my computer case (which he's tightly holding under his arm in the pic at left). He was hoping there'd be something more of the "blinking lights and push button" variety in there. O, btw, he also gave Grandma his "cute" pose for the pic.

Hayley’s Christmas School Band Concert

Oregon’s Chehalem Valley Middle School music students took on a big challenge by playing some difficult musical pieces Tuesday evening, but they came through with flying colors in a magnificent performance.

We drove down during the day so we could see the concert and our seventh-grade granddaughter, Hayley, (above) who is first-chair clarinet in the Advanced Band. The concert also included performances by the combined Intermediate Bands (Chehalem and Mountain View Middle School), the CVMS Choir and the combined Intermediate and Advanced Strings.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, this school district has one of the strongest music programs at the Middle School level in the entire Pacific Northwest. The bands are directed by David Sanders, and the Strings and Choir are directed by Gwen Gilbertson. Very difficult renditions included Leroy Anderson’s arrangement of Sleigh Ride by the Advanced Band and Robert W. Smith’s The Children’s Carols by the Combined Strings.

Above is the Advanced Band during its performance. Hayley is in the front row, second from left. Thanks to our son, Gregg, for the nice photos.

A Life of Thanksgiving Rather Than Just a Day

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.”

Those well known words of King David were expressed in a Psalm and described in I Chronicles, as the ancient Israelites placed the Ark of the Covenant – containing God’s glory – in a tent that David had made expressly for that purpose. The people were asked to thank and praise the Lord God regularly and to do so as well with harps, cymbals and trumpets.

Today, in our culture, we set aside a day to be with family where possible and to thank our God for our blessings. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. Kay Lynne and I today wish you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

There is one word in the chapter mentioned above that stood out to me as I read the passage. The word is “regularly.” It’s wonderful that we give thanks on this day, but how much better it would be if we gave thanks regularly and not just on one day.

I continue to be troubled by the fact that we in America have so much, and people in other areas of the world have little or nothing. As my wife often muses, “why should we be so blessed simply as the result of an accident of where we were born, when others are born in poverty?”

It’s a sobering question for a mostly happy day. We may never have an adequate answer, but we can at least do a little bit to help alleviate the pain in our world. And we can start right here in our neighborhood.

I’ve often seen ministers at this time of year use the sermon title, “Thanksgiving is Thanks Living.” It seems to me that “thanks living” must at least be about helping someone who needs it when we have so much.

A Child of Multifaceted Interests

Our grandson loves a variety of things: handheld electronic gadgets of all kinds, music, especially with a little beat, a computer screen that’s got some action, blocks and toys, and food, especially fruit puffs that he can eat by himself.

The photo above was taken earlier today when he was occupying himself with two gadgets but suddenly heard a noise near Grandma who was across the room. The little guy is amazing. He can handle three things at once – kinda like a mom who can see around corners and behind things, including behind her own back.

Or should we just consider him a child with multifaceted interests? I like that.

Talli’s Finish in the State H.S. X-C Meet

Well, our high school sophomore granddaughter, Talli, has accomplished something in our family that I don’t believe anyone else has. She competed in a State meet and performed very well.

The sport happened to be Cross-Country, and the meet was held this afternoon at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Talli’s time was 20:25, a fine accomplishment for a STATE meet that was held on a cold, windy and wet day. She was just two seconds behind her friend and teammate, Emily, a senior.

Excellent run, Talli. You’ve had a remarkable season!

“Trick or Treat”

Earlier this evening we answered the doorbell and there in his pumpkin costume was grandson “NJ”.

Grandma gave him his (non-edible) treat that quickly dropped into his pumpkin “pail.” The boy was more anxious to find Buddy, our dog, to play with. “NJ” and Buddy are quite good pals now.

Pic above is of grandson, mom and dad (and a pumpkin scarecrow) taken at a Trick or Treat party at Country Village a bit earlier in the evening. Is there anything better than a kid having fun on Halloween?

Still Under Effects of the Flu, Talli Guts Out Qualifying Run For State

We keep observing that our grandchildren are exceptional, and they keep doing things to warrant it.

This afternoon our high school sophomore granddaughter, Talli, qualified to run in the varsity State Cross Country meet a week from Saturday at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon.

But the remarkable thing about what she did was the fact that last Sunday she was still running quite a high fever that finally left on Monday and was feeling the staggering effects of the flu (who knows which variety) that continued through the race today.

So, without any training for almost a week, and weakened by the dreaded bugs going around, Talli still ran a 20:06 time for 5K, which was enough to qualify her for State. Her dad told us after the race that she was “disappointed” with her time. Yikes, girl, how much do you expect of yourself? Seriously, Talli almost always feels she “could have done better”. She’s just made that way.

Congratulations, Talli! You are something very special!

Getting the Hang of Texting…

Our grandson loves to play with cell phones. REAL cell phones, not the plastic imitation "play" ones. The other day he played with my phone for the longest time. Grandma snapped these shots as he sat on my lap...


“Gotta get this note to mom & dad just right…”

“Perfect! There it goes.”

He’s a pretty smart boy for 13 months old!

Hayley Gets Clarinet Solo in Future Concert

Our grandchildren continue to make news, and it’s especially nice for this grandpa who gets to write about it. A few posts ago, we mentioned that Hayley, a 7th grade Intermediate Schooler, had made second chair as a clarinetist in Advanced Band.

As if that wasn’t enough in and of itself, last Friday she was named as the clarinet soloist for an upcoming concert performance. She tried out for the spot and won out over all comers.

As we may have mentioned in the previous post, Hayley only began playing the clarinet about 14 months ago, and has taken to it like a duck to water. No telling what this talented young lady will accomplish. Nice work, Hayley!

Outright Win For Talli Is Her First In X-C

Our granddaughter, Talli, won her first varsity Cross-Country event on Wednesday, taking first place in the 5,000-meter run in a dual meet at Tigard. She is just a high school sophomore, but this is her second year already of varsity competition.

Her winning time was 20:07, at that some 35 seconds off of her personal best this year. This course was a bit tougher, however, than the one on which she did her PR. Click here to read about her win in a news story currently running in the Newberg Graphic.

The pic above is from the race in which she set her personal record (Talli is at left), as I’ve so far not been able to get my hands on a photo of her win. If one does become available, I’ll try to post it.

Congratulations, Talli, on your first varsity win!!

"Tis the Season...

Sometimes photos are just too cute for words. Grandson "NJ," above, last weekend enjoyed his first experience in a real pumpkin patch. I'm told he spent quite a bit of time making friends with his favorite halloween gourd.

I think dad and mom had as much fun as "NJ" checking out every corner of pumpkinland in order to make just the right selection to bring home.

Now dad gets to test his skills once again as a jack-o-lantern carver. I hope "NJ" realizes that it's getting close to "trick or treat" time. I'm sure he'll get the hang of it real quickly after visiting a house or two. That should be a "slam-dunk." Btw, the photos were taken by mom & dad, and they sure turned out super.

10 Minutes To Great Fishing

A fish like this Lake Sammamish cutthroat trout would be good anywhere. But it was especially sweet catching it this afternoon just 10 minutes away from our son and daughter-in-law's home.

Because the fish was so bright and "silvery," my son thinks that possibly the fish may have been a sea-run cutt that had made its way back up into Lake Samm via the Ballard Locks, the ship canal, Lake Washington and a stream that connects the two lakes. At any rate it was a really nice fish, measuring 18-1/2” in length and weighing over 2 pounds, maybe even close to 3.

It was a gorgeous but crisp and slightly windy afternoon on the lake today. Photo above is of Doug skippering his new Alaskan boat against the backdrop of the foothills of the Cascades. This is but one of the wonderful benefits of living in the State of Washington.

We only fished for two hours, but it was a memorable trip. We got the skunk off of both my son’s new “back-up” pole rig and off an old man fishing Lake Sammamish for only the second time. As an added bonus, when we got back to their house, he filleted the fish and threw it on the BBQ, doused with their secret fish cooking formula. Just one word to describe it:

Incredible.

Talli Scorches A Full Minute Off Her Previous Personal Record

Our high school sophomore granddaughter, Talli, ran the 5,000 meters in 19:31 yesterday at the Harriers Classic in Albany, Oregon, taking a full minute off of her previous personal best. You can see the strain (and the incredible muscle tone) in the above photo taken by her dad.

The best high school runners in the state were all in this meet, and so the competition was fierce. At least this course was a lot more level than her earlier races so far this year, and a lot of kids set personal records.

Talli’s outstanding time in yesterday’s race, I’m told, places her among the top five all-time 5K bests in Newberg High School history. I’d say that’s pretty good company. Fabulous run, Talli!

Hayley Makes 2nd Chair Clarinet in Advanced Band

As grandparents we learned long ago never to underestimate our grandkids.

Hayley, daughter of Gregg and Elaine, 12 years of age and in 7th grade, has been playing the clarinet for just a little over a year. Yet she has already become among the best clarinet players in her school. Above photo of her was taken earlier this year.

Yesterday Hayley learned that that she has earned the second chair position in her Intermediate School’s Advanced Band.

What’s special about all this is that Advanced Band is usually reserved for 8th graders, but Hayley auditioned at the end of her 6th grade Beginning Band class last May and qualified by test to skip Intermediate Band altogether and go directly to Advanced Band this Fall, though in the 7th grade. Now, she is playing at the higher levels of Advanced Band.

She’s obviously really taken to the newer, higher quality instrument her dad found on eBay near the end of the summer. Having a good clarinet to play can not only be more fun, but the results are also showing by her performance.

Hayley is a remarkable young lady, as are all our grandkids, and we congratulate her on an excellent accomplishment. We’re very proud of her, and already we’re looking forward to her Christmas Band concert.

Talli Runs Strong In Third X-C Meet

Our high school sophomore granddaughter, Talli, ran a strong race on another tough course yesterday, coming in 4th overall in the varsity 5K Cross-Country race and missing third place by less than a second. Above, Talli (r) and her friend and teammate, Emily, round a corner and head toward the finish.

Emily, a senior, took third place at 21:22.2, while Talli was an eyelash behind her at 21:23.1. The two gals that finished ahead of them are considered by many to be in the top 10 in the State, so Talli and Emily were competing in very good company.

Yesterday’s meet was in Canby, Oregon and featured 6-A level competition among Lakeridge, Lake Oswego, Newberg and Canby high schools. The course was laid out at Molalla State Park, beginning and ending near the boat ramp. Our son Gregg said it was a “tough, hilly course and not fast,” but yet both gals took more than five minutes off their times in the extremely arduous season-opening run at Trask Mountain.

Nice run, Talli, (and Emily). We’re watching your season with great interest.

Whoever Wins Is OK – For This Game Only

Yesterday was a day when my two favorite football teams played each other, and I can live with whoever wins. Well almost.

The five years of watching the Seahawks players, organization and coaches make steady and appreciable progress, I must admit, has turned me into a Seahawks fan first. But right behind them are the SF 49ers, with whom I go way back to Kezar stadium, Y.A. Tittle and Hugh McElhenny.

Yesterday, but for two incredible long runs by 9er Frank Gore (one shown above), it was a pretty even, rock ‘em, sock ‘em game. In the end, primarily due to the two long jaunts, the Niners won, 23-10.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle’s recently acquired top WR, played pretty well yesterday (looking for room after a catch, above), but not well enough to overcome the two 79+ yard scampers by Gore.

Also yesterday, the 49er faithful enjoyed the enshrinement of Eddie De Bartolo Jr., into the 49er Hall of Fame at Candlestick Park. De Bartolo was the popular owner under whose tenure the team won five Super Bowls. Above Eddie D. is being welcomed back for the ceremonies by none other than former all-everything WR Jerry Rice.

The era of the five Super Bowls was one of those times in sports history that rarely occurs and may never again for the Niners. Now if the Hawks can get it together under Jim Mora….

Sparkling X-C Debut For Talli

Our High School Sophomore granddaughter Talli kicked off her second year of varsity cross country by coming in eighth out of nearly 150 runners in the “Assault on Trask Mountain” last Saturday.

In the photo above, taken by her dad, she’s trying not to smile too much as her teammate Emily had just fallen in the creek. Note the muddy, uphill grind they were running in.

Schools from all over northern Oregon participated, and her school, Newberg High, came in fifth, team wise. The 5K run included hills, rivers, rugged terrain and MUD. It was a true test of who’s in shape and who’s not.

Talli’s time was 26:49.34, pretty good for her first fall race. Her friend and teammate, Emily, a senior, finished about 30 seconds ahead of her. The two of them run well together, each helping to pace the other. Way to go, gals. It looks like a good year for both of you!

Where's the Cake?

We celebrated "NJ's" first birthday yesterday, and in the pic above, surrounded by cousins, he appears only interested in the cake. But appearances can be a bit deceiving.

Even though Aubrey, Talli and Hayley all eventually enjoyed a full share of delicious cake (along with the rest of us), "NJ" gave his first taste a "4 or 5" (right) on a 10-scale. Of course, that's to his credit. So far in his young life he's only eaten healthy, delicious fruits and vegetables, and he's apparently decided to go a little easy with the acceptance of cakes and like sweets. No problem there; he'll have plenty of time to get acquainted with sugar.

"NJ" received some really cool first birthday gifts. Among them (I shouldn't even attempt a list, 'cause for sure I forgot something:) were: a play work bench with all the bells & whistles (tools:), a "library" of extremely creative, incredulously interactive books, a puzzle where each piece has an appropriate "sound" (think fire engine siren and the like), a gorgeous, hand-made quilt-like blanket, a haberdashery of clothes (that included a really cute "Floyd R. Turbo"-type hat), and a talking, singing play truck with little characters.

Suffice it to say that "NJ" had a wonderful, fun party with family. He conked out really quickly at evening's end, and I haven't heard if he overslept this morning. "NJ" had a ball with his cousins and with his extended family, and last night seemed to pick out Aubrey on whom he practiced his "hair-analysis" antics (right).