Photos were Us

I'm going to have to postpone blog entries with pictures until I get my camera back. I love my camera but it has never had sound with the video and it is supposed to. So it is having to be repaired or replaced at Kodak's discretion.

I feel like I'm handicapped somewhat without it. I have a hard time painting pictures with words. Though I should really get the cobwebs out of my brain to do just that. If the kids are required to write using descriptive words I should too.

How about this:

The brilliance of the diamond's in Cherise's ring was overshadowed only by the smiles on both Kiel's and her faces.

I think you all are going to have to wait for the pictures to paint a thousand words.

Pizza night and all the grandkids are here!

The R-fam kids.

Master Rowan

Master Simon Miller Ham

Grandchildren of '07
Aren't they cuties?

Sleep over

When it is time for bed it is important to read something nice.

Camping on the couch.

These two know the value of a good nap.

Cozy Cousins

Grandkids Galore

Danika (7 mos) & Rowan (5 mos)

Gramma and the kids and grandkids

Wyatt loves Aunty Courtney and Genevieve loves Uncle Hayden

Wyatt (4 yrs) & Genevieve (2 1/2 yrs)

Arms full of smiley babies

"Guys he's got me...!"

Guess who came to Gramma's

Rowan is in the house!He is being a book critic with Gramma.

Chillin' with the Uncles before we left Lacey

Uncle Cam carrying him in the front pack

Aunty Krystle is home from work! The good ole exersaucer has been dusted off and disinfected and is back in service. God bless whoever came up with this idea. Gramma's house is looking more kid friendly all the time.

WYATT! You are 4 years old!

Happy Birthday, Wyatt!

You are our big 4 year old now. I know that you said you'll be five on your next birthday but lets just enjoy being 4 for a while.

Grampa and I sure enjoyed watching you play with your new Thomas and Percy. We look forward to lots of train adventures with them.

You did great at blowing out all of your candles!

It's going to be fun reading you your new books.

You and Uncle Hayden can do some neat tricks. Four in a row! That's because you are a big boy now.

Happy Birthday my boy. Pretty soon you are going to be big like your daddy.
Thanks for the 4 kisses. I think we need to share 4 kisses every time we are together until you are five and then we can do 5. Okay? You are pretty special. I'm so glad I'm your Gramma. I love you.

Got SISU?

Sisu is a Finnish term that could be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity.


I would hope, with their Finnish heritage, that all of my kids would exhibit sisu. This blog is for Cherise though. It is a photo tour of the past year because it time to celebrate her birthday again.

Happy 24th Birthday Cherise!!!!




"Are you ready for this?"

Cherise and Peanut Butter, her (our) cat

Last summer with her Dad and Alyssa (Rowan's there too)

Cherise and her Lalita (Simon's hiding)

Girls and their road trip snacks. Sarah came to get a ride back home.

Family Camp in LaGrande. Looks like Cherise and Hayden are ready.

Cherise with her gonna be sister-in-law Kathleen and her gonna be neices.

At bat

Cherise and some of the men in her life. Notice the soccer t-shirt? I think that is the same one she wore when she was playing soccer in 5th grade!

She is a terrific Aunt w/ Danika

Rowan

Genevieve and Wyatt (under the bench)

But her next adventure is going to begin in August as she becomes Mrs T. Kiel W.
It has been quite a year of fun and family times. We look forward to many many more in the year ahead. We are proud of you Reesie. God has blessed you, strengthened you and guided you in the past and we trust He will continue to do so.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Oregon Trail ....kinda

I'm pretty sure the pioneers didn't have suncatchers in their prairie schooners but they didn't have digital cameras to catch the sun behind them either.

I can't travel in the Columia river gorge or in any of the area south of the river without think about the hardships and struggles that those Oregon Trail pioneers went through.

The land would be pretty much the same minus the highway system.

The skies would have had the same vastness to it. Though I doubt anyone had much time to be looking at the clouds and dreaming. Perhaps on Sundays if the train they were with stopped.

The hills between the high prairie of central Oregon and the Columbia River look anything but hospitable. I'm sure Louis L'Amour fans would beg to differ.

The sun going lower in the sky is the sign to start wrapping up whatever you need to do for the day. It is time to rest and get ready for the day ahead.

The Dalles was a welcome place for many travelers. It was the beginning of a river journey for some. It also was not far from the Cascade range and the end of the Oregon Trail in Oregon City. I'm sure there are many travelers along Interstate 84 that have stopped here for a meal or a cinnamon roll. Cousin's ....It is one nice family restaurant.