Happy 20th Birthday Krystle!!!

Today was Krystle's birthday. We took her out to breakfast, Matthew took her to lunch, Joylynn and the children came over and we had chocolate marble cheesecake and strawberries and angel food cake. YUM!

Matt is leaving for basic training next week so I thought I'd take a picture of him and Krystle with the flag in the background. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Does Krystle look 20? Actually she did look a bit older today. Do you think it has anything to do with the company she has been keeping? She has an exciting year ahead of planning and preparing. Doing everything she can to develop the qualities that are going to take her far in her life. Kind like Boot Camp without the 6 year committment at the end of it. It's going to be fun to be a part of it.

Happy Happy Birthday Lil Bit!

Beautiful Day for a Bike Ride!

On my way home from my Friday morning outing I had a feeling that today was going to be a day for a bike ride.

It was close to 70 degrees.
A rare sunny, practically cloudless and not windy day.

I figured Har and I would go for a little spin. It was so beautiful though....much to beautiful for the children to be staying home while we enjoyed the sunshine.


So the bikes came out of their winter hiding place and tires got pumped up and adjustments were made to seats and brakes. Then front wheels were taken off of all the "big" bikes and a van seat was removed and Voila! we were on our way. Now we know what all goes into getting ready to go and how long it takes so we can do it again. I think we shall.

I believe a good time was had by all. Anybody want to join us next time?

Babes in Black and White

I love taking pictures of the grandkiddos (as if you couldn't tell). I usually take a half dozen or so of each of them when they are here. Especially if I have bought them a new outfit or something like that .

Wyatt usually has something on his head as a hat if not an actual helmet or cap. His pics are usually pretty funny. That's why I love this one. He was kinda melancholy. The black and white adds to the mood.

Genevieve is almost always smiling for the camera now. She even says "cheese" when she sees the camera pointed her way. Her black and white picture looks so nostolgic to me. Har said it looks like a little Tammy Kay. Maybe just a bit (she is much more adorable than I was though).

Hey, Yooper Cousin, I think this picture looks a bit like you too. Doesn't that dress hat and shoes look just like something our mothers would have put on us?

The Fracture Saga

Late the night of Feb 15th Hayden was being a good brother and friend by fetching a DVD for the girls that wanted to watch something. He was hustling taking the steps two at a time...he slipped, heard and crack, saw stars... The DVD was fine and so was his wrist or so he thought.

The next morning his wrist was still hurting and our plan to spend our long weekend with Alyssa and Logan was now in jeopardy. We chose to be "better safe than sorry" so headed off to the Urgent Care Center at Kaiser. There were hardly any cars in the Urgent Care parking spots so we figured we'd get in and out in a hurry. Four hours later we came home with his wrist and thumb immobilized by a splint type thing that was removable.

We had a great time messing around in Lacey with Lys and Logan and Max and Chaos and Havoc.

A few days after we got home we got a call to make an appointment with the fracture clinic. The x-ray that showed a possible fracture ended up showing an actual one once the experts saw the films. So today, eleven days after the event, Hayden has a full cast with the ability to move all his fingers and thumb. I'm glad it wasn't worse than that. No surgery or major breaks just needs to knit up a bit and he'll be good as new. I think his black cast is pretty cool!

Babies Everywhere!

In keeping with the tummy blog pictures....started by Ethen's mom and continued by Bob's wife...here is my installment. Well not mine but you know what I mean. Guess who this belly belongs to.

Here also is a picture of our baby holding Joylynn's baby. Uncle Cam looks quite happy with his neice hey? They don't look at all related.

Hayden was waiting very patiently yesterday for his turn to hold our friends grand-daughter Isabella. Isn't she cute! Such beautiful brown eyes.

Courtney is FIFTEEN!

Courtney had a fun and busy day yesterday. She had a kind of car themed birthday.

It started with breakfast with Har and I at the Cadillac Cafe here on Broadway. They have the best french toast.

We also got the family a Valentine gift: Cars on DVD.

Courtney got a mini shopping spree instead of a "big" present this year. She got a couple pair of pants and 5 new shirts. She also was gifted with a couple new pair of shoes, some make-up and skin care products, some girly girl stuff from the brothers. Including the teddy bear from Cam.

Keeping with the car theme she got her drivers permit as well. A key chain she got from her "god"sister says: "If you don't like my driving stay off of the sidewalk."

She got the most appropriate shirt from Old Navy. Don't you think that should be her motto?

We are looking forward to having her spending the next year learning everything she needs to know to be a safe driver. Thus separating the girl and her cell phone during those times she is in the car.

We have enjoyed having our Sweetheart of a Courtney in our lives for the past 15 years. She is growing to be one special young lady.

Happy Birthday Courts!!

La Belle Krystle

Our Krystle was proposed to this evening! She came home wearing a big smile and a sparkly ring.

We approve of her intended and trust that God has his hand on these two. They met at the military processing center. Have spent hours upon hours on the phone. He has made it up to Portland as often as he could and gotten to spend a bit of time with our whole family. (So he has some idea what he is getting into ;-) ) He is an only child and has wonderful Godly parents.

It isn't clear what the future will look like with the military involvement and all ,but we pray that their love for each other will continue to grow as they walk daily in God's guidance, grace and peace.

Congratulations Krystle and Matt!

Ray, Dad, Grandpa.

Har's dad is living around the block at his brother, Howard's house. We have gotten to see him a few times in the past couple of weeks. Last Tuesday the kids and I did school over there while his caretaker went to a class.
Tonight we popped over to see Har's sister, Iris, before she leaves for her home in California tomorrow. Cam got creative with the duplo blocks that were there. Dad is doing quite well considering the stroke. He does his excercises and goes to therapy a couple days a week. He has a wonderful CNA that comes to the house. Though Portland isn't Goldendale or Hockinson for that matter I think he is pretty content being here for now.

Angry Eyebrows

Wyatt has started to object to having his picture taken. Especially when I open a closet and find him trying to hide while he eats a candy cane he found. No one likes to be caught sticky handed.

I had some "eyebrows" of my own going this morning when I wandered downstairs to find my washing machine on the rinse cycle. I didn't know anyone was doing laundry at the time. So after looking through the glass door I determined that Wyatt put a load in the washer and started it up.

There were only a couple of casualties. The bleach top broke off and the can of bug spray got substantially dented and the spray nozzle is gone. The full bottle of laundry detergent seems to be just fine. The others were in the recycle bin to begin with. C'est la vie!

FUN in the Snow

The kids are getting to school a little late this morning. We are having a winter event in the weather department. We had a blast at Irving Park and it warranted a trip to Starbucks on the way home.

Still enjoying time with Rylan

We have done a few fun things in the past week. We drove up to Lacey to see Alyssa, Max and her cats. We went to a yummy Korean restaurant and then over to Joylynn and Jess's house so Rylan could see Wyatt and Genevieve in their own element.

Ry and I went shopping last night at Burlington Coat Factory and got him a couple of pairs of dress slacks and a shirt and sport coat. A small token of congratulations on achieving his Masters Degree. We are definitely going to have to put some money aside if we want to go to his next graduation ceremony.

I could get used to him being on this side of the Pacific. It is pretty exciting to think of him eventually getting a faculty position somewhere or a research position somewhere. I guess time will tell.

Wyatt and Genevieve are starting to warm up to him more. At least Wyatt didn't think he was a pirate like Joel Turner did when he was little. I don't think he looks quite as pirate-ish without the facial hair.

Yeah for BABY!

When everyone else I was taking pictures of during our annual Christmas outing to Shari's was saying "cheese" , these two were saying "BABY".

Congratulations to Bob and Lalita Ham. They are infant-icipating in August 2007. Thanks for being part of our family and making us "honorary grandparents".

Our prayer is that you would have a healthy pregnancy and delivery and that you would be able to draw closer to each other because of this blessing in your lives.

Would this little one be eleven sub-two one?

Fun and Flavorful Construction

We have done gingerbread houses in past years. Always made with kits from the store. This year there were grand plans for a castle spear-headed by Krystle and her friend Matt. Building took place on Christmas Eve and decorations were completed on Boxing Day. Everyone seemed to have a good time making it. Isn't it spectacular?

God Bless Us Everyone

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family.

Here is our official 2006 PJ pic. Wyatt and Genevieve have new ones too but they are sleeping already.

Clockwise from upper left we have: Rylan, Krystle, Cherise, Courtney, Hayden, Logan, Alyssa, Cameron, Joylynn and Jess

The Club

Har and I would like to congratulate our good friends Tom and Kim for being indoctrinated into the GRANDPARENTS CLUB!

On Monday their daughter June presented them with a 7lb 12oz granddaughter. Her name is Isabella Nanimarie Morales and is soooo cute.

We are so thankful that things went so well with the delivery. You are now on your way to experiencing the blessing that comes along with these little bundles. Ps 103:17

He's Back!

Harlan, Courtney, Hayden, Cameron and I went to PDX to meet Rylan's flight from Pusan/Tokyo. It is good to have him home. He will be here for 31 days! He arrived at midnight Korea time so he was tired by the time I dragged him all over the mall and back.

We have to figure out what sort of adventures he wants to go on here. It is going to be an adventure to experience Wyatt and Genevieve and their antics.

Cherise, Lyssa and Logan hurry to Portland! Let the holiday celebrations begin.