Christmas In The Honda!!!

Its true & totally possible to have Christmas in the
back of a Honda Pilot!!! We weren't going to be
able to see Sara Jane, David & Miss Lauren until
after Christmas so we met them in Portland to
have an Anniversary dinner with them and
open a few gifts for Lauren. We met at McMinaman's.
Besides dinner, we toured the hotel, visited
the gift shop, took pictures of the family on the
huge deck & in front of the funky
Christmas tree, plus watched some glass blowing.
Then we went & checked out the new spa area,
not opened yet, but it is going to be really
awesome. It was quit chilly out so we decided
it was time to open a couple of Lauren's gifts.
Yes, it all happened in the back of the Pilot.
She LOVED it.
She thought opening gifts was great
& got into the hang of it quickly.
Here are a few pictures...

A Christmas Party After Church

We had 30 folks from Saturday night church at our house
for a turkey dinner. We had a wonderful time.
Billy & I feel totally blessed to have such great friends.
Here are a few pics of them.

Mike & Kathrine Elizabeth

Wes, our wonderful neighbor across the
street who we love.

Tim & Colleen

And the meal...

Katie Sue's Birthday!

This is the birthday girl.
One of her friends gave her a tiara for the
special day.

Gracie looks so cute.

Rich & Gracie enjoying the birthday bash!
Lord only knows where Billy Boone was.
He didn't get any of the pictures this go
around.

Shelby Kay & Family Come North

Sara Jane enjoying Miss Lauren at
Red Robin.

Sara Jane's handsome husband, David.

Before the big basketball game, which went into
triple over time, sigh...we went to dinner with
Madison, Malachi & Shelby Kay.

Malachi loves Miss Lauren. We all went to
Costco and this is where they spent most of their time.

Decorating for Christmas....plus more.........

This is the main Christmas tree in the sanctuary at the church.
This picture really doesn't do it justice.
Patricia Carole with an 'e' & My Little Georgia Peach
decorated it, I was the gopher.
God has been so good to us at First Christian Church.
He has given us some amazing, loving, talented folks.
I just happen to be friends with a few of them.

Pastor Danny Chamberlin. He has a tremendous
gift for preaching God's Word, plus his love
for all of us at First Christian.
He is an amazing person. We love him .

This is Mark Hammer, our Youth Pastor along with
Rachel Chamberlin & Missy Stone.
Mark came to us a little over a year & 1/2 ago.
He & his wife, Lindsay have truly been
a great blessing to our church.
This picture was taken in the fellowship room,
just one of the tree's we decorated for Christmas.
The photo was taken by me, so not the best.

Stitching With Meg & Friends!

Miss Lucille, Meg [our teacher], Poppy Anne
& I went to Pendleton for a stitching class with
Meg who is the designer/artist/stitcher/quilter of
Crabapplehill designs.
She is so fun! This is our 4th class we have taken
from her. It's about the fun, laughing being together
& oh yes, learning new techniques is REALLY
why we are there. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

This time of the year is most special to me.
I have so much to be thankful for.
I have a tendency to forget how blessed I am.
Our Lord & Savior is a very loving & giving God.
He always provides when I need it.
But most of all He loves me very deeply.
This last weekend was no exception how He works
and shows His love to one of His little sheep who
didn't know Him yet.
It was Sunday morning and Rick [I will use his real name
because He did confess his love for Jesus at church] decided
he didn't want to live any more. He got a bed sheet, took it
to a spot where there would be NO one around to see him
or hear his cries for help if that should happen.
He hung himself off the bleachers at a ballpark across
the street for Jason's mothers home. [Jason & Jr. work
for Billy]. Rick didn't know that Jr. & Jason would be
outside early that morning having a smoke waiting for
the rest of the family to head to Portland shopping.
Jr. heard something, didn't know what it was at first.
"Help.....ME!" the voice cried......then again. Jr. & Jason
walked over to the ballpark, slow at first...as they weren't sure
what was going on, then Jr. saw Rick, they both raced into action.
Jr. told Rick, "Don't you worry, I won't let you go!".
911 was called, Rick was saved as Jason scurried up the
bleachers to release the knot.
Rick was taken to the hospital, police were called and the
state gets involved, so many things take place that I
have no clue about but
Rick was finally voted into the "Grace House". It is a home
for men who need some love and care after drugs etc.
God had a plan, Rick wasn't going to ruin it.
God used Jr. & Jason along with many other folks.
Rick excepted Jesus as his personal Savior and was
baptized on Saturday night.
Pastor Mike Wilson has told Billy that his mission work
is his business, I believe God is using him in that way.
Thank you Lord for Jr. & Jason, I pray that Jr. & his family will
find Jesus in all this.
Jesus' work isn't finished yet!!!
I am so blessed, I have a wonderful husband who I dearly love.
3 fantastic daughters, 3 great son-in-laws & 5 adorable, loving,
smart & beautiful grandchildren, not to forget about
all my other family & friends who I cherish.
Thank Lord for this wonderful holiday to remember
what is really important......YOU!

Shelby Kay & Aaron...

Aaron & Shelby Kay enjoying her birthday which just
happens to fall on Halloween.

Leaving Honey in charge...

Sara Jane & David headed off to an Oregon Duck
football game. They left Honey in charge, so
Lauren & I decided to go visit
my niece Jessi Grace her husband Zu, & their
children Jaden, Amiya & Kiomi.
The weather was wonderful so we headed to the park.
Fun was had by all.
Everyone played so well together, I tried to take
some pictures but I am not a very good
photographer. The Day was awesome...
Lauren & Honey both survived even though
Lauren cried to go to bed she was so tired and
slept 13 1/2 hours that night. Sara Jane asked me,
"What did you do to her?"
We just had fun...
And oh yes, GO DUCKS!!!

The younger girls enjoying some frozen chew toys.
Both Lauren & Kiomi cutting new teeth.

Jaden, Lauren, Amiya & Kiomi deciding their next move.

Lauren having a great time running through
the grass at the park gathering leaves. Oh
yes, she LOVES leaves.

Jaden enjoying himself with the girls
on the playground equipment.

Kiomi & Lauren having a great time on the swings.

Miss Lauren had NO fear of stepping
off and sliding down the
curly slide. She almost gave Honey
heart failure several times!

Oh didn't I tell you that Zu & Jessi Grace are expecting
another baby in December? Yes it is true,
they will have another little boy.

The Shearer Family

Sara Jane & David enjoying themselves
in San Fransisco.

Miss Lauren enjoying a beautiful fall day at the park with her Mama.

October Trip To La Grande...

We made a surprise visit to LaGrande on Saturday
to see Katie Sue, Rich, Billy Boone & Gracie.

Billy Boone LOVES sitting with Papa!

Gracie Eloise is so sweet. She and Billy
Boone were both fighting colds.
When I was standing talking to Katie Sue, Gracie
would come up & touch my leg so gently for me
to pick her up. She is a lover.

Gracie was watching the movie "Cars".
She loves it!
So does Honey.....

Billy Boone & Gracie hanging out with Papa.

Billy Boone found out that standing behind Papa
in the rocker was the best thing. He spend hours
standing there laughing as Papa leaned against him.
Gracie finally joined in, loved it too...

Two friends out & about in their best attire...

Guess WHO???
I will tell you they had a blast, no one
knew who they were...tee...hee

Happy Birthday Debra Kay!!!

This is a quilt I made and gave it to Debra Kay
for her birthday!

This is just a close up of a few of the
flowers that I stitched.
Debra Kay and I have been friends since
she was five and I was six years old.
She is truly a treasure sent from God.

Birthday surprise & Quilt Hop to Idaho!

This is my birthday present from Poppy Anne.

Isn't it beautiful? Thank you Poppy!

Miss Lucille & Poppy trying to make up their minds
on some fabric for a new creation. This shop
was in Idaho, not sure what town. We traveled
around 600 miles in 2 days. We were a little rummy!

Poppy Anne & Miss Lucille
You can tell that 'Quilt Hopping' is only
for the very strong & hardy! Tee...hee
This was a morning after one of the hops...
enough said.....

An August Vist!

The Patterson Family.
Rich, Katie Sue, Billy Boone & Gracie were
headed to Portland & the coast. We had a great
visit. Billy Boone loves to play in the back yard!

Billy Boone & Gracie exploring one of
Papa's OLD Pick-ups. I thought this photo was really cute!

Billy Boone climbing a tree for the 1st time!
Billy is going on 28 months.

Gracie looking so cute.
She will be 14 months, just 4 days older than
cousin Lauren.