Thursday, January 7

Family Time

The first day with Mom & Dad was a full one. We played Wii (Sports Resort), had lunch at a yummy Mexican place, shopped a little and then drove to Oak Glen (mountain town). We wanted to see the fire damage from a couple months ago which burned over 1,000 acres. I forgot to get pictures of the burned hills, but I did get pictures of a cute goat :)

 DPP_00018742

DPP_00018755

DPP_00018770

DPP_00018762

DPP_00018771

DPP_00018774

DPP_00018775

Tuesday, January 5

The Drive Down

This year we rented a little white Ford Focus (not that we actually chose it). It was the sporty addition but it did not have cruise control. Todd did fine driving over 3,000 miles without it :)

Friday night we stopped in Shelton to see Todd’s family and then headed to Rouge River, OR Saturday night. Sunday afternoon we made it to my cousin Sarah’s house in Sacramento where we had dinner, played Wii (along with Nate) and watched a movie late into the night. Sarah & Andrew are having a little girl in May, we are very excited for them! Monday we slept in (after forgetting to set our alarms) and then headed for Yucaipa.

I was surprised to see all the green in California on our way down. Look how lush it is :)

IMG_9964

DPP_00018672

DPP_00018683

Sunday, January 3

Christmas Vacation

This picture pretty much sums up the whole trip to California. Well, maybe half the trip. I still have oodles more to post.

IMG_1070-1

Monday, December 14

Snow & Lights

We have a lovely blanket of snow right now. It started coming down yesterday after church and stopped a little later in the afternoon. It feels so calm and peaceful when it flutters down, I love to watch it. I also love Christmas lights in the snow, they seem more magical to me.

DPP_00018647

DPP_00018651

DPP_00018657

DPP_00018658

DPP_00018652

DPP_00018660

Monday, December 7

Jasmine Walk

A few nature pictures from the day after Thanksgiving. Lots of tree pictures for some reason, I couldn’t choose just one.

DPP_00018291

DPP_00018296

DPP_00018316

DPP_00018318

DPP_00018320

DPP_00018334

DPP_00018336

DPP_00018346

DPP_00018354

Holden Matthew

Here is my new nephew! He is a cutie! Congratulations Matt & Cherise for being such great troopers though it all!

He was 8lb 2 oz, 19.5” long.

I hope to have more pictures from my brother in a couple days.

P1070306

P1070304 P1070311 P1070309

P1070268

Sunday, December 6

It’s A Boy!

After almost two days of tough labor my little nephew Holden Matthew Friesen is finally here! I am so excited I had to post the news. As soon as I get pictures and more info I will share!

Saturday, December 5

Thanksgiving Weekend

Time to catch up, if it’s not too late. Todd & I spent five days over the holiday weekend with his family. It was a lot of fun this year because Todd’s brother Keith & his girlfriend Samantha flew up from Arizona as well as Todd’s Grandma from Michigan. His sister Kali lives in the area and stayed for a night too, it was a full house!

We had two turkeys this year, one barbequed (pictured) and the other oven roasted. The BBQ turkey was done about an hour before the oven one so we had that as the appetizer. I didn’t get one big picture from our Thanksgiving dinner because we all couldn’t fit at the table :)

I have  few more pictures to post tomorrow.

DPP_00018235

DPP_00018242

DPP_00018238

DPP_00018270 DPP_00018281

Thursday, November 12

Everson Walk

Yesterday afternoon I took a lovely stroll through Everson with my camera. The sun was shining, the clouds were billowy, and the birds were chirping (maybe only in my head)…a beautiful day the Lord had made. I knew I wanted to get the flags lining Main Street for Veterans Day, but it turns out there are other cool things in Everson to photograph.

Oh, the tractor picture. I had to take it because it has my current last name and my maiden initials…only if you know me :)

DPP_00018068

DPP_00018141

DPP_00018148

DPP_00018151

DPP_00018166

DPP_00018173

DPP_00018103

DPP_00018194

DPP_00018175

Wednesday, November 11

Happy Veterans Day!

A big thank you to all our troops who have served and are serving our country!

DPP_00018119

Tuesday, November 3

Morning Dew

I got up this morning somewhat early for me. I have been sick (the flu & colds) a lot in the last couple months and because of it my sleep patterns have been disrupted and I have been sleeping in late. Todd would probably disagree that I even have a sleep pattern, but I think I do or did :)

Anyways, this morning there was a light layer of fog and with the sun shining through it was just beautiful. I didn’t quite capture the depth and colors (so you get sepia) with my camera but the idea is there. I was also very surprised to see my white delphiniums in full bloom, one full stock and a second with buds.

DPP_00018028

DPP_00018053

DPP_00018041

DPP_00018045