Another beautiful Oregon coast sunset

As Dena and I enjoyed our day we enjoyed watching the day come to an end at the sunset at the beach. I was snapping a few pictures as we just sat and talked enjoying the sunset and our day together. What a wonderful blessing family is and family together watching the beauty God blessed us with each day is amazing.

Beautiful Oregon Coast

These are a few pictures from the day Dena and I spent at the coast of Oregon. The top three were taken from Heceta Head Lighthouse and the bottom one was taken in Waldport. We both just thought of Tyler and this looked like the life of a fisherman.

Dena and I horseback riding beach trip

Dena and I were able to spend a whole day together just having fun while she was here for a visit this year. Tyler and Crystal had to work the day so I was able to entertain their company and boy did we have fun. We drove down to Florence, Oregon where we went horseback riding. We went on some trails through the hills first, then over the sand dunes and then riding on the beach. What a day. My horse didn't like the water and didn't ever get it's feet wet. But I can relate, I don't like the water either so we were a good match. We rode for a little over two hours and by the end my bottom sure felt it!! I didn't think I was going to be able to sit down at church the next morning by I made it through. :) After we went horse back riding we drove up the beautiful Oregon coast line and stopped along the way at various places to walk to beach and take pictures. I will post a lot of those next. The third pictures is on the walk up to Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Just a few pics i like

Just thought I would throw in a few scenery pictures. The top one is a hydrangea at Williamette Valley Vineyards, the winery were my nephew Brandon works. The second one is the Yaquina Bay Bridge. The third is the back road up to Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, and the last one is Waverly Park in Albany were we spent a lot of time on paddle boats this summer with the grand kids!!

Just some recent pics of our kids!

Just wanted to post some recent pictures of our kids. Crystal and Tyler at Marie Callendars for May birthday dinners. Jimmy & Natalie at Marie Callendars also, same night. And Dustin & Candi at Williamette Valley Vineyards Winery this summer when they came up to pick up Taylor after her visit to Oregon. We had a great time while they were here. Just wish it could be longer. Maybe next time!

Jayden's Visit to Oregon summer 07

We really enjoyed our time with Jayden when he was able to visit and stay with Granddad and Grandma for two weeks this summer. I went down to Bakersfield and picked him up and we drove home. I was thinking the drive would be too much for a three year old for one day and was planning on stopping for a night. But he was having fun in the truck driving through the "forest" and pretending that wild animals were after us and he was protecting his Grandma by shooting the wild animals. But first he would have to listen to the animal sounds and decide if it was a dangerous animal before he would shot. He was very innertaining for me on our drive home and we did it all in one shot. While he was he we did whatever he wanted to do that day. We went to the paddleboats a lot and he really enjoyed driving around the waverly lake here in Albany. We went out to ice cream at Dairy Queen and he wanted a big sundae like he saw in the window ad so that is what Grandma ordered him. He was sure happy to have that much ice cream. Of course he didn't eat that much but he was extremely happy to get it anyway. We spent some time at the coast in the rv over in Newport and he loved playing in the sand and the water. He was so much fun to watch. Granddad and I just sat down and watched him play with smiles on our faces and in our hearts. It was such a relaxing way to spend the day and watching Jayden play was so much fun for us!! He is such a blessing in our lives and we enjoyed our summer with him!! After looking at these pictures even someone that isn't his Grandma would have to say he is cute!!

Tidepools with Grandkids

Here is one of our favorite places on the Oregon coast. The tidepools at Yaquina Head Lighthouse. They are an amazing sight and one everyone should go explore when you can. The first two pictures are of Taylor and I exploring the tidepools on a rainy Oregon day. Typical of Oregon but that rain didn't slow us down, we really enjoyed seeing all the sealife in the tidepools and Taylor was very good at finding the little sea life. I think she could sit there and watch the tidepools for hours and hours. I had a blast seeing her so excited over the same things that I enjoy so much. Another day we had Jayden in the same place and it was a different reaction with Jayden. He really enjoyed the rocks and climbing them with Granddad. He did see some of the sea life and seemed to enjoy that but once he saw them he was good to go and climb. So that is what they did. He loved being on top of the rocks and watching the waves crash against the cliffs. He and Granddad enjoyed being boys together and Grandma enjoyed watching the two of them.

Taylor's Visit to Oregon Summer '07

Taylor was able to stay with us this summer for two weeks also. We sure had a wonderful time having grandkids here. We were able to do the things that they wanted and for Taylor one of her highlights was when I was able to arrange a horseback riding lesson for her in Brownsville, Oregon. She was able to ride for a few hours and even rode without the coach leading her. She was a natural on the horse and did so well she really made her Grandma pround of her. We also went to the county fair here in Albany and to thrillville amusement park in Turner. The second picture was from thrillville. The third picture is from bowling where we spent a lot of time this summer. She loved bowling and we bought her a pink bowling ball and had it drilled to fit her little hands. She had a great time at the bowling alley and danced and played and made us all laugh. She is the life of the party. The next picture is at Newport Oregon at Yaquina Bay Lighthouse where she is posing for the camera. Isn't she sweet!!! We sure had a good time with Taylor this summer. She is the cutest little girl we know!! And so much like her Momma we have to laugh!!!!!!

Old Friends...Forever Young

I was able to meet up with some very dear old high school friends this summer. It is amazing we were able to reconnect and we had a great weekend together at Marion's home in Hidden Valley Lake, California. We all had a good time going to lunch on the lake at a mexican restarant and going shopping at quiant little shops. We listened to music and played cards at Marion's house. And one afternoon we went down to California Adventure Discovery Park in Vallejo, California. Marion and I were inseperable during our freshman and sophmore years. We were referred to as the bobsie twins at school. We lost touch towards the end of high school after she moved several times and I moved away from Charter Oak. Buggs, as I have always called him, Athan as he is referred to by some people, and I went through school from first grade until I moved away my last year of high school. I hadn't seen or talked to either of them since then and they hadn't talked to each other since then also. Now 30 years later we get together and it is like no time at all has passed in so many ways. We hung out laughing & connected like we were in the ole days. It was great to see them and I hope we can get together again soon. Old friends..there is nothing like them.

Safely on the Ground Again

Here we are all four of us safely on the ground again after our helicopter tours. We all enjoyed this trip so much and even the two nervous ones, Candi and Natalie, had a good time. That a good look at that helicopter, isn't it small!! As Candi said before going up a kid with a bb gun could take it down. lol She is funny!! It was an adventure that was fun and amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Don't we look cute in our matching jackets from our girls weekend. Our weekend was a lot of fun and something I would love to do again sometime.

Helicopter Tour

The helicopter was so much fun. We were able to see two whales, seals, two dolphins, and so much beautiful coastline all with a fabulous view. Here is one of the helicopter taking off with Candi and Crystal in it. The other is Yaquina Head Lighthouse ariel view.

In the helicopter

Here we all are in the helicopter. Candi and Crystal rode together and Natalie and I rode together. Candi and Natalie were both nervous about going up and so we paired up with one nervous girl and one excited girl each trip. The trip was so fun and I loved it!!!

Tidepools

Exploring Tidepools

We spent one morning exploring tidepools at Yaquina Head State Park. These tidepools are amazing. So much life in them, I could stay and watch them all day (if it wasn't for the fact that the tide would come in). Candi and Natalie enjoyed them also.