Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

Here are pics of the first snow fall of 2006. It began to fall about 0600 hrs; by 0710 hrs it had stopped; and by 1700 hrs it was almost all gone. I am aware that for you snow dwellers, this is not a big deal, for me still an awesome sight. I think this may be the 6th time I saw snow fall. I called Judi very exited because it was snowing. She came out and said: Do you think the office will open today? I said: I think so. She turned around and went in. I stayed in the cold (freezing) enjoying the white magic flakes.

Halloween

Tracing the pumpkin, called it cheating if you like.

Small pumpkin for small hands.

Even at that speed it took a while to carve the pumpkin.

We went to "Los dos Hermanos" for dinner with the McMullens. Nice Salvadorian food restaurant. To be honest, not much different than Mexican food. Then we went to the McMullens to carve some pumpkins since the kids were near arrival. Here we are carving pumpkins for the Halloween celebrations. This was the first time I carved a Pumpkin. Can you believe I did not take a picture of the final product? It took us one and a half hours of hard work, and then forget to take a pic.

By the way, Judi will begin to work for the Department of Human Services Child Welfare as a Social Worker on the 1st of November. She is quite exited to be employed. This mark the end of our Oregon Trail.

Mission Complete (Little People Meet)

Click on title to link the TLC page

Luis and I had a great time visiting Roloff Farms in Hillsboro, Oregon. This farm is the setting for Little People, Big World on The Learning Channel. I was instructed by my former boss and pal, Pamela Wisner, of Therapeutic Programs, Inc. to go on a mission and meet the little people from the show. The show is slated to begin another season on October 7, 2006. Camera crews were there on the day we visited and filming the opening of the pumpkin season. We bought some pumpkins and took a hayride around the farm. We stopped at the old town and met Matt's parents. They were very, very nice. Who would have thought that we have family and originated from the same part of Wisconsin? They spoke highly of their trip to Wisconsin just a few short weeks ago! The parents also said to say "Hi, ya'll" to the people in Alabama. The best part was that Matt showed up and we had a brief introduction. I described how my trip to the farm was a pilgrimage. I discussed that he had a fan club in Mobile, Alabama. He was kind and allowed us to take a picture and video with him. When Luis and I left, we thanked him for his time. He stated; "Tell your friends in Mobile, Alabama, "I said Hi." To all my pals at Therapeutic Programs including Pamela, Stan, Ann and Michelle. This trip was for you. Be on the look out for a disc of our trip to the farm.

Red Hawk Lunch / Wine Tasting

Judi and Mary Ann enjoying the fermented grape juice.

The Grapes

Click on post title for Link to winery

Today we had lunch with Mike and Mary Ann. We went to Red Hawk winery and tried some wine. I was impressed with their new release wine, 2004 Tempranillo Dessert Wine. "A unique take on a classic port, this wine is made from the Tempranillo grape - a rarity in Oregon. A spicy raspberry nose and thick texture unfolds to layers of rich blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry flavors".

Cascara Camp Ground

Click on Title for link to state park site.

On Saturday, Judi and I went to Cascara Camp Ground to visit the McMullens and spend the day in the sun. Jerry's partner, Mark, was also camping and had a nice mastercraft boat launched at the lake. We went for a boat ride just after supper. After we have played in the water. Mark, the captain, got on his 5' 6" surf board and did just that. He began by being pulled by ropes and in seconds he was surfing on the boat's wake. It looks like he was following the boat on a surf board. Seeing is believing.

Adios Cafe

We had to surrender Cafe to another family. Even with the erection of a fence, we had to face the fact that 5 dogs was to much to handle. Cafe is living with a family in Corvalis, near Salem, and the family reports that Cafe is doing well and has adjusted to his new home. Cafe was taken swimming and it was reported that he loves the water. Cafe is the second dog in the family so he has a canine pal to play. We miss Cafe a great deal, but we are happy that we were able to find a good and loving home for him.

Mission Accomplished

Here are pics of the project completion. Now, in a year or two when I regain my desire to work on the yard again, I will build a patio deck high on the hill so Judi and I can stare at Mt. Jefferson. Stay tune for updates on that project :-) By the way, I have been offered a position with the Department of Human Services as a manager. Starting date is August 18th and a six week training starting on the 21st.

Teresa Got Hitched

Click on title to link to wedding photographer page Judi went to Auburn, Alabama on July 20th to attend Teresa and Brian's wedding. Teresa was the maid of honor in our wedding. Teresa married an Auburn business man and a War Eagle fan. The couple went to Charleston, SC for their honeymoon. Brian and Teresa we love you and wish you the best in life.

Up With The New (Part II)

Here is an update on the fence project. Jerry and I have worked hard building the fence. Dr. Ron Palm helped us work on saturday. We constantly challenged by the weather (sunny and 105 degrees) and the contour of the land. This is the first time either of us have attempted to build a fence. Is not rocket science, but not a walk in the park either. So we are learning as we go along. Two more weekends of 10 to 12 hours days and we should be done.

Meet The McMullen

This is Jerry's family and our next door neighbor. We were invited for dinner and had a delicious meal of smoked RIBs (excellent), potato salad, baked beans and corn on the cob.

Up With The New

Mike, Jerry and I began our fencing project by digging 2 feet deep holes around the perimeter with an auger (not sure about spelling), a shovel, and a pick. The clay was hard as rocks; and some times we actually had to deal with real rocks. We struggled, but we overcame the obstacle. Once Jerry and I began to set the poles in the ground, we quickly learned how hard it is to work on a side of a hill in a hot sunny (not quite like Alabama, but hot in the mid 80's) weather, bringing rocks by buckets to set the poles, setting the guide lines for the poles, leveling the poles, measuring the poles, adjusting the ground holes, and how heavy those poles become after few trips up and down the hill. We now have deeper respect for those men that have chosen a more physical line of work; but we still refuse to pay for work we can do ourselves. It does not matter how much we cry and lick our wounds at the end of the day.

Down With The Old

On July 8th, Judi and I went to Mike & Mary Ann's to help them bring a deck down. Work was hard, but a lot of fun. After all what is not to love about breaking stuff by brute force alone? After a day of work, we were treated to ride the City of Salem carousel and dinner at Geppetto's Italian Restaurant.