Family Progressive Party

What a treat to have our annual progressive party with family. We started with hors d'oeuvres at Stacy & Alan's, then Brent, Rose, & my mom made homemade ravioli's at my folks home, and the dessert buffet was served at our house. What a night of feasting and fellowship. You can see the boys were completely exhausted by the end of the evening.

Christmas Day

We had a lovely time with family at my parents' home on Christmas day. The boys looked so handsome in their soldier costumes. And my mom had the prettiest tree ever.

Rustic Beams

My cousin, Chuck Potterf, has traveled from Bend, Oregon this week to create a rustic beam look in our home. This is his niche in the construction business. Most of the new beams are so wet that he will need to wait several weeks for them to dry before continuing with the project. The few he's done already look so good, we can hardly wait to see them all in place. We are using salvaged timbers from an old saw mill for the beams in Marcel's office and the fireplace mantel, but the mill did not have the sizes we needed for the rest of the house.

Sharing gifts on Christmas Eve

Marcus and Alex each purchased a gift for the other and boy were they excited to see what they were getting. Thanks to each of you who made their Christmas special.

We toured the Food Bank last week and realized how many in our community are in need right now. It was a privilege for our homeschool group to donate 530 pounds of food that day. We hope to help in the food bank's garden this coming summer. What a blessing they are to our community.

Christmas Eve

The two boys and myself were sick with a cold and cough so we had to skip going to Aunt Mary & Uncle Bill's Christmas Eve party. Because my parents already had the cold/cough they joined us at our home. It was a cozy night by the tree but we so missed being at the larger family gathering.

Nutcracker Ballet

My cousin Kent and his three children - Lindsey, Forrest, & Joelle were all in the Nutcracker Ballet this year. What a treat to watch them perform. They all did an outstanding job.

House in the snow

We drove from our rental house in town to our building site 10 miles out of town and found snow on the ground. There wasn't a bit of snow in town. What fun!

Marcus' Piano Party

Marcus' piano teacher invited all her students to a piano party and planned that each student would be part of several songs. Marcus and I played the opening duet and then he did a solo of Joy to the World. He was also a part of two group pieces where he played the wood blocks and drum. He did an excellent job! Mom's a little rusty. We were thrilled to have Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Bernie, and the Covrig family join us for the party and a yummy dinner at Olive Garden finished off the festivities.

December 11, 2008 - Siding is going up and windows are getting framed!

Tongue & groove boards are going up on the patio ceilings outside. Siding and shingles are going up on the exterior walls. Windows are getting trimmed out. It's really coming together!

December 11, 2008 - Things are hopping at the building site.

Here's a shot of the stairs going down from the guest room over the garage. So much wiring, pipes, and ducts. We delivered hot cider to all the workers on Wednesday. Such cold conditions they are working in right now. We are very grateful for their fine craftsmanship each day. The last shot is of our driveway off Daily Lane.

Boys will be boys

My that's a smiley Santa we have in Southern Oregon.











Here's a shot with the boys goofing around at the house this evening. They were wrestling in their box armor.

December 1, 2008 - Windows are going in

Most of the windows have been installed and both the wood fireplace and gas fire place are in. Heating & air-conditioning guys were busy working there today. It's so exciting seeing everything coming together. Now I know why my uncle said, "Building a house separates the women from the girls."

Alex's Christmas Tree

What a big boy carrying his own Christmas tree into the house. He was all smiles.