4th of July Weekend--2011

Happy Birthday, Tony!!! We went out to a sub shop for his birthday and Jon just had to take a photo of 'The Destroyer'. It was VERY large!

We also had a huge tree limb that was working on falling off one of our locust trees. (it finally fell on its own, but it was sort of scary!) We had it tied to the two locust trees to keep it where we wanted to~

For Tony's birthday, Jon finished my Mother's Day present! A loverly metal dragonfly. I am so proud of Jon and I just love Scooter!

We had been asked to visit with the kids on the coast for Tony's birthday, but we were super busy this weekend. One of the things we did was celebrate the Fourth of July at Pioneer Park in Walla Walla. Jon, as a part of the band, needed to be there on Sunday to practice. http://www.youtube.com/user/WWValleyBands#p/c/476E369E17C5CFD3

I think you can click this site and listen to them for yourself! The last concert online is the Jazz one from March. If you get a chance, you really need to listen to the one from Halloween called Trick or Treat.

The birds in the park are as amazing as always! I love the aviary and I am glad it is still there.

4th of July we started the day hearing a short concert by Chris August. He did sing Starry Night and 70 times 7, so that was very exciting!
Then the Walla Walla Valley Band played. What an amazing group of performers they have! All ages and all talents make up one of the best bands I have ever heard. This band has 3 people from our town in it. Jon is a part of an awesome bass section. He has learned a lot from these people.
After the shows, we visited around the area and this blacksmith was very captivating. We saw all kinds of stuff and I learned that those bricks of curly fries are VERY greasy. Steve and Jon thought they were just yummy. (I only shared part of a brick.)
We closed our Monday evening at the Theatre's in College Place-It was a spectacular show! This year, however, we did manage to get ash on us from the explosions. (the guys also took part of the afternoon to watch the latest Transformers movie and I read a 'new' to me Brian Jacques book.)

Father's Day 2011

Steve got a really cool game from the kids (GI Joe Monopoly) then we toddled off to a GREAT sermon by Delbert, followed by lunch with Dorothy. But the bulk of the afternoon was spent with Grandpa Rod at the care center. When we arrived he was in bed-he had just had one set of visitors come in and we were next in line!

One of the things that was bothering him was missing a Bible. He couldn't remember the end of Psalm 23, so he asked Steve to read it to him.

After a bit, we went outside and sat in the sunshine. (we finally had a bit of warmth and it was splendid!!). We also met a very unusual breed of dog. She is part chihuahua and part dachshund. His owner called her a Cha-Daw.

Then, Steve gave Rod communion. Rod recited some of the verses from the last supper. It was moving.

Steve-a younger dad and Rod-the older dad. Rod was regaling us with stories of his youth. Memories of birthdays and his favorite foods: Pickled elk tongue and pig feet knuckles. Oh, and Grandma Flossie's pies. Apple, cherry, and mincemeat (made with the a fore mentioned elk!).
Three generations of Hansell boys.

Beach Wedding!

Wi-Ne-Ma was the setting for Mark and Christy's wedding. It was so pretty! There had been some rain, but it finally stopped and was beautiful. As you can see, there was a nice sized crowd that gathered at the ocean's side. We were sitting in the 'balcony' section, so had a GREAT view of the whole show. (it was really a sand dune, but we were up higher and looked down on the group!)

Everyone came in according to tradition, and also, according to tradition, their flower girl stole the show! Many of us photographed her instead of the bride and groom!!

Mark and Christy tied their knot with a festive braid and the flower girl continued to cover and uncover the petals she sprinkled on the sand.

After the final vows and a kiss, we were off to the Jacob's for a crab, pig, and oyster feast. The cows were impressed with the festivities and also honored the couple!

Out and About

We started our journey on Friday night-the roads were clear and the sun was setting in our eyes. Jon took a great many fun road photos that I am not putting in the blog--there were a LOT! Trains, more windmills (the one below is amusing because it shows two types of technology in the same photo!), and cars of all kinds.



When we finally reached Portland, it was dark, but Jon was able to shoot an icon. Yup, the Portland sign with the deer. It used to be an advertisement for something, White Stag, I think it was. Now, it just heralds the Rose City. At Christmas they put a red nose on the deer, which is always great fun!

Saturday, we had some time before the wedding to visit the Trask River again. This first picture is of the 'dam hole', a great fishing spot!

We chatted for quite some time with friends at our old home and then took a nostalgic run to the park. Jon took photos of the paths and the place he used to play and capture tiny fish to hold in containers til it was time to go home.

I particularly miss the English Daisy flowers that grow wild on the coast. Here, in the east, we have violets in the grass. I adore and love violets, but wish we could have both! Jon picked me a flower and I saved it, hoping it will seed and spread lovely little English daisies all over the yard!

Although, there were some changes along the river, there were a great many things that have not changed one bit! This tree has grown quite a bit since we moved in 2007. We were glad to see it was still there with the strange weather everyone has had.

Webbed Ones

The Oregon Coast has a variety of winged creatures, but you just have to adore the antics of the gull. While we visited, I was sad because I remembered several bits of bread I had at home. While we lived in Tillamook, we always took bread to the beach and if we didn't have time to get to the beach, we tossed it out for the crows. I love crows!!!! Jon took all these pictures. I particularly like the surfing gulls!


This crow was investigating an old crab shell the gulls were playing with.



If anyone is familiar with The Rescuers, this bird in take off mode reminded us of the albatross the mice took as they launched off into adventures unknown.

This made us laugh, mostly because as a sentry bird, gulls are very good. They even deposit remarks on motorized vehicles that are obeying the sign!


Male Mallard ducks are so pretty. These were at Arlington and the first picture we dubbed, Ninja Duck!