And still more snow - Sunday, December 21, 2008

Ok, enough already.   We woke up this Sunday morning to about 12" of snow on the ground.   There has been no wind, so there are no drifts, just snow, with about 1/2 inch of ice crusted on the top. Jason from across the street and Lindsay from next door helped us shovel the driveway and part of the sidewalk clean.  Jason was going house to house helping everyone at least clear their driveways.    We knew yesterday that we would not be able to get out to go to church today and are resigned to being "snow bound", at least for a little while.    We did get out Friday around 3:30 to drive the 8 miles to St. Helens to do some final Christmas shopping at WalMart, and of course, since we were in St. Helens and it was 5:30 by the time we finished shopping, we JUST HAD TO GO TO BURGERVILLE for hamburgers (Hanna's favorite food in the world is the Burgerville Tillamook Cheeseburger, without pickles).

It started snowing as we left for St. Helens Friday at 3:30 and did not quit until around 11 PM Saturday night.   We woke up to the scenes in the photos - Grandma's Park in our back yard, which is really out of commission for a while; our neighbor's car in front of his house; and a view of down the street.   My car, in the photo below, sits in a snow bank in front of the house and the poor rose bush, seen in the lower right of the photo of my car, which we transplanted from Valencia, has a coating of ice on all the branches and what leaves were left.

Poor Hanna.   She so wanted it to snow, but now that we are snow bound, Hanna is more than ready for it to all go away so she can get out and see some of her friends.    Bryan was supposed to come by so they could go out, but he can't get here and we can't get there.    No one here can remember weather like this in the past 15 to 20 years, with so much continual snow and it staying without melting.    It started snowing, fairly heavily, again about an hour ago and may snow off and on through Christmas.   Our only concern is that the three families coming for Christmas dinner may not be able to travel.   We think Amber, Chris, Isaac, and Abigail may be able to get here with the guests they are bringing, but Christina, Steven, Alora and Elijah may not be able to get here from Hood River, 60 miles away.

So, since we are retired:  let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

 

More Snow - Friday, December 19, 2008

It snowed again Tuesday and Wednesday, and then again last night giving us a total of between 4 and 5 inches all together.    It has not been as cold as expected, getting up above freezing in the daytime, causing some of the snow to melt.   But, since it seems to snow every few days before the last snow is gone, the ground and side streets have been blanketed all the time.    The school district cancelled school for the week, but one day at a time.   They have an automated calling system so Hanna has anxiously awaited "THE CALL" each evening.    Wednesday and today, the call did not come until 6 AM.    Now, we are expecting what the weather forecasters are calling the biggest storm of this last batch of weather fronts, with up to 4 to 6 inches of snow predicted for Portland.   We are in an area that seems to get more snow than Portland 20 miles away, so we may be in for a real White Pre-Christmas.   Hopefully the roads will be clear enough Christmas Day for the Korenthals, Springers, and the other couple who are coming for Christmas Dinner at our house.    The side yard and yards behind us looked like an old fashioned Winter Scene from a post card this morning.

The first snow of the Fall - Sunday, December 14, 2008

We woke up Sunday monring to the first snow of the Fall/Winter season.   It was snowing lightly and continued through the morning, finally sticking to the street.    It is really beautiful and quiet outside, and COLD.

Grandma, Papa, and Hanna baby sit the kids - Thursday, Dec 4, 2008

Amber and Chris went to his company Christmas Party on the 4th.   We wanted them to have a good time and not worry about the kids, so both Isaac and Abigail spent the night at Grandma and Papa's in Scappoose - FOR THE FIRST TIME. Not only did
Amber and Chris get to go the party and stay out as long as they wanted, they also got to spend the night together at home, without any children around, and sleep in as long as they wanted in the morning.

As you can see, the kids love Hanna and they spent quality time watching TV with her on the couch in the family room.    Like any parents, we wanted to have pictures of our little girl going out on a "big date with her boyfriend", so before Amber and Chris left, we had them pose for "prom pictures" to document how happy and great they looked.

Isaac only woke up once, at 2:45 am, and came into our room - but that is something he does almost every night at home, so we were expecting his "middle of the night visit".   Grandma took him back to his room and bed and he went back to sleep in short order.    Abigail was her wonderful sleep-all-night self and not a peep was heard from her until DeeDee went into her room in the morning to get her up for the day.

Everyone had a great time.

Cutting down the Christmas Tree, Monday, Dec 1, 2008

Yesterday, on Monday Dec 1st, DeeDee, Amber, Isaac, Abigail and I went to a tree farm near Hillsboro to cut down our Christmas Tree.    While the day was cloudy and cool, at least it was dry and not too muddy, although I was glad I wore my big rubber boots, cause it was still a little too muddy for tennis shoes.  We had a good time, although occasionally the kids found something to be grumpy about.    We walked up rows, down rows, across rows, back to the same rows again, and just all over until we finally found "the one".    I don't remember a tree with a 6" to 8" trunk being so difficult to saw through.   While I took a break, Amber tried to help, but she could not even move the saw.    We finally got the tree cut down and loaded on top of the Dodge Caravan.    The tree is now sitting all alone in our family room waiting for lights and ornaments.   Hopefully we will get started on decorating the tree tonight after Hanna gets home from school and wrestling practice.

Thanksgiving dinner - Thursday, Nov 27, 2008

Sorry that this is a little out of order, but I just got the photos from Amber yesterday (Monday).   Thanksgiving was celebrated at the Korenthal's home (Amber, Christopher, Isaac and Abigail) in Hillsboro.    The tradition that started last year was to have Thanksgiving dinner at the Korenthal's, Christmas dinner at the Morse's (Tom and DeeDee) and Easter dinner at the Springer's (Christina, Steven, Alora and Elijah) in Hood River.     

This year, in the true spirit of Thanksgiving, Amber and 

Chris reached out to their next door neighbors Randy, Sarah and their daughter Summer, who have only lived in Oregon for about 6 months; and the Springers reached out to their friends Jeff and Jessica and their 11 week old son Jackson, who just moved to Oregon from Orange County, CA, inviting them to all join us (Korenthals, Morses, and Springers) for dinner.   It was crowded and noisy, with eleven adults and six children, of whom the oldest was just over 2 1/2. But, we managed and everyone had a great time.   The four "F" were present:  FOOTBALL, FOOD, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS.   After everyone arrived, we pretty much settled into the guys downstairs watching football while the gals and kids were upstairs.  It was truly a great Thanksgiving, made more so by having the two families with us who were able to enjoy a "family" Thanksgiving even though they were new to the area and had no relatives in the area.

As you can see from the photos, there were people and kids everywhere and plenty of food for all.   This was Hanna's first Thanksgiving and she really enjoyed all the new food she experienced:  turkey, artichoke stuffing, pecan pie, and pumpkin pie.

Sore arms - Sunday, November 30, 2008

Yesterday we stopped at WalMart in St. Helens.   While shopping, Hanna bought a football.  Last night she and I went out in the street in the front of our house and threw the ball around for a little while.   It was dark and all we had for lighting was the street light, so we were not out very long as we could hardly see the ball.    This afternoon Hanna and I went back outside and threw the football for about half an hour.    Hanna was able to get a pretty good spiral on some of her throws.    Now for the down side - we both had to put a sports cream on our sore right arms.    I used a really stinky, menthol smelling cream and have just about been banished from the house.   Hanna was much more clever than I, as she used a cream with no odor.  But, now we can both brag about our football injuries to anyone who will listen.   

Update as of Tuesday, Dec 2nd.    Hanna's arm was fine by Monday morning.   I, however, am still sore.   The  best I could do was to lob the ball to Hanna, while she had some good zip on her throws - even though she had never thrown or caught a football before, she sure was in no danger from my throws.    Pretty poor performance on my part, since at one time, back in the Dark Ages, I could actually throw a baseball at over 90 MPH and a football with a pretty good flat spiral for 10 to 15 yards or so.

The Toyota is official - November 24, 2008

I finally got around to registering my Camry in Oregon.   All it took was getting the CA renewal notice in the mail, due 12/12/08, to get me to drive the 8 miles to the DMV office in St. Helens.   It took about 5 minutes to go over the paperwork and the very nice, polite, friendly DVM lady handed me my new plates.   $59 for two years.

REMINDER

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Update - Saturday Nov 15 to Sunday Nov 23, 2008

This last week was a normal, busy, typical week for us.    We had been planning to go to Gustav's German Restuarant in Beaverton for an "authentic" German dinner two weeks ago on Saturday Nov 8th .   Unfortunately, we could not go out that night, as I has some minor surgery the day before and just did not feel like going out.   Then the next Saturday, Nov 15th, DeeDee was not feeling well and again we decided to pospone going out for dinner. But, Hanna and I did go to the World Forestry Museum that day.  

 

Monday the 17th when Hanna got home from school she was really excited about what she had learned during wrestling practice.    And, every night this last week when she got home, Hanna was just as excited about all the new throws, takedowns, techniques, etc, that she had learned that day.    The only other girl on the wrestling team injured her knee Wednesday, so at this time, Hanna is the only girl on the team attending daily practice.    She gets paired up by weight and a- wrestling they go.  

Tuesday evening we all attended the Fall Sports Award ceremony at Scappoose High, where the Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, and Soccer teams were honored and outstanding student athletes received awards.   Afterwards, parents and athletes went to separate rooms to meet with their respective team members and coaches.    Hanna received a certificate as a member of the Cross Country Team (JV).   Two members of the team, a brother and sister, are ranked high in the state.    The girls CX Varsity team received a state Division championship award for their scholastic achievement.   Not only did the first five on the girls team have a 4.0 grade point average (the award is based on the five top members of the team), but all seven girls on the Varsity CX team had a 4.0 grade point average.

Thursday, we went to the Wrestling Team team meeting to meet the coaches.   After the meeting, when I was talking with the assistant coach, he said he was very impressed with Hanna's ability and they were really proud of her, her work ethic, and attitude.   We are very proud of her also, and know how proud Hanna's parents Dieter and Sabine must be back in Germany.  I can only imagine how daunting it may be, being the only girl on a team with 25 guys.  WAY TO GO, HANNA!!!

Well, last night we finally made it to Gustav's.   Not only was the food wonderful and very delicious, but Hanna pronounced it "authentic" and what you would get if you went to a restaurant in Germany.  Thank you Hanna for treating us to dinner.

Today, Sunday, Amber came over with Isaac and Abigail.   It was time for Abigail's lunch when they arrived and since Abigail just loves Hanna, Hanna and Abigail sat on the floor where Hanna fed Abigail.  You can see from the photos that they both enjoyed the experience.   I had fun watching Hanna's mouth as she subconsciously mimicked Abigail opening and closing her mouth as Hanna fed her.

After Abigail went down for her nap, Isaac, DeeDee and Amber went upstairs to the Craft Room to rubber stamp.   Isaac was doing pretty well, but got a little carried away and got stamping ink all over his shirt.   So, Grandma "loaned" Isaac one of her T-shirts.   It was just a little too big, but a large black paper clip at the back of the neck took care of most of the excess shirt, as you can see of the photos of the "best dressed rubber stamper in Scappoose".  Best dressed or not, Isaac still managed to get stamping ink all over himself.