Ping Pong Champ!

On Derek's "drill list" we have down learning to play ping pong. Bob and I tried last night, but both of us had different techniques, which probably made Derek more confused than ever. Today Taylor went out and taught him a thing or two. Wow, he picked it up.

This is for you Heather, Gina, Jen, Jenny & Felicity!

Breakfast with the Missionaries

This year we celebrated Christmas on Wednesday. Rebecca and her family had to leave on Thursday, so we celebrated a few days early. Today, being December 25th, was going to be a quiet one. All the gifts are put away, the wrapping paper is swept up and it sure is quiet without the Bledsoes. But, we were very happy and honored to have the missionaries over for breakfast. Bob makes the best omelets! He cooked up left over ham, some hash browns, and we had some yummy Costco muffins as well.
It was so nice to have Elder Farnbach & Eaton over. Notice, they too like Capt. Crunch cereal. (Elder Farnbach likes to put eggnog in his cereal, but we passed on that request) The missionaries just get to call home 2 times a year, one being Christmas. Elder Eaton will call his parents later today, but Elder Farnbach got to call his family while he was here. I had tears in my eyes watching him dial his family. I'm sure they were so happy to hear his voice! Thank you missionary parents for sharing their sons with us here in Bend, Oregon.

You're never too old! Ho Ho Ho

Last night was the church Christmas party.
We had yummy food, great conversation, a cute program put on by the children, and than... you guessed it, the big man in the red suit showed up.
Derek was just as eager as the rest of the kids.
Thanks Santa and Santa's Elf for the great goody bag, and the nice little "visit". I sure hope you come through with the Kit Kat bar Derek wants! Merry Christmas to you.. Ho Ho Ho

Derek went to Delaney's 4year old Birthday Party

Abbey Davis, one of Rebecca's "bestest" friends invited Derek to her daughter Delaney's birthday party. Wow, Delaney turned 4 years old today. What a cute little princess Delaney is. The party was held at "Bouncing off the wall." Another place we haven't ever been (you'd think I don't get out much)to. There were huge slides and jumping castles, obstacles and much, much more.
Thanks Abbey and Delaney for including us in your special day!


We loved the cupcakes and the goodies bag was full of "FUN" Thanks again!!!
(We will be by for junk mail this week Abbey) Abbey does have great junk mail!

Rebecca's got Photography Skills

Rebecca has such photographer skills! She has been taking an on-line course, and wow, she is learning so much. Check out her blog and you'll see some great pictures.
She tried it with our family (Minus Taylor who didn't make it home for Thanksgiving). We weren't the greatest models, we were a little bit cold,but it was fun non-the-less. We did it in our front field (we don't irrigate this part), you'll see our house in the back distance. I will post several. Thanks Rebecca for practicing on us!

What we did Thanksgiving Weekend

It all started with a trip to the Central Oregon Livestock Action... It was time for Poor Number 9 to meet his death. After that, it was all fun and games!
Rebecca, Justin and the boys got here on Sunday night. Our house comes alive when the 4 of them come to visit. Trey loves hanging out with Derek, and Tian tries to keep up!

While they were here, we went to the Reindeer Farm. All these years of living here, we hadn't a clue it existed. Larissa & her family & Abbey and her family joined us. It was fun just trying to get close to them. Most of the herd were already "checked out" making appearances. I guess they are rented out a lot at this time of year. But we are able to say we saw them, and had fun being together.
Robert came along, and stayed over. The noise level raises with Uncle Robert around. The boys couldn't get enough of him.
We had Thanksgiving on Wed. since the Bledsoes had to head back to Idaho on Thursday. While the turkey was cooking (oops, who turned off the oven) we went to the snow. (As I'm typing this, I'm looking out at our fields that are covered in snow), but last month we had to travel to find it. We hooked up our trailor with the 4 and 6 wheelers, and some little sleds and went to Lava Butte to play in the snow.When Rebecca wasn't taking photo's she was having fun with the guys.

The boys love "GrandpaBend" He makes for a fun time. He can't wait for
Christmas so we can have some more fun! We are counting down days!

My new favorite tool... Thanks Terry

I called Terry Virgin this morning and asked this question, "How do fishermen make their holes to icefish?" He told me about this drill thing. Well, I certainly didn't want to put that on my Christmas list, so I thought I'd just stick to not doing a very good job with my shovel. Anyway, Terry, being the nice friend came over with his Pulaski Axe. He made 2 great watering holes that my cows are going to love (If I can do it again tomorrow) drinking from. Today when I went to work on the holes it was -12 degrees. Yup, it was cold.

Right now it is -4, better than last night so I may be in luck.
Thank you Terry for coming to my aid. I'm going to enjoy using your axe and hopefully will return it sooner than later. (Like I said Bob, please don't buy one for me, Terry said we can use it until the weather warms up...whenever that is!)

P.S.
I'm posting this Wednesday morning. I just came in from
"swinging" the axe and chipping away at the ice. It was a cold -7 degrees when I came in. Thank you again Terry for the Pulaski and for the ski mask. Now when you look at me in this picture you'd think that it was snowing. No it wasn't snowing, the ice that is being chipped away flies in my face along with the water, on my coat and on my legs, gloves too. But I was successful and kept pretty warm while doing it. If Derek had have been in the hallway while I was in the house looking for my camera, he certainly would have thought that there was a stranger in the house.

Lets see if my clothes dry out before I go out this afternoon.