Basket Slough

My new favorite Wildlife Refuge is right at our back door. Basket Slough is located just a few miles out of Salem. Paul and I made a trip together and I snapped this great blue heron on the side of the road.






We also captured this sharp shinned hawk enjoying a noon meal.


A few days later I took Megan and Jesse to the refuge. Megan was the one who captured this great blue heron with my camera.





Megan also got this great picture of a male kestrel.


I know our robins are a common bird, but look at the colors this time of year! Megan was the photographer.














I was so excited to see this bald eagle near the hiking trail!

As we started up the path, Jesse followed the water trail...such a typical boy!















We came across a little herd of deer next to the trail and they were not afraid of us at all.





They are so fuzzy this time of year.















































Jesse is watching the deer and yelling, "Hi deer!" It didn't phase them.
We continued up the trail to catch the view at the top.

















Jesse is eating snow.


















This was the view over the top of the hill.
As we made our way back down the trail, the eagle returned to the same tree as before. It was quite a day!

Kristin's Birthday

It was nice to celebrate Kristin's birthday with her! We even tried out a new recipe: apple spice cake with warm caramel sauce. It was yummy!

Christmas Day

Santa really did come, and Paul loved his blanket from Kristin!














Matt, Anne and Jesse are enjoying gifts from Santa (and Kristin).


Kristin gave her dad one of her sketches. It was one of his favorite ones!











Kristin got some yummy soaps!

Becky loved her Elmo bag from Bill.

















Megan, Kristin and Becky are modeling the aprons Anne made for them.





There's nothing more special than having a little one around for Christmas! Andy's helping Jesse with his presents from Santa.







Megan thinks Santa is pretty great.
Christmas dinner with family...such a special time!

Spending Time With Family

We arrived at Will and Julie's during a very cold spell. I took this picture of Will as he cleared the snow in front of his house and a neighbor's as well. I hate to admit it, but when I went down the steps to take this picture I slipped and fell! I didn't hurt myself to badly, but I have a huge purple bruise as a souvenir for a while.

This is our new grandson, Luke!


















Bill brought a set of golf clubs just Billy's size. He was pretty pleased and proceeded to practice with plastic balls in the living room.
This is Drew. We couldn't believe how much each of the kids had grown!
















Billy and the other children are good helpers, and they love their little brother.


Drew and Papa are enjoying a book together.















The kids always love to play games on my iPhone...




Maggie's lost some teeth!













Drew loves his Star War figures...





Billy












One morning I snapped this picture as Billy prepared to walk to school with some neighbor friends.
Of course, I had to take plenty more pictures of our new grandson!
























































Luke and Julie...

Driving to Utah

Bill and I recently made a trip to Utah to visit our son Will's family and to see our new grandson, Luke. On the way we had to make a quick stop near Multnomah Falls to take some pictures! We saw several falls like this one which were almost completely frozen. They were very beautiful!

























Multnomah Falls

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Megan and I went back to the tree farm where I had taken Jesse earlier in the season. Jesse found the same dog he played with before and he was thrilled. All he wanted to do was throw sticks for him.



"Where did he go?"



We found our tree and headed home.


Jesse helped decorate the tree and enjoyed that very much!













Bill just put the star on top of the tree!

Today we discovered some "Reindeer Glasses" in the bottom of a Christmas box. Jesse wore them for about an hour!

















"Jingle Bear" gets a kiss...

Hunting Season

The guys (and gals) had a good hunt this year. Chris and Diane each got an elk. Bill didn't fill his tag this year, but he still had a good time. I decided to go with him the day after Thanksgiving because I haven't done that for several years. It was a beautiful day, and I loved being in the hills surrounding Tillamook.



One little road we hiked down was called "Root Ball Road." I think these guys gave it that name. Can you guess why?







Terry's white pick-up was at the top of the ridge where Diane got an elk earlier in the season.

While the guys visited on this landing, I decided to explore a nearby trail.















How blessed we are to live in such beautiful country!




























There is beauty in even the smallest parts of nature.







My brothers and I (Terry, Chris, Becky)
Terry, Chris and Bill














What a view!

Afterward, we stayed long enough at my mom's to enjoy a dinner she and Candy prepared. It had been a while since I spent time with all of my siblings and my mom! It was great!


The hunting party had their traditional picture taken before we left for home.
This was kind of the funny part. As we left Tillamook, we saw the elk herd that likes to hang out near the Blimp Base (they are protected there).












There were several bulls!