Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!!!!

When we woke up on Saturday, February 26, we knew it was going to be cold. I took this picture when it was a balmy 3 degrees, not the 1 degree when we first got out of bed. The fire was going, so all was good in Freezerville.

We left for California with temperatures in the 40s. We came home to this. Bend had 6-8 inches of snow. Then a few days later we added another 6-7 inches. Glenda's car is frozen in its tracks.

The sun was out this Saturday morning, but all of its heat must have been targeted for Pluto because we didn't get any. Finally, yesterday and today the weather moderated; we had sun; the snow melted off the roof, and I was able to clean the woodstove stack before leaving for Washington, DC. I know Glenda is smiling :)

California Dreamin'

What's not to like? Try 7 million people and smog on most days. But this day in February was stunningly gorgeous. Cathy and Don were so gracious to us, taking us to Santa Monica pier where we had lunch.

At Bubba Gump's.

Then a one day excursion to Santa Barbara where we mixed with the local folks in an antique shop and...

a restoration furniture shop. Look this sofa is even too deep for me--4 feet deep.

On another day Don, Cathy, Glenda, and I went for a walk around Bridgeport community--just another relaxing day.

Then, of course, there's bowling.

And more bowling, which is wonderful for us to reconnect with Don and Cathy's friends, who do remember us.

Well, we flew into pea soup fog in Portland on our way south. Two hours later we were enjoying 70 degree temperatures. As the weekend approached, the temperature climbed to the 80's. Ah, the joy of acquiring new freckles! We so appreciated our time with Cathy, Don, and Darryl. We learned a new card game, "Bikini," which was quite revealing. Naturally, Darryl beat the socks off all of us--we came home barefoot! We traveled to Santa Monica and breathed the really fresh air and warm sunshine. We drove by the house I lived in since I was six months old. Our daughter Christy saw it with us last year, and its shape is even worse now. There are multi-million dollar houses on the same block, and this one looks like it is a prop for the movie, "The Grapes of Wrath." By the time we headed back for Bouquet Canyon that afternoon, we met at least 3.5 million of the residents of Los Angeles as we all were going home. Give me Bend! We are so grateful for Don and Cathy taking the time to spend hours with us. On another evening we gathered at a Mexican restaurant to have dinner with my cousins and their kids. What a blast from the past! We drove to Santa Barbara, had lunch at The Shack, and cruised Main Street while enjoying the shops. It was cooler but very nice. We even enjoyed the Walk of Heroes, where Mark Vander Ark's footprints are glorious displayed. (Okay, so I made up that part; but I needed to say something grand since he's Glenda's boss.) We also enjoyed watching my sister and her husband bowl--Cathy won over $100 one night--that's when we discovered we were being charged room and board. All in all the week was very pleasant. The weather was fantastic--no smog, clear skies, and warm temperatures.

Continuing through the Weekend with All the Grandkids

Maggie is so content to be in Mom's arms. We were all rejoicing that everyone was home, healthy, and happy!

Before the park we went to Gracie's basketball game. She (13) and her cousin Hannah are on the same team. This is Gracie's second year playing.

Zoey enjoyed zooming on her bike at the park by their house. Grandma is trying her best to keep up. Two parks in one day--not bad at all.

We went to the park after all the kids got to ride the carousal. It was a beautiful day to be outside. There were all sorts of things to entertain the grandkids--and wear out the grandparents:)

Prince Porter aboard his mighty stallion, Clyde. He slew many dragons this day!

Wonderful, Amazing Week

Magnolia Raine is certainly a beautiful addition to the DeBacker/Miller family. We were planning for a natural delivery somewhere around the middle of January, and the Lord had designs for a great multitude of us to be on our knees for Maggie and Maryanne. Maggie was born on January 16 in critical condition. Glenda and I drove to Portland's Oregon Health and Science University Hospital on Tuesday. We were able to spend about three hours with Maryanne, AJ, Christy (our younger daughter), and Maggie before heading back to Bend. She was such a beautiful little girl with auburn hair. She was a fighter from the beginning and was released from NICU after 8 days. In the meantime, I flew to Washington, DC for WorldStrides and Christian Discoveries training for the upcoming season. The day I went to the airport to fly back to Oregon, a major snowstorm was moving into the area. Thankfully, I made it home as scheduled.

As soon as I got home, we repacked my bag and packed Glenda's things. On Thursday morning we were headed for Maryanne's home in Salem. It was a wonderful week playing with Porter (he was teaching us how to be a fireman using a vacuum cleaner), helping around the house with cleanup, washing, cooking, and yardwork, and of course enjoying Maggie. What an absolute doll!

God certainly did give Maryanne and AJ a miracle--Miracle Maggie.

2011 Trout Lake Expedition

In Central Oregon on our way home we were treated to God's splendor!

What a wonderful time to spend with Maryanne and Porter (and AJ not pictured). She is looking forward to welcoming Maggie into their lives early this month.

Well, we played Sorry; and sad to say there were some sorry individuals as Grandpa beat them. But the smiles and laughter prevailed, and Ruth's delicious ham dinner perked up all of us.

Here the snowmobilers elite are ready and willing.

Andy is off on another round with Zoey the Fearless.

And would any trip be complete to the snow without the snowmobile? Here Benjamin is taking on the toughest machine--known to even put fear in the heart of AJ.

Gracie was always out in front. What a go-getter!

Benjamin raced with the best of us. Of course, Grandma and Grandpa were on snowshoes.

Zoey was a trooper. She did an marvelous job, and her grandma was pleased as punch to keep up.

What a beautiful valley Trout Lake sits in, and the Rummels' resort (their home) commands this wonderful view. To say the least it was breathtaking--actually, I think the single digit temperatures did this to a large part.

Doesn't this picture say it all? The weekend was filled with grandkids, kids, friends, laughter, hugs, cold feet, toes, and hands. The meal planner (Christy) did an excellent job. All the cooks kept us well fed. Kate was remarkable in enduring the cold temperatures while being pulled in this sled by her Uncle Tobin.

December Moon

Well, we didn't stay up to see the eclipse; but I did go out last night on our snow-covered driveway and take a couple pictures of the full moon. I am always so in awe of what our Creator gave us. We can see the craters with our naked eyes, and a photo pales in comparison. Just a couple hours after this picture was taken, an eclipse began. A complete eclipse like the one last night has not been seen in the United States since 1638, long before the United States existed. Wow!

Our weather here has been wintery with lots of snow, which is appropriate since today is officially the first day of winter. Cheer up; spring is right around the corner. I also included a picture of our favorite friend during this time of the year.

Thanksgiving 2010

Even better than Maui in November is Thanksgiving with all our kids and grandkids. It was a snowy ride over the river and through the woods, but to Maryanne's house did we go. Then on Thanksgiving morning we headed for Andy and Ruth's house. What a wonderful day of game playing, talking, and eating. While together we planned Friday after a short shopping time--except for Christy who had to wait for over and hour to get her material cut at Joanne's.

Well, in the afternoon we took all the grandkids, except Kate, to climb a rock climbing wall. We all took part, and smiles were abundant after the fears were overcome. Andy took a family portrait for all of us. These are the times memories are made of.

On Saturday night we all drove to Tobin and Christy's house in Corvallis for a salmon dinner. We all got to enjoy the Rummels' new furniture. All too soon our Thanksgiving time was over.