Christmas 2015

 Hard to believe that Christmas is just 5 days away. We had our Burrows family Christmas on the weekend before Christmas this year. Martin's mother Penny came from Sheridan to spend several days with us and celebrate the season with the family. It has been quite the year for Martin and I. As you can see from this year's picture, we have lost our big gray wolfhound Sailor in September and now only have Cina. Cina was diagnosed with bone cancer at the end of November and is just beginning her chemo therapy with hopes to prolong her life as she is only 3. It really brings into focus the importance of living in the now and enjoying your blessings on a daily basis. I feel extremely fortunate to be retired this Christmas and to able to  spend time with the people closest to Martin and I.

 Martin and I went to the tree farm in Washougal the first week of December and cut down our tree. We have really been enjoying our mornings in front of our fireplace with Cina on her bed enjoying a cup of coffee and the Christmas decorations.

 Cina and I in front of our living room tree, I know I will treasure this picture of our "good girl"!

 Above is Molly with her boyfriend Dan, clearly they seem to be enjoying the festivities. Perhaps it is Brandon, seen below getting into the spirit of things by disguising himself as a package.

 Nice bow, Brandon, hard to believe that you are 12 years old!  Below is Kate, Martin's oldest daughter. I love to see her smiling face on Christmas or anytime!

 Kate is working Christmas Eve and Christmas day, so I am happy she was able to take Saturday night off to come to the party.

 Anna, with her great grandmother Penny. I love her fancy holiday dress, though she claims she doesn't like her holiday shoes which were edited out of this picture.

 Brandon with his great grandmother Penny. He is really becoming quite the handsome young man.

 Martin's mother, daughters, grandchildren and significant other. Looking good people!

I'm finishing up this blog with a picture of Martin thrown into the crowd for good measure. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Family Christmas 2014

 Family got together tonight to celebrate our Christmas. It was wonderful that Martin's mother was able to make the trip to join us it made the party even more special.

 Molly and Anna waiting for us to open presents.

 Josh and Bhri waiting for the festivities to begin.

 Great opportunity to spend time together and catch up on what has been happening.

 Everyone seems to be enjoying the holiday dinner Martin and I prepared.

 Eat more, we have a huge turkey!

 Martin's mom and Ray with the wolfhounds and together below.

Great family gathering, Merry Christmas everyone!

Streets Alive

Today we went on the "Streets Alive Loop" in downtown Vancouver.  This was a 4.2 mile loop closed to autos for this event...just bikers, walkers, and we even saw one horse.  Along the way were booths with activities for kids, and stuff of interest for grownups, as well as food booths and treats of various kinds.  We went with Molly and Brandon.  Unfortunately Anna was sick today so had to stay home with her dad.

Here's Brandon getting electronically fingerprinted, at a Kids ID booth.

Molly, Brandon and Marlene on the walk.  We went through lots of interesting Vancouver neighborhoods, as well as through downtown, and a stop at the farmers market.

And interesting intersection along the walk.

A rear view of the intrepid walkers

Brandon getting a free judo kicking lesson

Tree hugger but he wouldn't put his hand in the trees mouth for some reason

The Final Days

Our one week vacation has almost come to an end. Friday was my 62nd Birthday, and Marlene got me a fantastic cake to celebrate. One of the best we've ever had I believe. It was a me me me kind of day: Presents in the morning, a Movie in the afternoon, ( Ironman 2) a little shopping for new shirts and tennis shoes, and then dinner at Tads Chicken and Dumplings. Then home for cake.

Today we celebrated memorial day with Molly, Rob, Kids and Maxine. The kids tried out their bikes in front of the house, and we grilled burgers in the back. It actually warmed up a bit and the rain took a break!

It was a great week, sorry to see it end.

More Wallowa Photos

It was such an incredibly beautiful place, I wanted to include more of what we saw. Top is Barking Mad Farm; View from the in laws backyard; Downtown Enterprise; Bronze horse in downtown Joseph and Molly with dogs in our room at Barking Mad.

Enterprise and Joseph OR

Well, Martin, Molly, the dogs and I piled into the van and headed for Eastern Oregon. It was a beautiful drive and we saw a little of every kind of weather. At 4100 feet in the Blue Mountains we even saw sleet. We are hoping to avoid bad weather when we head for home. Martin's mom is so excited to have us here. We have been able to spend lots of time with her and explore the area around Joseph and Enterprise. Molly is staying with her grandmother and Martin and I are staying at Barking Mad Farm in Enterprise. A great bed and breakfast who even accepts our huge guys. Diana the proprietor with her husband Hunter is an accomplished photographer and we had the wolfhounds pictures taken while we were here. Poor Guido didn't make the cut but we did get some good photos of him as well. The dogs are enjoying the 8 fenced in acres at the B&B as well as the half acre at grandma's. We are going out to eat at a Mexican Restaurant tonight in Enterprise. Spent the afternoon in Joseph and around Wallowa Lake. Above the post is Martin and Sailor enjoying the roadtrip; Guido in the field at Barking Mad Farm; Martin, Sailor and Guido at Barking Mad; Martin and I at the Wallowa County Courthouse; Martin and his mom at Lake Wallowa; and Molly and her grandmother in Joseph. Tomorrow back on the road!