Wow! Is it really over?!

This picture of Beau captures the excitement of Christmas morning! He was so much fun to watch as he opened each gift.


Tucker found his present and began unwrapping it. Oh, how wonderful those pig ears are!

My cousin, Nicki, sent me a beautiful Brighton clock...I just love it. How did she know it was just what I wanted?!!!

Tiah and the kiddies! This was before all the merriment began on Christmas Day. I am so happy and thankful that Tiah shares her family with us on this special day. We just love 'em all!

Christmas Eve and new jammies!

Christmas Eve the kiddies got a very special phone call from their daddy in Afghanistan. He figured he would have a hard time trying to get through to them on Christmas Day, so he called on Christmas Eve and made it very special for three little kids. They just glowed as they spoke with their daddy. He is scheduled to come home in about a month or so. We can't wait!!!!

This was taken Christmas Eve after we drove around Pendleton looking at all the beautiful Christmas decorations people had on their homes. We found some pretty neat stuff out there.

I hope everyone had a very, very Merry Christmas! Now....on to this New Year!

Fun at Calli's Last Weekend

Calli and her snowman collection. Yup, she is quite the snowman collector!


The Gulick house with all their beautiful lights. How merry!


Briley and Taylor are READY for Christmas!

Check out the cave Grandma!

Briley and Taylor had lots of fun in their yard with all of the snow that had fallen. It is quite a change from Palm Springs, huh?

Thanks Calli and Sonny for a great time!

Chamber Christmas Party at Jean Eckles

Yesterday we had so much fun at our Chamber Office Christmas Party at Jean Eckles house. We missed April and Gail though! Here is our festive group in front of Jean's fireplace. Hey...Jean, what are you doing clear down there?


Just check out all the goodies we had to munch on! Whew, we have some really good cooks in the Chamber office. Thanks for sharing receipes girls!

Leslie loved her present from Aunt Shirley...Alicia was amazed with the beautiful ornament she received and Trish was playing "Vanna." What a group!

Yolanda, what can we say? She just loved her wine glass "foot wear". She was totally tickled with the little coasters for her wine glasses.



Jean, thanks a million for being a first rate hostess and showing us all such a good time. Your house is beautiful and we loved the tour!

Marathon Crop!

Saturday, Nov. 17th, was a "Christmas Crop", organized by Renee, Melisa and Ronda, at the Arts Center. We had plenty of room and there were quite a few ladies present.


Elfs Renee and Melisa were ready to get the show on the road when this photo was taken. Yup, the beginning of a loooong day!

Elf Ronda was ready to help those in need. Yup, she came to my rescue! What a gal!

Zona and Ronda working on one of our projects. It was so much fun!

Zona and myself with our finished Christmas Trees. I think this was one of my very favorite projects. Thank you girls for organizing all of this and taking all the time to put it together. It was so much fun to be with all of you again. Thank you, too, Zona for making it over from Ontario for all the fun!

Thank a Vet!

The service was held at Bishop Funeral Home in front of the Veteran's Memorials for all the wars.

Ms. Perry from BMCC sang the National Anthem and did a beautiful job!


Leslie Carnes, the Chamber Executive Director, gave the message.



Commander Tom Tangney during the ceremony.

Maxine Tangney placing the wreath on the memorial.

Taps....what more can be said.

I certainly hope everyone has the opportunity to "thank a Vet" today for all of our freedoms!

Childhood Church in Pilot Rock Burns

Photo by Teona Golden


This photo was taken from the back of the church. You can see the church is totally gone and the house next to it is gutted.


These photos were taken about 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, Nov. 11th. We had been having breakfast at Denny's and someone had told us about the fire...so after breakfast we went to Pilot Rock to view the damage. I was amazed, dazed, astounded at the loss!


I remember seeing my daughter, Tiah, and her "new" husband after their wedding on these steps! It just seems so final!



I couldn't resist this shot. The cornerstone of the church with the police tape in front...along with the black remains of the church on top of the cornerstone.

I guess the fire may have started in the church around 4-4:30 a.m. Neighbors across the street awoke to their dogs barking and went to quiet them. When opening their draperies they saw the church all aflame. The house next to the church (I remember as the Charlie Carnes home) was also destroyed.

New Haircut.....Oh My!!!

This is Tucker this morning before I took him to the Vet's for a grooming/clipping. He had no idea what would be in store for him. I think he is so cute and inquisitive. This photo will always make me remember how he lost his "puppy" look!


Here he is "jumping for Joy...oops, I mean "toy" after his clipping. Earl couldn't believe how funny he looked!


Things are looking up Tucker! You are a big boy now with that grown-up look!


He is pretty handsome with his new look. Of course, they gave me his "report card" after the grooming when I picked him up and said he was good..."for the first clipping in his life"! Hmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder what they will say next time. I think he probably didn't hold still much for them because I could see some pretty peculiar cuts in his hair (not skin) with the clippers on his head. I am assuming that he shook his head and growled/barked/and snapped all he could! Good Boy!!!

Trick or Treat!!!

Trick or Treat from the Chamber girls! We are ready for this Halloween Day and all that comes our way. Beginning at 3 p.m. we will have hundreds of little goblins find their way through our office searching for their Treats! Can't wait as it is always fun to see what kind of costumes that parents come up with. It was a very crispy, cold, frosty morning....brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I'm sure this Trick or Treat night will be equally cold! Have a happy Halloween!

Beau Turns "Crazy 8"

Just look at all those presents! This is Beau's favorite part of his big day! He had been reminding me for days that his birthday was on it's way and I needed to go present shopping!


I still can't believe Beau is 8 years old! Wow! He is such a big boy and so much fun to have around.

Those attending his party were: Mom, Tara, Megan, Dave, Grandpa Greg, Grandma Trini, and Earl. Loved the ice cream cake! Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Beautiful Fall!

On my trip to work yesterday morning, I couldn't resist taking these photos. As I was driving, I noticed these beautiful trees and had to take time to photograph them. Aren't they just beautiful. The morning air was crisp and clean and the colors gorgeous!


I hope you enjoy these...as much as I did. I'm hoping that I will have time to take a few more before all the leaves are gone.

Doesn't it just make you feel good to be alive? Take care and have a great day!

Tara is 14......on Tuesday!

Happy Birthday ... early, Tara! We celebrated Tara's 14th birthday today as her mom will be on a business trip the day of her actual birthday. She loves pie..more than cake, so we had lemon merigue pie for her birthday "cake". We couldn't find but only one candle in the cupboard and she was very understanding. So, no, she isn't one, but 13 more than that!


Her Grandpa Greg bought her a new basketball and sports bag. Of course, now we HAVE to call her "Pinkie"!! I can't wait to see her basketball shoes.

Those in attendance were Grandpa Greg, Mom, Dave, Grandma Trini, Earl, Beau and Megan...oh yes, Tucker, too. It was a fun afternoon...Happy Birthday Tara!

Four Amigos meet again!

Last night the "Four Amigos" had an opportunity to get together at Elvis' Bar and Grill for dinner, and share what is going on in each other's lives. We try to do this every so often. Some years it is more often than others, but we do make the attempt. We have been friends from the very beginning....life long....how special is that?! We have played together as children, went through those teenage years together, witnessed each other's weddings, births, children's marriages, etc. I feel so fortunate to have lifelong friends! These gals are very special folks in my book. Thanks Toni, Jean and Jackie for being part of my life! You girls rock!

We did share the event with Ron, Terry and Earl. Poor Jim hurt his back yesterday and was unable to attend.

Throughout the evening we did solve many problems....Measure 49, Measure 50, driving without seat belts, new ideas for Pilot Rock Community Days, whose running for President, etc. I think all of us did a pretty good job of voicing our opinions. What is so funny is, we are all on the same page of the book. Wow!

I'm looking forward to our next time! Thanks!

Pumpkin Patch Fun!

This is everyone (except our photographer, Earl) after collecting pumpkins in the patch.

Sonny helping Briley pick out his pumpkin! I think Briley found about four favorites, but had to narrow it down to just one.

Hmmmmm, everyone is just going every which way. Pumpkins were everywhere and the choices were very, very hard to make.

Megan, Calli, Tiah and Tara on the hayride out to the pumpkin patch. Looks like everyone is having so much fun!!!

Check out Taylor, Beau and Briley on the haywagon! Boy, were they hiped to head out into the pumpkin field.

We went to Bellinger Farms in Hermiston....our traditional outing. The day was perfect...lots of sun and family time!

I want to add more photos, but am having a hard time trying to get them to download. I tried for two days at home, then figured I would try the high speed internet at work, but I'm still having problems. Perhaps I can keep trying and add more photos later. RATS! Have a great day!