Merry Christmas!

This evening we went to my mom's for our Stanton Christmas gathering. My sister, Mona and her kids were here from Spokane. She hasn't been here for a couple of Christmases so it was really nice to have them here. We picked up Rile'...Hunter didn't feel good. We missed having Andy (he had to work). It was a great evening!
Merry Christmas to everyone!

Our Family Christmas Eve 2007

We started our Christmas a little earlier than usual this year. We would only be seeing Andy with the kids Christmas Eve morning, so we were willing to adjust!
We had a great morning, starting with a little breakfast and of course opening lots of presents. It's always more fun when you have little ones around and this was no exception. We are so blessed to have our family close by!




Later on in the morning, Lamar's family came over. Although short, they were all able to see Andy and the kids too which they didn't think would happen. So, it was a special treat for them. We had a great feast...grazed most of the afternoon and even talked with Mahlon and Darlene on the phone for almost an hour! It was a very nice visit for all.

Ahhh, A DECORATED Christmas Tree

At last, our tree is decorated! Yay!
Now,
we can
sit back
and enjoy!

Stanton Christmas Party 2007

We had our annual Stanton Christmas party in Scappoose once again this year. Every year, we see changes...we had two new babies (our grandson, Hunter-3 months, and my brother, Ray's grandson, Christopher-4 months) and we also lost a great lady, Marsha Stanton (my dad's cousin by marriage). But, we had a great time getting together to catch up and celebrate Christmas. Until next year...

Hooray for Scappoose!

Brittany just called me from school. She told me that Scappoose HS students have volunteered their building to the Vernonia HS students who have been displaced because of the flood. They'll start school earlier in the morning and go through lunch and then Vernonia will use it the rest of the day until late afternoon. How cool is that?
I just thought I'd share that with you. It made me want to cry (but that's not saying much!)

Give Me A Break!

This is ridiculous! We got our Christmas tree set up on Monday...even put on the lights. Of course, that was after we discovered that half of them weren't working anymore. Then we pooped out and that poor container of Christmas tree decorations hasn't moved since. How sad is that?

Hunter's 3 months old!

We got the pleasure of having Hunter overnight last night. Boy, is he a charmer! He even slept five straight hours for me! That was a surprise bonus, of course!

Another visit

Andy came over with Rile' for a little while. It was a nice visit.
Right away, Rile' took her baby for a stroll.

Lonerock Thanksgiving Two

Three years ago, we traveled to the little town of Lonerock to share Thanks-
giving with our friends, Candi and Andy Beebe. Well, it was time to go back, so we loaded up the car with food, games and music, leaving the house a little before 7 am to start our 4 hour journey. By the time we got to the St. Johns Bridge in Portland, the rising sun was in the perfect spot for a good picture...Too bad we didn't stop!

The gorge was beautiful as always. The higher hills were topped with a fresh coating of white, fluffy snow.

The first sighting of Lonerock after the long journey is always a treat. Yup, that's it! Lonerock, population 15 (on a good day).

Thanksgiving Day, we all gathered in the Lonerock Community Church (a one-room historical church- 1898) for a simple time of sharing our Thanks to God. Some of us sang a special song. That's always fun.

Next...
time to eat
the feast! We did this at the Lonerock
Community Hall, of course!

Yum!
Yum!
Yum!!
After we stuffed ourselves, someone had the bright idea to play football...
on full
tummies...
wasn't pretty
(just kidding!)


Of course, we were all popsicles afterwards, so a huddle around the


woodstove (the primary source of heat in the community hall) was in order. The temp outside was in the mid 20's.

So...we had a great time...playing games...eating....watching old movies....eating...
hiking to the highest hill....eating...exploring the cemetery....eating...watching out for deer and cougars...eating. Did I mention that we ate...a lot!

Thank you, Candi and Andy for a WONDERFUL time! You're the greatest!!

'Til next time....
ta ta, friends!

Halloweenee Time

Because Brittany is now 17, we haven't really been trick or treating for awhile. So, it has been a renewed excitement just anticipating their arrival ringing that door bell. On our road, we don't get trick or treaters, which is also a bummer.

Rile' was a 50's girl...complete with pink poodle skirt. Hunter (who slept the whole time here) was a little pirate. Too cute!

Old Friends

Old friends are the best, aren't they! Candi and Andy Beebe go way back...
Anyway, they called us to say they would be coming out Portland way and if we'd have time..."Do we have time?!" So, the next evening they came and spent the night. We had lots of laughs. It was fun catching up on our lives. The next morning, Andy and Vanessa and the kids came over. They hadn't seen the kids yet. Special times for sure.

Brittany, The Birthday Girl!

Brittany turns 17 today...how did this happen? It couldn't have been 17 whole years since I was rocking her to sleep in my arms? I think of you that have babies right now. Yeah, I remember the sleepless, endless nights...well, sort of. I mean, I remember them, but those memories have faded a lot. What us moms remember most...is just the rocking...not the "why" we were rocking...and rocking...and rocking. Just the rocking.
Happy Birthday, baby girl!



Going through Brittany's baby album, I came across this picture of cousins,Matt and Melissa with our Andy and Brittany. Aren't they all so cute! 1991 was the year. Yup, it's true!

More Fall Pics!

OK, so I couldn't stand it...I just had to share more of the fall pictures that I took the other day. Everytime I look at all the color around here, it just makes me smile. If you haven't figured it out...fall is my favorite season for this reason.

Happy 60th Anniversary!

Lamar's parents celebrated their 60th anniversary on September 20th. Mahlon and Darlene came up from California and Todd and Melissa came down from Washington. It was a great time together for all!

Autumn Color

Before we left for the beach, I looked around our place and thought how beautiful the colors of the season were. When we came back home this afternoon and drove up our driveway, I couldn't help but notice that the colors were just popping everywhere. How could it have gotten any better? After unpacking and before it got any darker, I had to try to capture something "on film". It was just too beautiful to pass up. I feel like I was given a gift. So, now I share it with you.

Family Time

Ahh, the beach. We were able to get two nights at Seaside to help ease Lamar into his 51st year. He has the week off. Andy had vacation and Brittany had Monday off from school, so we went for it! It was a great time to have all four of us together on a trip. It's been a long time since we've been able to do that!
When we left, the weather report said that we would be there in the middle of a big storm, so we weren't counting on any "sand time". But, to our surprise, the storm held off and we had lots of time for walks on the beach. Perfect!

Our grandchildren

This is my favorite picture of us with our grandbabes. And it was harder to get than you realize! Seems like Rile' would much rather continue to be the center of attention. She didn't want to stand still for one second to be in...what? another picture of... the baby?? Not again!!! She's so cute!



Hunter is 10 days old! Rile' tried to share a puzzle piece with her baby brother the other day, giving him his first (of many more to come most likely) owie from his big sister. Oh well...he's still smiling!


Rile' had fun trying on Brittany's hair accessories. She's stylin!

Hunter Michael Friesen

Hunter Michael Friesen was born to Andy and Vanessa on Wednesday, August 29th (at 39 weeks). He weighs 8 lbs. 14 oz. and is 21" long.

Big sister, Rile' is not too sure about all of this. Although, we did hear that she "petted" her baby brother and said, "baby?" I think that's a good thing. When my sister, Mona was born, the first thing I did to her was slap her! That must have been a sight!

Friesen Family Reunion

Dennis and Marci, (Lamar's cousin) opened their home up so that we could all get together as Friesens. We even had perfect weather! You'd think that was a given in August, but not THIS August! We were all very thankful that it didn't rain. Everyone had a great time visiting and catching up. Even the bees enjoyed the wonderful food! THANK YOU, Brown Family! We love you!!





Rile' made new friends, meeting Emma and David. Emma and Rile' sat on the steps most of the time, getting to know one another. It was pretty cute!






Making the rounds...sitting on Great-grandma June's lap.


Friesen Brothers

We ended our visiting time relaxing on the front porch, chatting away with a cool breeze on our backs. Rile' even let Aunt Millie snuggle her to get her primed for her nap. Needless to say, this made BIG points with Aunt Millie! After a bit, she switched laps, going to her Nana and it didn't take long before she was snoozin' away.