A BRIDGE TOO FAR 12/16/2012

During the previously told about storm before Thanksgiving, a log jam dammed up Hunter Creek that gently flows around our RV Park.  When that dam broke the creek course changed and flowed through our park.  This massive 4:00 AM wall of water met resistance at the clogged culverts at one section of our road. It then backed up again and flooded the park deeper, eventaully because of the continuing rain and the dammed culverts flowed over the road and washed it all away.  A temporary, narrow and scary road was put in a couple days later.  Then, last Saturday, a crew was able to come in and rebuild it.  It was fascinating to watch the men and equipment do their job.

 

I had to leave.  I was there for several hours.  By the next morning there was a road back in place.  Nope.  No picture of that yet.

THE RAIN FALLS SIDEWAYS HERE 12/12/2012

Sometimes when it rains here, the wind blows hard.  This causes the rain to fall sideways, strongly.  The roof may not leak, but we discovered through experience that the walls, widows and doors may.  After one recent rain and wind storm, we found that the water had penetrated a side door into our storage compartment under the trailer.  Very much wetness and mold.  Clean up time!

Unfortunately, we had stored a lot of family pictures down there that we have been scanning over the last several years.  Panic time.  But, due to Ann's attacking the problem head on, none were lost and very few damaged permanently.  Everything was re-dried and put in clean new boxes.

Wayne is blessed with a tender wife that knows how to fix his boo-boos!

FAMILY HOME EVENING 12/10/2012

We love the Gold Beach Branch (For you not acquainted with Mormon Jargon.... a Branch is a small congregation which is presided over by a Branch President, as compared to a normal sized congregation which is called a Ward which is presided over by a Bishop) .  What we lack in numbers, style and skill we make up for in personality, family atmosphere and love of each other and the gospel.  We have a social event about 2-4 times a month besides our normal church services.  Here is a snippet of a recent Family Home Evening (A time to gather the family together and teach each other about the gospel) held at the Branch

We had a live presentation about the birth of Christ.  Here Kenny counsels Joseph (Chris) on his upcoming part in the presentation.  Look behind Joseph and you'll see his wife, Mary (Tamera).

 Our narrator for the evening, One of The Three Wise Men (Brother Condie.)

We are very high tech here in Gold Beach.  Our performance was backed by a fine Power Point presentation.  Here, Mary sings of her upcoming child she hopes to hold in her arms soon. (Tamera is really pregnant too!!)

 Joseph joins in in the song singing his testimony of the events that led up to them expecting the Christ Child.

 The cast was supported by a cast of Angels We Heard On High......

 ...well, not really "On High", just over in the corner.  But they did sound angelic.  Recognize the red head?

 The Three Wise Men.  They are very wise!!!  One is Our County Asst. Dist. Attorney, one head of security at the local prison and one a music teacher.  Can you guess which is which?

As one of the few that sat in the audience for the whole performance (Most of the attendees were involved in the presentation in one form or another.)  I sat and tears welled up in my eyes.  Hollywood quality performance? No.  Cast of thousands?  Not even close...maybe 8.  Felt the Spirit of Christ's birth?  Yup!  Felt like we were home?  Yup!  Gathered with friends?  Yup!!
Here are two festively dressed audience members.  Home!

BECAUSE YOU ASKED 12/15/2012

Ann loves to walk on the beach, especially after or during a storm,

or when it's foggy,

  or sunny,

or when the wind blows,

or it is still,

 during high tide,

 or low tide,

  when there are driftwood arrangements to look at,

 in the morning,

 or the evening,

when there are waves crashing,

 or after they crashed.

Some of you have asked why we are settling down, have bought a house and are not raveling any more.  Wayne has a wife that loves the Oregon Coast.  She loves all time she can spend on the beach.  Wayne is stationary and on the coast because he loves his wife.

THANKFUL FAMILY 11/22/2012

After packing our bags, walking to Hwy 101 and waiting at Kissing Rock wayside, Ann and Wayne hitched a ride to Brookings, where we rented a car.  Ours was trapped, due to the road being washed out, in the RV Park where our trailer was parked.
We drove to Medford, OR and joined Ann's brother's family for Thanksgiving Festivities.  Later, Wednesday evening, we joined Wayne's brother's family at an Italian restaurant for dinner with all of them and two of our sons (Jared and Jed) and their families for an evening together.  Unfortunately, the camera was left back at Ann's brother's house, so there was no documentation of the gathering.  You, the reader, will have to take my word for it that there was lots of visiting, conversation and food accompanied by little kids running all over the place.  Luckily we were in a banquet room to ourselves!
The next day, Thanksgiving, the preparations began for the soon to follow feast, with many busy hands contributing in the preparation.

 Ann has always been the real cut up of the family!

 A niece and grand-niece add their part.

 Some of the men monitor the children and the TV.

 Ever wonder who the favorite uncle is?????

 Ummmmmm?

 The turkey cooker prepares to make gravy.

 And all chip in.

 More family continues to arrive.

 Cousins spend time comparing notes on child rearing.

 Keeping the little ones happy while the food is prepared is a full time job!

 Auntie Ann is always one of the favorites!

 So many kids!  Good thing Ann's brother and wife have a really big house!!

 The matriarch and patriarch of this gathering, Ann's brother and his wonderful wife.

 Ahhhh, we are getting closer to eating time!  Time to uncork the Martinelli's Sparkling Cider!!

 We begin to gather at the food bar!

 And the feast begins!  All 30 or so of us scattered all around the place!

 After dinner comes the attempt at gathering the troops for a group photo.

 Ahhh, aren't families grand!!!!

 Everyone look at the camera!

 Wait a minute, my phone is ringing!  Hey Where's John, Green Hornet and Wayne?  Mom, Jeremy's pinching me!

 Hey, my phone's ringing too!  Just a minute, I've gotta text Sam back.

 Later, Grandma and Green Hornet spend some time together while pie is eaten.  Eight pies and a cheese cake, all home made by various members of the family!

 Hey Grandma, your pocket is making funny noises and it is vibrating my bottom!!

 Now for the rest of the evening Mom talks to her other sons who call to wish her a Happy Thanksgiving as she sits next to our only son that was with us at the Huff Clan Gathering.

 And where's Green Hornet while Grandma talks on the phone?  Why, with Cousin Anna, of course, happily entertaining the rest of the troops with smiles and funny noises.

 So, after a night with some Cowleys and day with some Huffs, the next day we drove our rental car back to Brookings, OR, hitched a ride back to our trailer in Gold Beach and collapsed.  Contentedly and happily exhausted.  Where was Wayne the whole time?  Nursing a cold and behind the camera, of course!
Hope you all had a Happy, Family Filled Thanksgiving too!!