Musical celebrations

Peter began piano lessons in mid September this year.
On Saturday evening, he participated in his first Christmas Concert organized by his music teacher. He played "Stormy Blues".
Both boys have been taking violin lessons since late October. There is a lot of technique to learn i.e. "violin hold" and "bow hold" as Gideon is displaying.
Peter has begun putting bow to strings and quite enjoys himself.
Today was their first violin concert at the Creston Fiddlers Christmas Concert. They participated in Twinkle, Twinkle, Jingle Bells and Pop Goes the Weazel!

Sir Gideon's birthday

The grand day arrived for Sir Gideon to turn five! He was so excited to receive what he had been asking for repeatedly.


We surprised Gideon with the green binoculars, walkie talkie and compass from the Wildlife Centre. He had asked for it each visit to the Wildlife Centre but mom kept saying "No I purchased your hat already". One day, mom's coat had expanded during the visit without Peter or Gideon being aware (yes I paid for it too!).


Gideon requested homemade pumpkin pie for his birthday dessert. Mom had made her first one ever from scratch on Thanksgiving weekend -obviously it's a hit!


The birthday party was on Saturday with three of Gideon's friends. "Cars" was the theme of the party. Gideon was ecstatic to receive his first model car.

With "Lightning" speed, Gideon won the race of breaking the "McQueen" pinata! A sweet time was had by all.

Crater Lake beauty

We travelled inland in Oregon to Crater Lake, elevation 6, 178 ft. The Lake is a result of volcanic eruption many years ago.

We stayed at Diamond Lake where this sunset was captured.

Mist rising from Crater Lake.

Geographers studying the Crater Lake map route -33 miles around the lake.

While taking this photo, a lizard scooted by!Phantom ship in lake.
View from the other side.

Sightseeing on the Oregon coast

Cape Meares Lighthouse.Further down the coast...
Great interpretative centre where we saw a live whale in the ocean, stuffed ones to purchase...
...and bones of one!

Cape Blanco Lighthouse on a blustery, cold, foggy morning!

Battle Rock City Park, Port Orford, Oregon coast.
Capt. William Tichenor of the Steamship Sea Gull landed nine men on June 9, 1851, for the purpose of establishing a white settlement. This resulted in deadly conflict between the two cultures. For two weeks the nine were besieged on the island now called Battle Rock. Under cover of darkness, the party escapted north to Umpqua City. In July, Capt. Tichenor again arrived with a well-armed party of seventy men and established the settlement now called Port Orford.

More than 150 years later, men still do battle on this shore!

Oregon coast

Cannon Beach volcanic rock eruptions.


Near Cape Meares Lighthouse where we saw sea lions swimming.
The Cape Lookout State Park Beach where we did some beach combing, kite flying and watched the sunset.Discovering clam shells on the rock in the tide pool!

Visiting Cousins

We spent a lovely weekend visiting Lisa, Pearce and Noelle. It was a delight to reconnect after 15 years and have a bond of love and fellowship in Christ. We also had the priviledge of seeing Uncle Ted before his return home the next day:)

Gideon enjoyed "Peanut", named for her brain size.The 28-30 degree temperatures were enjoyed in the pool learning tricks from Pearce (thanks eh ,Pearce!)

We worshipped with and enjoyed the Lord's Day with Gary and Robin and their children and friends. Astonishing how the gene pool continues to show similarities from generation to generation (i.e. Gary or is that Ted on the right!).

Summertime blooms displaying God's glory here in our front flower bed. There were eleven buds yet to open!



A weekend of fishing and hooking daddy into doing all of mommy's tasks :) while she celebrated her sister's birthday.


....then reptiles! Courageous but ready to have this one removed.

And even touching it! Yes mommy wore one too - they're really smooth...hence the sales of snake skin shoes, purses....


Celebrating Joan's birthday (guess what her favourite veggie is - I think it's the best excuse for eating salt and butter:)
We drove hours, then up a logging road and hiked partially down the mountainside to reach this oasis of hot springs. Great for soothing aches and pains of work, cherry picking....

Gideon felt it was a little hot!


Thankfully the river was available to cool off in.

Art History Camp

Meghan graciously offered the Art History Camp at our home while visiting with her family. James, Andrew and Peter enjoyed the time together which ended with an Art Exhibit for family members.
A sampling of Peter's works from the Greeks to Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Van Eyck, Michelangelo and Mondrian paintings.