Thursday, August 20, 2009
Peas are blooming
Every morning I go out and sit on the back deck with my breakfast. I usually check the garden just to see how it is doing. This morning I noticed that my peas are blossoming. It will be great to have snap peas for dinner and in salads with my spinach. Now we just need some tomatoes to go along with it.
Greg's Visit
Greg came to Oregon to attend a wedding with his friend, Erin and was with us for a week. They went white water rafting on Deschutes River, attended the wedding, went to Multnomah Falls and the Vista House before Erin left on Monday afternoon. Erin has all those pictures as my camera seemed to be tired and stayed at home. But before Greg left yesterday, we did some other things and I did remember the camera for our day excursion around Mt. Hood on Tuesday.
This is Mt. Hood near The Meadows ski resort. There isn't much snow left but the view was beautiful anyway. Aren't those two men handsome??? :-)
There was a great waterfall on a side road that we stopped to see. Very calming and peaceful.
We got great pictures of the Gorge on the road back toward Portland.
We stopped at Bonneville Dam to see the fish that were still trying to swim up the Columbia River. Phil is looking at one of the old propellers from the Dam Powerhouse.
There is a fish hatchery next door with a 10 foot sturgeon there. He was huge!!!
The rainbow trout ponds were fun to watch. Some little kids were feeding them so they looked pretty healthy.
Before returning home, we stopped at Salty's - a great seafood place on the Columbia River. We sat outside and shared very tasty dinners . A great visit with Greg and wonderful memories to remember.
This is Mt. Hood near The Meadows ski resort. There isn't much snow left but the view was beautiful anyway. Aren't those two men handsome??? :-)
There was a great waterfall on a side road that we stopped to see. Very calming and peaceful.
We got great pictures of the Gorge on the road back toward Portland. 
We stopped at Bonneville Dam to see the fish that were still trying to swim up the Columbia River. Phil is looking at one of the old propellers from the Dam Powerhouse.
There is a fish hatchery next door with a 10 foot sturgeon there. He was huge!!!
The rainbow trout ponds were fun to watch. Some little kids were feeding them so they looked pretty healthy.
Before returning home, we stopped at Salty's - a great seafood place on the Columbia River. We sat outside and shared very tasty dinners . A great visit with Greg and wonderful memories to remember. 
Monday, August 17, 2009
Garden Growth
I went out to check my garden today after our trip to Michigan. WOW!!! Things grew while we were gone.
Here are my peas and the first batch of radishes.
Yummy spinach for dinner tonight.
Tomatoes are huge but no tomatoes on them. I have one big one that you cannot see but it is still green. Hopefully there will be some soon. Can't wait to have a good tomato to eat.
Here are my peas and the first batch of radishes. 
Yummy spinach for dinner tonight.
Tomatoes are huge but no tomatoes on them. I have one big one that you cannot see but it is still green. Hopefully there will be some soon. Can't wait to have a good tomato to eat. Saturday, August 15, 2009
Project at Moms
Before we left for Michigan, my Mom said that she had a project for Phil to do. At first she didn't want to tell us what it was but I convinced her that it would be best that we bring the right clothing and tools if needed. So, she wanted Phil to work on her upstairs windows - re-glazing them so that they don't fall out. They are about 40 years old, the glaze sparse and the paint pretty much gone. So Phil cleaned them up, stripped out the old glaze, re-glazed, primed and painted the four sets of upstairs windows.
Phil priming the windows at the back of the house.
My sister, Ginny, her husband, Tom and their granddaughter, Macy came over to help. Macy had her favorite Wall-E shirt on and posed pretty for us. While Macy was in with us, her Grandpa Tom was out cutting a few low limbs off of Gramma G's trees so she doesn't get hit while mowing her grass.
While Tom was up on the ladder discussing the next project to do, they noticed that the flashing on the bay window was bad and probably the reason for occasional water leaks in her dining room. So, they fixed that as well as a few shingles on the front of the house.
I had another chance to do a little more cleaning and organized a couple of cupboards for her. We also recycled a few boxes of jars that she had in her basement. Thanks Tom and Ginny for your help with this project. Just wait until we return for the next one. :-)
Phil priming the windows at the back of the house.
My sister, Ginny, her husband, Tom and their granddaughter, Macy came over to help. Macy had her favorite Wall-E shirt on and posed pretty for us. While Macy was in with us, her Grandpa Tom was out cutting a few low limbs off of Gramma G's trees so she doesn't get hit while mowing her grass. 
While Tom was up on the ladder discussing the next project to do, they noticed that the flashing on the bay window was bad and probably the reason for occasional water leaks in her dining room. So, they fixed that as well as a few shingles on the front of the house. 
I had another chance to do a little more cleaning and organized a couple of cupboards for her. We also recycled a few boxes of jars that she had in her basement. Thanks Tom and Ginny for your help with this project. Just wait until we return for the next one. :-)A visit to Chicago and meeting Bill
After the wedding festivities, Phil and I decided to spend a little more time with Kevin and Kerry so we went to Chicago on Saturday. We had not yet met the new dog addition to the family, Bill McGill, so it was a must to meet the pooch. However, we not be asked back again. We went to dinner on Saturday evening and the air conditioning was not working when we got back. :-/ Then on Sunday, although it was extremely hot and humid (95 with 95% humidity), we tried our best to stay cool with the fans. We went out to dinner again so that we could all get cool. Upon our arrival back, we stopped to visit the neighbors and the transformer in the back alley blew - thus no electricity for even the fans. :-{ Yes it was hot, and kinda miserable with the weather, BUT we had a great time hanging out with and enjoyed our stay with Kevin and Kerry. :-)
Here is Bill looking out the window with Kevin for his visitors.
It was hot, but that didn't stop Bill from flopping on my lap to get up close and personal with the Mom.
Patterson is as handsome as ever and was very excited to see us as well. However, he has bad hips and it was so sad to see him struggle to sit down.
While there, even though it was roughly 105 degrees on the back porch, Kevin and Phil needed to brew a batch together. (See the LaVoy Boys Brewing Blog for the update on this brew) This is a turkey cooker that Kevin has fixed to do his boiling so he doesn't heat up (or stink up) the kitchen.
Lollapalozza was in town (a huge concert of many different bands in Grants Park and thousands of people) so a few of Kevin's friends from high school came by to take a load off their feet. (Eric, Lori, Brian, Kerry, Kevin)
Brian and Eric were giving Kevin and Phil moral support while they stirred the pot.
Kevin is mixing up his brew into the yeast from the last brew - he uses a screwdriver with a special stirrer - does a great job and you don't have to lift the bottle up and shake it. Yep - a new tool that Phil will probably have to get.
Kerry has this really neat quilt from her Nana that the doggies have loved a little too much. I took pictures to see if it is feasible to try my hand at a second one.
Kerry really has a green thumb in the gardens. This is the front garden from the top of the stairs.
Phil is out inspecting Kerry's garden in the back, taken from the back porch. They have put in as many boxes as possible in a small area as well as some containers and they are all thriving - including the radishes that Bill loves to sneak.
The back garden from the parking pad.
The front garden from the front walkway.
We had to leave and get back to Grams to help her with a special project she had for Phil to do (see next blog for the update on that one). So Bill watched us leave from the front window. See you soon, Bill.
Here is Bill looking out the window with Kevin for his visitors. 
It was hot, but that didn't stop Bill from flopping on my lap to get up close and personal with the Mom.
Patterson is as handsome as ever and was very excited to see us as well. However, he has bad hips and it was so sad to see him struggle to sit down. 
While there, even though it was roughly 105 degrees on the back porch, Kevin and Phil needed to brew a batch together. (See the LaVoy Boys Brewing Blog for the update on this brew) This is a turkey cooker that Kevin has fixed to do his boiling so he doesn't heat up (or stink up) the kitchen. 
Lollapalozza was in town (a huge concert of many different bands in Grants Park and thousands of people) so a few of Kevin's friends from high school came by to take a load off their feet. (Eric, Lori, Brian, Kerry, Kevin)
Brian and Eric were giving Kevin and Phil moral support while they stirred the pot.
Kevin is mixing up his brew into the yeast from the last brew - he uses a screwdriver with a special stirrer - does a great job and you don't have to lift the bottle up and shake it. Yep - a new tool that Phil will probably have to get.
Kerry has this really neat quilt from her Nana that the doggies have loved a little too much. I took pictures to see if it is feasible to try my hand at a second one.
Kerry really has a green thumb in the gardens. This is the front garden from the top of the stairs.
Phil is out inspecting Kerry's garden in the back, taken from the back porch. They have put in as many boxes as possible in a small area as well as some containers and they are all thriving - including the radishes that Bill loves to sneak.
The back garden from the parking pad. 
The front garden from the front walkway.
We had to leave and get back to Grams to help her with a special project she had for Phil to do (see next blog for the update on that one). So Bill watched us leave from the front window. See you soon, Bill.Family Pictures
We were able to get some great candid shots of the family.
The Country Inn and Suites welcomed us on their welcome board in the front lobby.
Greg and friend, Erin, waited patiently for the pictures to be done. Erin held the rings, marriage license and bouquets when needed - a very important job.
The Chamberlains - Dad Mike, Dan, Jennifer, Julie, John and Mom Rita. 
My brother, John, came in from Texas so we shot a pic of him, Kerry, Kevin, Gram and Mary Ann.
Our family photo - we are just loverly!!! :-)
Kevin and Kerry wearing great smiles for the camera.
My younger brother, Steven, also came in from Texas for the wedding, surprising Mom. This is the first time in eight years we were all together again. (front: Ginny, Teri, Mom and Mary Ann; back: Steve, John, Frank).
We wanted a pic with the spouses as well so here we all are: Front: Ginny, Phil, Teri, Gram, Mary Ann, Jerome; Back: Tom, Steven, Rena, John, Carolyn and Frank. We missed John's wife, Ruth, who could not get away from her job in Texas.
The Country Inn and Suites welcomed us on their welcome board in the front lobby. Greg and friend, Erin, waited patiently for the pictures to be done. Erin held the rings, marriage license and bouquets when needed - a very important job.
The Chamberlains - Dad Mike, Dan, Jennifer, Julie, John and Mom Rita. 
My brother, John, came in from Texas so we shot a pic of him, Kerry, Kevin, Gram and Mary Ann.
Our family photo - we are just loverly!!! :-)
Kevin and Kerry wearing great smiles for the camera.
My younger brother, Steven, also came in from Texas for the wedding, surprising Mom. This is the first time in eight years we were all together again. (front: Ginny, Teri, Mom and Mary Ann; back: Steve, John, Frank).
We wanted a pic with the spouses as well so here we all are: Front: Ginny, Phil, Teri, Gram, Mary Ann, Jerome; Back: Tom, Steven, Rena, John, Carolyn and Frank. We missed John's wife, Ruth, who could not get away from her job in Texas. The Wedding of Nick and Julie LaVoy
August 7, 2009 - a wonderful day for the LaVoy Family. Nick married Julie, his princess and we had a wonderful day in Lansing for the wedding. I know there are a lot of pictures here, but I placed only a few of the 298 that I took. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
The girls - Audra, Corie, Julie, Jennifer, Siobhan and Angela - are waiting for the wedding rehearsal to begin.
The guys - Richard, Blake, Matt, Greg, Kevin, Nick and Phil - are hanging out in back before the rehearsal.
Javier, Winter Rose and Maria were ready for the fun to begin.
Because the ceremony was to begin at 6:30 pm, all the pictures were taken beforehand. Aren't they a beautiful looking group of guys and gals??? :-) 
We are so very happy to have Julie be a part of our family.
Gram looked wonderful in her flowery flowing dress. A special picture of them all.
Dad and son waiting for the festivities to begin. Ah, so handsome.
Special moments with my son.
The formal shot of all the attendants in St. Gerard's Catholic Church.
Julie was beautiful in her flowing beaded gown.
Nick is waiting for his princess to arrive at the altar.
Here comes the Bride!!!
The vows are spoken.
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas R. LaVoy!!!
The reception was held at the Grand Ledge Opera House. There was a balcony around the top and the wedding party danced their way onto the main floor where the guests were awaiting their entrance. Quite fun.
Jennifer is Julie's sister and did a wonderful toast to the bride and groom.
Greg had a tough act to follow but did a marvelous job on his toast as well.
The cake was not only beautiful but it was very yummy. The flowers at the top were the bridal bouquet that Julie threw to the single girls.
The first dance of the evening by the newlyweds.
"The Dancing Queen" Julie enjoyed her wedding and danced the night away.
Gram and Nick had a special time dancing. She enjoyed here dances with all her grandsons, sons-in-law as well as Rena from Texas.
The night was over and we gathered at their apartment on Saturday afternoon to open gifts. Thank you to all of you who attended, who sent wishes and who prayed for the happy couple. It was a wonderful ceremony, a true prince and princess happily ever after story. God Bless them both.
The girls - Audra, Corie, Julie, Jennifer, Siobhan and Angela - are waiting for the wedding rehearsal to begin.
The guys - Richard, Blake, Matt, Greg, Kevin, Nick and Phil - are hanging out in back before the rehearsal.
Javier, Winter Rose and Maria were ready for the fun to begin.
Because the ceremony was to begin at 6:30 pm, all the pictures were taken beforehand. Aren't they a beautiful looking group of guys and gals??? :-) 
We are so very happy to have Julie be a part of our family.
Gram looked wonderful in her flowery flowing dress. A special picture of them all.
Dad and son waiting for the festivities to begin. Ah, so handsome.
Special moments with my son.
The formal shot of all the attendants in St. Gerard's Catholic Church.
Julie was beautiful in her flowing beaded gown.
Nick is waiting for his princess to arrive at the altar.
Here comes the Bride!!!
The vows are spoken.
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas R. LaVoy!!!
The reception was held at the Grand Ledge Opera House. There was a balcony around the top and the wedding party danced their way onto the main floor where the guests were awaiting their entrance. Quite fun.
Jennifer is Julie's sister and did a wonderful toast to the bride and groom.
Greg had a tough act to follow but did a marvelous job on his toast as well.
The cake was not only beautiful but it was very yummy. The flowers at the top were the bridal bouquet that Julie threw to the single girls.
The first dance of the evening by the newlyweds.
"The Dancing Queen" Julie enjoyed her wedding and danced the night away.
Gram and Nick had a special time dancing. She enjoyed here dances with all her grandsons, sons-in-law as well as Rena from Texas.
The night was over and we gathered at their apartment on Saturday afternoon to open gifts. Thank you to all of you who attended, who sent wishes and who prayed for the happy couple. It was a wonderful ceremony, a true prince and princess happily ever after story. God Bless them both.
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