The Newest Member of Our Family

I know what you're thinking...sheesh, we haven't heard from them in about a year. What can I say? Our kids are grown and gone and we're living a quiet life. Or, we were until about a month ago when we welcomed Ane (pronounced Ah-nay) into our family. Ane just turned 16 in May.
She and 21 other students arrived in Portland at the end of June. They are from the Basque region of Spain.





This is Ane with her good friend, Amaia (Ah-my-ya). Amaia's mom is one of Ane's school teachers.














We took Ane to the local Harley shop because her dad has a motorcycle.















One evening we provided Ane with two FIRSTS: a picnic and a hike (little walk) at Silver Falls State Park.



















Another host mom and I took our daughters on MAX to the Saturday Market. Saioa (Sigh-oh-ah) wanted to buy a "hippy shirt". Yeah, they still make and sell those here.
















Ane has cooked for us a couple of times. Here she is making Tortillas Potatas. It's a potato omelette. Hillary helped :)

The students were with their host families for 2 wks. and then were privileged to attend one week of Young Life camp in Antelope, OR. They zip-lined into a lake, did a ropes course, sunbathed, etc. and so forth, and also had club each day and evening. I wish I had pictures of the 80's theme night and formal night. Everyone had a great time. Ane said it was like being at a resort.

This week is relatively unscheduled so the students can be with their families and rest after camp. We know it will be hard to say farewell to them next Wed., the 27th. It's been a great experience for all involved.

Summer in Hawaii

This free scrapbook personalized with Smilebox

An Australian Adventure

This free slideshow customized with Smilebox

Memories May be Beautiful...

Remember the white ice cream bags we used to get. When you saw a rectangle box in a white bag with blue writing you knew good things were coming.

Remember the fire hydrant on our property on Ellen Street and the pyracantha berries under the front window?

Remember bologna sandwiches with mayonnaise?

Remember feeding the animals Friskies?

Remember Nate Bryant's car that was cola brown?

Remember when President Kennedy died? I remember dad saying he couldn't believe Jackie was going to walk behind the hearse. I kept thinking, now why would Jackie Hoelscher do that and how did she know the president?

Remember Rick Starcher in dad's bright striped robe chasing kids away...what was that story again?

Remember eating peaches from the garden that were still warm?

Hedge Funs

Ana and Joseph are deep into cutting back the jungles in the yards of Kona. With all the rain this year, the green growing stuff is winning. But it's not all work. They've been to the beach the last three afternoons after work.

Workin' in Paradise

Here's Ana and Joseph setting out for their first day of work with Lisa G., Lito and Pake the dog (pronounced pa kay').

Life in Retirement

Paul is spending his free time playing on the roof! Actually the house sold and he is trying to clean out a "V" area in the roof where leaves clog up the draining area. It's all fun, all day every day!