Cousins Together

The Funky Cool Kid

A Cornhusker

When Papa and Vada Speak

Watermelon Girl

Dressing Up Bigly

Haying Rules

Happy Ryan

Vada and First Tractor Ride
Tractor Fascination

Tree Cutting




Vada Posing

Oreos
Where did the Oreo come from? This article will tell the story. Bet you like Oreos too and would like to know.
Nicolas and Bob the Builder

Scott and Halloween
Red Robin Party

Ryan Loves His Fruit

Nicolas' Apple Tree

Firepit Season

Scott's Firepit First Phase

Jesse and Dervish

Apples Nibbled

Spider, Spider

Ryan and Trains


43rd Anniversary
Scott's Walkup

Bob and Wine Birthdays

Cake for Jesse

Jesse's Pizza Party

Jesse and Papa Bob

Jesse First Birthday

Moving Day

House Painting

Jesse Too

Dusting

One Big Appetite

Jesse The Mimic

Water Fights

Watermelon Boy

Birthday Cake

Nicolas' Ninth

Ryan Using Chopsticks

The Strawberry Kid

Ryan Turns Three


Anniversary of a Passing

Student of the Month

Happy Birthday Scott
A good place to be at 33 in this day and age with an economy that doesn't allow as many to get ahead as they did in past years.
We went out and had dinner at the 1847 Grill at the Boulders Inn. A good place for dinner and happy hour.
Birthday Dinner
Breakfast With Family

Valentine's Day 2016

Jesse Betrayed

Brudders Together

Looking Up

Lavendar Room

Scott's New House

When You Are 64
2016
Our Boys

Tablet Toys

Monopoly Winner

David and Renee Together

Holiday Tree

Jesse's First Christmas

Christmas Eve 2015

Christmas At School

Ham Or A Dead Pig


Ryan Loves to Eat

Jesse At The Christmas Bazaar

Jesse and a Friend

Thanksgiving 2016

Sunsetting On My Day

Samwich Partners

Brothers For Sale

Serious Bob

Happy Jesse

Breakfast with the Family
Part of the family went out to breakfast this morning at Korner Kitchen.
I was able to capture these photos.
David and Jesse

Ryan (with Jesse's cap) and Renee

Happy Birthday, David
Today is David's —th birthday, so Happy Birthday, son.

Nathan and the Pumpkins
King of Straw Mountain

Pumpkin Patch

What a Pair

Jungle Boy

Three Little Owl Hats

A Ryan Day

Ryan and the Pumpkins

Pumpkin Boys


Kids Say the Darnedest Things
Spectacular Boys

Apple Tree

Train Boy

Being Cool

Family BBQ
David and Renee

State Fair

42 Years
It was a quiet one of a couple of appointments, getting our TSA pre check applications submitted. A definite easier way to travel. Now we have to hope for our documents to come soon.
Off to a Night in Portland
Jesse's Party

Baby Cake

Boys, Boys, Boys

Happy 62nd Birthday, Bob
Jesse Hard at Work

Family Pics with Jesse


Jesse Lewis Thayer is Here

Ryan and First Ear of Corn


111 Degrees
Mixed Up Twins
Ryan Determined
s
Best Fort Around
It is very funny to see Ryan sit in one of the small chairs and pat the bigger one for his "Papa" to join him in the fort area.

Playset Almost There

Play Structure Construction

Play

Jumping Bean

Cantaloupe Lover

Young Baseball Fan

Sadness

From better days out in McDowell Creek…….

Eight Years Old

Memorial Day 2015
I came across an article that discusses our soldiers, their sacrifice and our disconnect from understanding their heroism during war…………especially our Medal of Honor recipients. The article can be found here on Powerline, the best blog out there on the internet.
Speaking of Arlington Cemetery, a place never to be missed in one's lifetime, the history of origin of this fascinating and humbling place can be read here.

Kittens

Readying the Gravesites

Cupcake Train
Ryan says "Hurry up and get this train on track for the candle lighting and then eating"

Here come the candles!

Best 2.0 Birthday Evah

Cheering PaPa On

Near The Finish

Bob At The 5K Run

Choo Choo

Easter and Family

Apartment Burning

How Does That Work?

Coloring With Grandpa

Ryan, Little Flirt

Dinner with Relatives
Mick, Janet, and Lindsay

Lindsay, Kathy, Jim, and Bob

Bob, Kim, and Mitch

Birthdays at 63
Fennel sausage, peppers, and provolone cheese pizza

So good the fork didn't want to get out of the way.

New Year's Eve Home Cooking
Family Over 40 Years
Dual Use Bike

Christmas Day, Round Two
Ryan got to see what more goodies came from the other side of his family.

Christmas Eve, Round One


Christmas Presents 2014

Bob Can Fly

Our 2014 Christmas Tree

Family and Friends
Meanwhile, back at the other Thayer’s homestead, some were gathered around the Christmas tree getting it decorated. We could use their help here.


2014 Wreath Making

Battleship Kid

The next minute you are ready to take over the world with your own Battleship, go Ryan…

Ryan and the Big Bed


Duchess of Devonshire
Grandma's Work Clone
Ryan at the computer desk at his home

Breakfast at the Other Thayers
Ryan at the breakfast table when all is said and done.

Aunt Doris

Tired Little Boy
the sleep of the innocent.

Mowing Weeds
I did grab some McDonald’s food to eat since I was a bit hungry. To know how the McDonald in McDonald’s is, check it out here.
Moving Day
New Cowboy Boots

Ryan Hello Speak
Nicolas is a Cat Veterinarian Trainee

Dueling Birthday Cakes

The Watermelon Kid


The Shirtless Bunch

Watermelon Loving Boy
What watermelon are you talking about?

This watermelon!

A Birthday for Bob
Speed Baby

Tug of War

Popsicle Boy


The Fourth
Mr. Tumbles

Super Heroes to Rescue
This is why we need little super heroes who can attack the big bad monsters in this world before they destroy our backyard swing set.

MiniMe Pirates

Dread Pirate Robert

Super Hero Birthday

Nicolas the Bold

Super Hero Tea Cakes
Babies, dogs and balls

Nicolas the Bold

First Birthday Party

Birthday Boy is One

Two of a Kind

Nicolas the Pirate

Lebanon Race Day

Stroller Babies


Kids and AgFest

Nicolas at the alpaca area
After this area, we went to the Pavilion where they had booths for kids to learn how to graft apple trees, grow grass seeds, grow vegetables like tomatoes and how to raise bees. It was a sensory overload for Nicolas through the whole visit.
Easter Eggs and Little Boys

Easter 2014
Dancing Baby

Dad

Starter Marriages and Happiness
Jasmine is a Trackie

Tractor Work

Renee's Birthday

Birthday Parties

Tree Damage

Valentine's Day 2014

Jazzy Jasmine


Another Day, Another Smile


Men Time


Long Day
Getting Stronger


Birthday Coastal Trip

Sitting With Grandchildren
Bob did a great grandpa job with both of them. He had Ryan for a short time trying to do a little standing, even if wobbly, on his two little legs.

Jasmine's 12th Birthday

First Christmas with Ryan
Ryan’s first Christmas in Berlin

Shasta, Nicolas, and Denver are IPod movie watching

The adults are all settled in for Christmas dinner in 2013. Yum!!!

Still a Blondie

2013 Christmas Concert

Kids and Storybook Land

Family Gathering
I just tried to take it easy and relax after a morning of baking the sweet rolls. Renee did post a cute photo of the boys. She gets good ones at candid moments.

Post Thanksgiving

Six Months

New Cousins

Remembering Mom
Tigger Tigers
What is Faux?
David at 34
40th Anniversary
Coquille Lighthouse at Bandon

Thoughtfulness

Thanks for the Memories


Another “Papa Bob” with Ryan.

Turning 60

Here he is with Ryan and Nicolas. Scott and Melissa, David and Renee, and our in-laws, Bob and Sandee, came out to BBQ and celebrate his birthday. Just a busy day with getting ready, eating lots of good food, and family on a sunny day. Nicolas had been eating strawberries that are still getting ripe in the garden.

A Trailer Full of Kids

Camping
Here is Ryan watching while his Dad and his Grandpa are getting the last minute preps done before driving to the campground.

Grandpa Bob and Ryan after trailer is set up.

Potluck Baby

Independence the American Way
Ryan’s first 4th of July and he is all decked out.

Nicolas and Nathan getting down to the business of fun

And then the fireworks!! (too busy eating to add in a photo of food)

Replacements

Family Teriyaki

Hunkered Down

Father's Day

One Month, One Year
Here Is Hoping


Crashed

Water Gun Wars

The Bike Teacher

Backyard Birthday Bash

Chillin'?

Grumpy Cat Child?


Grandpa Referee

Ryan or Bear?

Bubble Making

Then a big highlight for a Mom times Two to the second degree (Grandma) and Ryan

Mother's Day
To entertain the kids, a large bubble maker was brought out. Most popped pretty quickly though a “double bubble” did float over the house and was caught “on film”.

Like Father, Like Son?


Father and Son


David, shortly after coming home. A close resemblance to Ryan?
Note the strategically placed arm to make this photo acceptable for all audiences.

Big Brother


Ryan Dale Thayer


A beaming Grandpa and Ryan
Seven Years



Christian Closet
Barbeque Night


Happy 30th

Easter

Grandma Love

Aunts

Uncle Raymond and Aunt Doris

Aunt Doris and Nancy
Eyes on the Prize

Welcome Cousin Ryan from Nathan

Family Time

Renee

Renee and Melisa
Showers for Baby


Boys and Tractors

Small Accomplishments
February Organizing
Valentine's
God Made A Farmer
Birthdays


Knox County Nebraska

Boyd County Nebraska

Christmas Memories

Early Christmas
Renee’s parents, Bob and Sandee, came to join us for dinner and that was a very nice addition.
Here is the table set for guests and a 2012 Christmas.

Renee, Nicolas, and David

Shasta, Melissa, Denver, Scott, and Jasmine

Little Hobbits
Just want to share the look of two of our little hobbits in the extended family. Nicolas and Nathan displaying their musical talents while waiting for William and Elizabeth’s wedding. What little gentlemen in their suits.

End of an Era

Memories of 25 years of Civic Feline Clinic in 2008……….

Getting Close

It's A Boy

Wedding Daze

Wendy,William and Elizabeth working on the the music presentation during the ceremony with slides.

Babies All
Christmas Program
Trimming Christmas Trees

Mixture
There was a white elephant gift exchange. Our gift of a P-Touch labeler was traded a few times, so it was popular.We ended up with a book, “How Mrs. Santa Saved Christmas”. We will probably give that to Jasmine or one of the families to enjoy. All in all, it was a nice evening had by all.
Today is also December 7, the day that will live in Infamy--Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. In memory of all who we lost that day.

Christmas Tree Ceremony
David sent on this photo of Renee and Nicolas while they were waiting for ceremonial functions to start.

Waiting for the Meal
David’s nephew, Nathan Lewis, is such a good photographic subject. Here he is, waiting for his part of the Thanksgiving meal. In the end, I think he wanted to play more around the house than he wanted any part of the good food.

Black Fridays

Family at Thanksgiving
It was special to get together with others for Thanksgiving. The first time in several years where I did not do the meal at home. It really was a strange feeling to not be responsible for a whole production……..lightening the load though those leftovers are nice to have handy for other meals. This is the first year shared with a new daughter-in-law and grandson. Just part of being thankful on this holiday. David and Renee here just before the sitting down to dinner.

Great Classic Movies

Happy Halloween
Nicolas was dressed as Captain America and it was a very cute costume (as shown).

World War II Remembered
My father joined the Army before the war started and was stationed in Central America on Trinidad Island and Panama. Dad was in Panama from what I understand when the war started. He spent the War stationed at the Pentagon where he claimed he was a clerk. I like to think he knew secrets that helped win the War for the Allies.

Special Rocks

Garden Bounty
On another note, I am adding in a photo taken just outside Goldendale of an old, unoccupied house. The surrounding ground was interesting and there was a squirrel sitting on top of the chimney too.

River Sculptures

I did make Bob and Scott a bit perturbed on our trip back from Quincy WA last Sunday when I asked to stop to take a photo of an interesting art sculpture on the Columbia River at a park next to Vantage WA. “Really, you have to stop to do this?” Sarcasm really ups the ante and makes one dig in their heels. So, off I went to get my photo before the sun set in the West shortly after. I think the photo was worth it on multiple levels.

Gals and Guys
Here is Kimberly, Kathy’s mom, Lou, and my sister-in-law, Janet, holding down the discussion.

Family Salute to a Soldier

Mitch in his uniform with his sister, Kimberly. Kimberly is getting a master’s degree in food quality assurance at Washington State University (Go Cougs!). Very impressive uniform and status for Mitch!

Quiet Day


Men's Lives
Here is a photo of my mother and father together. This article makes me think of the example they set for me and how they helped make me the strong woman I am. I do not feel I am being “warred upon” other than my intelligence by a political party that wants to get ahead.

Patriot's Day

Early Moon

On another note, it is incredibly sad to watch the distress and heartbreak of this mother who lost her military SEAL son in war while our Commander in Chief(s) worry more about the impact of it going wrong for them than our soldiers.
Homespun Missionary


Moon Rising

Land and Family History
My great-great grandfather settled this area in 1852 when he came with his parents and siblings from Missouri over the Oregon Trail. This was a donation land claim. We now have 40 acres left of the original land claim and one always wonders if that can continue due to the challenges of family, work, and taxes. Is change so inevitable? Is there a way to ensure such history carries on? Or should one accept that change happens and may be for the best? All I know is that I am proud to state that my dad, grandmother, etc. were born and raised here. The family came to find new land and a place to practice their Baptist religion. Below is a picture of the house my Dad grew up in. It unfortunately burned down sometime around when he went into military service. (VT)

A Big Book Sale


I can’t pass up the opportunity to mention a story that really hit my interest in books. The author, Larry McMurtry, has owned 4 used bookstores in the town of Archer City, Texas. Each building has thousands of books!
He recently held what he called the Last Book Sale to bring the numbers down as he closes up the bookstores. The books were sold in boxes of topic or interest type. Powell’s books seems to have left with scores of boxes of auctioned books. Mr. McMurtry hoped to turn this town into another Hay-on Wye, which I have visited three times in Wales (just over the border from England). It is the book lover’s paradise. His idea never panned out for Archer City. It would have been a wonderful dream and experience to attend this Last Book Sale. I just go to the modest ones here in Lebanon, though the sales at the library branch in Walnut Creek could be crazy with book buyers grabbing all the best books they could haul. (VT)
Kids Like Pizza Too

A Bobble Birthday
Bob didn’t know until later in the day, though Mr. Suspicious KNEW that something was up. Renee’s grandmother’s birthday is tomorrow and the family planned a reunion get together at James Gang Pizza for family. We joined in since it is Bob’s birthday. It was fun and it was nice to have both David and Scott and extended families there to spend time with us. Renee got a raspberry creme cake and it was finished by all present. Very thoughtful of her to do this since I could not and try to keep hiding the surprise part (which never is with Mr. Suspicious).
All in all, we hope Bob had a good birthday and you can enjoy some cake too!

Heat
I must say I was proud of taking care of the odds and ends. I had to get the new-used Kodak photo printer I got at the yard sale up and software loaded and working on my HP laptop. Then, a 2 TB back up hard drive that I used for my Macbook laptop stopped reading. So that required a replacement and switching hard drives to accommodate all the computers. It pays to have a back up after the Macbook went “poof” a few weeks ago. Time Capsule worked great as a backup and way to look at what my original drive was like. Whew!
Really hot today, should be up to 100 degrees or better. Most likely the hottest day of the year. I like the sun though it makes it hard to sleep at night. Harder too for the dogs to be comfortable outdoors. When it is this hot, people are out splashing in water fountains like this scene from St. Louis last July. (VT)

Haying
I do have fond memories of haying season when I was a youngster. My father would mow the fields with a side mower, rake it, and then bale it. Equipment was always tricky to keep running. It could be hot and dry work, usually dusty too. We would eat our lunch or take breaks out under the oak or fir trees. Dad would get his pickup or a tractor and trailer to pick up the bales with a hay crew. Bales would be cross-stacked 3 to 5 rows high, brought back to the barns and stacked in the lower floors or up the hay conveyor to the attic floors.
It is getting harder to find people to do this and especially the field around the house. We should think of other ways to use the land since this is less optimum year after year. (VT)

Fire Station and Fire Corps
Podcast

Fire Corp volunteer, Bob Thayer
Our local Fire Station is the center of our community. Captain Dan Hartman (one to the right) keeps this local fire station in tip top shape. He and his wife, Connie, make the station as accessible as possible to community gatherings. The fire station and volunteers help protect our homes, lower our insurance rates, and offer that gathering spot. Our volunteers, like Jared pictured with Dan, make this system work for the safety of all of us.

To demonstrate the importance of the Fire Station, the following is a photo of the local fire truck leaving the station to attend a fire call in Lebanon. There was an electrical fire under a house’s porch and the owners were fortunate to be home to see the smoke and call in a fire emergency. Here are our hard-working volunteers headed out.

Community Sale and Potluck

Community Sale

Wedding Photos
Who wants to dwell on boring news. A number of the wedding photos have come back for David and Renee. It was a lovely wedding and the photos have turned out very nice. I would like to see more of how our place looked after all of the hard work undertaken for the wedding. We think it all went well and people enjoyed themselves while here. One can be proud of everyone’s efforts in all of this and the outcome.

David, Renee, and Nicolas
County Fair
Me, I like to wander over to the “fair food” section and scope out the “not good for you” goodies. The curly french fries, the brick of fries, corn dogs, elephant ears, and had a sample of deep fried apple slices-- Yum! I made a quick trip around the exhibits, mostly the photography part, just to see what I can aspire to. I didn’t make it out to the animal barns or to the pig races.
It is great to see faces you know and talk to neighbors while there.I used to exhibit sheep and cattle at the fair when in high school so I get very sentimental with all of this. A sense of community is important........especially noted after the Aurora CO gun attack on a movie theatre the same day. That city is pulling together and supporting each other. Living in a small community does give that sense of closeness. That is also why we have tried to stay active in Neighborhood Watch and promote the program at prior Linn County Fairs (see photo). (VT)

America's Birthday...Happy 4th of July
I found a few photos from a trip to Maryland. My way of celebrating from the land of the Canucks. (VT)

And now to say again...........HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!
(Bang........bang.......pop..pop................BANG!

O' Canada
Sunday, July 1, was Canada Day. We decided to participate in the local town’s festivities (Annapolis Royal). We first went downtown to visit the shops and see the local museums. The first one we visited, Sinclair Museum, was small yet interesting. It was an example of an Acadian tavern from the 1700’s that showed the wood and stone structure through cut-outs of the walls and floors. Just outside we saw one of the town cats strolling the sidewalk greeting people.

Or observed two Westies and a Scottie checking out the wooden boardwalk with their owner.

At 11:30 a.m., we were at the town hall steps listening to the Town Crier and his two young apprentices, along with the Mayor of Annapolis Royal, read the Canada Day proclamation. We joined in to wave Canadian flags and sing O’Canada. While I respect the Queen and wish her all health, I cannot sing God Save The Queen since we did have a Revolution to not have royalty as our head of government. Bells were rung, proclamations unfurled, and a flag raised.

We followed the crowd from the city hall along the path to Fort Royal to the Canada cake cutting and hot dog grilling area. The local band played several wonderful songs under the shade trees near the battlements. In another area, there were try outs for a future town crier. “Hear Ye, Hear Ye, my name is “Oliver Stephen Bonnington” was firmly shouted while ringing the bell.

The people were very friendly and as we were leaving, Oliver’s Dad came over and wished us a wonderful rest of our vacation. It was very special to see how this little ceremony demonstrated the pride and enjoyment the Canadians have in their traditions. They were supportive of each other and their community. We visited Fort Royal’s museum before we left the festivities and learned about its function as a military fort for the area. There had been 13 major battles there and the fort had changed hands 7 times over its history.
Later that afternoon, we ventured off to the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. The Gardens are highly regarded and a wonderful place to view. The roses were so fragrant, especially one variety, the Mrs. John Laing, from 1887. It had a tangy, sweet smell. (VT)

New Additions
During the first week of June, we got a call from my cousin across the road asking if our dog, Adder, was loose. They had a black Lab-type dog in their yard. We could see him from our bedroom window. Over the next 36 hours, we kept seeing this same dog running up and down Berlin Rd. He was frantic and would not allow us to come close. We could hear buses and trucks honking at him along the road. Eventually, Bob and another neighbor got him to approach and they could put a leash on him. Over the following two weeks, he fit into our family and was neutered, licensed, vaccinated, and microchipped. His name is “Whirling Dervish”, “Dervish” for short, since he was so active and panicked when he joined us. Welcome to the family,“Dervish”.
Powell-McKinney Reunion
The church is now the Vineyard Providence Church and it makes a nice gathering place for the annual reunion. Inside the chapel, there is a lovely large wood cross with a draped red robe across it. (VT)
