Haley Goes To The Tournament!

What a nice highlight for 2005. Haley, Mom and Dad, went to Eugene for the St. Paul Invitational Basketball tournament. There was one game Friday, February 18th. One game Saturday, February 19th. And one game Sunday, February 20th. Haley is a sixth grader but got to "play up" onto the 7th-8th grade team. It was a great experience for her and we really enjoyed seeing her play.

Going to the Big Dance!

Haley's real reason for wanting to go to the Eugene, Oregon basketball tournament... The Saturday night dance! Mom Annie looks almost as excited as Haley.

Box Headed for Philippines!

Several times a year, Annie fills boxes with goodies to send to her family in the Philippines. This is both a labor of love and a labor of, well, labor! Lots of basic needs are sent like school supplies, toiletries, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. And of course, Annie always finds nice toys and clothes for the children there. She is always on the lookout for bargains and even from the earliest years of our marriage she has been the, "Queen of Coupons"!

Everything has to be labeled and Annie double-checks to make sure no one is forgotten. She can put as much weight in each box as she can so she likes to send a lot of canned goods too. American magazines are very expensive there so Annie likes to top off the boxes with those we have. The boxes are stuffed so full they end up looking more like huge balls than regular boxes.

Four weeks from now when Annie calls the Philippines she will once again be greeted with excited relatives and neighbors who enjoy the "miniature Christmas" they get to experience each time a box arrives!


and these are two boxes ready to go out the door!

Distrcit Hoop Contest, McMinnville, Oregon

A rainy, drizzly day could not dampen the great spirits of Haley as she prepared to compete with other area girls for the Elk's Hoop Contest. The competition was fierce, Haley didn't place, but she did get a chance to see what she needs to do for next year's comptetition. You did great, Haley!

The Awards Banquet...

What a nice awards banquet. Haley really enjoyed being there and look at all she received: a trophy; tiny basketball; regulation basketball; Forest Grove Elk's Contest T-shirt; and two Trailblazer's basketball tickets! We went to the Blazer's game the following night and watched them play the Dallas Maverick's. It was our first professional game and it was a blast! Thank you, Elks!

Winning Forest Grove Hoop Contest...

An exciting Saturday! Haley got a call that the free throw contest was to be held today. She competed with the other 10-11 year old girls that had won at their different Forest Grove area schools.

Waiting to start...

And the top three... Haley wins her first free throw contest! This coming Wednesday she goes to an awards banquet, and then the following Saturday she will compete at the district level in McMinnville, Oregon. Good luck, Haley!

Elk's Hoop Shoot Finalist

Icy weather forced the cancellation of the local level Elk's "Hoop Shoot". Haley had competed at her grade school this last week and received a phone call saying she would represent the 10-11 year old girls. Not sure when the event will be held but at least we had a chance to see what the high school is like and to get this picture. Haley was impressed with how big the high school is!

Pajama Day!

Just another Pajama Day in Paradise. Not sure why but "Pajama Day" is part of a kick-off for a reading program at school. Reading at bedtime? Reading to go to sleep? Comfortable reading? Whatever, it sure beats those uniforms!

"Haley at the Park"

Even in the middle of winter, Haley shows her love of playing basketball by dragging her dad to the park!

Meanwhile, Annie is rocking out to Russian girl group, tATu while cooking! (photo credit goes to Haley. Hey, why is it she takes such better pictures than me?!)

"Waiting for Haley"

Here is a nice glimpse of everyday life in Oregon! Waiting for darling daughter. At her school they require us to get in line with our cars. Today, about ten cars up, the parent is standing next to their car idly talking with someone. That is why I'd like you all to put an emphasis on

"Waiting"

in my titled masterpiece, "Waiting for Haley".

The New Year is Here!

Okay, it was a tiny New Year's Eve party, just the three of us. But still fun! And we wish everyone a great New Year!

And we were invited to lunch at Perly's. Thank you! Sarap! (delicious!)

Are You Listening, Haley?

New Year's Message for Haley (Mom really loves you, really, she does!).

And here's your message from Dad (he loves you too!).

Haley in Concert!

Here are Mom and Dad, Haley and Annie at "The Grotto", a Catholic Holy Site in Portland, Oregon. Haley was a choir member for a 45 minute performance in the sanctuary. The choir and musicians traveled in one bus while us parents, family, and onlookers traveled in another bus. The theme during Christmas is "Festival of Lights" and they did not disappoint!

Me, too. I want to be in the picture!

Official Christmas Picture Posted.

Okay, THE official Christmas picture. Merry Christmas, everyone, and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Hot Christmas Models!

Once a year, Annie and Haley go to Annie's friend's house to do their "Christmas Modeling". Annie says this might be Haley's last year, seems she is getting so pretty she is making the other ladies think their own pictures aren't so good...

We Visit the New Quiznos in Forest Grove

So we received this $2.00 off coupon in the mail from Quiznos and decided as a family we'd check it out. After church we headed over and Annie snapped a picture. It was our first time trying the sandwiches. Haley and I split a honey mustard chicken and bacon sandwich. Annie enjoyed a bowl of broccoli cheese soup. I'd give it a two thumbs up! It is rare to get a nationally recognized franchise business all the way over here in Forest Grove. But with Pacific University only one block over I'll bet it is a good business decision. We'll be back!

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The Christmas Tree is Ready...

Haley and Annie spent the week getting the Christmas tree ready. We have one big container of saved ornaments and I think it is those saved memories from each year that become part of our new Christmas experience.

And this is Haley one year ago!

Haley on Grandma's Birthday...

Haley on Grandma's birthday!


And using lumapix fotofusion we have a nice photo card to put in with Christmas cards!

Tribute to Kharen

What better way to begin December and the Christmas season than a tribute to a loving and sweet niece in the Philippines! I met Kharen in 1999 when Annie, Haley and I went to the Philippines to celebrate Annie's littlest sister, Whilma's, wedding. In these photos you can see Kharen as a bridesmaid and a few assorted pictures over the years. The most recent pictures are from August of this summer when everyone was helping Lola Pitts (top right) enjoy her birthday.

And why a tribute to Kharen? Well, today I received my very first text message from the Philippines and it was from Kharen. Apparently text messaging is a big thing over there and she has recently been texting wife Annie's cell phone. I know little of texting (or cell phones!) but Annie showed me a website that would let me text using our computer (www.chikka.com) so I gave it a shot and this morning I had a text message from dear niece Kharen!

So "thank you, thank you, thank you", Kharen. You are still a true sweetheart! And since this is on the internet, available for all the world to see, please let me know if there are any eligible bachelors interested in meeting Kharen. Word has it she is still available and looking for love! At age 24 the clock is beginning to tick very loudly! LOL

Bless you, Kharen.