Finally! Haley hits the 12 year mark!

After the wonderful trip to the beach last weekend (see following), Haley spent a quiet day with Mom and Dad today on her birthday. A minor disappointment was an eBay purchase made two weeks ago that didn't arrive. On the plus side, there were plenty of presents from Grandma and Grandpa, her friends, and a few extras from Mom and Dad. She even received well wishes from aunts and uncles and cousins in the Philippines. All in all, a very nice birthday for our wonderful daughter!


This is May 22nd, last Sunday, and Haley had the distinct pleasure of taking two of her good friends, Holly and Emily, to the beach to celebrate her upcoming birthday. We chose to go one weekend early because her birthday weekend is the Memorial Day holiday and we fully expect massive traffic to and from the beach.


Oh yeah! And here's Annie taking a moment to chat on her cell phone while standing on Rockaway Beach. Notice the beautiful weather!


And just for reference... Here's Haley one year ago at the same table in the same house! So cute!!

Nikes in the sky...

Memorial Day Weekend and these nike's are getting a well-deserved airing out.

Road Trip! (Haley Gets Early Birthday Wish)

Haley and friends spend the day at the Oregon beach! See details above...

Oh, and this picture was digitally altered by a free software product, Picasa! I was really surprised at all the edit features. This is the same software company owned by Google that uses "Hello" to post to this blog. Check it out ---> Picasa!


Here's a little idea of what picasa can do!

A Nice Quiet Mother's Day...

Annie woke up to Cafe Mocha Latte this morning. We bought her this little french press and some malaysian ground coffee. Haley used the "Bullet" blender to froth the milk with cocoa and whip some cream. She then made a great pancake breakfast.

After church we visited Mom and Dad at the farm and spent some time. The night before, Annie called her Mom in the Philippines to wish her a nice mother's day. Unfortunately, her mom was at a wedding so Melly was given the message.

Jogathon Means Lot of Running!

This once-a-year event helps raise money for the school. Haley and classmate, Robin, were the girls that put in the most laps (>5 miles) for the 6th grade. Haley's comment on seeing this picture... "I don't look happy".


And here is a great little trophy! You are awesome, Haley!


And finally, just for the record, Haley says she likes this picture. Reason? In her words, "It's the only picture I'm smiling in".

Basketball Season Ends Today!

The season ended today for Haley's 6th Grade team. It was a fun and exciting time for Haley and she really looks forward to next year!

Eskimo Girl Arrives!

Coming this May, Haley's school has an auction. We thought this "American Girl" doll and book would be a nice choice for someone to enjoy!

From American Girl:
Winner of an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award (2003)

White missionaries have come to 12-year-old Minuk’s tiny Yup’ik village. Other children run away from the newcomers, but Minuk is too curious to be afraid.

New customs are coming, too, but clothes are still made the traditional way. Minuk’s one-of-a-kind parka is sewn from arctic ground-squirrel pelts, with triangles of white caribou fur decorating the hood. Her wolverine-fur ruff and tassels and her caribou-fur boots with sealskin bottoms keep her warm and dry.

The clothes that her mother and grandmother sew with such skill and love keep Minuk safe through what turns out to be the darkest winter of her life.

9-inch Minuk™ doll includes stand and Minuk: Ashes in the Pathway paperback book by Kirkpatrick Hill.

Science Fair Tonite...

Haley chose to make a homemade "cooler" and then tested to see if it would cool hot liquids faster than letting the same hot liquid sit at room temperature. Her hypothesis was that the cooler, using evaporation, would cool faster. Unfortunately, her hypothesis was wrong. Seems the steam got caught inside the chamber and made a little "oven". Haley's future as a scientist may be limited, but she did win first place for her sixth grade class. Alright, Haley!

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!).