This weekend was the showing of the Portland Auto Show at the convention center downtown. On Saturday, 27 January, we picked up Jim & Vonnie Lash and found parking in the lower level of the convention center. I won't go into detail...I'll just share a few pictures. After we had seen everything we were interested in....Lunch at Olive Garden !!! Thank You, Jim & Vonnie...great time!!!

Saturday, 13 January, Jim & Vonnie came over to play cards and have a little dinner - pizza if I remember right :)  And, ofcourse, I got a birthday cake (with ice cream), a Keurig coffee tree (with coffee), a new Jeff Gordon shirt, and a framed Jeff Gordon puzzle! I AM SO SPOILED :)  Now, all of those items did not help my pinochle game at all! We got spanked by the girls!

Sunday, 14 January, our routine had changed a bit...we went to church at 9:00a.m. And got home around 10:45a.m. We packed our suitcase and took Carol's Corolla to Seven Feathers Resort in southern Oregon. Kinda my birthday and anniversary get-a-way. Great travelling weather for this time of year! We like staying here because they keep everything like new. Rooms are so clean and all of the grounds and pool area are kept so nice. We got our room on special for $39.00! No concert, but heard country band in the lounge - we listened from the passageway. We did watch the RAM's game on the big screen. Great game! The hot tub was working great! Both of us had MLK day off...but, we were home in the early afternoon.

Today, Sunday January 7th, after church we attended a "Service of Remembrance" that was sponsored by Kaiser Permanente Hospice Care Program. We submitted a picture of Mom Peters for their slide show. When we walked in, we were pleasantly surprised - there must have been around a hundred people attending.

It was a very nice service, remembering those who had passed away in 2017. Special music, candle lighting (when your loved one's name was read), and Reflection - by the chaplain. Very touching and emotional service! 

Now in December 2017...we had an exciting month!

Friday, the 1st, we went to Salem, OR to First Baptist Church to hear gospel groups Greater Vision and Legacy Five with Jim & Vonnie Lash. Enjoyed the concert so much and had dinner at Izzy's - Jim, you really need to return the silverware :) (joking, ofcourse). 

Saturday, the 9th, we drove to Skagit Valley, WA to see A Carpenter's Christmas concert with the Lash's. Weather and traffic were good. Concert was really good! We drove home Sunday morning and packed for Monday. 

Monday, December 11th, Carol and I  left Oregon for Ft. Collins, Colorado in our Honda CRV.

We spent the night in Twin Falls, Idaho and drove into Ft. Collins at about 4:00p.m. We stayed with Kelly and the kids for a few days. We got to see Nancy, my Mom, and Chris Wegner on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, the 17th, we got back on the road and headed for Twin Falls. And we got back home on Monday. Carol hurt her foot going down a set of stairs at Kelly's, so we tried to keep the swelling down and keep her feet up during the trip home. I went back to work on Thursday and Friday. Saturday, the 23rd, we had Christmas with Jim & Vonnie - they were leaving for Central Oregon. Sunday, December 24th we attended a candle light service at Valley Baptist Church in the morning service. Christmas Day we went to Hearthstone Retirement Community and took a couple of gifts to Millie Head. We got to visit with her and her son Tom for about an hour. 

Saturday, 30 December, was a car day - warm enough to wash both cars, change the oil, air filters, rotate tires on the Honda. They are ready for the road!!!



  

November flew by...and we enjoyed having Lynette and Ken her for Thanksgiving!!! Good family time! And way too much food and fun. Grand Ronde has the best buffet in the state!! (On the way to the coast!)

We had to run to get this picture before the sun went down! Sorry, it's so dark...but, I like the shadow effect.  This time together seemed like a blur...way too fast!!!

Carol and I had been talking about replacing the 2008 Toyota Yaris with something a little bigger that we could drive further than "just to work". So, we traded the Yaris in for a 2017 Corolla...Best move ever!!!

It's so easy to drive and has plenty of room for the two of us. It gets great gas mileage. We opted for the front end protection package - so, the painted surfaces (on the front end) are covered with a plastic coating (like a wrap). Super investment for miles and years to come!!

August started out with a visit from Nancy and Morgan Dyer from Denver. It was a scheduled visit prior to Mom Peters' passing. It was a time of reflection and a little travel to the coast.

We stopped at Willamette National Cemetery so Nancy and Morgan could see where Mom & Dad Peters are at rest. We took them to Lincoln City to visit the Christmas Cottage. Then, back to the airport on Wednesday, Aug.09th. Great to have them with us!

A new year...WOW...all the things that have happened since July!!! Some good some sad.

Let me start by saying "we really miss Mom Peters!" Shortly after we had moved her to Farmington Square, Mom passed away - July 18th.



 Carol has been a real trooper during this difficult time! Since she is the only living immediate relative; she's delt with insurance, rail road, social security, etc. etc. And, Carol made sure that Mom Peters wishes to be with Dad were carried out...Thanks to Willamette National Cemetery and Springer Funeral Home. Kaiser Hospice group was a true blessing...very professional and caring!