3 dogs, 2 cats & a boy

Snow 2012

2012-01-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

happy holidays!!!

2011-12-06T11:26:00.000-08:00

A Summer Visit to Tillamook

2011-06-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Cape Meres Lighthouse

Penny and Riley waiting for Mat to return from inside the lighthouse.

View from the trail back to the parking lot from the lighthouse.

The watch tower at the Tillamook Forest Center.

We climbed to the top to see how it was done in the old days.

A view from the top of the watch tower looking down at the Forest Center.

Another view from the top looking out towards the highway.

A great view from the suspension bridge of the river.

Mat and the girls hiking down the beach...right before Penny took off again chasing the seagulls.

The coolest mini VW van ever...too bad it wasn't in running and condition so Mat and I could steal it for our travels.

Out & About with Mat

2011-04-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area II - Time to Feed the Elk

2011-01-14T15:40:00.000-08:00

On on cold and windy morning in January, Mat and I ventured up to Jewell, OR (on the way to the northern coast). While trying to get our barrings on which way to go, we nearly met our fate when a quick and sprite little deer came romping down from the hillside to right in front of Ginger (the car). The deer was only shaken and quickly got his wits about him to hop up and continue on his way. Mat and I on the other hand, were a little more distraught, not for the possible damage to the car or us, but to the deer. Mat assured me that he would be fine and was probably already on his way into the forest on the other side of the road.

We arrived at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area before 9am, our departure time. There were only four other people who were going to go feed with us. This was going to be a great day!

It was quite chilly and windy. I layered up for the ride and hunkered down for the 20 mph (if that) trip down the roads pulled by a tractor. Mat and I cuddled up and I also shivered under the fleed blanket, but nothing really helped.

When we arrived at the first field you could instantly tell that the elk knew it was feeding time. All began to wander our way, just knowing that there would soon be flakes of alfalfa on the ground for them to much on.

The first group was mostly cows with a few young bucks. The second field was all bucks. As we departed the first field and headed toward the second, you could again, see the elks heads pop up and begin to head our way. I got a few pictures of Mat feeding in the second field as well as a short little video.

We are for sure going to go feed again next year! If you are interested in going and feeding the elk next year as well, I have attached the website for your use.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/visitors/jewell_meadows_wildlife_area.asp

Happy New Year!

happy holidays

2010-11-28T14:10:00.001-08:00

Our Home Away from Home - Corvallis in the Fall

2010-11-15T19:51:00.001-08:00

Our fall has been quite busy. Many weekends since late September/early October have been spent down in Corvallis at my parent's house. Mat wanted to build a 'treasure box' out of oak for all of his treasures. We started off by going to a small town on the way to Bend to select wood. Then we took the wood to my parents house to begin.
After the first weekend and then the second, I decided that I needed my own project to work on, so my mom and I decided to make Penny and Jack fleece coats. They turned out fabulously! (Mat, by the way, has a new idea to add LED lights to them, instead of just the reflective tape...our next project).
The dogs were constant companions, whispering the way to Corvallis in Mat's ear. Ahnook usually sits up front with Mat, but for some weird reason on one trip, he decided to take the back seat with Penny and me. Yes, we finally figured out how to travel all together in my small car, boys up front, girls in back. The is especially helpful because Ahnook is quite territorial and less fighting on the way down = a happier trip for all.
So, below are several shots from our many weekends in fabulous Corvallis in the fall at my parent's house...thanks mom and dad for letting us invade your space for the last few months! No doubt, we will have more projects that will require the use of dad's shop! Love you both very much, and Jack too!

Penny's Big Adventure - Meeting Jack

2010-07-24T20:22:00.001-07:00

Oregon Country Fair - July 2010

2010-07-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

Montana Trip - June 2010

2010-07-20T20:31:00.000-07:00

Ashland Trip - May 2010

2010-07-16T19:20:00.001-07:00

http://www.willowwittranch.com/

Washington Visit - Watson Furniture Group

2010-05-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

http://watsonfurniture.com/

The Kids

2010-05-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

That's My Boy - Ahnook!

2010-05-19T19:14:00.001-07:00

A Visit to Corvallis

2010-05-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

The Garden Continued

2010-05-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

The New Craze - Stop Action Movie Making

2010-04-05T18:51:00.001-07:00

Well, Easter Sunday, Mat and I set out to create a short stop action movie. Actually, I was just the assistant and set director/artist. Mat is the brains behind the operation. He has recently gotten into playing war games with teeny tiny miniture figures. He has boxes of them from a guy he plays with. We used a few of these minitures to create the movie. About 120 pictures later, and a quick stream of running through the images, we have a short 30 second or so movie. Once Mat gets it all finished up, I'll post it.
You can see how images were shot and even how we had to make some quick last minute adjusments to the back drop when it began to fall over into the scene. Good thing we had some spare chop sticks and scotch tape around the house.
As for the critters, they weren't too interested in what we were doing. The one that showed the most interest was Murphy and that was only because there were boxes involved and something new to lay down on.

The All American Garden

2010-02-28T13:14:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Jim and Ann for letting us share their backyard to create a garden space for the 2010 season! Yesterday we all started the garden by tilling up a patch approximately 20ft by 35ft. Jim and Mat were the handy men on the til and Ann and I racked up the rough clots of grass to get them out of the way. The neighbors chickens came by to sample the worms and Iggy and Lola (Jim and Ann's dogs) were great supervisors throughout the day, making sure were keeping our eyes on the prize of a bountiful garden by the summer! Yesterday we planted 2 blueberry bushes, Golden raspberries and Logan raspberries. Next weekend, we will be adding a few more early planting seeds to the garden and as the weather warms up, we will be adding more.

Penny's Post Surgery

2010-02-28T13:06:00.001-08:00

Great news from Dr. Healy, Penny's vet, the biopsy revealed just a benign mass. The mass was self-contained and all surrounding areas that might have been an issue were successfully removed. Penny will be getting her stitches/staples out Wednesday, 3/3, but will mostly need to wear her glorious cone for a little bit longer due to the itchiness of the healing. She has already taken a few good swipes without the cone on and irritated the spot a bit. All in all, Penny is a good patient and in great spirits and totally back to her happy go lucky loving self!

Penny's Surgery

2010-02-19T08:32:00.001-08:00

Penny's surgery went well yesterday. The small mass on her jaw line was removed, she had her teeth cleaned and nails trimmed. She seems to have all of her energy back. As of this morning she was out in the field racing around as usual. We cuddled lots after getting home from the Vet's office. One thing is for sure, Penny does not even like to walk inside of the Vet's office! I'll update the post to regarding the findings of the biopsy after we receive that information.

Oregon Badlands Wilderness - Bend 2-12-10

2010-02-14T15:44:00.001-08:00

The Gourds & Downhill Ski @ Bend Winterfest 2-12-10

2010-02-14T15:40:00.000-08:00

FyerLyte @ Bend Winterfest 2-12-10

2010-02-14T15:35:00.001-08:00

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area

2010-01-04T18:35:00.003-08:00

Riley patiently waiting in the car for Mat and I to finish our viewing of the elk.

Gobble Gobble 2009 at our house

2009-12-07T19:24:00.000-08:00

Mat prepping the roast

Ahnook, trying to figure the turkey thing out.

Riley, helpful, as usual.

Sophie getting in a quick cat nap before the guests arrive.

Murphy coming out to check out the holiday festivities.

Ahnook, keeping a good eye on Mat's cooking style.

Ahnook, getting his own cat nap before the guests arrive.

Mat and the dogs relaxing after prepping the meal.

Passed out from all of the excitement.

Cheese celery...really? Who likes this stuff? It was a hit!

Olives and 3 types of olives, dill, spicy and sweet.

What is a holiday with out beef stick?

Mat's famous deviled eggs.

Munching on Doritos before the guests arrive.

He was one hungry boy.

Penny, trying to pull her "I'm a good dog" face.

Green Lakes - Bend

2009-08-10T20:18:00.001-07:00

4th of July - 2009 continued

2009-07-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

4th of July - 2009

2009-07-05T12:22:00.001-07:00

Fishing on the Columbia

2009-07-05T12:13:00.001-07:00

Eagle Creek Hike - The Gorge

2009-04-19T19:05:00.001-07:00

arctic blast 2008 - continued

2008-12-22T09:08:00.000-08:00

arctic blast 2008 - one week & counting

2008-12-21T16:05:00.001-08:00

The Holidays Are Upon Us

2008-12-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

Ahnook waiting patiently downstairs while upstairs is decorated and Mat makes his holiday treats.

Mat flashing his cute smile while in mid baking session for the fruit filled pasteries.

Cleaning up just a little spilled blackberry goodness.

Mmmmmmm, don't they look good?

Penny and Riley wait patiently, hoping they will be able to sample some of the treats.

Christmas tree, pre lights and decorations.

And the stockings were hung, by the chimeny with care...

A cool little snowman from Germany...smoking incense.

Dad's mittens from when he was little.

The holiday wreath that Mom made special for when I moved into the house.

The tree fully decorated and lite to please.

Murphy of course wanted to check out the stockings.

Riley and Penny decided they would kick back and relax since it didn't look like they were going to get any treats.

The aftermath...

A view from the outside...you can barely see the lights on the inside.

Neahkahnie Mountain - North of Tillamook - OR coast

2008-11-23T18:26:00.000-08:00

McMenamin's Tavern & Pool on NW 23rd

2008-11-22T10:35:00.001-08:00

Angel's Rest - Columbia River Gorge

2008-11-09T17:15:00.001-08:00

Applebee's

2008-11-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad speaking nothing but the truth.

A quick vist to Corvallis to visit Mom and Dad. A little discussion of politics, furniture and sports is always a good time.

Clowning Around

2008-11-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

Murphy, pretending she is sinking in water, but actually she was falling down the back of the couch.

All cuddled up for a cold fall evening thanks to Mat.

It Must Be Love

2008-11-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

Best friends.

Learning to love each other.

Getting more familiar. Riley and Murphy are at least civil to each other.

There is a special love between Penny and Murphy. Cuddles and nibbles are seen daily around the house.

Of course, Riley and Penny show the love in a form of a heart.

Balancing Act

2008-11-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

I guess it takes a little talent for a cat to balance on a clothes dryer. Mat found Sophie cuddled up on his drying clothes. I guess she IS feeling better!

Accidents Happen

2008-11-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

All is well on this brain, but it was a close call with a 2:30am phone call and a ride to the emergency room for Mat. Metal is sharp, but he is tougher.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-08T08:48:00.001-08:00

The cats shared the chicken head. I think Murphy pulled it off better than Sophie.

I tested out a Burger King mask at Fred Meyer, it was too creepy, just like in the commercials.

I think Penny had it just about right, keep it simple, let people know you are from the "old country".

Goodwill, Good Times

2008-10-03T16:20:00.001-07:00

Mat's favorite past time, searching the big blue bins for books. I tend to hit the furniture section.

Who says an ashtray can't have personality? No, we didn't buy it, but it was pretty cool.

Hats are the best, and this one was Russian!

Hmmm, finders keepers? Nah, I gave it to Mom...another fantastic find by Mat!

A fantastic find at the east side Goodwill Outlet. $3 and a new frame, priceless!

Toys, Toys and Toys!

2008-10-03T16:18:00.000-07:00

Riley and Penny figure dogs can never have too many toys!

Laundry Time

2008-10-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

Murphy in a basket...she figured that since Mat was already doing laundry, she could catch a quick snooze on his clothes.

On the Road to Recovery

2008-10-03T16:16:00.001-07:00

Sophie taking time out of her busy schedule to take a quick cat nap under the covers to get her health back.

First Times are the Best Times

2008-10-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

First summer bbq of the season.

First time eating a delicious Burgerville burger. He didn't know what he was in for...and did I mention a milkshake to boot?!

First Krispy Kreme donuts!

The first blackberry harvest. Just a few berries to show just how yummy they were!

Silly Dogs, Shirts are for Kids

2008-10-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

What's funnier than a dog in a shirt?

How about 2 dogs in a shirt!?!

Male Bonding

2008-10-02T09:31:00.001-07:00

Mat cooking dinner and Ahnook looking on.

Relaxing on a cool summer's day.

Oregon Brewers Festival

2008-10-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

Good times, good friends.

I even got some peace from a legend. No, I was not drinking both beers, one was Mat's.

Lucky kids with the Oregon Lottery. I won a t-shirt and Mat won $20 in scratch-offs. Maybe next time he won't question me when I tell him it will be fun to get our picture taken!

Portland Flug Tag

2008-10-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

A shark grrrrrrrrrnade!

A cool dragon!

We finally realized we were perpendicular to where the flights were happening, so we went in for a closer look.

McMenamin's Edgefield

2008-10-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

Mat being attached by a gigantic plant!

Enjoying good company and wonderful weather!

Junction City Scandanavian Festival

2008-10-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

Mat being a little troll at the festival...maybe it was too many abelskivers?

Me being the fashionable madien, as always.

2008-09-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

3 dogs (ahnook, riley & penny), 2 cats (murphy & sophie) & a boy (mat)...that's what we are all about!