Oregon 2010!

Another GREAT time on the Oregon Coast! The pictures speak for themselves. God has so blessed us with wonderful family (and friends!) on the West Coast. For me (gayle) I think it was my 20th trip out... and even after my 20th trip, I still cry like a baby when I leave... not the place, but the people... We always come home with a "new perspective" and a challenge to live out our Christianity in a bigger way. Thanks for the challenges, Whittles' family. We love you BIG TIME!

A Tribute to my Dad... Apr 1, 1934 - Mar 10, 2010

Though my heart hurts in the loss of my dad, what a wonderful blessing to know that I'll see him again in eternity. He poured his heart into our family and for that I am forever grateful. My Dad loved us with every fiber in him. Dad knew a little bit about everything. He was an amazing resource to so many. He was our "go-to" guy...to figure out a broken plumbing fixture, help figure out a weird click in a car, or just there for a good chat. Oh, how I miss my Dad. His strength, his sappyness, his wacky sense of humor and his very visible love for us. I miss you Dad. Thanks for loving us fiercely and taking the time to teach us amazing things. You will be missed by us all.

This is my favorite picture of him. We were up at the lake...one of my favorite places...

January 2010 Snow Mobiling!

The snow this year has been FABULOUS for snowmobiling! We've been having an awesome time riding all of the local trails and seeing where they end up! Today we did a complete circle around Westerlo...we've put on about 75 miles just in the last week! It's so beautiful! Enjoy the pictures!


The meadow farthest away in the center is our upper field. Kinda cool seeing it from so far away... and I zoomed to take it!

The picture below is of the town of Westerlo taken from the West.

Kasey is even tackling bridges now! Go Kasey!

Key West!

Michael turned 40 on Nov. 19th so instead of a big party, he opted to take a little adventure with his three favorite girls to Key West! GREAT trip! We drove, which many think we were insane to do, but we really like car trips. It seems to be the one time that we're trapped so we can actually have uninterupted conversations, and since I don't get sick reading in the car I plow thru books. I ended up reading a 200 page book outloud to the fam. "Same Kind of Different As Me". I highly recommend it to the world. It cracked us up, made us cry, challenged our status quo mentality and left us thinking...bottom line, a "good read". We stated at the Key West Westin right in the historic area with a waterfront view of the wharf. Every morning cruise ships came into port and every evening we saw AMAZING sunsets. The kids learned how to snorkel out in the Dry Tortuga's as we soaked up the sun. We spent a day in Palm Beach to body surf, but the rest of the trip was in the keys. Great trip. Our first thanksgiving spent without our extended family, but it was sweet...a trip we're all so very thankful for.

Pictures from the Fall (Before it turns to Winter!)

Thanks to Kath, we spent a weekend @ Hershey Park in October! Great time! I even rode a few rollercoasters!

Kris and I met Mom for lunch for her birthday... we had a nice visit. (...and my Dad is the cutest older guy on the planet!)

Labor Day...we were missing most of the kids... Kasey and Kris are the only cousins left in Westerlo... times are definitely changing...

Kasey's 13th Year Wrap up Campout @ Candlewood!

Jonna's 40th @Mohonk...mid-October... it snowed.

MY 20th Year College Reunion and Marc Thompsons 40th suprise party! Lots of fun in Manhattan!

Kasey and "Bob".

Kasey going hunting with her Dad...

Kasey was the Captain of her volleyball team this year... They finished up 10-1. Great season girls!

Me and Kath at Thacher Park on a beautiful fall day...