Lest We Forget

Today is Veteran's Day/Rememberance Day. It is a very solemn day for me and I try to make it that way for my family as well. I don't cry often, but you will always find me in tears at a Veteran's parade, watching tributes to the military or whenever I am brought to remembrance of my debt to those who have sacrificed for me. I feel blessed to live in a land of freedom, but know that it came with a price, and some gave all for me.

Today, please remember and honor those who paid the price, and continue to pay the price for your freedom.

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

A Good Cause

Saturday night Brad and I went with some of his colleagues to a hospital benefit dinner and auction. It was a great night and a great benefit to the hospital, and the Bryan family. It was interesting to see that every one is feeling the pinch as I believe most items went for under and in some cases significantly under their value (whereas such was not the case this time last year.)

Brad bid on this slick leather jacket and got it for 17% of it's full retail value!! Very nice.

Doesn't he look snazzy??

I was bummed that we were outbid by $5 for the Bend Elks season tickets at the last moment. I have since taken some tips from some of the pros and will make a more diligent effort at "hovering" over my most desired items next year!! We also came home with a guided mountain bike tour for 2 and a gift certificate to a local home decorating store and a few home decor items.

It was a really nice evening (and we scored some great deals)!

Are you a Ninja?

"Are you a Ninja?" Is one of the favorite games the kids played in their recent Karate class. Their sensei was awesome and I was surprised to find that Abby actually enjoyed the class more the Ethan did!

Unfortunately I took the camera twice to their class, and both times the camera was out of batteries, so I only have this picture of their last day of class just before we left.

Rock Star

Elise is our "rock star"! She has been taking rock climbing for a while now and is getting pretty goood!! The other day I decided to go take some pics and some video. She will move on to the next level after Christmas, then we will decide if she would like to join the climbing team.

"Look up... Waaaaay up..."

This is one of Elise's instructors. The people in the rock climbing culture seem to be some of the easiest going, nice people.

Enjoy the stereotypical Bob Marley in the background :D