November and December

November came with the final cleaning up of the yard in preparation for winter. 

One of my favorite things in fall is the geese flying south.

Josiah turned 15. Now it's time for him to get his permit.

Josh finished police academy. So proud of all he has done!

John finished the stonework for around the hot tub. It looks so good and now it is ready for us!

Thanksgiving rolled around so fast. Mom and Dad once again made the whole meal for us.

We celebrated Mom's 88th birthday the day after Thanksgiving.

And then December arrived! We started off the month with Lina's birthday. Her golden birthday 11 on the 11th.

These two girls are such good sisters! It was fun taking Lina birthday shopping.

Lina has enjoyed a season of cheerleading.

I had my Boring Grade Moms over for lunch. We don't even know how many years we have been friends.

A little AI fun with our picture from Africa.

It was a smaller gathering from Christmas Eve, and so much quieter now that the kids are growing up, but we still enjoyed our time together.

Two days after Christmas, Dennis and family arrived. I gave Gabe and Daniel the Sweet 16 trip for Gabe's 16th birthday. We will be going to NY to see The Great Gatsby in April.

The cousins always love their cousin time and they extra loved their time in the new hot tub.

I always love the times when all my family can get together!

We had one last party at Skamania Lodge for the New Year.

Ready for 2026!

September & October

September started out with a huge health scare for us. My Dad had trouble breathing, his blood oxygen was really low and he was holding a lot of water. They admitted him. The next morning, the doctor called asking my Mom's permission to insert a breathing tube, they could not wake Dad up. We rushed in, they had moved him to the ICU. He had to stay there for 5 days, then was moved to a normal room for another 5. We were not sure if he was going to make it. All of the family showed up, at one point, we had 19 people in the waiting room! It was such a relief when they finally let him go home. I am so thankful that God said we could keep Dad with us a while longer!

He didn't take long to get back at it.

A few of the critters we found in the yard. The neighbor cat loves to sit below the bird feeder and wait for the birds. We have never seen opossums in the yard before and now we found two babies.

The garden did amazing this year. Watermelon don't usually do very well here. But this summer was extra warm and very little rain. My melon grew about an inch a day! I finally decided it was ready to pick. It weighed 21 pounds! And it even tasted so good! The cantaloupe did really well too. I had 5 of them ripen up.

I loved the reflections at my parent's koi pond.

Its always fun to have the grandkids come visit.

I left my phone unattended. When the kids left, this is what I found on my screen. She cracks me up!

The California Dixons all dressed up for a fundraiser.

Arianna and Lina are both on school volleyball this year.

The big addition to our place is a hot tub! We sold the travel trailer after the kitchen was finished and splurged on a tub big enough for the whole family! The neighbor came over with his tractor and helped get the spot ready.

It was finally delivered at the first of October and the kids wasted no time hopping in!

It seemed like all of a sudden fall arrived!

John and Rachel went hiking to celebrate her birthday.

And then came Halloween!

And just like that it is November!