Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Snow Days
(I can't get the pictures to change spots, but the last one is our attempt to play outside and then the second to last picture is what Duke really wanted to do)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Early Christmas present...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Living the dream...
Oh and we are thinking of getting a dog! I have wanted one for a while now. My family has always had a dog and I think I have finally softened Paul's heart to the idea. We found a great one up in Portland (short hair, quiet yet active), but someone else got to her before we did... but we are continuing to look. Paul is very much on the go and doesn't like too much responsibility to tie us down, but I am hoping we will find a dog that can tag along on those adventures with us. Ever since Massaro, Yutaro and Nate left our house has been a bit too quiet for my liking and I think a dog is a great compromise!
God Bless.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Konichiwa
Friday, October 10, 2008
25 big ones!
Well I am off to meet a friend in Salem, hopefully to get a warm cup of coffee (for the next nine months I will be nothing but cold...did I mention that I love summer?).
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Open House
I went to a wonderful presentation tonight on children's books at Grassroots in Corvallis. I love children's literature and learning about what new books authors have coming out and what new authors there are. Below is just a sample of some of my favorite children literature pieces. Enjoy!
Monday, September 15, 2008
We've moved...
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Weddings!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
More fun...
Here are a few pictures of our camping trip. Despite some rain on Saturday morning we had a great time hiking, biking, playing games, cooking and playing with our nephews.
Paul and Jacob after a mountain bike ride:
My older sister and her son around the camp fire; he is so much fun!Andrea and Jaden at the falls; he is such a good little boy!
As we entered into August I, Ashley, had to shift gears and started thinking about heading back to the classroom. This summer I was fortunate to be able to sub for my sister at Home Life, Inc. as their Staff Development Coordinator. I have worked for Home Life, Inc. all through college and am sad to have to leave my positions there, but know it is time.
We still have many trips and events to come including the Jeld-Wen Tradition at Sun River, a trip to Tri-Cities for some wakeboarding, a trip to the Running Y and a few more weddings. We have also put an offer in for a house here in Albany and will hopefully be moving in the middle of September. Why Albany? Well, the Albany School District is actually one of the best districts in the state, it means that only one of us has to communte to our jobs, it is close to I-5 making trips to Salem and Portland a bit easier and we have come to find that there are many beautiful parts of Albany that you don't see by just passing through.
We love all our friends and family and appreciate all the time we get to spend with everyone.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Camping with the Hynes fam!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
More Pictures~
Our family:
My nephews; so adorable! Garrett is two and a half and Jaden is two months.
Garrett watering the garden (we were hanging outside together and when we started to water I asked Garrett if he should water Aunt Ashley and very matter of fact he said "yes!").
My mom and her sister, Judy, at the coast.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
We LOVE summer!
I, Ashley, got to go with my older sister, Crystal, and nephew, Garrett, to visit some family in Santa Rosa, CA. They were so generous to us while we were down there and we got to enjoy some wine tasting, the beach, a hot air balloon ride and much more. Spending time with family is one of my favorite things to do and definite a highlight of the summer.
While I was gone in Cali, Paul had to keep himself busy and did so by backpacking with our friend Justin. They went to the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness and although they ran into some snow and slept on a rocky piece of land, Paul had a great time. He always tells me that one day in the outdoors adds years to his life; it is one of his favorite things to do.
We are house hunting! Now that I have a full time job we are looking to buy our first place. We have an excellent Realtor and a friend of ours is a mortgage broker, so now we just have to wait for the perfect house. We have looked at several homes, but the "perfect" one hasn't been found yet. We are trying to be patient, but since our fridge and air conditioner broke this week we are really feeling the need to get into something else (luckily the fridge isn't ours so we don't have to pay to get it fixed), plus I am so excited to get new furniture and decorate my very own place!
Here are a few pictures of the events over the last month:
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Good news!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Welcome Jaden Fifhause!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Job Hunting
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
My thoughts...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Happy Easter!
We love having so many important, inspiring, inspirational, loving, caring, strengthening, encouraging, and gracious individuals in our lives. Tonight we had dinner with Duane and Melinda Ameele and always feel so encouraged and revived after spending time with them. Yesterday we visited Kari and Conrad Venti and got to meet their six week old twins Nolan and Mila for the first time. What a beautiful gift from God! Our time together was very precious. A few weeks ago we spent some good time with friends from college, both OSU and WOU, and with friends from Paul's work that all play a crucial role in who we are in the Lord. We are looking forward to visiting with more of my friends from college next weekend and the joys that they continue to bring to my life. Jacob and Andrea Fifhause are always so giving to us and we appreciate your flexibility to let us spend the night/borrow cars/borrow clothes/ borrow house things/ borrow yard things/ etc.
You are all continuously in our prayers and we feel so blessed to be able to share our lives with you all!
Much love and Happy Easter!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
In Loving Memory
Louis Edward Spence
Oct. 6, 1922 — Feb. 20, 2008
Louis Edward Spence of Corvallis died at the age of 85 at West Hills Assisted Living Community.He was born in Elmwood, Ill., to Alva Lee and Wilda Tyler Spence. He had two brothers, Willis and Harry. The family moved to South Pasadena, Calif., in 1923, and he graduated from South Pasadena High School in 1940.
He joined the Army in November of 1942 and was stationed at Camp White and Camp Adair before going overseas with the 91st Division in March of 1944, where he served as a medic in Africa and Italy. He was awarded two Bronze Stars, three Battle Stars and the Medical Combat Badge while serving overseas. He was discharged in November 1945.He married Julia Bradbury of Klamath Falls on Feb. 26, 1944, in Corvallis. They moved in April 1946 to Klamath Falls, where he worked for the Miller Brothers Oldsmobile-Cadillac auto dealership for 43 years. He moved to Corvallis in July 2004. He was a life member of the VFW Post 1383, Elks Lodge 1247 and the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Julia; mother; father; and two brothers.He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Clayton and Janet Spence of Corvallis; granddaughters, Crystal Becker of Canby, Ashley Hynes of Albany, and Andrea Fifhause of Corvallis; and great-grandson, Garrett Becker.
He thoroughly enjoyed many hunting trips with his son, family gatherings with his granddaughters, and dancing with his wife.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, March 10, at West Hills Assisted Living Community, 5595 S.W. West Hills Road, followed by a graveside committal with military honors at Oak Lawn Memorial Park.Memorial contributions can be made to a veterans’ organization or Elks Lodge of your choice, c/o McHenry Funeral Home.