KC-97 Fuel Tanker

The Medford/Jackson County Airport has a KC-97 parked out there that you can tour and play on.  Colt loves it, and Austin is just learning about it.  The kids love sitting in the cockpit and pretending that they are flying it.  On Saturdays, they usually have a retired military pilot in the plane to supply you with all of the information that you would like to know.  These guys are great.  They have a huge wealth of knowledge.  These planes were a cold war era in air refueler, troop transport, cargo transport, and flying ambulance.

New Years Eve 2011 Part 2

Antelope Creek looking up towards the upper lake

The old barn

Fog on the mountain

Colton and Austin relaxing

Carl striking a pose with his USMC saber

Carl and Linda

Brandy mixing another batch of martinis

Uncle Ed and Sherry playing chinese checkers

Brandy and I

Bill and Diane waiting for the crab feed

These two did not make it to midnight

Myself, Uncle Ed, and Sherry bringing in the new year

"what about" Bob and Diane

New Years Eve 2011 part 1

We went down to the ranch again this year for New Years Eve to join friends and family and ring in the new year.  This is Mike ice skating on the pond by the house.

Colton looking for the bald eagle at the lower lake.

Carl tried to knock the top off of this bottle with his USMC saber, but it did not work.  We had to go back to using the standard champagne saber to do the trick.

Let the caviar frenzy begin.  This was apparently the last year that Mike will be able to get beluga caviar out of Russia. 

Bob, Diane, and Bill.  Bob and Diane were out visiting from Wisconsin.

Sherry, Bertha, Diane, Norma (hidden), and Linda playing 99.

Mike, Ed, Bill, Bob, and Carl playing hearts.

Austin and Brandy relaxing on the couch.

Brandy shooting her new shotgun.

Brandy and Bertha having one of Brandy's special martinis.

Bill, Norma, Diane, and Bob hanging out at the bar.

Brandy and Mike.

Crab for the annual New Years Eve crab feed.

Christmas 2011

We had a great Christmas Eve and Christmas Day spent with friends and family.  We hope that all of you had a fantastic holiday and were able to connect and enjoy your loved ones. 

We let the kids open a couple of gifts on Christmas Eve.

The first meltdown.

Ripping and tearing on Christmas morning.  Nice bike helmet, huh?  I'm not sure if I'll let him wear that one out in the neighborhood. 

Aunt Candy and Uncle Wells came over in the afternoon.

Christmas tree 2011

We didn't go to Antelope Creek Ranch this year for Thanksgiving.  We stayed at home and didn't go out into the woods to get our tree.  We went to a local u-cut place owned by one of my old jr. high p.e. teachers (Larry Ryerson).  It was quick and painless, as every tree looked alike. 

Somehow, every ornament that the kids put on the tree ended up one foot from the floor.

This is how it looked after we were done.

Terry at Autzen

This is my brother Terry.  He went to the Oregon-USC game with me over the weekend.  He hadn't been to a game with me in several years.  We had a great time.  USC pulled off an upset over my Ducks 38-35, but it was just nice spending time with Terry.  LeBron, DWade, CP3, Aaron Brooks and other NBA stars showed up to the game, as well as our beloved former Ducks: Dennis Dixon, Akili Smith, Rueben Droughns, Derek Loville, and Jeff Maehl.

Matt Barkley and USC with the ball.

This is the aftermath of trying to tackle Kenjon Barner.

Colt's 4th Birthday

Colton's fourth birthday was a Ben Ten party.  We didn't know who Ben Ten was until about six months, but Brandy and I have been well educated since. 

Colt with his cake.

Colt and Trevor in their Ben Ten costumes.

Grandma Mary, Austin, and Colt opening presents.

Papa and Colt.

Pulled Pork for the party.  Twenty-six hours of smoking yielded this delicious, moist piece of meat.