2010 Olympics

WOW

We have really enjoyed watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics this year.

There have been some remarkable athletes participating. I can not imagine going down a hill at the speeds some of the skiers go. I for one have never been one to watch hockey. Gosh, I have been hooked on watching the US hockey team play...who would have known. Much to our amazement, we have been addicted to watching the Curling competition. I didn't know how to play before we started watching it on Television. It has become a favorite of most of our family.

Womens Olympic Curling Team

Mens Olympic Curling Team

Best of luck to our Olympic teams. You are all winners in our eyes.

God's Artwork

It is breathtaking to wake to the handiwork of God. Refreshing our spirits to remember He is the ultimate Artist.

The beauty and design cry out the handiwork of God.

Now. . . I know people love to fish, but in the cold ? ? ?

This was taken at a nearby reservoir

In Memory of my Dad

Darold F. Wagoner

 

April 18, 1921 ~ January 26, 2010

Rest in the Arms of the Lord, Daddy.

Your journey on earth is over, but your life will be eternal.

I love you.

HARD Wood Floors

One of my favorite movies is Funny Farm with Chevy Chase and Madolyn Smith. It has one scene in it where Elizabeth (Madolyn Smith) and Andy (Chevy Chase) are waiting on their moving van to arrive at their new house. They end up spending the night on the floor. Elizabeth says the pioneers didn't call them hardwood floors...they were HARD wood floors.
We decided to remove the carpet and refinish the wood floors that have been under the carpet for over 37 years. We expected them to be in less than good condition, but to our surprise they were in very good shape. I am not much of a carpet lover. I like hardwood floors.
Below are photographs of the process.

Tom removing staples from the floor.

The carpet before. Notice how white it is. The sample didnt look so white...LOL

What we found under the white carpet

. . . another view

We had stuff relocated in the kitchen . . .

. . . across from the dining area

. . . in the family room

. . . in the garage

. . . in the bedrooms. Our house was a mess.

This is the MONSTER -it created all the dust and removed the old varnish

Tom with the MONSTER. It sure knows how to eat.

MONSTER . .looking at the container of sawdust.

The finished product. We are very happy with it.

. . . after the furniture was moved back in.

We now have only three more rooms to do. I wonder if Tom will be able to get them all done before golf season starts?

9 foot 2 with Eyes of Blue

Who is 9 foot 2 with eyes of blue?

If you wander over to Spencer's house, you will know as soon as you see the front yard. Spencer and Rick decided to make an eight foot snow man. He ended up a ---little taller. If you will look close you can see his visor with his head sticking through. They had to get on a ladder to measure him. Rick said the sun on New Years day helped in the 'lean' of Mr. Snowman. Tom and I had to laugh when we drove up and saw the leaning snowman.

Here is Spencer with Mr. Snowman. Spencer is 5' 8". As you can tell, Mr. Snowman is a bit taller than he is. It is such joy to see what our kids do as a family. I am sure Spencer and Rick had a good time as father and son making the snowman. It warms my heart to know they are creating memories. Jennifer and Malia watched as the snowman was being constructed. They made a trip outside to give their approval.

It will be interesting to see just how long, with the sun shining down on Mr. Snowman, he will be standing. Good Luck Mr. Snowman.

Mahan Manor

Christmas at the Mahan Manor

Christmas was a little delayed this year at our house. We always have to work around schedules. We celebrated Christmas at our house in the usual way....lots of laughter, fun with the kids and opening of gifts.

Santa and his helper this year were Spencer D. and Sir Luke

Malia does not seem to want Luke to play with the Christmas gift he got. She seems to be winning!

Another reindeer and a Santa appear to be enjoying the festivities (Alex and Lauren)
Would you believe this is normal at our house........ !
'Santa' is really enjoying the unwrapping of the gifts. He is a right jolly ole Elf !

Malia was lots of fun to watch this year. Luke was hilarious with his antics.

The magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child is wonderful to watch. We must keep the real reason for Christmas close to our hearts.
God's gift to us, His Son Jesus!

Meaning and Traditions

Christmas 2009

Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends." ~ Margaret Thatcher (1925- ), English political leader

We were so blessed this Christmas to have all of the family together at Mom and Dad's. Our size is beginning to outgrow their house. We have 37 of us in basically two rooms. Sometimes it sounds like a football game with everyone talking and little kids playing and making noise. Mom and Dad enjoy it while we are there, and really enjoy it when we all leave. Traditions being passed on from one generation to another. We truly enjoyed being able to have our traditional family Christmas this year.

Mom and Dad (aka: Santa and Mrs. Claus) they are always willing to have fun

Jack showing off his 'football' skills. Dad (Derek) seems to be very proud of his talent

This is what chaos looks like . . . watch where you step !

Thanks Mom and Dad for showing us how important it is to have traditions. We are so thankful that we have parents like you. May God's blessings be with you in the following years.

Topsy Turvy Two

H aaaaaappyyyyyyy

B irrrrtthhhddddaaaaaaaayyyyyyy!

(think of Frosty the Snowman)

Malia celebrated her second birthday with her family. She was the Belle of the Birthday Party. She wore her beautiful blue dress that was cinched at the waist with some bright shiny bobbles and wore black shoes to complete the ensemble.

Birthday girl with Daddy before the celebration begins.

Waiting for the gifts

"I thought the Ruby Slippers belonged to Dorothy !"

"Daddy, Did Mommy mean for my cake to look like this?"

*(Jennifer created the cake from a photo...looks just like it. Great job Jen)

She huffed and she puffed and she . . .

and blew the candles out . . .

Happy Birthday Malia Jo Lu!