Millers in Trout Lake!

Well, through the wintering Artic Storm, Mom and Dad made the trek up here from Bend. It was so nice to have some fun in the snow with them! All including snowmobiling, snowman making, cross-country skiing, and lots of Hand and Foot playing!

Dad took Mom around the yard on the snowmobiling...lots of squeeling could be heard especially if Dad got over 10mph! Dad was riding it first and manage to just "fall off." He thankfully didn't get the snowmobile stuck!

Mom and Dad on the snowmobile!

Our snowman...who was in his own little Gazebo house!

We made him a "green" all nature snowman with an icicle for a nose and a tree shrub shawl!

Tobin was working the shop, making "The Box," but he came out for a photo

Our snowman was a bit "two-faced"

Cross Country Skiing on the groomed trail near Trout Lake School

Mom did so well! Here she is, very focused!

Even action video to prove it! This was just at the beginning and she got even better!

So good to spend the time we have left here in the NW with family and enjoying the great outdoors! We'll definitely miss it!

Snowmobiling!

Well, every year it's Rummel tradition to go snowmobiling on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, this year due to mechanical difficulty and weather conditions our Christmas Day ride was 1 day late, and a bit modified.

After Tobin and Darrol worked to get at least 3 machines running...we left for a quick trail/road ride. About 5 minutes out, Tobin noticed his machine was somewhat sluggish as if the brake was on, and the brake light sure enough was constantly on. So instead of giving up, I rode double with Tobin, and Darrol took the old machine (that can't break trail). So Tobin broke trail as I precariously hung onto the back of Tobin and/or the machine....quite interesting when you have snow flying at your face while staring straight at a butt! I even fell off the back of the machine, and Tobin didn't even notice right away, so I had to huff it, in some DEEP snow, and eventually my knight in shining armour came and gave me a lift! It was beautiful snow, lots of work to break trail with two people on a machine, but lots of fun! There were times we were riding and the snow was so deep my knees were brushing against the snow, while sitting on the machine!

Unfortunately, this seemed to be most of our experience with snowmobiles this year.

Tobin tired out from breaking trail!

Christmas Day!

Well, our Christmas began with...no power! Yes, sometime in the middle of the night we lost all power. My mother-in-law (Marty) awoke and helped Santa with his duties and made a nice toasty fire in the fireplace (to keep us warm). Thankfully, around 9:30am, the power came back on (we were especially grateful since we had to cook a Turkey dinner for other friends that were coming over)! We opened stockings, had breakfast, and then gifts. It was a nice simple and fun time together. We praise the Lord for coming and being born here on earth!

In the afternoon, Tobin and Darrol worked on trying to get snow machines running. They were successful with one, but there is still one out of commission. Marty and I relaxed, cleaned and prepared for Christmas dinner.

For dinner, we were joined by the Rubesh Family (they are missionaries to Sri Lanka, here on furlow) and two brothers (who are family friends of the Rubeshes), from Switzerland- Nils and Sven. It was good food and great times. We played Cranium together. The team I was playing with took quite a large beginning lead, but got some hard "word worm" questions. I now will remember how to spell "subpoena" (even though I just used spell check to double check it!). ;) Anyways, I think our team was the most lively, despite not winning. Then we had two lively rounds of Phone Pictionary...quite hilarious if you have never played-if you want a good laugh just play this game!

We stayed up till midnight! Then it was off to bed because the basketball players had to get up at 6am!!! (Tues and Fridays guys from Trout Lake play "Old Geezer Ball" at 6am. Tobin and I love to join them while we are here). I still am as aggressive as ever on defense!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

I think the pictures speak for themselves!

If you look hard you can see the snow angel!

"The Box"

We needed a shelf for all our entertainment equipment, and well, in good Rummel fashion my husband and father-in-law decided they would build one! They are more than capable of building houses, but I think furniture is an entirely different realm. This project has (as expected) had its twists and turns, but overall they are making good progress (a bit slower than they would like), but as always, it should turn out to be quite the nice shelf, which they have endeared "The Box." I'll have to post more photos when it is done (hopefully an all-nighter won't have to be done before we leave to get it finished). Then I get the lovely job of staining it once we get it to California!

Winter Wonderland!

Well, this Christmas for many in the NW has been cold, snowy, and just plain unusual! But here in Trout Lake they are used to the snow and we are loving the weather! Sunday Tobin and I snowmobiled to church (where can you do that???). Then this morning I went cross country skiing for an hour. Overall, it's just fun to look outside and enjoy the beauty, and the continual work to keep the driveway clean and cars defrosted.

I think that icicle is taller than I am!

Marty and I cross country skiied to a friends house (the Rubeshes) to make sure the water and such was still working well.

In the Jonah Bus...going carolling!

Winter Wonderland!

Homoncle Reunion!

This past week, I was able to see my two best friends and their new daughters! It was great to get all of us together and spend some quality time...though always too short, it was a great time!

Thursday we all met up and went to a few oldy but goody places in Newberg. Lunch at Checkers (the chicken cordon blue sandwich is Tobin's favorite). We saw some good college friends too (Cori and Krissy). Then we went over to our Alma Mater, George Fox. We saw a few from the old Res Life Staff and then a few profs in the Biology department. Good to see campus again, but never the same because all the people you knew to be on campus have now changed (imagine that after almost 5 years!). Then we had some good homoncle time and getting the homonclettes (Abbie and Campbell) to interact...they were too cute!

The Kirksey Family: Jeff, Campbell, and Sarah!

I think Abbie captured part of Tobin's heart...I was jealous! (just kidding) =)

Two new Best Friends! It says so on their outfits!

I had to be sure we stopped by the old Underground and got Mocha Milkshakes!

Peanut Butter Cup, YUMMM!!!

Too cute!

Sporting the Babylegs!

Matching dresses!

Homoncle Christmas!

Moms and Babies!

We went out for a walk in the snow, while the Welstad family had family photos!




We went down it anyways!

The whole family!

Christmas Party's

We got to go to a Christmas Party for the Osteopathic Association of Oregon. One of Tobin's preceptors (the first Dr he worked with for his rotations in Medford. Tobin's Internal Medicine rotation) received "The Preceptor of the Year Award." It was fun to be able to go and enjoy meeting more of the physicians he worked with.

Dr. Marvinny with Tobin and two other students that worked with Dr. Marvinny in Medford.

Playing in the Snow...in Salem?

Storms and cold temperatures moved in and took the Willamette Valley by surprise! They aren't used to this kind of weather. But we made sure to enjoy it! Tobin and I went over to play with the nieces and nephew. We found what we could to use for sleds...a blue bucket and plastic lid did the trick! They both wanted Uncle Tobin to push them as much as possible! (He goes much faster than I could), then they made sure we "Let Go, Let Go!!!"

"Ice Skating!"

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

The slides were so much fun and fast because of the snow!

We were making a "Choir of Angels!"

Zoey sporting the new fashion...Babylegs!