Out with the old, in with the new.

Well, after a 20 mile run that wasn't so much fun for the last 8 miles because of blisters from my old shoes. I said, "Enough is enough!" I really should and have learned I need to care for my precious pads a bit more...so I won't be going such a long stent next time without new shoes. I actually ended up getting the exact same style because you can tell I loved my old ones so much!

The Park!!

When in Bend with kids, you MUST feed the ducks. I think it's one of the underwritten by-laws in Bend. Even though other places discourage it; it's an experience as a child that can't be missed! I didn't actually get photos of feeding the ducks (my photographer brother did...so hopefully I'll get some of those), but here are the couple cute shots I did get!

Benjamin and his spikey hair-do that Uncle Tobin did!

Andy the photographer...he is getting really good!

Kids playing pool

Gracie, Benjamin, and Zoey loved my Aunt and Uncle's pool table! Never a dull moment with those redheads!

Photos as promised...Mom's Birthday Party.

Mom's Birthday was a hit!

She had no idea we were getting the entire family together, and

she didn't even know it when she walked into the house, until she saw the big gift and cake!

When she opened the big box (which was a sewing machine) she exclaimed, "Is it really what it says it is on the box?!"

Only 6 candles, and Benjamin had to help her blow them all out!

Lot's of fun, and she even ate the cake...my fun and crazy Aunt Kathy (in the background) made a "new" tradition. ;)

You couldn't tell the party was a hit by looking at Grandma, but we love them both anyways!
Grandpa at least stayed awake!

In Bend

Well, I made a quick turn around from arriving back home from Trout Lake, then working 4 days straight, then drove to Bend, OR to be with family and celebrate my Mom's 60th Birthday (I'll post those photos later)! Everyone else (all my siblings and Tobin) left on or before Monday, but since I didn't have to work till Thursday, I decided to stay in Bend for a couple more days. I've enjoyed running 20 miles, along the beautiful Deschutes River (I love the beauty of this area), doing some running shoe shopping (desperately needed a pair), enjoying coffee with a friend from high school (Amanda Werner), and going to dinner with some friends from college (Billy and Brooke Smallstig). Today I'm enjoying a lazy morning, and then I'm going to meet some other friends from college for lunch (Ben and Chelsea McGarry and their two little boys), then it's drive back to Medford.

There's my quick update, I promise to post photos later, because that's what y'all love more anyways. =)

Darrol's 60th Birthday...Let's Work!

This past weekend, Tobin and I were able to go up to Trout Lake for an extended weekend. He even got both Friday and Monday off, so it was extra special! Since Darrol turned 60 (yesterday was his actual birthday). The Rummel family decided to surprise him with a get together, with the goal in mind for some home improvement projects! He knew about the project, but he didn't know that his daughter, Shannon and son-in-law, Josh would also be flying in from Georgia for the celebratory occasion!

Friday evening Tobin, Darrol, Marty, and I started with some preparatory work for building a new deck! My parents came up for the weekend to help out too (and they say I didn't tell them they'd be working...but I know that I did!). My Dad got to drive a tractor for the first time (Mom will you send me that photo). Then Friday night, Shannon and Josh were to get in really late (1am). So because of all the family staying in the house there wasn't going to be enough beds for us all. So to leave a bed open for the late comers and not to make Darrol suspicious, Tobin and I decided it was a beautiful night to sleep outside under the stars! And it was beautiful, all except for the time around 2:30am where I heard coyotes howling very near by, falling back asleep slightly frightened to be eaten by rabid dogs, and then to be awakened again by Tobin clapping his hands really loudly because there were coyotes only 15 feet away from us!!! So sleep may have not been the best, but seeing shooting stars before we fell asleep was great!

Shannon and Josh arrived in the morning, and Darrol didn't even notice the extra car parked in the driveway because there were so many people there! And he was quite surprised when they awoke and came upstairs as we were having breakfast!

Saturday was work day. The Miller clan (my parents and I) spent the day in goo....literally. We were staining pieces of cedar siding for the house. And that stuff was STICKY....and only paint thinner took it off. We were a mess! The Rummels began building the framework of a deck, and a few extra family friends from Trout Lake came by to help tear out an old sliding glass door, so we can replace it with a new one that will actually open! Unfortunately since my fingers were stuck in goo all day, I have no photos. But you can imagine it (Or Shannon or Mom if you have photos, I'd love them!)

Then Saturday night we got to celebrate Darrol's Birthday with BBQ and Root Beer Floats! Here's Darrol blowing out his candles...we couldn't fit 60 on there, but it was still a lot. ;)
Sunday we went to a Sudanese Service. It was great worship, I love African singers and their energy!

By Sunday night, this is where we had gotten to with the deck (see photos below). Next to this is the door we took out, but no photos...sorry. Monday we had planned on taking Josh up Mt Adams, but the weather didn't cooperate with us, so we worked more on the deck. And by Monday evening we had put boards on to about where Josh is kneeling. I was the screw driver specialist all day. My trigger finger got tired!

And here is the Rummel clan on top of Eckert Point...freezing but happy to all be together!

It was a special weekend!

Busy Weeks

Sorry for the blog posting absence. I've worked two weeks, working Tuesday-Saturday. So that meant only 1 weekend day. Tobin has been busy cutting people up (he was on his surgery rotation which was a great experience for him!). I did sports physicals on about 40 teenagers this morning. Even though they are sometimes twice my size (especially the 6' football players), they still looked really young. Now I know I could probably pass as a high schooler, but I guess my "maturity" makes me realize that I really was YOUNG in high school. And it's crazy for me to think that I had the power to say who was ready to play or needed more evaluation before they played. I remember getting the physicals before each school year, now I'm on the other side (But I don't think it's the dark side)!

On another random note. Tobin and I decided to splurge and we got the new iPhones. I love it! (My sister doesn't because almost every time we've talked I've gotten dropped on our call)...but that is an issue with any cell phone carrier. Plus it's fun to have the other applications and even internet on the phone. What did we ever do without these?