San Gabriel Hiking

For our first weekend we decided to go out for a nice hike and our friend Boom was able to join us! We set out to do this hike called East Fork...well after about 3 miles of hiking we came upon a "No Trespassing" sign that indicated that "this is not the trail to the Bridge to Nowhere" (where we thought we were going). Anyways, it turned out to be a beautiful hike anyways, with less people because it wasn't the popular trail with this infamous bridge on it. It followed along this stream which we crossed several times. Thankfully, we had brought sandals so we were able to just walk through the water. Boom's feet didn't like it too much as she was wearing basically brand new Chacos...she had a few blisters after the day was over, but she had no complaints! We saw some birds, crazy rock formations, and just enjoyed the sunny day. Again I couldn't believe that I was wearing shorts and sandals in January! Everyone was wearing sunglasses so no one was blinded by my white NW legs!

Dr's repairing the wounds on the trail.

See that bruise on my arm! Don't worry, it's not domestic violence it's just remains from me staining The Box (the entertainment shelf that Tobin and Darrol made over the break).

Our legs were getting numb!

More adventures in So Cal to come!

The Move...

Well, from our move down we have kind of been on a hiatus as far as posting on our blog. Things have gone well and we made it hear safely! Praise the Lord and thank you all so much for praying. I'll have to tell you though, following the trailer was a bit scary at times. The trailer would start fishtailing and sometimes it would get worse and worse...at this point I would just start praying out loud that I wouldn't suddenly see the Tahoe and trailer fly off the road. The trek down for the most part was Tobin and Darrol in the Tahoe/Trailer, Marty in the Toyota, and me in the Subaru. We drove from Medford, OR to Upland, CA in one day (well just over one day). We started in Medford on the 31st and then got to Upland around 2am on New Years Day...It was an interesting and new way to ring in the New Year, which we did literally by calling one another on our cell phones after midnight! Thankfully, God also protected us from any drunk or crazy drivers. It was amazing once we hit the LA freeways it may as well have been 4pm rather than 1am! Crazy how this area never sleeps!

New Years Day we awoke and got right unpacking and cleaning the house we will be living in. You can never be too sure of what you are getting yourself into when moving, especially when you have never seen the place you are moving into! God has blessed us with the ability to live in a house, rather than an apartment, but it definitely comes with it's own types of responsibilities. The owners haven't lived in the home for several months, and prior to leaving had still be remodeling. So we entered upon a lot sheet rock dust on everything and multiple other odds and ends that hadn't been finished. So instead of just unpacking in a nice clean space, we spent days wiping down everything. Now we know it's clean! It was such a blessing to have the extra hands and help of Darrol and Marty! We never could have accomplished as much! I even cleaned our master bedroom shower...it's so big I can run laps in it, get my morning workout and take a shower all at the same time (I don't always do the laps, but it definitely it large enough that I could)!

Darrol and Marty left on the 4th of January for their trek back up north, and Tobin started working as a fellow on the 5th. So that left me with a week to continue cleaning and "making house." I also went to St Jude where I'll be working on the same floor that I was when we lived here a year ago. I have to go through all the orientation and such again, but thankfully the Lord has provided me with income and job at this point! We would continue to ask you to pray that I might find a Nurse Practitoner position, so that I can continue to utilize those skills and keep my licensure up to date.

Oh and the Lord has provided us with a couch!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!! It was such a blessing because one of Tobin's officemates heard we were looking to buy a couch and he said, I have a nice one in storage that isn't being used, and you can use it for free! Thankfully the couch was right on the outside of the storage unit so very easy access! I'll post pictures later, but as I type this I am enjoying the comfort the couch provides!

We also attended a church today that seems like a great fit and good fellowship to be involved with. It's called Foothill Bible Church. We heard about it because last Sunday we were at home in the afternoon, and two gentleman ran our doorbell (and they weren't Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses) they were Christians, going door-to-door sharing the Gospel! Praise the Lord, you don't see that enough these days! Anyways, they found out we were Christians and new to the area so we were able to talk about the church a bit. It seems like a strong fellowship dedicated to Christ and founded on The Bible! There also is a choir which I'm hoping to get involved with.

Then this afternoon, Tobin and I ventured out to our backyard, which is more like a landmine that has blown up with parts of the landfill in it. Jenna and Josh (or housemates) found in our backyard among other things the following: a computer screen, desk chair, baseballs, flat basketballs, two floor lamps (that actually function just fine and we cleaned up and are using in our bedroom), lots of rocks, bricks, pipes, wheelbarrows, etc, etc. You get my drift. Anyways, the land in the backyard is also very uneven. So Tobin found a wire sifter in the backyard and we started utilizing it! We sifted out 4 wheelbarrows full of good dirt, and filled 4 buckets with gravel/rocks! It's nice to try and make a place look better and get your hands a bit dirty. I hope the owners appreciate the work we are doing...their probably glad to have someone work on it!

Anyways, those are our adventures and transitional changes for now! We also changed from 5 degree weather to 80 degrees! I am still in shock that it is January and our bird of paradise plants are in full bloom! Welcome to good sunny So Cal. I will miss my four seasons, but sun isn't a bad thing either.

Well, I hope to post more photos of the place later this week. Hope y'all are having a wonderful beginning to your New Year. To us it didn't really seems like a big change, and I think I'm still realizing that it's a new year because I haven't had to write the date much (since I'm not working).

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!