Well, you didn't exactly ask for it, but here it is, the Stephenson family photo 2006. This was taken the day after Christmas at our home, away from home near Newport, Oregon. Our families rented a 5 bedroom home, right on the beach, and had 4 wonderful days together. Think you know them all, but if any doubt about any, email me at howardonna@aol.com and I'll tell you who's who.

See my last blog was November 28th, which is ages ago, so will fill in what's been going on. I've watched lots of football during that time till now, and I think without a doubt, the best football game I've ever seen was the Boise State vs Oklahoma game. From the opening kickoff till the last play of the game it was exciting. I've talked to quite a few folks who saw the game and they all agreed it was fantastic.

Well, lets cover Christmas, Julie, Dan & Micah arrived on the 20th of December, and even though it was almost 11:00 p.m., Micah headed to the basement to the train room. This year however, instead of he and grandpa spending hours in the basement, he watched Motel kind of TV. We have cable, and that meant lots of cartoons, just like they see at motels when they are traveling. So he spent more time watching than playing with the trains, which is okay with me, as I survived better.

One night probably the 21st, we went to the Grotto on 82nd & Sandy and saw the lights and some very good puppetry, some great music and even though it was cold, we had a great time. The hot chocolate was delicious. On the 22nd, we loaded up 4 vehicles, took a extra one to get all the food and suitcases there, and headed for the beach. Chris had to work that night, so he came down the next morning after getting off work.

Weather was stormy, sunny and very nice to us. We celebrated Breanna's birthday the night of the 22nd, can you believe she is 17 already? I can't. The younger generations had plenty of time on the beach, and us two older folk watched but did get out together one day. AND, thats when I had my worst moment. Karl and I was playing fox and geese on the hard sand. You know you make a circle on the sand with cross paths in it. I was chasing him, made a quick move, and my feet slipped on the sand and down I went on my right hip.

At first my thoughts was, did I break a hip bone, but I bounced up on both knees and got up and hobbled around, no broken bones that I know of. Was sore for 10 days to lay on that side, but now I'm back to normal.

On Sunday the 24th, all 14 of us went to a very nice Baptist Church in Taft and had a most wonderful Christmas sermon, perhaps the best I've even had. Had never given it much thought that Mary and Joseph might have been still in their teens when God announced to Mary that she would be with child. I've always pictured Joseph as a older man with a full beard, probably white and Mary being younger, but certainly not teenagers, but when you think about it, they did marry earlier than what we normally do.

The younger gals took care of most of the food. They found some German type food at Rays Foods in Taft, and we pretended to be in Germany again. Chris had found some plastic egg cups, so we had hard boiled eggs, just like we did in Folenplacken. You got to eat them in a certain way to be as German as we want to be. Oh, to be back there right now.

One breakfast we had scrambled eggs in a bag. You put a pan of water on and bring to a boil, you beat up the eggs, and pour maybe a half cup into a plastic bag, add bacon bits, ham bits, cheese or whatever you want in your scrambled eggs, and put the bags in the water. In about 8 minutes you have scrambled eggs. Donna put way too much in my plastic bag, and I had a plate FULL.

We came home on the 27th and Julie, Dan & Micah left on the 28th. We miss them, not having them around for all the birthdays, etc., but also know they are only 6 or 7 hours away by plane, so that makes it endurable for us.

Speaking of birthdays, this old guy (well, I think I'm old) just turned 74 on the 2nd. I never thought I'd ever see 60 or 65, and now I'm looking forward to 75 next year. We celebrated on the 1st with all the kids here (but Julies family) and I think had a good time. Pictures will no doubt make a later blog.

Were supposed to have SNOW this morning, but maybe will by nightfall. Our t-v crews make a snowflake into a blizzard. It is absolutely hilarious they way they go on and on and on. If we had a snowfall like they have had in the Denver area this year, then I can see why they would try and have the coverage they do.

Oh folks, if your reading this from far away, YOU must COME to Portland to ride the TRAM that the city built this last year. The 17 million dollar tram ended up around 57 or so million, and now they want to charge us $4.00 for a round trip up to OSHU medical center. Well, I'm just kidding you, come out, and you can have a free ride up to Rocky Butte.

And would you believe that some 53 years ago this spring, I met Donna for the first time, up at the zoo, but later that day, I took a picture of her and Helen Rhone up at Rocky Butte. A couple weeks ago, Karl was being baptized in their church, so Donna and I attended, and on the way home, we were driving down 82nd avenue and she said, lets go up to Rocky Butte. Its changed, houses most everywhere but in the circle around the Butte. The view is just as great however, so come on out and take a look. If you are a local reader, and haven't seen the city from up there, better take a look before someone decides to change it.

Know what, I've typed enough. Appreciated all the Christmas cards and newsy letters that accompanied many of them. Do have a very Happy New Year, and I'll contribute more a day or so from now.

Grandpa Howard