Aquatic Airborne Activity

Darla Diane : Safe Stunt Girl - Loves Water!

Nolan Ricky: Reckless & Wild in Water!!

Elijah (Above) Apparently too fast of a jumper for camera to catch airborne. BUT . . . . he is persistent & wanted to keep trying until Mama captured proof of his airborne abilities which are shown below . . .

This is just one of many lazy days at Grandpa Ricky's house (my papa). Fun Days!

Note: Payton not pictured because he is STILL at his paternal grandparents (sniffle)

BUT he will be home tomorrow thankfully. We miss the boy!

Reminder: Pursue Dream

Of course there is no guarantee that your hopes or dreams will be realized but you do have the free will to pursue them - to try. Alan is doing this in February. My husband has been hired to sing at numerous weddings & other events. He is a talented singer. He highly doubts he is one of THE BEST - thus unlikely to win this talent competition BUT I admire him for trying. He definitely is more skilled then several of this shows contestants. He will be auditioning in Portland in February 2009 for Nashville Star. I have had people suggest I try as well and my response is quite simple: NO THANKS! Oh my goodness, Alan totally LOVES performing in front of a large audience. I, on the other hand, completely choke up in fear. I have two experiences singing solo in front of a large crowd at the County Fair some years back, and at the Estacada Fireworks and GULP - my knees shook so violently - all I could think about was just wanting to walk off the stage - to quit. So, after the county fair I decided - Im content singing at small gatherings and that's it. Now if someone discovers a smoke-free, family oriented restaurant that offers karaoke contests - please sign me up. I have had really good luck at those types of competitions. . . . but they are few & far between. Usually only bars offer these contests and I cannot handle the cig smoke. Speaking of which, , , , have you heard??? The rumor that come the 1st of the year smoking will be banned from all public places (including bars). That rocks!

Our Furry Family Members

Introducing . . . . Penny

Payton's Rhodesian Ridgeback. We adopted our beloved Penny from the Humane Society 6 years ago.

She is such a good dog. The kids can sleep outside at night on the trampoline staring up at the stars & our guard dog alerts us if even a chipmunk approaches the back yard. She is trained to do all sorts of show-offy types of things and we cant wait to move to a farm where she can really get crazy.

Love you Penny!!!

Our boy Bo, also known as Bo-Bo, & Bo-Bo's . . . .

is Elijah's Cuddle Toy. Bo is also Alan's All-Time-Favorite cat!!

And finally. . . presenting Bo's sister:

Sunshine Darla Darla (goes by Sunshine):

We adopted this brother & sister duo as babies. Elijah & Darla had been begging us for a cat for a long time. When we went to adopt ONE cat - - -- we fell in love with both and just couldnt separate the brother & sister, so thus we have two cats. That was about 4 or so years ago. Well . .. . . Elijah & Darla named their cats on their own and the cats on their own knew where they each would sleep at night. Bo, since the beginning of time, has elected to sleep with Elijah . . . . and Sunshine with Darla. So cute. If I can setup a scanner - I want to scan a couple pics from back in the day when Bo was literally larger than young Elijah. Bo is a big cat and is the biggest cuddler in the world.

So Sunshine & Bo love adventuring, hunting & playing outside most of the day & eve. They usually sleep inside at night. They are quite spoiled actually. Sunshine scratches at the window when she wants in or out. Bo just mozies up to the door & waits - if you take too long he will approach you & lovingly "poke" you with a claw to let ya know.

So there you have it - - - - our furry family members.

NOTE: We are strong advocates for pets to get spayed & neutered. Often times I he ar people say things like "We just cant afford the vet bill to get them fixed", , , , all while their pets keep reproducing thus becoming more & more expensive to feed & care for them. Here is an awesome resource for people who could use assistance paying for the spay/neuter of their pet (POPPA Pet Over-Population Prevention Advocates)

http://www.poppainc.org/

Come Home Big Brother!!!

We miss you Payton!!!!

Note: Payton has been for a whole week, visiting his paternal grandparents. Although we are thrilled he gets to spend so much time with them (we adore & love them) . . . . we really do miss the boy back home.

P.S. I Love You

HIGHLY RECOMMEND RENTING THIS MOVIE!!!! TEAR JERKER FOR MEN & WOMEN - LOVE/LIFE STORY!!!

Buy a new outfit. Be a disco diva. Learn to fish. Take a chance. Travel. Laugh. Love. Sometimes all you need to start really living is a little shove in the right direction – and that’s just what Holly Kennedy gets. From the handsome, big-hearted love of her life. From a series of mysterious letters. And from gal pals who know that a friend in need is a friend in need of some laughs! Based on Cecelia Ahern’s joyful bestseller and boasting a top cast led by two-time Academy Award® winner* Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler (300), P.S. I Love You is your very own message full of fun, love, triumph and romance. Open it now. (P.S. You’ll love it!)

Quote Of The Day

"Mama . . . can I have a hairy peach?" Elijah Alan Crombie, 5.75 yrs old

Missing: 1 wooden oar & 1 flip flop

What: 2 man raft flips over in rapids

Where: Salmon River - in Welches

When: Wednesday July 16th

Casualties: 1 wooden oar & 1 flip flop

Survived By: 2 scared teenage boys; Payton & best friend Issac

Ok so our eldest son escaped quite a scare when him & his best friend Issac went rafting down our neighboring Salmon River for the 2nd day in a row. The problem THIS time? They chose to veer to the left when the River Y'd . . . rather than sticking with the safe - tried & true right side of the river. They went up over a big rock that "looked like fun" to the boys & ended up flipping the raft. Both boys OF COURSE were required to wear good life jackets but still with the strong current sucking at them - they were under water awhile till both boys were able to cling onto the raft. They finished their long rafting river road . . . . and called from our friends house to be picked up. It is going on noon now and neither boy has asked either sets of parents yet about going rafting again today. Wonder why?

Praise God for the boys safety. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

Got Hydrangeas?

Well, ours are just about blooming here in our gardens

(later than usual - thank you LONG winter).

Anyways, my mom gave me a neat tip / fun use of this particular flower

. . . and I thought I would share:

(1) Cut a bloom w/ stem
(2) Place in 1" of water
(3) Do not refill or mess with
(4) Leave flower in the vase until all the water is absorbed & gone
(5) This creates a "dried flower" HOWEVER all the flowers natural color is preserved
(6) Make a wreath or give as a gift . . . . limitless options

Crombie Campout 2008

This year's campout wasnt at a campground up here on the Mtn or up the Clackamas, but was held the Fourth of July Weekend at "The Farm", which is also known as Alan's childhood home, and now owned by Alan's oldest nephew & his adorable family. Pretty good turnout, has been better in years past, but the planning was pretty casual this year.

One of our nieces & her family suprised the group & brought a huge inflatable "bounce house" for the kids & adults to enjoy. Alan & I brought the karaoke, of course. There were BBQ's, a firepit, a blend of motor homes & tents way out in the back field. . . . . and lots of hot dogs & smores were eaten.

Darla & her papa singing their "signature song" . . . . SWEET HOME ALABAMA. This duo has been performing this hit since Darla was just a wee babe, only back then she called it "Sweet Home Bamma Bamma".

Payton & his cousin Thomas lovingly fighting. What campout is complete without a foam sword fight thingy?

Gentleman Nolan helping out his 2nd cousin Emma Renee.

The Estacada Fireworks were so nice, and we got to enjoy the ooohs & ahhhs from several of the younest Crombie's watching them for the 1st time. A family tradition since I was a child is & has always been - as each firework is exploding it rotates . . . . "Ok, next one is Papa's" . . . then the next oldest, which would be me, then "ok the next ones are Payton, etc.,. . . . . Well it is pretty cool because every now & then one of us get a dud or a big show on our turn. The ultimate objective is to see "who gets the grand finale" . . . . the final big explosion of grand fireworks at the end. This year, papa/Alan won for the 1st time. It was pretty cool.

This year I realized - it's official - every year one of the kids spill a sticky soda on the blanket just before we are packing up to walk back to the car. . . . . otherwise the blanket wouldnt have needed a washing for a while . . . at least a picnic or so later. Uggh

Well Happy Fourth To You And Yours, and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

Me, myself & I escaped for a weekend

. . . . to a Women's Retreat last month, at Canby Grove.It was a wonderful time with fellow believers.

The Guest Speaker was my room-mates mother, Gloria Califf.

Speaking of room-mates . . . . what a hysterical, bubbily funtime

it was laughing so late into the night with her.

The rooms were tiny but perfect for the purpose of sleeping,

or in our case TALKING & LAUGHING! :-)

It seemed just as we both would be close to dozing off

a loud train would rumble thru the nearby town of Canby,

or fellow campers (H.S. football teams) would hollar something

outside our open window like "John! John! John!" (maybe 6 or so times?)

Ok so back to the incredible message . . . . much of it was based on a terrific

self-published book by Gloria Califf titled "Winning The Race Of Life".

She had thoughtfully prepared a wonderful message for us women.

Gloria, a triathlete, reveals insights for a successful spiritual race, and

we spent a lot of time chewing on this particular scripture:

Hebrews 12:1-2

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

The book is an incredibly easy read and a powerful message.

You can buy your own copy for only $10 + $2 shipping.

Go to her website at: http://www.gloriacaliff.com/

Kids LOVED weeklong Vacation Bible School

Nolan, Darla, & Elijah (photo by papa)

Oh wow . . . The Church On The Mountain really, really went all out this year!!! It was the streets / marketplace from Jesus' time. The kids learned so much! They got to make their very own pottery for the 1st time, used weaving looms, tasted candy from those times, made bread, did woodworking, jewelry making, cared for animals, learned lots of songs, & rituals (like having their feet washed in a small basin before eating) . . . and lots of dancing. Darla, Elijah, & Nolan were all in the same tribe . . . . wore head coverings, & robes to dress the part from that period.

Yes! That IS Nolan (below) voluntarily ON STAGE

rockin' out with a tamborine!

Such Studious Young Men

Listening Intently to The Lesson

Darla Dancing For The Lord

Heaven on Earth

Better late than never. . . right? But here are a couple pics from Alan & I's wonderful wedding anniversary weekend (KID FREE) getaway to NE Washington (Spokane - up to Colville - and even Northern Idaho - Priest River area). We love love love that region. Gorgeous Heaven on Earth, , , , and priced affordably.

We stayed at this adorable total Lil' House On The Prairie style cabin . . . . called the White Tail Inn. Just the two of us out in the middle of nowhere . . . . spent a lot of time on the cabin's porch, where hummingbirds were a constant! Boy they loved that hanging fuschia. Of course I and my lifelong learyness around birds - let him sit closest to the fuschia. Of course a hummingbird literally came & stuck its hummer inside his ear. No exaggeration here. Was hilarious.

Inside the cabin it was perfect & cozy & even had a sleeping loft above, IF we want to bring the kids with us another time. And it is an affordable $65/night with all the amenities one might need. including hot tub, fishing pond, horseback riding, . . . too much to list really.

This is a pic of the Columbia River (Lake Roosevelt) which had been drained to send California a majority of their electricity. Usually this river is huge & magestic & sparkling. I did manage to capture a decent pic of the sun going down.

Here is only one example of homestead's for sale in this region. Now tell me that isnt just beautiful?!?!?