1998 Oregon/HOlly&Angie, Oahu/Carolyn&Tim 1st trip to Hawaii;

Oregon and Seattle

June 18-July 4, 1998

Tim elected not to go to Oregon again this year.  I think he was enjoying his freedom and had started working at CompUSA where Faith worked.  So Angie chose another friend to go with her---Holly---another good tag a long.

Had to make a trip to the coast.  It was cold---even in the summer.

 but they still waded in the ocean

 Holly taking a picture

 bundled up

 flirting

I think we were there in June this year.  It can still be pretty cool in June.  This would have been celebrating Mom and Dad's anniversary

 the family bar b q

 Instead of staying on the coast for our mini vacation this year, we took a train up to Seattle---more for the train ride then actually for Seattle, but Seattle was a bonus.  We caught the train in Salem

 We were on the Coast Starlight.  It has a really neat 2nd level viewing car.  We spent most of our time up there watching the beautiful Oregon and Washington scenery go by.

 In Seattle, we stayed downtown and walked most places.  Her we are at the top of the Space Needle.

 views from the Needle.

 inside the Needle museum

 more views of the city from the Needle

 In the Science museum near the base of the Needle.  The girls got a kick out of a children's book about "poop"

 testing gravity

 looking out at the Space Needle.

 We also walked through Pike's Market. 

 then walked along the waterfront.  Came upon an aquarium.  There were some pretty scary critters there!

 the girls playing in the petting aquarium

 On a picnic table---I thought this was a really neat art piece.

 We ended up buying a CityPass to many of the museums and attractions of Seattle: the Space Needle; Aquarium; even the zoo.  So we took a bus to the zoo. 
 It was a really neat, albeit relatively small, zoo.

 Back in Seattle, we also went to the Art museum

 Art certainly is subjective!

 After a couple nights, it was time to head back to the train and back to Salem.  Looked like this might be a neat place to have a meal.  But we spent most of our time in the viewing car again.

 Back in Oregon, we did another day trip into the mountains to Clear Lake.  Took our nephew Daniel with us.

 I'm a sucker for waterfalls, so whenever we're close to one I have to stop.  This is Sahalie Falls near Clear Lake.   It was really roaring today.

 On our way back to Dallas, we caught sunset as we headed down the mountains.

 Back in Mom and Dad's yard.  We used it alot!  Even for wiffle ball.

We even took Mom into Walmart---the only time she was taken shopping in the 32 years she was paralyzed!  I can't imagine how hard it was for her to be paralyzed for 32 years!!!  Or for Dad to be her 100% caregiver for 32 years!  (although I found out what it's like to be a caregiver for Ken for over 7 years when he was dx with Charcot's foot and then Glioblastoma a few years after he retired).

Our flight home was delayed several hours, so the airline put us up in hotel rooms.  Ken was anxious to get home and back to work since 300 supervisors were let go while he was gone, but his job was spared.  But he didn't want to get off to a bad start.

Oahu

I happened to come across a travel ad in our local paper for air fare and hotel for 5 nights in Waikiki for $599@.  Sounded like a good deal to me, so I showed it to Ken.  To my surprise, he said ok.  so before he could change his mind, I booked it---and extended our stay for 7 nights and upgraded our room to a studio for another $20/night extra.  Carolyn and Tom even bought the deal for 5 nights.   I'd always wanted to go to Hawaii, but never really considered it someplace we could afford to go to.  So glad we went!!!!  It was the start of many more trips to the islands.

Getting ready to take a submarine ride.  I was surprised how light it is 100' down.

 Another day we rode around the island a bit---stopping here at Byodoin Temple

 of course we hung out on Waikiki Beach, too.

View from our room!

 We even did a luau---Germaine's.  It was pretty neat.

 And we went to the island orientation where they actually took our picture.  We bought it.

 Our hotel, Maili Sky Court, is the tall one in the back.  It was a pretty walk to the beach through a grassy park.

 Ken and I also went to the Arizona Memorial.  It really was moving and humbling!  Well worth the entrance fee of $0! 

 After Carolyn and Tom left, Ken and I took a bus to Hanauma Bay to give snorkeling a try. 

 I was hooked!!!!  Most of our vacations after that were with snorkeling in mind!

 On our tour of the island, we also went to the Dole Plantation. 

I wasn't really surprised that I loved Hawaii, but I was surprised at just how much I loved it!  I thought this would be a once in a life time trip.  20+ trips to Hawaii later , I still love it!

Around Florissant

 

  Our house is paid off!  Not bad, 42 and my house is paid off.  

Tim working for Knowles AC and later for CompUSA now, along with Faith.  He's also going to UMSL now.

I started the year with a sore throat and infection that kept coming back for a couple months.  So sick of being sick!

Feb. Ken's Mom and Leroy got married again, this time in the CAtholic church in St. Ann.

 

March---I found a great travel deal to Hawaii for $599 air and accommodations.  AFter Ken approving, I booked us a trip there for Nov. of this year---our 1st trip to Hawaii! Spent months studying up on it. 

I'm still working for the Flower pot and Prestige.  Ken just got notice that 300 people will be laid off soon.  Now to see if he's one of them.

April---Tim and Faith still growing their relationship.  Tim even bought her an engagement ring and will be proposing soon.  She was probably the first real long lasting girlfriend I remember Tim having.  I guess he was waiting for the best.

I believe this may be right before he proposed to her---the start of a long engagement. 

April---Angie's Jeep SUV has been a money pit.  So finally getting rid of it and getting her a different car---found a program car '97 Ford Contour with 23,000 for $10,000.  Used my "Italy senior trip for Angie" for the down payment and Angie agreed to pay the $100/month insurance on it. 
 

Angie still working at Stef's.  She'll call before leaving.  On a few occassions, I'll hear Tim having a nonsensical conversation with her on the phone where neither says anything---but we know she's on her way home then.

I went to MOBOT with Tim and FAith to see the Spring flowers, then we went to dinner at the Bevo Mill---their first time there and my first time for dinner.  WE were feeling a bit underdressed but had a great dinner.  They even had a violinist going table to table playing music.

By now Angie was a Jr. in high school.   One of her activities was hockey manager---Kevin was on a team.  Here she is at one of the games.

 May---Mark asked me to come in to work and learn to use their Bronica's for team photos.  That started the many trips to track one down before my assignments until I broke down and bought my own while in Oregon one time.

Mother's Day---Tim got me a beautiful pair of gold hoop earrings; Angie got me a cute Precious Moments figurine.  BAr b Q at MaryAnn's.  She even gave me her Grandmother's or Great Grandmother's wedding band.

May 16---dinner at Mr. Steak with Ken.  Tim got me Russell Stovers.  Then I worked a prom. 

June 9---ANgie's last day of school as a Jr.  

Ken finally bought a new computer!

 The summer before her Senior year she had her senior portraits taken.  By then she was also working for Prestige (in an office doing receptionist work) so we got quite the deal on her portraits. 

 

Tim and another band

Angie to prom and she took Kevin to 94th Aerosquadron for dinner.

 with the Putz still

 Angie and her pup, Pepsi.

 That summer Angie wanted to play CYC softball one last time.  It took quite some doing, but I managed to find another small core of girls from another part of North County, and a bunch of Angie's NAM friends.  After a lot of hassle and persistance, I got them enrolled in the high school league. 

 Turned out to be a really good team!  The girls all got along great, too.

 They even won city championship!!!!  The Cinderella team!  Of course, NAM didn't really honor them like they did other championship teams.  Usually winning teams got matching jackets.  They got a sweatshirt. 

  Angie's senior year started up!  No softball foleys with  the ignorant McCluer softball coach.  She decided to go out for volleyball instead.  Made the team---not surprised since their sports teams aren't very good.  They sure could use some better coaches!  But she got to play and got along with her teammates. 

Tim applied to work at WEstern Union.  Got the job, but got disenchanted with his co-workers so quit and went to work at CompUSA where Faith works.  Seems to be a good fit for him.

 

ANgie working for Smith's Jewelry at Grandpa Pigeons.  Seems a better fit then the food industry. 

I'm working a LOT of hours at Prestige now!  Also coaching a select 12 and under boys volleyball team, but have decided not to after this season---at least as long as I can play.  Been missing a lot of my games.  Plus I'm still coaching and working at the Pot. 

Tim and Faith have been officially engaged for a few months, but still no word on when they're getting married. (Turned out to be Feb. 15, 2003)

  Ken and I got to a timeshare presentation (for some knives, or something) and ended up buying an EOY at Pahio Kauai Beach Villas.  Not so much for going there, but to exchange and go elsewhere.  But in 2001 we decided to check Kauai out and fell in love with it!  

I also caught 2 more weekend special fares to Oregon in Oct.-Dec.  

Somewhere along the line, my Cutlass blew a gasket, so we bought a "new" dark green '95 Cutlass Supreme with 40,000 miles for $10,000

And another year flies by

Sick, again, by New Year's Eve so cancelled out on going to Schneides for party.

1997 Oregon/Shannon, England-Scotland /the kids & Carolyn, Tim to NWmoState

Oregon

Now that Tim's in college, when he said he didn't want to go to Oregon, we figured he's old enough to stay home by himself.  So we let Angie invite a friend to go.  She chose Shannon Russell.  She's a sweet girl and was a joy to have along.

Dad and Ken heading off to do a little fishing.

 The girls and I went to Silver Falls one day.  Love this park!  So many falls in a short distance and only about 30 minutes away from Mom and Dad's house.

1996 New Jersey-New York/Gadzialas, Oregon

 Oregon-Seattle

 For some reason, I don't seem to have many pictures of our Oregon-Seattle trip.
Back then I was still using my film camera.  I guess I just didn't find many I figured were worth scanning.  But here are a couple:

Mom and Dad at Carolyn's annual dinner.  Usually she made lasagna for everyone.  She does make a great lasagna.

 The kids and we went to the coast at least for the day.  The kids played in the 55 degree water again.

1995 Oregon-Seaside-Deshutes rafting-camping Elkhorn

 

Around home in Florissant

I always hated Jan and Feb in St. Louis!  Cold, snowy, icy, dreary.  The snow is pretty for about a day, then it's dirty and dreary again.  Pepsi sure liked it, though.

It was also a lot of work plowing our driveway!

 

 

 

Perhaps changing from Catholic school to public school wasn't such a good idea---at least for Angie now in 8th grade.  She's having trouble in PE (8 tardies), suspension for "fighting", grades suffering and not doing her homework.  At least she's excelling in music and they have a great jazz band.  

 

 

Tim also has taken up music again.  He got an electric guitar with xmas and birthday money.  We told him we'll pay him back if he's interesed enough to take lessons.  So he's taking lessons and doing really well.  He even played Happy Birthday to my Mom over the phone---which she later mentioned meat a lot to her.

 

Tim and I are also taking a racketball clinic.  We're the only 2 in the clinic, but that doesn't surprise me since the office knew nothing about it when we registered.

 

Angie went skiing with the SSJJ youths from 11pm-6am.  Sounds like she did well.

 

The new Y volleyball season started up again in Jan. and we're playing as a family.  Even Pete and Mary Kuntz are playing with us.

 

I'm still reffing one day a week to keep the Y membership.

 

Tim injured his knee playing basketball.  We took him to the ER and told he had a strained knee.  3 weeks later, he was still hobbling so I took him to Dr. Sheridan (bone Dr.).   He immediately noticed swelling and popping and suggested surgery.  So on Fri, 2-24 he had surgery.  At least his condritis dessecans looked good according to Dr. Sheridan, but about 1/2 of his cartilage in the one knee was removed.  

 

 REport cards are in and Tim got straight A's again  and made the National Honor Society.  He plans to take 4 honors classes next year, including French IV.  AFter a couple years of slacking off, he's working hard again.  He was also nominated for a special math and science summer school 4 week honors class at UMSL.  He didn't want to do it, but applied anyway---didn't get chosen as one of the 52 in the state but was picked as an alternate.  

National HOnor Society awards ceremony.

 

 

Now Angie's slacking off.  HOpefully that will change soon.  Maybe it's just that she's become boy crazy.  She did try out for the jazz band and made it.  She was chosen to go to a band festival during school in May.  

 

This Spring I also gave the kids the choice of having their bedroom floors refinished or recarpeted.  They chose carpeting and picked out new carpeting that was installed in March.  

 

April---Tim takes his driving test for the 3rd time and now has a drivers license.   Now he's gone all the time.

 

April 25--my best bowling day ever!  Started out slow with a 137, then got 236 and 207.  But I was just subbing, so didn't win anything even though I have high game and series for the league. 

May 10---finally got our family room floors professionally refinished.

 

ANgie's been dating Chris for a couple months now.  She's also done some caddying for extra money

 

Tim and his friends seem to really enjoy school and the teachers really like them.  They're constantly pranking each other and even involve the teachers.  They're a smart bunch of kids with creative, but good, minds.  

 

June---another jaz concert with Angie having a couple solos.  Although she played one of them with her brush and reed holder in the bell of her sax and forgot it was there.  The conductor kept pointing at the sax but she didn't know what he was pointing at until he reached in and grabbed her brush.  Then she remembered and shook the reed holder out---in the middle of the song.  Thought it would have been a great video for "Funniest Home Videos"!

 

 Funny side note---Angie's history teacher told her she was "creatively strange" in a positive way.   

Now that summer is here, I let the kids dye the hair.  

Tim even let his curls go natural!

Grades are in and Angie really picked them up.  Maybe all my harrassing her is paying off!  She even did very well in the standardized tests.
 

Ken --- got a new company car---an all white 4 door Ford Taurus.  

Angie's playing softball for a new summer team and doing great.  Originally the coaches step-daughter was going to be catcher, but after 3 innings, Angie has been catcher.  She's been hitting really well after the first 4 at bats, too, becoming 2nd highest on the team.  The coach made an interesting comment to her at one game---"You look like you're ready to hit the F___out of anything that comes anywhere near you!"  He's always so quiet that surprised me.

 

June---Father's Day--- we went to Casa Gallardo with the Fischer's for the buffet lunch.  Don mentioned that he thought Angie was being rather ridiculous when she had said she didn't want to play select VB because she wanted her weekends back, but now he really understands.  Jenny's team has played a lot of tournies this year.  She even broke a finger last week.   

 

6-28  Took Tim to an orthodontist consult for his overbite.  I didn't realize how big his overbite was until he asked why Angie got braces and he didn't and he stuck his tongue out at me through his clenched teeth.  The Dr. actually recommended surgery.  

6-29   got a 2nd phone line that Angie's helping to pay for.  Tim calls it Chris's private line.  Angie and Chris's relationship is still going strong. 

At NAM one day while Tim was hanging out with Erin, NIcole, and Tom,  Mrs. Gettemeier asked Tim what happened to Angie's hair.  He told her a story about being in an accident,to which she said, "are you lying to me, Hon".  Then Mary said something about Nicole's car to which Tim said, "are you lying to me, Hon?"  He said it went right over her head, but Father was standing there snnickering.  Tim's not nearly the quiet kid he was.  He's become quite the comedian.  

7- 9  Scout camp!!!!   Yeah.  Angie even rode with Chris's folks to visit him at a different scout camp on Thurs.  

7---- while the guys were camping I had the living room /dining room floors refinished.  

7--- getting ready for the Oregon trip and next year's school year, Angie got her physical.  The Dr. said she has a functional heart murmur (like I do). 

 

Angie has also started working at BJ's Bar and Grill and restaurant.  Tim's been working for Steimel doing yard work.

 

 

 

 

Oregon

Usually when we're in Oregon, we spend a couple nights around the Lincoln City area---nice beaches, variety of restaurants and shopping, closest to Dallas.  But this year we took a trip up the coast.

Hugs point on the north shore of Oregon.  Before the highway was built, the beach was the only way to travel along this stretch of coast.

Heading down to the beach from the parking lot.

Some of the caves along the beach