Tyler & Ashley's Wedding

A new addition to the family: Ashley Courtright

The Bride and Groom share their wedding cake



First dance!

I couldn't be prouder!

Visit with the Benningtons in Bend!

Smiling Mommy with little Grace

Audrey opens up an early birthday present :-)

Oliver with Mommy in his new polo

Auntie Laura admiring little Audrey

Chef Robert cooks for the Babies...

...then cooks for us! A man of culinary diversity. :-)

Laura and I had the honor on visiting our good friends Holly and Robert Bennington a few weeks ago in Bend. We came bearing early birthday gifts for Oliver, Grace, and Audrey. :-) Robert and Holly cooked us a wonderful meal and Laura and I got to visit for the first time with the WHOLE family! A absolutely wonderful time. We love you guys!

Jered's 27th Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Jered! The Big 27.

Jered Moss with Niece Hailey Moss

Our Daughter Ashli Keyser and Son-In-Law Kyle Keyser

Our Daughter Erin Moss and Son-In-Law Jered Moss

An Evening with the girls at Chateau Lorane

"The Girls" at Chateau Lorane

(L to R) The Twins - Ashli & Erin

Erin was able to break away from some of her new home remodeling for dinner at the Chateau.

Soon to be wed (Sept. 6th) Ashli enjoys some dinner at the Chateau

Nestled in the forests of Lane County, the girls and I had some great food and wine at the Chateau Lorane. And it was all for a good cause: The ARC of Lane County. My employer, GloryBee Foods, pays for a table at this event every year, where a large auction is held before, during, and after dinner to raise money for developmentally disabled kids and adults who receive services through the ARC. My daughters Ashli and Erin were able to break away from the guys for this evening of good food, wine, and raising of funds for this noteworthy charity. The scenery at The Chateau Lorane was unbelievable, resting near Lake Louise in the green forests of Lorane, Oregon, just 20 miles from Eugene. My daughter Ashli will be getting married in this area on September 6th at "Farm & Creek," just a few miles from where we dined on this fine evening. The wineries in this part of the country are unbelievable. King Estates Winery is our next trip we will take. From what I hear, the food is five star, and the scenery is out of this world. Can't wait!

AC

AC and I at the OSU vs. ASU basketball game

I had the opportunity to visit with AC Green after the OSU vs. ASU hoops game tonight in Corvallis. AC is still a class act, signing autographs for the kids after the game and doing it with a smile on his face. He even led "The Wave" at the game with former OSU standout David Lucas (son of former Trailblazer Maurice Lucas). We talked about his roommate (Scott Smith) who was one of my assistant basketball coaches and good friend my senior year at Corvallis High School. Scott and I shared AC's 22nd birthday with him at the Class Reunion Restaurant in Corvallis back in 1984. My how time has flown.

I also got to talk with former OSU players Van Anderson and Earl Martin. Van still remembered the time he broke my nose in a pick-up game at Dixon recreational center on campus. I was cherry picking down the court (one of my favorite pasttimes on the floor), and AC (who had just finished his rookie season with the LA Lakers) hit me with a perfect pass for a lay-in. Van jumped up, slapped the backboard, and landed right on top of my nose with his elbow. OUCH! Needless to say, my nose was as flat as a pancake. We had a good laugh over the incident that he still remembered, even after 24 years! He told me Earl and him had talked about it just the previous week. It's unbelievable that many years have gone by! Earl is still married to Trish (Sargent) Martin, who I went to middle and high school with back in the late 70's and early 80's. They are living in the Portland area.

All in all, it was a night of good memories and laughs, even though my beloved Beavs lost to ASU. Blazers coach Nate McMillan was at the game to watch his son, who plays for Arizona State.

I hope everyone is doing well. I thought some of you might be interested in this little story.

Troutdale Trip

Laura and I at McMenamims "Edgefield" in Troutdale, OR.

In our little room at McMenamims

Laura enjoys some "Facebook" time in one of the many lounges at McMenamims

In front of the lodge at "Edgefield" McMenamims




Laura and her high school friend Jana Reynolds

Laura and I had the privilege of spending 4 1/2 days together up in the Greater Portland area starting on the 31st of December. We spent two nights at a McMenamim's lodge in Troutdale known as "Edgefield." If you ever want to "get away" for a weekend, Laura and I highly recommend this beautiful getaway in Troutdale, Oregon, just East of Portland. A restaurant movie theatre, mineral salt-springs pool, wine-tasting rooms, glass blowing, ceramics, 5 restaurants on-site with nightly live music, a full spa, and billiards hall; all in the setting of the great Oregon outdoors.

On the 31st of December, Laura and I got to watch Blake Reynolds play basketball for the Utah Valley University, against the University of Portland. Blake is the daughter of Jana Reynolds, a good high school (Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Idaho) friend of Laura's who now lives in Boise with her husband JR, and son Dillon. It was great to watch Blake play some D-1 hoops, and then go out to dinner with the Reynolds family after the game. We had a wonderful time. Laura did a lot of "catching up" with Jana, who she hadn't seen in a number of years.

On Sunday, we got up and drove to Tualatin to visit Rolling Hills Community Church (a church I attended in the eary '90s). Although much bigger now, and in a new building, it had the same, Biblically-based teaching it had years ago. I was thankful to have the chance to visit, and felt the Lord moving and speaking to me during the service. He has remained faithful after all these years.

The biggest blessing of the weekend, though, was the chance to grow closer and spend quality time with my beautiful wife of 11 years. She has been a living example of love and forgivness to me these past 11 years. I truly am fortunate to have her in my life, and thank God I have the privilege of calling her my "wife." My prayer for 2009 is to grow even closer to Christ with Laura by my side. It's hard to fathom at times, but marriage is a sacred institution between a man and woman that is a reflection of our relationship to God. God being the Groom, and the church (us) being the bride. His love for us is unconditional! May we not forget this beautiful picture as we venture out into a new year.

Powell Family Christmas 2008

Civil Parking War

Kyle and Ashli, better known as "Kashli."

Laura and "The Kids" enjoy a Christmas feast

Erin makes some sugar cookies!

Grandma (my Mom) and Annyka

Annyka and "Papa" (my Dad)

My Brother Todd, Niece Annyka, and Sister-In-Law Melissa

The Powell family got together this year at Laura and I's home for a fun time of celebration and laughter. Rembering when our dear Savior came into the world to redeem our broken lives calls for celebration. We can truly look forward to life because of him. Without him, we would all live only for the moment, and in despair.

As we enter 2009, may we all remember the real reason we are even alive. God gave up so much for us by coming into this world, living a perfect life, and then dying for our imperfections. He truly shouldered it all for us. Amazing...