Ice cream is good

Supporting the local businesses is something that I have dedicated myself to since moving to Prineville. Has been pretty rough, and usually means an exercise program and a good stain removal system is needed. Have really enjoyed getting settled in to Central Oregon. The children have jumped right in to school, doing work every Tuesday with a group in Redmond, about 30 min west from us. They have lots of work during the week to prepare for these sessions. They also are attending a Friday local co-op with Science and Music training.
  They all played AYSO soccer this summer, have been busy riding bikes, fishing the creek across the street, hiking local trails, and of course the local obligatory trips to local culinary businesses to help stimulate the economy. We are on call a lot here, but the call that we are on is much less taxing than any I have imagined. I am helping cover another local hospital, in Madras, about 40 min to the northeast where I take call every Friday, and one weekend a month.
  Passing my written board exam was definitely the highlight of my summer, much more so than graduating from residency, and I look forward to my shot at the oral exam in March. Have definitely enjoyed hiking, a short camping trip, riding bikes, running on trails and with a local weekly running group, tackling some world-class mountain biking trails, teaching Alec how to fish, and seeing the sunshine every day!  In addition, we were able to take in several OSU football games (THE Oregon State University, for all of my midwest buddies) with my dad and Maria, as well as with Grandma and Grandpa Seppa.  Kristi and I even got to go to an outdoor Alison Krauss concert in Bend, which was really fun.
  We look forward to being able to continue to explore the amazing outdoor activities here, get to know our families again, and make new friends and become more involved in the local community and church. We have been very blessed with quick friendships with a couple of families at the church we are attending, with the job I have, being close to family, and the smooth transition we have enjoyed so far. Our home in Ohio is possibly sold, which is yet another reason to be grateful. We have much for which to be thankful, and for this we truly give thanks to God for so much that we have been given, that we enjoy, and that has been promised to us.

From Fall/Winter 2011

Kristi and the kids belly up to the bar at Goody's Ice Cream Parlor in Prineville

From Fall/Winter 2011

Alec tries out the licorice ice cream, white shirt and all. Talk about living on the edge! Nobody said it would be easy supporting the local community, but with lots of practice with more neutral colors and similarly colored upper apparel, one can then graduate on to more senior moves like this one.

End Of Summer Pictures

The kids new favorite place to spend some change on treats is on the main street in Prineville: "Goody's"!

It is always so hard to decide, but they let you get a few cents of this and a few cents of that.

We went for a walk down by the Crooked River at the tail end of summer. Made the kids wash up before we did it so we could take some pictures.

They wanted to be in the river, or fishing in the river, not walking beside it, but they humored us.

Took these pictures right before we started school for the year. We are now into week ten of school, so these picture are pretty outdated :) All the kids are probably wearing different sizes now than they were then!

It has been a busy fall for our family, but we are really grateful for the new people and places God has put into our lives. We are learning new things and especially enjoying getting to see David more.