December came and went

Snow in Portland - this was the worst it got, and still many were going 15 MPH and had chains on their tires!

Scenes from the nativity story - reinacted by the extended Flamm family (on Jeff's Mom's side).
(12/20/08)

Granny and Grandpa Flamm looking great. Good picture.

Oh, there are the lovebirds at the Flamm Christmas Party.

And then the odd folks (Jeff's siblings) in this section of the party...Becca, Kaytie, Justin,

and Joe

at their best.

Ben and Teresa striking a pose at the party.

Us on Christmas Eve at the Spilker home (Teresa's parents).

Ben and Katie Spilker holding their niece, Brooke.

Jared Spilker with his crew (Brooke, Megan,

and Joshie).

Aren't these two adorable?

Sunday afternoon gathering for family pictures at the Spilker home (12/28/08).

Eliza Spilker (dancing for her baby cousins, Brooke and Megan) on Sunday.

Columbia River Gorge

Here are a few pictures (chosen out of the hundreds) that I (Jeff) took adventuring in the Columbia River Gorge on Sep. 23rd. Such great colors and beautiful waterfalls!

Looking from Chanticleer Point, with the famous Vista House on the right.

Latourell Falls.

Upper Latourell Falls.



Bridal Veil Falls.

Panoramic view of the gorge.

Fall was gorgeous!

Oregon Coast Aquarium and Yaquina Bay

While in Newport we visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the shops at Bayfront (at the docks of Yaquina Bay).

Freaky eels.

Freaky spider crabs.

Teresa touching stingray.

Jeff enjoying the feeling of being underwater with the fishies.

Teresa amongst the sharks.

Yaquina Bay Bridge seen from the Bayfront.

Seals at the docks of the Bayfront.

Teresa giddy as a schoolgirl at the candy store!

Newport for Teresa's Birthday!

For Teresa's birthday we drove the 3 hours southwest to Newport on the coast of Oregon. We arrived late Friday night (Sep. 5) and left Sunday afternoon.

We awoke to a gorgeous ocean view!

We toured the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast (93 feet tall):Yaquina Head Lighthouse , built in 1872 and just restored last year.

114 stairs to the top to see the original lense still in use. The light shines 162 feet above the ocean and can be seen 19 miles out to sea.