tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730316874286947932024-03-13T11:09:06.703-07:00Jodi's JournalFollowing Jesus on the ever-changing, never boring adventure called life.Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-50067563263727872982019-08-25T11:30:00.000-07:002019-08-25T11:36:04.186-07:00Out of the Storm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been reading the book of Job as part of my assigned Bible reading. It's a confusing book. (I've read it multiple times and still don't fully "get it" so don't overanalyze my mini-synopsis from a theological standpoint).<br />
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Job has the perfect life: a wife, a host of kids, health, wealth, and a highly regarded godly reputation. Then, in a twist that seems so odd it doesn't seem like it could possibly be a nonfiction story, Satan accuses Job of only loving God because his life has been so richly blessed by God. God disagrees and the two strike a deal. Satan can attack Job - up to taking his life - to test him.<br />
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Job loses everything. His children all die in a freak accident. His wealth is stolen away. His wife tells him to curse God and die. And then his health is taken from him. All of this happens in the first handful of chapters. <br />
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The rest of the book of Job - save the final chapters - are narratives of Job pouring out his heart to his best friends, who completely botch their theology and their attempt to comfort Job. They take turns telling him all the things they perceive he did wrong to bring the suffering upon himself. </div>
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It's not an uplifting Bible story. Certainly not the one your pre-schooler will learn about in Sunday School. So much of this book FEELS like it does not align with the narrative of the God in the rest of the story of the Bible. The God who creates beauty, loves deeply, redeems the broken and promises to make all things new again doesn't seem to be one who would allow suffering of this level just to prove a point. The book of Job raises more questions than answers for me and that's okay. I like serving a God that is so much bigger than me that I can't really fully comprehend all the pieces of who He is. But I digress...</div>
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Thirty-seven long chapters into the story, Job and his friends are done arguing and beating each other up verbally. They pause to just sit in their sadness. I bet they wonder where God is in all of this. I know I would.</div>
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Chapter 38 starts with this beautiful phrase.</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm."</span></i></b></div>
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Friends, even when God is silent... when we feel ALL ALONE in our suffering... when our friends or spouses say the wrong thing... when death robs us of those we love... when we lose everything financially... when our health is unexpectedly taken from us... EVEN THEN... we are never alone.</div>
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God is with us in our suffering. He can handle our questions. Our disbelief. Our raw emotions. Our fumbling. Our failures. He is with us in the storm. </div>
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Sometimes we have to work through all the crap and verbal vomit to come to a place of silence.</div>
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<b><i>Then... the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm.</i></b></div>
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I am so grateful to serve a God who speaks. In my suffering. In the silence. In the highs and lows of life. </div>
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He speaks. </div>
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He is with me. </div>
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He is with you. </div>
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I am forever grateful.</div>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-76330360830732951322019-08-05T09:17:00.001-07:002020-07-02T14:12:10.720-07:00Seven Years: In Uganda as it is in HeavenOur 15 year daughter Alli is currently in Uganda with a team of mostly high schoolers working and serving the people in Gulu. She has dreamed of this moment for seven years.<br />
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Seven years ago, life was HARD for our family. Alli was in a dark space... struggling in every aspect of her sweet little life. Every single day was a challenge for her, and for us as her parents trying to help her. In the midst of this season, Pastor Mutatu, an African pastor, visited our church. He was also a guest at a small group Curt and I were a part of. That night, at small group, I had "<i>A Moment</i>." The heaviness of life was suffocating and I broke down. Our group came around Curt and I and prayed for us. They prayed for our Alli. They prayed for Grant, Katie and Paige. It was powerful.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alli - age 8</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She lobbied hard for a typewriter for her birthday.</td></tr>
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And then Pastor Mutatu said, "<i>I want to meet your daughter. I have a daughter the same age and I know they would be friends."</i></div>
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A few days later, Alli sat across from Pastor Mutatu, her creamy white skin a beautiful contrast to his rich, dark skin, and they talked. About life. About being eight years old. About the challenges she faced... about the challenges he faced. About his family... about hers. They lived a half a world away with lives, that on the surface, appeared to be as different as their skin colors. But as with most things, their commonality was so much greater than the few things that divided them. </div>
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Pastor Mutatu asked good questions. He challenged Alli on her areas of weakness. He spoke words of life and encouragement over her strengths and the good that he saw in her. <b>In a season where success was hard to come by, this was LIFE GIVING. </b></div>
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And then, in his beautiful accent, he invited Alli to be "<i>the first child missionary from our church</i>" to come and join him and his family in the work they were doing in Africa. Without hesitation, our girl - who had been crippled by anxiety for years - said, "<i>Yes if my Mom and Dad will let me.</i>" It was a holy and powerful moment. One I can't talk about without crying, even though it's been seven years. </div>
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<b>Friends... our words hold power. With them we can kill a spirit or be an agent of healing.</b></div>
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The time was not right for Alli to travel to Africa, but Pastor Mutatu planted a seed. He gave Alli a vision of a world outside the confines of Newberg, a love for the African people and a dream to serve them some time in her life. </div>
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A few months after her meeting with Pastor Mutatu, our girl broke down. It was scary, but God is so good. He was right there with us, in the muck and the mire of the darkest days of our life. With the help of a team of talented professionals, we started on a very long journey toward mental, physical, and emotional health and healing. Seven years later, our Alli Girl is healthy and thriving, something I am grateful for every single day. </div>
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It took seven years, but our girl is finally in Africa, living out a dream that God planted in her heart. Alli raised $4,000 to go on this trip. Many of you donated to her trip, gave her cans to recycle, hired her to babysit your kids or feed your pets, or paid her for free throws that she made. She got a job and funneled all the money she made toward the cost of the trip. Thanks to Our Village and Alli's hard work, she was fully funded before she left. <b>THANK YOU!</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnirNF8AqjiRZbcRiCIoxAIUJja5oXX-ItXDJC0XkCntfNdO-blitk045klfv6TuT1rr6cpBOZcwLOwrCfcyWYGb_HrPb2gKrJN2uKiDqoxkv0kztoUNUuFZFUrEDl8V2maMuHVay2a5w/s1600/IMG_4971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnirNF8AqjiRZbcRiCIoxAIUJja5oXX-ItXDJC0XkCntfNdO-blitk045klfv6TuT1rr6cpBOZcwLOwrCfcyWYGb_HrPb2gKrJN2uKiDqoxkv0kztoUNUuFZFUrEDl8V2maMuHVay2a5w/s320/IMG_4971.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping her off at the airport. All the feels. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alli's team. They were meeting up with a few more college kids from our church who were already in Uganda.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First of two 10+ hour flights to get there.</td></tr>
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We have very limited contact with Alli while she's gone, but Tom, her team leader, sends us updates. He also happens to be an award winning photographer. Today he sent photos from their first full work day in Gulu. I cried when I saw the photos of our girl. There is no question she is thriving. These photos are the happiest, most genuine images of our girl. Just look at that smile!</div>
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I'm not sure where you are in life right now. Maybe you're in a spacious place... a season of thriving and abundance. Maybe you're in a dark, miry pit wondering how you will get through the next hour, let alone the day. Wherever you are at, God is with you in that space. He sees you. He knows you. He loves you. He has beautiful things planned for you and your life. </div>
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Take a long, slow deep breath. </div>
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Inhale the goodness and peace of God. </div>
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Exhale anxiety and fear. </div>
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There is hope. </div>
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It may take a week, a month, a year, or maybe seven... but that smile of yours? It's gonna beam again soon and you're gonna bless the people around you with it.</div>
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"<i>For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." - Psalm 56:13</i></div>
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In Uganda as it is in heaven. </div>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-47033589128329547672018-12-21T08:14:00.000-08:002020-07-02T14:12:17.610-07:005x - Senior Season and State Champs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oregon 6A 2018 State Champions</td></tr>
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On November 10, 2018, the Newberg High School boys water polo team won the Oregon 6A state championship for the FIFTH consecutive year. Very few high schoolers can say they played in a state championship game. Even fewer can say they WON a state championship. What high schooler gets to say they won the state championship EVERY SINGLE YEAR they were in high school? My boy and his buddies. That's who.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the season banquet</td></tr>
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Last year's state championship game vs. Lakeridge was intense and hard fought. Read the details <a href="http://jodistilp.blogspot.com/2017/12/four-peat-oregon-6a-state-champions.html">here</a>. Lakeridge's league MVP graduated, but they returned a big chunk of their starting lineup. Newberg returned our entire starting lineup, minus one. The Fab Five - who all lettered as freshman and helped their team win an unexpected state championship - were now all seniors. They would accept nothing less than a fifth state championship. Early in 2018, they started a hashtag: #5x. It was their reminder of the season goal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AxIORSLLttbVYwffp2YSgIH5pj6mRJijygnFbrGqpKFCqgm18w2jgQbgGGR91w_i_57u2e_4lNjYLcVAV7i-egaHq8uz3jBdtFDuADgEj74D5KD2zNDwOJToBw8KJ9S9qutf4vMMi3w/s1600/Coming+for+ya-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AxIORSLLttbVYwffp2YSgIH5pj6mRJijygnFbrGqpKFCqgm18w2jgQbgGGR91w_i_57u2e_4lNjYLcVAV7i-egaHq8uz3jBdtFDuADgEj74D5KD2zNDwOJToBw8KJ9S9qutf4vMMi3w/s320/Coming+for+ya-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fab Five at a photo session we did before the season started</td></tr>
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Training for 2018 started the day after they won the state title in 2017. Almost all the water polo boys swim for the high school team in the winter, and they aren't slow. They helped lead their swim team to Newberg's first ever district championship in the winter of 2018. They also sent a ton of water polo player/swimmers on to the state meet. #attakids<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJodZzwJL0U6-HebsyiObG07HGW218nujTkaoSvXkXLSSwNSmYTxkk1pXVveEx_TD1Vwv9j6GbkiAJTu7FsIcS1_Wn6OB08lrpoTAqfUsj1n2u5GxFpm-HaRkR7sm5y4LCZpGEoryC3F0/s1600/District+Finals+SM-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJodZzwJL0U6-HebsyiObG07HGW218nujTkaoSvXkXLSSwNSmYTxkk1pXVveEx_TD1Vwv9j6GbkiAJTu7FsIcS1_Wn6OB08lrpoTAqfUsj1n2u5GxFpm-HaRkR7sm5y4LCZpGEoryC3F0/s320/District+Finals+SM-39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheering on the final relay to seal the win </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XSCCtCuuN0IyHOuWhON7VxUzwyxQT9OQjz8piuJhMbSWZUdDXMnIJoZYmYom-1whQM_Es-2fEOT3-WDvrAOHwg4UC5JUUXW4QNAdUnvDn2m2_UBW2Uq2a_L0oDnAuh-r8MbZDFl5XOw/s1600/District+Finals+SM-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XSCCtCuuN0IyHOuWhON7VxUzwyxQT9OQjz8piuJhMbSWZUdDXMnIJoZYmYom-1whQM_Es-2fEOT3-WDvrAOHwg4UC5JUUXW4QNAdUnvDn2m2_UBW2Uq2a_L0oDnAuh-r8MbZDFl5XOw/s320/District+Finals+SM-53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">District Champs!</td></tr>
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Spring is when club season ramps up. Newberg Water Polo Club's team is basically our high school team with a couple of additions that come from other towns. Our high school team battles it out against club teams stacked with the best talent from all the local Portland schools and still wins. A lot. These boys are good.<br />
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Spring session bleeds right into the summer season. All summer long, our kids trained: in the pool; dry land; sometimes twice a day. Grant had four part time jobs (three on farms and one for an event company), because they are all willing to flex around his high maintenance water polo training schedule. In July, the boys traveled to California to play in the Junior Olympics. They anticipated getting crushed by the strong, stacked California club teams, but surprised themselves and won several games. #attakids<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhJhjPxwWPo9zRkqEuyYykIdFduGWu99meNXJi0ExkP6zO4CK7p2Fj5gVdsV9yiY3nX_nroqsi1EP3sJG8cwUOEYKaxNwpIVPJaXKuTW0tpNEAeX159BG1TlduqdwEaRNySMNR-pxFBc/s1600/IMG_9147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1167" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhJhjPxwWPo9zRkqEuyYykIdFduGWu99meNXJi0ExkP6zO4CK7p2Fj5gVdsV9yiY3nX_nroqsi1EP3sJG8cwUOEYKaxNwpIVPJaXKuTW0tpNEAeX159BG1TlduqdwEaRNySMNR-pxFBc/s320/IMG_9147.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fab Five at the Junior Olympics (we didn't go so I copied this from Grant's Instagram feed).</td></tr>
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<br />
High school season officially started mid-August. By the time Day One rolled around, our kids were already in incredible shape. They were strong and experienced, and it showed. They crushed every opponent they faced. No one could touch their impeccable defense and strong offense. Every single one of their starters can score. When one was double teamed, they'd get the ball to the open player who would score. Their talent goes so deep into their bench. Newberg was the team to beat this year and it would take a GOOD team to do it.<br />
<br />
The first close game they had was against Johansen, a California team, in the championship game of our home tournament. Johansen expected to come to Oregon and win the tournament, but they couldn't keep up with our boys, so they played dirty. It was ugly to watch, but our boys kept their composure and systematically dismantled them, winning decisively 10-3. #ATTAKIDS!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSTKckRLlZpupNBQWmFUpEkHKVgoeRy_1mZcwCZfvFKkN848bG7jXkRAfNvm-h7xkEYeNj2VjXyNBVYaQFRTmJOXaAWgA94Te6awS3lKK8P5QgLpuxemm_GOFZBJf7ODEPHPHAm1qP5k/s1600/IMG_6422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSTKckRLlZpupNBQWmFUpEkHKVgoeRy_1mZcwCZfvFKkN848bG7jXkRAfNvm-h7xkEYeNj2VjXyNBVYaQFRTmJOXaAWgA94Te6awS3lKK8P5QgLpuxemm_GOFZBJf7ODEPHPHAm1qP5k/s320/IMG_6422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Tournament Champs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lakeridge was last in our league rotation. We faced them first in their shallow-deep pool. The game was all we hoped it would be. Lakeridge came out firing and scored three, quick, unanswered goals. It was the first time all season our boys had been behind in a game. Newberg adjusted their defense and started chipping away at the lead. The game was intense and highly physical. Late in the game, Grant scored from the hole to tie it up.<br />
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Lakeridge and Newberg both scored once more, sending the game into overtime. Lakeridge scored first in overtime, putting the Tigers in an unfamiliar come-from-behind scenario. But I was confident. <br />
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I spend a lot of time with these boys. This was their senior season. Defeat was not an option. With two minutes left, Zach scored back-to-back goals, leading the Tigers to an 8-7 victory. It was so exciting! Everyone in that building knew this game was a preview of what should be the state championship matchup.<br />
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Five days later, our boys took their undefeated season to a tournament in Washington hosted by Curtis High School. The Curtis boys' team had a win streak of more than100+ games going. They were big, strong, and experienced with a bunch of seniors on their roster, just like Newberg. It was the number one goal of our boys to beat Curtis in their home pool. And THEY DID IT! Snapped that Curtis win streak with a 10-8 victory in the championship game, and kept Newberg's undefeated season rolling. I got to be an official chaperone for that trip and it was a highlight of the fall for me to have my Sequoia filled with these boys that I have come to love like my own sons.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKcvtwJJHls2HF-NcRLk_0HMWeZJ3nbvKWYYs4ppcmrQmAgICtyK-mAnREeN2LLjHLWyLPctGGD1qEnhYPNnM7kLo48jCOL-DR2E_dI7YRvu2VSyN1-ShJYRxydbhWZ6OcKdE9bjZT4w/s1600/IMG_7046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKcvtwJJHls2HF-NcRLk_0HMWeZJ3nbvKWYYs4ppcmrQmAgICtyK-mAnREeN2LLjHLWyLPctGGD1qEnhYPNnM7kLo48jCOL-DR2E_dI7YRvu2VSyN1-ShJYRxydbhWZ6OcKdE9bjZT4w/s320/IMG_7046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tournament Champs at Curtis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following weekend Newberg and Lakeridge both traveled to Modesto, California, to see how they matched up against bigger, stronger, better California teams. Curt and I always said, "<i>When Grant is a senior, we'll go on the California trip.</i>" You better believe we got ourselves down to California to be Those People cheering in the stands for every game and sending play-by-play updates to the parents back home. <br />
<br />
Oregon teams typically go to California expecting to lose, but with the intent to learn from playing more experienced teams. The Modesto tournament setup puts all the weight on the first game. If you win your first game, you move into the winners bracket and the worst you can get is 8th place out of 16 teams. Lose your first game? The best you can get is 9th place. <br />
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Every single team our boys faced this tournament was big, strong, and experienced. Lincoln was our first opponent and Newberg won 10-7! Our second game was a rematch against Johnansen. Johansen was out for revenge, but Newberg controlled the entire game and won 10-8. All the boys played great, and Grant scored a lot. Here's a video summary of his highlights from day one.<br />
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Their third opponent was Granite Bay, a constant California powerhouse. Granite Bay sent Lakeridge to the losers bracket in the first game to battle for 9th place. It had been years since Newberg beat Granite Bay. There was a lot riding on this game and we all could feel it. We expected an epic battle, but our boys destroyed Granite Bay 10-4. And just like that, our boys found themselves in the championship game of a California tournament!<br />
<br />
Our opponent in the championship game was Davis. Davis' star player (who Grant was assigned to guard), plays for the USA national water polo team and is committed to a Division I college team. He was HUGE and scored a goal with three Newberg players draped all over him. But somehow after that first goal, we contained him and stayed in the contest. <br />
<br />
Davis was up for the majority of the game, but our boys did not quit. They battled back to tie it 2-2 at the end of the first quarter. Got behind by three goals in the second. Scraped their way back to within one goal with 59 seconds left in the game.<br />
<br />
We had possession and were setting up an offensive play, but Davis stole the ball, then went down and scored to secure the victory. Davis handed our boys their only loss of the entire season (5-7 final score) in a game that came down to the last handful of seconds. We were so proud! <br />
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The boys left California exhausted, but confident. They knew they had what it takes to beat Lakeridge and win state. Now they just had to do it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVfHoYGqcb-1jHg8e-FvQnbonRYIEBdHrK_kZ6AhAXmBRj7cDXBEvpuzpKz7b9LyyGB5UwTMh31Hxpq6uwcMf96QgNBCajtAivRJNcwxAnj02Kx_OmkG2vT1pYFWx3Qpd_kMpz0dOZ-E/s1600/Jodi+and+Fab+Five.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVfHoYGqcb-1jHg8e-FvQnbonRYIEBdHrK_kZ6AhAXmBRj7cDXBEvpuzpKz7b9LyyGB5UwTMh31Hxpq6uwcMf96QgNBCajtAivRJNcwxAnj02Kx_OmkG2vT1pYFWx3Qpd_kMpz0dOZ-E/s320/Jodi+and+Fab+Five.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with the Fab Five in Cali. I just love these boys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yBKT1KENNkFFJh1BY8IdPhbQ0VP8DR1pJ06czWvhaNBahhDxXtfy9rv1DP2QYaaybzA_8DNyxsVXGxavMYu63ajT24-8ZqOas_9X9jKfJgzz2N1IMN7u4GQxAoAL9F6nONJ42x7w18o/s1600/Second+Place+in+Modesto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yBKT1KENNkFFJh1BY8IdPhbQ0VP8DR1pJ06czWvhaNBahhDxXtfy9rv1DP2QYaaybzA_8DNyxsVXGxavMYu63ajT24-8ZqOas_9X9jKfJgzz2N1IMN7u4GQxAoAL9F6nONJ42x7w18o/s320/Second+Place+in+Modesto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second place - Modesto Tournament</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Three days later, Newberg and Lakeridge met for the final contest of the regular season in our home pool. It was senior night. It was surreal to be buying balloons and making a poster for Grant, OUR senior. I put "<i>5x"</i> in the bottom corner of his poster then pulled myself together to go to the game.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQGzppALaKaft3XfzLI4rX41w7jdCWfxnln4KT7cjBVq9nMyLGsS05vkZV-1RPy60_xWhjEh-YOHad6iRJPs5o0pMdjYPQrYmPeXEgU3Fxk3L9TfkKwhCpvgmm7BJDo9e0B2dWtOcke0/s1600/IMG_7321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQGzppALaKaft3XfzLI4rX41w7jdCWfxnln4KT7cjBVq9nMyLGsS05vkZV-1RPy60_xWhjEh-YOHad6iRJPs5o0pMdjYPQrYmPeXEgU3Fxk3L9TfkKwhCpvgmm7BJDo9e0B2dWtOcke0/s320/IMG_7321.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know it's a big deal if I attempt a craft. Crafts are not my thing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I61KfCwJV_8mwqtFvnrCIOmMf5TiRZVv3Ja_AnnVWIj7t-8ECbELmk7EEVC4tymXbuIkmY3l8qjuATP-0AzAbEq2nYZDzjex6-ZdFgYMT2lhFfD0d97LZ89EfFATf-l_WFRzX0fLSxY/s1600/IMG_7384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I61KfCwJV_8mwqtFvnrCIOmMf5TiRZVv3Ja_AnnVWIj7t-8ECbELmk7EEVC4tymXbuIkmY3l8qjuATP-0AzAbEq2nYZDzjex6-ZdFgYMT2lhFfD0d97LZ89EfFATf-l_WFRzX0fLSxY/s320/IMG_7384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our fam, minus Alli plus Britney</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPjQV-K2Pw48qD_RYTm7GT-dUey9RRF0i2LL7GiEqM9X4bNTLF0exDWt-6ZIyU_dC7sUQFxaFsmz2Wicdpzo6nHJLkO6Xuz-pbect4cE89lct75Bgga_aIKT63Ud1cN__diXTudRKZ94/s1600/IMG_7409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPjQV-K2Pw48qD_RYTm7GT-dUey9RRF0i2LL7GiEqM9X4bNTLF0exDWt-6ZIyU_dC7sUQFxaFsmz2Wicdpzo6nHJLkO6Xuz-pbect4cE89lct75Bgga_aIKT63Ud1cN__diXTudRKZ94/s320/IMG_7409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant and his sisters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNncqWJmPvf-Mk0dVsrMmBOlWoR6RRkm36-6SqaVOpT68WYDFzjblSP9Zzi0GgRAoHgSJjTpz_ofrrKfG1lyL_oPBA5r7kFiaCQmd_qG3u9dqbB1TLTNQxnbU4l-BJpbKI9v_TV-zbgs/s1600/IMG_7430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNncqWJmPvf-Mk0dVsrMmBOlWoR6RRkm36-6SqaVOpT68WYDFzjblSP9Zzi0GgRAoHgSJjTpz_ofrrKfG1lyL_oPBA5r7kFiaCQmd_qG3u9dqbB1TLTNQxnbU4l-BJpbKI9v_TV-zbgs/s320/IMG_7430.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our boy.</td></tr>
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One by one, they announced each of the TEN seniors (four girls and six boys). They ran through a tunnel of their teammates to their parents and family members waiting with hugs and treats. After the fanfare, the boys got in the water and dismantled Lakeridge 11-4. It was never even close. What a way to finish out their season and secure another league championship.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9XZs_MZXy8ybn0jrCB-JuAbbqUm6hewOYxV-zTnxL2nwwIZjQ95FyvYrqX3yqRiNF7Avbz3RSOenVoFPQwrbig__5sjS2DSMrA7LJhKr07MZYVDq1aUTwnmCdXX4t9AfSgQl9FomnRs/s1600/Grant%2527s+Senior+Night+Revised+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9XZs_MZXy8ybn0jrCB-JuAbbqUm6hewOYxV-zTnxL2nwwIZjQ95FyvYrqX3yqRiNF7Avbz3RSOenVoFPQwrbig__5sjS2DSMrA7LJhKr07MZYVDq1aUTwnmCdXX4t9AfSgQl9FomnRs/s320/Grant%2527s+Senior+Night+Revised+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our senior. #allthefeels</td></tr>
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Our boys rolled through the district tournament, trouncing their opponents 18-2 and 20-5. Everyone on the roster got to play in both games. The following Friday was the state semi-final game against Westview. Grant scored SIX goals and helped lead his team to a 21-9 victory. Again, everyone on the roster got to play. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the semi-final victory</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vTpO8YAcdjGAvEpPY1HYwoJChfyr5kfXV-YRDOwEb2tdqJaWSMt6xrQ6pvxUqhKbsMVSpUiYDC-OJy7D0QE-rEvnCV3GOa8w-ujGGTrB0LkXKnXbsBKa-oZncb02cGtIwjn6N4Pez_M/s1600/IMG_7856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vTpO8YAcdjGAvEpPY1HYwoJChfyr5kfXV-YRDOwEb2tdqJaWSMt6xrQ6pvxUqhKbsMVSpUiYDC-OJy7D0QE-rEvnCV3GOa8w-ujGGTrB0LkXKnXbsBKa-oZncb02cGtIwjn6N4Pez_M/s320/IMG_7856.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant's cheering section for the semi-final game. SIX goals for our boy. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk2ubBWP56BUHC0SJtgRWJdWzoVcrZ9TFGbGXEJGvEoBeZfinXyAf5BOF1dHq1Qsn4neTe5NOaFOMF1c10KE7wpnSsvC9ZDG1B8ZhbBo1PwTjOf0E1YWyr9UMhPWniosTsIawqsaz9y4/s1600/IMG_7859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk2ubBWP56BUHC0SJtgRWJdWzoVcrZ9TFGbGXEJGvEoBeZfinXyAf5BOF1dHq1Qsn4neTe5NOaFOMF1c10KE7wpnSsvC9ZDG1B8ZhbBo1PwTjOf0E1YWyr9UMhPWniosTsIawqsaz9y4/s320/IMG_7859.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His sisters and the Menke's</td></tr>
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Lakeridge had a similar trip through the district and semi-final games. No one could touch them.<br />
<br />
A showdown was on. <br />
<br />
Saturday night, November 10th, at 7:00 p.m. both teams stood on the pool deck at the Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center and faced a packed house. It was standing room only and it was LOUD. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fab Five have cap numbers 1-5. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcsamu_qWmGUn8z8siz-E6_OPJfl4GSKSPAcorDVHQ4wHsobg5nz1sMcYxMvZibvNMzi6LmS4GGRRurOr4deRfjCqypgOtPAINdyZW4pjkBR4cKFZWT71mLWBh2n1GGYKqkwl_qSwXL8/s1600/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcsamu_qWmGUn8z8siz-E6_OPJfl4GSKSPAcorDVHQ4wHsobg5nz1sMcYxMvZibvNMzi6LmS4GGRRurOr4deRfjCqypgOtPAINdyZW4pjkBR4cKFZWT71mLWBh2n1GGYKqkwl_qSwXL8/s320/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for the state title game, they announce every player before the game starts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zId2AVsVvMEaCHXssv3SWpAKRYOKAJvOF9SmFg_7Abj3ze_edbxL-Ll4nfDPRwDbb0PO8EFOor5dgbIHcw_nDis3Q9ATpHUNoUOSAfe2BJHdoUlX3K6LctTejZaDmWzdiVCDUyrsVS8/s1600/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zId2AVsVvMEaCHXssv3SWpAKRYOKAJvOF9SmFg_7Abj3ze_edbxL-Ll4nfDPRwDbb0PO8EFOor5dgbIHcw_nDis3Q9ATpHUNoUOSAfe2BJHdoUlX3K6LctTejZaDmWzdiVCDUyrsVS8/s320/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TIGERS! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnnkClBo3tWDHeINqlVIHnl5siFoi-J6IxHNIxam7-woaH8sfAbaB646AHn5p-D1WkTYk2N0_SOwfSIqK6xHCmhYjeKrfK5k6wopIv4DgndX1VgF21Wt4K0P6l8_uhET-ZQHOxK-QGNM/s1600/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnnkClBo3tWDHeINqlVIHnl5siFoi-J6IxHNIxam7-woaH8sfAbaB646AHn5p-D1WkTYk2N0_SOwfSIqK6xHCmhYjeKrfK5k6wopIv4DgndX1VgF21Wt4K0P6l8_uhET-ZQHOxK-QGNM/s320/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wall to wall fans.</td></tr>
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Both teams came ready to play. Lakeridge scored first and the game quickly became a defensive battle. The teams traded goals and came into half time tied 3-3.<br />
<br />
Newberg's defense shut out Lakeridge's offense for the second half of the game.<br />
<br />
At the end of the third quarter, the score was 4-3. Newberg had the advantage but Raleigh, one of our senior starters, was out on ejections. Oz, one of our three juniors in the starting rotation, had to step up and fill the void. He excelled.<br />
<br />
Grant - after his stellar performance in the state semi-final game - was double and tripled teamed the entire game. The Newberg boys trust their teammates and they exploited this game strategy, dumping the ball to their open teammates. Nathan and Alex - the other juniors in the starting rotation - made Lakeridge pay. Together, they combined for five of Newberg's six goals! Back to back goals in the fourth quarter by Nathan and Alex put the exclamation mark on the victory, but Newberg's defense had to finish it out. Lakeridge fought to the very last second in a game that was billed by the media as "one of the best state championships Oregon has ever seen." Final score: 6-3.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaoAe6nPzzMAVqEkaxBM6kGnZL5loqapbhEfPHB4uaPpsuMtXFyDHIRKPgJeM9lHGjg2pSFXyJm4SswKe13EG2GT4FOG2yOBO_aux0wjWPeIcJ6Y8vUQMKio8YLAp4KdPEigVm-mY180/s1600/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaoAe6nPzzMAVqEkaxBM6kGnZL5loqapbhEfPHB4uaPpsuMtXFyDHIRKPgJeM9lHGjg2pSFXyJm4SswKe13EG2GT4FOG2yOBO_aux0wjWPeIcJ6Y8vUQMKio8YLAp4KdPEigVm-mY180/s320/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-58.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant and Dane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCzsirTiqLOTBEyHtoHJIyVeKWS-3kuWoYGAJDdZgXcLfltsSKMvp7M2nOVQ5xO6P5H_7u01bwj4-VBAlipb6UIhyxm_XtBTfcyk_W1SZFrJ9sgIT_1Z84s8dniaesYY9pd2kRk6xWTE/s1600/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCzsirTiqLOTBEyHtoHJIyVeKWS-3kuWoYGAJDdZgXcLfltsSKMvp7M2nOVQ5xO6P5H_7u01bwj4-VBAlipb6UIhyxm_XtBTfcyk_W1SZFrJ9sgIT_1Z84s8dniaesYY9pd2kRk6xWTE/s320/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-74.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acknowledging their fans and holding up five fingers for FIVE TIMES </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWXh4fut-6H7hcNhuaaHeGjMZ1hr7EUJL9XXJR-ka2azOjN0Mp-muxICNzMaNH8i0YF4O6T9wgc8LUZH8EBwvk1DHNOCtSNdGyIMQBq8QTMfg0mEqfbq1icWeUbyX-_sbquYLTPNuo0k/s1600/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWXh4fut-6H7hcNhuaaHeGjMZ1hr7EUJL9XXJR-ka2azOjN0Mp-muxICNzMaNH8i0YF4O6T9wgc8LUZH8EBwvk1DHNOCtSNdGyIMQBq8QTMfg0mEqfbq1icWeUbyX-_sbquYLTPNuo0k/s320/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-63.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebratory jump in the pool with the coaches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOAo6t7FZHNIjLO3uVZc0BsHIoLynljw0Ifq_DsUX-H4jdXHaDzUGFlqiku22KLcg__ZM28DJObO2P95vLrxcwBRItfv2d2JmAIJsisplsWLPMvgjlU8rYrruY9mRyYWvDjDWtYf8Zsg/s1600/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOAo6t7FZHNIjLO3uVZc0BsHIoLynljw0Ifq_DsUX-H4jdXHaDzUGFlqiku22KLcg__ZM28DJObO2P95vLrxcwBRItfv2d2JmAIJsisplsWLPMvgjlU8rYrruY9mRyYWvDjDWtYf8Zsg/s320/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-71.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fab Five with their trophy</td></tr>
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Each member of the Fab Five earned all league and all state honors, and Wilson won MVP of the state for his incredible performance in the goal. Grant took home first team all league and first team all state honors. We are SO proud!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHAkuuulOkw_D4txjdlVLXJhTLl0ujLMvom8HuUvOu4Fpr95SOUfI8ua_Hz5MxU1nQIrjo59v3h9KqMZ0ZubHgzM0KMkzRu9YscwYHoYTYLWK9-0NvYd4RyhjU7pE9HGhzOYdiOM8IHk/s1600/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHAkuuulOkw_D4txjdlVLXJhTLl0ujLMvom8HuUvOu4Fpr95SOUfI8ua_Hz5MxU1nQIrjo59v3h9KqMZ0ZubHgzM0KMkzRu9YscwYHoYTYLWK9-0NvYd4RyhjU7pE9HGhzOYdiOM8IHk/s320/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-86.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Team All League. First Team All State. Atta kid!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcsTFnHNw4jYILYLKILnxqIi6QNgqJUlUJJnUqLvPXIwwBWSIbjaUS-vYW2lWAgl0X5SHC-khgWgLEkrqAbPnre82tWyLPqNMvAwy6D85qcoWdFPTsOVGdjmMWVlmpaPuSC8oDKnPMFk/s1600/IMG_7920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcsTFnHNw4jYILYLKILnxqIi6QNgqJUlUJJnUqLvPXIwwBWSIbjaUS-vYW2lWAgl0X5SHC-khgWgLEkrqAbPnre82tWyLPqNMvAwy6D85qcoWdFPTsOVGdjmMWVlmpaPuSC8oDKnPMFk/s320/IMG_7920.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our family on this incredible night. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGFYyN8Wigd9M3xilxslJLHEg7i_jxEqaDu_CvzHGrF8evmctEJxNOaQs_BZqLEfuzzvWF9Ayj_rSILqM77Hsj27Laq9V2EUzqrUd3AyPRMffO4IWi7t1ph-VYxq4iKrYBgaC3WIFJfs/s1600/IMG_7929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGFYyN8Wigd9M3xilxslJLHEg7i_jxEqaDu_CvzHGrF8evmctEJxNOaQs_BZqLEfuzzvWF9Ayj_rSILqM77Hsj27Laq9V2EUzqrUd3AyPRMffO4IWi7t1ph-VYxq4iKrYBgaC3WIFJfs/s320/IMG_7929.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and Marcy came from Bend to watch G play.</td></tr>
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It was a fairy tale ending to one incredible high school career. I stood on the pool deck, bawling, with my phone in one hand videoing the celebration, and my camera in the other snapping photos.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I never doubted for a second that our boys would win. This was their senior season. They wanted 5x bragging rights and they got them. They also earned a 34-1 season. Nearly perfect.<br />
<br />
In Grant's lifetime, I have watched hundreds of water polo games. And yet, I would watch hundreds more. I have loved every second of watching my boy and his best buds morph from little boys into grown men. Throughout the journey, their character has developed too. These are good boys. Do they make mistakes? Sure. But they are kind, inclusive, hard working, athletic, and oh so fun. I have loved being a Super Fan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwkCPv-dyJyWT2TjEolkTlPQDBcFlkvPRtS68A1WPGyPW7Q8ntjhd4x5BDly7vnFtrQBBLTwkBp3rl_ZWXu9E_4MoCjdsyLUie0ChDzvPp8nmSH5pZpX_q6Dp0xVwiZk4b4lM4wXM44c/s1600/fullsizeoutput_af03.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwkCPv-dyJyWT2TjEolkTlPQDBcFlkvPRtS68A1WPGyPW7Q8ntjhd4x5BDly7vnFtrQBBLTwkBp3rl_ZWXu9E_4MoCjdsyLUie0ChDzvPp8nmSH5pZpX_q6Dp0xVwiZk4b4lM4wXM44c/s320/fullsizeoutput_af03.jpeg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little baby water polo player Grant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIcHPzU_Q32auwGyywcsx0pgnH_aYFI9IHyQT-1zUWhH4U_F2nWMQUp8GXIbfPTMSYgeWngAV6ZaxQYv9Dg9-KWrYP-dlEdR_E_nCnSpm8jCk1PM7iYp4M6x_7pOA-tvhijSxjcsNa_0/s1600/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIcHPzU_Q32auwGyywcsx0pgnH_aYFI9IHyQT-1zUWhH4U_F2nWMQUp8GXIbfPTMSYgeWngAV6ZaxQYv9Dg9-KWrYP-dlEdR_E_nCnSpm8jCk1PM7iYp4M6x_7pOA-tvhijSxjcsNa_0/s320/FAVS+11-10-2018+Boys+State+Championship+vs.+Lakeridge+Forgotten-82.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior water polo player Grant and state champion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvtqMSMH9PoN1yBY2YRCzopgSfueMoK_31EEjVjDZ4ykgk9Us99jALvQEgpnqjfWviVpln7GWJiz5wDmNAd929sjgzKVchE_f9YtU0HyByyHPDKbUwyNjwz9a2jJ5lvTygpW-6EHEiVI/s1600/IMG_7948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvtqMSMH9PoN1yBY2YRCzopgSfueMoK_31EEjVjDZ4ykgk9Us99jALvQEgpnqjfWviVpln7GWJiz5wDmNAd929sjgzKVchE_f9YtU0HyByyHPDKbUwyNjwz9a2jJ5lvTygpW-6EHEiVI/s320/IMG_7948.JPG" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating the victory at Abby's. Love my boy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well done boys. You know we parents are proud of you, but it's not just us. On December 3rd, the boys were invited to a Newberg City Council meeting. The mayor and council members honored them for their successes and declared, <i>"the citizens of Newberg are proud of you."</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVe3eSw2v_UJkgTOAECoJ7BVS9lloIyJKBThzN1YlhcDWA1C8uHzZViVRpj-0ULfUPQL-HRQZrqKRitjcgjH_8UWwKiJEA-IG7JYtyhzXBmiW9n2BNfKSW7G9-WaAwKLqzh4O98XPdiE/s1600/SM+12-03-2018+Honored+by+the+City+of+Newberg-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVe3eSw2v_UJkgTOAECoJ7BVS9lloIyJKBThzN1YlhcDWA1C8uHzZViVRpj-0ULfUPQL-HRQZrqKRitjcgjH_8UWwKiJEA-IG7JYtyhzXBmiW9n2BNfKSW7G9-WaAwKLqzh4O98XPdiE/s320/SM+12-03-2018+Honored+by+the+City+of+Newberg-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 3rd - honored by the city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's the end of the era for the Fab Five. Wilson will head off to the Marines and Raleigh off on his mission for his church. Dane, Zach and Grant are in the thick of college applications, but none of them are convinced they want to play college water polo. How could you replicate the brotherhood these boys have formed? It will be interesting to see where they end up and if water polo continues to be an active part of their story.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyPCGQkCK4ZmoS3NxQwvFrwudGDFJ0PQ30rHkguAhRxGPKx1xrtR9J7IgYkJH14HsunqyLtWa9_OIXOpZYj4Lm3KndzBtRWN22H3CyrUmVNBEPV0zWY1sUbpwZyTmY9xFk2TE7q5NjrM/s1600/FAVES+Fab+Five+2018+Opal+Creek-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyPCGQkCK4ZmoS3NxQwvFrwudGDFJ0PQ30rHkguAhRxGPKx1xrtR9J7IgYkJH14HsunqyLtWa9_OIXOpZYj4Lm3KndzBtRWN22H3CyrUmVNBEPV0zWY1sUbpwZyTmY9xFk2TE7q5NjrM/s320/FAVES+Fab+Five+2018+Opal+Creek-52.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-season photo session</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTvOB5PgFeAhX09zJnISgmY8y-O0csyy_ILFGILakV5HBNrcxgqDsrZ8BtRoSUvFe8_Pgh_gUo1tLglExkYw9bJ_QfsXjCFd2DBuZG0GmowzHxcizuVgNKFR6GaiNGePj24pygI9m7MI/s1600/Favs+11-14-2018+NHS+Water+Polo+Senior+Banquet-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTvOB5PgFeAhX09zJnISgmY8y-O0csyy_ILFGILakV5HBNrcxgqDsrZ8BtRoSUvFe8_Pgh_gUo1tLglExkYw9bJ_QfsXjCFd2DBuZG0GmowzHxcizuVgNKFR6GaiNGePj24pygI9m7MI/s320/Favs+11-14-2018+NHS+Water+Polo+Senior+Banquet-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of season banquet holding five state champion trophies</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TdbH8Enj3q1-_tjrEj9whqAhsBaE4xxj6YYLvLLTGJEhID9WDjCSV_klkGH5sX_F_DKao8-c3GTCun1E7z9aWUUT9qcFBR9oIKUmQ-ow7H0hAe6dASrxPMJclM7oGja8KuZsAqiL2dc/s1600/Wilson+Johnson+Sneak+Peek-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TdbH8Enj3q1-_tjrEj9whqAhsBaE4xxj6YYLvLLTGJEhID9WDjCSV_klkGH5sX_F_DKao8-c3GTCun1E7z9aWUUT9qcFBR9oIKUmQ-ow7H0hAe6dASrxPMJclM7oGja8KuZsAqiL2dc/s320/Wilson+Johnson+Sneak+Peek-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson - #1</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBSj16ISxaex1AbgvlRcUhAatO2vA79oC49_mCQLAJOCYm7KcnkR2CeziAMWN4kE-WF4xudSdQ2NP_yzhesK7akfw1wS1CiPDd6lrFkleajWK45jOONpQwbEOvGMMrLT8iiDMOHV_fLs/s1600/Fab+Five+2018+Opal+Creek-110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBSj16ISxaex1AbgvlRcUhAatO2vA79oC49_mCQLAJOCYm7KcnkR2CeziAMWN4kE-WF4xudSdQ2NP_yzhesK7akfw1wS1CiPDd6lrFkleajWK45jOONpQwbEOvGMMrLT8iiDMOHV_fLs/s320/Fab+Five+2018+Opal+Creek-110.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raleigh - #2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJTkf5ETJlMK2taLV_VFZPwiY8O-faVkPdwXb_NbF1oz1YY32T_7_xdzIzRyN4xd189ixWG8ZdFpiNYlIFUxVHM_WaOX8kshoA7y1AsFARGG5jtopYmj8gCo3uLH54LVLIP-2pj4E3gs/s1600/Grant+Water+Polo+Senior-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJTkf5ETJlMK2taLV_VFZPwiY8O-faVkPdwXb_NbF1oz1YY32T_7_xdzIzRyN4xd189ixWG8ZdFpiNYlIFUxVHM_WaOX8kshoA7y1AsFARGG5jtopYmj8gCo3uLH54LVLIP-2pj4E3gs/s320/Grant+Water+Polo+Senior-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant - #3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsPMEMGYDjFTNVb9UAh-kxMB8m0GFIL-8Re7-Cqx1Ai9p9B2umTwABc6u0HZHdqGOqxQ1c1Qv5cafWlbEKFyquQZHo7Vec5vNNJff5Bi28f4hR-byvrgkxWL0AZzzOhpU739C_IBcUAk/s1600/SM+Dane+Findley+2018+-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsPMEMGYDjFTNVb9UAh-kxMB8m0GFIL-8Re7-Cqx1Ai9p9B2umTwABc6u0HZHdqGOqxQ1c1Qv5cafWlbEKFyquQZHo7Vec5vNNJff5Bi28f4hR-byvrgkxWL0AZzzOhpU739C_IBcUAk/s320/SM+Dane+Findley+2018+-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dane - #4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAhniEdrAWeZAN4uKBsEynYf8_fziXonvYvJB2XXCazwM0EDw-W9SlJ1U4WRgr58f07WZDfvHtRoWrQ7kOdb4wZyIv0RTgU8_6P3w2gPvAic9Ca1_LV3AYwpFkhwEYrP9IHVLiBB4R4U/s1600/Zach+SM-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAhniEdrAWeZAN4uKBsEynYf8_fziXonvYvJB2XXCazwM0EDw-W9SlJ1U4WRgr58f07WZDfvHtRoWrQ7kOdb4wZyIv0RTgU8_6P3w2gPvAic9Ca1_LV3AYwpFkhwEYrP9IHVLiBB4R4U/s320/Zach+SM-13.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zach - #5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Years from now, we will all still talk about the Fab Five and their epic journey from unexpected freshmen champions to dominating senior stars. <br />
<br />
5x.<br />
<br />
You did it boys. <br />
<br />
#attakids #5x #seniorseason #dubseason #waterpololife #newbergnation<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-3875999192713115592018-10-08T15:31:00.001-07:002020-07-02T14:12:26.619-07:00A Letter to My Son and His Teammates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg48AsXHWMIzPnA6qIxpidGmTWn-l-0dKeokdjzOSWlUa2t7Nsj19RUdLOcodn_-MeHCfD911_fW2Qxv7XJ-OF8WGcpQ2iZjHUgYt0znj97EbJFg-SiDSMiXoVZnispoZokfopz8Xt6n0/s1600/Coming+for+ya-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg48AsXHWMIzPnA6qIxpidGmTWn-l-0dKeokdjzOSWlUa2t7Nsj19RUdLOcodn_-MeHCfD911_fW2Qxv7XJ-OF8WGcpQ2iZjHUgYt0znj97EbJFg-SiDSMiXoVZnispoZokfopz8Xt6n0/s400/Coming+for+ya-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Dear Grant and Teammates,<br />
<br />
You are halfway through your senior season of water polo. Undefeated still and working toward your dream of being state champions every year of your high school career. Your season gets tougher tonight: a repeat of last year's state championship game and then some tournaments with good competition in the next two weeks. This morning on my run I was praying for you and felt compelled to write you a little love letter.<br />
<br />
I am a Super Fan, and not because you win all the time, though that is pretty awesome. I am a Super Fan because of the young men you are and the young men you are becoming. Are you perfect? Heck no. But you are fun, smart, hard working, kind, and inclusive. I have thanked God often that he gave me all these "sons" to love. The brotherhood you have is unique. You will carry these friendships with you into the rest of your life. What a gift!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VK-JDFzIbA7-6TGjeW06adgKMvwJRUtPGf1qDrmIhCxmld9t6l-q1H8K8mU328odMB2HIJzrLfPKcJZP55yswLh3st1Pv3-eF-kRAvAkxgJg-mmUp_OW9DZ-vb6AnkmMn5C6Tliao3E/s1600/9-13-2018+FAVS+game+at+Sunset-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VK-JDFzIbA7-6TGjeW06adgKMvwJRUtPGf1qDrmIhCxmld9t6l-q1H8K8mU328odMB2HIJzrLfPKcJZP55yswLh3st1Pv3-eF-kRAvAkxgJg-mmUp_OW9DZ-vb6AnkmMn5C6Tliao3E/s320/9-13-2018+FAVS+game+at+Sunset-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFRXBKbYa4n_JqXe2geDemnJrLgE6a5MbcetBX6ZigrVIh16mHjORezbpFrCbLaaSj22INJ5iZo87A0vE0lgK7CW9TPgU4fHlu_d9IcFqTAbsxqRUXRjxTTQKtBqjHjO-3k0_TfLn3aA/s1600/9-13-2018+FAVS+game+at+Sunset-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFRXBKbYa4n_JqXe2geDemnJrLgE6a5MbcetBX6ZigrVIh16mHjORezbpFrCbLaaSj22INJ5iZo87A0vE0lgK7CW9TPgU4fHlu_d9IcFqTAbsxqRUXRjxTTQKtBqjHjO-3k0_TfLn3aA/s320/9-13-2018+FAVS+game+at+Sunset-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You boys - especially the seniors - have stepped up to mentor the younger players. When you were freshman, the older players believed in you, coached you, and included you as equals in spite of your youth. You boys are now carrying on that tradition. I kind of want to burst with pride over all of it. <b>Stay kind.</b><br />
<br />
You work hard. When I saw your freshman year practice schedule, I was skeptical. It seemed too intense. Too hard. Too much. But you stepped up to the challenge and got stronger every day. All year long. For the past three years, you have built upon a foundation of hard work and mental stamina.<br />
<br />
Six days a week of practice with weight belts and extra swim sets before or after games? Those early morning weekend and late night practices? Insanely hard, but you do it without complaining. <b>Your work ethic is remarkable. </b>It's a life skill you will come back to over and over. You have trained yourself to show up: on the good days, the bad days, the tired days, the sick days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG5BX7D7Q6jb7iYST5D070pO2en-1RSFh1VdjYnC5z6050a5azMsmRcevFCLRdqhebpy4W2b7cXlteWYuaUsgQOSgZC6ujjvNuGjyqkUc7Y_e6CixvVQlhULTxQjwlSSzs5GAeRr_sjg/s1600/FAVS+9-26-2018+Boys+Varsity+vs.+Lake+Oswego-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG5BX7D7Q6jb7iYST5D070pO2en-1RSFh1VdjYnC5z6050a5azMsmRcevFCLRdqhebpy4W2b7cXlteWYuaUsgQOSgZC6ujjvNuGjyqkUc7Y_e6CixvVQlhULTxQjwlSSzs5GAeRr_sjg/s320/FAVS+9-26-2018+Boys+Varsity+vs.+Lake+Oswego-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You boys are in the best shape of your lives and it shows. It is so fun to watch you string victory after victory together. But I would be remiss if I didn't give you a motherly warning. Don't get cocky. The Bible says, "<i>Pride goes before a fall." </i>Arrogance is ugly, but humility? <br />
<br />
<b>Humility is so, so attractive. Be humble.</b><br />
<br />
Keep your cool. When things get rough in the water, stay classy. Don't resort to playing dirty. You don't need to do that to win. Rise above that stupid stuff and let your play speak for itself.<br />
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When you get tired, <b>trust your training. </b> Pull from that reservoir of physical conditioning and mental stamina. If you're exhausted, I guarantee your opponent is too. <b>It feels hard because it IS hard. </b> But you? <b>You can do hard things. </b><br />
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<b>No one cares about your dream the way you do.</b> *<br />
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Only YOU can make your dream a reality. So get after it.<br />
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Tonight is a big night. It's going to be fun to watch you. Win or lose, I want you know I love you and how proud I am to cheer you on. Let's do this.<br />
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Love,<br />
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Momma Jodi<br />
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*adapted from Rachel Hollis' book <i>Girl Wash Your Face</i><br />
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<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-626225418713447592018-09-20T22:37:00.000-07:002020-07-02T14:12:45.800-07:00TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18THTuesday, September 18, 2018, was an extraordinary day because of some beautiful, ordinary reasons. Let me tell you why.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant</td></tr>
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GRANT: On Tuesday, September 18th, I took Grant's high school senior portrait session. It was surreal for both of us. The saying about the days being long but the years flying by felt like a big fat lie in the early days of toddlerhood, but it really is true. The past three years have been one lighting-fast blur of life and activity. My son - the one who gave me the title of Mom - is a month into his last year of high school. He has grown into the coolest kid. When we sat down to plan his senior session, we realized just how varied his passions are. Water polo. Drums and music. Our dogs. Skateboarding. Surfing. Snowboarding. His girlfriend. AP classes and engineering. How on earth could we include them all in his senior session?<br />
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I meet with all my high school seniors for a pre-session consult where we creatively collaborate and go over a preparation checklist. One thing I stress is to plan outfits and gather props beforehand so they can actually enjoy the day of their session. Grant was also required to attend a Senior Consult appointment in my office, but did he remember to gather his props or lay things out the night before? No way. The morning of his session he was bringing piles of clothes and shoes downstairs asking, "<i>What about this?" </i>and <i>"Mom... we have to get to school early so I can see if I can borrow a drum for some photos..."</i><br />
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His absent-mindedness can be aggravating at time, but mostly it's endearing. One of my favorite moments of the day was when Grant grabbed an off-white sweatshirt from the back seat of the Sequoia to change into for his next outfit. It was stained with pizza sauce and dirt. His face fell into a kind of embarrassed but mostly amused smirk and he quipped, <i>"Whoops. Forgot I spilled pizza on that. Guess I'll wear something else." </i>No negative emotion or drama about something he couldn't change anyway. Grant lets things roll off his back. It's something I have always admired in my son.<br />
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We finished Grant's senior session at the beach because the boy was made to be in water. Thankfully we shot most of his session along the route to the beach because as soon as his eyes caught sight of the surf, I lost him as a willing participant. His mind was already in the water. He changed into his wetsuit and immersed himself in the cold Pacific Ocean, paddling deep into the powerful water to catch one wave after another. Lunch at a local coffee shop and deep, insightful conversation on the drive home finished out our time together. This time with my boy is a precious memory I will revisit for years to come.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to head home from a really fun time together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Joy</td></tr>
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KATIE: Katie is a junior this year. Katie quietly sets ambitious goals and accomplishes them. Earn a varsity letter in lacrosse her freshman year? Check. Take high level AP classes, get A's and make it look easy? Check. Get her license on her 16th birthday? And land her first job that required an interview? Check and Check. Katie is crushing this thing called life, and she does most of it with a smile on her face. Last year, she started feeling bad. The chronic exhaustion and brain fog complicated her life as a student athlete. In the process of helping her feel better, Katie set a new goal for herself: choose joy. It's hanging on a plaque in her room and often written in marker on her mirror. My girl - in spite of still not having full energy reserves - has regained her joy. It splashes out of her and all over the people lucky enough to be around her. On Tuesday, September 18th, she was voted Captain of the JV soccer team. I am beaming with pride. Atta kid!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alli </td></tr>
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ALLI: Alli is a freshman this year. Athletics are Alli's thing. She loves All the Sports and is good at them. Exercise, for my girl, is therapeutic. She has been waiting and waiting to play high school sports and was thrilled when she made the JV soccer team. It meant she and Katie got to be teammates, and they work so well together. They both play the left side of the field, Katie on defense and Alli on offense. It has been so fun to watch them work together and cheer each other on. An added bonus is that being on the same team meant one soccer schedule for two players and a teenage driver in Katie to shuttle them back and forth to their practices and games. It was heavenly. But on Tuesday, September 18th, all of that changed. Alli got called up to the varsity roster for soccer.<br />
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When I found out about this decision, I experienced a giant range of emotions. Intense pride for my Alli. To be added to the varsity team as a freshman is a huge honor. But I also felt instantly sick about how Katie would feel about being passed over by her younger sister. And what about the other varsity players and their parents? How would they feel about a freshman coming up to play on an already full roster? What if Alli takes playing time over their kid? I spent the better part of a day fretting about all of it and then I remembered a quote from <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Wash-Your-Face-Believing-ebook/dp/B072TMB75T/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537484796&sr=8-1&keywords=girl+wash+your+face">Rachel Hollis's book Girl Wash Your Face</a></i>. <b>"</b><i><b>Someone else's opinion of me is none of my business."</b> </i>I made a conscious choice to let that stuff go, rallied my inner circle to pray for Katie, and waited for the news to drop. <br />
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But my Katie Girl... she humbles me with her depth of character. It didn't even cross her mind to be jealous or angry. She came running across the field, arm around Alli, and with a huge smile declared,<i>"Alli's on varsity now! I'm so excited for her." </i>I'm crying just writing this. The high school version of me would not have responded that way. Heck.. the grown up version of me probably wouldn't have responded that way. I would have been angry. Pouty. Jealous. But not my Katie. She is teaching me what it means to be gracious and supportive. What a gift to learn character development from your child.<br />
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Tuesday, September 18th, our Alli Girl made her high school varsity sports debut. I sat with goosebumps and butterflies in my stomach as I watched my Baby Girl run out onto the field when they called her name. Alli is strong, capable, and fast. She is hard to push off the ball because she knows how to stand her ground. I thought my heart would burst with pride as I watched my daughter stand hand in hand with her teammates as the national anthem played. And then she got called to play! Alli played in that game and held her own against girls who might have more soccer skills, but could never rival Alli's heart.<br />
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You would never look at that strong, athletic, confident young woman and know that she was once fragile... crippled by anxiety and panic attacks. Alli is who she is today because she walked through the fire of deep suffering and chose to look it in the face and say, "<i>Not today. Not again. Not in my house..." </i> She is a warrior, on and off the athletic field. She is one of my heroes. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paige</td></tr>
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PAIGE: Paige is in 7th grade, squarely in the middle of middle school. I am so thankful she's not doing anything earth shattering to my heart and emotions right now. Thankful that like usual, she is steady and predictable. Our Paige brings her easy-going, big smile into her academics, her athletics, her siblings' activities, and into every other facet of our daily lives. She is joy and sunshine, wit and intellect. I adore her. On Tuesday, September 18th, Paige did nothing spectacular. She came home from school and gave me a hug as I headed out to the soccer games. Thanked her carpool for the ride to soccer practice. Thanked her brother for the ride home from soccer practice. Did her homework. Played games on her phone. Showered. Read her book and her Bible. Did her chores and everything we asked of her. Nothing spectacular, but everything amazing. What's not to love about that? Atta kid!<br />
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My kids will probably be embarrassed when they find out I wrote all this mushy stuff about them. I guarantee I'll get at least one, "<i>That's so embarrassing Mom. WHY?!?!?!"</i> accompanied with an eye roll. But I'm not going to stifle my delight in my kids because it's not cool or because there's a possibility other people will think it's braggy. I am insanely proud that I have had anything to do with the beautiful humans my children are becoming. I am so thankful to Jesus for redeeming my brokenness and failures as a parent and growing our kids to be who they are, in spite of who we are. My prayer is that the overarching story line of their childhood that they will take with them into adulthood is one of love, grace, forgiveness and joy. <br />
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Yesterday (which was NOT September 18th), my husband and I were talking about dreams. He didn't think I had any because I'm so practical. But you know what? I'm living my dream. When I was a little girl, my dream was to be a wife and a mom. By the grace of God, I am married to the kindest, most steadfast, faithful man on the planet. God's gift to me to be a mom not once, not twice, but four times? Indescribable joy. THIS was my childhood dream and I am living it out. <br />
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And then there's the extra stuff. The stuff that I never could have dreamed up on my own if I had tried. A business owner with the best clients and a flexible schedule that still allows me to be a Mom first? The best surprise! That Crazy Person who runs every day year after year? Never on my radar, but it's now a dream I embrace every single day. <br />
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Tuesday, September 18th, was a culmination of dreams. Mine. My kids. <br />
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What's your dream?<br />
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May I encourage you to live into it? Take the steps necessary to start actively pursuing it. When you do, ordinary days - like Tuesday, September 18th - become days you will cherish for a lifetime. In Newberg as it is in heaven...Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-34545507027689798782018-08-18T16:31:00.000-07:002020-07-02T14:12:37.350-07:00We Can Do Hard Things: South Sister Summit<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost to the summit</td></tr>
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On July 21st, 2018, one of my best friends, Cyndi, and I summited the <a href="http://www.oregon.com/recreation/hike-south-sister">South Sister</a>, Oregon's third tallest peak at 10,358 feet. The hike gains more than 5,000 vertical feet in 6.25 miles of climbing and is rated "very strenuous" in every hiking review that I've read. Curt and I did this hike several years ago and I wrote a hike review. You can read it <a href="http://jodistilp.blogspot.com/2014/09/exclamation-mark-south-sister-summit.html">here</a>, so I won't reinvent the wheel and talk about the technical pieces of this hike.<br />
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Cyndi and I did not set out to summit the South Sister because it sounded like a fun way to spend the day. You see, on May 13th, 2018, Cyndi lost her husband Alex in a tragic and unexpected accident. We are still reeling with grief. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQShVMS-S9jrp33YFOa0SxyJ07QYAv9fj3EyBJHW9ltalkxUAgoCkzFQEWO3zvgtvuPSsxE0Fe6Gg_7vMyMWfBr9bENI3isQoWdsz-xFpTUcOzSU2CIw9j4nZ4YwhY_MUDoIhNZ2PxfQ8/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQShVMS-S9jrp33YFOa0SxyJ07QYAv9fj3EyBJHW9ltalkxUAgoCkzFQEWO3zvgtvuPSsxE0Fe6Gg_7vMyMWfBr9bENI3isQoWdsz-xFpTUcOzSU2CIw9j4nZ4YwhY_MUDoIhNZ2PxfQ8/s320/IMG_2032.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyndi and Alex, me and Curt. Gosh do I miss him.</td></tr>
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Every single day, my friend wakes up in an empty bed to face another day without the love of her life. Every single day, she summits the mountain of grief. And you know what? I have watched her choose joy in the face of suffocating sorrow. I have watched her <a href="http://jodistilp.blogspot.com/2018/05/bravery-is-staying-in-game.html">bravery to stay in the game</a>. Cyndi is going to work. Parenting her kids. Walking almost every day. Loving her friends. Being raw and authentic in her grief, and still choosing joy in the face of it. Every day is hard, but you know what? We can do hard things.<br />
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The only hike Cyndi has ever been on - prior to summiting Oregon's third tallest peak - is "<i>maybe Angels Rest years ago?"</i> Clearly she didn't have time to train for this hike. We both knew that logically, it was a stupid idea to try to break her into hiking with the hardest hike you can find in Oregon. <br />
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But I know my friend. Her mind is strong. She is determined. Courageous. Brave. I knew it would be cathartic to summit a literal mountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMGA4XcGbtZZt-7LfWMZXN_pO_bSzfktKuob9WPfV8gh42Tn7E5n8j5i0GaNNCDpdfJbk1JQwjGgyO6dwSNm6v8u75v2LiLicdm6Lx3yTDYd2AvTWveI9-zRDL3c8aOe45ZscoYdeT3A/s1600/IMG_3788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMGA4XcGbtZZt-7LfWMZXN_pO_bSzfktKuob9WPfV8gh42Tn7E5n8j5i0GaNNCDpdfJbk1JQwjGgyO6dwSNm6v8u75v2LiLicdm6Lx3yTDYd2AvTWveI9-zRDL3c8aOe45ZscoYdeT3A/s320/IMG_3788.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">leaving my house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcgKfONlPvfJxz-qal8MmtZKcthaJ8lHfuOxb9HDnEVtA56KoONzqF8OtY6SOHoFCSSfE6wbmPdhKLUY01_fhs3sKbj_gxBACPHfi8ZBI4dZXWrw3OKsEjafXbyS_llpjOdL7TMTMsVg/s1600/NdwEjK5oSFuUWdO4inzFCg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcgKfONlPvfJxz-qal8MmtZKcthaJ8lHfuOxb9HDnEVtA56KoONzqF8OtY6SOHoFCSSfE6wbmPdhKLUY01_fhs3sKbj_gxBACPHfi8ZBI4dZXWrw3OKsEjafXbyS_llpjOdL7TMTMsVg/s320/NdwEjK5oSFuUWdO4inzFCg.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ICE CREAM!</td></tr>
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So off we went. Girls weekend in Central Oregon. Ice cream in Sisters and a dumpy hotel room. Out the door super early the day of the hike so we could be to the trailhead by 8 a.m. I run every day and am way too invested in my run streak to purposely skip a day, so Cyndi dropped me off on the highway a mile from the trailhead so I could run to meet her. The parking lots were already crammed so we were forced to park in overflow parking, adding mileage to a hike that was already REALLY long before we started.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRkD3s8AxmXSm_8ww79sUxWqgQZvYejoK9w3ksxd7JPo_32loqTm9p0z1BxLulzYyE3U2E58W2ooqIvcY7T_oU-hmKgLZpNBkoQqoLSV7gTUsSWlxP0dGYYo1C8iQ-VxaTOT8XYdpknk/s1600/IMG_3712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRkD3s8AxmXSm_8ww79sUxWqgQZvYejoK9w3ksxd7JPo_32loqTm9p0z1BxLulzYyE3U2E58W2ooqIvcY7T_oU-hmKgLZpNBkoQqoLSV7gTUsSWlxP0dGYYo1C8iQ-VxaTOT8XYdpknk/s320/IMG_3712.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting out</td></tr>
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Many things went wrong. <br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I brought my camera and forgot to charge the dead battery forcing us to rely on our iPhone cameras to document our journey. </li>
<li>When we were taking the hiking poles out of the car, I somehow managed to use the pole to slice the back of my leg open. #whatevs </li>
<li>Cyndi has dental implants. Within the first mile, I gave her a hard, chewy electrolyte tab. She bit down, and out came her tooth. We laughed our heads off, she put it in her zipper pocket and we kept hiking.</li>
<li>The mosquitos had just hatched in the woods. They normally don't like me, but they were SWARMING us. We spent several miles swatting, swinging our hats around and mumbling about the mosquitos from hell only to discover THE FOLLOWING DAY that Cyndi had been carrying a full can of bug spray in her backpack THE ENTIRE TIME. I mean... c'mon! We laughed hard about that one.</li>
</ol>
<div>
The hike was hard. There is no way around it. The trail is stupid steep. It feels like it never ends. The altitude wreaked havoc on Cyndi's breathing. It freaked her out to hear herself laboring so hard to breathe. She thought about quitting. She almost quit. On more than one occasion. We cried. We prayed. We counted steps forward before we took a break. We talked about breath control and not being anxious. We talked about Alex and how we missed him. We cried some more. Laughed till we almost peed our pants. Prayed a lot.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oIrP6KNboY-ldS2Evm6lY2ImqEdgRX9if1eIAucL3TH_tK3hyphenhyphen9FrHnGCB6PglZUYTkRBorMKxGpBO6bsCGvBOAtrTnXuyNBjTdgUU2cbc2kOt4o8hB6Zz596dcIoF6PTaaKkt8EV9CQ/s1600/YUmlXkGfQv%252Bnt43ke23Zng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oIrP6KNboY-ldS2Evm6lY2ImqEdgRX9if1eIAucL3TH_tK3hyphenhyphen9FrHnGCB6PglZUYTkRBorMKxGpBO6bsCGvBOAtrTnXuyNBjTdgUU2cbc2kOt4o8hB6Zz596dcIoF6PTaaKkt8EV9CQ/s320/YUmlXkGfQv%252Bnt43ke23Zng.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming out of the woods. You can see how much further we had to.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhrnUXiNRZDcOMsAQ9s61CtrJ2V0kV9ATkUQTa_oI9oS7sk8KA80kl4Yk_ZdWXoS7dJu8iZxocyWSoTAhLy8_XmKGbXjhFlMWI-Km2Ea08N0xquY-Th7oRnULdU93DQUihXSKPtQWHS8/s1600/IMG_3729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhrnUXiNRZDcOMsAQ9s61CtrJ2V0kV9ATkUQTa_oI9oS7sk8KA80kl4Yk_ZdWXoS7dJu8iZxocyWSoTAhLy8_XmKGbXjhFlMWI-Km2Ea08N0xquY-Th7oRnULdU93DQUihXSKPtQWHS8/s320/IMG_3729.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UP UP UP. It's relentless.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImXb0IwlG2FGrBsGwP-An4uMW29Fup732BNADIToiZMSIx27tBrkSRWYVj4osdm-yl23l9gKA6r-RkYtJqkKiSSNsoo2I_xx8IGLUuXKH3BQNSgX8DFv8xBz30WWKy6nLwBBpIub8hx4/s1600/IMG_3741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImXb0IwlG2FGrBsGwP-An4uMW29Fup732BNADIToiZMSIx27tBrkSRWYVj4osdm-yl23l9gKA6r-RkYtJqkKiSSNsoo2I_xx8IGLUuXKH3BQNSgX8DFv8xBz30WWKy6nLwBBpIub8hx4/s320/IMG_3741.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8O8v4wLnll1Mim39rsOr5VQp0wLOYARmLlTYXCeGA6BRMYPZxwT9GFaQaX-lP5VE7YI8xlG5oh1I2T72zDsc2NL6TIpxxvTE8YkctP3acWt3ywu6Fs_YZcednqMJaZrpMQIkKbltp_VU/s1600/JDFitExIQXOzwoQrLbrhuw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8O8v4wLnll1Mim39rsOr5VQp0wLOYARmLlTYXCeGA6BRMYPZxwT9GFaQaX-lP5VE7YI8xlG5oh1I2T72zDsc2NL6TIpxxvTE8YkctP3acWt3ywu6Fs_YZcednqMJaZrpMQIkKbltp_VU/s320/JDFitExIQXOzwoQrLbrhuw.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me taking in the views that are spectacular once you get out of the woods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gaAJJ7rOm4_n4nTo3Xvx3LifhqZ_WtBQ0tEYMaQOCQXCi6U8aRC4rjylkA1sbH9NWkNwfZrSvXFb-JtkvPhSC8HP4aTrTG8TYolPltHJ2x3a-s0VDU1AEMXfWEwvob4ETpKTv9kjFQs/s1600/Weh%2525qAiBR3GYkKM418pQ4g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gaAJJ7rOm4_n4nTo3Xvx3LifhqZ_WtBQ0tEYMaQOCQXCi6U8aRC4rjylkA1sbH9NWkNwfZrSvXFb-JtkvPhSC8HP4aTrTG8TYolPltHJ2x3a-s0VDU1AEMXfWEwvob4ETpKTv9kjFQs/s320/Weh%2525qAiBR3GYkKM418pQ4g.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brave friend. One foot in front of the other.</td></tr>
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<div>
We had random moments of cell coverage and in those times, Cyndi would do a live video on Facebook. The love and support of her friends and her kids fueled her to keep putting one foot in front of the other. When I had cell coverage, I texted Curt and my Mom. <i>"Please pray. I don't think she's going to make it. She's struggling. PLEASE PRAY! I want so desperately for her to make it to the summit."</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIUArmCzGrW_gzn1aQpbmqBtYXgBBVS7c-PvIvm1DHU059yeM-igFAlsV6NHlTqdPVaD53C7Ha60HWo13d3_g10qvLng9Ad-TAQ71CSYmB-S4jGMvW60RXd6yKiVswzfluf_sR9qWs28/s1600/IMG_3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIUArmCzGrW_gzn1aQpbmqBtYXgBBVS7c-PvIvm1DHU059yeM-igFAlsV6NHlTqdPVaD53C7Ha60HWo13d3_g10qvLng9Ad-TAQ71CSYmB-S4jGMvW60RXd6yKiVswzfluf_sR9qWs28/s320/IMG_3738.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was pretty sure she was going to quit at this moment. But heck no.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizMrrjrIJ23i4S9H82PxYjLz8lMCLRRtqomcr2RhdqUIeS0pkOWQRCAaMEogMwynr_VV6pe16cUV7jXtZFvbEH941ojcDMcjjnIG6yEs8H4mRsVwpomoml55NacBt9tgn1ErS6ilRUeg/s1600/IMG_3762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizMrrjrIJ23i4S9H82PxYjLz8lMCLRRtqomcr2RhdqUIeS0pkOWQRCAaMEogMwynr_VV6pe16cUV7jXtZFvbEH941ojcDMcjjnIG6yEs8H4mRsVwpomoml55NacBt9tgn1ErS6ilRUeg/s320/IMG_3762.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HA! A slip and fall. We both did it multiple times, even with poles. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUJPgmwzUh6ejU3iQk3dfw_Yr4OcGbO4mUwaQIkTtpB1MC_Kk34_WISnM4kZ8MG-PdQZZaWVtnascaUt2ncVRQ5t2oe4Mkx_8I4UYBb7_N1rMKHWbJgiLuxbYYFBwvQKnjTxbskPwDc4/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUJPgmwzUh6ejU3iQk3dfw_Yr4OcGbO4mUwaQIkTtpB1MC_Kk34_WISnM4kZ8MG-PdQZZaWVtnascaUt2ncVRQ5t2oe4Mkx_8I4UYBb7_N1rMKHWbJgiLuxbYYFBwvQKnjTxbskPwDc4/s320/IMG_3745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This alpine lake is one of my favorite things about this hike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetbqOGfnzJjb0vRauQ_kXv-PM7BDCUfH0tZkL6LqMmNr_eC4EO0M3yJZksUUaiOWuMzgcMSpKC9KOk8jqk3f_s5_jSoMs9b928gUJKu3hLblGsmUdy2VzQu_b1qzLVKxYk6cWDS5hnC4/s1600/s%2525FzvQwtSeKYC%252BLDmlPNuA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetbqOGfnzJjb0vRauQ_kXv-PM7BDCUfH0tZkL6LqMmNr_eC4EO0M3yJZksUUaiOWuMzgcMSpKC9KOk8jqk3f_s5_jSoMs9b928gUJKu3hLblGsmUdy2VzQu_b1qzLVKxYk6cWDS5hnC4/s320/s%2525FzvQwtSeKYC%252BLDmlPNuA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken Top in the distance, along with half of the state of Oregon.</td></tr>
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<div>
And so went the hike. The miles crept by... one footstep after another. Every time I was certain Cyndi was going to quit, she dug deeper into that well of fortitude and courage, then took one more step. WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUeFKJ-KUtjjiAAlGVWN5YR3m8CmePRpF_LZLtTc9Xa3SBvUZe_w2dyXfChn_TT5GQ-umw-6OB6FLwG_k0EdhYiJb-Sk1m8cBF5M1aIq8rCns5YKWBjAUZzBhBv2_Fq25jx-V2HOoXFo/s1600/2pEbDNxeRxyQzyKzfJlnLg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUeFKJ-KUtjjiAAlGVWN5YR3m8CmePRpF_LZLtTc9Xa3SBvUZe_w2dyXfChn_TT5GQ-umw-6OB6FLwG_k0EdhYiJb-Sk1m8cBF5M1aIq8rCns5YKWBjAUZzBhBv2_Fq25jx-V2HOoXFo/s320/2pEbDNxeRxyQzyKzfJlnLg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Up5KxkJN6XhWHSG5GgCGAp-LI_q_aD_rfnUXnZRxg2mT7ENUpsFjgtQYi9PEyh3RQWejzTcccmkBA0bUEf5dNCEY_zTJzL5vCHBy6hvoZpEAvw3FTdfSIHogjLHq9Qr553WK3aLhXYs/s1600/55MLOI5XQuS0IOe92nwK4A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Up5KxkJN6XhWHSG5GgCGAp-LI_q_aD_rfnUXnZRxg2mT7ENUpsFjgtQYi9PEyh3RQWejzTcccmkBA0bUEf5dNCEY_zTJzL5vCHBy6hvoZpEAvw3FTdfSIHogjLHq9Qr553WK3aLhXYs/s320/55MLOI5XQuS0IOe92nwK4A.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the summit. We were so close. </td></tr>
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We were within feet of the summit and my poor friend's legs were completely shot. Every step was a giant effort. So we counted. One step after the next. Twenty steps. Take a break. Twelve steps. Take a break. We can do hard things.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging deep.</td></tr>
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Eight hours after we started, my sweet friend took a final step onto flat ground at the summit of the mountain. We both lost it. Tears upon tears upon tears. I was so proud I thought I would explode. We can do hard things.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUMMIT!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YES!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle and North Sister</td></tr>
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Cyndi used everything she had to get to the summit. I was worried about the descent. It's grueling. Her toes were jamming into the front of her hiking boots, causing intense pain. As we picked our way back down the mountain, we encountered two different women who were still trying to make the summit. They clearly were suffering and losing heart. You know what my Cyndi did? She stopped to encourage them. Shared her story of loss and suffering and reminded these women they can do hard things. We even wrapped our arms around one gal and prayed for her before she continued Doing Hard Things on the ascent while Did Hard Things on the descent.</div>
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It took four hours to get down the mountain. Cyndi lost three toenails. She cried. We laughed. I cajoled. Swatted mosquitos. Even sang to her, except the only songs I could remember the lyrics to were the hymns I grew up with, so she got <i>The Old Rugged Cross</i> and <i>Just As I Am</i>. Somehow we made it back to our car. Sweaty, tear-streaked, starving, and so content.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next day - showered, but still crying about everything cause you know... grief.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#twinsies</td></tr>
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I don't know what your mountain is, but we all have them. I do know that this year I have encountered grief in a way that takes my breath away. Suffering has the power to suck the life right out of you. But Jesus... oh Jesus. He is our Portion. Our strength for each day, and He is good. He helps us get up each morning, face our mountain, choose joy, and put one foot in front of the other.</div>
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We can do hard things my friends. We can do hard things. To God be the glory forever and ever amen. In Sisters as it is in heaven....</div>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-44919168768009218292018-05-31T18:04:00.003-07:002020-07-02T14:13:03.764-07:00Bravery is Staying In the Game<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just part of a GIANT oak tree that was on location this morning at my photo session. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">The past three weeks have felt like a time warp of a bad dream we just can’t wake up from. One of my best friends tragically and unexpectedly lost her husband. Another friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. Our kids narrowly missed being T-boned by an erratic driver on the highway. Friends from church were told that one of their unborn twins had died in utero and the other would not survive outside the womb. Three beautiful women at a homeless shelter shared their stories – marked by grief and tragedy – over dinner in a safe home last night. This world is broken. The weight of grief is staggering. As my friend Di says, <i>“We are not made for this.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">And yet, in the face of bone-aching sorrow, life goes on. GOOD LIFE goes on. Alli competed in the state track meet. One of my nieces graduated with honors from high school and another one moved in with us for the summer. Katie was inducted into the National Honor Society. I ran a pain-free race for the first time in over a year. Grant was honored for his commitment to high school athletics and another water polo state championship. Paige’s passion to help the homeless has opened some intriguing doors for our family to serve people right here in Newberg who desperately need help and a lot of love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">We still have sports practices, school projects, tournaments and award ceremonies. My clients are counting on me to get their pictures to them. My family still needs to be fed and I (for my own sanity) still need to try to keep my house in some semblance of order. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">I don’t know how to Walk With Your Best Friend Through the Death of Her Husband, but we’re bumbling our way through it. We’ve sobbed together. Laughed so hard we cried. Passed the Talking Stick around her table and texted at all hours of the day. We have shared wisdom and moments of grouchiness, and walked miles and miles. And you know what? Jesus has been with us every step of the way. I have never felt his presence more intimately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">I assumed that “<i>having Jesus in difficulty</i>” would be all rainbows and sunshine, but it’s better than that. Jesus is with us in our ugly crying and bone-aching sorrow. He offers grace to cover our grouchiness and un-put-togetherness. He mourns with us. Gives us exactly what he need for each day. Jesus Is my portion and He is enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">This morning I read a story about a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lindsaymostrom/?hl=en">young mother</a> who recently walked through the tragedy of her infant son’s death. She said, “<i>In my life, and maybe in yours too, bravery looks less like a flashy Captain America moment and more like finishing that work assignment, leaning into a meaningful conversation with a friend, laughing at YouTube cat videos again, and going to counseling for the first time. <b>Bravery is staying in the game</b>. It’s engaging with your life and relentlessly seeking and accepting love even though life has just run you ragged. The perfect love I know that God has for each of us – that is what keeps me in the game. It’s what makes me brave</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">I can’t possibly know each of your stories or the burdens you quietly bear. But I do know that Jesus knows. He sees you. He loves you. He sits with you in the mire and weeps with you. He will give you just what you need to be brave and stay in the game. He will give me just what I need to stay in the game. For that… and for the life he gives me… I am forever grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">To being brave…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-31367459693436074132017-12-24T13:35:00.000-08:002020-07-02T14:13:12.978-07:00Four Peat: Oregon 6A State Champions Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExzm_eG1rRFrInQa5XDA1agr-fZzXvti2MAMmtusPcnx2zdWMi6TZ-c3otyZMAv5H6F_RjDrvAdanYuV4DsshSEuOWziiiXelSFMsxTP2_JxZ6YdW3mpyLXwut2zzCesAivSJsGtNyuA/s1600/11-16-2017+Banquet+Photos+Favs-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExzm_eG1rRFrInQa5XDA1agr-fZzXvti2MAMmtusPcnx2zdWMi6TZ-c3otyZMAv5H6F_RjDrvAdanYuV4DsshSEuOWziiiXelSFMsxTP2_JxZ6YdW3mpyLXwut2zzCesAivSJsGtNyuA/s400/11-16-2017+Banquet+Photos+Favs-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys Oregon 6A State Champions - four consecutive years </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ADPT55OqPR049gHkddGjL0BRguWTt0i2YkWsd7UHUEGjCoptSjeluEBG8bpYQcJ4a3qUU-xeqUQnUodQbkIhI2zqagFDhyM73ypIqf2tytgvb99HA_hESKmzkxUKoUhLfaR8ZfCw1E0/s1600/11-16-2017+Banquet+Photos+Favs-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ADPT55OqPR049gHkddGjL0BRguWTt0i2YkWsd7UHUEGjCoptSjeluEBG8bpYQcJ4a3qUU-xeqUQnUodQbkIhI2zqagFDhyM73ypIqf2tytgvb99HA_hESKmzkxUKoUhLfaR8ZfCw1E0/s400/11-16-2017+Banquet+Photos+Favs-3.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls Oregon 6A State Champions - second time in the past three years </td></tr>
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On November 11th, 2017, the Newberg High School boys water polo team won the Oregon 6A state championship title for the fourth consecutive year. An hour later, the Newberg High School girls water polo team also brought home the Oregon 6A state championship title - their second in three years. It's hard to put into words the emotion of watching your child, their teammates, and their coaches make a dream a reality.<br />
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Newberg has been dominating Oregon water polo since its inception in 1983. Jim McMaster, the genius who started the program in 1983, is STILL the head coach of the boy's team and the assistant coach of the girls' team. He has coached his teams to 37 state championships in 34 years. <b>Let that sink in for a minute. </b><br />
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Grant has grown up in the culture that is Newberg Water Polo. The coaches place a high value on hard work, teamwork, and mentoring. The older kids help coach the elementary teams and mentor the younger players. All players are expected to volunteer at home tournaments, keep their grades up, and abide by a code of conduct that honors Newberg High School and Newberg water polo. The bar is HIGH for these athletes and they willingly step up to meet the expectation. These athletes know they are a part of something unique. They are part of a dynasty.<br />
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The year Grant started high school Newberg had just graduated an all star group of seniors from their water polo team. It created a unique opportunity for Grant and four of his friends to all earn varsity letters as freshman and help their team win an unexpected state championship with a roster full of freshmen. They earned themselves the nickname the Fab Five and it stuck. The following year, each of these boys earned a varsity letter again and played a larger role in another state championship title. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIap5s5CAgQstPXOChWfs4cti7kZNbHs5y7_ydogp9bQYBWHYJ_sjg-camtgFezJNGPbg6qPPuVOAmBTYxo_ss7LJlYFPOkUwq88R3vW5enPYlVKdIbRYUtWd88zL1C8yZVG7svBxGUbE/s1600/11-16-2017+Banquet+Photos+Favs-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIap5s5CAgQstPXOChWfs4cti7kZNbHs5y7_ydogp9bQYBWHYJ_sjg-camtgFezJNGPbg6qPPuVOAmBTYxo_ss7LJlYFPOkUwq88R3vW5enPYlVKdIbRYUtWd88zL1C8yZVG7svBxGUbE/s320/11-16-2017+Banquet+Photos+Favs-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fab Five after their junior year banquet</td></tr>
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This year was different. All but one of the Fab Five's mentors graduated. It was time for our boys to step up and lead the team - both in the water and mentoring the younger players coming behind them. The first game of the season Grant had a hat trick (three goals in one game) and a big cheering section. <a href="https://pamplinmedia.com/nbg/145-sports/370584-254031-tigers-begin-title-defense-with-13-5-win-over-westview">The article in the newspaper </a>mentioned every single one of the Fab Five and a role they played in the victory. The season was setting itself up to be epic.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSC4WXoB2s3eOHQ8xPS06b6vO9kna8VTQj0-TppWGEK148TIQSGt6aEe3r9LItKv70cav1NK8iUGe_Rri6_o6G1k_rnRv3Y6m37p8n8ao1RQB_JYmsqzBPCFzLi3GN9wLHksrZ8UWUjQ/s1600/IMG_9534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSC4WXoB2s3eOHQ8xPS06b6vO9kna8VTQj0-TppWGEK148TIQSGt6aEe3r9LItKv70cav1NK8iUGe_Rri6_o6G1k_rnRv3Y6m37p8n8ao1RQB_JYmsqzBPCFzLi3GN9wLHksrZ8UWUjQ/s320/IMG_9534.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant with his little buddy Payton.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hat trick.</td></tr>
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The Newberg fans are complacent. It's an unspoken expectation that the water polo teams will bring home the league titles and compete at a high level in the state tournament. We have very few fans that come to the games, and no cheerleaders or fan fare, which is unfortunate because water polo is so exciting to watch. But the rest of the state is not complacent when it comes to Newberg. Opponents resent our success and EVERYONE wants to beat Newberg. Our players carry the weight of this into every single game. They can't afford be complacent.<br />
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Our boys rolled through the first half of their season, beating every Oregon team they played and only losing once in the championship game of a tournament to the reigning Washington 6A state champions. Then, the unthinkable happened. Our boys went to Lakeridge High School and got beat 6-4 by a very strong, capable Pacer team. It was the first league loss for the Newberg boys' team in FIFTEEN years. It was humbling and just the reminder the boys needed that complacency is not an option.<br />
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We played Lakeridge again at home in the last game of the regular season. For the first time since I've been watching high school water polo, Newberg fans - and even cheerleaders - came out to support the athletes. They PACKED the pool deck and stands, cheering wildly and creating an electric atmosphere. It was obvious this game should be a preview of the state championship. The game was tense and close. <a href="https://pamplinmedia.com/nbg/145-sports/376382-262161-newberg-high-avenges-earlier-loss-to-lakeridge">Grant scored a goal with one second left on the game clock to help his team win 7-4, s</a>ettling the score with Lakeridge.<br />
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The win by the Tigers secured a tie for the League Champions and forced a play off game to determine w<a href="https://pamplinmedia.com/nbg/145-sports/377161-263230-lakeridge-edges-newberg-6-5">hich team would get the number one seed going into the state tournament.</a> Newberg scored the first goal and controlled almost the entire first half, but the Pacers scored at the end of the second quarter and the momentum shifted. The two teams battled back and forth through the last two quarters, but Pacers all-star Terran Walker put the game away with a goal in the last minute to earn a 6-5 Lakeridge victory. Both teams knew the showdown at state would be a good one.<br />
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As the season progressed, Grant's strength morphed him into a defensive specialist. He was assigned to shut down the opponent's 2 meter/hole set position. It was exciting (and a little scary) to watch him battle it out against some of the toughest and scrappiest players in the state. The stuff that is considered "legal" in water polo is cray cray. Grant had a memorable and incredible performance in the semi-final game, scoring four goals and playing flawless defense. It is a bit surreal to watch him play every second of these important games and hold his own against some of the best players in the state.<br />
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As expected, the Pacers and the Tigers both<a href="https://pamplinmedia.com/nbg/145-sports/377877-264241-newberg-storms-into-state-semis"> played their way into the state championship game</a>. Both teams were hungry for victory. The Pacers were playing for their first ever state championship. The Tigers were playing for revenge and to keep their championship streak alive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxYptBSxuIwGZw_jNdg7UaEE8QNUpptExG_O58q3JX8M1W5M0DnbDd6pscAIhQfNX1QsPjeY4FcUaXYd5pMGhPmtTe6G_QlAcgOB2dUp_3BDaY3f-GS8if6nG31QuMpEV_bCqOd0E4dY/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxYptBSxuIwGZw_jNdg7UaEE8QNUpptExG_O58q3JX8M1W5M0DnbDd6pscAIhQfNX1QsPjeY4FcUaXYd5pMGhPmtTe6G_QlAcgOB2dUp_3BDaY3f-GS8if6nG31QuMpEV_bCqOd0E4dY/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">team captain getting the fans pumped</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJZRp0Bzbxns6AJ1ITBHnamED0JLLGofTUwoSVVXr5M5VkHEXrZcZtWQN9ySUZW-qJS4ZS_Udnp7gvyKDL8A6eX2P5eWaFjNaQNt_Taqls98GlFPZYg-XSTSeDxJk3APWnvzOwTiEAFw/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJZRp0Bzbxns6AJ1ITBHnamED0JLLGofTUwoSVVXr5M5VkHEXrZcZtWQN9ySUZW-qJS4ZS_Udnp7gvyKDL8A6eX2P5eWaFjNaQNt_Taqls98GlFPZYg-XSTSeDxJk3APWnvzOwTiEAFw/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant being announced before the championship game.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSulclxnYFGcOaDQ9KIAGi8Y6jdryTvzI083SElLh7NgFm1XfFinBEVilJmvnxAgJsRRnYd8Tq5EbTdJB0zCZHaQOt1atYNk3j54mhGWpk3zlG0n3vKcdXjZNDP1-H4VtVwFQibQ88PQ/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSulclxnYFGcOaDQ9KIAGi8Y6jdryTvzI083SElLh7NgFm1XfFinBEVilJmvnxAgJsRRnYd8Tq5EbTdJB0zCZHaQOt1atYNk3j54mhGWpk3zlG0n3vKcdXjZNDP1-H4VtVwFQibQ88PQ/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jumping in the water before the game started.</td></tr>
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The sprint to start the championship game ended in a jump ball. Newberg won the jump and went right down and scored a goal within the first ten seconds. That goal set the tone for the entire game. <a href="https://pamplinmedia.com/nbg/145-sports/378567-265316-newberg-boys-water-polo-captures-fourth-straight-title">Newberg held the lead throughout the entire championship game and earned another state title for their school.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielpNxGv0ajLiVPCYZo3e3uEn9ySHbJBJ4QHMzuFq7bVFUt0bIcqXkWIeA60tSLQway6IxC8A9PJ1rzeZBhN0D1Ba94bV_w9P6wECSi70jK5qnnD37HlDImCYlo4WZ1OpAd5kWvsTtoyE/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielpNxGv0ajLiVPCYZo3e3uEn9ySHbJBJ4QHMzuFq7bVFUt0bIcqXkWIeA60tSLQway6IxC8A9PJ1rzeZBhN0D1Ba94bV_w9P6wECSi70jK5qnnD37HlDImCYlo4WZ1OpAd5kWvsTtoyE/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raleigh winning the jump ball </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggY6ZgnZ2EK84vf-_-wzXjvQ2pRYS8SCI9hd2GyPpeaaQl_qU3wvn8x-wwJ3iJqkULj3szJr2DLZaRt2bf_jaiai6P9rzBnqBsmtqBixD287Cg-6olKcNxkgfnwXRY2KuMm_3NCRurz3c/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggY6ZgnZ2EK84vf-_-wzXjvQ2pRYS8SCI9hd2GyPpeaaQl_qU3wvn8x-wwJ3iJqkULj3szJr2DLZaRt2bf_jaiai6P9rzBnqBsmtqBixD287Cg-6olKcNxkgfnwXRY2KuMm_3NCRurz3c/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then scoring seconds later to set the tone for the game.</td></tr>
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Grant guarded All-League MVP Terran Walker, and shut him down for the entire game, with the exception of one goal. Lakeridge double teamed our strong players, leaving Alex, our lone sophomore starter, open. He took full advantage of this, scoring three crucial goals and earning the game ball for his stellar performance. With less than a minute to go in the championship game, Grant scored to put the Tigers up by three goals, a margin too big to tackle with the time remaining in the game. Final score: Newberg 9- Lakeridge 7.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhhHAGHSqb2ARdjNMNLkq2FwSgMqgZ1iBY4S8cNtqmE4sKXqkAOQfoz-AkprodpzYvHm-Oglbu2g85uLQPfn6Kth_0aptroMxNAEVwBCEQyk73AO9QoOLvuY2z7PfridLB_GiwG1AWgQ/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhhHAGHSqb2ARdjNMNLkq2FwSgMqgZ1iBY4S8cNtqmE4sKXqkAOQfoz-AkprodpzYvHm-Oglbu2g85uLQPfn6Kth_0aptroMxNAEVwBCEQyk73AO9QoOLvuY2z7PfridLB_GiwG1AWgQ/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my boy doing his thing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZCrExel5ni67RLfasc0BnQmGgAXAdqxtwWFsCCTNgi0fb48hpFYD9Gb0wQQsppphNhBjHRWdHgEr_sHV9hMssS4VpJEaKfJexkIeoN1lhzi5Y4TkKcr1c6fP8fOGqYpnSp5rqyqQplw/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZCrExel5ni67RLfasc0BnQmGgAXAdqxtwWFsCCTNgi0fb48hpFYD9Gb0wQQsppphNhBjHRWdHgEr_sHV9hMssS4VpJEaKfJexkIeoN1lhzi5Y4TkKcr1c6fP8fOGqYpnSp5rqyqQplw/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">getting ready for the second half </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y6Z4KNApV5-cFP-P74YRdJiqp-bdcxJ24d1ZrMuI9ytwwp-mE-ZBxR0sW_50gfHSE5LZedoMU_FYRVWPvlxlkQhuNBjVxXMM6f1qE8dX-FWkdYuTuhHFmCCzCm8dpWoKtljork2tTmc/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y6Z4KNApV5-cFP-P74YRdJiqp-bdcxJ24d1ZrMuI9ytwwp-mE-ZBxR0sW_50gfHSE5LZedoMU_FYRVWPvlxlkQhuNBjVxXMM6f1qE8dX-FWkdYuTuhHFmCCzCm8dpWoKtljork2tTmc/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a tough, physical game. Well played by both teams.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8J11yZirTRCYSJi62ShpqQTdrruBTDBtyQtfQ8QmYsx-z-hzn2R1eqaViH8T5UKEGNX9PRwiY51Ey22AssGp6szRujXFrCtgJ6Z4dz58ia2QOkkyL4rVmw75fz3zWvbCitiRZuMoMbg/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8J11yZirTRCYSJi62ShpqQTdrruBTDBtyQtfQ8QmYsx-z-hzn2R1eqaViH8T5UKEGNX9PRwiY51Ey22AssGp6szRujXFrCtgJ6Z4dz58ia2QOkkyL4rVmw75fz3zWvbCitiRZuMoMbg/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j80b4SIpy9yESxg7fHy9mKDj6mAl5_UkoM4VlJoOP8CgmsE0Ib7Bt8vrOGyY1W-WQwD7mDtUDB8u13HhVMNYNLEI51dTuGF_mP_AySRH7dM9Nh0ob8xLc3da6RZcJjkIWpeGwJRZ7lo/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j80b4SIpy9yESxg7fHy9mKDj6mAl5_UkoM4VlJoOP8CgmsE0Ib7Bt8vrOGyY1W-WQwD7mDtUDB8u13HhVMNYNLEI51dTuGF_mP_AySRH7dM9Nh0ob8xLc3da6RZcJjkIWpeGwJRZ7lo/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">final minute of the game - just before G scored to put them up by 3.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8imHzMxskhzW4y6MLwevQ6ypyfBpWvGXasVUZ7YlUKoLu18I5tZz-ntop6XyB-CcLr1Cj-fVJgujXjTCpa_dSQuQ8PFZ2oJhiRsgT9T9MR5k6RYAJ6R1ZA60h36hdFjqeohsVNWpz_Y/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8imHzMxskhzW4y6MLwevQ6ypyfBpWvGXasVUZ7YlUKoLu18I5tZz-ntop6XyB-CcLr1Cj-fVJgujXjTCpa_dSQuQ8PFZ2oJhiRsgT9T9MR5k6RYAJ6R1ZA60h36hdFjqeohsVNWpz_Y/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHAMPIONS!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6WGQUtI0c2GjLcDgQJJwNCVp-kgmwmRD97DQhW7u5wnKJGtd7ZaTh5vg1zNbgLThlqliLJ_depeEe_ESa7Ze5OlxHoNCYCKS_EZ0MP7Yqg0NUB2jfH_8nqNIfKCGV8qKmbSLUDGG_Ug/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6WGQUtI0c2GjLcDgQJJwNCVp-kgmwmRD97DQhW7u5wnKJGtd7ZaTh5vg1zNbgLThlqliLJ_depeEe_ESa7Ze5OlxHoNCYCKS_EZ0MP7Yqg0NUB2jfH_8nqNIfKCGV8qKmbSLUDGG_Ug/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You did it!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJYQYFuz3G6Cte0zkc0Xb_CrD-b0VtAEpEtjQmf_YcyI_1RcK7lFGDaTbcQ64WJ5pf7szUHEpjdocKB5MxnW0vDtONCLOKJWdeAuPdl63NUm5lUp_8oeR9rn2GJBRktRCBsI7xuBJmIw/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJYQYFuz3G6Cte0zkc0Xb_CrD-b0VtAEpEtjQmf_YcyI_1RcK7lFGDaTbcQ64WJ5pf7szUHEpjdocKB5MxnW0vDtONCLOKJWdeAuPdl63NUm5lUp_8oeR9rn2GJBRktRCBsI7xuBJmIw/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mixdmWwVgB8MNWxPJJGUQcLFbWJjTk86E0kO5veC8-RSGJJ5kTayT3xTfIAHKt6H4M_-XU1goVdFI3yUY9GIr3wU3GjTxlRyrpZOnym-1TFDXpBj60O93MK6BCpEolVmq31uWsvy_lM/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mixdmWwVgB8MNWxPJJGUQcLFbWJjTk86E0kO5veC8-RSGJJ5kTayT3xTfIAHKt6H4M_-XU1goVdFI3yUY9GIr3wU3GjTxlRyrpZOnym-1TFDXpBj60O93MK6BCpEolVmq31uWsvy_lM/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-33.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#fourpeat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrmzer9BaXg5wSu-PEe6SvbBJNPWRmlT_m9st4x5L-_lQt09QWqBluyIITcNSWoJWHYMv3sopsrW9QqdOgfdpcm6jugBWk-DVw-UmSEm9B1Dd7pNchxoV7yjkkxAINgcsMAgesjyZx1U/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrmzer9BaXg5wSu-PEe6SvbBJNPWRmlT_m9st4x5L-_lQt09QWqBluyIITcNSWoJWHYMv3sopsrW9QqdOgfdpcm6jugBWk-DVw-UmSEm9B1Dd7pNchxoV7yjkkxAINgcsMAgesjyZx1U/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-34.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one happy boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvXHZe_RgfEZ6LL7q2e1_WXs5tnHtflN1IRr_0wCj_FfxyRqj6TttUeJ8eHnhJn3SmrOmIgj0-a1Vhg1K6FCpbwWIKPgCsvPDA4xK986NrR8k7tyDGJwiPl3z0z_PxEQm3tS3xP4B75g/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvXHZe_RgfEZ6LL7q2e1_WXs5tnHtflN1IRr_0wCj_FfxyRqj6TttUeJ8eHnhJn3SmrOmIgj0-a1Vhg1K6FCpbwWIKPgCsvPDA4xK986NrR8k7tyDGJwiPl3z0z_PxEQm3tS3xP4B75g/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-32.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our co-captains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea3JwARut2IICbVtIc0WqoY3oAtZyC-4505qUGG0RaPxC2TOPkL2bKqnMSw7tiCUbGMfPRCNJimeZXXcM66inIsFDaT7LOXBfPVAlGnmuwZOWX73mDNGo6WaK_KWyXvQFU_C-03yfR7E/s1600/Boys+Championship+FAVS-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea3JwARut2IICbVtIc0WqoY3oAtZyC-4505qUGG0RaPxC2TOPkL2bKqnMSw7tiCUbGMfPRCNJimeZXXcM66inIsFDaT7LOXBfPVAlGnmuwZOWX73mDNGo6WaK_KWyXvQFU_C-03yfR7E/s320/Boys+Championship+FAVS-35.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State Champions (but missing a ton of our players in this photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Five of our starters earned All State honors, including our goalie Wilson Johnson, who also took home state MVP honors. <br />
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I had a Media Pass that allowed me access to the entire pool deck to take photos. It was pretty cool to be able to record the excitement of another championship for our boys and their parents. Their senior year is going to be an emotional roller coaster for all of us. Just take a look at this little video clip that shows the emotions that go into the semi-final and championship games!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yU6qaddM6MI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yU6qaddM6MI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Here is a video of the goals Grant scored in the semi-final and championship game. A huge thanks to my friend Heather who took all these videos while I was taking still shots.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GzwjC2kd61Y/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GzwjC2kd61Y?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Well done boys. Four-peat State Champions. You earned it and we are so proud. Until next year....<br />
<br />
<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-52275147554671013692017-12-23T14:44:00.005-08:002020-07-02T14:13:21.835-07:00Mirror Lake - Hiking in the Snow<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdDsa0AIAwbdT8kMDsWUmdp9FVTWtnjkQOImjhTwfn8LHY3sZGdCq0cYO_R4hsQAUHqbV7OS3P0ps2L2yVDTV9KFSiiSqo0OP5hycmBudc2mnIJSg3M_6LEeWYMiJnPCC3agJMFoVDfQ/s1600/vPGXiZuHTPmRNqyLIh1%2525YQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdDsa0AIAwbdT8kMDsWUmdp9FVTWtnjkQOImjhTwfn8LHY3sZGdCq0cYO_R4hsQAUHqbV7OS3P0ps2L2yVDTV9KFSiiSqo0OP5hycmBudc2mnIJSg3M_6LEeWYMiJnPCC3agJMFoVDfQ/s320/vPGXiZuHTPmRNqyLIh1%2525YQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thursday was an Adventure Day. I try to take the kids on one adventure day every time they have a break from school and periodically throughout the summer. These days become more precious to me the older the kids get, because I have to ask them days in advance to set the time aside on their calendar. As it was, Grant missed swim practice and Alli missed basketball practice just so we could all go. <br />
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Mt. Hood got hit with 20 inches of fresh snow on Tuesday so we opted to head there for a day in the snow. It was a great choice since Newberg was socked in with an all day fog and it was crystal clear up at the mountain with bright blue skies. It just so happened that some of our best friends were vacationing on Mt. Hood, so we picked up Dawn and Jaci to go hiking with us. (Blake and Davis were snowboarding and John was thrilled to have the afternoon to himself).<br />
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I have never purposefully hiked in the snow before and wasn't really sure what gear we would need aside from the usual backpack full of snacks and water. When we arrived at the trail, temps were in the high twenties and the snow was abundant. We all put our snow pants and winter coats on over our hiking gear and chose to wear our snow boots instead of hiking shoes. This was the right choice, but it definitely made it slower going to hike in snow boots and full snow gear.<br />
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On a summer day, the hike to Mirror Lake is an easy 1.4 miles on a well-graded trail to the lake from the trailhead. Add maybe .25 miles to walk around the lake and you're back to your car in about 3 miles, give or take. However, in the winter you can't park at the trailhead. The closest parking was almost a mile up the highway at Ski Bowl. The extra mile to and from the trailhead along the side of the busy highway through packed snow made a normally easy hike feel excessively long. Alli forgot her backpack in the snow by the car, so she and I got a bonus 1/2 mile of hiking to retrieve her backpack before we even made it to the trailhead. #goodtimes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlR_K3SdZnIgWffbrU-kIlcCXBwsp11r4FklLdZ3KeeD9-HIvN-DrPfqjLtOBQOOlQi95CwHXIlyfu2xnGT1nXm9LOK9Nib5SYu6NEgGAXBjU535TMhFbHRzp9eev8sxL7017c6cPqB8/s1600/IMG_1483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlR_K3SdZnIgWffbrU-kIlcCXBwsp11r4FklLdZ3KeeD9-HIvN-DrPfqjLtOBQOOlQi95CwHXIlyfu2xnGT1nXm9LOK9Nib5SYu6NEgGAXBjU535TMhFbHRzp9eev8sxL7017c6cPqB8/s320/IMG_1483.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1BSRVTPXjUQFsgrn-Sy5aIloS_nNHrYECnhFmID2YrSby0KAeLIhsDqWbZ_wo-ciOTmpWOseSI2Mj6GVfawf5atCgPEq6AsY5gTELfIfUiSqrKrL2fFMrDVth4FYNONSjhkJX3XCu6g/s1600/IMG_1485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1BSRVTPXjUQFsgrn-Sy5aIloS_nNHrYECnhFmID2YrSby0KAeLIhsDqWbZ_wo-ciOTmpWOseSI2Mj6GVfawf5atCgPEq6AsY5gTELfIfUiSqrKrL2fFMrDVth4FYNONSjhkJX3XCu6g/s320/IMG_1485.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little bridge you cross to start the hike</td></tr>
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With that said, this entire day was a blast. The forest was magical. All the trees were dressed in a blanket of snow. The trail was easy to follow even though it was packed with thick snow. We trudged our way up to toward the lake, soaking in the periodic views of Mt. Hood and the magic of the snow-covered forest. We were all hot and sweaty in our snow gear, but we cooled off the second we stopped at the lake for lunch. We definitely chose the right gear for the weather conditions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwNy5S81VcHnvJYCy_YpJJWNes7K4do_AdSKmNM4vJVIyllbgadmrFlnRsAK_H5BAJgLmKdgzDQEQ0MuiEtE_daMlU7A7-6W5PrVEurc7e6Gzl5WUI8Zrk5IEY6POxb4Ca8ieMjARUXM/s1600/+Mirror+Lake+SM-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwNy5S81VcHnvJYCy_YpJJWNes7K4do_AdSKmNM4vJVIyllbgadmrFlnRsAK_H5BAJgLmKdgzDQEQ0MuiEtE_daMlU7A7-6W5PrVEurc7e6Gzl5WUI8Zrk5IEY6POxb4Ca8ieMjARUXM/s320/+Mirror+Lake+SM-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">majestic trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47muoXiHYoyI4F8C4qdxQLfrRwmJyOhEv5GWMrutYvAcDrJEGzZf3ljqXHh_UDumJdBtZ0JLE2aJpopNlGKuMJMjoalBToMZpgLOy7Q2GfyuUHBjUcQuxIpadp9B9G3hYKpZX1gjsEWA/s1600/+Mirror+Lake+SM-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47muoXiHYoyI4F8C4qdxQLfrRwmJyOhEv5GWMrutYvAcDrJEGzZf3ljqXHh_UDumJdBtZ0JLE2aJpopNlGKuMJMjoalBToMZpgLOy7Q2GfyuUHBjUcQuxIpadp9B9G3hYKpZX1gjsEWA/s320/+Mirror+Lake+SM-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn with the kids</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESjtkONqdn5EjWdrbQhx3THukK540S-e5Hem-JRSIv0RN-W8OAHpXgiXb1KTwz9qUqVoH5ghZvzD_14ThNMwLbf4cR8vuPVYmJIA2fE2LPj4zC4lrDGT_poCcs6JTQIsROHryJ4DonPk/s1600/+Mirror+Lake+SM-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESjtkONqdn5EjWdrbQhx3THukK540S-e5Hem-JRSIv0RN-W8OAHpXgiXb1KTwz9qUqVoH5ghZvzD_14ThNMwLbf4cR8vuPVYmJIA2fE2LPj4zC4lrDGT_poCcs6JTQIsROHryJ4DonPk/s320/+Mirror+Lake+SM-8.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf39r0GMvtnE03DSeKc5CXakpHyDRPrhCAUoAbujMn6yVHtcfZ7fXuWQXcS7dAka02v27rSYXy6a8ki3gGyVFJlacankEO5LeKE1w1bWi3E6nQli15oFj5FFTzCgO8Y2V9CWOnJT_72k/s1600/+Mirror+Lake+SM-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf39r0GMvtnE03DSeKc5CXakpHyDRPrhCAUoAbujMn6yVHtcfZ7fXuWQXcS7dAka02v27rSYXy6a8ki3gGyVFJlacankEO5LeKE1w1bWi3E6nQli15oFj5FFTzCgO8Y2V9CWOnJT_72k/s320/+Mirror+Lake+SM-7.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3YPCz4_A_vqD1SVJeJSmuOhJ7rtYbfs9dyeJepW07d9zNu9q_8GYtVmFrNjEvIOFiKQsBCzmG-pPFHnufybe4EeOGh_al_2MGIaANBtRYw1Sz2w5qhbliKtgtUEybDOqM4zVbi0-LLM/s1600/+Mirror+Lake+SM-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3YPCz4_A_vqD1SVJeJSmuOhJ7rtYbfs9dyeJepW07d9zNu9q_8GYtVmFrNjEvIOFiKQsBCzmG-pPFHnufybe4EeOGh_al_2MGIaANBtRYw1Sz2w5qhbliKtgtUEybDOqM4zVbi0-LLM/s320/+Mirror+Lake+SM-5.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paige </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYGWovyvoqyqEGmiDNxe18nHanSufjI2r2QuGMc09Q__KFe3nM1y4_ZxVMPKFoMMtzKtmQT5WSklIN-v5yHbdwzDZ918QYVjFHymEpOM7Q5JG_dadPQV5Z6WJlOajgb7JUHpW_vhZeKM/s1600/+Mirror+Lake+SM-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYGWovyvoqyqEGmiDNxe18nHanSufjI2r2QuGMc09Q__KFe3nM1y4_ZxVMPKFoMMtzKtmQT5WSklIN-v5yHbdwzDZ918QYVjFHymEpOM7Q5JG_dadPQV5Z6WJlOajgb7JUHpW_vhZeKM/s320/+Mirror+Lake+SM-4.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant</td></tr>
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Grant, who is in the best shape of all of us, forgot his backpack with food and water in the car. He was hungry and hot and hilariously whiny, laying down in the middle of the trail exclaiming, <i>"I can't go on. I'm not going to make it." </i>I fed and watered him, helped him to his feet, and he made it up the last few switchbacks to the lake. Grant drug his $10 sled all the way up to the lake just so he could sled back down the trail to the car. That was his favorite part.<br />
<br />
The view of Mt. Hood from Mirror Lake was everything we hoped it would be. We sat in the snow and ate our snacks, then took a video of the kids singing <i>Santa Claus is Coming to Town</i>. Hikers on the other side of the lake heard them singing and joined in the song. After they finished singing, shouts of "<i>Merry Christmas</i>" rang back and forth across the lake between the two groups. (<i>"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."</i>) While Grant was sledding back to the car, we girls hiked and sang every Christmas carol about snow that we could think of. It was really fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujbRXztb-PUPin92V5RfPtA0sV7ix4OkCC-HP15yFHPqUeS5oZERPVBZIuvDw4tuNhRRs2oH27R_bn5Vcajnx5KGjxOKq9aIkIEc3cmby4lB5fXOg2so7g2qHJYkqoGK605KksSnE1PI/s1600/5jqJjzSoRUmf%252BmxbdQI%252BcA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujbRXztb-PUPin92V5RfPtA0sV7ix4OkCC-HP15yFHPqUeS5oZERPVBZIuvDw4tuNhRRs2oH27R_bn5Vcajnx5KGjxOKq9aIkIEc3cmby4lB5fXOg2so7g2qHJYkqoGK605KksSnE1PI/s320/5jqJjzSoRUmf%252BmxbdQI%252BcA.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from the trail - that white patch is a cloud bank that had the valley socked in with fog.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffsKxS8d-tYvCs4Chw-fAvDjzLO7NvtoUoROMmXZoQ5s0yvAvbrzP48vvA8gnWEu0ACnj8qzJfw0M4f9enOT4B4p9c3BvGi35HMkW_Jg-9fSVi_-LqTKdCzO-BCkpOS_fkeBH9y3GZX8/s1600/ByxCw15%2525TxaQHoay0tfXnw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffsKxS8d-tYvCs4Chw-fAvDjzLO7NvtoUoROMmXZoQ5s0yvAvbrzP48vvA8gnWEu0ACnj8qzJfw0M4f9enOT4B4p9c3BvGi35HMkW_Jg-9fSVi_-LqTKdCzO-BCkpOS_fkeBH9y3GZX8/s320/ByxCw15%2525TxaQHoay0tfXnw.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by the time we got back to the car, it was twilight. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamw1gzwHsfnfFEgjlPYzhl3_4EwUieQXk9PZrseuaLx2h4egkcuGrG_LE1o6eLZcd0l8JGquwGskUax50vLTtPmWptA1OxhWc6phtMx5RARPbCLbzb2IgajphHjsYynOelQO_kfHwWU8/s1600/c3xVDEkaT3ij1xjDfe6RLg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamw1gzwHsfnfFEgjlPYzhl3_4EwUieQXk9PZrseuaLx2h4egkcuGrG_LE1o6eLZcd0l8JGquwGskUax50vLTtPmWptA1OxhWc6phtMx5RARPbCLbzb2IgajphHjsYynOelQO_kfHwWU8/s320/c3xVDEkaT3ij1xjDfe6RLg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This woman is a gem... one of my best friends. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixW3Yht0yYqCYmzrwZNsSQifxlkqMtKUFq9XvuXzo-XTc4HWxnAltiuMP23SRoU3KeEtoQo-Nf4Zocg4qPTBkxfQahyphenhyphenNAlQ_MpifbTXF4I6xEdukK6orHxG8PUPssUWxUVNsvwDNzrd7Q/s1600/cs3AVKgfTAu9tzlRVQ0bXQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixW3Yht0yYqCYmzrwZNsSQifxlkqMtKUFq9XvuXzo-XTc4HWxnAltiuMP23SRoU3KeEtoQo-Nf4Zocg4qPTBkxfQahyphenhyphenNAlQ_MpifbTXF4I6xEdukK6orHxG8PUPssUWxUVNsvwDNzrd7Q/s320/cs3AVKgfTAu9tzlRVQ0bXQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant being Grant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeTrTgNVRH66fu5w4cGp4upl2Bb7KoYRDvchMtOv1cDOBG-fEI_wzR7C6nT69c04JeSLDL9HRhckyK0tfTPsjGe664veGfAHXnNus4RQIkKbvpm3e2KSBikjsUsVDJ8gWfQ-L_EdWOMo/s1600/dJIW57s0RECX9dQd9P2oDw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeTrTgNVRH66fu5w4cGp4upl2Bb7KoYRDvchMtOv1cDOBG-fEI_wzR7C6nT69c04JeSLDL9HRhckyK0tfTPsjGe664veGfAHXnNus4RQIkKbvpm3e2KSBikjsUsVDJ8gWfQ-L_EdWOMo/s320/dJIW57s0RECX9dQd9P2oDw.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountain and part of the frozen lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0Fpvotviyh4wyhVxdtAS4Rdo_J1-6PrwfSx3BDMHwQjXc_yXEoXSBs7Bv8zer4yj_0t3Wp1j50FKna8brBZB9vVFNLoUYImqaGY_cuYYDhkZPrbzD_m7oMgnI5mrsCAL9f4Mv5utE3k/s1600/EauKOfITTyWYSoOUMI5Jlw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0Fpvotviyh4wyhVxdtAS4Rdo_J1-6PrwfSx3BDMHwQjXc_yXEoXSBs7Bv8zer4yj_0t3Wp1j50FKna8brBZB9vVFNLoUYImqaGY_cuYYDhkZPrbzD_m7oMgnI5mrsCAL9f4Mv5utE3k/s320/EauKOfITTyWYSoOUMI5Jlw.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all photos copyright of Jodi Stilp Photography LLC. Do not use without permission.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMtvyVu9ZRO-4MiXm8bHCACWixeNcy3VY5FIMQqcW0jGmsw36MDmE7_EWGTH5_ufSSR6NSBNPLnhZUQezdAFwAnGIBfHv-2aqjmUkZoZjnLl9tgCyY-Wn6_Zr5mdyKqsWJmvNkCx6ggE/s1600/ePMhULDcSiCe6N2WFJzjNA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMtvyVu9ZRO-4MiXm8bHCACWixeNcy3VY5FIMQqcW0jGmsw36MDmE7_EWGTH5_ufSSR6NSBNPLnhZUQezdAFwAnGIBfHv-2aqjmUkZoZjnLl9tgCyY-Wn6_Zr5mdyKqsWJmvNkCx6ggE/s320/ePMhULDcSiCe6N2WFJzjNA.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn and me. We had to BEG the kids to get up out of the snow and take this photo. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YipDuph334F7tB8Eejv72tafYOroQL-y7PE9gYPgc9MH0eHOHNrTPKzsh_56wRwOU-zfsF_UycZGlaEs_lxd5EPq99J4czcyFlmAH_Tch_r6gU5BXek_62p9q0SMxqh4XWzk3AZ6q3c/s1600/gFc%25255RcdQXSv6NfOQ4mxpQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YipDuph334F7tB8Eejv72tafYOroQL-y7PE9gYPgc9MH0eHOHNrTPKzsh_56wRwOU-zfsF_UycZGlaEs_lxd5EPq99J4czcyFlmAH_Tch_r6gU5BXek_62p9q0SMxqh4XWzk3AZ6q3c/s320/gFc%25255RcdQXSv6NfOQ4mxpQ.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the trail </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_IqDOlMT2K26APnOqRrWiGH0L9mYfKPowRR4uL0X71W89HiZZ3xxufqEHPH8BHoWgw7VKd7bk8iLr8BKwtxu0gyjKnToytZoaT-nLjcs31kaGywO0GqBQY5Uv80Xo_E6yo-DygV2xU4/s1600/gHtn5tHlR%252BClmpIL%2525hWcRg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_IqDOlMT2K26APnOqRrWiGH0L9mYfKPowRR4uL0X71W89HiZZ3xxufqEHPH8BHoWgw7VKd7bk8iLr8BKwtxu0gyjKnToytZoaT-nLjcs31kaGywO0GqBQY5Uv80Xo_E6yo-DygV2xU4/s320/gHtn5tHlR%252BClmpIL%2525hWcRg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwebh0JyPzFnynV9qEvrTo1_xoYwKKj7dsz01lLn8bwFi-gjNWr7-XxXRlVq06FOjjaDzz3ECgDw-mAv7m3K11T1MbyESBCGwKvCtRIjGNUCfHbpnvjOU-HoVNrM-vXxCqtYem0ScI6TI/s1600/h%2525lFlHtdQsmCg1u3Zr3xjA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwebh0JyPzFnynV9qEvrTo1_xoYwKKj7dsz01lLn8bwFi-gjNWr7-XxXRlVq06FOjjaDzz3ECgDw-mAv7m3K11T1MbyESBCGwKvCtRIjGNUCfHbpnvjOU-HoVNrM-vXxCqtYem0ScI6TI/s320/h%2525lFlHtdQsmCg1u3Zr3xjA.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alli eating lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNehZnectQropMZHQIXPkjuKge5VWIiU4zf-dUsLX4bRtEQNBVJbxdu0cNPNroh0S2Kc2ATzv-3vPVRYQ4iwDv65bwWdcRIUL_uLyle4upzA9P8HgTwdh4fKUa2vcqdiJHnL4ju5pX80/s1600/mhOpR46rQxSpxa6zN2E83A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNehZnectQropMZHQIXPkjuKge5VWIiU4zf-dUsLX4bRtEQNBVJbxdu0cNPNroh0S2Kc2ATzv-3vPVRYQ4iwDv65bwWdcRIUL_uLyle4upzA9P8HgTwdh4fKUa2vcqdiJHnL4ju5pX80/s320/mhOpR46rQxSpxa6zN2E83A.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't they cute? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqa83OIHA8nc97THnUfZhzCmwwXKC1yxgLSaOHp_MzdGzT7n5siWwPIAP9F_HvAT4rmASXP8v45nK2kdoAgyqBv2UXQgnp2MsYbRKFR73zJzo5jlcInZL8xA5Ny10Q8wSco9-FhMDC_U/s1600/QO19CDo9RImo7IW9PBkJsA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqa83OIHA8nc97THnUfZhzCmwwXKC1yxgLSaOHp_MzdGzT7n5siWwPIAP9F_HvAT4rmASXP8v45nK2kdoAgyqBv2UXQgnp2MsYbRKFR73zJzo5jlcInZL8xA5Ny10Q8wSco9-FhMDC_U/s320/QO19CDo9RImo7IW9PBkJsA.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">frozen Mirror Lake </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvmuFI9_E-nkPSxg38CMHGArAqKVrY-ixCi6boeZnRlutqWdPk7OSEUBRya7R-pfPcwRoXYzghVxJChu65J53NpUG1hCQEy6BzFSmZaA6rtH4k406nox-HASLH5Z-i_ElFD8-PbJeH6U/s1600/Sctwg8vtQPWpmStxIjg%2525eQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvmuFI9_E-nkPSxg38CMHGArAqKVrY-ixCi6boeZnRlutqWdPk7OSEUBRya7R-pfPcwRoXYzghVxJChu65J53NpUG1hCQEy6BzFSmZaA6rtH4k406nox-HASLH5Z-i_ElFD8-PbJeH6U/s320/Sctwg8vtQPWpmStxIjg%2525eQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail continues up the ridge to the top of this mountain on the Tom, Dick and Harry Trail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vxXLEKDqb6Ijr5jcsgAU5nGW2lmRGfQgwE1bjQdeS2MMXhLE8gNPhI6T3SPPz2nSBaBoWf75aAF-a-hP6ugmhyphenhyphenH4y9VO1wDunko0BM2OjxZhmLIOFw6BHJwOf8O2q3sCmxN8-wS-gIo/s1600/tEsShpp2QCyCX9M5Cn2Daw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vxXLEKDqb6Ijr5jcsgAU5nGW2lmRGfQgwE1bjQdeS2MMXhLE8gNPhI6T3SPPz2nSBaBoWf75aAF-a-hP6ugmhyphenhyphenH4y9VO1wDunko0BM2OjxZhmLIOFw6BHJwOf8O2q3sCmxN8-wS-gIo/s320/tEsShpp2QCyCX9M5Cn2Daw.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPuTpcOV6rkRnNTfmI8pIx3ptVsIxQvGh5X1uG02NOuFcLkaTvawFYXAXgk5x5TYXttqi_wRrYR_Jan6rvVXEPOwf8PbhqKY6nQUTDWaFv-QV7XLyxQXyd2iHB0x6RLCoBLl-jI8dUsc/s1600/ZC7GzOfNScOM3xQgWBhn%2525g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPuTpcOV6rkRnNTfmI8pIx3ptVsIxQvGh5X1uG02NOuFcLkaTvawFYXAXgk5x5TYXttqi_wRrYR_Jan6rvVXEPOwf8PbhqKY6nQUTDWaFv-QV7XLyxQXyd2iHB0x6RLCoBLl-jI8dUsc/s320/ZC7GzOfNScOM3xQgWBhn%2525g.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our girls are BFF's which is pretty fun considering Dawn and I spend so much time together. </td></tr>
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We joined the rest of the Smith's at their hotel suite for a picnic dinner before heading home to tell Curt all about our day. It was another memorable "Smilp Family" Adventure and we can't wait for the next one.<br />
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Merry Christmas and happy hiking.<br />
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#hiking #hikingadventures #hikinginthesnow #smilpfamilyadventuresJodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-14200300683878983322017-11-26T21:38:00.005-08:002020-07-02T14:13:31.438-07:00"Congratulations Dr. Stilp" - on becoming a doctorThis June something major happened for our family. Curt became a doctor. He graduated right on schedule, in three years, with a 4.00 cumulative GPA. Highest honors for this scholar and he did this while working a more than full time, demanding job and excelling as a husband and father, and leader in our church. Can I get an AMEN?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCL0NhUJ4AZjH7TLuoLm2Xu4GuDK9lZAgGN8WjykxLK7IVcUbD80f3JNu0pUSY3_xOvflbIrXr7U1Z3ebsbX4g3ZauyfLL5kF4q-r3rZDdhHhoh8M2EzmORIxGXu_8FAZlwuibrK850BI/s1600/Curt+Stilp+BSN%252C+RN%252C+MS%252C+PA-C%252C+EdD+Favs-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCL0NhUJ4AZjH7TLuoLm2Xu4GuDK9lZAgGN8WjykxLK7IVcUbD80f3JNu0pUSY3_xOvflbIrXr7U1Z3ebsbX4g3ZauyfLL5kF4q-r3rZDdhHhoh8M2EzmORIxGXu_8FAZlwuibrK850BI/s320/Curt+Stilp+BSN%252C+RN%252C+MS%252C+PA-C%252C+EdD+Favs-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like senior portraits for grown ups.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9PEKy54Ezkzj-cuxf4BBVvvMm2c_jlJm1s8oj0IIMKCBI9JE-WN2-mqNaKc4H3NOm2jfUC34mJa_zGAmjLnAwEB8Gdj_I0Zz0ZKSs-eI-9iTgr_qjEPNLqWzOwr7SuT51-JpTkxGeec/s1600/Curt+Stilp+BSN%252C+RN%252C+MS%252C+PA-C%252C+EdD+Favs-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9PEKy54Ezkzj-cuxf4BBVvvMm2c_jlJm1s8oj0IIMKCBI9JE-WN2-mqNaKc4H3NOm2jfUC34mJa_zGAmjLnAwEB8Gdj_I0Zz0ZKSs-eI-9iTgr_qjEPNLqWzOwr7SuT51-JpTkxGeec/s320/Curt+Stilp+BSN%252C+RN%252C+MS%252C+PA-C%252C+EdD+Favs-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2UR-ddlv2Sl4otzeqUlPh0dXujy9kmC5W9n3Pc3aHL6mSiegFN495qmRKoKQiGJw2BPrbHlLQ9JtAS2NTWTAkzu4VbEMkCHnCVFjuB0fryouSEQq9G1SvFGjWLF_NtalP5_BB1e-JyM/s1600/Curt+Stilp+BSN%252C+RN%252C+MS%252C+PA-C%252C+EdD+Favs-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2UR-ddlv2Sl4otzeqUlPh0dXujy9kmC5W9n3Pc3aHL6mSiegFN495qmRKoKQiGJw2BPrbHlLQ9JtAS2NTWTAkzu4VbEMkCHnCVFjuB0fryouSEQq9G1SvFGjWLF_NtalP5_BB1e-JyM/s320/Curt+Stilp+BSN%252C+RN%252C+MS%252C+PA-C%252C+EdD+Favs-3.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He earned those stripes.</td></tr>
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Curt is goal oriented and hard working. Both of these character traits drew me to him when we were dating and continue to woo me the longer I know this man. I met Curt when we were twenty and he knew then that he would become a Physician Assistant, work in orthopedics and eventually switch into higher education. He has chipped away at this plan, one contemplated step after another. </div>
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As Curt worked his way up the ranks of PA education, it became obvious that he would need his doctorate if he wanted to work in high level administration at a university. We talked about when the best time would be for him to go back to school. "<i>Never</i>" was the logical answer. Since there was no good time, we decided to just do it.</div>
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He was accepted at Portland State University and started a Doctorate of Education (EdD), specialization in Post-Secondary Education and Education Leadership, in the fall of 2014. Every other weekend he had class all night Friday and all day Saturday, with 25+ hours of homework assigned each week. He added this to working at least 50 hours a week and commuting an hour each way to and from work. Doctoral school is NOT for the faint of heart. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEur_HL9OoKrzkXLoStKviAxfBp2CVNlo7MGrygrGvw0kzDdp4PgqUxGhYaPibX2m8z7fYns464B8aQQU-81ywN0tX9I80trPg9zs1G9GhyphenhyphenGjQjw7H7gIoFKTHqEdxAkRKh0IiJFgDNA/s1600/IMG_0960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEur_HL9OoKrzkXLoStKviAxfBp2CVNlo7MGrygrGvw0kzDdp4PgqUxGhYaPibX2m8z7fYns464B8aQQU-81ywN0tX9I80trPg9zs1G9GhyphenhyphenGjQjw7H7gIoFKTHqEdxAkRKh0IiJFgDNA/s640/IMG_0960.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In April of 2014, the incoming class was invited to a Look What You're Getting Into night for families and students. Look how tiny our kids were! (I couldn't find the original photo, hence the Instagram scree shot).</td></tr>
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But my Man... he just put his head down and did the work. He stayed up until midnight (or later) most nights and every morning was up at 5 a.m. to read his Bible and start a new day. Reading is hard for Curt because he's dyslexic, so he created a way to convert his text into an audio file that he could listen to during his commute. He faithfully made a habit of tucking the kids in each night, listening to them recount their day's activities and praying with them at bedtime. Then he'd come back down to his "desk" (the dining room table) and get back to work. His drive and determination are so admirable. </div>
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We all made sacrifices to get Curt through school. Less help around the house. Less time together. More carpooling (thank you to our Village that helped me get the kids where they needed to be). Tough decisions: homework vs. a water polo game. Homework vs. a basketball game. Projects that normally would get done immediately, went undone. We had to just let some things go and be okay with imperfection. Each semester brought different challenges and different adjustments. It wasn't easy, but through it all, God sustained us.</div>
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For three straight years, Dr. Stilp juggled his job, school, marriage, fatherhood and being an elder at our church. He rarely slept, rarely complained, and never stopped working hard. He kept his eyes focused on Jesus - gathering strength for each day from his time in the Word - and asking God to fill all the voids. The passage he meditated on toward the end of our journey was from Deuteronomy. </div>
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<i>"Yet the LORD says, 'During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet'... I did this so that you might know that I am the LORD your God." - Deuteronomy 29:5-6</i></div>
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There is no way that Curt should have been able to keep the pace he kept for so long and not break down. It was truly God's miraculous provision of strength, clarity of thought, focus and energy that didn't add up given how little he slept and how much of himself and his brain power he gave away each day. </div>
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On May 11th at 2 p.m., Curt defended his dissertation. I watched with pride as he summarized three years worth of research in a twenty minute PowerPoint presentation then fielded questions from his dissertation committee and members of the audience. When he was finished they sent us out in the hallway to deliberate, then called us back in. We nervously took our seats and Curt's dissertation Chairwoman stood to her feet. Beaming, she declared, <i>"Congratulations Dr. Stilp."</i> It was all I could do to not burst into tears. Three years of sacrifice to hear those words. Thank you Jesus!!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWnhDIKOlR_2e9RxYVaef9ZRdwMQfmLUH1FrA5Pu3KPGRQBv9WFhAulmBBn6xfl1RkCeK_nnh_Qhm4ptvmFZ-v5x1Q8nwpbCTP1gblUlxVEfbsTOTIdxBxcJXBw5rAiPwqR5hqXOUn3s/s1600/for+FB+Dissertation-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWnhDIKOlR_2e9RxYVaef9ZRdwMQfmLUH1FrA5Pu3KPGRQBv9WFhAulmBBn6xfl1RkCeK_nnh_Qhm4ptvmFZ-v5x1Q8nwpbCTP1gblUlxVEfbsTOTIdxBxcJXBw5rAiPwqR5hqXOUn3s/s320/for+FB+Dissertation-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting his dissertation defense.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrmuSeoY4sQVvns_glFuD9xQMPtvkD8cpUv3NBoCJLPqaidDtrp4bnGap7qTU_i6g3_g7May5a2MBs8h5fqFxe-80HU8uKDzbdSCe-y3PkQ0RFKsT0dYfNvTO9UaU8U66RwEgdyT0XK8/s1600/for+FB+Dissertation-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrmuSeoY4sQVvns_glFuD9xQMPtvkD8cpUv3NBoCJLPqaidDtrp4bnGap7qTU_i6g3_g7May5a2MBs8h5fqFxe-80HU8uKDzbdSCe-y3PkQ0RFKsT0dYfNvTO9UaU8U66RwEgdyT0XK8/s320/for+FB+Dissertation-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So Handsome. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GJZUt5UQXXc-KTbA-PtKOt_pWpsCpKHB8gI9GEqhXYU_VN5foYKu5Vh_wMOBzxYirnXJ1OW8EK1lR0uMhCAGa3FnL7y5WV1qs49f6X8cXv50gzkSIiNlozYhqLQGFFjVe7b2XxVr3iI/s1600/for+FB+Dissertation-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GJZUt5UQXXc-KTbA-PtKOt_pWpsCpKHB8gI9GEqhXYU_VN5foYKu5Vh_wMOBzxYirnXJ1OW8EK1lR0uMhCAGa3FnL7y5WV1qs49f6X8cXv50gzkSIiNlozYhqLQGFFjVe7b2XxVr3iI/s320/for+FB+Dissertation-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Answering questions.</td></tr>
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This June we gathered together to celebrate God's goodness to our family and Curt's incredible achievement. My Mom and her husband flew in from Arizona. Curt's parents flew in from Minnesota. We threw a big party and people from Our Village came to celebrate Curt. They blessed him with words of encouragement and affirmation for a job well done. I gave him a pair of Birkenstock sandals, to remind him that "<i>his sandals did not wear out."</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P37o4MQ2oBQU-lw5YqH_enMaKvmp0UnWM9y4-59lFgSQD2qcHgkWPuRKVoRbSA_XERW-LIVlpXCcRpLP-hgv7v5ArBIWrnLURbyucDKP9WjDH74SpnYIFyvRA2aK8SjVXZ6ZpOJiHFc/s1600/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P37o4MQ2oBQU-lw5YqH_enMaKvmp0UnWM9y4-59lFgSQD2qcHgkWPuRKVoRbSA_XERW-LIVlpXCcRpLP-hgv7v5ArBIWrnLURbyucDKP9WjDH74SpnYIFyvRA2aK8SjVXZ6ZpOJiHFc/s320/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curt's finished dissertation and his honor society medal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCilkDau6d7oZL8lkU5PA9VtqrKCoT4up92UY1LXm2Ww3qbkX7J7fs416IEkK_4JCp2TJXMCMfPeJ3JofEw7pntXE0qHPBD9H-O9XOPkCX4CxU28joFRbh4DhWV6Bp-aC6aUshcWOy5bM/s1600/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCilkDau6d7oZL8lkU5PA9VtqrKCoT4up92UY1LXm2Ww3qbkX7J7fs416IEkK_4JCp2TJXMCMfPeJ3JofEw7pntXE0qHPBD9H-O9XOPkCX4CxU28joFRbh4DhWV6Bp-aC6aUshcWOy5bM/s320/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-18.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curt with his parents.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjI3iglSGji8C3Ano7gI1ptC4yNS_I_N-FGXo-9s2fbRBj0_yMFEfBYl17U4pG3LVNL1WNy6pK22EMnXWzjDxBCXKSkzkWiRMXiWplJ4Wj5k-MNKiCWnKELo76MMqLwMoDi_P-gmxofM/s1600/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjI3iglSGji8C3Ano7gI1ptC4yNS_I_N-FGXo-9s2fbRBj0_yMFEfBYl17U4pG3LVNL1WNy6pK22EMnXWzjDxBCXKSkzkWiRMXiWplJ4Wj5k-MNKiCWnKELo76MMqLwMoDi_P-gmxofM/s320/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-30.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greeting Grandma Ru and Grandpa Terry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQXkpBdZp9Kk1JgOzbUY609y8Vzng0jC6W_FAnNtc5jgw7l8V92fN-5cBGeULdk2j1P9Aj09ObAampNl59i9xqrKgq0EBx6KHg0K5YblX5GXwZCDXC2ThvP8onA18jj3HG23iUbKGGm4/s1600/IMG_7949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQXkpBdZp9Kk1JgOzbUY609y8Vzng0jC6W_FAnNtc5jgw7l8V92fN-5cBGeULdk2j1P9Aj09ObAampNl59i9xqrKgq0EBx6KHg0K5YblX5GXwZCDXC2ThvP8onA18jj3HG23iUbKGGm4/s320/IMG_7949.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE this man! </td></tr>
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June 18th was the Hooding Ceremony. My Dad and his wife drove up from Bend and we all met at the Convention Center for the big event. I had "a moment" in the parking garage. Curt was standing behind our car methodically donning all his graduation regalia: his robe with the three stripes indicating he is now a doctor, the tam with his graduation tassel attached, and the special tassels and a medallion from the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society to honor his 4.00 GPA. These items had been hanging in our guest room for weeks, but as he put them on, it all became real. THIS was really happening. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQc5_p1NLQYJXrCL0HtkWQ5HI6jfRac3MCLGB9bhqkzWqZ2K574fMuTQTlLCucI8dw4S3bXN4hjm0VNOfChhNK9-xJRygdLRV321bE6N6a_0oITgz-8PYW3k46wDy2OsoRpqqFB3KDUE/s1600/IMG_8008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQc5_p1NLQYJXrCL0HtkWQ5HI6jfRac3MCLGB9bhqkzWqZ2K574fMuTQTlLCucI8dw4S3bXN4hjm0VNOfChhNK9-xJRygdLRV321bE6N6a_0oITgz-8PYW3k46wDy2OsoRpqqFB3KDUE/s320/IMG_8008.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a moment in the parking garage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ois0IDv0PuyhYh23aHOEnJ12DdL3igxpVn94A0oh3pVu6GvoXsNsI0Qa780ViF21_pms_9L_bIV6coaP8Og2Qq69N9I8wTOTBWxaw3ae7IzVfaFnu-pUlAChZk8hZRCum1w8uWhjj_I/s1600/IMG_8012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ois0IDv0PuyhYh23aHOEnJ12DdL3igxpVn94A0oh3pVu6GvoXsNsI0Qa780ViF21_pms_9L_bIV6coaP8Og2Qq69N9I8wTOTBWxaw3ae7IzVfaFnu-pUlAChZk8hZRCum1w8uWhjj_I/s320/IMG_8012.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to graduate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxqsv9iamU25MmhGutl3cL-U1qYWF5R0BM8uUn7eDp8-vJNB__JeCaxmQz0RjSalJdwEFmDd7MYfnVGOVVhJ26Y12y5VTZ8xfyDP0RitUWckiIZHr7SnGs47BLLQ8UCPMAY7SxLJMs4M/s1600/IMG_8017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxqsv9iamU25MmhGutl3cL-U1qYWF5R0BM8uUn7eDp8-vJNB__JeCaxmQz0RjSalJdwEFmDd7MYfnVGOVVhJ26Y12y5VTZ8xfyDP0RitUWckiIZHr7SnGs47BLLQ8UCPMAY7SxLJMs4M/s320/IMG_8017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These kids admire their Dad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacsQ-9TLHawWCLxXetzd_WC5viWQWy_Cc8jM3l_J2_8hzWG6WUf0OSBmQL0Jv4OryQ_ipOWPcxZ8a5E_uLpNoYX0niWBmPbLHGn08X7tFaWPJXM8z9iyiZx6jZrByw6S3lJuA-sjvhAM/s1600/IMG_8005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacsQ-9TLHawWCLxXetzd_WC5viWQWy_Cc8jM3l_J2_8hzWG6WUf0OSBmQL0Jv4OryQ_ipOWPcxZ8a5E_uLpNoYX0niWBmPbLHGn08X7tFaWPJXM8z9iyiZx6jZrByw6S3lJuA-sjvhAM/s320/IMG_8005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant told us after the Grad School Open house, "I'm driving you to your graduation ceremony." Sounded ridiculous coming from a 7th grader but three years later, Grant drove us to Curt's graduation ceremony.</td></tr>
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When the announcer called Curt's name to come on stage to be hooded, our entire cheering section erupted with loud hooping and hollering. None of us cared if we were breaking protocol. That was OUR man up there, being celebrated and honored by his peers and fellow scholars for his persistent determination and intellect, and celebrated by his family and friends for these things and the man of God that he is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_tMKp3QsZ4A7F0DsUsw1VZegKGZBQhM3iw0s7_d2hOYmL4QQaHYdgbLS85vwDnWnhEr_A2k-hOZoTpVbWpPGmqhXE7i5ksHf8qTTh9A4E_Y8kKK5gWZBCBifA7TCLgN_3cB4BdL1mRc/s1600/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_tMKp3QsZ4A7F0DsUsw1VZegKGZBQhM3iw0s7_d2hOYmL4QQaHYdgbLS85vwDnWnhEr_A2k-hOZoTpVbWpPGmqhXE7i5ksHf8qTTh9A4E_Y8kKK5gWZBCBifA7TCLgN_3cB4BdL1mRc/s320/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-46.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4uQAZ5YMiu9XWbGFh5yAxIvi5PtEUzoDJN_LcERHeZfY65cxKCeY5XV7JybiZgHSJ3PM5CRhl8D9SsXbMKyz5kJe03UOFgV-FFgzvpHAz2m9hVmHhOJGPFkErPR-dHn3PLFfl-J-vjM/s1600/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4uQAZ5YMiu9XWbGFh5yAxIvi5PtEUzoDJN_LcERHeZfY65cxKCeY5XV7JybiZgHSJ3PM5CRhl8D9SsXbMKyz5kJe03UOFgV-FFgzvpHAz2m9hVmHhOJGPFkErPR-dHn3PLFfl-J-vjM/s320/Curt%2527s+Graduation+Weekend-50.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Curt C. Stilp EdD, PA-C</td></tr>
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Thank you to our parents and friends for supporting us and loving us through this journey. Thank you God for sustaining us and giving us what we need for each day. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.</div>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-63085667858050706762017-11-21T21:26:00.000-08:002020-07-02T14:13:59.336-07:00On Toilet Seats and State Championships: Newberg High School 2016 6A State Champions<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxOanNyjFlVBigzl6DsR6dI0LyLuCsGmxwDZ2TTOlD0wBeqHL_wXlZQs9woyPx-cGi1RiomtJNtINZQNwSBkZiLUYP2-qWmGmckDFau0qIJSp8vZzc5tc0r2raQuLt62_59qbUc1KkyA/s1600/11-12-2016+State+Champions+Celebration+for+FB-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxOanNyjFlVBigzl6DsR6dI0LyLuCsGmxwDZ2TTOlD0wBeqHL_wXlZQs9woyPx-cGi1RiomtJNtINZQNwSBkZiLUYP2-qWmGmckDFau0qIJSp8vZzc5tc0r2raQuLt62_59qbUc1KkyA/s400/11-12-2016+State+Champions+Celebration+for+FB-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oregon 2016 6A State Champs!</td></tr>
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This post is a year late. A YEAR LATE! Oh my gosh. I can't apologize. Life is full and incredible and flying by at the speed of light. But this could not go by unwritten about.<br />
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Last year our family was THICK into the third year of doctoral school for Curt. He was so amazing at managing a full time job, full time doctoral school, four kids, and a wife. He basically never slept. And things that normally got done immediately fell by the wayside while we all continued to adjust. It was definitely a Put Out the Fires mentality and everything else that was not an emergency got ignored.<br />
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My birthday fell on the same day as the water polo state championship. Our boys (Grant was on the team) played their way right into the state championship game. I told my family, "<i>For my birthday I want new toilet seats - INSTALLED - on all the toilets in the house and a state championship."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2kZozKwJ-atPNc1JxdY7bNWS01THYhqydmie8rPGv5jPMPk0AENfV3MbKgHcmekUWKUQ_z1DSP3P0h2n-d03gK5QF6SQGAyIBuWtzMaC-JiFHWiEu6tR_SkFxhlQ1f244E_IVfsKk-Q/s1600/IMG_5346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2kZozKwJ-atPNc1JxdY7bNWS01THYhqydmie8rPGv5jPMPk0AENfV3MbKgHcmekUWKUQ_z1DSP3P0h2n-d03gK5QF6SQGAyIBuWtzMaC-JiFHWiEu6tR_SkFxhlQ1f244E_IVfsKk-Q/s320/IMG_5346.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dane, Zach and Grant after their state semi-final win that put them into the championship game.</td></tr>
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The morning of my birthday, I unwrapped four brand spanking new toilet seats with NO stains on them. Then Curt and Grant promptly installed them. All the ones the kids use even had slow-closing lids to eliminate the loud slamming. I felt so loved.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhD3GbGdX72gTeipJ1qb61f_Kb1A8OYqQsxIIwBYGggEQUvDsbY2egRc8iYzfaNTHCRTftzCzwFS_-128o-f4JBscaGn5jc7kafKIKnKdhAUwdeqs9x1FM3hV-M2q69fZOS27AT9Ft5o/s1600/IMG_5347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhD3GbGdX72gTeipJ1qb61f_Kb1A8OYqQsxIIwBYGggEQUvDsbY2egRc8iYzfaNTHCRTftzCzwFS_-128o-f4JBscaGn5jc7kafKIKnKdhAUwdeqs9x1FM3hV-M2q69fZOS27AT9Ft5o/s320/IMG_5347.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my water polo player</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-EBMkaru9HfnkOXwa2Pz_ijqDZ2UKApDd5eFEMSMUKm_giXSAiK3Q3SGofy-BpQkPWG9CjYQQpfCGMFKO75FywZ7tWD_gqSUT-NnucqMt-5Zp4bQb-XNfbcVMq4Fq7TCH5yGJL65uCQ/s1600/IMG_5353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-EBMkaru9HfnkOXwa2Pz_ijqDZ2UKApDd5eFEMSMUKm_giXSAiK3Q3SGofy-BpQkPWG9CjYQQpfCGMFKO75FywZ7tWD_gqSUT-NnucqMt-5Zp4bQb-XNfbcVMq4Fq7TCH5yGJL65uCQ/s320/IMG_5353.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NEW unstained toilet seats</td></tr>
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Later that afternoon we all headed to Corvallis to watch the state championship. We stood in line for an hour to get front row seats on the pool deck. It was hot. Humid. Sweaty. Personal Space Invading. But it was worth it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZTHdqIkd_u11BxIECHMnDOc-8Q32eoP3vhAcUA17r-ZVh6PUx8Q_dU3NiX5xCWdfVUJo9n_HPqwdQgE0nKRrbW5Ox3U2PNpVhbRr5fbeINiB0BlisjNaEQ2zYBD3TZ44DvnKQ0NnUpo/s1600/IMG_5366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZTHdqIkd_u11BxIECHMnDOc-8Q32eoP3vhAcUA17r-ZVh6PUx8Q_dU3NiX5xCWdfVUJo9n_HPqwdQgE0nKRrbW5Ox3U2PNpVhbRr5fbeINiB0BlisjNaEQ2zYBD3TZ44DvnKQ0NnUpo/s320/IMG_5366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">space invading sweaty goodness</td></tr>
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The state championship game is like no other. The teams line up on the pool deck and an announcer introduces every single player on both teams. The stands are packed. I mean shoulder-to-shoulder, practically sitting on each others' sweaty laps packed. The atmosphere is electric. You can feel the tension and excitement.<br />
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The boys played Southridge, their arch rival that knocked them out of first place for three consecutive years before they took back the top spot in 2014. It was a close, physical game. Grant was the first player off the bench but his coach wasn't making substitutions. It was way too close to take the starters out. But in the fourth quarter, one of our key players got rolled on ejections and Grant got put in the game. He held his own, without making any mistakes. Great job G!<br />
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As the clock ticked down, Newberg beat Southridge 8-6! State champs for the third consecutive year. It was SO exciting!!!!!!<br />
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I got to tag-team with the reporter for the local Newberg newspaper so I had special Media Privileges and was able to take some really fun photos of the boys celebrating their big victory.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFtIN9N2-JMf8V2Y2BoQO-n2C0mTDBH2F3uNqkj-ip531D0YRrgThmIBgHNkIN0loZy7kSWF9l30hQn0kWj5KzZTC2znrbDg4PEmzROUo3Esp7B_XXY3018T_kelkAP0RJV11oxNLqFg/s1600/11-12-2016+State+Champions+Celebration+for+FB-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFtIN9N2-JMf8V2Y2BoQO-n2C0mTDBH2F3uNqkj-ip531D0YRrgThmIBgHNkIN0loZy7kSWF9l30hQn0kWj5KzZTC2znrbDg4PEmzROUo3Esp7B_XXY3018T_kelkAP0RJV11oxNLqFg/s400/11-12-2016+State+Champions+Celebration+for+FB-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#threepeat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-81wSFHYmuIccgzM-YgRq8KjrisHsjZj_D46S3KSGCWS2Qw7jvOh_0Mu0T2kKEkji3tdVN137I4-ADUCuD1tptkNfOz3PMLgMNhyeEcc-PXNYHui1-ncsHP9zw1-GazjL6dOCkEKNuRc/s1600/11-12-2016+State+Champions+Celebration+for+FB-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-81wSFHYmuIccgzM-YgRq8KjrisHsjZj_D46S3KSGCWS2Qw7jvOh_0Mu0T2kKEkji3tdVN137I4-ADUCuD1tptkNfOz3PMLgMNhyeEcc-PXNYHui1-ncsHP9zw1-GazjL6dOCkEKNuRc/s320/11-12-2016+State+Champions+Celebration+for+FB-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what they play for. And bragging rights.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVbdcaOv2lOUXb7vbl-5yFVf2xLKBlyDdoyl0pzV0iHCH9lX_9AusaVY4fiDswLuDwVnQ4zIXXhevXnDV0gFDqgTZQMCiJlw_s5FUDjBf84rJaQCXt1n5aSMXvU6FYDvc7c5O-BL94OQ/s1600/11-12-2016+State+Champions+Celebration+for+FB-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVbdcaOv2lOUXb7vbl-5yFVf2xLKBlyDdoyl0pzV0iHCH9lX_9AusaVY4fiDswLuDwVnQ4zIXXhevXnDV0gFDqgTZQMCiJlw_s5FUDjBf84rJaQCXt1n5aSMXvU6FYDvc7c5O-BL94OQ/s320/11-12-2016+State+Champions+Celebration+for+FB-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YES!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the game we all drove back to Newberg and converged on Abby's Pizza for a big post-game party. When the athletes walked in, they received a standing ovation and lots of hooping and hollering. It was so fun.<br />
<br />
So last year, on my 42nd birthday I got just what I asked for. Toilet seats and a state championship. Thanks Family. Thanks Newberg High School water polo. You guys rock.<br />
<br />
#statechamps #threepeat #newtoiletseats #newbergnation<br />
<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-66863833489675173722017-02-27T18:38:00.000-08:002020-07-02T14:14:38.772-07:00If At First You Don't Succeed...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YkDQpzkSI5j4GU-CHg1l35Fcc30XjBIpVeBGPYu2Dx5-USn0LjDWL0qack7MCmUFNC0gAlIWO_u4t9kHEFD9iAVsaqAfqAdztYb85PdnkSWUqkdm_k1nZktQHO925n-YJJXjefpJh3U/s1600/Alli+stealing-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YkDQpzkSI5j4GU-CHg1l35Fcc30XjBIpVeBGPYu2Dx5-USn0LjDWL0qack7MCmUFNC0gAlIWO_u4t9kHEFD9iAVsaqAfqAdztYb85PdnkSWUqkdm_k1nZktQHO925n-YJJXjefpJh3U/s320/Alli+stealing-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite photo from last year's season</td></tr>
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If you've been following this blog at all you know that Alli's main identity right now is that of an athlete. If she could play ALL THE SPORTS she would, but she seems to have narrowed (note the sarcasm) it down to soccer, basketball, lacrosse and track and field. She wanted to keep playing water polo during the summer but we said, "<i>No. You can't do all the things. Read a book or take a nap. Those are good skills to learn."</i><br />
<br />
This winter was Alli's third season playing basketball. The first two seasons her team lost a lot. And by <i>"a lot"</i> I mean they won ONE game last season. It was so frustrating for the players, the coaches and the parents. When all you do is lose, it is hard with a capital H to keep showing up to practice. Keep working hard. Keep giving 100% effort in the games. It would have been easier to quit, but our girls are athletes. They show up, even when it's rough. Seasons like last year developed our girls' character through suffering and perseverance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaIr8ToolohGp85e2eCGyFdJvaY99ejA4co2f7AIApzdqPHp_xS-Rk6I9RgOu1MwuWHvX6x6_fwf5394i9rhmF6iBNcJPZaVeBkteRxD9aHD75iFT76YPgtIaWlHKml2_CUicjtF3CPg/s1600/Alli%2527s+Sixth+Grade+Basketball+Season-61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaIr8ToolohGp85e2eCGyFdJvaY99ejA4co2f7AIApzdqPHp_xS-Rk6I9RgOu1MwuWHvX6x6_fwf5394i9rhmF6iBNcJPZaVeBkteRxD9aHD75iFT76YPgtIaWlHKml2_CUicjtF3CPg/s400/Alli%2527s+Sixth+Grade+Basketball+Season-61.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6th Grade Basketball Team</td></tr>
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<br />
When basketball season rolled around this year I readied myself for more of the same, but this year was different. Alli's grade had an influx of new players and coaches worked into the mix of the regulars from the past two seasons.<br />
<br />
Middle school girls are prone to drama - on the court and off the court. Managing 14 of them is not for the faint of heart. But Coach Alloway and his coaching staff immediately established clear ground rules. They had high standards and expected the girls to meet the mark.<br />
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Practice was not social hour. It was HARD work. If a player didn't follow the instructions, the whole team ran. The girls learned quickly to pay attention and work together. <br />
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Coach also had high standards for his players' behavior. "<i>During basketball season we are a family on and off the court. We support each other. We work hard. We encourage each other. We don't put up with social media drama or any kind of negative talk toward each other."</i> And then he enforced it. <br />
<br />
I think he deserves a Gold Star for holding these girls accountable to a higher standard of living on and off the court. Alli came to life under his leadership. Coach saw Alli's potential on the basketball court and he didn't let her cut corners or do things halfway. Alli submitted to his leadership and became a student of the game. Her raw, undeveloped talent morphed into smooth ball handling, less turnovers, more steals, more assists, more rebounds, and less fouls. She still missed a ton of shots, but she made a ton of baskets too, including her first three pointer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2t-chf9n5PhH_lzgeNyeZfcHgXWqSR57hFXaiqsYfJs4QAO5J9WjGCASuWLwqnKxahpbS3sTiUxhG9xcEBsEqQCcvRTMFeGezIXai6qkJiym4FB4yew5dm6Iwn6PwVNghkX7VUVSirs/s1600/Alli+laying+it+in-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2t-chf9n5PhH_lzgeNyeZfcHgXWqSR57hFXaiqsYfJs4QAO5J9WjGCASuWLwqnKxahpbS3sTiUxhG9xcEBsEqQCcvRTMFeGezIXai6qkJiym4FB4yew5dm6Iwn6PwVNghkX7VUVSirs/s400/Alli+laying+it+in-1.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite action shot from this season.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKcH-tazwIcLwjKQ_ztt6sB4vH5yXeWnJAZh-pSaZCGNFjHD4SP-Pvfh3PHhJW8Xdoe-53Bh8seDTqMLio_crjbIx71CcTbuRzzSHVsAz7cdXxGitRd00WJiY4Mf-0WItpaE6x9maVPU/s1600/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKcH-tazwIcLwjKQ_ztt6sB4vH5yXeWnJAZh-pSaZCGNFjHD4SP-Pvfh3PHhJW8Xdoe-53Bh8seDTqMLio_crjbIx71CcTbuRzzSHVsAz7cdXxGitRd00WJiY4Mf-0WItpaE6x9maVPU/s320/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SCREEN</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZs87ReyvSEsbVvenXit7RKaJf8LJiofmT2I9S8JVEdSbJlNP-9hUoLykCAOleoG3W1A8iB17rzyzVW_-xiclmVwUpOMayRA5rJnHji8_cruddNsoX8YHF27D16db6DtmzjKey69NOss/s1600/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZs87ReyvSEsbVvenXit7RKaJf8LJiofmT2I9S8JVEdSbJlNP-9hUoLykCAOleoG3W1A8iB17rzyzVW_-xiclmVwUpOMayRA5rJnHji8_cruddNsoX8YHF27D16db6DtmzjKey69NOss/s320/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-3.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dribbling without turning it over all the time has been a huge improvement this season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzm3jm71ndsbjZ5UAT4usn1ib84Ca-E8-SiPO7ngAHxyyTflq5T9kMjjOIi2RhneHygZ1tD_UN6LYKWRykkMZlSAx3YwFJq6eUoMMWft1w-hXeWdI9dZ0CjOhIPafqI-RL1svJhQMBEg/s1600/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzm3jm71ndsbjZ5UAT4usn1ib84Ca-E8-SiPO7ngAHxyyTflq5T9kMjjOIi2RhneHygZ1tD_UN6LYKWRykkMZlSAx3YwFJq6eUoMMWft1w-hXeWdI9dZ0CjOhIPafqI-RL1svJhQMBEg/s320/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going for the steal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl5AHfFVdgOB4exC5Q2ka3VH88euUHOOiUALSkZVwd9Bnu5zlJ8x-JhY_MTbr_qkehRGdIWVW3FAmm5hiGrhvB3qIhxvAsgOZU6aX8skeT5g6kOS12fkYkshfCMgyfiFmp8b-fR2u6EI/s1600/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl5AHfFVdgOB4exC5Q2ka3VH88euUHOOiUALSkZVwd9Bnu5zlJ8x-JhY_MTbr_qkehRGdIWVW3FAmm5hiGrhvB3qIhxvAsgOZU6aX8skeT5g6kOS12fkYkshfCMgyfiFmp8b-fR2u6EI/s320/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-6.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She will take on any player, any size. This kid is fearless. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWxWTiNFb-cFzqeYaa4W4LXzCLv-DpcxT1NlwonMvVYyfGTlKW10sVx72BljfbBLmJnR2GLNqs84YBmi2_CAh5OatkIIh1yKM2ePmfvACpNyuPUmQYyu3jNf6BZyuPcRGQHl2lNmAuM4/s1600/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWxWTiNFb-cFzqeYaa4W4LXzCLv-DpcxT1NlwonMvVYyfGTlKW10sVx72BljfbBLmJnR2GLNqs84YBmi2_CAh5OatkIIh1yKM2ePmfvACpNyuPUmQYyu3jNf6BZyuPcRGQHl2lNmAuM4/s320/Alli+vs.+Lake+Oswego+Edited-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THREE POINTER!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCux5g3ojYGoKhHyNy83llYoenis64Kh9iBxcp9xZFNhNL1Dxfd1UHwHF749aFBcK_TI0RqTkYG1sbMVC18zqVw9QAYXC9WAJasEcSAiJiBaFxK9K_VM-E-HxA3M7ZG8LzrfitRIUb2s/s1600/Defense+Sandwich-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCux5g3ojYGoKhHyNy83llYoenis64Kh9iBxcp9xZFNhNL1Dxfd1UHwHF749aFBcK_TI0RqTkYG1sbMVC18zqVw9QAYXC9WAJasEcSAiJiBaFxK9K_VM-E-HxA3M7ZG8LzrfitRIUb2s/s320/Defense+Sandwich-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Defensive Trap without fouling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It wasn't just Alli coming alive. Her teammates had similar stories. Each game they got better, smoother, cleaner. Less mistakes. More confidence. The deeper into the season we got, the more these girls looked and played like a team. It was SO fun to watch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK07XG0j_t95_xM7NVo0T4k-Baw6rIYBvpiHRko8xTpJ1gGPji6xZry5cpO8mSlYEjcSKKlxElv8Njyq51jBx9nzBu1ml_wXGQrpVl8buxlGzF9rH1KhRyWt1pAmAlWCNrLRNaTl-yg8/s1600/2017+Newberg+Tigers+7th+Grade+Girls+Basketball+Photos-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK07XG0j_t95_xM7NVo0T4k-Baw6rIYBvpiHRko8xTpJ1gGPji6xZry5cpO8mSlYEjcSKKlxElv8Njyq51jBx9nzBu1ml_wXGQrpVl8buxlGzF9rH1KhRyWt1pAmAlWCNrLRNaTl-yg8/s400/2017+Newberg+Tigers+7th+Grade+Girls+Basketball+Photos-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's players and coaches - more of both genres!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And you guys... THEY WERE WINNING! In our first weekend of game play, we tallied two victories in five games, doubling our wins from the season before. The girls ended up finishing 11 and 4 in league play, earning a first place seed to the league championship tournament. Winning isn't everything, but it sure is fun. <br />
<br />
This weekend our girls played their hearts out in the league tournament. They won their first game convincingly, but started slow in their second game and lost by 5 points. Their only chance at the championship game was to win the following day. <br />
<br />
We started that game slow too and went down 0-6 in the early minutes of the first quarter. We couldn't buy a bucket. But the girls didn't quit. They believed in themselves and trusted their coaches. They slowly clawed their way back into the game. Tied it, then went up by eight. The momentum shifted back and forth. Both teams were hungry for victory. In the end our girls came out on top 27-22 to earn a spot in the coveted championship game. <br />
<br />
Our opponent in the championship game was McMinnville (Mac) - the same team that defeated the girls the day before. It was the perfect matchup against long time arch-rivals. Our girls charged to a 0-10 lead, but Mac refused to roll over and die. They started scoring, shut down our offense, and were right back in the game.<br />
<br />
The momentum shifted back and forth the entire game. When Mac would shut down a Newberg player that was on fire, we'd shift our offense to another player. The points, rebounds, steals and assists were spread evenly between all the Newberg players. Both teams played with grit and determination, but our girls pulled off the victory: 32-36!<br />
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They are your Three Rivers League Champions - Bronze Division! What a great way to finish a season that has developed their confidence and their character. When at first you don't succeed, try, try again. <br />
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The future of Newberg basketball is bright. Well done girls. Well done Coaches. We are all so proud of you.<br />
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Tigers on three: 1-2-3 TIGERS!<br />
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<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-29456399094445243332017-01-19T15:18:00.000-08:002020-07-02T14:14:54.576-07:00McNeil Point And Then Some<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well hey there. Long time no talk. The only excuse is life is full of such awesome things.<br />
<br />
In September Curt and I had a Date Day and we tackled the McNeil Point hike. We've attempted it together twice before with the kids, but both trips had way too much whining and not enough fun (adults included). Since this is one of my all time favorite hikes, we attempted it a third time and were successful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self timer at the top of the ridge in Really High Country</td></tr>
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<b>DIFFICULTY: </b>According to our trusty hiking book (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/60-Hikes-Within-Miles-I%E2%80%A6">60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland by Paul Gerald)</a> this 9.2 mile hike is rated "Easy" to Bald Mountain and "Strenuous" to McNeil Point. We agree. The trail definitely shreds your quads and calves with the steep climbing and descents, but is worth every sweat-inducing step. For detailed specifics about this hike, buy the book or google it. My "directions" will be vague.<br />
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<b>TRAIL ACCESS: </b>This trailhead is remote, but not too rugged. You'll drive the typical narrow Forest Service road that is really one lane with steep drop offs on one side, but is supposedly wide enough for one car going each direction. Thankfully all of it is paved save the last 1.2 miles and the potholes are minimal. The trail is under snow from October through June, so the window to go on this adventure is July through September. Mark your calendar now and just do it!<br />
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The Bald Mountain viewpoint is only a mile from the trailhead and it is magnificent. You hike through an old growth forest, go around a corner onto a ridge and BOOM! There's Mt. Hood. She takes your breath away. The ridge the trail traverses is high in the air with a relatively steep drop off. Don't bring dogs off a leash or kids that don't obey or they could roll off the edge to great peril. The ridge looks down into the valley of the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curt in the old growth forest before we came out onto the ridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curt at the Bald Mountain Viewpoint. McNeil Point is WAY up Mt. Hood on that ridge to the left.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail is narrow with some significant drop offs. Be careful.</td></tr>
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I love this viewpoint because it's a glimpse of where your final destination is. Squint and look way up on Mt. Hood. Four more miles of hiking will take you WAY up the mountain to a "1930's era stone shelter" that marks McNeil Point.<br />
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Along the way, you'll finish traversing the ridge, hike back into old growth forest, ford a creek twice, and pass wildflowers (if you're lucky enough to catch them in bloom). The mountain terrain changes the higher you hike with big boulder fields and mountain meadows with ponds. Backpackers camp here and we saw several breaking camp on our way in.<br />
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We stopped at The Ponds for a snack, then continued the final stretch to the McNeil Point. The narrow trail takes hikers across a "windswept ridge and eventually crosses a rockslide/snowfield." This area is a little sketchy. Go slow and be certain of each step you take.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ponds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKhCqcD8dKeRDdisJxP7zj-Cbik-LZXz84xBtdE-QfBlyylrEvVQ6UyJpNLySWM-F2kHj43tCFE3OSfzEhP5BWwCpQJcWaex1stgEA21Ww8hyphenhyphenS7OjwWLqxILs88Hty34M8JDFyK1EmUw/s1600/The+ponds+and+the+view-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKhCqcD8dKeRDdisJxP7zj-Cbik-LZXz84xBtdE-QfBlyylrEvVQ6UyJpNLySWM-F2kHj43tCFE3OSfzEhP5BWwCpQJcWaex1stgEA21Ww8hyphenhyphenS7OjwWLqxILs88Hty34M8JDFyK1EmUw/s320/The+ponds+and+the+view-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curt checking directions before we set out to finish our hike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89_hPq3B687xNf9H4mydGgM6kcDGIMm8ZXI6KOZAr2Flbi_VbUCwK-IGHG2LHGeTNAwG-S4BtiEATtjdtmI9lF2x0fpdmBEdtDaVSMyO38PyH1intYX0qz-pl2spJCufeZ5ZeMfxrl-0/s1600/The+ponds+and+the+view-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89_hPq3B687xNf9H4mydGgM6kcDGIMm8ZXI6KOZAr2Flbi_VbUCwK-IGHG2LHGeTNAwG-S4BtiEATtjdtmI9lF2x0fpdmBEdtDaVSMyO38PyH1intYX0qz-pl2spJCufeZ5ZeMfxrl-0/s320/The+ponds+and+the+view-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting closer to McNeil Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Sketch Area. The trail picks its way across these loose rocks that are often covered with snow.</td></tr>
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It was in this area that Curt and I missed the right hand turn that leads down to McNeil Point. We accidentally followed another trail to the left that meandered up the ridge instead of down. When we reached the end of the ridge there was no where to go except into thin air. It was amazing. McNeil Point was below us by several hundred feet. We set our lunch up on a rock and picnicked on top of the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP64qAo6abnp-dfVkVp6zNrpKB9P_tkywgMV6BntPSi_H6YOvmCkjDll_yfiBuYFbYXUQwNLsmaI4VxNPSX8Nom952DOIuajHdQrlZtGVbIXp-NovxYOgoiCVvQDusVfRo05owFtz8cA/s1600/IMG_4725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP64qAo6abnp-dfVkVp6zNrpKB9P_tkywgMV6BntPSi_H6YOvmCkjDll_yfiBuYFbYXUQwNLsmaI4VxNPSX8Nom952DOIuajHdQrlZtGVbIXp-NovxYOgoiCVvQDusVfRo05owFtz8cA/s320/IMG_4725.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLebR8zBXVYC21te8g3y8iNJSQy731ETOapLs93NB8sa_9p7Mmlw1-NoYCQTkKRldMjr8KovBvu5D1gmMgNQiHqQcYWRGUEF3RzTHIImpOU3rXC_0QKB_ws_ZY8kIr2xJooCh7-2nx9A/s1600/tiny+people+big+mountains-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLebR8zBXVYC21te8g3y8iNJSQy731ETOapLs93NB8sa_9p7Mmlw1-NoYCQTkKRldMjr8KovBvu5D1gmMgNQiHqQcYWRGUEF3RzTHIImpOU3rXC_0QKB_ws_ZY8kIr2xJooCh7-2nx9A/s400/tiny+people+big+mountains-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That tiny turquoise speck directly in the lower middle of this image is a hiker. The slightly bigger brown speck is the stone shelter.</td></tr>
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The panoramic views were jaw-dropping. Layers and layers upon layers of mountains and forest nestled together to form a backdrop for all the Cascade volcanoes. Mt. Hood. Mt. St. Helens. Mt. Rainer. Mt. Adams. They were all out to play and they were amazing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PEQv48XcYCzN3tK0zxywlF3-FxbPtpRKPe3xr6Bdup9L5JWgCfm1ODoYx5qR2RJR2L2ncGaN3K-SZuPI0lDu49cqyE7qFDFxJ-5l0d80Tc0oufsMwtTw381y9MvMquLE9rJkIP7TPSs/s1600/McNeil+Point+Hike+September+2016+for+FB-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PEQv48XcYCzN3tK0zxywlF3-FxbPtpRKPe3xr6Bdup9L5JWgCfm1ODoYx5qR2RJR2L2ncGaN3K-SZuPI0lDu49cqyE7qFDFxJ-5l0d80Tc0oufsMwtTw381y9MvMquLE9rJkIP7TPSs/s320/McNeil+Point+Hike+September+2016+for+FB-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcanoes in the distance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI2IwOHC252RZNM08_4EpurJ-ayVbrbGy2rxIHi4dPsqOVSRjG0fxkjp6PtOJDZ5AcP3ra_K3pkDqNI7hO7s2W6Jn9EvdhOteH2AyTV5NVLE3qsTnBGjICYZmlJ472MjwQwetIqVIvSs/s1600/McNeil+Point+Hike+September+2016+for+FB-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI2IwOHC252RZNM08_4EpurJ-ayVbrbGy2rxIHi4dPsqOVSRjG0fxkjp6PtOJDZ5AcP3ra_K3pkDqNI7hO7s2W6Jn9EvdhOteH2AyTV5NVLE3qsTnBGjICYZmlJ472MjwQwetIqVIvSs/s320/McNeil+Point+Hike+September+2016+for+FB-5.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very steep, non-switchback trail up into Really High Country.</td></tr>
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The trail we were on continued above us into "<i>Really High Country. It's not on any maps, but if you follow it you will soon run out of breath as you approach 7,000 feet in elevation with virtually no switchbacks and find yourself on a narrow, rocky ridge between the Sandy and Glisan Glaciers.</i>" You better believe we huffed and puffed our way to the top of that ridge. It was slow going and H-A-R-D, but so worth it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxUrgiYwp_cJGWJx7J-i0z_yszXfLamCwrC9vl7aC0vrFCKkbjUOxmecrCif8i4Xa8_aMpG356_rhva88UN4iOggapTh9tX4DW3XF1moZTnS_eYvPSSBzOjD8w6uELurDLflmioHvOyQ/s1600/McNeil+Point+Hike+September+2016+for+FB-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxUrgiYwp_cJGWJx7J-i0z_yszXfLamCwrC9vl7aC0vrFCKkbjUOxmecrCif8i4Xa8_aMpG356_rhva88UN4iOggapTh9tX4DW3XF1moZTnS_eYvPSSBzOjD8w6uELurDLflmioHvOyQ/s320/McNeil+Point+Hike+September+2016+for+FB-6.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Handsome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_2V1pWnbkrUdJVa5lPwp8vrpPCsNieMC3ywq_zvL8ci6Wh6V50IOcdbpXUk3vlmMPggcMrB5jcYWRPNfvQ1Q1lUzfcD5KaNM_1VCDIZi5c1OIJXtYc_yqUWZZyOLluLndvx49hYQXpw/s1600/McNeil+Point+Hike+September+2016+for+FB-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_2V1pWnbkrUdJVa5lPwp8vrpPCsNieMC3ywq_zvL8ci6Wh6V50IOcdbpXUk3vlmMPggcMrB5jcYWRPNfvQ1Q1lUzfcD5KaNM_1VCDIZi5c1OIJXtYc_yqUWZZyOLluLndvx49hYQXpw/s320/McNeil+Point+Hike+September+2016+for+FB-7.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hiked all the way up to the point on that middle ridge, then came back.</td></tr>
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We sat on a rock at the top of the ridge and listened to the glaciers pop and crack and slide down the mountainside. It was an experience I would have paid a ton of money for, but it was free (minus the National Forest Pass required for parking our car).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hiked down to the stone shelter on our way out. It's pretty cool. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#forreal #mightycreator #inoregonasitisinheaven</td></tr>
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Our little side trip added 2.5 miles to an already long hike, giving us almost 12 miles of hiking by the time we made it back to our car. Since I hadn't run my mile yet for my run streak, I let Curt pack up the car and I ran down the mountain for two miles until he picked me up. All exhaustion from the hike dissolved into the euphoria of running in the remote wilderness, fresh cool mountain air filling my lungs. One day I will retire and live in the mountains. They are my happy place.<br />
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So there you have it. An overview of the McNeil Point hike. And can I just add one thing? If you're married, date your spouse. The adventures Curt and I go on carry us through the mundane, nose-to-the-grindstone weeks and make us fall more in love. Happy hiking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie game is strong.</td></tr>
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#mcneilpoint #mthood #wiildnernessadventures #hikingadventures #dateyourspouseJodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-59269779244684089452016-08-03T16:59:00.002-07:002020-07-02T14:15:06.833-07:00Hurricane Creek Campground, Wallowa Lake and Hells CanyonWhen we moved to Oregon it took us five+ days to drive from Chicago Land to our new home in Newberg. By the time we entered Oregon from the Idaho border we were OVER the road trip. And then we saw the Wallowa Mountain range in the distance. I was instantly captivated and made a mental note to come back "soon" to explore them.<br />
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"Soon" was eight years, but last weekend we packed six people, two dogs, and camping gear into the Sequoia (with no trailer) for five days in Enterprise, Oregon. The car was so packed out it was ridiculous, but we all had enough space to breathe and not suffocate, so it was all good. <br />
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We spent the first two nights at the <a href="http://wildernessinn.wixsite.com/wilderness-inn">Wilderness Inn in Enterprise</a> while Curt worked an all day meeting. The Wilderness Inn was clean with all the basic amenities, let us bring our dogs, and had a very friendly and helpful staff. I'd stay there again.<br />
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We camped at <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wallowa-whitman/recarea/?recid=51483">Hurricane Creek campground</a> the last two nights. It cost a whopping $6 per night, but didn't have any potable water and no place for trailers to turn around. (Good thing we didn't bring the trailer!). We snagged Campsite #1 - the best of the thirteen campsites in my opinion. It was in the farthest corner of the campground, right on the creek with woods surrounding it. We couldn't see or hear our neighbors and we got to fall asleep to the sound of the creek rushing by and towering pines surrounding our tent. It was our own piece of paradise.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was playing Toy Blast on my phone and Grant busted me with this photo.</td></tr>
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The great thing about Hurricane Creek campground is that it feels very remote but it's only a handful of miles in each direction to get to Enterprise or Joseph. We went into town each day to refill our giant water jug and buy junk food. Talk about the best of both worlds.<br />
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The Hurricane Creek trailhead is 2.2 miles from the campground. The kids and I did a short hike to <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPyhQoYAOUjMeXDfODy-HWHg-zDrx8kb4ADOBro-3nk56bqF-RGGGSZOCoCAPi8eX8!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&recid=51485&actid=&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=&ss=110616&position=&ttype=recarea&pname=Wallowa%20Mtns/Eagle%20Cap%20Area%20%20-%20Hurricane%20Creek%20Trailhead">Falls Creek waterfall</a> one day and played in the creek. The following day we took the whole family back to the trailhead and hiked out to the Slick Rock area. Total hiking mileage including the trip out to the waterfall was just a little over six miles. It was one of the most beautiful hiking trails I've ever been on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail was very steep in parts</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://josephoregon.com/eagle-cap-wilderness/hiking/hurricane-creek-trailhead">official Joseph Oregon website </a>has this to say about the trail.<br />
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<i>"The trailhead at Hurricane Creek offers a fairly gradual way into the Eagle Cap and has majestic mountain views within the first mile that only get better the farther you hike. It follows along the creek to open meadows where mountain goats are often spotted along the ridges above. After two meadows, the canyon narrows and climbs high over Hurricane Creek along cliffs that overlook pools and waterfalls (keep a leash handy for your dog and watch your kids). " </i><br />
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One night we got invited to a BBQ and barn dance at the Big Blue Barn in the farmland outside of Joseph. We ate at tables set up in the field and then went to the second floor of the barn where a live band and a square dance caller provided entertainment for the evening. The instructor used Grant as her partner for one of the song. According to him, "<i>it was the most awkward 15 minutes of my life.</i>" LOL! The girls LOVED the dancing and giggled their way through several dances. People not dancing sat on hay bales to watch. It was a truly unique experience. <br />
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<a href="http://www.wallowalake.net/index.php/wallowa-lake-about">Wallowa Lake</a> did not disappoint. I had heard about how awesome it is for years so I was prepared to be underwhelmed, but it was magnificent. One day we swam at the Wallowa State Park beach. The following day we swam on the other side of the lake at Wallowa Lake County Park. It was refreshing way to cool off on a hot day.<br />
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We wanted to see Hells Canyon so we took one day to drive to the Buckhorn Lookout. Buckhorn Lookout is in the absolute middle of nowhere. We drove THIRTY miles on a gravel road to get there and in those thirty miles we might have seen a handful of ranches, a few weathered barns, and miles and miles and miles of the <a href="http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/oregon/placesweprotect/zumwalt-prairie.xml">Zumwalt Prairie.</a> The vast openness and lack of human presence was hard to wrap our heads around.<br />
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<a href="http://josephoregon.com/eagle-cap-wilderness/22-discovery/lookouts-and-grand-views/106-buckhorn-overlook-including-zumwalt-prairie">Buckhorn Lookout</a> has such a clear panoramic view of Hells Canyon that the lookout shelter didn't have to be elevated. It sits right on the ground, but is no longer in use. We ate lunch at the lone picnic table and of course snapped a ton of photos. The girls, dogs and Curt didn't want to hike, so Grant and I took the Sequoia 1.5 miles to the hiking trailhead. We descended into the canyon 2.6 miles to an overlook with the first glimpse of the Snake River. There was no sign of human life anywhere. Not a single hiker on the trail aside from the two of us, and there is no cell coverage. It was very isolating, but it in a peaceful way. We ran down to our turnaround and then labored up the very steep ascent back to the car. It was an epic adventure with my son who is turning into a man before my eyes. <br />
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In all authenticity, there were parts of this trip that were awful. Six people and two dogs crammed into tiny spaces with no room to escape from each other can be a nightmare. But six people and two dogs crammed into tiny spaces with no room to escape from each other can also be one of life's greatest gifts. In spite of some low moments, we all came home feeling so grateful to be a part of this imperfect, messy, beautiful family. Thank you Jesus for this life.<br />
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I can't wait to come back and explore more the next time Curt has business in this area. <br />
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-70635318916659594522016-06-21T17:37:00.000-07:002020-07-02T14:15:18.265-07:00Opal Creek HikeOur family chose Memorial Day to go on our first family hike of the season. Kudos to Oregonians. They like to get outside and play on their day off. It was CROWDED. I definitely would NOT go on this hike again on a holiday, or even a weekend, but I would try it mid-week.<br />
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Opal Creek has been on my Bucket List of hikes for years because I've heard so much about it. Pristine green pools, waterfalls, old growth forest, an abandoned mining town, and remnants of a sawmill that burned to the ground in the 1940's are all part of the 7.1 mile round trip hike. The Opal Creek Wilderness was also the center of a huge conservation controversy in the 90's. National TV crews visited and it became world famous as efforts were made to save this old growth forest from being logged. (Read more about this hike in <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/60-Hikes-Within-Miles-Including/dp/0897325125">60 Hikes within 60 Miles by Paul Gerald)</a></i>.<br />
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STATS FOR THE HIKE<br />
LENGTH: 7.1 miles (round trip) to Opal Pools<br />
DIFFICULTY: Easy<br />
SCENERY: Old growth forest. A beautiful creek. Pristine, green, clear swimming pools. Waterfalls. An abandoned mining town. Remnants of a sawmill.<br />
DRIVING TIME FROM NEWBERG: about 2 hours, give or take. The last handful of miles are on a gravel road with some car-swallowing potholes, so be prepared for that section to take a while.<br />
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Overall this was one of the best hiking experiences our family has ever had, primarily because all six of the Stilp's maintained positive attitudes with minimal whining, complaining and bickering. Can I just say this makes ALL the difference in how a hike feels? Team Stilp for the win. <br />
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I will say I was underwhelmed by part of this hike. It was CROWDED. The trailhead was remote, but cars were parked single file on the edge of the gravel road to the trailhead a full mile from where we actually started hiking. Because we arrived later in the afternoon we lucked out and got a parking spot right by the trailhead, something we were all grateful for at the end of the hike when we were over hiking and ready for the car.<br />
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I also didn't love that the majority of this hike is actually on a gravel road and not on a single track trail. My preference is always remote, always single track. The positive benefit of so much hiking on a level road is that it is a safe option for people with mobility issues who can't do single track trails.<br />
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This hike is easy. The trail is level with very little climbing. The only thing difficult was the distance. We opted to hike to the Opal Pools - a 7.1 mile hike, according to the Forest Service sign at the trailhead. My Garmin registered 7.6 total miles (including our little side trips) and most of the Stilp Family tapped out around 6.5 miles. The last mile felt L-O-N-G and boring and we slogged along toward our car.<br />
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There are a ton of route options, most of the out and back. However you can make this a balloon and that's the route we chose. Out and back on the first/last portion, with a loop in the middle. Two miles into the hike is an area with the remains of the sawmill that burned in the 1940's. Our kids had fun climbing on the machinery. <br />
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Behind one of the buildings is a side trail that leads to Jawbone Falls and some swimming holes. The water was ICE cold, snow melt but it didn't stop Grant from jumping off a cliff into the pools below. He's crazy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jawbone Falls - copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opal Creek - copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pools by Jawbone Falls</td></tr>
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Not too far past the waterfall we turned right and crossed a bridge that took us onto the official Opal Creek Trail, the only single track portion of the hike. We hiked through the old growth forest to the beautiful Opal Pools. The trail is narrow with some drop-offs making it a little cumbersome to pass people coming in the opposite direction. At one point an English woman, using her delightful English accent, told her toddler son, "<i>Don't tread on the woofers</i>" as she pointed at our dogs. LOL!<br />
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Opal Creek roars and rumbles over the rocks, creating impressive and small waterfalls. The water is crystal-clear and incredible beautiful. We all loved this spot, in spite of sharing it with at least fifty other hikers. Once we were done playing at the creek, we finished our hike.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny Paige. Big trees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Movement. copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opal Creek - copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find Grant?</td></tr>
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We crossed a bridge over Opal Creek and followed the trail into Jawbone Flats, what's left of a mining town. There are cabins that can be rented in Jawbone Flats and a bunch of old, rusted out cars and equipment. We hiked the main road back to the trailhead.<br />
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I had to keep my run streak alive, so I ran down the gravel road while the family was packing up post-hike and they picked me 2.5 miles later. I absolutely loved running that mountain road in the cool of the early evening and wished I had time to run it all the way back to the pavement.<br />
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Overall this was a fun hike and definitely worth seeing and doing. Happy hiking.<br />
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<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-56208598391087486522016-06-02T08:04:00.000-07:002020-07-02T14:15:27.421-07:00My Summer - circa 1981: guest post by Jodi KlippenesRecently Alli and Grant spent the night at my Mom and Terry's house to celebrate their spring birthdays. Mom cooked a giant meal and added up their collective ages (15 +12) and put the number 27 into their birthday pie. They played cards, watched a movie, ate a giant breakfast, and went to the skate park to watch Grant work on tricks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alli (12 years) and Grant (15 years) = 27</td></tr>
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Mom and Alli also went through old photo albums and memorabilia. Alli had a riot taking photos of awful Growing Up photos of me and texting them to me. <i>"Just came across these pictures mom. ))); Makes me laugh. I love it so much. It's hilarious. I bet you were great at basketball."</i></div>
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She even came home with some samples of creative writing that I did in 2nd grade. I had very neat penmanship, really bad spelling, and was exclamation point happy. Why use a period or a question mark if you can exclaim it?</div>
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My essay on a summer memory told about a camping trip. While on that trip we took a hike that went terribly wrong. We got lost and ended up hiking ten miles, a big part of it through a creek. My brother and I both hated it and spent a ton of time crying our eyes out because we were tired, hungry, and our legs hurt. I remember scrambling up the cliff out of the canyon and crying so much that my Dad had to carry me for a while. This did not make him happy, but it stopped my crying. Apparently my six year old self forgot about the hiking misery much quicker, because I chose this camping trip as my "<i>favorite days of the summer.</i>" LOL! </div>
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I remember this hike EVERY.SINGLE.TIME my own kids start crying and lamenting that they just might die when we're hiking. And then I tell them the story about how we got lost and I had to hike ten miles when I was six and how lucky they are to have a backpack with water and food and emergency supplies, etc. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this photo shows Shane and I around the ages we were when we took this hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're a little older in this photo, but look at Shane rocking those shorts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06fom7lJeIvac5SE78J0e0VTsRP26S-6TG9b8Q6cEcqzc9dUoJayR93pfm84lsjW6ZvUyK2RjZRqqP99z1MW1NmqNxYbHhDv_UUi6G5JXp6LAuMg9Z9_3469uENaojqjZ6zkiBdxuAXs/s1600/IMG_3008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06fom7lJeIvac5SE78J0e0VTsRP26S-6TG9b8Q6cEcqzc9dUoJayR93pfm84lsjW6ZvUyK2RjZRqqP99z1MW1NmqNxYbHhDv_UUi6G5JXp6LAuMg9Z9_3469uENaojqjZ6zkiBdxuAXs/s320/IMG_3008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are on a hike - much older than 7 and 9 years old and definitely in the awkward stage. #forthelove</td></tr>
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Normally by this time in the spring I've been hiking a least a handful of times, but this year I haven't had the chance yet, until the last couple of days. I thought I'd kick off hiking season with a guest post from my seven-year-old self, spelling purposely not corrected. For your reading pleasure, here is... </div>
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<b>My Summer</b></div>
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by Jodi Klippenes </div>
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7 years old</div>
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<i>My favorite days of the summer were when we went camping! We went to Backbone State Park. We used the Hammonds traler. We picked out 76. It was butaful!! We hiked 10 miles! It was hard, but fun. We saw Muskrat tracks. We waded for a hour and a half. And got no were! We climed a real real real high cliff. When we waded we saw a real baby crab! The water was fresing! It wasn't realy wading because when we went in the shalois part it went <u>real</u> high, so we went over. My pants were sopt! I fell onece. We went swiming too. It was fun! We rosted marsmellows. It was fun! Then we went to sleep! Redy for the next day! The next day is when we did all the fun! We saw a waterfall. We had picnic lunch! that was fun. W also went to see a new born baby. It was 5 ponds. It went down to 4 somethig. It was the first baby and let us hold it. </i><br />
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Don't you want to go hiking now? Or hold a newborn baby?</div>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-81780886982262305232016-01-15T17:22:00.001-08:002020-07-02T14:15:39.024-07:00Growing Pangs: Living Life in Community<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Guidry's right before they said their final "See Ya Laters."</td></tr>
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Today my two favorite sailors Jon and Ty (who also happen to be identical twin brothers) <a href="http://www.kitsapsun.com/multimedia/Stennis-leaves-for-7-month-deployment-365467331.html">boarded the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis and departed from Naval Base Kitsap</a> for deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean. They will spend the next seven months "or so" patrolling the Western Pacific Ocean, before they return home.<br />
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I'm so proud of them. And I've been crying big crocodile momma tears all day long.<br />
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Wanna know the odd thing? <br />
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I really don't even know Jon and Ty that well. When we became friends with their Mom and Dad, they were midway through their senior year, preparing to graduate and join the Navy. Our direct interactions with Jon and Ty have been relatively limited, but I love them both and feel like I've known them forever.<br />
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Why?<br />
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Because we started doing life with their family. Real, authentic, vulnerable community. The kind where you can drop in unannounced, jump into whatever the family is doing at the moment, and it's okay. <br />
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We've unpacked each other's groceries. Carpooled. Cheered each other's kids on at their sporting events. Shared meals - planned and unplanned. Cried together. Laughed together. Prayed together. Celebrated each other's success. Wept over each other's grief. And the Group Text. Oh man... When it gets rolling, the fun (and the messages) never stops.<br />
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The community we've built is the kind where you can be honest about your highs and your lows. No pretending. Just real. It's beautiful and vulnerable. Sometimes that vulnerability is a little uncomfortable, but in a good way.<br />
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I'm not a Crier. Never really have been. Crying makes me feel exposed and uncomfortable. But I woke up this morning with a heavy burden of grief. I knew the Guidry's were in Washington waiting with a mixture of sadness and pride for their boys to board that aircraft carrier and watch it sail away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailing away</td></tr>
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Jon and Ty will be gone for almost ten months. It's the longest the Guidry's have ever gone without seeing each other. Jon and Ty will be somewhere in the Western Pacific when their only sister Lauren - who they openly adore - graduates from high school. And their little brother Ethan? Well he's halfway through a year of giant change: new town, new middle school, new friends - without his big brothers to come home to every day. This is tough.<br />
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I know sailors depart from port routinely. Every day families in our country wave goodbye to their sons, their daughters, their moms, and their dads while these heroes go off and defend our freedom and our country. It is brave and courageous. I love the United States and stand in awe of what each of these families sacrifices day in and day out so I can live in freedom. <br />
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Today is different though. Two of those sailors manning the rails are faces I know. Faces I have come to love because their family loves them so well. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo session before the left for bootcamp</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This family prays for each other.</td></tr>
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My momma's heart is full of pride for the men they have become. Pride for the courage they have. Pride that they are serving our country and securing my freedom. Excitement for all the cool adventures ahead of them. Joy that they get to experience this together on the same ship. And grief for their family who is encountering the growing pangs of letting them become men. <br />
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And so the Non-Crier has spent the better part of today with tears freely flowing down my cheeks. Tears of pride. Tears of sadness. Tears of "<i>Wow! This is the goal of mothering. To raise up kids who can be confident adults and go off and change the world</i>."<br />
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It feels odd. It feels uncomfortable. But it feels right. Life lived in community is rich and deep and I wouldn't change a thing.<br />
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Ty brought me a NAVY sweatshirt from the commissary. I plan to wear it a lot, not just because it's cool, but because it reminds me to pray for these two sailors who are out changing their world.<br />
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Well done Al and Cyndi. Your boys are men. Good men. Be proud.<br />
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Jon and Ty... know how loved you are. Not just by your family but by an entire army of people who love your family. We are praying for you and so excited to hear about all your grand adventures.<br />
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Be safe. God is with you.<br />
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Hooyah.<br />
<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-40986125957889914112015-12-10T16:01:00.003-08:002020-07-02T14:15:54.504-07:00S L O W D O W N....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yoga is a hard practice for me. Why? Because if you want to do it well and experience the full benefit of your practice you can't do it fast.<br />
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Anyone who knows me, knows I can't sit still. EVER. Give me a list a mile long and a short time to do it and I thrive under the pressure and the chaos. It's why life as a business owner with four kids, two dogs, a husband in grad school, and a commitment to run every day usually feels full, but only sometimes overwhelming. Taking time to BE STILL is hard for me.<br />
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The problem with a fast-paced, on the go 24-7 lifestyle is that it's counterintuitive to how we're created. God created us for regular rhythms of rest. We must create space to stop. Pause. Breathe in. Breathe out. <br />
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S L O W D O W N....<br />
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I'm racing a half marathon on Sunday and am supposed to be resting this week. Yoga is a no-brainer for a rest week, but I talked myself out of it every day so far this week. Who can slow down for an entire hour when there is work to be done, shopping to finish, presents to wrap, and Christmas cards to send out?<br />
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Yesterday I received the Christmas cards I ordered last week. I was in such a hurry to get the cards ordered that I uploaded the low resolution version of the picture we wanted to use so... The Professional Photographer's Christmas photo is highly pixilated. I am trying to see the ironic humor in it and not hyperventilate.<br />
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This morning on my run I realized I completely, 100% forgot my niece's birthday. No card. No phone call. No present. No remembering it was even her birthday until today - FIVE days after the fact. Could I be any lamer?<br />
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The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season has officially taken it's toll. <br />
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Enough is enough. <br />
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Yoga forces me to stop the madness and just be. It was time for a yoga session.<br />
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I got out my yoga mat. Lit my Christmas candle. Turned on the fire. Then spent an hour stretching and meditating. <br />
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Inhale. Exhale.<br />
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Calm the chaos inside my brain. <br />
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S L O W D O W N....<br />
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That one hour of yoga refreshed my spirit and my mind, adding new depth and perspective to this Christmas season. After all this is the season of Advent - a reminder to anticipate Jesus' coming. There is beauty in the quiet stillness and I experienced that today. <br />
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If you feel frazzled and overwhelmed, I encourage you to take an hour to quiet your mind and be still. You won't regret it.<br />
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Namaste.Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-32447443288977369122015-11-16T23:11:00.000-08:002020-07-02T14:16:02.911-07:00Never Underestimate What Kids Who Are Willing to Work Hard Can Do: Newberg Water Polo State Champions 2015When we moved to Newberg, Oregon, Grant was going into 2nd grade. That kid was like a fish and could hold his breath forever. We couldn't keep him out of the water. I have an unnatural fear of drowning and am a nervous wreck when my kids are around water so I registered the kids in swim lessons. The walls at the pool were covered with boards touting one water polo state championship after another. It never once crossed my mind to consider this sport for my family. But God had other plans. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Future Stuntman at age 10, when he first started playing water polo.</td></tr>
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Grant insisted on trying water polo. The spring of his fourth grade year, he and his two buddies Dane and Raleigh signed up. Watching them play - even at an elementary level - scared me half to death. I couldn't believe all the shoving/drowning/pushing was legal. It was like a living nightmare for me, but Grant LOVED it. I would have to get over my fear of him drowning because this kid was made for water polo.<br />
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Water polo is co-ed until high school. Grant, Dane, Raleigh, Zach, Wilson, Mackenzie and Hannah all grew up together in the pool. We watched them graduate from the shallow, short end of the pool where they could touch if they got tired to the full-length, deep end that required continual treading of water and non-stop swimming. They swam their little pre-adolescent bodies up and down the pool proving they were indeed capable of playing this grueling sport without drowning. They got stronger and faster almost overnight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqIZ31YgyLrC-vBe27hXX-EIMo-3URnzodDnbOteMUwmOs84MSFs97sXU-OC43U74P1JkKzSI6BIjr4iL9sl_GSD01rVcY0lP8OC0mQXuZfwii6Yl0IFZrBArQa7ARAUcHfSRl7rJVR8/s1600/Grant+circa+2010-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqIZ31YgyLrC-vBe27hXX-EIMo-3URnzodDnbOteMUwmOs84MSFs97sXU-OC43U74P1JkKzSI6BIjr4iL9sl_GSD01rVcY0lP8OC0mQXuZfwii6Yl0IFZrBArQa7ARAUcHfSRl7rJVR8/s400/Grant+circa+2010-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys when they started playing water polo: Left to Right (Caleb - not a polo player), Grant, (Alden - not a polo player), Raleigh and Dane.</td></tr>
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Newberg's water polo program is all about community. The older, more experienced kids help coach and train the younger kids coming up through the system. Families work together to raise money to pay for club fees. We cheer on each other's kiddos, volunteer at home tournaments, travel together to away tournaments, and host potlucks for team dinners. When you continually rub shoulders, strangers melt into friends. Friends begin feel like family. You can't put a price tag on what we share.<br />
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Jim McMaster is legendary when it comes to Newberg water polo. He's been coaching the teams for years and led them to one state title after another. Jim expects the kids to show up, work hard, be respectful, work hard, be nice to each other, work hard (have I mentioned that yet?), and exhibit good sportsmanship. He has high expectations and holds the kids accountable to them. No surprise - they step up and meet the bar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXCRHF7RTiP6dK4ANN-jzuqLbu4btK9Bf9XgRvVx1s6HqkIbFE7n63vvUpsFrsEEx9sAOi63o0Ia4lKDSY_nE7_qlCg5HjKRchJxVrouyn3QXHxTor1xsiIpiBEAbvb2TKNpRwFVGbUI/s1600/NHS+State+Championship+Game-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXCRHF7RTiP6dK4ANN-jzuqLbu4btK9Bf9XgRvVx1s6HqkIbFE7n63vvUpsFrsEEx9sAOi63o0Ia4lKDSY_nE7_qlCg5HjKRchJxVrouyn3QXHxTor1xsiIpiBEAbvb2TKNpRwFVGbUI/s400/NHS+State+Championship+Game-38.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coaching the boys through the state championship game</td></tr>
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This year Grant and his friends are freshmen. The girls split off to their own team and the Freshmen Five moved on to a boys high school team that graduated their entire starting line up, minus two. Everyone agreed this would be a re-building year for the boy's team.<br />
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Conditioning (in two hour segments times five days a week) started in mid-August. The following week, the kids moved into Daily Doubles. Practice started early (6:30 a.m.) and usually consumed five hours of each day. That didn't include the ten miles per day of biking Grant, Dane and Raleigh rode to and from practices. It was intense, but Grant never once complained. He loved the challenge, the discipline, and the muscles that quickly emerged. When school started, practice was six days a week. After home games, Coach Jim has the boys do a full swim set. These kids are in the best shape of their lives!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZmynfAu1Ui40AffjUcb9erIqOOPwKjwr1eLqr_uhrI9LYi3RknqaOU9Y6cbnPmlx2aAMfiqA3OSl66DAmqrpoXG157IRwVLTdJPm9CYiXh4s96Rn75c-ZP1eU7rYjJC6-dX7h5ijFWg/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZmynfAu1Ui40AffjUcb9erIqOOPwKjwr1eLqr_uhrI9LYi3RknqaOU9Y6cbnPmlx2aAMfiqA3OSl66DAmqrpoXG157IRwVLTdJPm9CYiXh4s96Rn75c-ZP1eU7rYjJC6-dX7h5ijFWg/s400/IMG_0243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast forward five years and this is what those "little boys" look like now. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKJ7dAdfxetHIxPyZrmwMmj40JNNGIXD-UFUL3QfLooqsFhbYnD2Vz4o39d5x9u8o8tJufftLDvWqls055Uu9FDrMvba_diuTuTKwTWnSIJ_WpoAi7LDo9gWW3Ty7pjCSNoPdcjyFhE0/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKJ7dAdfxetHIxPyZrmwMmj40JNNGIXD-UFUL3QfLooqsFhbYnD2Vz4o39d5x9u8o8tJufftLDvWqls055Uu9FDrMvba_diuTuTKwTWnSIJ_WpoAi7LDo9gWW3Ty7pjCSNoPdcjyFhE0/s400/IMG_0303.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of hours spent carpooling with these hooligans. I love them all like they're my own. That's me, Grant, Dane and Raleigh after the district tournament.</td></tr>
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Coach Jim is a great judge of talent and has vision for how to sculpt his team. He knows when to push the kids harder and when to give them a break. He definitely lets them know when they screw up, but he also has frequent words of praise for a job well done. During games he often paces the pool deck yelling out plays and instructions. The kids know to listen for his voice and do what he says. They respect him and it shows.<br />
<br />
Last year the Newberg High School boys won the 6A state title against arch rival Southridge with a powerhouse lineup of mostly seniors. No one thought the boys had a chance at repeating as state champions.<br />
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<b>Never underestimate what a crowd of kids who are willing to work hard can do. </b><br />
<br />
A team heavy with freshmen showed up this season ready to play and hungry to win. They had something to prove. Wilson was the starting varsity goalie while Dane and Zach started in the field. Raleigh was first off the bench with Grant following. <br />
<br />
The older boys were incredible. If they were frustrated about having such young players, they never showed it. Instead they poured into their new teammates - working hard in the early weeks to gel as a team and making all the boys feel like they were part of something bigger than themselves. They were Newberg Nation.<br />
<br />
In the pre-season the boys lost a nail-biter to a bigger, older Barlow team, losing by one goal. It lit a fire under them and they didn't lose again to an Oregon team the entire season! Our boys entered the 6A Oregon state water polo championship tournament undefeated in league play! No one predicted that.<br />
<br />
The boys won their way through the state tournament to the championship game. Guess who they matched up against? Barlow. The only Oregon team to hand them a loss this season. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBN1T_zVn3Gmo-Yd25i3joRgCTjd7w4Y8rRb71zzpwxtTp7rJbFdfNX3JdJmSMFX2UeI7t8aoMH2CGsfh120GjEx9UJ1AOFdS-aNdQxal9yYZ5q1iCnuMCY-VPmOfxHqSqp-omhAgU3k/s1600/NHS+Semifinals+no+watmark-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBN1T_zVn3Gmo-Yd25i3joRgCTjd7w4Y8rRb71zzpwxtTp7rJbFdfNX3JdJmSMFX2UeI7t8aoMH2CGsfh120GjEx9UJ1AOFdS-aNdQxal9yYZ5q1iCnuMCY-VPmOfxHqSqp-omhAgU3k/s640/NHS+Semifinals+no+watmark-48.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Photo after the won the state semi-finals game and earned a spot in the championship game.</td></tr>
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To add to the drama, our girls team went undefeated all season as well. Their roster was the opposite of the boys - top heavy with seniors who were playing their last games together at the state tournament with only Hannah and Mackenzie representing the freshmen class. In a crazy twist of fate, the girls also were matched up against Barlow in the championship game. A big showdown between two great programs was in store.<br />
<br />
Our boys came out strong, scoring four quick goals to end the first quarter 4-0. Barlow played hard, but our boys never let them get close. We won the state championship match 14-5! When the All Tournament Team was announced, Wilson made the First Team -as a Freshman. His teammates and the parents in the crowd went crazy. In fact five of our seven starters worked their way onto the All Tournament teams, with Tyler Bell earning the MVP. It was magical.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaPVgZ7qjPCtkHNAEoIpCIe4WErmrcjr4TF-emwoQB83msc0xcAcjVcxH4gOOpLTJEjCMEnzG9whG_ULMOvjiXFed-lQekKvPYXbPOFdUkWVW9WfOilF8IhDstgzk7r-bkDmMXF3Yjps/s1600/NHS+State+Championship+Game-77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaPVgZ7qjPCtkHNAEoIpCIe4WErmrcjr4TF-emwoQB83msc0xcAcjVcxH4gOOpLTJEjCMEnzG9whG_ULMOvjiXFed-lQekKvPYXbPOFdUkWVW9WfOilF8IhDstgzk7r-bkDmMXF3Yjps/s320/NHS+State+Championship+Game-77.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Captains retrieving the trophy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DNKt02fYYhFwTWDDtiYB7WfqytOjxRBCMgqYq_0cb8zj9xD_uwolI9fh2JqEY2bAgPJ7u-ykoQWyyzMKwploxjz7clVlT9EpRw_EnAN-uc_V4O2eaV8LK0R1RmSmcmK750g0G3HdOwk/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DNKt02fYYhFwTWDDtiYB7WfqytOjxRBCMgqYq_0cb8zj9xD_uwolI9fh2JqEY2bAgPJ7u-ykoQWyyzMKwploxjz7clVlT9EpRw_EnAN-uc_V4O2eaV8LK0R1RmSmcmK750g0G3HdOwk/s400/IMG_0601.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 6A State Champions!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLH4hyphenhyphenbeolHI0NSXxx-xF1uy0-0U1QXdHxNwGo5FCzRLRE5rOYIOo4hGf_Qwa9qpWrNx7m9X-1MoPJWUWYXW7jOKlHJVDfNjxmR8RwsAtlxzak0eMsHDm_jZBM3gqBWMkvF7XkJyzn5g/s1600/NHS+State+Championship+Game-84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLH4hyphenhyphenbeolHI0NSXxx-xF1uy0-0U1QXdHxNwGo5FCzRLRE5rOYIOo4hGf_Qwa9qpWrNx7m9X-1MoPJWUWYXW7jOKlHJVDfNjxmR8RwsAtlxzak0eMsHDm_jZBM3gqBWMkvF7XkJyzn5g/s400/NHS+State+Championship+Game-84.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at Wilson's team celebrating when they announced he was the First Team All Tournament Goalie.</td></tr>
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The girls game was the complete opposite. Barlow came out strong, scoring three goals before we scored one. The score at the half was 2-5 in Barlow's favor. Our girls played fierce defense against an equally fierce Barlow team and slowly but surely battled back, tying the game then going ahead by one in the fourth quarter. The score was 6-5 in Newberg's favor with thirty-three seconds left when Barlow scored to send the game into overtime. It came down to conditioning and our girls wore down Barlow, scoring three goals in the last three minutes to win the state title 9-6. It was INTENSE and EXCITING. Four of the Newberg Girls team players also earned spots on the All Tournament Team. I'm still trying to come down off the adrenaline high!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQWJw0tsu6CK3qEiFe5B2T-WX_Do2UDHxMkZzkrB-U3_soxzkpjU6iUDXf2DOe3nIoQrKxWh0XebBKrwcGhpaJqQ1q-nlriOh_vRH0AmekpcbzHQIH9uZy8eVYU0K72htr8HmR-DuTkI/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQWJw0tsu6CK3qEiFe5B2T-WX_Do2UDHxMkZzkrB-U3_soxzkpjU6iUDXf2DOe3nIoQrKxWh0XebBKrwcGhpaJqQ1q-nlriOh_vRH0AmekpcbzHQIH9uZy8eVYU0K72htr8HmR-DuTkI/s400/IMG_0607.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls 6A State Champions 2015</td></tr>
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<b>WELL DONE BOYS AND GIRLS! You make us all so proud. I can't wait for next year.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
#newbergnation #gotigers #waterpoloisnotforwimps #statechampions<br />
<br />
You know I can't end this post without drawing a parallel to life.<br />
<br />
So often we face challenges that seem insurmountable. There appears to be no way out, around or through. Well intentioned people may even be saying, "<i>It's a rebuilding season. Don't plan to be successful." </i> Can I encourage you to not give up? <br />
<br />
Keep showing up every day.<br />
<br />
Get out of bed. Sometimes that alone is a victory.<br />
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Choose joy in the face of heartache.<br />
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Hold tight to Jesus' hand.<br />
<br />
Work hard. <br />
<br />
Press in.<br />
<br />
Don't quit.<br />
<br />
You will get through this. And you'll make yourself and everyone who loves you proud in the process.<br />
<br />
#lifelessonsfromsports #yourewelcome #lifeisnotforwimps<br />
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-87555324749619260502015-09-30T21:46:00.000-07:002020-07-02T14:16:12.071-07:00Olallie Lake - The Best Accidental Camping Trip of Our LifeOur "summer" was short. Curt was in doctoral school and Grant and Alli were both playing water polo through mid-July. Grant resumed water polo in the second week of August, so our family only had a three week window of unplanned, summer days and open weekends.<br />
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The first weekend Grant, Katie and Alli were away at church camp leaving Curt, Paige, and me all by ourselves. We loaded up our dogs and drove to Central Oregon to go camping. We didn't have a reservation, but we stumbled upon a pretty campsite in the West South Twin Lake Campground. Paige didn't get bored until the last day and we loved having her to ourselves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHN51A2_xrsImUD4TX5u4rUGvTJFE_x3da25QQHcpPBrozxZotRUjJIGg5DTNdMOoZENRqwNzpKEzvXdqbWoJ1Znvh5V3_pXqptYFC3G3_svYXsTffH0GYD2wY8a6QqtPkVj7OZt6L5ec/s1600/IMG_3725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHN51A2_xrsImUD4TX5u4rUGvTJFE_x3da25QQHcpPBrozxZotRUjJIGg5DTNdMOoZENRqwNzpKEzvXdqbWoJ1Znvh5V3_pXqptYFC3G3_svYXsTffH0GYD2wY8a6QqtPkVj7OZt6L5ec/s320/IMG_3725.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Church Campers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Tent Campers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RRbeISLUAMUVhrYpB5bxNFH5lTNnHwVQpmcq2Un5lpC_BPVi6-xY4OpHZt-n-c60l6hTEMDK-H_ek-s-lGYoBlUrS5i7_KtTMUUODB-LZSWjdPtmQomXzrDb1nqq7bCO1ljpwk5Yr5M/s1600/IMG_3758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RRbeISLUAMUVhrYpB5bxNFH5lTNnHwVQpmcq2Un5lpC_BPVi6-xY4OpHZt-n-c60l6hTEMDK-H_ek-s-lGYoBlUrS5i7_KtTMUUODB-LZSWjdPtmQomXzrDb1nqq7bCO1ljpwk5Yr5M/s320/IMG_3758.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hiked to South Sister Mirror Lake for a picnic lunch.</td></tr>
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<br />
The following weekend Curt and I ran the <a href="http://solesistersrunning.blogspot.com/2015/08/running-for-robin-cascade-lakes-relay.html">Cascade Lakes Relay</a> together. It's a 216 mile relay race (split between twelve team members) that starts in Diamond Lake and finishes in Bend. The entire race is run at elevation, through extreme temperatures, and a lot of altitude changes. Sounds crazy but it is a riot! My non-running husband "<i>loved everything about it except the running.</i>" He even agreed to do it again next year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Finish Line is so sweet.</td></tr>
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Our third and final weekend of freedom was held for "CAMPING." Curt normally chooses our camping weekends in January, researches campgrounds online, and reserves the Reservable Campsites the day they become available. But this year was different. We were on a What Needs to Happen Today basis. There was no planning ahead, even for camping. The Stilp Family is learning to wing it!<br />
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We all love Timothy Lake, a giant man-made lake in the heart of the Mt. Hood National Forest. It boasts several campgrounds with big, private, beautiful sites and a thirteen mile trail around the perimeter of the lake. I was salivating over the possibility of such a long trail run and the kids were anxious to get back to their favorite place to camp. With so many campgrounds we were certain we could get a campsite, but we were wrong.<br />
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Gone Creek Campground - our favorite on Timothy Lake - was already full by 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon. The campground host warned us that "<i>every campground on the lake was full." </i>We went to two more neighboring campgrounds - each further off the lake and deeper into the forest - with no luck. Our Crew was restless and disappointed.<br />
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I have wanted to go to Olallie Lake since we moved to Oregon. One of our friends painted vivid stories of the rugged beauty and the memories made camping there year after year as a child. It sounded idyllic - a Must See in the land of beauty that is Oregon. But Olallie Lake is remote - you really have to want to go there.<br />
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We were out of options in the Timothy Lake area so we drove 30+ miles of Forest Service Road to get to the Olallie Lake junction, where we drove another fifteen uphill miles to get to the Olallie Lake Scenic Area. Nine of those fifteen miles were on a gravel road through what appeared to be the middle of Nowhere. Finally we came across a map of the area. Seven campgrounds and even one resort dotted the map. We had hope again.<br />
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The first two campgrounds weren't open. We kept driving to the "resort" which was really a smattering of tiny red cabins on the edge of one of the most beautiful mountain lakes I have ever seen. Mt. Jefferson - majestic and glorious - guarded the lake, while backpackers hiking the Pacific Crest Trail sat on the edge of the road reading and catching their breath. It was like something straight out of a movie.<br />
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We talked to some hikers who assured us that a plethora of open campsites awaited us at Peninsula campground - another two miles around the lake and deeper into the wilderness. They were right. We scored a giant, private campsite right on the water's edge. We had to park and pack all our stuff in about 1/4 of a mile from our car but it was well worth it because we pitched our tent right on the beach! Olallie Butte - the other prominent feature of the area - was directly across from our tent, beckoning us to come and explore. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2YXBjyr6a1_FyS5T4jBchn8j-manhiRmjyoPdRwXs8R8-ie8R8RSxVFkrH9HH3PYQYDzGgmFAP3rwKjQA2n8QGvsDKa5n6XqRS6FcLw5-eVCQhLmG0ZuSfhgK2BO3nEgnY1cFCK_UII/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2YXBjyr6a1_FyS5T4jBchn8j-manhiRmjyoPdRwXs8R8-ie8R8RSxVFkrH9HH3PYQYDzGgmFAP3rwKjQA2n8QGvsDKa5n6XqRS6FcLw5-eVCQhLmG0ZuSfhgK2BO3nEgnY1cFCK_UII/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first night sitting in our camp chairs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouxiiUyJkyZco90QSd5BcPT5texHClMf3S3ygO7_d3UH5mV-cExXp-lsCffFjS9_03AxqpapaWdR7nEPKBqcqg1B6X8zUBm51lXLn5PZPloLpMaiIQPsMG9PG5PjzmgW43Cdls0FJ_j0/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouxiiUyJkyZco90QSd5BcPT5texHClMf3S3ygO7_d3UH5mV-cExXp-lsCffFjS9_03AxqpapaWdR7nEPKBqcqg1B6X8zUBm51lXLn5PZPloLpMaiIQPsMG9PG5PjzmgW43Cdls0FJ_j0/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that Olallie Butte and our tent on the beach. Plus my handsome men.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqSJ3kWugRfMhdQCpw-eCxjs_VzbCzgo9WqbNcmB_BH-hpWAIN-l86bUkD4SBoTose806VJ8Yqg1LiBz60ebBvdS17DSLVsHzYZsdnP_ojZ1SxDGVo6prTS_ISsWXI0eY-mAFFJa5AEg/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqSJ3kWugRfMhdQCpw-eCxjs_VzbCzgo9WqbNcmB_BH-hpWAIN-l86bUkD4SBoTose806VJ8Yqg1LiBz60ebBvdS17DSLVsHzYZsdnP_ojZ1SxDGVo6prTS_ISsWXI0eY-mAFFJa5AEg/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie (way in the distance on that log) exploring as the sun sets on that burned out area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rVXZHK4WxULOcq9avVWB5SRq3-mNa2JKIO8_wo9bZAodFTkRCCMjqM3aNVj6xDJ29Kr0aZ4TWGxSLtvyo2Py9xk4v1xWjD5xqGA4sPZqJvp5clOZq0EZSKqlNJdyvkHbZmS8sxdTzIg/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rVXZHK4WxULOcq9avVWB5SRq3-mNa2JKIO8_wo9bZAodFTkRCCMjqM3aNVj6xDJ29Kr0aZ4TWGxSLtvyo2Py9xk4v1xWjD5xqGA4sPZqJvp5clOZq0EZSKqlNJdyvkHbZmS8sxdTzIg/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset as seen from my camp chair.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu_jePOYasN8rqvRj-KHzpfF5fOCi1bYShm7sY6Uios6dnvcu4M56WmgNTrEdr-lolDJKwG8AyFqpj7FVDFUn4yBWZ3kIgDzQD_MDOsTW1BabMeTvq-E7UTFaUMfKStWjGRS7eDTfBmk/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu_jePOYasN8rqvRj-KHzpfF5fOCi1bYShm7sY6Uios6dnvcu4M56WmgNTrEdr-lolDJKwG8AyFqpj7FVDFUn4yBWZ3kIgDzQD_MDOsTW1BabMeTvq-E7UTFaUMfKStWjGRS7eDTfBmk/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a campfire ban so we met on the fishing dock to roast marshmallows over a propane fire, courtesy of the Resort staff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tLtP_oKxlHgzIci-nDLdiD0cWbeTt2PI4dufSVUZltyVgfWlt_5jkw613ke9A4M3C7lChIWuXsIxbngSxkMoLDBM4NamnqUNj7RkxIGRddfoC4KCVXMmVlvugBP8S3Q9mqXqK44JpHE/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tLtP_oKxlHgzIci-nDLdiD0cWbeTt2PI4dufSVUZltyVgfWlt_5jkw613ke9A4M3C7lChIWuXsIxbngSxkMoLDBM4NamnqUNj7RkxIGRddfoC4KCVXMmVlvugBP8S3Q9mqXqK44JpHE/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-24.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tent - lit only by headlamps and the brilliant stars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YmfDNqxb6P5Q9TXW7MJVjcV_CWU-s-JHjNL3eD2N9HShiGFq9DK16li3mcvQLZZoDGFY357U7cBm_TwhPOnP9-weErZYeeRnTOPufVb-E-t6skFI99zCgUsVuLg1tgHlwsWCzCRK3Vc/s1600/IMG_3956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YmfDNqxb6P5Q9TXW7MJVjcV_CWU-s-JHjNL3eD2N9HShiGFq9DK16li3mcvQLZZoDGFY357U7cBm_TwhPOnP9-weErZYeeRnTOPufVb-E-t6skFI99zCgUsVuLg1tgHlwsWCzCRK3Vc/s320/IMG_3956.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from my cot inside the tent.</td></tr>
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Our campground matched the surrounding wilderness: bare bones and rugged. There was no potable water and only a few scattered pit toilets, but we liked it like that. It had the rugged feel of backpacking without all the work.<br />
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Mornings on the peninsula were calm - quiet, smooth water with no hint of wind. But every afternoon, the water began to ripple and the wind began to stir. It slowly increased to a steady hum in the tree tops that stayed throughout the entire night. We retired early one night to our tent, all cozied in our sleeping bags listening to the wind and playing cards by the light of our headlamps. It was just what our family needed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUNrGDwVkslINPvDFbzyZQWVmy_Ed7akp8hhpKPo0moPkL0C6cHVrVzDHlhUJA1OptiA2OzrhgEIFwQ3yA7uOrq6Wm-Tmaudy_oiprY1j-udDIekRmJmalV7SeDzQJRKjL5aAaVHVUHI/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUNrGDwVkslINPvDFbzyZQWVmy_Ed7akp8hhpKPo0moPkL0C6cHVrVzDHlhUJA1OptiA2OzrhgEIFwQ3yA7uOrq6Wm-Tmaudy_oiprY1j-udDIekRmJmalV7SeDzQJRKjL5aAaVHVUHI/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-52.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alli playing on Curt's phone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBLEwh8i3jLaXiFuqD6_V57Iqt23FMX6jM4VmLCdQ8ozKgCKbwizK14EVtGL9yKIx1kPxeNyMxICU-zNn-q0pPa9NdYLzSZz7oCgkSaEc4H-z3_UguBDEhIMHP9tVicwWZwT5CixExLQ/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBLEwh8i3jLaXiFuqD6_V57Iqt23FMX6jM4VmLCdQ8ozKgCKbwizK14EVtGL9yKIx1kPxeNyMxICU-zNn-q0pPa9NdYLzSZz7oCgkSaEc4H-z3_UguBDEhIMHP9tVicwWZwT5CixExLQ/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-53.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paige - headlamp on the tent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNagBJ4Afg7ESZ7Kp6g0YCER_MjDmdscXiy_SfzCrSEKp2HTcnxI6H9vQytYmL2Fiyv563GkQbDE6Zclj_QLnMfr1Ejyu3T3fkh-rrJcqw8li8UQTQKQ5ivWzLco5QNiMqxCRCUoDmYs/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNagBJ4Afg7ESZ7Kp6g0YCER_MjDmdscXiy_SfzCrSEKp2HTcnxI6H9vQytYmL2Fiyv563GkQbDE6Zclj_QLnMfr1Ejyu3T3fkh-rrJcqw8li8UQTQKQ5ivWzLco5QNiMqxCRCUoDmYs/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-57.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie being awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7XKkf8sMpvI-A-dOghMoiRJRU769lp7nsdrSvABwj4D62JVs6eWWbliEeFpRz9eLwzMxSsoJmspI-BB00ZFZIBkdraYUV_pkVe4ydJPgCiTtylNeLnKi8wvSyPZrgSYSGEUTN5egODs/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7XKkf8sMpvI-A-dOghMoiRJRU769lp7nsdrSvABwj4D62JVs6eWWbliEeFpRz9eLwzMxSsoJmspI-BB00ZFZIBkdraYUV_pkVe4ydJPgCiTtylNeLnKi8wvSyPZrgSYSGEUTN5egODs/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-58.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant and Kimber snuggling.</td></tr>
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The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) - a hiking trail that starts in Mexico and finishes in Canada, goes right through the Olallie Lakes Scenic Area. The trail junction was a mere 2 miles from our campsite. and we HAD to say we hiked the PCT. We hiked the trail three miles to Upper Lake - a scenic, quiet alpine lake that we had entirely to ourselves. It was magical!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolb_Ks_3CSL6mB4yiNTyWcRBGp21yk03AU6K65swyDpLATSHQEjoTEkSpTSzZYHiQlcBUgSh-8JmFqMB9e2zmfZcDntWeAc50RnVNzOCB9-ujq4OIqu-wCD1tXOsuJxf8ndUFLwpYbBA/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolb_Ks_3CSL6mB4yiNTyWcRBGp21yk03AU6K65swyDpLATSHQEjoTEkSpTSzZYHiQlcBUgSh-8JmFqMB9e2zmfZcDntWeAc50RnVNzOCB9-ujq4OIqu-wCD1tXOsuJxf8ndUFLwpYbBA/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-29.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PCT is marked with these signs on trees along the way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62hRT2vDJcL9it_zRt97gD62McEchc6AvePOL7UR6ppMPOZnAAb6o_clDV7N3BR7R3Bu2u6xbsAt6IrK1JE9008jfAgxP8v1GEnxsKUqjVN4qVg1i9Lyf8-Rx3CM27GwPd8OYoIxv-p4/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62hRT2vDJcL9it_zRt97gD62McEchc6AvePOL7UR6ppMPOZnAAb6o_clDV7N3BR7R3Bu2u6xbsAt6IrK1JE9008jfAgxP8v1GEnxsKUqjVN4qVg1i9Lyf8-Rx3CM27GwPd8OYoIxv-p4/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-36.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy Dusty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z2Tjc_kKFtIkTqiPXGve8jcw8ITEKaJjPzu9SYYdZ365v4FtJoO781otKWSLnBdAlgNJBYAl02naIeqaOkk25cLCDqTbxDwCJ68_lcBCzQ_0-p5lkPvErcNPRS7VH16Rb15MxeAjpEo/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z2Tjc_kKFtIkTqiPXGve8jcw8ITEKaJjPzu9SYYdZ365v4FtJoO781otKWSLnBdAlgNJBYAl02naIeqaOkk25cLCDqTbxDwCJ68_lcBCzQ_0-p5lkPvErcNPRS7VH16Rb15MxeAjpEo/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bathing in a snow melt alpine lake is FRIGID. Here I am at Upper Lake trying to warm up on the sun soaked rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VwA2y5MAsWJ5B1OgC9to3xZxXapGiTVZV47gpwB9bOnZZNkME8d_n4o7QJmBQ-_mPFy9iuTDSOeCJW868A9N9cEK4kZrudIpeX3V09gjAayMRnoTztC2gGBCgWjnSp6Nmq8TqcWtaJ8/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VwA2y5MAsWJ5B1OgC9to3xZxXapGiTVZV47gpwB9bOnZZNkME8d_n4o7QJmBQ-_mPFy9iuTDSOeCJW868A9N9cEK4kZrudIpeX3V09gjAayMRnoTztC2gGBCgWjnSp6Nmq8TqcWtaJ8/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-42.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Dusty - we love you.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ53NsT9jZ_giJzwQoRgVO4AM_bt9a4cEvWfLkHXt9pyiKkatiM1NG4EtqLJFSW6UXXL94tsTX9ZooMjz7t7JDLwo-VmZu2CfdER2wGeMd4ppbQtgnfI3mE0z5_oZmp0CFHf98shFM5t4/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ53NsT9jZ_giJzwQoRgVO4AM_bt9a4cEvWfLkHXt9pyiKkatiM1NG4EtqLJFSW6UXXL94tsTX9ZooMjz7t7JDLwo-VmZu2CfdER2wGeMd4ppbQtgnfI3mE0z5_oZmp0CFHf98shFM5t4/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-45.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimber and Grant - always in the lead.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDMb6_uJ6fioidOXwV7RmAsHcgRzOJRPnlmuYFCtkmnynLKNR1BQ17tz-lQQY-bPcFm5GBxg1p7nGqeL1NGT5re6cgjxuVuSbJaQR1oiIXf28I15ADYuxyvD-6ahpTQQblUKEV9MlAQM/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDMb6_uJ6fioidOXwV7RmAsHcgRzOJRPnlmuYFCtkmnynLKNR1BQ17tz-lQQY-bPcFm5GBxg1p7nGqeL1NGT5re6cgjxuVuSbJaQR1oiIXf28I15ADYuxyvD-6ahpTQQblUKEV9MlAQM/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-43.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paigey about to give Kimber a treat. Look at Dusty waiting too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk5nZEns6z05kYwOORKpvBgEnt68xJsKyHJnzvRY7wIg087AbxRz6q3YaKH-TSRtDx4_E9Cs0VLU_FhyJUklIbL_UU23-MoJT3kDuuTzxgPSPtMeupGMtekjSJrD2Sjs61Uu5yGE7XnE/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk5nZEns6z05kYwOORKpvBgEnt68xJsKyHJnzvRY7wIg087AbxRz6q3YaKH-TSRtDx4_E9Cs0VLU_FhyJUklIbL_UU23-MoJT3kDuuTzxgPSPtMeupGMtekjSJrD2Sjs61Uu5yGE7XnE/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-47.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Loves on the PCT - that's Mt. Jefferson. Isn't she lovely?</td></tr>
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We could have stayed a week in our paradise on the water's edge, but life forced us to pack up and come home. Olallie Lake was THE BEST accidental camping trip of our life. We will 100% be back again. Thank you Jesus for teaching us to wing it and leading us to the perfect spot to unplug, unwind, and rest. We all agree these were the best three days of our summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisj1t6EXK-YeZ0o7Vlh6n6q-xTneYDc2bLbKFuinNZrKrOsCVvk00yaZuSbvsyW6f08yH8OTLUMEQxwPti3qO4kocSKR-GSwTjji6YOyHgiMdg4n5ELCTk_ttNg5Hh3NrS6Uecqh2x31k/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisj1t6EXK-YeZ0o7Vlh6n6q-xTneYDc2bLbKFuinNZrKrOsCVvk00yaZuSbvsyW6f08yH8OTLUMEQxwPti3qO4kocSKR-GSwTjji6YOyHgiMdg4n5ELCTk_ttNg5Hh3NrS6Uecqh2x31k/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-71.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the morning we left</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MbHX_kZeyZAA6WNweEEtJ_GSbCpt5uFe6Jykh1qn8GG7Cq2RftUCo78yDVHPTgwiAcQMV9C7Up_hLTHNxyMFes1B7pgNr3qTpctfjO72ew2Q-AA1D3kvlYJNsy_dZHA6ux1Qj-SwZn0/s1600/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MbHX_kZeyZAA6WNweEEtJ_GSbCpt5uFe6Jykh1qn8GG7Cq2RftUCo78yDVHPTgwiAcQMV9C7Up_hLTHNxyMFes1B7pgNr3qTpctfjO72ew2Q-AA1D3kvlYJNsy_dZHA6ux1Qj-SwZn0/s320/Olallie+Lake+Camping+Trip+August+2015+-+THE+BOMB%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521-76.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a LOT of stuff to pack back up and out to the car.</td></tr>
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-12599576779570577932015-09-22T17:21:00.000-07:002020-07-02T14:16:30.381-07:00"I Hope I can Make Good Decisions When I Name My Children Too" - Guest Post by Paige StilpWell hello there. I have all kinds of things to write about (like that fact that I have a high schooler and two junior higher with only one left in elementary school), but it all stays in my head cause raising four active kids is kind of busy. But I love you all and miss you. So big virtual hugs. (((((HUG)))))<br />
<br />
Paige came down to my office this afternoon with a present for me - a story she wrote for her 4th grade class assignment. <br />
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PAUSE: Did you read that right? Paige - the Stilp Family Baby - is in 4th grade! And she got contacts and braces and probably has grown a foot in the last year, or at least it seems that way. GAH!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3mrI_Rp69qWonANGtagvTy8zbJaVF-XsU2rVoAqhGryxu7R3pRZup2HTqsDc50VimX8iKFK0gj3zknSTnx0UQtnGENZQr1xyhLqyvOPKSn8HFv_fPrRBbJmghs8a1Y8uNHyxY6jngEo/s1600/Pacific+City+with+Kelly+and+the+Kids-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3mrI_Rp69qWonANGtagvTy8zbJaVF-XsU2rVoAqhGryxu7R3pRZup2HTqsDc50VimX8iKFK0gj3zknSTnx0UQtnGENZQr1xyhLqyvOPKSn8HFv_fPrRBbJmghs8a1Y8uNHyxY6jngEo/s320/Pacific+City+with+Kelly+and+the+Kids-8.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So this day at the beach she wore her glasses...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUG1lxkflv0rXLNCI-pX23GznkIqWV10FviAh5Fd2XFNw4ohfa38GuA4RfCLhqNiv0pXAVlle-5fIRw204wg6smHE3RVekdP1CZCQ72iU2PQTKA5831Men16mretVrGodGg40EIEmEqeM/s1600/September+2015+-+First+day+of+school-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUG1lxkflv0rXLNCI-pX23GznkIqWV10FviAh5Fd2XFNw4ohfa38GuA4RfCLhqNiv0pXAVlle-5fIRw204wg6smHE3RVekdP1CZCQ72iU2PQTKA5831Men16mretVrGodGg40EIEmEqeM/s320/September+2015+-+First+day+of+school-8.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..but on the first day of school she was all about her contacts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7zsTUzu5O2fltJWrNSlWWlWTuEQhl3u1BLCtvg3lysy7X4KPA0D8e-M0P1P0spkD70_ATKh-KJIQNjAxRd8_E42PyzoXwql5CQvY9NxTnhyphenhyphen_YspJRrNJVInm8lLzY1Nx8YSh-oAeuw4/s1600/September+2015+-+First+day+of+school-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7zsTUzu5O2fltJWrNSlWWlWTuEQhl3u1BLCtvg3lysy7X4KPA0D8e-M0P1P0spkD70_ATKh-KJIQNjAxRd8_E42PyzoXwql5CQvY9NxTnhyphenhyphen_YspJRrNJVInm8lLzY1Nx8YSh-oAeuw4/s320/September+2015+-+First+day+of+school-9.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's been watching me edit senior portraits. I think she nails the pouty face.</td></tr>
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Anyway... her story was darling (as usual) and very thorough (as usual), so I wanted to share it. Writing is definitely one of her talents and passions.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Story of My Name</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Paige Elizabeth Stilp</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
9 1/2 years old</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4th grade</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The story of my name is fun to tell so I'll tell you it now.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When my mom was pregnant with me she had a friend named Paige Elizabeth. My mom really liked that name because she thought it was pretty. Her friend said that she really liked her name so my mom said, "Let's name her Paige." My dad agreed.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>If I was a boy my parents would've named me Shane or Cole. My dad wanted to name me Shane and my Mom wanted to name me Cole. They both wanted to name me Paige, but they had different plans for the boy name.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>They liked the name Elizabeth because it meant God's promise. So my name ended up being Paige Elizabeth or Little Girl who is God's promise. My siblings liked my name too.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I love my name and hope I can make good decisions when I name my children too!</i></div>
Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-3553174971698284632015-05-22T08:39:00.002-07:002020-07-02T14:16:42.288-07:00Cape Falcon HikeMy sixth marathon was on Sunday and Curt rode his bike on the course with me. It was so fun. He also took the day off on Monday. Time together been hard to come by in this current life season of graduate school. Hooray for a date day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V9jNdAeytE4xGnxKcOcFIy7wa-IeWBPvPxW5D-1wtKT5P1JkwK11A19fbnKFqcsNt5NelivuJstQnl2MW89Ihp79Xb9LrTcwM1J3SPrepIa2RJcU8RomAhSlp9B0Fnz75RbKjllLGDs/s1600/IMG_2653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V9jNdAeytE4xGnxKcOcFIy7wa-IeWBPvPxW5D-1wtKT5P1JkwK11A19fbnKFqcsNt5NelivuJstQnl2MW89Ihp79Xb9LrTcwM1J3SPrepIa2RJcU8RomAhSlp9B0Fnz75RbKjllLGDs/s320/IMG_2653.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#selfie. I really should get a lightweight tripod for hiking.<br />
all photos copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC</td></tr>
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We did a post-marathon recovery hike at the Oregon coast. The Cape Falcon trailhead parking lot is located right off Highway 101 a few miles south of Arch Cape.<br />
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The five mile round trip hike is rated "easy" in my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/60-Hikes-Within-Miles-Including/dp/0897325125">hiking book</a>, so we expected it to be mostly flat. Curt and I were both a little surprised at the amount of up and down involved in getting to the top of the cape. I think we'd rate this hike at the "hard end of the easy" scale or the "low end of the moderate" scale.<br />
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The old growth forest we hiked through was stunning. There's even a hidden waterfall that was really fun to discover.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGnwuUL2neXqNPxfacv4crwLFBGRSl-7w6AXgsRObJ3JKh4-Z6Mphos9a4rpilEsn_GmTVeE4QnRaaea1ZwusSjaMwL2pSdmqSePIZSrHJpQQWR3nOEh2Mq1fBVZ3PyzmCZnWU6G3xRI/s1600/Cape+Falcon+Post+Marathon+Hike-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGnwuUL2neXqNPxfacv4crwLFBGRSl-7w6AXgsRObJ3JKh4-Z6Mphos9a4rpilEsn_GmTVeE4QnRaaea1ZwusSjaMwL2pSdmqSePIZSrHJpQQWR3nOEh2Mq1fBVZ3PyzmCZnWU6G3xRI/s320/Cape+Falcon+Post+Marathon+Hike-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old growth forest<br />
copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oregon has the strangest trees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hidden waterfall and creek leading down to the ocean</td></tr>
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Once we hiked out of the forest, the trail took us through bushes and brush taller than Curt. It felt like we were hiking through the inside of a magic garden.<br />
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The picnic spot at the top of the cape was sheltered from the wind by the brush and was incredibly beautiful and relaxing. We could have stayed there all day watching the sea lions (or were they seals?) playing in the water off the end of the cape. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvA37ewd9qWGUfITA_wEPH9Gu5y1cZVcGMw2wMt92_shNyh3_jimwaVvf8FGOQTkTRPg73Fo-kgrfdHruF5NIiZHUtZa8-s3A_yS6RikU3XSXXONnjTeh9wTm0j_VLRFCEUJI2WV49ls/s1600/IMG_2659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvA37ewd9qWGUfITA_wEPH9Gu5y1cZVcGMw2wMt92_shNyh3_jimwaVvf8FGOQTkTRPg73Fo-kgrfdHruF5NIiZHUtZa8-s3A_yS6RikU3XSXXONnjTeh9wTm0j_VLRFCEUJI2WV49ls/s320/IMG_2659.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see how muddy my shoes are?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlH_eDKFVZSV5A57jc8FYGOEHu4i4dSo9vsaPqInuSnw23AxTl-FbkR0fOZMHPuj8q8j0ChBwbMeM7rvN4MgwPJK63VDh57mOl6-W0II9qtLl5vkKhc98P3mqz7Ut3sGu1reRdJeuAAtQ/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlH_eDKFVZSV5A57jc8FYGOEHu4i4dSo9vsaPqInuSnw23AxTl-FbkR0fOZMHPuj8q8j0ChBwbMeM7rvN4MgwPJK63VDh57mOl6-W0II9qtLl5vkKhc98P3mqz7Ut3sGu1reRdJeuAAtQ/s320/IMG_2667.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#thuglife #boothang</td></tr>
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The only thing I didn't like about this trail was the mud. 70% of the trail was thick, squishy, wet mud - the kind that would suck your shoe off if you tromped right through it. The dogs LOVED the mud. Kimber laid down in it like a frog, all sprawled out, but I REALLY didn't like it. We wasted a lot of time picking our way around giant mud pits. I had just washed my trail shoes, my legs were SORE, and I just wanted to walk on the trail without thinking about it too much. (I know - #whinypants).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MUDDY dogs!</td></tr>
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There were some drop-offs at the top of the cape that would lead to definite injury and/or probable drowning so we kept the dogs on the leash once we got out of the woods. If we brought our kids, we would establish tight parameters in that area as well.<br />
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On the way back, we took a short detour down to the beach and had the dogs wash off in the water before loading their muddy selves into the back of Curt's car. <br />
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Cape Falcon was a relatively easy hike with clearly marked trails. I would recommend it in the summer when the chances of the trail being dried out are greater.<br />
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On our way home we drove straight into a fierce thunderstorm Midwest style. Dark, ominous clouds. Torrential downpour. Hail pounding the car. Roads flash flooding with no visibility. Then gorgeous, peaceful skies and calm after the storm. It was awesome!<br />
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Happy hiking.<br />
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Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-8318628286845702732015-05-11T23:25:00.002-07:002020-07-02T14:16:51.189-07:00Triple Falls Hike My friend Rose recently celebrated her birthday. She took time off work to play and asked me to take her, Kelly and Becky on a hike. I chose Triple Falls, located in the Columbia River Gorge, because it's not too long, not too hard (rated moderate) and very scenic. In 4.75 round-trip miles we viewed FOUR waterfalls! You get a lot of bang for your buck. And the drive from Newberg is under an hour and half each direction, depending on traffic.<br />
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We started our hike at the Horsetail Falls trailhead. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group at the trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horsetail Falls<br />
copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC<br />
<a href="http://www.jodistilpphotography.com/">www.jodistilpphotography.com</a></td></tr>
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The forest is so lush and green right now. I drank in the smell and all the shades of green.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTGWexZEKsC-TI_LFDf59rmK5qNpylpJQJ-LxEvdhpjJavp85Upi_9c-K3I__KLv8PWG2REGUDOtkHWHCtnYFPjTzbhIcLneSI9heXZo15Jb2-f90ipLYk-RpjogQEyTggpvkRZvKWVc/s1600/Triple+Falls+Hike-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTGWexZEKsC-TI_LFDf59rmK5qNpylpJQJ-LxEvdhpjJavp85Upi_9c-K3I__KLv8PWG2REGUDOtkHWHCtnYFPjTzbhIcLneSI9heXZo15Jb2-f90ipLYk-RpjogQEyTggpvkRZvKWVc/s320/Triple+Falls+Hike-3.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC<br />
<a href="http://www.jodistilpphotography.com/">www.jodistilpphotography.co</a>m</td></tr>
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In less than half a mile, we came to Upper Horsetail Falls. The trail takes hikers behind the waterfall which is always a treat. There is no guardrail and the trail is a little muddy from the water, so watch your footing here. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC<br />
<a href="http://www.jodistilpphotography.com/">www.jodistilpphotography.com</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC<br />
<a href="http://www.jodistilpphotography.com/">www.jodistilpphotography.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#selfie with kelly</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#selfie</td></tr>
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The trail winds up and around the mountains, offering sporadic views of the Columbia River Gorge through the trees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDLzI32-a8c9BVCylkbjnuuaqRq3wn_ObfzpoaPThARUyc7phhJAD1P_cY1Wg-WA9LenXcoIwGPCiKEqme_P5K4hIDqka4ujv8L8u2vB6Kev4e8z7uAllBJga6bgQG2PAuBHNpDkqaV0/s1600/Triple+Falls+Hike-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDLzI32-a8c9BVCylkbjnuuaqRq3wn_ObfzpoaPThARUyc7phhJAD1P_cY1Wg-WA9LenXcoIwGPCiKEqme_P5K4hIDqka4ujv8L8u2vB6Kev4e8z7uAllBJga6bgQG2PAuBHNpDkqaV0/s320/Triple+Falls+Hike-6.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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A mile past Upper Horsetail Falls is a bridge over Oneonta Gorge. A waterfall cascades behind and below the bridge. It's pretty spectacular. The bridge needs some repairs and has signs on both ends saying it's only "safe" to carry one hiker at a time. YIKES!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJCOr1sizqpj7mNK56b4XOpZOdWzCHD26opqEbxRbyFzoBzHRJimSgOwFhGLT5AggDPRxlMI7HmwK3e0nMxgI8MlPC6JLriC199Ye8qWvA4RGqb99DN2j18LAYplTNK24NxwCvq0h_yk/s1600/Triple+Falls+Hike-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJCOr1sizqpj7mNK56b4XOpZOdWzCHD26opqEbxRbyFzoBzHRJimSgOwFhGLT5AggDPRxlMI7HmwK3e0nMxgI8MlPC6JLriC199Ye8qWvA4RGqb99DN2j18LAYplTNK24NxwCvq0h_yk/s320/Triple+Falls+Hike-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC<br />
<a href="http://www.jodistilpphotography.com/">www.jodistilpphotography.com</a></td></tr>
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1/4 of a mile past the bridge, we came across the aftermath of a November 2014 landslide. The slide was officially cleared on April 21, 2015, reopening a major connecting point of the vast trail system within this section of forest in the Gorge.<br />
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The trail definitely needs a sign indicating which direction to take at the initial spot of the landslide. The way the slide came down the mountain makes it look like the trail continues straight across the mountain face, when in reality it goes up through some rock scree and really exposed, barren dirt. If it had been rainy, the dirt would have been slippery mud and the incline was relatively steep. (Sorry. Forgot to take pictures.)<br />
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When we reached this section of the trail we came upon another group of confused hikers who had tried two "trails" that were dead ends. They were ready to turn around, but I love a challenge. I picked my way across the face of the landslide and climbed up to where I could see the "normal" trail. Once on it, I hiked the trail back to the waiting group of hikers so I could guide them up through the scree.<br />
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One of my friends found this short section of the reconstructed trail intimidating and unnerving, especially since she had never hiked across scree before. I was proud of her for pushing on and telling fear, <i>"Not today.</i>" We all made it safely up and back this section of the trail, as did the hoards of other hikers out enjoying the beautiful day. It's always reassuring to see hikers coming back the way you are headed.<br />
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Triple Falls - our turnaround spot - was only 3/4 of a mile past the landslide area. We picnicked on the side of the trail, taking in the view and the much needed calories. We were hungry and ready to eat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NxXaeW-R405Vad3Jv2zPQhPJHFQH__zmKmSda5qtgZXowAKDXBCb5-VtmO0priT-VaKYf3PY7hyphenhyphenOt_aOhrXjOimcZZu7mDEVM80MxfOwJr8EUEL-O7uRocZw52b0EsvrERhfzTvN_Mk/s1600/Triple+Falls+Hike-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NxXaeW-R405Vad3Jv2zPQhPJHFQH__zmKmSda5qtgZXowAKDXBCb5-VtmO0priT-VaKYf3PY7hyphenhyphenOt_aOhrXjOimcZZu7mDEVM80MxfOwJr8EUEL-O7uRocZw52b0EsvrERhfzTvN_Mk/s320/Triple+Falls+Hike-14.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright Jodi Stilp Photography LLC<br />
<a href="http://www.jodistilpphotography.com/">www.jodistilpphotography.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrXNf3YN9x7cllOsoc0Mi_lGpPm4hqAPhU5y2Mwr5vc9Fww99qoBxyF5UXyXdn3aF5R2wKwAcSVj-LcW_wYm85nwILXDjcUpsvDGiQ63sglXe7Zrf_ArI1aOKbZLgfF1UwFU8sr04lN0/s1600/Triple+Falls+Hike-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrXNf3YN9x7cllOsoc0Mi_lGpPm4hqAPhU5y2Mwr5vc9Fww99qoBxyF5UXyXdn3aF5R2wKwAcSVj-LcW_wYm85nwILXDjcUpsvDGiQ63sglXe7Zrf_ArI1aOKbZLgfF1UwFU8sr04lN0/s320/Triple+Falls+Hike-16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A guy at the viewpoint offered to take this photo for me and I love it.</td></tr>
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It's always faster on the way back, especially on an out and back trail. We lolly gagged less and made good time back to the car. We all had fun and made it back to our homes in time to get our kids off the school bus.<br />
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Happy birthday Rose! And Happy Hiking Friends.Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-26448461334444722142015-05-10T14:06:00.000-07:002020-07-02T14:17:03.059-07:00Do You Think I'll Do Okay? Will You Love Me Too?On Mother's Day today I am feeling really reflective. When I was growing up, all I wanted to be was a wife and a mom. God gave me an incredible husband and more children and in much quicker succession than I knew I wanted. I wouldn't change a thing. <br />
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Another unexpected twist in motherhood happened when Sarah moved in with us. She launched Parenthood 2.0 and we gained The Bigs. Beautiful, adult children who God knew we needed to enrich our lives. I can't imagine how boring our lives would be without Sarah, Sarai, Todd and Shayla, Josh and finance' Emily, and Kate and finance' Jordan​. We love them like they're our own and are so grateful to their biological families for sharing them with us. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3TZDL5Zs73Qk3SFGbttHl-3yPDJOvlf6BU0h0TE_Wz611Mcx26Lcc0MfoLEnP3AHu6yIMy5_nBAYEClqLxmhjhzLUuK8PW6eGWsnpKSJ9w1RN5zFYDWGEhCTYErPdbxpgU41TnlKh_4/s1600/IMG_3137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3TZDL5Zs73Qk3SFGbttHl-3yPDJOvlf6BU0h0TE_Wz611Mcx26Lcc0MfoLEnP3AHu6yIMy5_nBAYEClqLxmhjhzLUuK8PW6eGWsnpKSJ9w1RN5zFYDWGEhCTYErPdbxpgU41TnlKh_4/s400/IMG_3137.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy how things change so quickly in two years. We're missing half our crew in this photo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3j2UnSNZIaWXbCF7bEWtWOFez7-8WdvUyp4vhaaEEOSrD0Ztd6IPcifjDDwtquk5XXtXiydc3hgbUrs-9T-OaaRicdHJr1OiL8uofK9nsrjNL9T2vSypurCEMO9MOiQN_WY8aKHPhfyg/s1600/Kate's%2BBridal%2BShower%2Bfor%2BFB-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3j2UnSNZIaWXbCF7bEWtWOFez7-8WdvUyp4vhaaEEOSrD0Ztd6IPcifjDDwtquk5XXtXiydc3hgbUrs-9T-OaaRicdHJr1OiL8uofK9nsrjNL9T2vSypurCEMO9MOiQN_WY8aKHPhfyg/s320/Kate's%2BBridal%2BShower%2Bfor%2BFB-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate's bridal shower</td></tr>
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Being a Mom is by far the hardest job I have ever done. I normally shy away from anything that doesn't come naturally to me. Why waste my time striving toward something I stink at? But you can't do that with motherhood. The second I held Grant in my arms, my life and identity changed forever. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1arhVnIuG-uAsCiSBv3rnceFyev5aGYO3RIPwF6F0xCu7r6MSCLTF1uNnDsZgRqRUkwKXzCq0AP9Jy001hhzOugZHu8Zgxw8clsAOcFVcHMKm0vg0NAjPx0SW8sup_2lpBFgPO4TP7fM/s1600/100_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1arhVnIuG-uAsCiSBv3rnceFyev5aGYO3RIPwF6F0xCu7r6MSCLTF1uNnDsZgRqRUkwKXzCq0AP9Jy001hhzOugZHu8Zgxw8clsAOcFVcHMKm0vg0NAjPx0SW8sup_2lpBFgPO4TP7fM/s320/100_5218.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game changer...</td></tr>
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I can't tell you how many times I've looked at my crew of Lovelies and thought, "<i>I stink at this. I have NO idea what to do. My poor kids got stuck with me as their Mom and I'm failing at this.</i>" I know it's self-defeating and not accurate, but there are moments when our emotions overwhelm the truth.<br />
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Today I read a fictional account of what Mary might have thought in those first few hours after Jesus' birth. She ponders out loud, "<i>Do you think I'll do okay? Will you love me too?</i>" It made me cry because I ask myself those same questions all the time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor4zWdvI-X0WTQu7h_eQRahbNFsnc7yJUaSh3Gx9bOHvYVD4tGHb8994-ktDaiOBH5dv7biFmBU9qMPeuyjoWr0-ALCCz7TLwv-E3TgnnImvzXEfZ_piInWHQgBEeluCu4eHxJ2RlSfs/s1600/Jared's%2BPhotos%2BMy%2Bedits-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor4zWdvI-X0WTQu7h_eQRahbNFsnc7yJUaSh3Gx9bOHvYVD4tGHb8994-ktDaiOBH5dv7biFmBU9qMPeuyjoWr0-ALCCz7TLwv-E3TgnnImvzXEfZ_piInWHQgBEeluCu4eHxJ2RlSfs/s320/Jared's%2BPhotos%2BMy%2Bedits-15.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">copyright<a href="http://www.jaredwhitney.com/"> Jared Whitney</a></td></tr>
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This season of Curt being a full-time doctoral student on top of working a full-time job has been grueling for all of us. Change is hard to adjust to and it is taking a toll on all of us. I have repeatedly failed my kids by responding to them in anger instead of love. With a harsh word instead of kindness. And yet they continually forgive me. They choose to still love me. We're getting through this day by day and are getting stronger because of it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4Js4MU6s0APOV_B1Z5FwKNRw0tlpWv90a_xxS7QX9v1Tl0NYbf83M_iiy1QcSHySNkgrdOKOBhbuTSv5FVlApsjtHdI-BrNd-LH40A4IuAd1qXeEn_eXISoc_Fsex0VxPhKT6eCTvwQ/s1600/Jared's%2BPhotos%2BMy%2Bedits-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4Js4MU6s0APOV_B1Z5FwKNRw0tlpWv90a_xxS7QX9v1Tl0NYbf83M_iiy1QcSHySNkgrdOKOBhbuTSv5FVlApsjtHdI-BrNd-LH40A4IuAd1qXeEn_eXISoc_Fsex0VxPhKT6eCTvwQ/s320/Jared's%2BPhotos%2BMy%2Bedits-12.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright <a href="http://www.jaredwhitney.com/">Jared Whitney</a></td></tr>
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It takes a village to raise our kids. I am so grateful for my Mom who has always modeled love to me. I inherited a mom-in-love and a step-mom who both love our entire family. We fumbled through the growing pains of blending families, but God is so good. He writes stories of redemption and beauty and second chances and I love all these women so much.<br />
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God has given me three sisters-in-love who are wonderful mothers, a slew of incredible friends that are raising incredible kids, and a group of older, wiser women who mentor me and pray for me and my kids. Each woman models some mothering skill to me that is admirable and encouraging. We need each other. Our kids need each other. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwQ12HwoDE5_RfYEErki85RQKzYvGZr1g1GwOjX77DZxXTSGw1GSriSF44ipzzciDOagDLitOAVUyGpq86ZHdWlQ8_j2jhphRmh-vvNYdEN0XE2FKOKDyJxBEVZ6EncGStBJN71e1vio/s1600/Ru+and+Jodi+at+Block+House-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwQ12HwoDE5_RfYEErki85RQKzYvGZr1g1GwOjX77DZxXTSGw1GSriSF44ipzzciDOagDLitOAVUyGpq86ZHdWlQ8_j2jhphRmh-vvNYdEN0XE2FKOKDyJxBEVZ6EncGStBJN71e1vio/s320/Ru+and+Jodi+at+Block+House-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My amazing Mom</td></tr>
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Being a Mom might be the hardest job I've ever had, but it is also the most fulfilling. Today my kids let me sleep in, made me breakfast, and presented me with beautiful hand-made gifts, cards, and Instagram posts that melted my heart. I will treasure them always. My kids extend grace to cover my failings. They always forgive. Always love. Always make me laugh. They are some of my greatest gifts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxSrjOlp-rO5wbOrslsFSkjbTxJFwxXSbyJtLHTjMmR6CwVMKWEAcawsDida4bvQAd7AhHSNT3BAH5EF3iYDow9K-LbqqNvIWB_rX8gppWsZezw3OAmg25m0-JTvBnzcRv2e8qW_ZMCU/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxSrjOlp-rO5wbOrslsFSkjbTxJFwxXSbyJtLHTjMmR6CwVMKWEAcawsDida4bvQAd7AhHSNT3BAH5EF3iYDow9K-LbqqNvIWB_rX8gppWsZezw3OAmg25m0-JTvBnzcRv2e8qW_ZMCU/s320/IMG_2507.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have a strong selfie game</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQsRaPmSCJzcDVSQNmip0jxVYNbamZkYG0wd5b_7EVRnNg1p5q4TdhTfelw5Mmq9sATSsjXZzLHsA-WE-oM8HXKz59EI-suEjOo-Y5IMXDb2mCFIQFW4TMdZJIWdZtBiJaskJCP2l4w0/s1600/IMG_2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQsRaPmSCJzcDVSQNmip0jxVYNbamZkYG0wd5b_7EVRnNg1p5q4TdhTfelw5Mmq9sATSsjXZzLHsA-WE-oM8HXKz59EI-suEjOo-Y5IMXDb2mCFIQFW4TMdZJIWdZtBiJaskJCP2l4w0/s320/IMG_2510.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all my Treasures.</td></tr>
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THANK YOU to each one of you who has joined Curt and I on this journey of raising passionate, Jesus-following, crazy awesome kids. I am so grateful to each of you for the role you have played in our lives.<br />
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Happy Mother's Day!<br />
<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173031687428694793.post-54418465030208603382015-03-01T23:17:00.000-08:002020-07-02T14:17:19.208-07:00Shellburg Falls - An Unexpected Treasure<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1_jirw4VT5Bc1hoAFKIFvw7JfZGE8-MuY44e0sXG1ECvxd9z11O5NDYTpoo2zgcD7b9qXiCc7JJaGhd6zjdTSIDuceWAkHczszDrNg4glUIfMbHtJ53WEy6P7onbjqh-PtQlyxebweM/s1600/Shellberg+Falls+Hike+EDITED-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1_jirw4VT5Bc1hoAFKIFvw7JfZGE8-MuY44e0sXG1ECvxd9z11O5NDYTpoo2zgcD7b9qXiCc7JJaGhd6zjdTSIDuceWAkHczszDrNg4glUIfMbHtJ53WEy6P7onbjqh-PtQlyxebweM/s1600/Shellberg+Falls+Hike+EDITED-37.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabbath Rest with the Fam</td></tr>
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President's Day was GORGEOUS here. Somehow Oregon has missed the memo that it is supposed to be winter. We've had a very sunny, dry and warm winter which could lead to drought-like conditions this summer. I'm choosing to enjoy every ray of sunshine and praying that we get the snow we need for a fire-free summer.<br />
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The kids and Curt were off from school and work so we took the dogs and drove to the Shellburg Falls trailhead in the Santiam State Forest. These days of Sabbath Rest are so important for our family now that Curt is in grad school. We need them to keep functioning at such a full-throttle pace. This hike exceeded our entire family's expectations for a whole list of reasons.<br />
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1. <b> EASY TRAILHEAD ACCESS. </b> We took I5 south to Salem. Exited onto the Santiam Highway. Drove for 23 miles. Turned left onto Fern Ridge Road. 1.2 miles later and we were at the trailhead parking lot. No gravel roads or car-swallowing pot holes - this route was straightforward and easy to get to. <br />
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2. <b> CLOSE. </b> Most of the hikes in our guidebooks involve driving an average of 1.5 hours from Newberg to get to the trailhead. Because we didn't encounter any traffic we were able to get to the trailhead in an hour. The kids actually asked in disbelief, "We're here already? Awesome!"<br />
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3. <b>EASY.</b> This hike is easy-peasy. The hardest part about it is the length. At 5.7 miles round trip, it might be a bit too far for really little legs. The route is a balloon - out and back on the gravel road with a loop through the forest. The parts of the trail that gained elevation did it gradually. None of the kids complained about the ascending and we all loved coming back down from the highest point.<br />
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4. <b> SCENIC. </b>This hike was so pretty. The first 1.3 miles are on a wide, gravel road through private farmland featuring one rolling meadow after another. It was like something out of a fairy tale - idyllic and peaceful with baby cows and momma cows playing in the meadows.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnFlmRa6nmxrvWq2y-YbSjxvyS0O2enxdij1_gOzkfnJ3Ut_vm254DkN1rKiAeQnUL6j4vAZH2Hgm7XmiRex5Mb4zccZFGjZWS3pIQMCQqvZjXIdhY3w7-iMDQ3njjugmKalQWdtCe54/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnFlmRa6nmxrvWq2y-YbSjxvyS0O2enxdij1_gOzkfnJ3Ut_vm254DkN1rKiAeQnUL6j4vAZH2Hgm7XmiRex5Mb4zccZFGjZWS3pIQMCQqvZjXIdhY3w7-iMDQ3njjugmKalQWdtCe54/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paige, Grant and Dusty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LShRkMHipn6XRsXrkfwjwRHi8ADpcvSY55Bp3pLSMigKMIVMHKQxG_EaRsBu5oomqBPZE6duitYetwCfibDbGwNWUC8TqrXcgFtr7eq-mnikVe9vWP1Xw62TT0G5uf6J6k7ChIRSYSc/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LShRkMHipn6XRsXrkfwjwRHi8ADpcvSY55Bp3pLSMigKMIVMHKQxG_EaRsBu5oomqBPZE6duitYetwCfibDbGwNWUC8TqrXcgFtr7eq-mnikVe9vWP1Xw62TT0G5uf6J6k7ChIRSYSc/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-5.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paige, Curt and Alli</td></tr>
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The old growth forest was everything I love about Oregon. Ridiculously tall trees covered in moss and every shade of green imaginable. The warm sunlight filtered through them, dancing on the ground in front of us and casting beautiful shadows on the trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0J8xxK32F7EQXrJjpZ0g7dgVjGUpi5lrbPcA8Dp2HG1lNookj01otLl3flE-32L2mjDeF6VOz0p0IHA4vMm_fZC7zrKqSGqjjm_bLan4gG3o9MZREhZ4ppPKdJBj8ZNFkaVpLSpgoLA/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0J8xxK32F7EQXrJjpZ0g7dgVjGUpi5lrbPcA8Dp2HG1lNookj01otLl3flE-32L2mjDeF6VOz0p0IHA4vMm_fZC7zrKqSGqjjm_bLan4gG3o9MZREhZ4ppPKdJBj8ZNFkaVpLSpgoLA/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">light and shadows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZPaa4V6T__E4ZAgKH-KJo4m6On1icFPIr10cAcnDdDJoawf6EeywTxK3ElYZIdBUup9SksMOXqf-GxTCH6-2QMM2xQZLsmLHhiGbjpHQKyqB9_lMuBehfxT-De_O69AbLg0672LaDP4/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZPaa4V6T__E4ZAgKH-KJo4m6On1icFPIr10cAcnDdDJoawf6EeywTxK3ElYZIdBUup9SksMOXqf-GxTCH6-2QMM2xQZLsmLHhiGbjpHQKyqB9_lMuBehfxT-De_O69AbLg0672LaDP4/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXVzxnSzKyY7-0FenasHZ03-Q1ycAfWkpJ4XG_uqjKNwiYjoIzpFpJPPCU3R8GxgQM_PoWkSjWqlhDouiinjSk6dgTVSbenSyRmW13oR_31tf9mvSVdymbFLyXq45KKUzTnEpyDqRKLk/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXVzxnSzKyY7-0FenasHZ03-Q1ycAfWkpJ4XG_uqjKNwiYjoIzpFpJPPCU3R8GxgQM_PoWkSjWqlhDouiinjSk6dgTVSbenSyRmW13oR_31tf9mvSVdymbFLyXq45KKUzTnEpyDqRKLk/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-18.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">every shade of green</td></tr>
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We viewed three waterfalls in 5.7 miles. Lower Shellburg Falls, Shellburg Falls, and Stassel Falls. Lower Shellburg Falls is at the junction of the private road and a trail into the forest. We stood on a bridge above the falls and looked down, down, down as the water dropped over the edge to the creek bottom below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPmbRuRuVB7UNFnvoQQMng96KwSuVcDupGhmZpRHgVx-5PTcmGY-SP5uNQZOPE0XZIqI-JkYwpOQrdgvVZj2eqkY6xayF9JCRy7lY8HLksZL1xbJSdN-bFPn2HZ2UZa_tEz6C3D3tzmU/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPmbRuRuVB7UNFnvoQQMng96KwSuVcDupGhmZpRHgVx-5PTcmGY-SP5uNQZOPE0XZIqI-JkYwpOQrdgvVZj2eqkY6xayF9JCRy7lY8HLksZL1xbJSdN-bFPn2HZ2UZa_tEz6C3D3tzmU/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-6.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over the top of Lower Shellburg Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zMUNth0DcIt9FGDnaH1kPar48THNU5c9BWSgUJXU1Jopa2C3ohUA-_wum1ai9E9Z6f_I0DqRdSuuRuOUTgGviah4Y7HdQBAo76MsjdeNHgvBIHXR59rkwihzQmrOwkf9JN5LaG3Q9-4/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zMUNth0DcIt9FGDnaH1kPar48THNU5c9BWSgUJXU1Jopa2C3ohUA-_wum1ai9E9Z6f_I0DqRdSuuRuOUTgGviah4Y7HdQBAo76MsjdeNHgvBIHXR59rkwihzQmrOwkf9JN5LaG3Q9-4/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids and dogs by Lower Shellburg Falls. The water goes under the bridge they're sitting on and tumbles over the edge on the other side.</td></tr>
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The trail through the woods took us to a viewing station at the base of Shellburg Falls. The kids stood on the water's edge and let the spray from the waterfall gently kiss their faces. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42ENZhdmSCQmlKuTug-HU_59vYi-ipLW1a24VZk77k4x7JBKREnW28PT-tTX6lpFDHVc_goeLGezPT3umef5XWaOO7Cz9o3-e5v4mNVCEwS2O0wjN96WG8tXSCCSrdZ1pMGL1PrXMBIU/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42ENZhdmSCQmlKuTug-HU_59vYi-ipLW1a24VZk77k4x7JBKREnW28PT-tTX6lpFDHVc_goeLGezPT3umef5XWaOO7Cz9o3-e5v4mNVCEwS2O0wjN96WG8tXSCCSrdZ1pMGL1PrXMBIU/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie getting kissed by the water at the lower viewpoint of Shellburg Falls.</td></tr>
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From the viewing station we hiked up and then behind Shellburg Falls. This was the only part as the trail that felt a little dangerous. It was muddy and there was no guard rail on the edge of the trail. It would be easy to lose your footing and slip over the edge if you weren't being careful. Take caution in this small section of the trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5OuM1wC8aMcKNEN3k6QDyOmO2H3T0uehpiXShFN4UWq6Wh8j61tobMhLdcJiJo7VpsyV6tWTmpYKgOpl9hhvL6d1lwzZBQZaKpaQ-7dF70dfEMLkDQ2m253JyLkLdvCJNY1lAPveKWs/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5OuM1wC8aMcKNEN3k6QDyOmO2H3T0uehpiXShFN4UWq6Wh8j61tobMhLdcJiJo7VpsyV6tWTmpYKgOpl9hhvL6d1lwzZBQZaKpaQ-7dF70dfEMLkDQ2m253JyLkLdvCJNY1lAPveKWs/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-8.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shellburg Falls </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs5FvniCLw1ApTiLPH8JIX6PvPTvBF2xsBf9GqOjVGH4dgmvdYxpNcoNl8PcA8iHhbDTbVf-obpXCsCUFg_pIho08oaGdAzs1usRU0BJRYMo6SrBkKcbSMSJJ4KGKzhn-H07cN1O7tZg/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs5FvniCLw1ApTiLPH8JIX6PvPTvBF2xsBf9GqOjVGH4dgmvdYxpNcoNl8PcA8iHhbDTbVf-obpXCsCUFg_pIho08oaGdAzs1usRU0BJRYMo6SrBkKcbSMSJJ4KGKzhn-H07cN1O7tZg/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family behind the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBzqKtFSUDz8WwLw59Eesg6Oe9Jp0X69AyIOuWievDmsmpXiUBByTOjys-5Wevq4-laWoFbdcNiRhQuc31hWP81WRonJYls_4Wx9Ty3heBm5hH_WLVH_n3B6si4EmI4syLMhD3mvjVzw/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBzqKtFSUDz8WwLw59Eesg6Oe9Jp0X69AyIOuWievDmsmpXiUBByTOjys-5Wevq4-laWoFbdcNiRhQuc31hWP81WRonJYls_4Wx9Ty3heBm5hH_WLVH_n3B6si4EmI4syLMhD3mvjVzw/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-11.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing in the cave behind the waterfall shooting out</td></tr>
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We climbed up a flight of stairs and followed the trail up into the forest above the waterfall coming out at a remote and darling campground. We picnicked and filled our water bottles at the campground. It would be a great place to come back to stay for a weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_lHa1jIfCCkmSf5vxuLS6wmG-17Ftd28-yu0-l-gRetWwqYcNUP4YHpLXwWDMJfNyztFIFuQN3Mb0GuqERt__119Jut14g7s9M0qtqKwKSHQ1umHIB_S1Z6kcKKk8VhKbEtT1yeRHz8/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_lHa1jIfCCkmSf5vxuLS6wmG-17Ftd28-yu0-l-gRetWwqYcNUP4YHpLXwWDMJfNyztFIFuQN3Mb0GuqERt__119Jut14g7s9M0qtqKwKSHQ1umHIB_S1Z6kcKKk8VhKbEtT1yeRHz8/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-13.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stairs going up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7_IPr4TSU9MidgNG-dB2FNMyIEWbSxTGRDA1tvMvFIyek_cnbC7pBC_oupkSgGPdFkB-u7cU9V4RBwkLkt4mXS5pcXufkOGPtkOpl1dzGB14XOhiaKJLKoEihCTQ5IKFE977LTHmgn8/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7_IPr4TSU9MidgNG-dB2FNMyIEWbSxTGRDA1tvMvFIyek_cnbC7pBC_oupkSgGPdFkB-u7cU9V4RBwkLkt4mXS5pcXufkOGPtkOpl1dzGB14XOhiaKJLKoEihCTQ5IKFE977LTHmgn8/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-14.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these cute bridges were spread out on the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbd4ZKOQi2nZuwh3O8W_GeR23S8_370lCBq-H3lwvORGJEpzQHRjjNpjTe0ZrjgFJrrkgu5iB7hLLYqov8Byx5QF-so7UAkC3rbR_gVroEAb-0yf8NBNGdUbrV94tBndSUOgHO0bwWdE/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbd4ZKOQi2nZuwh3O8W_GeR23S8_370lCBq-H3lwvORGJEpzQHRjjNpjTe0ZrjgFJrrkgu5iB7hLLYqov8Byx5QF-so7UAkC3rbR_gVroEAb-0yf8NBNGdUbrV94tBndSUOgHO0bwWdE/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-16.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimber and Dusty - the best of friends - at our picnic spot.</td></tr>
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There were several trails stemming from the campground, but we took the suggestion in our hiking book and followed the Vine Maple Trail back into the woods. It looped us back toward the water and then up again into more forest where we began our descent back down. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu30DPZOVfiNKxLj1yckyJZT0EOSOfWtsEZ3sdAlLZlbJRMH-fa5qzbOl9UpW0CeuG40RzLx87Gn9-e2irLsPr0bra87VXuyVmnOo6wY2tbJvRQUH1c9OTjWXsQO4bmpDW5sLmtVB98qM/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu30DPZOVfiNKxLj1yckyJZT0EOSOfWtsEZ3sdAlLZlbJRMH-fa5qzbOl9UpW0CeuG40RzLx87Gn9-e2irLsPr0bra87VXuyVmnOo6wY2tbJvRQUH1c9OTjWXsQO4bmpDW5sLmtVB98qM/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-19.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the highest point before we started back down.</td></tr>
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An unmarked trail feeds off the route we were on. We followed it and it took us to the top of Stassel Falls. Hidden in the woods on the edge of the Santiam State Forest, Stassel Falls was beautiful, but hard to get a clear view of from the spot in the forest that we were viewing it. I loved standing on the rocks above the falls though and watching the water dive over the edge to the creek bottom below. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwIujTYTnIBROsuUibLAHdsyPH3llXYRbZ6PbDBLYp75jhmrFrGv2ulHKghlX7Fze9cksdPOgCZoD6oKCm3lOWW7uuikucZC538c17vZfHGDQK4NkgmI_j0Cj3OUaZy_7WGCC_uIREfk/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwIujTYTnIBROsuUibLAHdsyPH3llXYRbZ6PbDBLYp75jhmrFrGv2ulHKghlX7Fze9cksdPOgCZoD6oKCm3lOWW7uuikucZC538c17vZfHGDQK4NkgmI_j0Cj3OUaZy_7WGCC_uIREfk/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the unmarked trail junction</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzkFIYttRINOaxd4nIpViTt4mmg9ZL23bsXb-ndczHDj4fcvI4CLpQoY3MXZCfnwVLNkFfNmq6TtO6fWKqHewth8C4SMqglNIEU3-63u_f7ELIypImMAvuQ-bzPZ8fGG9sl4i1QzmwpI/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzkFIYttRINOaxd4nIpViTt4mmg9ZL23bsXb-ndczHDj4fcvI4CLpQoY3MXZCfnwVLNkFfNmq6TtO6fWKqHewth8C4SMqglNIEU3-63u_f7ELIypImMAvuQ-bzPZ8fGG9sl4i1QzmwpI/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stable Falls dropping off the edge...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitROZSiJF8jYaavGVkX9Vg2FqMvhHTShQLWbXMuo_2BZxMpdHXx8UKOq_lJSKoJIbrZ3hf_Adl2OxWQOmMb-e5_IP3srYWcbdYcCBxndXoyPmBxWueG0AjJROV030nBlmbh70CwQNb2fI/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitROZSiJF8jYaavGVkX9Vg2FqMvhHTShQLWbXMuo_2BZxMpdHXx8UKOq_lJSKoJIbrZ3hf_Adl2OxWQOmMb-e5_IP3srYWcbdYcCBxndXoyPmBxWueG0AjJROV030nBlmbh70CwQNb2fI/s1600/Shellburg+falls+tiny-17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the top of Stassel Falls</td></tr>
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5. <b>NOT CROWDED. </b>The Shellburg Falls hike was a total gem. Unlike nearby Silver Falls State Park that is ALWAYS crowded, Shellburg Falls was virtually untouched by humans. We only passed a handful of groups out hiking on a beautiful, holiday day. That alone will draw me back. <br />
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Overall it was a banner day. The kids never complained once. The dogs loved hiking with us and had several opportunities to get a drink in the creek. The weather was gorgeous. The trails well marked. The waterfalls beautiful. We came home feeling like we'd enjoyed the day without being overly exhausted from too much exertion hiking.<br />
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If you're looking for a scenic hike that's not too strenuous and that is close to Newberg, I highly recommend Shellburg Falls. Happy hiking!<br />
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<br />Jodi Stilphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04329375455810397582noreply@blogger.com0