Rose Bowl Action

It took us many hours to actually make it to Pasadena. We actually stayed in Lake Elsinore with my Aunt Karen, my cousin Tyson and his new family.

I love my extended family. I hardly ever see them, but they are fabulous. I hadn't seen Tyson in about 12 years and I wondered if I would still click with him; and we did. He gave me the best hug when I first saw him. I loved it. He is a tow-truck driver so that's why he is so reflective right here.....and we both kinda look funny because of the shadow action from the flash....our heads have an odd shape.


Rose Parade Decorating




Pops grew up in Pasadena and on New Years Day in our house it was always a big deal to watch the parade. My dad would tell us how the floats are covered in flowers; that literally every single inch was covered with some organic material. I, of course, never believed him. "It's not possible," I would say......actually, it is possible. It was beautiful. I was amazed at the creations and artistic ability. I could create a whole post just on the decorating....but I decided to keep it to a bare minimum.

Us with some monkeys with oatmeal faces.

The Tuskegee Airman had a float and were even signing autographs. We all stood in line to briefly meet them. If you don't know who the Tuskegee Airman are.....please go look them up!

Many of the floats used seeds to cover the surface. The artwork on the right is entirely made up of mustard seeds. The one on the left is a combination of seeds; the black seeds were an onion seed.

Someday I am going to return and volunteer to decorate. AMAZING STUFF!

This is the street my dad grew up on. I had to take a picture because I love streets like this one. It was quiet, and trees lined the street giving it the perfect arch over the street. Pops would probably make fun of me if he knew I took this picture. He would respond by saying, "Cass, it's just a street. It's like any other street.....nothing special." Still, I just really like it.

The Bitoni's Pizza Joint!! These are old Pasadena friends. Their Italian names make you want to sing out cool sounding songs. We ate there twice....meeting different old friends each time.

Pep Rally and Game Day

I Love My Ducks

The pep rally was in Santa Monica....and it was raining. But it didn't stop Oregon from having a good time. Pops met the Zoltar from BIG.

Pops and Troy with their Duck wigs.....it was too hot to wear them for the game, but they still looked good.

I hardly took any pictures of my Uncle and sadly this is one of them. He is behind us as we walk the 1-2 miles to the stadium. We didn't have seats with everyone. The seats came in pairs so we had to split up. Sara and I sat together. We were on the edge of the end zone...row 14...woohoo. We had a good time....even though we lost. We still love our Ducks.

5 Year Anniversary

I missed Robert while I was gone.....and it was sad to spend the day apart but I know we have had a wonderful time thus far and it will keep getting better.

This is what Willie looked like while I was gone.

This is what Robert looked like while I was gone.

Old Friends!

Jennifer was in town from San Diego, and we were able to schedule a quick little get together. We haven't all been together since high school....so it was really great to see them all at the same time. I love these girls.

We met at the sports bar in the casino.....they stayed out much later than I did. I had to leave for Pasadena the following morning but I wish I could have hung out with them more. I found out that Leah lives in Salem and we'll definitely get together sometime.

Kristin lives in Roseburg, but I never see her anymore since she doesn't work at the chiropractor. I miss seeing her as often as I used to.....happy times!

Lindenmeier Christmas

My family's Christmas certainly had a Duck/Rose Bowl theme. My parents didn't put up a big tree just this little one.

We had a good time. My dad here is extra happy.....it's Christmas, we are leaving for the Rose Bowl in a couple of days, his birthday is around the corner, and he's retiring. Happy 2010 for him!

Brad & Tina ~~~~~Joe & Dana

Shyra and Madre - Shyra bought mom the coolest present ever!

Robert, Wayne, & Nancy (Nancy doesn't like her picture taken, but she was very nice to me that night....and she looks great.)

We we're getting ready to take a big family photo and I thought it was funny that my dad was standing there in the middle of the room with an Oregon Santa hat....it's kind of like "Where's Waldo?"

Madre held up a photo of Jeffry and he's on the phone.....so it's like he is even there!

Bumcrot Christmas

We spent early Christmas Eve with Robert's family. Justin's big old Ford truck broke down and he was really dirty. Well, actually Justin is typically this dirty. He just likes to preserve water.
We spent the night of the 23rd there and I spent much of my time reading. Every year Robert and I buy each other a book, and you have to finish it before the next Christmas. I was really dragging my feet on last year's purchase. (But I already finished my 2010 book...woohoo)


Let the festivities begin. The whole fam was there, except for Amy B......next time she'd better be there.

Drew looked through his new book and Rick looked through his new tires.

Lela showing off her new fabric scissors and the boys......being boys.

Justin replaced his old hat and Leighton tried out the new bike, but she really liked trying on Finley's presents. Finley waves at me quite often......maybe she likes me more!

Chase and his grandpa are going to be building a go-kart. That's a pretty awesome 6 HP engine!

Does Rich seem more excited about his pumpkin pie than Mama Lela does about her new boots?

Mac Court Basketball

I really like to watch basketball games....maybe even more than football?? I am not sure. There is just something about basketball that gets me going. March Madness is one of my most favorite times of the year; I watch hours worth of basketball during that tournament.

The family has never been to a game at Mac Court. We have heard wonderful things about the venue and MacArthur Court will be demolished after this season so we decided it was time to go to a game. The Duck basketball team certainly isn't great this year, but it's ok....we'll watch the Ducks anytime.

Our trek to Eugene was slightly treacherous.....not really, but the weather forecast was bleak. We saw a couple of accidents, but never felt in danger during our drive. We met my parents, Brad, and Myles in Eugene for the game.

We had lots of fun....we had awesome seats, but we forgot the camera in the car. Pops retrieved the camera during half time. During half time they play BINGO. I love BINGO. I could sit in a BINGO hall all day. I did not win, but I was just so dang excited to play BINGO at a basketball game.

We only took pictures during the second half.....at which time the Ducks were playing on the opposite end of the court. It was still great.


I didn't realize that Madre knew so little about basketball or I would have explained some more things to her. There's always a next time.

And by the way...it's OFFICIAL, I am going to the Rose Bowl with my parents, sister, uncle, and aunt. Robert is staying home. We will be apart for a whole week. Seems really weird.

A House Divided?

Oregon's big Civil War game is tonight. Oregon vs Oregon State.
We are a house divided.

(We took this picture this morning as soon as we woke. We are very sleepy.)

Robert's loyalty has long been questioned. He married a Duck family and I think he was a loyal Duck once upon a time. He wore the shirt. He stood and cheered at Autzen. He even listened to the game on the radio when it didn't have television coverage.

However, with his recent enrollment at Oregon State to finish his engineering degree his support of the Ducks has been wavering. He wore a Beaver shirt to our Christmas celebration last year, and my family being the accepting people they are, still loved him.....evidenced by mom kissing him on the cheek.

In Costa Rica he openly displayed his loyalty to the world as we trekked through the jungle and enjoyed tropical beaches. At this time I asked him why he didn't have a Duck hat......he purchased one when we attended the Oregon v Cal game, but he doesn't where it often.

So as a Duck fan, I profess my thankfulness for such a strong family to support me in this time of need. My husband doesn't support me, but at least my family does.

Will he break my parents hearts? Probably......but I guess that's why I will get a ticket to the Rose Bowl and he won't. My father has six tickets.....I just have to decide if it's ok to skip our anniversary (the 30th).....does that make me a bad spouse?