Winchester Trip

 The kids had a blast at our campsite. This huge sand hill was our backyard and provided hours upon hours of playtime for the kids.

If you look closely at the picture to the right, you can see Jeremy rolling down the hill in a box.  This was a hoot, our very nice neighbors gave the big kids the box and they got to sit back and enjoy the show.

What's a riding trip without Repairs?  One might think that the repairs are part of the fun for these guys.

 Basco wasn't too happy about being on the leash the whole time. But he did most of his pouting on this chair. He "let" Chris share it with him.

Taking a break after a ride. Cameron, Amy, Ryan, Chris and Bruce (Chris's Dad)

This picture shows how our campsites were connected. The white toy trailer closest is Amy & Chris's and was our kitchen and bathroom (Thanks again Amy and Chris). The black trailer in the middle is our trailer. Then in the far end was our nice neighbors that thankfully enjoyed our kids.

I regret not taking my small camera with me on one of my rides. It would be great to have some of those pictures.  Everyone got to ride, even the boys went up Banshee hill with Daddy. Rhys couldn't get enough and refused to take his helmet off.

Family Photo Shoot

School pictures

Ty is having to choose which school to apply for next year, can you believe it? We've gone to Open Houses and listened to everyone tell us why he should choose their school. The whole idea of having to choose the direction of your education at 5th grade blows me away. In the end he has chosen a school that has a main focus is Environmental Science. They get to go out in the field at different sites once a week and write a full report on it. It's extremely demanding school. and get this, he would have to be on the bus a 6:40am! This won't be a problem for Ty, since he was a baby he loved getting up early. Well cross your fingers for Ty. There are only 60 slots and over 200 applicants. It's done by lottery so lets hope Luck is in the air.

I can't believe they actually got them to look good in the same shot.

It's the only picture I have where they both look sweet.

Taken shortly before their 3rd Birthday

KayLeigh is blooming into such a beautiful young lady.

9 years old / 4th grade
Kay has been joining Ty and I at all the open houses, and she's starting to realize that Ty isn't going to be by her side next year. She is very nervous. He is her security blanket. She's making some nice friends at school so that should help ease the transition.

ZigZag 2010

Quick photo add, I'll write more later..... :)

Enjoying the cool down

BBQ at El Dorado Park

Bring your kids, playing gear and a side-dish. Let's get the nets up, balls flying and frisbee's whirling.

The map below shows the layout of the park. We will have someone there at 7ap to hold a spot. (Unfortunately without a large group, 500+, you cannot reserve a spot.) The address for the park is

7550 E. Spring St. 562-570-1773.

Mel's Cell phone number is 503-550-0433

My new pathway - my Mother's Day gift.

I was a bit forward this Mother's Day and asked for exactly what I wanted. Some might think that it takes away from the romance. But if I left it to Ryan he would have gotten me more diamonds and I already have more then I can wear. I know I know I'm an odd girl to ask for slate instead of diamonds, but I know what I want ;)

I saw a walkway at my friend Terri Scott's in Trout Lake over ten years ago and have been lusting after it ever since. She had slate winding through the grass with woolly thyme growing in between. It had been there for some time so it was well established and the thyme was like a carpet. When you walked you could smell the thyme. Just gorgeous.

On Saturday we went out and hand picked the rocks and laid them out. It took three trips to get all the stone that was needed but in the end, and a ton of stone later, I just love it.

Brachs 11/2001 - 4/2010

A man's best friend

The original party animal

This morning has been very difficult for us, Brachs woke us up not being able to walk and needing to go outside. After carrying her outside so she could relieve herself she passed away within a few minutes. Brachs died with seemingly very little pain and worrying more about not making a mess in the house than her condition. Brachs has been truly man’s best friend and I am very privileged to have had her by my side. So much of my life and now our families life has revolved around Brachs that it is going to be very difficult to let her go and not miss her a hour by hour basis. Coming home without the exited “welcome home, I missed you so much” tail wags and doggy loving is going to very hard for our family. I have been looking at pictures of Brachs to include with this email and it is amazing how much we have been through together and how many lives she has touched, it is amazing to see how small Ty and KayLeigh were when she welcomed them as her own, it is heart wrenching to see her loving to take care of Jack and Rhys when they were babies and to know how little they will remember of the amazing dog that considered them her own pups. I have hundreds of photos of Brachs that deserve a story about her but unfortunately I can only attach a few, please take a moment to look at them and remember our beloved Brachs.

With tears,
The Tallman Family

Brachs and her two pups.

Greg & Brachs

Brachs making sure she was going with her family.

Rafting down the Rouge River, just Ry and his two ladies.

Kim and Brachs

Thanksgiving 2009 at the Dorros'

These are the after pictures, I will have to get my hands on the actual party and post them. It was a success if I do say so myself... It went so smoothly with everyone pitching in. It is what Thanksgiving is all about.. being around family and being grateful for all that we have.

The boys were comfy watching cartoons in their pj's so us adults could enjoy the post party.

Kim and I made thes little place holder pumpkins. It took a little longer then we had thought, but it was nothing a bottle of wine couldn't help. We loved the end results and were happy we stayed with it.

Ty turns 10!

Ty entered the double digits on November 28th... (yeah, I know I'm a bit behind)

Ty got a new bike! When I went shopping for the bike I was overwhelmed with choices and just couldn't believe me little boy was moving to a 20" bike. I ended up recruiting Ryan and he endured ToyRus for me to pick it out. Ty and his buddies had a great time playing Lazertag and eating overpriced pizza!

Shirl comes to visit

My closest and oldest girlfriend came up to visit in September.. and these are the only photos I have.... hint hint Shirl...

We went to see Heart at Edgefield. We had a great weekend and were able to catch up and reconnect. I loved it.

Thanksgiving at the Dorros' Headquarters

I thought this might be easier for everyone involved. Having one place to go where you can sign up for dishes and ask questions about Thanksgiving at the Dorros'. (Please keep in mind that this site is open to the public, so no personal information should be given, for example; address and phone numbers.)
I will check the comments and make changes to this list as they become unavailable and move them down to the list below "Our Thanksgiving Menu". I figure this way, I don't have to bug everyone with e-mails each time there is a change. I also have some great recipes, so if you would like to make one of the items below, and don't have a recipe to speak of, let me know by making a comment and I'll get back to you with it.

Thanks to everyones help, our Menu is complete!

Our Thanksgiving Menu - Complete

• Crudite platter Pete & Shirley
• Sausage Rolls Silvia
• Deviled Eggs Silvia
• Cold Appetizer Rob & Mary
• Warm Appetizer Lee & Mary Lou
• Roasted Vegetables, Squash & Sweet Potatoes Ryan & Mel
• Potato Casserole Rob & Mary
• Mashed Potatoes Kim & Greg
• Creamed Onions Rob & Eva
• Green Bean Casserole Rob & Eva
• Green Salad Tina & Stan
• Bread Lee & Mary Lou
• Cranberries Lee & Mary Lou
• Turkey Stu & Vickie
• Gravy Stu & Vickie
• Stuffing Stu & Vickie
• Prime Rib Ryan & Mel
• Pumpkin Pie 1 & 2 Pete & Shirley
• Pumplin Pie 3 Rob & Mary
• Fruit Pie 1 Renee
• Fruit Pie 2 Renee
• Mystery Dessert Greg & Kim

First Day of School