Guitar Hero III

Brandon couldn't wait to go out and spend his birthday money today! "Thank you, Omie and Grant!" He used his money and gift certificate to buy Guitar Hero III!

Brandon's birthday celebration!

On Saturday we celebrated Brandon's 12th birthday! Matt loaded up the van in the morning with the boys and picked up 3 of Brandon's friends. They headed to Ultrazone in Milwaukie, Oregon to play lazer tag for a few hours! Afterwards, they headed back to our home for pizza!

A table full with family and friends!

Brandon chose a lemon cake with ice cream filling!

He made a wish and blew out the candles!!!!

The cake was excellent!

Brandon opening his gifts!

And of course, everyone had to play Rock Band!!!!!

"Omie" came up and celebrated with us! Brandon is almost as tall as she is!

New Years Day road trip!

Today we decided to take a trip to Ridgefield Washington. We toured the town and then went to visit Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is 5,150 acres and is the winter habitat for migrating birds of the Cascade Mountains. You can find out more information about the refuge at http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=13551. They have tons of hiking trails throughout the area that would be fun to visit in the early summer when everything is green and in bloom!

A male and female Mallard
A nutria!
Some Canadian Geese!
A prairie falcon!
View of the refuge!
Another view with all of the birds
These are either nutia or river otters...not sure which, but it is an adult and baby!
The snow capped hills in the background!
This area was filled with swans!

Happy New Year!

Keeping with tradition we rang in the new year together as a family!

8PM --- Rock band, with Tyler singing Mississippi Queen!
9PM -- Family mug shot!

10PM -- Playing "The Mexican Train Game" -- Ryley won, Tina lost!
(at 9:45pm Sarah asked "Can I take a nap now????")

11PM -- we are getting sleepy!
11PM -- Sarah snug in her bed!

Midnight! Our leaning tower of Tishendorfs!

Cheers to a Happy New Year -- good health, good friends, and a prosperous 2008!

Surrounded by family!

I must say that our family is so lucky to have such a wonderful extended family. My Aunt Susan and Uncle Mike drove out to Oregon from Arizona this weekend and were staying with my Uncle Dave and Aunt Linda that live close by. My parents came up from Winchester, OR, and my brother stayed as well, since he is flying back to California on Monday. We all got togerher for a few hours of visiting Sunday evening at our home! It was so nice to see everyone together again!


From left; Jim and Barb Hamlin, Dave and Linda Curtis, Susan and Mike Patterson, Tina (me!), Mike Hamlin and the Tishendorf children -- Ryan, Ryley, Tyler (front) Tori, Sarah and Brandon!

Caution to those who receive scratch lottery tickets

Be sure to turn up the volume, so you can hear this video!

Tishendorf and company rock band!

The Christmas gift that has gotten the most use so far is the game simply known as "Rock Band" for the Xbox 360. It was a gift to the kids from their Great Grandma Hamlin! "Thank you Great Grandma!!!!!!!" The game comes with a microphone, drums and guitar and as you watch the TV screen each "rocker" has to attempt to karaoke the chosen song, keep the rhythm on the drums and hit all the notes on the guitar. After playing just one song we have a new sense of respect for the musically gifted!

Tori singing, Brandon on drums and Ryan (GO DUCKS!!) on guitar!
Tina's Dad on drums and Brandon on guitar!

(Note the audience on the couch!) Brandon on drums and Tina's brother Mike on guitar!