Merry Christmas 2011

Thanks to all our family and friends who helped make Christmas very merry indeed. The Pietsch clan, with friend Holly, poses for a family photo in the middle of the morning mayhem.

More Aerial Silks

Aerial silks is turning into Tiernan's thing. She has been going once a week for several months now and is hoping to do a camp over Christmas break. A mix of gymnastics and art, the sport is pretty to watch. I made this picture the other day during a break from my primary job as her chauffeur.

Chris

Delaney drives to the basket

A new basketball season is in full swing with Delaney playing on one of the Creswell Midddle School teams. Go Tigers!

Video screening: Marshmallow Time!

Delaney would like to announce the premier of her experimental video "Marshmallow Time!" The work was a collaboration between her and some friends during a fall sleepover. Enjoy!

Chris

Aerial Silks Class

Tiernan has been taking an aerial silks class at Bounce Gymnastics in Eugene off an on for a couple months now. The sport combines gymnastics, choreographed moves and artist expression into a thing of beauty.

I finally got to one of her practices with a video camera and here is the results!

Chris

Aerial Silks Class

Tiernan is taking an "aerial silks" class at Bounce Gym in Eugene a couple times a week. She is a natural at it and is already doing some pretty complicated routines. It is a beautiful sport to watch. Might have to figure out how to set a rig up in the backyard.

Chris

Forest Nymphs

A sure sign of summer. My family of Forest Nymphs on their way to the Oregon Country Fair.

July 4th Prep

The Creswell 4th of July Parade has gotten so popular that people have started reserving spots along the route the day before. Tiernan made a video of the scene today after we set out our chairs.

Eight Grade Graduation!

Tiernan graduated from the 8th grade tonight! In addition to receiving an academic award for having a 4 point grade average, she also played a year end music video full of pictures of her fellow students which she created.

Our friend Holly shot this family photo for us.
Chris

State Track & Field

Catching up on a busy spring. Tiernan and Delaney had a great season competing in track and field this spring with both girls clocking school year PRs in their respective events. Delaney competed in the 800M and the long jump and Tiernan ran the 100M and the 200M.

Tiernan's performance at the SkyM League District meet qualified her to compete at the Middle School State Meet up in Salem a couple weeks ago. She ran the 100M in a time of 13.9 second and finished the season ranked 12th among all Middle School students in the state.

Great season girls!

Five Years of Piano!

Delaney and Tiernan performed their final Spring Piano Recital at Mary Ellen Yost's Studio Monday night. The pair have both been playing for 5 years now and were awarded trophies, flowers and a pair of cakes in honor of the occasion. Congratulations girls!

Video card

Delaney thanks her Aunt Jaye for a bunch of cool birthday presents with a "Show & Tell" video.

Chris

Spring 2011

Lots of things happening this spring. Spice Camp, track, basketball, Easter and topping it all off? Delaney's 12th birthday! Click on the slideshow above to see it all.

Spider Girls Produce update

Tiernan made a picture of Delaney in her potting shed with her spring vegetable starts the other day. In addition to growing starts for our own garden, she will have plants available for sale.

Six packs of lettuce and broccoli seedlings should be ready soon!

Delaney video: Taken with iPhone

Trying to get the hang of the new iPhone the Register-Guard bought me. Not only did I shoot the video on the phone (about the size of a credit card), but I also edited the piece right on the phone, cutting the clips and adding graphics using the iMovie App.

Pretty amazing.

Chris

Super Students

Delaney and Tiernan both received Superintendent's Awards today at Creswell Middle School. The award is given to students who have a 4.00 GPA midway through the school year. UPDATE: Tiernan received special recognition for having above a 4.00 because she is taking a weighted math class at the High School. School officials corrected the error and added the extra award after the presentation Tuesday. Yeh, girls!

Gary & Marge's wedding

Tiernan did really nice job taking photos at Gary and Marge's wedding on New Year's Day, but it took her photo editor awhile to get the images up. My apologies ;-)

Congratulations Gary and Marge and Happy New Year everybody!

Chris

Circle of life in the yard

Tiernan spotted a bird of prey plucking a pigeon in the neighbor's front yard this morning. After pouring over our bird books we are pretty sure it is a Peregrine Falcon. If true, that would be a pretty rare sighting and a very exciting addition to the yard bird list.

Anybody of you birders have a different opinion out there?