All too true

Patio

With the backyard and former dog pen in need of some sprucing up and also in need of some help because of drainage problems, we moved some dirt around, moved fence, etc., and of course, took no pictures.

With the grading done and no place for the grill, picnic table and such, the idea of a patio came to be. Here it is in the partly done stage. Hopefully in the next few days I can post a photo of what it looks like complete....

Spring Turkey

Unfortunately, I have to keep the "turkey" in my title singular due to Mr. Tom keeping his distance despite my dogged efforts to arrange a meeting.

Fortunately, Don worked out an early morning, opening-day arrangement with a 22-23 lb gobbler and secured his first non-grocery store turkey. Here he is strolling down the hill with his catch near where I was hunting.

Good job!

Look at the turkey's head and they are on the ugly side I suppose.
But their feathers are beautiful and even more colorful than this photo indicates.

Since you can't shoot a hen in the spring, the only shooting I could do was with my camera. The bird in front is my decoy and the one in back is the real one.
(In case there is some confusion here)

These two jakes (1 year old toms) were close enough to shoot but I thought a tom was nearby so I didn't pull the trigger. The tom never showed himself so...
At least I got a photo.

Since Don was done hunting, he had time to fish.
His second cast yielded this nice large mouth bass.

As well as some crappie.

Dad headed to the lake also and pulled in a few to add to the collection. They tasted great for supper after a full day outdoors.

Remodel Project # 12,398

Perhaps that is a slight exaggeration but it seems the remodeling is ongoing and endless. Particularly when we remodel the remodel.. got that?

The latest is a room in the basement which has been a bedroom for a boarder some years ago, then a den, then a bedroom for Kyle most recently. Now with Kyle gone, we've decided to go back to the den/family room plan. But not with the move out the bed and move in the couch & lounge chair plan but rather the tear it up, enlarge it, new ceiling, new walls, new flooring, more outlets, new lighting plan.

The timetable? Well, that would take some of the mystique out of it if we actually had a completion date wouldn't it?

The drop ceiling is down has been removed. The support posts were previously hidden by two closets, the remnants of which are laying on the floor.

Now the back wall of the closets is gone, save a few studs I've not removed. Removing the closets coupled with some behind the closet gives the room a little over 4' additional width.

Our furnace & hot water were in the open so the new drywall seen here is actually new also and is now a mechanical/storage room.

Holidays 2009 - Part 3

New Years Eve 2009.

A get-together at Davenport Elementary School in Eureka.
We decided to usher in the New Year in a rather lively way.


Have you ever used half a gymnasium to play a card game called Dutch Blitz (SUPER-SIZED)?


Next game? ...... NOUNS!
How would you describe alabaster?
In just 2 words?

How about muskrat?

Or could you act out Grover?
Or caveman?
Remember - the timer's running!

Some of the crew take a time-out for refreshments.
Followed by singing some hymns.

At her "office" in the gym, Paige is busy taking messages despite the bedlam going on just a few feet from her "desk".

Marina and Anthony 'cat-ching' up on 'kiddy' stuff.

After some rousing games of basketball, it's time for Ultimate Frisbee.
Discussing ground rules.

Off and flying!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Holidays 2009 - Part 2

Holiday time is always family time filled with eating, games, craziness, visiting, laughter...

The kitchen on Christmas day. Talking and laughing - who's cooking?

Aha! Looks like Kyle and Kamela are in charge of the mashed potatoes.

Sunday at Rhonda and Leonard's. Undoubtedly, Kamela and Ashley are up to something.

Game time!

Ashley is attempting to draw with her eyes closed.

It's just too easy to peek. Drawing for this team is serious business.

Kyle gives Grandpa a hand.

The sun's out. No need for long underwear and coveralls!

Racquetball is the next activity. Katia, Ashley, and Karmen in a highly competitive showdown.

Karmen whoopin' up on her Dad.

Back to the house for some more goofiness.
Cowgirl Ashley.

Katia, the original goofball!

Kyle moves from "ridee" to "rider".

Settlers of Catan. Even the laid-back become competitive and high-strung in this game.

Katia saw this pencil and decided it was just perfect.

Normal bowling!

Not-so-normal bowling!
Opposite hand.
Eyes closed.
Backwards between the legs (as demonstrated by Kamela).

Backwards between the legs demonstrated by Steve.
Granny style demonstrated by Rhonda.

"The Kicker" demonstrated by Karmen.

Holidays 2009 - Part 1

Last year, while decorating cookies at Thanksgiving time, one of the kids remarked that the cookie they had just decorated looked like the Chinese flag. That comment was the beginning. They decided to decorate an entire batch of cookies representing myriad countries, including some rather obscure nations. They then took the cookies to Grandma and Grandpa's and introduced a new "name game" - as in "how many countries can you identify by the flags handcrafted in icing"?

This year, the contest reached a new level.

Here they are selecting their 40 countries - all of which will have their flags displayed on graham crackers.

Next, Kyle is getting the colors "just right".

The process continues.

Giving attention to all the details.

Flag art is an intense work.

How many can you name? Don't feel bad if you miss a few! You're looking at the flags upside down.

The contest is now underway! Everyone has a list of the countries in hand and are attempting to match with a number located beside each 'flag'.

To other participants, the contest seems somewhat unfair as they observe two renowned "geography experts" comparing notes! In fact, a couple of participants "waved white flags", surrendered, and took a seat!

Ashley checks out the finer points to determine whether she is looking at Vietnam or Suriname.

The contest winner! Having traveled to Europe, Asia, and South America in the past year probably helped. Congratulations Katia!