Hardwood Puzzles from Larry Horseman

The Mastadon is mahogany.  He used a clear finish on the puzzle but not the frame.

Stand alone puzzle.  The colors are more true in this photo.

The owls in hickory.

Separated.

Don't know why this came up sideways??  Notice the three baby owls.  If you go back up you can see them hiding in the tree.

Thank You Larry!!!

February 2012 Snow

We were supposed to be headed to KC for a routine Dr appointment for Carol today, BUT

the snow started during the night and is still coming down.  Had to notify Deane and the Schroeders that we would not be meeting them at Oklahoma Joes at 11:30.

So I've attempted to take bird pictures with the pitiful digital cameras that we have.

We put up the bird feeders about a week ago so we could get rid of the 50 pounds of sunflower seeds we bought last fall.  They are "flocking" to it!!

Forecast is for up to 4 inches in our area.  May have to break out the sleds??

A short day with Rae and Eric

Twas a sunny and windy Saturday with temps starting at 10 degrees and climbing "rapidly" to 26 degrees for the HIGH!!  We left at 8:10 and made it to Aaron and Erin's in NKC about 11:30.  Rae is starting to crawl.  Last week she was doing the leg drag with all arms but recently she began using legs to help!  Yep, she was the center of attention.  Kim, Ayden and Ava arrived at the same time we did.  Alec and Shannon stayed in California, MO.

Ava was quite intent on "helping" Ava with her crawling.

Even Grandma Kim (darn that sounds strange!!) was into the crawling help.

Eric finally arrived about 1:30.  The party for Jason's 40th birthday had consumed considerable time in the evening!!

We had pizza for lunch and talked and talked.  The old fogies left about 2:30 so we could return to the lake before the sun turned out its light about 6pm!! 

Grandma Kim with the help of two munchkins was going to take care of Rae while E & A had a night out.  Eric was to spend the night at Jason's and then fly back to Maryland on Sunday afternoon.

New Toy

Traded in the 1998 Dodge Caravan for a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country.  The old car had 180,000 miles and was developing electrical gremlins:  drivers side door window, and two back fold out windows would not work, drivers door lock was spastic and worked only occasionally, selective dash lights would flash on and off while driving, windshield wipers only worked on FAST and then would not stop at the bottom of the cycle unless one timed it just right.

The 06 is set up just like our 07 (Carol's car) except it doesn't have the electronically opened side and rear doors.  I can live with that.  Do love the stow-and-go seats, as now I can buy LOTS of stuff at auctions and not have to take out the seats and store them in the basement!!

Sky Circles Feb 2, 2012

While burning leaves this morning which had very little wind, I looked up and saw these circles.  They were "around the sun" from where I was originally standing, but camera DID NOT like that shot, so I went closer to the house.  I'm betting the jet was from Whiteman, as the contrail came from that direction.  The bright white skinny streak at the upper right of the picture is the "guy" doing the drawing.

January 2012 at Eric's

Watching TV in the family room.  The tree reaches to the ceiling.

eric, sammi, ashley and carol e

Dewey looking in the deck door hoping someone will let him in AND then play with him.  The "snow" decoration was on several windows throughout the house.

Don't know why this is on its side.  Shows the creche from Jerusalem that was Aunt Marilyn's

Sorry about sideways.  Tree number two and the decorations for New Years.  Kelly did Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years for her extended family this year.

Eric and Sammi playing a melon chopping game on XBox.  Grandma Carol is behind them on the couch.

A back view!!  They really get active with this game.  It has several different activities and matches the motion of the players to accomplish something on the screen.  The "game" senses and follows the individuals without the need for holding something in the hand.  Really neat.

Grandma Carol playing 3D connect with Sammi.  There is a "tray" below near countertop.

The chefs.  They had just fixed lasagna and french bread.  Note the FBI apron on granny!!

Family Photo Christmas 2011

Savana, Ron, Kristi, Korby, Ayden, Pat, Gary, Carol E, Alec, Kim, Shelby, Ava, Shannon, Sam, John, Lee, Rae and Aaron.  Erin's finger in bottom right.  Carol A was also taking picture