Happy New Year 2011

New Year's Day the Johnson's and I traveled to Nora Springs. There we met Terry and Pat, Jay, Dianne, and Bailey. We helped Mom celebrate her 87th birthday. We ended our day at Godfather's Pizza.
Brett is pretty interested in sprinkling some cheese on his pizza.
Mom and her three kids She had a good day.
Jay, Dianne, Bailey and me as we were getting ready to leave
The Johnson's and Mom
Dane helped Mom play bingo. We all played - and everyone won at least once. Dane really got the giggles at one point during the day. He was laughing so hard that tears were rolling down his cheeks. One of the residents said something that tickled him.
We were in the recreation room and had the place all to ourselves. We are waiting for Stacy to dish up the cheesecake. I had also brought a big plate of cookies so we had plenty of food.
The other side of the table
Terry gave some instructions to boys on how to play pool. Dane did a pretty good job for his first time at the pool table.

Christmas 2010

We had a great time at Christmas this year. Everyone was able to make it and the weather was cooperative. Thanks Craig, for taking the group picture - wish you were in it as well.
Dane, I have a feeling you should have cooperated with the photographer. He told you to SMILE!
Okay, that will teach you to make goofy faces! Dane is actually laughing in the photo, but he will learn not to mess with his Uncle Craig!
Santa was good to Dave. Being a Steelers fan, he got a jersey with the name of one of his favorite players on the back.
Not sure what was so interesting but everyone seems to be looking at Dave or Craig - who were out of picture range.
This year instead of stockings for the adults, a large basket of "stuff" was put in the center of the room and after the adults drew numbers, they took turns taking goodies from the basket. There were a couple grab bags, and Craig took a chance on one of them. Not a good idea - it happened to be a tie with all the books of the Bible on it. Doubt that will get worn too much.
Well, guess I have that picture in twice - and everytime I try and delete I delete the whole entry so, guess it will just stay.
Drew is anxious to see what is behind all that paper and tape.
After opening gifts there always has to be some time for games. Brett is the game player, and he and Cari were having a game of Memory - guess who won?!
Dane is more into using his imagination with all of his figurines, and he loves to have Cari play with him. It is fun to listen to them make up their game as they play.

Another shot of the "intense" game player.

First Snow of the Season - November 13, 2010

Some parts of the state were not as lucky as we were this weekend - we got measurable snow! Because it is such a wet snow it really was fun to make snowmen and throw snowballs.
Dane got a big ball started for the first snowman. Brett helped him push when it got a little heavy.
They are trying to mold the body and this snowman has no middle - a bottom and a head!
I might add the body is a bit triangular so the head does not fit very well.

Curt decided to help them out and he removed and rebuilt the base of the snowman.

Now its time for the head and a few added features.
Hope Brian doesn't miss his hat when he gets home. We didn't have any carrots, but I did have a hot dog in the refrigerator so we used that as a nose - and we were without any chunks of coal so oreo cookies made good for the eyes - but they broke so Brett came in and got some grapes for the eyes.
Finished snowman!
The boys were so proud of the snowman! Then they got into a snowball fight - so Curt and Stacy took them home and I am sure they are still playing outside - a beautiful day for snow fun!

Des Moines Weekend

Stacy and Rachel decided to run a half marathon in Des Moines in October so I went down and helped Cari and Dave with the kids. We had a "sleepover" while Rachel and Stacy slept at the Holiday Inn - because they needed to get going by 5:30 in the morning. Owen and Macy came over as well as some other neighbors and in the above picture the boys are enjoying a little Chinese cuisine.
Brett is enjoying the toys that Dave and Cari have and Dane loves to play all the video games that Dave has and he loves to use the equipment that goes with the video games.
One of Dane's favorites is the racing game
Drew is happy with his hockey stick!
Dave took the boys to an Apple Orchard while Cari, Stacy and I did a little shopping. They came home with caramel apples, so Dane is sharing his with Reagan.
Dave also organized a flag football game with the neighbors and nieces and nephews. Brett absolutely loved to get in the huddle, and they all made some pretty good plays. It was a beautiful fall day to be outside.
Sorry - I got this picture in twice - and last time I tried to delete I deleted the whole blog - so guess we just have two of the same picture!
Looks like Dane is ready for a little defense.
We went downtown about 9:45 and got there is time to see Rachel and Stacy cross the finish line. Rachel kind of snuck by before I could get a picture - don't know how I could have missed the lime green jacket! They both made good time - right at two hours.
Not sure what is so funny - and Cari probably will not appreciate this picture - sorry Cari - don't know how to take them off!
Reagan is having a quiet moment with Dave.

Drew was glad to see his Mom
The boys were proud of their mom and they liked the medal!
Grandma gets a little cuddle time from Reagan as well.

Reagan and Drew were signed up to run in the 400 meter run in the afternoon. Drew just wanted the shirt - but Reagan ran the whole distance. Next time Dane is going to join her.
He does like the shirt!
We had a great weekend and the weather has been so beautiful this fall - I think the girls have one more run before winter sets in. Good luck!!

Visit at the Care Center

I am beginning to think this blog is "not supposed to be!" I lost my camera and looked for quite awhile, and was resigning myself to the fact that I might have to buy a new one. I was not so concerned about the camera but I knew I had these pictures on it. Yesterday I FOUND THE CAMERA! YEA!! So I am posting the pictures before anything else happens. After I got this blog all finished I realized I had two of the same so I tried deleting one picture and I deleted the whole blog - so I am doing it all over again.
Rachel came to Nora Springs to get Reagan after her summer visit so we went to the Care Center to visit Mom for awhile. The kids had a good time. There is a recreation room we can go to to visit and the kids had toys so they had "wiggle" room. There was even a puppy there that day so Reagan really enjoyed that!Jay and Dianne were entertained with the kids - and they helped them get ice cream cones out in the dining area. A funny story - if you notice Mom's necklace. They are the kind of beads you would get at a Mardi Gras celebration. She won them playing bingo. Rachel commented that she liked her necklace, and mom's comment was " You know these are really coming back into style. You would not believe the number of people you see wearing them nowadays." Must be a lot of BINGO winners!
A four generation picture
And another!

Some Funny Pictures

There is no theme to these pictures - I just ran across them as I was looking at some pictures I had saved. Looks like Brian really has something to say in the above picture. I think this was taken at Old Chicago in May of this year.
What little "posers" Brett is posing and Drew is thinking Brett is goofy!
I took the boys to the Fort Museum in Fort Dodge - locked them in the jail cell and proceeded to leave the building - Brett was getting a little nervous!!
Not sure which kid this is - but the all had to try on the mask. It is Brian's favorite!