Neuschwanstein

Cory gave this 3D puzzle to us last Christmas and we have been working on it this last week.  It was a difficult one but really fun.
Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular of all the palaces and castles in Europe.  It is also nominated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Every year 1.3 million people visit "the castle of the fairy-tale king". It is a 19th century Bavarian palace on a rugged hill in Germany.  The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as a homage to Richard Wagner, the king's inspiring  muse.  It was his intention to rebuild the old castle ruin in Hohenschwangau in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles.

More Butch

I don't know how long Butch can last.  First thing  Bodee did was dress Butch up in his fireman's
costume last night.  Not only that but Carli gave him a big kiss as soon as she came in the door.
I think he is truly loved.

Butch

This is Butch.   He is a new member of our family -
actually he is "all" mine.
Merry Christmas to all.

My Friend "Butch"

One day at Costco I saw this big bin of teddy bears.
I walked past and then came back and picked one
up.  He was so cuddly.   This is him - Merry
Christmas to me.   He usually sits in the little
rocker except when some little kids come and then
he gets to get up and hugged.   I think he is
cute and best of all I don't have to clean up after
him.    

Evening at the Nutcracker

Donna took this picture and I just had to share it.
Carli had a great time and really did well up until
the last 10 minutes.   It was so fun to see the
Nutcracker again.  It has been many years since
my girls and I went together.   It was at the Fox
this year which I think made it a more gala affair.
There were little girls all dressed in their Christmas
dresses getting pictures taken. 

CDA RESORT

Mindy, Evan and boys went with us
to walk around the resort.   Dad and I walked half way around and met up with them inside by the fireplace.
This has to be the best  tradition.
The weather was mild and I remembered how in times past it has been snowy and icy and freezing.
We enjoyed ice cream and the fireplace for awhile.   WE had totally forgotten to put money for parking and when we came out there was a ticket on Mindy's car.   We had driven together with them so I just paid the bill and forgot about it.  We had such a good time anyway.  

JUST GIVE ME MORE

Jack just couldn't eat this ice cream fast enough or
get enough on his spoon.  It was a good show for
all of us.   I think he went through about 3 napkins.
Every time I would look his way I would see Mindy
putting on a new bib.    Funny little boy.

The Best Dessert Ever

Does this ever taste good.  It is the Butterfinger
ice cream dessert and Dad and I shared it.
I didn't have a lactose pill with me and I never
got any side effects.  Just lucky this time I guess.
Oh, it was just so good.

Grandma Wilma's House

This is the house Grandma Wilma grew up in.  She only had to walk a block to school and about 3 blocks to town.  It's still has someone living in it but we took pictures anyway.  It's in Basin, Wyo.

Feeding horses

These horses live next to Glen and Joyces house.   We drove down the driveway and they came over to be petted.  They really were so tame and so we fed them some wheat thins.
There was a third one but he was a little slow getting over too us.  

Target shooting

Dad had this gun he got from Grandma that use to belong to Clarence.  He wanted to fire it to see how accurate it was.   I had a few turns but never hit the target - -- but then the target was a 7-up bottle so what the heck.  

Wyoming Stuff

This was about a 400 herd of cattle walking down the highway.  There was a cowboy on a horse working them and a bordie collie keeping them in line.  Dad just drove slowly through the herd while I took this picture.  I thought it was pretty exciting.  We were about in the last half of the herd in this picture.   (only in Wyoming, right?

Airport Goodbyes

Kristi and Logan waving goodbye as I stood in the check in line at the SL Airport.
The man behind me was getting a kick out of Logan upstairs.   It was so sweet of them to wait and wave.

The Upper Bed

This is Carli sleeping inbetween the two twin
beds upstairs.   Dad was sleeping next to her.
We all slept pretty good in that little trailer -
where there's a will, there's a way,   right?

Sleeping Soundly

These two pictures were taken while we were camping at Riley Creek.  Avery, Erin and  Bodee were all sleeping on the lower bed - snuggled in tight and sound asleep.   Just had to show thiese two pictures.

Playday at Nanas

Carli came to play about a week ago.  She was being very careful with her cast on. She had a  little burn on the palm of her hand and the cast kept rubbing that spot so she took one of the play bandages from the doctor's kit and put on her hand.   She was feeling a little sad because of her hurting hand.

Playing with Carli

She was having a fun time cutting lots of paper.  She has to take two hands to open the sissors though.

Big Test

Well,  just had my 5 year colonoscopy.   (that means it seems like the prep lasted  for 5 years, lol)
Prep consisted of two days of liquid diet (any liquid that was clear - yellow or peach jello, or
same gatorade or  juice or chicken broth).  Plus - one big gallon jug of undescribed flavored liquid like
stuff to drink (8 oz. every 10 min.)  I  could not  do it every 10 minutes without throwing up.
So starting at 1:30 I had two different kind of pills to take and then start the liquid junk.
I ended up at 8:00 pm finally.   I actually didnt even finish the last 1/4 of the jug.   So, after
living in the bathroom all afternoon - today I went for the test.   They gave me an IV which was
suppose to put me to sleep and it didn't  so i was awake and watched the tv camera of my
intestines.   Bad thing was it kind of hurt because the nurse kept pushing on my abdomen as
he did the scope.   Anyway, after all is said and done, my results are: spastic colon, little IBS,  a
redundant colon (meaning longer than normal) moderate left sided diverticulosis.   That's it.
No colon polyps, colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, crohn's  or diverticulitis.
I guess all in all, things are okay.   Dad drove me home and I  had a little nausea so I  slept a lot today.
And now I get to eat real food.
I'm sure you didn't really want to know all of this - but just be aware of good eating habits
and foods you eat.   Actually, life could be worse, right?   I do feel blessed and hopefully
5 more good years before another day like today.   Too bad I didn't have my phone to take
a picture, but you wouldn't want to see that either.      lol

Geraniums Forever

These flowers were in the back but before the first frost I brought them inside to keep them awhile longer.
Now they are put on my front doorstep every morning and sleep inside during the cold nights.  I'm wondering how long this will keep going.  They are looking pretty alive and bright.   They love being pampered too.

Halloween Kids

Couldn't get Carli to stand up so Erin is helping her hold still.  Silly girl