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| El Dorado State Park in the Fall |
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| EDSP Red |
11-2-11: The foliage is outstanding in Kansas right now! Really gorgeous. The yellows are still brilliant and the reds are popping! Love El Dorado (KS) State Park. Loaded with honkers, red-tailed hawks, black walnut trees, train whistles,
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| big ole acorn |
and acorns the size of golf balls! We actually have a slight chance of snow tonite!!
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| At J and B's |
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| Playing with the plane Aunt Lulu gave them |
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| Playing trains with Dad |
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| Our rock stars |
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| They can play the mouth organ, too! |
11-4-11: Got to eat more Flying Pig bbq today with Mac and tonite Justin and Brooke cooked Bieroks for us. First time either of us had had those. Reminded me a lot of the Pasties, Karen S! Yummy. And some playtime with the boys!
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| At the Yoder farmer's market |
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| In the Kansas Amish Country |
11-5-11: Went to breakfast in Yoder, KS today with Greg and Linda Sue. Ate at the Amish resteraunt, Carriage House. Excellent! So far, we haven't met an Amish resteraunt we didn't like. They showed us around Yoder, saw a few buggies, and visited about 3 shops: Amish furniture, hardware, meat market, and gift shop. The area Amish ladies were setting up their bake sale downtown at the farmer's market. We prob would've stopped there had we not been so full from breakfast!
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| David at the Salt Mine |
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| Serious mining girls |
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| Fixing to go down the shaft (elevator) |
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Greg, Linda Sue, and David
(I don't participate in silly stuff) |
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| 650 ft below |
Drove on to Hutchinson to the Kansas Salt Mine and Museum. Totally interesting! They made us wear safety helmets and carry oxygen gear just in case. However, they told us that the oxygen gear had never been needed not even once. We went 650 feet underground on a shaft (elevator of sorts).
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| old mining car in the museum |
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| old mining equipment in the museum |
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| this piece of mining equipment ran on electricity |
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| Greg and Linda Sue on the mine train tour |
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| We had to sneak in these doors (jk) |
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| Mine train ride |
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| Old coal car - no such thing as a salt mine car |
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| some of this trash dates back to the 50's. what comes down, stays down |
Did a self-guided tour through the gallery, then took a 12-15 min. tour on a cute little rail car through part of the mine. Interesting sights and info.
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| Men in Black props preserved in the Salt Mine |
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| Dorothy - from the movie, Twister |
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| A replica of file boxes stored down there (these were empty) |
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| Superman costume from the old series |
We disembarked at a display that explained the types of things stored in the salt mine: medical records, government documents, original movies such as Gone With the Wind, Star Wars, costumes, and anything anyone else wants to store there. The salt preserves these things.
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| It'd be a good idea not to light up down here |
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| Rib rocks |
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| the white is pure salt |
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| Sylvite |
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| Electric mixture of a car used in the mine years ago |
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| Salt we retrieved |
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| Linda Sue and I examining the salt |
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| On the dark ride |
A quick zip through the gift shop and we boarded a mine car on wheels for a 30 minute "dark ride". And when they turned out the lights, IT WAS DARK!! The mine was created by the Permian Sea 270 million years ago, however, because of the salt, there aren't fossils. Back in the 1950's, some had the bright idea that atomic waste could be stored there safely and that it would eventually become harmless. So testing was done for 10 years and the mine was deemed not suitable for the waste. (It was sent to a salt mine in New Mexico). We learned that the environment is totally safe for miners as far as breathing and blood pressure from the salt. After a days work, simply drinking water will flush it out of your body.
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| Outside the Salt Mine Museum |
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| Linda Sue planking at the Salt Mines |
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| A little windy out here |
Linda Sue planked for the first time outside the salt mines (see Planking blog). She was quite acrobatic!
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| Inside the Cosmosphere |
Took a stroll through the Cosmosphere in Hutch to get an idea of what it's like. Looks like a great space museum and 3 Imax theaters. Another day trip!
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| Tornado Alley vehicle |
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| Greg checking out the mechanics of it |
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| Co-pilot |
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| Linda Sue: the doorway was a little to low |
We did get to inspect the vehicle used in the movie, Tornado Alley.
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| Knees of the Cyprus trees |
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| pretty pods |
Then we walked around the Dillon Prairie Trail and visitor center. Very nice place to walk around and learn some details about plants and wildlife.
When David and I got back to the camper, before I could even fix my hardhat hair, we heard about an earthquake in OK City today that was felt in the Wichita area. A 5.6. Epicenter in OK, but felt here, and in TX, AR, MO.Soooo glad we didn't feel it while 650 feet underground!
Wonderful day full of new sights and info!!!! Thanks Greg and Linda Sue!
Tonite, another stressfull Razorback game against South Carolina. Not sure if David is going to survive this football season! Our games are way too close.
11-7-11: Spent most of this rainy, stormy day at the library. A 4.7 quake shortly after 10.
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| Quail at EDSP |
11-8-11: Rainy and Brrrr! Great day to be in the camper and in front of the fireplace. (electric, but nonetheless). A covey of quail came up to one of the cedar trees near the camper. That was cool. We got a little snow tonite.
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| Snow day! |
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| Andrew: our leader |
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| Getting our instructions from Asher |
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| The McClintock boys |
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| Asher has the right idea |
11-9-11: Went into town today (El Dorado) and there was about an inch of snow on the rooftops, lawns, and cars. It's a beautiful, chilly Fall day. Mac, Doug, Justin, and the boys came out and we walked the bike trail. Got to watch a train, an aircraft being refueled up above us, and we listened to Grandpa Mac - david's dad - echoing in the tunnel.
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| Monkey. Vine. |
Doug and I explored a new trail. A little longer than we expected, and I sure needed a walking stick and hiking shoes. Slid down a muddy embankment. Wouldn't have done that with my walking stick. haha.
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| Andrew spotted the moon rising through the camper window |
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| Talking to Mommy while at Grandpa's and Grammy's |
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| Why? |
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| A repeat of a little Justin |
Andrew is staying to spend the night with us. After Mac and Doug left, he kept telling his daddy to go on home so he can spend the night at the camper. He was ready!
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| Old "hut" made out of trees we spotted in the woods at EDSP -- a little less to it each year. still creepy |
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| At EDSP |
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| We're being watched |
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| Squirrel with his mouth full |
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| Boxhead |
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| Grandpa and Andrew watching family videos |
11-10-11: Rocky and I had a great morning hike on the bike trail. Such a peaceful, crisp, cool day. David and Andrew watched videos and pix of the boys for over an hour.
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| Andrew and new friends at El Dorado, KS playground |
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| Hellooooo in there! |
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| Grandpa and Andrew riding the gator |
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| Swinging |
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| Climbing the whale |
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| Andrew on the fish |
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| Andrew and Grammy |
Then we all went to Freddies for lunch and played on a great playground in town.
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| Train at EDSP |
We took the long way back to the campground and saw horses, longhorns, sailboats, stopped on an overpass as a train came through. He honked at us as we waved down at him.
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| Andrew throwing rocks into El Dorado Lake |
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| Grandpa has to upstage sometimes |
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| All done |
We stopped at Boulder Bluff so we could throw rocks in the lake. Grandpa and I rec'd lots of thank-you's and "I'm so happy to spend the night at your camper!" Just want to take him and his brother on our journeys with us!
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| On Andrew's wall with places marked that Grandpa and Grammy have been |
But his parents actually do a very good job of "going with us" with the map on their wall. Even tho Justin did find all the push pins in a pile on the floor one day. LOL
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| Playing Panties at Greg and Linda Sue's |
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| Ah, don't do that to me, Linda Sue! |
11-11-11: Had a wonderful supper and played Panties at Greg and Linda's tonite. Greg told us that he has decided to retire around Christmas! Yay!!! We are so excited because they will be traveling buddies from time to time!
11-12-11: Finally! A Razorback game that wasn't close! We beat TN today. Our Hogs are having a great year!
11-13-11: Today while we were out and about, we saw biplanes, planes making designs in the sky, and a parasailer. I also finished The Help. Really good book and they did a great job of keeping it true to the movie! haha
11-15-11: Justin and David played 18 at Andover today. When they finished, Brooke and the boys were waiting for them in the parking lot. Andrew asked Grandpa "Did my daddy hit the golfball?" LOL. (His daddy actually hits it pretty well!)
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| snow clouds rolling in |
11-16-11: David and I went to Wichita to do a little shopping and it started snowing on us! Didn't stick, but was beautiful! I was in line at a Dollar Tree when David (in the truck) texted me to tell me about it. I looked out the windows and announced to everyone in line, "Look, it's snowing!" (we are supposed to do that in TX, ya know) Everyone just looked at me. The clerk said "you're not from around here are you?" I'm learning that most of these midwesterners call that a little flurry. To this southern girl, it was a beautiful snow!
Kansas in November: warm, cold, extremely windy, tornadoes watches, snow. And earthquakes.
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| My Pitch Partner -- looking good w'd that pink visor! |
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| Really trying to figure it out |
11-18-11: Greg and Linda Sue came out to the camper to finish our game of Panties and then we played Pitch. Although we had played it once, we had to be re-taught. Fun game! Really going to miss G and L when we leave here in 10 days. But sure looking forward to their visit to the Hill Country in Jan.
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| The McClintock's |
11-19-11: Watched the Razorbacks beat Miss. State today at Justin's. Had supper there along with Voyt and family, Rod and his sister, Sherry. Brooke fixed chicken and noodles served over mashed potatoes. That was a new concept for both David and me. Used to having it as soup. It was mighty yummy! Andrew started taking pix of all of us with his dad's camera.
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| Pappy - taken by Andrew |
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| Mommy - taken by Andrew |
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| Breakfast - taken by Andrew |
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| Grandpa - taken by Asher |
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| Daddy - taken by Asher |
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| Brudder - taken by Asher |
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| Letting the boys open their Christmas gifts early |
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| Hasn't even opened it yet! |
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| Andrew's new digital camera. Look out, Mom and Dad |
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Snap!
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So we decided this would be the perfect time to let the boys open their Christmas gifts from us -- kid tough digital cameras!
Crystal thx for the idea! They were a hit! Brooke is a little concerned about having to be more aware of things around the house now.
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| They brought their cameras to breakfast with them |
11-20-11: Sure enough, Brooke said she walked out of the shower this early this morning, and there was Andrew with his camera!! LOL
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| Bec and Nicole and boys starting out on the hike |
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| Is it cold, Hakan? |
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| A cold day in the woods! |
Nicole and her boys came out for some chili and a visit today. It was coooold (30ish), but we went on a little hike in the woods. Felt great! Really enjoyed their visit. Her boys are sure growing up! 3 more years and Nicole will have a HS grad! Onttuu is quite the video creator! And he puts his stuff out there on youtube.
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| Cardinals outside out window |
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| Plump Cardinal |
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| Female Cardinal |
Saw a tree full of plump cardinals - males and females. What a beautiful sight!
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| Honkers |
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| Honkers buzzing the camper |
Around dusk we saw several geese formations. Some literally buzz the camper. And Whitetails coming over close to the camper to graze a bit.
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| The campground deer |
No matter how many we see all over the country, we never get tired of watching the beauty and gracefulness of deer!
Met a KS couple today - they came over to see our camper because they are thinking of buying this make.. Their parents are fulltimers and winter in the TX Hill Country in Fredricksburg, right down the road from where we winter. When I met their parents, Ben and Rosella, found out they know some of the same folks we know who camp at Lady Bird. Love this part of fulltiming! We meet so many interesting people.
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| Andrew's and Asher's sleepover |
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| Reading to the Why Brothers |
11-21-11: The Why Brothers came out for an overnighter. Thank goodness for Google! I just don't know all the answers to their questions. Love those grandsons! We also had a snow/rain mix tonite after everyone went to bed.
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| Watching Bubble Guppies with Grandpa |
11-22-11: OMG! The boys were fully awake and joining us in our bed by 7:00! In the morning!
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| Snapping pix on our hike |
Pretty cold and dreary outside. Around 10:30, we ventured out to the woods for a hike.
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| Bridge pic taken by 4 year old Andrew |
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| Andrew's Grandpa and Asher pic |
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| Andrew took about 4 of these before I could even get one snapped |
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| Andrew's pic - framable! |
Andrew took some awesome pix with his new camera. Every time he snaps one, he says "Caught it!" Asher's ran out of batteries, so he focused on the imaginary turtles he saw, and razorbacks in the trees. Back in the camper, we watched deer off and on grazing near the camper and played "Bear" with grandpa. What fun!! I knew David could be a growler, but it's never been as cute as it was today!
11-24-11: Went to Grandpa Mac's (David's dad) for Thanksgiving. He and Doug really went all out. The men really waited on us and pampered us. How nice!
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| My Thanksgiving surprise! |
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| 3rd generation playing with those toys in that basement |
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| Uncle Bug and Sheila |
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| Bec, Brooke, Jeremy, and Laura Lee |
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| Jeremy |
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| Justin and Sweet Sixteen Heather |
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| Thanksgiving Dessert - Ambrosia |
Just before we sat down to eat, my baby girl walked out of one of the bedrooms! She drove in from Iowa to surprise David and me! What an awesome day!
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| Gameday - Hogs vs LSU |
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| Playing games on their cameras |
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| The "Spiderweb" |
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| Playing on the Climb |
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| Or was it a slide? |
11-25-11: Andrew and Asher spent last night with us. David and I took them to the playground this morning.
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| Laura, Rehm, Andrew, and Asher in the Hollow Tree |
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| Aunt Lulu and the boys walking Rehm |
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| Aunt Lulu w/her nephews on the Walnut River bridge |
Then after lunch, Laura and I went walking with them so they could show Aunt Lulu the hollow tree. They also walked her dog, Rehm, who loved the attention. Those 2 boys came up with a great solution to only having one leash. Andrew held the handle, and Asher held the poo-poo bag container which is attached to the leash. They both held on during the entire walk! Then they showed Aunt Lulu the bridge over the Walnut River and we all threw hedgeapples into the river. They love their Aunt Lulu!
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| Asher and Justin at Uncle Doug's cabin |
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| Asher dressing up in Aunt Lulu's accessories |
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| Andrew carrying on Grandpa Mac's tradition. (oh boy) |
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| Brooke, I was not responsible for this |
11-26-11: Several of us met over at Doug's cabin this afternoon. The boys and Rocky just loved all the area to play! I understand that our boys had a bit of a meltdown when we left: thinking they'd never see us again. It's just a good thing we didn't know that til later... Heartbreakers! Laura and I started a game of "Panties" tonite. Made it through the first 2 hands and will finish in December. It's a very close game!
11-27-11: Laura left for Iowa this morning. I hate that part. David and I had a very quiet - too quiet - day cleaning, doing laundry, washing curtains, and breaking camp. Sad to leave, but excited to see my Texarkana peeps in a couple of days. It'll be great being around folks who talk right and understand the excited of a snow flurry, even though it doesn't stick! (Linda Sue says no stick is a good thing in Kansas).
Andrew and Asher -- we'll hold up the bridges for ya!
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| Our grand-dog, Bailey |
From Rocky: I'm looking forward to see you, Bailey! And Spice Girl, too!
Much Love and Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Dorothy, The Wizard, and Toto
