Sunday, February 19, 2006

Overnight visit from Jasonn & Kyle - 2/18/06

On 2/18/06...We thought we'd be making the big drive down to watch Jasonn & Kyle play their final game of basketball (each on different teams), but like all good plans... something always comes up to change them... The long and short of it.... Instead of us going there.... the boys came here for an overnight visit.... As it was a very cold night and even though we had a warm fire burning in the fireplace... we decided it would be better the boys camped out on the sofas for the night...where they'd have the heat of the fireplace to keep them nice and warm... I managed to sneak this picture before the boys woke up.... Can't trust the Nana when there's a camera around.... Here are my sleepy eyed boys.....ready for a fun day with their Nana (and her camera).....

We started our morning with a nice pancake breakfast and then time to freshen up for the day (they got their showers in the night before) ....... We thought we'd be going to church, but Nana still wasn't feeling all that well.... So we decided we'd just stay home and take it easy..... Here they are finishing up by brushing their teeth... All fresh and ready for the day..... While I was cleaning up in the kitchen, the boys kept warm by the fireplace, playing a game of cards.... I snuck in and snapped this picture when they least expected it...



One of the first things I noticed when they arrived the night before..... was how much each of them have grown since I seen them last.... Especially Jasonn (left)... He's going to be a tall boy one of these days...
The boys took turns taking pictures of Nana and themselves together..... Kyle catches on real quick with the camera.... Kyle seems to have more interest and the knack for picture taking .... We had to eliminate several of Jasonn's before we found these two.... the others, barely had us in the picture....Guess Kyle's going to be the one to inherit Nana's love for picture taking.....
The night they arrived we played a couple games of SORRY and watched a movie...(Bruce Almighty).... The next morning (after breakfast) the boys played a few games of cards together....... Around noon we had some lunch (Jasonn ham & cheese sandwich and Kyle (peanut butter & grape jelly).....Then all too soon.... Mommy and Papa arrived (around 1 or 1:30 in the afternoon) .... We had some cheesecake and coffee and then it was time for them to leave.... I even managed to get Olivia and Klaus to pose for this picture before they left...
Thanks for the great visit boys... and thanks Klaus & Olivia for bringing them up.... We sure are going to miss you guys after you move away this spring....Visits like these will be even fewer and farther between.... Not liking the thought of that.... Love you guys!!!

Saturday, February 11, 2006

4th Annual Horseshoe Tournament - 2/11/06

Here they are folks... The 2006 4th Annual Horseshoe Tournament competitors.... Temperatures are cool and there's plenty of snow.... just the right environment for the mid-winter sport.....LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!! John and Pastor Mike taking a turn.....

Uncle Paul checking to see if the horseshoe is touching the pole....
While the men folk are outside braving the cold temperatures... The women enjoy the comfort and warmth of being inside.... Here's Connie and her sister, Joyce...
Donna is working on a hand crafted shawl for the daughter of one of our church members... and Debbie is giving her a hand....
Congregating in the kitchen and sharing some fun stories....
Vaughn wearing his "Winner's" sweatshirt from last year's match....
These are the Brownies I baked ...... one half of the plate has nut filled ones and the other side just plain with chocolate chip morsels..... mmmmm mmm good!!
Vaughn put in a special request that I bring some my egg & olive sandwiches.... So I made sure to make enough to not only go around for everyone.... but hoping, too, there'd be a few left over for Vaughn for later...
Caught Ben & Melissa snuggling.... Looks like love is in the air....
Here's a few more of the great dishes of food brought in.....
Bruce was already there when I arrived... He and John were in the gazebo checking on the hotdogs.... Bruce provided the hotdog buns....(of course)
I think Walter was contemplating his game in this shot....Or maybe asking for some spiritual guidance??
While the men are outside freezing.... the ladies still enjoying the warm inside.... Bruce and Walter discussing the match while trying to warm up before they have to go back outside....
Debbie and Uncle Paul posing for me.... Uncle Paul stayed outside the whole match....It was so cold out there... don't know how he did it...
Don getting warm and grabbing a bite to eat before his next match...
Bruce warming himself on the crock pot....
Uncle Paul getting ready to play....
The cold didn't seem to be bothering these fellows while watching the game and sharing a few laughs....
Vaughn having a bite to eat while waiting for his next game....
Here's Walter trying for another ringer....(He and Vaughn were last year's winners and partners again this year) Cold drink anyone??
Pastor Mike trying to stay warm while waiting his turn....
Vaughn and Kevin's turn to play....
Uncle Paul and Pastor Mike taking a break....
And here's my man Bruce.... Although he didn't make a ringer during this play... I was told he did make one later on.... You go Bruce!!!!
Debbie took this picture of me and Bruce... Cute couple don't you think??!!!
Bruce and John discussing cars.... We'd better keep our eyes on these two fellows, Linda...(John's wife)
The game is over..... Everyone's still smiling and all is well with their world... another tournament behind them and now they can finally go inside and warm up....
Jim and Kevin are the big winners this year.... Holding the prize Patty bought them... GOOD GAME BOYS!!


Monday, February 06, 2006

Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl XL (2/5/06).... We were invited to Patty & Walter's home for the big event...along with a few other friends.... Here we have Kathy E. and Nancy E. Most of the wives spent the majority of their time, if not all of it, in this room visiting, while the men and a couple other women joined together in another room to watch the game (Debbie, Joyce, & myself)Mickey and Nancy smiling pretty for the camera.... Mickey's daughter will be having their first grandchild tomorrow sometime...We'll all be praying all goes well... it's Abby's first child and she's having "first baby apprehensions"....
Patty and Walter had to do some fancy rearranging of their furniture for the big game... And Walter had this neat projector set up in the center of their double living rooms.... It was like we had this giant screen tv to watch the game on... Nice going Walter!!!
And here we have a few of the fans ready to watch the Steelers beat the Seahawks... Unfortunately besides Walter and myself... everyone else was for the Seahawks, including Bruce who origianally told me he was for the Steelers.... He changed his mind... I didn't.... and as it turned out... glad I didn't.... Of course when Walter and I'd be cheering... everyone else would be booing....
Patty cooked up a bunch of good food for everyone.... not included in these photos was the Buffalo Wings and Chicken Tenders,which were baking in the oven at the time... and I had brought along a huge rye boat that looked like a football.... It seems good food is always a part of any of our gatherings....
Everyone had a great time.... some hooting and hollering.... cheering and booing.... as with all good football games.... Great time spent with good friends..... Thanks for a great evening Patty & Walter.... look forward to next year!!