Christmas in Mountain Home

Last year was the first year that Ben (and Myka since they have been together) was unable to be at our house for our annual Christmas with our little family. We did our traditional get together last year at their house in Little Rock since it was unwise to travel with the twins at that time. This was a great year in that they were able to bring Charlie and Tucker to our house for two visits this year - this being their first Christmas at CiCi and Grumps. As you might know, we had a fantastic time - it so exciting this year to watch the wonderment in those little guys.

Is it OK to open now?

This sock is too big for my foot!

Charlie looking for trouble under the tree

Tucker found trouble under the tree 

Who knew a vent deflector could be so much fun?

Showing off the family to our friends at Rim Shoals Ramp gathering

Christmas 2014

Had a great time with most of our family at Christmas time - unfortunately the reality these days is that it is impossible to get all together at the same time. But we enjoyed our time with those that could be there and we certainly missed those that couldn't. I should have taken more pictures, but I'm easily distracted.

 Papaw's prized gift!

 Some of the Tabor family

 Some of the Pickell family

Charley with his girls

Scenic drive back to Mountain Home

This Thanksgiving we made our annual circuit to Siloam Springs and Ft. Smith to spend some quality family time and eat ourselves into a semi-coma. My apologies to our family members, but I got too caught up in the visiting (and eating),that I forgot to take pics. But we sure enjoyed our time together, as always! We chose an alternate route on our return from Ft. Smith to Mountain Home in order to see some new scenery and to revisit a couple of favorites. Our first stop was in Ponca on the Buffalo River - a destination we used to visit often in our younger white-water rafting and camping days and later on with our "cabin group" as we spent some week-ends at Cedarcrest Lodge. We were too late in the day to witness the large elk herds in Ponca and Boxley Valley, but did see one young calf wandering around near the Ponca bridge. We later stopped in Jasper to visit some of our favorite haunts. Enjoyable trip home to cap off a very nice holiday week-end!

 Elk calf

 Upper Buffalo River from Ponca low-water bridge

 Rare trumpeter swan in Boxley valley

 Entering Boxley valley from the south

 Unique shop in Jasper

Historic Ozark Cafe in Jasper