Another big day with the twin Tabors

Another lively day with Tucker and Charlie. Started with a trip to Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Strolled to the pond, viewed all the exhibits at the Visitor Center, and then went to the Arboretum trail for a quarter-mile jaunt through the woods. And then the boys insisted on going to a Library, so we made a first-time visit to the Maumelle Library. We enjoy our time with them so much - they are so inquisitive and entertaining. And they are usually so happy and sometimes - so much fun!

 Early Valentine treats

 Naturalist pointing the way

 Crank that "thang" and it will talk to you

 Another naturalist giving a lesson

 Giddyup!

 At the Visitor Center: Pinnacle Mountain State Park

 That's a pretty large tree!

 Usually always include a trip to a Library

Shrek makes a nice reading nook



January pics from White River Valley

Weather for January continued to be tolerable. Started off the year with a brunch at the Hnedak's in their fantastic home. And then we enjoyed a visit from Tami and Kevin and we were able to take another nice hike to the waterfall at the back line of our property. From time to time, we drive to the upper boundary of our neighborhood, up to the cul-de-sac at the top of Fletcher Mountain to view a large expanse of the White River that is highlighted by impressive sunsets. We are where we need to be!

 New Years Day Brunch at the Hnedak's: Friends and Neighbors

 Hike to the waterfall: Charlcie and Tami

 Larry, Charlcie, Kevin, and Tami on the hike

 View of the White River from Fletcher Mountain in our neighborhood

Fabulous sunset views over the river from Fletcher Mountain

Hike at Twin Rivers Park

What to do on a nice sunny day in January? Well, Tucker and Charlie love to explore outdoors, so we went for a walk across the pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the river at Two Rivers Park. Little Rock has a very nice system of trails that we are able to enjoy while down there. We thought a nice long hike would prep them for an afternoon nap - nah!

 Folks gotta take a rest after walking all the way across the bridge

 Love this spot and this shot

 Always treasures to be found - tree bark and pine cones included

Theoretically, they're not supposed to be able to get thru the rails - I'm not so sure! 

Post-hike rest

Winter hike on our property

One of the features of our little 15 acres is a nice terrain for some hikes through the woods and along small creeks. After the unusual rains in January, we got to enjoy a lot of small waterfalls and one fairly large one at the back of our property. The weather was accommodating enough for a perfect hike down to the bottom of the small canyon and then back along the stream to reach the larger waterfall. Had a lot of fun enjoying the outdoors with our friends and neighbors, the Abbes and the Ives. We are really blessed with some very fine neighbors that are always up for fun activities.!

 Devin, Michelle, Charlcie, Larry

 Michelle, Charlcie, Larry, Bitsy, Devin seeing their reflections in the water for the first time!

 Charlcie resting and taking it all in

 January sun following cold night produces some interesting images

 Larry and Michelle Ives, Charlcie and Larry, Bitsy and Devin Abbe

Charlcie, Bitsy, and Michelle

Museum of Discovery and Hillary Clinton Library

Whenever we are in Little Rock tending to the boys on Saturday, we always look forward to adventures with Charlie and Tucker. They love the library, so that's usually on the agenda. Given the weather in December, we also visited the Museum of Discovery. The boys are just so smart and cultured - and did I say handsome!?

 Museum of Discovery: Dog house construction

 They love the library, although it's difficult to stay still forever

 Crawling through the pipeline at the museum

 Painting the walls with brush and roller

They can reach the top!

Ben's birthday week-end

We went to Little Rock to celebrate Ben's 35th and to spend time with the boys while Ben and Myka attended Don's Pharmacy Christmas party. We had a great dinner with Ben and Myka at Brave New Restaurant, but unfortunately didn't take pics. We did get Ben with his iron skillet - no, that's not all we got him :). We also did dinner one night with Charlie and Tucker; Chick-fil-a is excellent dinner spot with the bubbas as they love them some nuggets and waffle fries, topped off with an ice cream cone. We always enjoy our times together.

 I'm fixin' to demolish this thing! Our Charlie!

 Yummy! Our Tucker!

Birthday boy with his new iron skillet.  Steaks everyone?

More Christmas 2015 Fun

 I can run this train

 They love trains!

 

The White River at Buffalo City

Throwing rocks in the water - every boy's delight

Christmas 2015 on Trout Lily

We had our Christmas early with Ben, Myka, Charlie, and Tucker - in order to accommodate all the various family celebrations. We loved having them here for three days. Being able to spend so much time together is really a blessing - and we are so proud of all of them.

 Heavy frost creates a Christmas atmosphere

 Christmas is just more fun with younguns

 Clean-up crew.  These boys love vacuums and brooms

 Their most favorite activity is reading

 Look what I got!

 Fun times!

Look at all the loot!

Another visit to Crystal Bridges Museum

The exhibit of the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian design opened this month. The home was completely disassembled and shipped to the Museum where it was reconstructed in a very beautiful setting on a wooded hill overlooking the museum grounds. We made it a point to return to Northwest Arkansas to see this as early as possilbe - we were not disappointed. Arkansas should be so proud of this resource that was made possible by the Walton family - it is world class!

 Giant sculpture at the entrance

 Another special exhibit; a great collection

 UofA architecure students designed this entry portal to the Frank Lloyd Wright house

 Usonian home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

A view of the patterned wood cut-outs covering the clerestory windows

Another day at Trout Lily Lane

 Morning view from the bedroom window

 This Tom just suddenly decided to fly up in the tree behind our house

 They've found our bird feeders

 Sunset from Fletcher Mountain near our home

Fletcher Mountain view a few minutes later

Pheasant hunting: 2015

This was my fourth year to pheasant hunt in Highmore, South Dakota. Was unusually warm this year, and with their record spring rains, the grass was head high in many pastures, which made for some very difficult walking to flush the birds. Thankfully the dogs do a lot of the work and us old farts somehow manage to make it through five physically demanding days of hunting - and every bit worth it. We had good numbers of birds this year, although my contribution was minimal. As with any outing of this nature, it's not always about the hunting or fishing - the whole experience with a bunch of great guys in the outdoors is hard to beat. Well, that and the steak dinner at Chef Louie's in Mitchell, S.D., and all the great meals at the farm house, and the fine hosts, Jim and Carol Faulstich.

Larry, Greg, Jess, Vic, Joe, Steve w/dogs and birds

 Sunrise in Highmore

Hard to beat the sunrises over the grasslands