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

Twins tour Northwest Arkansas

Ben and Myka had done some advance planning this past summer to arrange work schedules, etc. in order to take Charlie and Tucker to Ft. Smith and Siloam Springs to visit their great-grandpas and other family members. I think everyone had a great time being together and being entertained by the little fellas. The boys had a special treat as they got to meet and play with their cousin Beckett - thanks to Sarah and Jordan for making the trip from Oklahoma City. Thank you Ben and Myka for your hard work involved in making this effort - it was very much appreciated and I know it was extra special for Papaw Tabor and Grandpa Charley - they're still recounting the visit! I didn't get enough pics and as others are sent to me, I will do another post.

 Papaw Tabor prepping for pizza

 Great uncle Ron getting a little scrutiny from the boys

 Papaw's pizza is yummy!

 Grandpa Charley entertaining the boys with a backscratcher

They don't need no stinkin' toys to make noise



Latest project

We decided to put a skirt around our screened porch. We like the result of placing horizontal 1"x4" stained cedar. Aesthetically pleasing and varmint deterring.

Sunset at Rim Shoals

 

Sunset at Rim Shoals access of White River

Third annual Pheasant Hunt

Was fortunate to go on my third pheasant hunting trip to Highmore, SD, this year with a swell group of guys. Had a successful hunt, and an all-around great time. In spite of walking miles per day in sometimes challenging terrain, I still gained 5 pounds this week. Next year, we're going to have to walk more, and/or eat less to maintain our fighting weight - NAH, forget that! Charlcie enjoyed being away from me for a week and had a great week with her sister Tami, visiting spots around Mountain Home and Branson.

 Getting loaded

 Looking fairly competent - deceiving

 Greg on-target

Back row: Greg, Al, Steve

Middle Row:  Me, Jess, Vic, John

Front row:  Dinner-to-be



Crazy sunrise

Charlcie noticed a nice hue in the morning light and we stepped out the front door to see this incredible sunrise. We quickly grabbed the camera and were able to get a couple of very interesting shots.

Idaho visitors

Charlcie's cousin and her husband from Caldwell, Idaho, were in northwest Arkansas for a brief visit and we were able to meet with them for a couple of hours at the Springdale Cracker Barrel. Charlcie's Dad was able to go with us and a couple of Charlcie's other cousins, Sue and Donna, joined us. We really enjoyed the visit but wish we could have spent more time. Gives us an excuse to hurry back out to Idaho.

Karyn and Jim

 

Charlcie and Charlie

Twins' first visit to Cici and Grump's house!

What a month! After two weeks in Colorado, including spending time with great friends and family, we return to Mountain Home and are visited by Ben, Myka, Charlie, and Tucker. This was the twins' first visit to our house and we had a great few days! The boys really enjoyed exploring all the new stuff at our house. They had a great time opening and closing all doors and drawers and making efficient use of a variety of kitchen utensils. We folded a comforter over the coffee table to protect them and the first thing they did was hike their legs and climb up on top. They especially liked the walk down our road in their tandem Red Flyer. We went to the Bull Shoals visitor center to observe the aquariums and to Gaston's Resort to observe all the peacocks, turkeys, and other fowl. The boys seemed to really enjoy all the new experiences. It is always special to be with Ben and Myka and the twins.

Colorado 2014: Grubb Reunion in Denver

We are proud to be designated as honorary Grubb family members. The Grubbs being the family members and offspring of my Mom's oldest sister, my aunt Vina (Viney)and her husband, my uncle Clay. Mom, Vina, and Clay would have enjoyed this gathering so much, were they still with us. Our families have been very close for as long as I can remember and it is always special when we can get together and share vivid memories. There were over 60 in attendance, many we knew very well, some we knew a little, and several we knew not at all, but we very much enjoyed being with all of them. It was so much fun visiting with all the cousins covering several generations and from all over the country. We were all gathered for a surprise 80th birthday celebration for sweet cousin Loretta, who resides in Denver.