Last Days of Thanksgiving visit in Austin

Last Days of Thanksgiving visit in Austin

Larry's Birthday was celebrated on Sunday. He and Annette talked to Blake in Spain via Skype.

Kaylee and Alex helped their Uncle Larry with his cake. Both Arrion and Annette were taking photos from the other side of the table...  ;-)

I selected Arrion's gift of three books (that will come tomorrow) because the printout was cute - Alex fooling around with his mother!  ;-)

A couple of nights ago, Alex was playing cards with us... a new game, to me... 7 up, 7 down!

Kaylee play-acting with her Rapunzel hair... with Grandma!

Annette 'did Kaylee's nails' this afternoon. [They are temporary, of course!]

We all worked on a puzzle over the weekend... different ones did different parts - really NEAT! ;-)

And, just a little while ago, so that Kaylee could help with the Star before she went to bed, Ben and Arrion put up the Christmas tree and added the lights. Perhaps other decorations tomorrow! ;-)

We head home tomorrow morning.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Thanksgiving Days in Austin

Thanksgiving Days in Austin

We spread our Thanksgiving celebrations over Thursday and Friday. These photos are from those two days.

Nice photo of Larry, Alex and me... Having a great time!

A cute photo of Annette and Kaylee in her room, by her playhouse she got for her birthday.

Two photos of a great Thanksgiving Dinner (all were alert and enjoying the meal...):

After dinner, Kaylee and Alex playing with the iPad, Ben cleaning dishes, rest resting...

A bit later, Ben got to take his rest...

Later, Alex and Annette were working on a Lego kit, while college football was on. Kaylee was "observing" - of course she was!  ;-)

And the fun continues.... ;-)

Pre-Thanksgiving in Austin 2012

Pre-Thanksgiving in Austin 2012

Following are some photos from Austin prior to the arrival of Annette and Larry at the house to celebrate Thanksgiving together. We'll be having Thanksgiving Dinner on Friday this year, as Arrion and Ben received first row, near 50 Yard Line tickets to the Texas Longhorn football game this afternoon, as well. We'll want to watch for them, behind the Texas bench, on TV!

iPads were well used this year, already:

 Yes, Kaylee has cat whiskers and a pony tail!

Alex and Grandma on their iPads... I know they are both playing games, here!  ;-)

We had a great game of Monopoly - Alex, Ben, Grandpa, Grandma. Kaylee and Arrion were making a stuffed bear... though Kaylee 'helped' her Dad with Monopoly 'a bit!'

Here was the game at the end:

And a near finished bear...  ;-) Alex won!  ;-)

Annette and Larry just came in the door...  ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Al Bolger's Retirement Party in Iowa

Al Bolger's Retirement Party in Iowa

Nancy's brother, Al Bolger, retired from his mechanic job at the Iowa Department of Transportation this week after 13 years on the job. His three grown children (Amy, Jason, Jay), living in Oregon, all came back to surprise him at his Retirement Party at work on Thursday, and then today, Saturday, family and friends joined in an all-day party at their home in Grimes, just north of Des Moines, Iowa. Here are a few photos I took during the day. [Amy posted a number of photos on Facebook during the day, as well!]

Al with his three sisters, from left, Carolyn, Nancy and Janice.

The same four, with Al's three children and Clark and Clair in back, Carolyn's boys.

Jay, Amy, and Jason with their cousin, Kim Gymer Aldinger (from Iowa Falls).

Kris Grimm, his mother, Carol, Al, and Carolyn.

Temperature was in the mid-70s, but windy - will be in 40s on Sunday! In the back yard...  ;-)

Amy and Kim comparing notes from 'the old days' and as busy Moms now!  ;-)

Amy put this one on Facebook of her and my brother, Jim! Neat, and thanks!  ;-)


I'll stop with these. Great time had by all!  ;-)