Board Game in Branson

Continuing Annette's birthday celebration, tonight,  we played a new board game, new to us, anyway, called "Ticket to Ride." Nancy gets credit for locating it and having it available to play.

Here we are in the middle of the game. We are learning the strategy, as we go. Took about 2 hours, for the first time around, with a learning curve. Thanks to Larry for taking the photo.

Check it out for yourself!

It was a very good day - even a bit cooler, finally!  ;-) mid-80s!

Annette's 50th Birthday in Branson

Annette's Birthday Dinner was really good, having been in the crock pot all day, just for her: Roast Beef, Potatoes and Carrots, even a little wine!

Allison brought party hats along with the Happy Birthday banner... !

Excellent cake - ice cream and strawberries as well...

... and gifts, from her wish list...

Larry looks a bit like an Ozarks "Baldknobber!" - check link, if you don't know what means... it has nothing to do with amount of hair, by the way!  ;-)

They had arrived at the Branson Airport in the afternoon on a Frontier flight from Denver (and SLC). Our first flight into Branson (opened May 2009 - only privately financed airport in the country!) only about 15 minutes from the cabin!

Inside, looking to the left.... car rental, baggage claim... nice "Dogwood Canyon" decor!

Looking to the right... ticketing, security...

Ticketing area...

Security...

Straight ahead, is where the passengers arrive. Curious choice, but really works nice.

Arrival. Mom hugging Annette, Larry looking on. Other folks waiting, as well...

It was a very good day... not even quite as hot as it has been!  ;-)

2nd Hummingbird Feeder at Cabin

We installed a second Hummingbird Feeder at the cabin, this one in the front of the house, to pair with the one around the corner in front of the kitchen window. We've seen two birds, regular visitors. We both think there may be a third, but I've not seen three at a time, but we'll keep watching.

See the HB on the fly, to the right...

It was another very good day - but, now 45 days at 90 or more...  !!  ;-)

4th day Austin Aug2010 photos

4th day Austin Aug2010 photos

Grandma and Arrion took Alex to Lego Store, and I stayed with Kaylee. Among (many) other things, we did Playdough - she made a pizza, I think...  ;-)

Later, Kaylee had cowboy hats out, and Alex wore the black one and go his sword - seems to be doing Zorro type poses. Took lots of action shot, only a few decent photos out of it - love digital!

Kaylee in her hat...

With Grandma...

... and with Grandpa. I'm really happy... it just doesn't show this time... sorry!  ;-)

Arrion got her hat, as well... didn't realize she still had it on.

Later, I was up in her room with Kaylee. She was putting her dollie to sleep. Talking to her softly, continuously: "bedtime, ok... go to sleep, ok... blankey, ok..."

Then, Kaylee decided it was time to change her clothes... she dresses herself, mostly, now...

... and, came out pretty well!

Alex was working on a lego house, in his room, at his lego workstation...

It was another very good day!  ;-)

3rd day Austin August 2010 photos

3rd day Austin August 2010 photos

Alex and Kaylee playing with the Thomas Train "tent" in the house - more like a Chinese Dragon drill, or something...

Kaylee's feet below are cute!

Grandma playing "cat and mouse game" - with her hands full!

A new 'blow up' ball house game - I think Kaylee was supposed to be ready for bed...

Another view...

Another very nice day!  ;-)

2nd Day Austin 2010 Photos

2nd Day Austin 2010 Photos

Just a few today, to provide a flavor, not a lot of detail. Here Arrion is working with Kaylee on a puzzle. They actually did three - neat. Kaylee and I did Diego one, later on.

Kaylee and I were playing with the farm things... I can still sit cross-legged, but not a lot of fun getting back up!  ;-)

Alex and Kaylee doing some sort of Sumo wrestling/bumping - various pillows in different places...

Finally, Kaylee actually "posing!" - bye for now!

It was a another very good day!  ;-)

First Austin Aug 2010 Photos

First Austin Aug 2010 Photos

Alex has been building with lego a lot, lately. He has a new work station to help him now. This one he built for Grandma and came to show here.

Kaylee was mostly interested in Grandma's plain crackers, at the moment.

Before long, she was playing with her dolls.

Here is the Disney Princess on the Wii on the TV. Used to be just Alex played.

But look who is "playing," today. Kaylee thinks she need to have a controller, as well.

Never a dull moment, that is for sure!  ;-)

Olive Garden Birthday Celebration

OK, her birthday was yesterday; but Allison and I treated my dear wife, Nancy, to luncheon at the Olive Garden for her birthday, today... various busy schedules must take precedent, you know!  ;-)

We had our great salad, waiting for the entrees to arrive. Excellent meal, all around... even a really neat, male, server!  ;-)

Nancy was happy to get her book, from Allison, as well. We had a cake in Utah, for her, and will probably have another in Austin this coming weekend, which is also our anniversary, of course.

We have now got a couple of hummingbirds coming to our feeder, regularly, which is very pleasing. I'm going to add a second feeder, but, in the meantime, today I finally "caught" a bird at the feeder - through the blinds, the window, the screen... his open pointy beak is in the air!

It was another very good day - but REALLY HOT, again!  ;-)