Sister's Free Throw

Sis and the other Alliance "bullpups" lost their 8th grade game today, but she did make 2 of the 5 points by hitting these free throws! YEAH Sister!

Poor Tree!

Well, the results are in...and the tree lost! The poor thing lost most the branches on the north side. We are hoping it will fill and and return without getting diseased.

Scott cutting the branches down to take to dump and save for fire-pit wood.

There's just something about the sound of running a chain saw that makes a guy feel...well...like a MAN! HA!

Winter Wonderland

Honest...we didn't superimpose these...but it sure looks like it! The snow in contrast to the colors on our "winter - gear" made an AWESOME photo shot! The girls were out of school, and we got to come home early from school. It was a good day!

Blizzard WARNING!!!!!!

Well today marked the first official 'snow' day for the year. We got about 4 inches of VERY wet snow with 55 mph winds. Luckily we didn't end up loosing power as some did across town. The girls got to enjoy some time outside playing in the snow. I decided to bring the camera out and take some fun shots.

Dad and Pippy

Dad and Bobby

Dad and Sis

Girls building a fort

More building of the snow...

Our tree out front...lost some limbs!

No More Metal Mouth!!!!!

Well, Brayla finally got that metal out of her mouth! She was VERY relieved to have them out. Dr. Webb did a good job on her orthodonic care!

We are very grateful!

Why do guys like to shoot things?

I have found a new hobby I LOVE! Shooting/hunting. It's so much fun to watch that blue rock explode in the air. And even more fun when with a bunch of friends egging and cheering you on. Naturally, the weather turned bitter ___ cold for the first time this year. But that didn't stop us from having a great time. We ended the after noon by coming to my house and having a great sloppy joe supper.

Me ready to yell "PULL"...

Me and one of my buddies at the shoot.

I'm loading the gun, not wondering to myself..."Does this thing really work?"

Just get a hot dog next time...

Our baby turned 14 this week. Yes, 14...can you believe it? Sis is growing up before our very eyes. I chose to take her for a nice dinner date to a fancy resturant. I even came to the door, rang the bell the whole 9 yards.





This is us at the table after dinner. It was very nice and elegant. Sis and I had a great time...

The resturant went all our and decorated the table just for Sis and made a big deal for her.

But the lesson learned.....

She's still 14 and really would have rather had a hot dog at Sonic versus Spinach Ravioli. When we heard the special for Ravioli, we honestly thought it would look like Chef Boy-R-Dee. NOT! It looked disgusting. After the waiter left, Sis says "What is this?"...."Do I have to eat it?"...."Can't we just go grab a hot dog?"

So, Dad's...when you take your daughters out on a nice date, take it from me....let them pick the resturant.

Oh well, we had fun and enjoyed her birthday.

The Fam

Family shot while back at Ma and Pa "R" this summer.















All the grandkids at grandma's house.

It is DONE!!!!!

We finally finished the fence today. What a chore! After 2 months with a variety of interruptions and trips, we finally completed it today. By the way, just for the record... I hate projects like this. Yes, I feel good about doing it, and yes it looks nice, and YES, we saved thousands by doing it ourselves, but good grief. I tried my hand at making a gate all by myself. Well, it got done, but I'm not so sure how long it's going to last. It's pretty big and heavy. The dogs are absolutely thrilled to be free now in the yard. They are very excited.

That Darn Ankle!

I has been nearly 3 weeks, and while I am MUCH better, and my ankle feels better, I'm still VERY limited in range and the ability to negotiate uneven surfaces. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I mean, I am a PT for heaven's sake! Oh well! I tried jogging on the treadmill a bit this week. It went ok, but still sore!

Fence Progress...

Slow Progess occuring...after a week of vacation, and then being laid up for a week with a sprained ankle, we finally got some work on the fence done. Whew.
















The south side all done. YEAH!





Bailey and her "Project" ...She sat all day nailing the odds and ends togthter after they were cut off. She was actually VERY good help for Mom and Dad.

Dad carrying fence pickets. It was close to 100 degrees by noon. It was VERY hot today! Ended up getting up to 108 by 2:00pm.

He Wrestled a Buffalo...?

So, I've decided that a better story for my ankle is that I wrestled a buffalo while on vacation...what was I thinking? Those stories of animals being safe and friendly are WRONG!

And...He's DOWN!

Nice move X-LAX!
Well, we made it home safe and sound yesterday. Got the camper cleaned, mowed the yard, hit the laundry. I decided to clean the awning and wash all the bug guts off the camper, and when taking a step off the camper steps, proceeded to miss the bottom step and sprained my ankle...BAD! Bad enough that I decided with the 3+ pitting edema maybe I should be on crutches today. This sucks! I attached a couple of photos to see...nice huh? I'll keep you posted on the colorful design that develops.

One guy at church today says "Hey, I heard there is this ONE physical therapist who knows what he's doing"...implying that I didn't...he was obviously joking with me.

Well, I guess I will have to practice what I preach....Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Bobby was nice enough to bring me a bell to ring in the event I needed help. Her mother didn't think that was such a good idea. Of course I'm taking advantage of every ring I can make! HA!

Summer Vacation 2008 Part 3

Well, all good things must come to an end. Today was our final day in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We enjoyed our week and decided to end our time with a lazy day in the camper and the most strenuous thing we did was take about an hour hike as a family up into the forest ground behind our camper. It was great. Took some good shots and had fun. In the afternoon we decided to go swimming at the city pool here in Custer. It was wonderful! Dozing in the sun, watching the girls play and swim, and then enjoying an occasional dip ourselves. It was a great day! Tomorrow we head home....sigh. Oh well. God gave us a great vacation and we've enjoyed it.

Summer Vacation 2008 Part 2

1880's Train Ride

Today started out with a ride on the 1880's train from Hill City, SD to Keystone. It takes about 2 hours and is a beautiful ride with lots to see. The scenery is breathtaking, and the history is very interesting. Kind of pricey, but we thought it was worth it.

Dad and the girls on the train...
Next stop...Flinstonestones Bedrock City
The girls...riding the Bedrock Rail....(another train..toot...toot~!)

When I was a kid, my parents took this same photo of me, I'll try to find it and compare...cute huh? Momma S says I'm just a kid at heart!
S & S setting on a stone pelican...(don't ask!)

I'm messing around on the toys again...

Bobbie and her beautiful hat....She reminds me of a traveler PT that worked for me once...HA!

Summer Vacation 2008

The Black Hills - South Dakota

Does everyone like our new RIG? Isn't she a beauty?

Ha! Gotcha! Just kidding! This is for all of you who make fun of us because we call packing and hauling our 5th wheel camping. Take a look at this...lace curtains, steps that automatically pop out when the door is opened. These folks were from California. The mom (looked like a grandma) carried around a martini glass all the time, the daughter, carted a black toy poodle like a show piece and daddy walked around in his tank top and shorts cleaning things. UGH! After setting up the camper, we decided to try setting up a new net canopy for the picnic table. Dad gave it to me for Christmas. Oh, my! What a chore! Directions that required a nuclear engineer to read, and many tired, hot helping hands. Every time we stuck one pole in, another would pop out! UGH! Finally we got it done, and are now enjoying it.Nice Girls!
Crazy Horse Mountain 1948- Present and still carving... The "A" Fam at Crazy Horse Visitor CenterA "COOL" view of Mt. Rushmore in the tunnels of Hwy 244
The girls out on a hike... S & S out posing on the hike! The Black Hills are simply beautiful!

Daddy and his "girls"...you know...growing up, when I thought about being surrounded by women all day long...somehow, this just isn't quite what I had in mind...But I love it anyway! Thank you God for a healthy family and for wonderful children!