It's All Downhill!

Few things top the joy of children sledding...

Today's challenge was down the "croquet hill"

Loving it!

Laney couldn't get enough

Beckett and Heather set the distance record

Beckett eventually decided he liked wiping out the most.

Laney and Frank broke Beckett's record on this run

Then it was Grandma's turn...

Looking good

A little off the sweet spot

At this point everyone was yelling "LEFT"

At this point everyone was yelling "Are you ok?" (and laughing uncontrollably along with Grandma)

Heather to the rescue.

Grandma did just one run.

Early Christmas Celebration

Delaney, Beckett, Heather, and Frank are heading home tomorrow so we celebrated an early Christmas with them on Sunday evening.

Laney giving me her best "Ho, Ho, Ho"

Appetizers before present opening

Cutting the Quiche

I had to run down the loft stairs to get in this shot.

Hike on the Lake

Conditions were perfect

Delaney and Heather headed home early

Best Buds

Baily was relaxing on the sofa and Delaney decided to do him a favor and bring all his toys over from the box.

The brass bell is not one of his toys.

Words can not explain Baily's joy and appreciation

Dashing Through The Snow

One horse open sleigh ride in Eagle River.

Hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps and buttershot enhancers for the adults

Our host, Floyd

Another group ahead of us on the trail

Deck the Halls

Ready to go.

Busy hanging ornaments

Tough work...time for a nap!

Fini!

Happy Thanksgiving

The Shaw's joined us this year for Thanksgiving at Heather and Frank's.

Getting ready for some outdoor fun before dinner

The calm before the storm

Frank's maiden voyage as a turkey carver.  He aced the task despite all the cooks in the kitchen.

The kids' table.  Baily spent the day at the kennel...he would have loved the kids' table!

The adults' table.  Heather put out a great spread.

Macy has this sitting in the soup pot as I type.

The traditional post dinner bingo game

Fun with Delaney and Beckett

Brief visit with Delaney and Beckett.  Saturday we were on the go.

First stop was the Hartford library for story hour.

Craft project time

They're turkeys if you need to ask

On to the Retzer Nature Center where the demo animals were on display.  Laney and Beckett got their own personal show. This is a young bull frog.

Two of these guys are Bonnie and Clyde

Clyde I believe

Rat Snake.  Non poisonous,  but they do eat a mouse whole once a week.

A White Collared Dove, not native to North America, but the kind most ofter used by magicians.