Friday, July 2, 2010

On Friday we packed the kids up and took them to meet their dad in Neosho, Missouri, for a family reunion. Alli wanted to wear her fancy black dress with the fringe on it that Aunt Lisa gave her, but I talked her out of it. Instead she opted for a black skirt and her tshirt autographed by all her friends in Colorado. She has her "ears" on, ready for the long ride. Wally wouldn't allow a picture to be taken of him. I think it might have been because he didn't want to leave and in fact he came back to us after the weekend. His time here by himself will be a separate blog. We love you and miss you Allison. Hurry back and stay longer next time.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Last full day here for Wally and Alli, or at least for Alli. So naturally we went swimming again, this time to the Buffalo River.

Wally has always loved swimming here. The water is clear and always a comfortable temperature in the summer. I love it too.

Grampa is being a smart life guard and staying in the shade.

Allison is trying to catch a few more rays of sun, but it's late in the day so no real danger of burning.




There were lots of tiny frogs on the beach and even Alli got into the spirit and captured some. She used a shell to catch and hold them so she wouldn't get froggy smelling fingers.

They both love playing with the new puppy, L. G. (Little Guy). He is really into belly rubs.

The puppy's eyes are closed in total enjoyment of the moment. Our big dog is in the background, hoping to go unnoticed.

The puppy looks bigger lying on this dog bed with Allison, but he's only about 30 pounds.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 continued

As if swimming at the lake wasn't enough, we stopped on the way home at a local swimming hole next to the White River. This water is spring fed and icy cold. I could only stand to put one foot in and got right back out. Wally joined the rest of the kids in swinging out over the water on a rope and dropping into the water.

In this next picture, Wally is on the rope, about to drop into the water. In the background you can see Alli sunbathing on her towel. She actually did do the swing and drop once but she said it was so cold she felt like she couldn't breathe so she didn't do it again.

I told her that was ok. She did it once to prove she could and now her job was to sit in the sun and look glamorous. She does that very well.

Grampa does a good job of that too.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Today was the day to go to Bull Shoals Lake where we keep our pontoon boat. At the marina, there are huge carp that hang around waiting for handouts. We obliged by buying three bags of fish food.

The carp are huge and get into quite a feeding frenzy.

I was a nervous gramma, worrying that the kids would fall in.

We went to a place where Wally could jump off the rocks into the lake. Even Grampa did it once. I stayed below with the float to help them as they surfaced. Alli stayed on a raft. She didn't want to chance getting into the water where the fish were. She was afraid of the big catfish (maybe she was thinking of the carp), and I can't really blame her. Actually I'm more worried about the needle nose gar that inhabit the lake. Here's one that is about 3 feet long and I didn't even get all it's nose in the picture.

On the way back to the marina we pulled the kids on a tube that is made specifically for that purpose.

They barely both fit in there and probably won't next year. Alli will have to learn to ride it by herself. She might like that better anyway. Wally always wants to go too fast for her.

Those cliffs behind the kids are where Wally was jumping into the water.

Alli got out of the tube and let Wally have a turn by himself so he could go as fast as he wanted. Our pontoon boat is not real fast so it was still a tamer ride than he wanted.

Alli got a new two piece bikini swimsuit for her vacation. She looked so cute in it.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Today Allison decided to get "all dolled up" in her words. Don't know why except she is just such a girlie girl and loves to dress up and put on makeup. She's wearing some of my black suede heels.

Maybe she will grow up to be a model or an actress.

Our big activity for today was going to a cave which is on our neighbor's land. Grampa decided he needed a break so he stayed home. He had been there once and said that was enough for him.

Wally is getting prepared with head lamp and extra flashlights.

He's also got his trusty Swiss Army Knife for emergencies.

Along the way we stopped for a drink break and Wally turned over a rock to look for insects. Instead, he found this young mole. He was thrilled.

Alli changed out of her dressy clothes and into outdoor wear, plus headlamp.

Just inside the cave entrance Wally found some snails on the wall. He brought them home.

Getting into the cave is not easy, nor is getting out. We actually were not sure we were in the right place so we only went in a short way and shined our flashlights around then left. We need to go back with the owner of the cave who can be our guide.

I was very proud of Alli for going in because there were granddaddy long leg spiders everywhere on the walls of the entrance. We had to move them before she would get in but at least she did it. Competition with her brother spurs her on to be brave.

It looks like I am coming out of a well, but it's not that big of a drop to the ground. I wish we could have found the right way into the cave because it opens up into a large room and I think the kids would have found it interesting.

Here the kids are leaving the cave area. Kind of looks like little lost Hansel and Gretel doesn't it.

They did accuse me of trying to get them lost several times but we made it out of the woods ok.

Monday, June 28, 2010

No pictures were taken today. Gramma slipped up.

We let the kids sleep in because they had such a long day on Sunday and boy did they. Neither of them stirred until 11:00. I can't remember if I ever slept like that.

We did a longer horseback ride, with me on Luke, leading first Alli on Joe, then Wally on Joe. We went about a mile down a private road and into our neighbor's pasture. The kids fished there for a little bit with Grampa, but none were biting.

Then we all came back and had a great time playing in the pool. Best money we ever spent!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Sunday morning we got up early so Grampa and Gramma could go to the park for their run/walk exercise. Amy was going to run with us but she thought the kids needed her attention more than we did so she played with them the whole time. She and Alli got had closeup look at an armadillo. I was surprised and pleased that we were actually able to get the whole crew up at 5:00am and out the door by 5:30. We have to go very early to beat the heat.

When we got home Amy decided she better get on the road to Colorado, so she packed and hit the road with only her dog Xena for company. We kept the kids busy all day with swimming in the pool, eating, teaching them a new card game (Kings in the Corner), and going down the hill a short way to the creek to wade.

The swimming pool was rather warm today, so this spring fed creek was cold and felt good to us all, but especially to our long haired black dogs.



Here are the two kids, checking out the water to see what's in it. Wally is hoping for things to be in the water. Alli is wishing nothing would be in it other than plants. They forgot their water shoes so Wally is wearing my rubber boots and Alli is wearing my water shoes.

Wally, the future biologist, collecting snails and tadpoles, as always.

Allison's job is to look as glamorous as possible at all times, even at a creek where there is no public, just the camera. She's a natural beauty.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Today was a day to relax and catch up on sleep, laundry, computer games, and of course more swimming. We got some much needed rain today which slowed down our swimming activities for a while.

Tonight we cooked hamburgers on the grill and Amy made her great "little square potatoes". Our friend and neighbor, Deidra, joined us and we enjoyed seeing her.

Now Amy and the kids are finishing out the day with a movie on the air mattress bed. Tomorrow we are all scheduled to get up early and go for a run in the park. Wonder if we will all really go? Grampa and I sure need the exericise. We are not used to eating so much that is not on our diet. Sure is fun though!

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Friday, June 25, 2010

We started out our busy Friday with a short horseback ride to get the kids used to the horses again. The horses were more interested in eating the grass than doing what the kids wanted. Wally is on Little Joe, the paint, and Alli is on Luke, the palomino.

Plus we got started too late and it was really too hot to enjoy the riding. Wally was the smart one and quit early to go get in the pool. Alli sure looks older than an 8 year old doesn't she.

After a cooling swim, we went into town to the library where they were having their summer program for kids. Today was a visit from two tigers that are part of the population of a big cat refuge in Arkansas. The tigers are two years old, 300 pounds each. Two years ago when they visited the library they were bottle fed babies. I wish we had seen them then.

More swimming in the afternoon, then a bonfire in our kettle for cooking hot dogs and roasting marshmallows. I really couldn't believe we were going to have a fire in this heat, but once the sun went down it actually wasn't bad sitting out by the fire. Cold beer and soda kept us cool.

Wally (surely a future biologist) is always delighted to find an animal of any kind. Luckily tonight it was only a toad, not a snake.

Beautiful mama, beautiful daughter.

Thursday, June 24, 2010, (continued)

Before getting in the pool today, the kids had some kind of frozen treat. Alli was so tickled that the color of hers exactly matched her swim suit. Grampa just thinks Alli is so beautiful.

Alli and LG are getting ready to take a ride with me in the Ranger. Notice her voluptuous Barbie-like figure. She achieved this with balloons that she put in the "pouches" of her swimsuit top.

Wally declined the ride in the Ranger and stayed home to target practice with the air rifle. He's very good about the safety procedures Grampa has taught him.

Amy and her dog Xena went for a walk to our mailbox (about a mile from the house). She wanted to get a cardio workout and I know she did in the heat and on our hills. When she got back she was extremely happy to get in the pool to cool off. She's not used to sweating like we do here.