Dec 27 - Sharing Christmas Eve and Day
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The traditional Christmas Eve supper. Potato salad, German wieners, and the red glasses.
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 Christmas morning and Santa had left:
Judy: A Hallmark 4 pack movies, Wii Fit plus, and a sweater.
Lutz: Socks, The Astronaut Farmer, Classic Westerns, The Abyss, squishy nuts (otherwise know as Cashews) and a new Swiss Army knife.
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And from each other a Wii game.
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Christmas dinner, Everything there, except more family.
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Dec 20 - The countdown is on.
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With the nice weather we were able to get our outside Manger scene up.
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Dec 13 - We'll be Home for Christmas, You can count on that...
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So the tree is up and decorated.
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And if you have Coke bottles as ornaments you might be a Redneck.
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The Manger scene.
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And an early gift. A 22"HD to replace the old 12" upstairs.
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Grampa's holiday train. Click here
train.wmv
to see the train go.
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Dec 6 - Delayed Birthday Celebration and The Nylons
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Gunnar's birthday party was delayed until all the grandparents could come.
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And we went to the Nylons Christmas. The tickets were a birthday gift to Judy and Lutz. Great show.
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The piñata queens.
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The Kitchen explained
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Nov 29 - After three years of not, the House is decorated once more.
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The lights are up
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Just a different light setting on the camera.
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Close up of the deer.
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And a picture of Abi and Eeyore just for fun.
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Nov 22 - Our Granddaughter signs with LSU
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Deanna and Brian are very proud to announce that after months of recruiting and trips, Kyra has signed a full ride academic and athletic scholarship with LSU, (Louisiana State University). She is very excited and looking forward to getting her undergraduate Degree in Chemical Engineering from LSU. This photo is her official signing with her coach, Clayton Cagle.
We are also very proud of our granddaughter.
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Nov 8 - Another Surprise Birthday Party
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When Judy entered Argos restaurant Saturday, there was Karen, Megan, Al and Pam.
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Later that evening, Tim Horton's doughnuts, candles, singing happy birthday - the works.
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The three sisters Pam, Judy, Karen.
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Incidentally it was also the 4th annual get together of the kidney transplant.
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Nov 1 - Halloween Surprise and Early Birthday Party
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Friday night, the doorbell rang, "trick or treat" It was a treat - Gunnar and Dacy surprise visit.
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And that meant a very happy gramma.
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And an early birthday party. Gunnar helps blow out the candles.
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Over in Gloucester, UK, Abi at her Halloween party. Too Cute.
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A couple of pumpkins in Katy TX.
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I wonder if the great pumpkin will bring me presents?
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Oct 25 - New Washer Pair
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This is a dog sleeping completely relaxed and content.
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And this is a dog just woken up from a camera flash
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Judy preparing the first load on the new laundry pair.
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A happy woman with her new toys.
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Oct 11 - Happy Thanksgiving
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Our Happy Thanksgiving guy.
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Taffy loves to cuddle with the dad.
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Gramma bought Grampa some Snoopy lounge pants.
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Lutz and Judy, Thanksgiving dinner.
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Sept 27 - Three Birthdays
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Abi turned one on Sept 19.
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A beautiful birthday cake
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And on Sept 20 Jenica turned (We don't give lady's ages)
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Apparently no BD pictures. but some recent shots.
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And Grampa Lutz turned 62 on Sept 22.
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And apparently, unbeknown to him, started the day with this on the back of the truck.
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Sept 14 - The Sept Long Weekend
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Gunnar going for ride in Gramma's school bus
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A little dress up action
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A little pool action
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An early happy birthday grampa
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Judy with Dacy and Jen go for a bike ride.
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And then we walk the dogs
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More pictures of the long weekend here
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Aug 30 - Judy In Edmonton
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Gramma with her favourite cartoon character shirt. Gunnar, who is under 4, took all the pictures except the ones he is in.
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Gramma and Dacy - fun on the swing.
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Mike and Gunnar put together Dacy's new bed.
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A day in Fort Edmonton.
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A crash at the bottom of the slide.
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And while Gramma is away, Lutz has to cook at the concession down at the Senior Men's Slowpitch ball park. Cooked lots of hamburgers and hot dogs for fans and players.
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Sleeping In Seattle
Judy and Deanna spent the week in Seattle while Kyra swam in the Junior Nationals. More Seattle pictures here
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Aug 2 - An End Of An Era
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From the Medicine Hat News, July 31/09
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Mr. Perschon,
Thank you so much for the years of perspective and opinion. You have given me much to work with over the years and you will be missed.
Dean Kapcala
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A new hair do, and comforter from Crackerbarrel.
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July 25 - Texas - Part 2
A little pool VB action. More pictures of our time in Katy here
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Return Day 1 - We left Houston Wednesday morning with a couple of dogs giving us sad looks. More Day 1 here
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Return Day 2 - As usual we got started out late from Wichita, with the primary goal being Dodge City. On the way we came upon this fence with weird characters cut and welded from scrap metal. More Day 2 here
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Return Day 3: Day 3 started with more pioneer experiences as we left Ogallala and drove along the old Oregon, Mormon, and California trails. We stopped at this site on the Oregon trail where again ruts were still visible in the landscape. More Day 3 here
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Return Day 4: On day 4 we sleep in and then head for home. On the way we pass the Judith "Judy's" Mountains. Not the Rockies but not everyone has a mountain range with their name.
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Stats
Total Distance Trip Down - 5230 KM, 3250 Miles
Total Distance Trip Back - 3630 KM, 2250 Miles
Total Distance Driven Including in Katy 10,000 KM, 6200 Miles
Mileage Combined City/ Hwy: 7.82 L/100 KM
30 MPG US
36 MPG IMP
 Late lunch in Havre and then the final push. The GPS, we named "Lulu" indicates the upcoming border. Many thanks to Lulu because on the trip she was a great help, albeit sometimes we wondered about her sanity. Great trip and we arrived 6:00 PM. |
Maps of trip down and back here
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Jul 11 - The Trip Down To Texas
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 Day 3 - We arrived Salt Lake City late Friday night and after another great Super 8 (more un- Super) night, we head out to see the LDS Temple. If you look on the bottom right you can see Judy and Lutz in the picture. With only 10 seconds delay, it was a hard sprint from the tripod.
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 Day 4 - From Vegas we moved on to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. One of those places that you have to experience. No pictures will do but we'll give you a few anyway. |
Day 5 - saw us pull out of Flagstaff AZ heading for Sedona and Red Rock State Park. But first we passed through the Oak Creek Canyon, another amazing drive that starts with a winding road drop that just never seemed to end. And along the way amazing formations. More pictures of Day 5 here.
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Day 6 - We rolled out of Tucson and down to Tombstone. The whole city is designated an historic site. This is the site of the OK Corral where the famous gun fight took place but it's walled tight and unless you pay admission, you don't get to have a look. More pictures of Day 6 here.
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Day 7 - After leaving El Paso we again decide to get off the Interstate Highway and take the longer road. We saw many of these eagles soaring. We think they are Golden Eagles but not sure. More pictures of Day 7 here. Day 8 we arrived Katy but no new pictures.
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June 21 - The Patriarch Plays Ball
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This is a classic stance, and about as far as I can bend.
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How can you tell this guy is safe? Well my glove is empty and the ball is just into the picture on the left, just above the fence.
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That's one mean looking sucker up to bat, don't ya think?
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And that's a hit way out into field. Pretty good for an old guy.
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June 7 - Weekend In Edmonton
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The weekend in Edmonton. Cold outside - warm inside.
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A day at Fort Edmonton. Gramma and Gunnar by the flag pole.
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A pony ride for Dacy..
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and Gunnar.
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May 24 - New lives.
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A den of foxes, with 8 new kits. Endless playing.
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And here's mom with a watchful eye on them and us.
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Three new Canada Geese out in open water.
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And a new colt, still unsteady on its legs.
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May 17 - Before and After
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Living Room Before
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Playing with the neighbour boys. Good form but it didn't go in.
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And Judy - Not so good form, but it went in.
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May 10 - 30 Years and Mother's Day
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Lutz receives his award for 30 years at Cypress County from Reeve George Russill
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For Mother's Day, Judy wanted to spend it cleaning up the head stone where her mother and father are buried.
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Judy with her spring flowers
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Lutz shows off the blooming plum tree.
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May 5 - Gunnar's Painting and other things.
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Gunnar wanted to remember the view from the Canmore "Hotel". Only 3 years old, this was his creation.
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Mom's making popcorn and the dogs know when they pop a few will land on the floor. Did you know popcorn is not good for dogs?
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Judy cleans off Taffy's face. Gem says let me lick it off.
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All the naysayer rescue shelters were afraid of putting a small dog with Gem. These two are practically joined at the hip.
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April 19 - The Cottles in Medicine Hat
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After we left Canmore we stopped at Great Auntie Karen's.
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Then tea, cookies, and a little piano at Great Auntie Annemarie's.
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Finally at Gramma's and Grampa's house. "Nice rug"
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And a ride on Grampa's shoulders
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Great fun at the Leisure Centre pool. Abi loved it.
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And finally it was time to go home to England.
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Apr 11- Family Reunion in Canmore.
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Out for the morning walk
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Lunch at the Grizzly Pub and restaurant.
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On top of Sulphur Mountain
Mike, Brian, Kyra, Deanna, Rio, Jen, Dacy, Jamie,Abi, Ade, Gunnar, Judy
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and the Easter bunny.
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Abigail's dedication
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The family picture. Wonder when we'll get the next one?
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Apr 5 - Canmore here we come.
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Picture of the building
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Kitchen where we will all have fun and food.
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And this is where we sleep...
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and eat.
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Mar 28 - Sure Sign of Spring - Maybe
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A sure sign of spring is tulips popping out of the ground. The roses still want to be covered...
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as does Gem's nose. So she sticks it under the blanket. It only made it to plus 5 this weekend.
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Mar 22 - Two More March Birthdays.
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Mike's steam punk thing.
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Brian rides a new bike now but we haven't got a picture yet.
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Happy Birthday Mike - Tuesday - 24
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Happy Birthday Brian - Saturday - 28
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Mar 17 - Rio becomes a teenager.
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Mar 1 - In like a Lamb, hopefully not out like a Lion
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It's been very cold this winter and not many runs out on the trail. The snow is still so hard even Gem doesn't fall through in the middle of the ditch.
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But it went to -1C Sunday and the dogs were out and loving it. Gem, who is carrying a bit of winter fat, seemed a little out of shape.
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Feb 21 - 20 Years of Driving School Bus.
Driving school bus for 20 years certainly is great achievement. Judy received this watch from Traxx Transportation (Tot-em Transportation) last week. Judy started driving in May 1988. She hopes to make 25 years.
Congratulations Judy!
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Feb 8 - Dacy turns 1
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"Mom, look what I got, a Tinkerbell backpack!"
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The boys were all too happy to help open the new tea set -
and play with it.
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Out of the Piñata fell lots of good candy.
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Auntie Daniel blows bubbles. Oooo.
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And the first cake. We all loved it - including Dacy.
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And Grampa and Gramma with Dacy and Gunnar.
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Jan - 18 Latest Shots of the Grandchildren
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What gramma would think otherwise?
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Our newest Abigail at 3+ months.
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Next in line is Dacy showing she's dangerously close to walking. Her first birthday is February 6.
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Gunnar is 3 and serious about playing rock band guitar. Knows how to make those faces.
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Rio loves to sing and is very good at it.
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And our eldest Kyra, the swimmer. This is her famous pose.
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Jan 11 - Cold, snow and warm.
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When we got home it was cold with lots of snow. We estimate well over 12" on the front lawn.
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Judy stands beside the snow piles. Judy has her arm straight out showing how high the pile is. There's another on the other side.
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But then the Chinook showed up and it was warm enough to run out in the open prairie. Taffy actually loves playing in the snow. Tough Canadians.
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A special treat for Judy was receiving this Black Devils Christmas Card which was sent Christmas 1944 from her dad stationed in Europe to her Great Uncle in North Dakota.
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Jan 4 - The first few days of 2009 in Katy TX.
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At the playground Gunnar finds a friend, Avery.
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Jenica and Dacy share a moment.
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Rio and Gunnar show off their gingerbread house
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Then it was Rock Band 2 time. A couple of the bands
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Out of view was guitar player Deanna...
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...and lead vocalist Judy doing a Fleetwood Mac classic.
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