Friday, December 25, 2009

12/25/2009 – Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all and a special thanks to our service men and women who keep our country safe and free!

Today we had a neighborhood Christmas dinner at Harrell and Tommie Sue’s.  We volunteered to fry a turkey and also bring stuffing and gravy.

Here’s the turkey waiting to jump into a pot of hot oil.

Turkey 

Ken is waiting for the oil to heat up to the right temperature.

Waiting 

The turkey takes a plunge into the hot oil.

Turkey-into-Pot 

The turkey is seen here enjoying the hot tub.

Turkey-Cooking 

And here are a few photos of the neighbors visiting and enjoying a wonderful meal.

People 

People-2 

People-3 

TS 

 

Sunday, December 13, 2009

11/29 – 12/13/2009 – Hanging Out at Valero Estates

The blogging is slowing down as we settle into our winter habitat at our lot in Valero Estates.  Last year we put up 3 bird feeders and (so far) we have cut down to just one.  Here’s a photo with a red cardinal and titmouse enjoying a meal on the feeder.

Red-Cardinal 

Ken saw Dr. K in San Antonio and found out that there are improvements in back surgery since we last saw him the spring.  Last Monday he had an RF procedure and epidural steroid injection, but he’s been pretty sore compared to last year when he had the same procedures.  We’ve both been in for physicals at our new doctors and are very impressed at how complete they are compared to the doctors in Coeur d’Alene.  I have three tests scheduled for next Friday and Ken will be seeing a skin doctor after we see how the back doctor appointments work out.

This past Tuesday, our friends Bob and Dori, arrived to stay until after Christmas. 

Bob-and-Dori

Dori barbecued some wonderful pork ribs for an early dinner today.

Dori-Cooking 

Bob is very artistic and I had a project in mind for him.  We had a beautiful sunny day today that was perfect getting to work on it.  I printed out a picture of what I had in mind and cleaned off the rock that would be the backdrop for our address sign.  Bob did a wonderful job on it!  Can you guess the street number of our lot?  Here’s the outcome:

7-Eleven

Saturday, December 12, 2009

11/28/2009 – Return to Valero Estates

After enjoying Thanksgiving in Wylie, we made the return trip to Spring Branch, TX where we will spend a majority of our winter.  We have found some good doctors in the San Antonio area and Ken will be going through some medical procedures and possibly avoid back surgery.

11/24 – 11/28/2009 – Wylie, TX

We moved to East Fork COE campground on Lake Lavon to spend Thanksgiving with Chris, Laurie, McKenna and Kendall.  It was a pretty nice day and Chris fried a turkey out near their pool.  This photo is a view from the gazebo looking toward the back of their house.

Chris-and-Laurie's-Backyard 

This photo is of our granddaughters Kendall and McKenna.

Kendall-and-McKenna 

And here are the girls with their cousins.  Back row: Dillon and Chandler  Front row: McKenna, Savannah and Kendall.  Ken is seated to the right and Chris is in the background.

McKenna-Kendall-and-cousins 

There was lots of good food served and we didn’t go away hungry!

11/19 – 11/23/2009 – Van Alstyne, TX

Before going to a campground near Chris and Laurie’s house, we spent a few nights camped at the home of our friends Terry and Sylvia.  We had an enjoyable visit with them and also took the truck up to Sherman to have it checked out where Chris works.

11/15 – 11/18/2009 – Spring Branch, TX

We arrived at our lot located in Valero Estates in Spring Branch, TX and spent the next few days getting tools unloaded before heading north for Thanksgiving.