Family Christmas Celebration

We had a great weekend. Kevin & Sarah came home Saturday and spent Saturday and Sunday with us. We did alot of catching up with them and just enjoyed being together. Monday Kurt and Christy and their family came to spend the day with us and it was great to be all together. We really enjoy spending time with our family. Monday when Kurt's got here, we opened our stocking gifts and then had breakfast. Our traditional egg casserole and french toast casserole. This year Kurt & Christy brought delicious biscuits and gravy. Then we opened all our gifts. I think everyone liked what they got. I know I did!! Believe it or not, Keith and I got each other the same thing!! GPS systems. We are still laughing about how we never discussed GPS when we would see an ad on TV because we were each afraid we would give it away!! We called my Mom in Florida and talked to her. I got all of the grandkids a new robe. Kurt & Christy and family had to leave in the afternoon to go to her family Christmas. Kevin and Sarah left not long after Kurts to get home so they could celebrate Christmas with her sister Katie and nephew Casey. I got a really neat pop up book on Amazon.com and read it to the kids. I asked Kurt if he wanted to see it and he said "No I want you to read it to me." So I did. It has been a long time since I read him a book. But it looks like he enjoyed it.

Today we went to Fort Wayne and went out to lunch with my sister Karen and husband Bob and then to the National Treasure movie. I thought it was great and I am sure there will be sequel and I am looking forward to it. I would like to wish all our friends and family a Happy New Year.

The Whitman Clan

On Saturday the 15th of December we had all of Keith's brothers and spouses and sister and his Mom over for a get-together. Usually when we get together there are so many kids and grandkids and it seems that the families sit together and they never really get to visit for long. Don't get me wrong, we all enjoy seeing all the kids and grandkids and really don't see them often enough so that they can get to know each other. So Keith decided to put this together. We decided to do it every year. Maybe in the summer out here so the guys can fish is they want. They started coming around noon and we ate at 1:30. The conversations never stopped. We had plenty to eat. We never got out a game or cards. They were happy just to talk. It was between 10 and 11 before everyone went home and I don't think Keith was ready for them to leave! Linda stayed all night with us and we stayed up till after one just talking.

They all made it except Greg. Tom & Mary, Gary & Lorraine, Dave & Linda, Jim & Pam, sister Linda, and of course Keith & I. Greg could not come as they were calling for snow (and got it) and he is in charge of cleaning roads for the county. He was missed. Another reason to have it in the summer next year. I will post a couple picture of the day.

New Garage Doors

We got our new garage doors installed yesterday on the new building and on our garage. They match. The sun was on the house and not on the garage so they look different, but they are the same. Thought I would give you a sneak peak!! Did my Christmas baking today-made nine pumpkin rolls.

Christmas Down Under

Chloe was in her school's Christmas program tonight. It was Christmas Down Under. The songs were catchy and fun. Chloe had a speaking part, Plato Platypus, and she remembered every line and spoke up so you could hear her. It was a fun cute program and everyone did a good job, especially our Chloe! It was dark of course and my pictures turned out pretty dark. I tried to lighten one but I didn't do too good of a job. I have a picture of Chloe after the program, but for some reason, the program is not responding so I can't add it. Will try later.

Holiday Decorations

I have been busy decorating our home and finishing my Christmas shopping. We went to the library Christmas party last night. Just before we left, Kurt called from the woods and he had got a buck with his muzzle loader. They were going to hunt a little longer so Kraig might be able to get one. So we didn't get to see this one as we had to leave for the party. When we came out from the party all the windows on the car (and of course the sidewalk and streets) were covered with ice!! Merry Christmas! We had Doug & Mary Sue paint our garaage Friday and Saturday. They painted the ceiling and walls. Looks great. We had them paint the ceiling white and mixed together some white and rushmore stone left from the house for the light beige of the walls. I just thought I would send some pictures of some of our decorations-well probably most of them as I always get carried away when downloading picture. Come visit us. Frosty will greet you on the porch! I even have a couple snowmen looking at their family album setting next to all my family ablums and four nativity scenes. Now all I need is my family home and all will be perfect!

Mom's in Florida, Chloe is 7 and Chappy is 70.

It's been awhile since I blogged. Mom left for Florida and arrived there a week ago today. Chloe turned seven years old and we went to her party at Kurt's on Friday. Gary put the entrance doors and the window in the building Friday and put the cap and cupelo on Saturday. We went to Avilla for a surprise party for one of our friends, Bill Chapman who turned 70 years old. He is still so active and fun!! Keith is finishing up the soffit and facia on the building today. Now all that is left is the garage doors and they are on order. Well, not all, he is putting a ceiling in and we ordered the stuff to put that in today. It should arrive in ten days. So maybe in two weeks, we can actually say the the building is DONE. Although we still have to put the electricity in........and the weather vane.......... I don't think you are ever DONE!!

Busy Saturday!

Saturday was a busy day here. Keith, Gary, Jim and Tom put the roof on the building. Just needs the cap, cupalo, and soffit. I went to the open house of the town hall and the grand opening of the new flower shop in addition to fixing lunch for the guys and a pie for break time. Kurt's kids came trick or treating and KURT GOT HIS FIRST DEER IN OUR WOODS! I had just looked out the window as he had been in the woods in his tree stand for hours and said "I sure hope Kurt gets a deer." Just a couple minutes later Kurt called from the woods and said he had one and wanted Dad to bring back the gator to get it. He was excited and I was happy for him. Since it was a doe, he can still get a buck when gun season comes in. It is bow season now. Gary is here this morning and they are going to work on finishing the roof.

Friday night Keith & I worked at the library Halloween party. Over 80 kids came. Kurt & Christy brought their kids to the party. We had to dress up. Keith was the guy from Scream and I was a witch. I will also post pictures of that.

Keith's Truck

I forgot, I wanted to show you what Keith got done to his truck while we were in South Carolina. It really makes the topper look better now. I will post a couple pictures of it.

Last Truss Going Up.....

Just wanted to post some pictures. I took one of Kurt & Christy when they got home from celebrating their anniversary.

I went out to watch Keith & Gary working on the building and a blimp went over so I took a picture of it. And I took some pictures of the last truss going up. Then they are going to quit for the day. Keith has auctions every day next week except Friday and that is Grandparents Day at Riverdale. Kevin & Sarah will be here and we have the Engler Christmas Sunday and then the auctions start again, so I don't know when they will get back to putting the roof on.

I'm Back................

Doesn't seem like it's been almost a month since my last post. We went on vacation to South Carolina for ten days. When we got back, Fraidy Cat was gone. We had a great time and really hot weather. While we were coming through Kentucky, it was neat to see the tobacco hanging in the barns to dry, I will post a couple pictures I took. After we got back, Keith & Gary worked on the building. They got 8 of the trusses up last Sunday. All the block work is done. When they get the roof done, all that is left is the window and doors. I'll post a picture of them putting up trusses. As Keith has so many auctions, his time to work on the building is limited. I hope we get the roof on before snow.

When we got back, we went to Christy's grandparents 60th wedding celebration. I will post a picture of Christy's family there.

I went to Salt Fork State Park last week for three days of Public Finance Training. I have received my Certified Public Finance Administrator designation. I have to go to Deer Creek State Park for three days of software training week after next.

Keith is keeping really busy with auctions. This month he has had auctions on the 1st, two on the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, two on the 23rd, 25th, 27th and the 29th. That's a lot of auctions. That makes 20 auctions in 31 days and getting ready for the auctions on the days in between. Tonight he is in Michigan. He left this morning and is getting the auction ready for tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am keeping the kids so Kurt and Christy can go out to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary. While I have them I am taking them to get their pictures taken. Keith and I will celebrate our 37th anniversary on the 18th. (Well we won't really celebrate that night as he has an auction at 6 p..m.)

Fraidy Cat

Yesterday when I went out to my car to leave for work I could hear a cat or kitten that really sounded forlorn. I just couldn't tell where the sound was coming from at first. Keith came out and found it. He was laying on one of our chairs on the front porch. I tried to approach him, but he wanted nothing to do with me. So I left for work. When I got home, Keith told me he had fed it some milk and a smoky link. Didn't know cats liked smoky links, but apparently they do. He was there again this morning, and Keith fed him again. He just was really spooked and didn't want anyone close to him. During the day, Keith was working on the building, putting the sill on to set the trusses on, and I would talk to the kitten, but he still did not want me close. After several tries, he let me pet him and the way he acted he had never been petted before. But soon he had his engine running (really purring). When I tried to walk away from him he just kept getting under foot and did not want me to leave him. He has a really plaintive cry. Maybe he will stay around for awhile. So I told Keith I named him Fraidy Cat. Took a couple pictures of course.

Wild Turkeys.

Yesterday when I looked out the kitchen window there were six wild turkeys within 30 to 35 feet of the house. I got my camera and thought I turned off the flash - Not!! So when I took the picture though the window it startled them. So I thought "Oh well, I'll step out the back door and take their picture." They can really run fast and they were out of camera range before I could get a picture. I was surprised at how long their beards were. They almost hit the ground. They were all tom turkeys. They were out on the other side of the pond most of the day. Today they are back and I have been watching them with the binoculars. It is so neat when they spread their feathers out. Too bad there is no hunting season of wild turkeys up here except in the Spring. They are really good sized.

Happy Birthday Times Three!

Saturday we celebrated Sarah's (July 11), Kevin's (July 24) and Christy's (September 7) Birthdays. I baked three cakes and we had burgers, hot dogs, salads, etc. Kurt, Christy, Kraig, Casey, Chloe, Cayla, Grandma Engler, Grandma Whitman and Uncle Denny all came and helped us celebrate. Kurt and Christy gave Kevin and Sarah tickets to the Kruse Auction at the Auburn Cord Duesenburg Days so they went Saturday night. Sunday Keith, Kevin, Sarah and I went over to Auburn to see what was up on the square. There were booths with crafts, etc. and the bronze statues. I will post pictures of the birthday kids with their cakes and some pictures of the bronze statues. In one Kevin is trying to share their ice cream cone. I bought a cuckoo clock at an auction and will also post a picture of the kids waiting on the cuckoo to come out at noon. We had a great weekend with our family.

Hare today-gone tomorrow.

Well, now I know why that rabbit in my last post let me get so close to her. After we had the lawn mowed, you could see that she had been setting on a nest. I will post a picture taken on the 1st of the nest and if you look close you can see her babies. The next picture was taken on the 3rd and they are out of the nest but still staying close. They were not afraid of me at all. But on the 4th, they were gone.

Update

Christy won a contest on Froggy radio and won tickets to a Poison concert in Indianapolis last week, so we got to keep the kids overnight. It was fun. I will post pictures of the kids and a bunny we watched in the yard. Gary and Keith have been working on the building. I will post a picture or two I took tonight when I got home from work. The have two and a half walls done! Gary is coming back in the morning and they will work some more on it. Tonight there was a hummingbird in the garage for quite awhile. We couldn't get him to go out. I have a picture of him on the ceiling fan in the garage. We watched six deer (two fawns) playing in the back yard Sunday. It was so neat! Looking forward to company for the Labor Day Weekend. More later.