Orlando Trip 2-2010

Sea World was awesome! Cool and cloudy in the morning but by 11a.m. the sun came out and the day was saved. We went to the Shamu Show. These Killer whales weigh about 4000 lbs. HUGE!! and are so agile in the water.

They develop a relationship with one trainer for life and are devoted to him/her. The only requirements to work with the whales is to be an avid swimmer and love animals.

Flamingo's behind the red/orange geraniums.....beautiful!

Taking a break [just for a second] then off we went again. We got here at 10 and left around 3. We saw ALL the animals but didn't hit any of the rides [shhhhhh....that's ok with Noni] : }

We packed a lunch and found a shady place to eat while watching the new Manta Ride splash down the rails with all the people screaming.

They did so well and were so excited about "everything" we saw and did. What a FUN day!

Alligator pond!

Watching the Manatee's under the water. Very bizarre looking creatures.

A Manatee from above the water. All the Manatee's were rescued for some reason or another and will be returned to the ocean as soon as they are healed.

The friendly and very smart Dolphins.

These birds [?name] were standing on the rocks in the Sting-ray pond. When the wind blew, it appeared as though they had long hair instead of feathers.

All the Sting-rays [uncountable]. People were feeding them and they would literally hold their heads out of the water waiting for fish to be dropped into their mouths. We got wet from all their flipping in the water. Noey loved it, but not Will. I think it frightened him.

This is the dock on the resort complex we're staying at [Summer Bay Resort]. It's a large lake with a white sandy beach right next to the heated pool. Beautiful and fun for the boys.

Taking a break from the pool to eat our picnic lunch.

Lynn having fun with her boys in the warm water.

My mom and dad came up to Orlando to visit me before Lynn and the boys came. They were on they're way to Jacksonville for a golf week with Dee and Mark [my sister and brother-in-law]. I loved it since I hadn't seen them since 8/09.

GG & Papa Short

Vail, CO trip 1/2010

Driving out of Vail : { I always hate leaving God's country....but we'll be back! I waited at the bottom of the run so I could catch dad and I did! Yeah!!!! It was so cold that he couldn't move his face while talking to me. Weird looking!

While waiting for dad to come down, the ski medics came in pulling this sled with an injured victim. It was a skateboader....he hurt his leg somehow....interesting!

View of the run while waiting to catch of glimspe of dad coming down. I didn't imagine there would be soooo many blue jackets.

The next few pics are of Vail Village. So quaint it makes you just want to walk the streets and look around while smiling : }

This is the "covered bridge" you have to walk across to get into Vail Village. LOVE IT!

Looking out our hotel window about 7:00 a.m. There's nothing like the blue skies of Colorado.

Oh, this is the scenerio I learned how to Cross Country ski in. It was on Vail Golf course. Absolutely loved this sport and will continue it.

Learned on groomed cross country ski trails. REALLY nice!

Rob & Susan Visit

Susan and Rob surprised us and made dinner for us. We loved it! They made home-made Lavash with chicken and vegtables....very good.

Susan has 2 baby showers at work, so she and Rob "made" diaper cakes for each couple. I've never seen this before. It is so adorable! In between the diapers are presents. Very unique!

I love the way she touches Rob when she's talking to him, walking past him, standing or sitting next to him. Her quick laughter and ever ready smile. It's awesome to watch and such a blessing to us to see our son loved in this way. We love her too!! : }

Rob & Susan

OK, mom here is your grandson and his special lady

New Years '09 in Chapel Hill, NC

A g-daughter after her Noni's own heart. Emma tried on every pair of my shoes. In fact, Will did the same thing and I had to look in his room to find them. Maybe it's the age, I remember Alex doing this too. I love it! : } Playing with her castle...really cute. Note the pink cowgirl boots papa and I got her for Christmas. She wore them with "every" outfit, even her footsie jama's.

This is Emma Mae's big bedroom that houses her kitchen. We played up there a lot. Note the pink cowgirl boots are not far from her sight and of course, there are Noni's shoes! : }

Had to stop at Starbucks for a break for Noni and Papa!

Emma and her daddy playing with play-dough. Take note of her art work on the wall.

Emma and mom making those million dollar, literally, Double Delight Peanut Butter cookies.

Getting big WAY Too Fast : {

Having our first real Tea Party with tea cookies using her new tea set she got for Christmas. Adorable! Papa couldn't get his fingers in the cup handle : }

Here is Emma Mae's stocking from Noni

Omaha Winter 1-10

This is what we saw late this afternoon out the window. On the left is what dad calls a Sun Dog and of course the sun itself on the right.Where is this? Omaha??? A huge snow plow trying to plow our street. It's hazy due to the blowing snow. The winds all day have been about 35 -40 mph with a wind chill of -25

This drift is well over my head right on the driveway. Our neighbors dug this drift away from the front of all 3 doors to our garage while we were in Florida and N. Carolina.

Our front porch is literally gone. My huge green vase on the porch is totally submerged. Forget the star Christmas lights under the snow!

Christmas 2009

We went to Ocala, Fla. for Christmas to Adam & Lynn's. This is getting ready for Christmas dinner. Uncle Jake [Lynn's brother] riding on the driveway with Will on the bike that Noey out grew. Will did great! Riding a bike with training wheels and pedalling his little heart out.

Dad got a what?? He got a Snuggy! And LOVED it.

Happy birthday, Jesus!

We went to Silver Springs on Christmas Eve. Rod and I were having kind of a hard time feeling as though it were Christmas since it was about 60 degrees. Walking through this park helped immensely. As we walked around and followed the paths for about 1 1/2 hours, we viewed Christmas lights in every shape and size with carols playing all around us. It was wonderful and exactly what we needed.

Merry Christmas [in case you couldn't read this]

Papa and Noah walking around the back yard. It was huge and full of trees draped in this willowie moss every where. There were armadillo holes all around and I never did see any. Supposedly they come out in the evening and through the night. I really looked!

Just looking at the jungle behind the fence in the back yard. What an awesome yard for the boys!

Noey is now every bit 4 1/2 years old. He is so loving and was constantly telling us how much he loved us. Of course, we ate it up! : }

We were taking a walking tour of the vet. clinic right on the other side of the fence to Adam & Lynn's back yard. The land was beautiful and to be able to walk down the driveway to work if you wanted to, is simply awesome.

Dr. Lusk [Jr.] : } When dad went to work with Adam one day, they called Adam over the intercom saying, "Drs. Lusks". Everyone laughed : }

Showing dad the area where the horses stay after surgery. Way cool!!!

An orange tree right in the front yard. They were scrumptious!

Lynn in her wonderfully, huge kitchen. She was such a wonderful hostess. We had a fabulous time!

OK, this is one week before Christmas. Rob came up to celebrate Christmas with us. Phil couldn't come due to a catering job commitment. We missed you, Philip!

Every year after all the presents are opened, dad always hides a very small gift in the tree for me to hunt for. I love it! : }

Pattie and Bruce sent me this fur scarf. It's really adorable and looks a lot better with my black coat. I love the fur rose on it!

Robby still gets a stocking to go through Christmas morning. I made this one almost 29 years ago..WOW!

The youngest child is always the one that gets to hand out ALL the presents to each person. Since Phil wasn't here, the job naturally went to Rob. He acted as though it was such a chore, but I saw him smiling!