The saga of the fort continues. It's being enjoyed even before it is finished. Maybe it will never be finished. The roof was sealed this week and windows are installed. The kids have moved in some toys and the atmosphere is relaxed. As the trees leaf out it will be a shady place to enjoy the quiet. Hooch will patrol the woods around the fort.

Here's the picture I didn't get downloaded correctly for the previous post!

12 inches of snow

A cushion of snow on a chair by the play house.

Nanna Pennie shoveling path to the front door. Poppa Martin admiring the pretty snow. Remember, it was 70 degrees on Saturday, and then the temperature dropped to 10 and we got 12 inches of snow 2 1/2 days later. That's Oklahoma! They've always said, "If you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, wait a few hours!"

Hanging the door

Last Friday, when the weather was balmy, in the 70's actually, Martin and Howard got the door hung on the fort. Maria made a delicious pot roast and baked a coffee cake, so how could we refuse to stay for dinner! A few days later we would all be snowed in!

The Fort

Lunch on the new stair landing. After lunch the stairs were built. It's quite a structure!

Getting close to Christmas

The decorated tree is not ours but we thought it was nice enough to show in a picture. Its in a lovely neighborhood close by. The green stuff Martin is holding is his favorite vegetable, a stalk of Brussel sprouts. We had them for thanksgiving! The girls are sticking cloves in oranges for a centerpiece and the family picture is from yesterdays visit to our home by Aunt Lois and Nancy from Arkansas and uncle Irving and his son Steve from Wisconsin. We are on our way to Canada for Christmas on monday and today is Ted Vandenbroeks birthday in Santa Barbara. Have a great Christmas everyone!

Summer to LA

After a few months back home in Bethany we took another drive to California. Visited the children, grandchildren and friends and took some side tours on the way there and back. We always manage to find some new place off the interstate to explore and relax. Trader Joe's usually keeps some of our money in CA and we come home with our goodies and our memories. Next on our 2010 schedule were short family get togethers, a visit to Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas and in December we will travel to Ontario for Christmas with the Canadian family members.