what is "a long series of wanderings or adventures, especially when filled with notable experiences"?

The birth of a daughter, and 15 mo later, another.

Three years more, a boy and ending 7-1/2 years later with another girl. 

Actually, Johanna wasn't "the end" -- it was just the beginning of an Odyssey. 

Sorry, couldn't resist -- Sweet Cheeks, above and below!

and it didn't take long to know 4 children would be playmates and best friends.

I started this entry out as a  "sister" entry
 but somehow couldn't cut the boy out! 

So, I'll try another Sister entry some time soon! 

Maybe after the New Orleans Trip?

Well, we ain't got a barrel of money

Maybe we're ragged and funny

But, we travel along, singing our song

Side by Side!

Like Father like Daughter

Tracia's description of Bella Bu reminded me quite a lot of Bella's dad, Craig. 

Inquisitive. 

Early to walk. 

Interested in his sisters and their things. 

Torments the cat (and/or dog).

Has a lot of pretty hair and big blue eyes. 

Cheerful. 

Craig has liked little girls ever since 1976, his birth year when he was grabbed up and made over by two "big" sisters who fought over him, fed him candy and pop and gave him what he wanted.  Cute little girls! 

Craig has liked baby girls since 1979 when he met his new little toothless sister.  But wasn't she a sweetie?

and don't you just love those plaid pants? 

Likes little girls. 

Likes baby girls.

Torments cats (and/or dogs)

Has lots of pretty hair!

Daring and inquisitive.

Happy go lucky. 

Yep, I think Bella might have her mother's looks and her daddy's traits. 

Oh boy, watch out! 

hey, little Missie!  Are you getting ready to climb that chair? 

Sit in the sink?  Lay on the cat?  We will blame your dad! 

PS:  see the pants Craig wears in that last photo.  Those were necessary!  Those were essential.  Those were "plastic pants", worn over cloth diapers and sometimes over disposable diapers because the disposables of that era were about 1/20th as good as today's disposables.  Either that or we couldn't afford good disposable diapers.  We had three little ones and one income, plus my day care income -- and in a town of 259, there wasn't much call for in-home daycare.  But we got by.  We managed and had fun.  We even managed to buy fried chicken every Friday night from the bar!  Absolutely, those were the good ol' days! 

Vole Toll Roads

The eight feet of drifted snow in our backyard melted and revealed trails. Toll roads.   This photo shows one main trail and another less traveled but there are 3 or 4 more of these miniture roads.  They start from under a bridge or at 1-1/2" hole and take off around the yard and back again.  When discovered, we guessed these were Vole trails --  and confirmed that in the internet and on WHO Radio Gardening Today program.  The voles felt secure with all that snow "dome" overhead and branched out in regions usually less traveled.

Supposedly, without the snow, the little creatures will keep to protected places -- under shrubs and buildings, along protected pathways.  The gardening advice is now that the snow is gone, the Voles will be less obvious and more uncover and shouldn't be a nuisance.

Himself and I may set a few traps anyway.  We may try to reduce their numbers.  Because this is what they look like. 

They are just a BIG mouse and they've got to go!

Images from a Weekend

Some day I will write again, long elaborate, well-thought out, insightful passages.  Some day I WILL write again -- after I've spent a weekend at the cabin with no computer, with time to think and to contemplate. 

But meanwhile!  Meanwhile, I will post photos!  Because a picture is worth a 1000 words.  Because, I have taken the photos, enjoyed the photo and the photos are easy to post -- whereas I have to WORK at writing.  To Think! To Compose!  So for now, enjoy these photos . . .

Our special "cousins"

Dana loves his little girls . . . as Lanny always did too. 

(and prouder than "git out" of their boy!

guess that is true for Craig too!)

These boys are going to have to practice more "faces". 

These faces are NOT nearly scary enough!

Come on, Jack and Joey!  Keep practicing! 

Grandchildren!  I love my little girlies!  (and my boyos!)

Children entertain each other -- and their Nana!

oh oh.  Wait!  I think this photo requires a little explanation! 

What is going on here? 

Does Nana need to come straighten things outs? 

whew.  I like this one better. 

Way better! 

Glad you girls had a good time. 

Winter and Crayons

Photo taken February 27, 2010

Sweeping the porch roof.

A Photo for cousin Clint.

A lovely Snow Angel

My first Union Co, Iowa eagle!

Bus Barn Hill

Winter ought 9 and 10

This winter was mainly

 Black and White. 

Black and White and BLUE! 

Blue sky;

White snow;

black shadows.

Enough, all ready!

Too much black and white.

Give me some Baby Blue!.

Paisley Pink

Hot Magenta

or Orange Red.

Or,  Blizzard Blue (No! No! not Blizzard Blue!), Cornflower, Blue-Green, Blue Violet, Pacific Blue, Purple Mountain Majesty, Tropical Rain Forest, Brick Red, Cerulean, Indigo, Green, Wisteria, Forest Green, Royal Purple, Fuchsia, Asparagus, Purple Pizzazz, Vivid Violet, Purple Heart, Plum, Electric Lime, Navy Blue, Robin's Egg Blue, Teal, Scarlet, Cotton Candy, Blue Bell, Bittersweet, Carnation Pink, Razzmatazz, Silver, Burnt Sienna (oh! one of my favorites!) Jungle Green, Atomic Tangerine, Brink Pink, Pine Green, Screamin Green, Aquamarine, Laser Leomon, Caribbean Green, Periwinkle (another good one!), Denim, Cerise

for more -- much, much more, go to  

crayola.com

Birthday Girl

Erica often doesn't like her photos

(she takes after her Mama)

but she's got to like this one. 

Good picture!   

(I think Johanna took this

at Granny's Christmas -- 

or was it Morghan?) 

Erica Jo, Happy Birthday! 

Happy 37th year! 

Sounds as though you might be celebrating all week!

                                                                                                   Love, Ma

PS:  year 37 was one of my favorites!

And this!  Erica, you have to like this one!

This photo taken on your one and only REAL Spring Break trip, ever!

Look out, Padre Island!

PS:  Erica, who's "Dork Boy"?

With no hesitation at all,

I cropped him right out of that picture!

I just realized,

I have just noted,  

You haven't changed one iota in 15 years!