...Still More!

More Bowling Photos...

Catching Up!

We all went bowling with Dad for Christmas. I was not able to bowl because I am still recovering from my second hip replacement, but it was fun to watch everyone - especially the little people! Oliver got his little fingers smushed, but he was able to resume bowling later. Effie even got to bowl. Magnua, Mason, Vinnie and Zack were all pros at rolling the ball down the lane. I never saw McKenna bowl, however.

After bowling, we all went back to Dad's house for some food and fun! Merry Christmas, Shepherd style!! ....we'll have to work on Dad's decorations next year!

New this year to the farm is the irrigation system that the Kies boys put in this spring. Thankfully, they put in an electric pivot so we don't contribute to the noise pollution in the neighborhood. The corn looks good. It has had lots of HOT weather to grow, just what it likes! The boys and I spent some time playing in the "squirt gun" one of the really hot 97º days. That water was COLD! :) We liked it! While I was doing my exercises in the pool, I was watching the sunlight on the misters as they spun around. Luckily the sun came out from behind a cloud after I got out of the pool and I was able to get this shot. I love living in the country!!

Swimming!

Christopher has as much fun in the pool as his kids, I think! Oliver wasn't real thrilled about whatever they were doing here, but Magnus is having a blast!!

Pam and Effie stayed out of the way of all the horseplay, but Effie got her two cents worth in, for sure!

Effie is a little mermaid! She doesn't care if the water splashes her and likes to drink it! Yuck! She also likes to throw herself backward and dip the top of her head into the water! :)

Oliver is still a bit timid. He really doesn't like water in his face, however, he doesn't have any trouble splashing you! He has really come a long way toward learning to be a swimmer. He has a very good kick and paddles all over the pool with his life jacket on. It won't be long and he will be swimming like his big brother. If he happens to fall in, we just tell him he had a good dive and he is okay with it! lol

Magnus has done excellent this year with his swimming. He now can enter the pool without his life jacket, as long as there is an adult in the pool. He has even learned to go in head first! (We'll have to put restrictions on that in another year!) His best feature this last week was his A+ cannonball! I'm very proud of his accomplishments in the pool! :)

Doug and Connie's Cabin, continued...

More camping photos from Doug and Connie's cabin....

Oliver was the sprinkler king and got great enjoyment out of spraying unsuspecting people! Look at those muscles!!

Ali is going to be a senior this fall and we snapped a few shots that she might choose for her senior photos.



Erik is always in his hoodies - even when the temperatures reached near 90!!

Makenna gave me her best "cheese" face so I could take her picture - she is a little doll.



And below is Oliver replenishing his liquid levels with a juice box.

Camping at Doug and Connie's Cabin

We had a great weekend camping up north in Michigan. My dad, my two brothers and their wives, and my sister and her husband, and lots of kids and grand kids all gathered at Doug and Connie's cabin. What a great place for a family get together! The weather was hot, but the sprinkler cooled the kids down, and pitching shoes in the shade or tossing bean bags in the yard kept the adults busy enough to forget about the sticky weather. Doug smoked some awesome meats for us to feast on and everyone had a fantastic time!

Catching Up!

Easter baskets this year were sand pails with bathing suits and candy...we want summer!!!!!
Effie was very happy to be toting that water bottle around. I "helped" her drink and got her shirt all wet. She didn't seem to mind. Luckily it was a really nice, sunny day that day!
Effie is a little sweetheart! I have neglected my blog and missed her first year....too fast, it was!
Oliver and Magnus stayed over night. Oliver doesn't look tired, does he?! He went right to sleep - after watching the ball game for a while with Grandma! He is so cute I just want to eat him up!
Magnus was a very good brother and allowed Oliver to sleep with him. Which one do you think get to sleep first? :) Magnus calls this his bed, so it figures that he would nod off first!

Happy 2011!

This year just flew by! We were blessed with our first granddaughter on March 27th. Effie Lucille was born in Pittsburgh to parents, Christopher and Pam and siblings, Magnus and Oliver. She is quite a little lady who keeps her big brothers on their toes.

We enjoyed our new camper in 2010! I didn't think I would EVER get my loving hubby to agree to getting a camper, but he did and we had a lot of fun with family during several camping excursions. Magnus and Oliver provided us with lots of entertainment when they camped with us!! What little cuties!

Erik completed segments one and two of drivers training and is looking forward to his 16th birthday in 2011!! Look out world! Another young driver will soon join the roadways.

Michelle is doing well, but would still like a different place to work. She is good at what she does, for sure.

I should be reporting that my new hip is doing well, however, a bout of influenza has put that on hold until February 21st. Wish me better luck in 2011!