Yes...it is still Winter

  We received only the second real measurable snow of the Winter but it was a good one. Official measurement was 11.1 inches but it was more like 13 inches in my yard. It pruned quite a few branches off our trees and alot in town. Our tree on the patio lost 3 pretty big branches. It did blow in some Cedar Waxwings that I have not seen in town before. The snowfall was the 4th largest for a 24hr period here in Lincoln...ever...please no laughing from family up North.






Our house from up the road.

   


Back yard...alot of the branches bent but did not break.




This was across the street.





Looking out the back door.




Our tree nearest the kitchen took the biggest hit but I think it will survive.




Lilac bushes pretty crunched...I did go out and knock what snow I could from the trees and bushes.



Cedar Waxwing



I call this "Going Cold Turkey". Cindy was very happy I kept the turkey outside and did not cook a real one for the Super Bowl.



Yes...Time Really Does Fly

   I have been meaning to blog for some time now.  As evidenced by pictures in the Fall before I raked and pictures of Christmas lights before and after snow. Our two beautiful daughters and their husbands came here for Christmas...and now it's 2012...time flies and it flies fast. So before I have pictures of the Easter Bunny, here is my pictorial blog.





                                                                        

First on the to-do list is buy popcorn...and buy it in bulk! I like to make it and I like to eat it. And Cindy puts grated cheese on it and calls it supper. Its not just a snack anymore.

We are blessed with many trees in our yard and then the blessings fall down upon us. Who can complain about that?

Then I share the blessings with our trash man. This is only 8 bags of 32 I raked-up.

Next to buying popcorn I like to get wood. OK...buy wood and have it delivered. In NE you can't just go out and chop down a tree. Some of my favorite memories as a kid are going out and getting wood with Dad in our old blue pickup and having a neighborhood party to carry the wood around back to the wood shed. Then Mom would serve root beer floats out the kitchen window to all.

I like to keep the bird bath clean. Look how it shines...at lest the birds believe that.

Party mix, need I say more?                                                                                         

OK I don't really feed the squirrels

Moving right along lights go up.




It snows.

It's pretty.

Now let the party begin. We really enjoyed both families coming home.

It was bowl week and I don't think Tyler missed a game. And Michael was happy to share the experience as long as he had control of the remote. It didn't take Tyler long to remove the batteries.

It looks like Michael is in a time out. But really he liked playing with the door stop (right behind his butt). I think he just didn't want to get caught playing with that on camera.

                                      Here Michael is making sure the dishwasher is set correctly.

               Did we tell you Dene' and Tyler have a dog? She is the most calm, well-behaved dog I have ever seen. Frances and Michael got along very well.

                                                                   New Fire Truck!

                                                             Not as fun as ribbon though.

Alex and Ashley got Michael a deck of cards. What a riot. I didn't know so many card games existed. Here is a game called...I will take what is in your hand and put it in the oat meal bucket.

It kept grandpa entertained.

                                                                           Solitaire

                                                                 Meal time is always fun.

                                                        I can walk...with a little help.

                                                                 Gotta love the hat.

                                                                        And tongue.

We had a good time.

Thanks for your listening.

Is This Heaven?

No... it's Iowa. More specifically it's Dubuque. Cindy and I went to Dubuque over Labor Day to visit Dene' and Tyler in their newest adventure. What a fun town. A college town sitting on the Mississippi river with lots to do and lots to see.



We had our own personal taxi



The town of Dubuque sits on the Mississippi river but is built upon the bluffs. Some of the roads are steeper than in Lead and have amazing views of the town and the river.







The view



The photographer

  
A look back towards town from a park.






On the river. 



 Dene' and Tyler's Apartment is one block from the river/harbor. They have a great view from their roof top terrace.

 

D and T's place



It was a little chilly that weekend but was a nice change from the 90 degree heat of Lincoln.



Breakfast on the terrace.



Tyler is working for Focus doing Varsity Catholic.

The school sits on top of a bluff over looking the river. A very beautiful campus.



And the visit would not have been complete without a soccer  match.



The crowd

We went to a river museum just across the street from Dene' and T's apartment. We learned everything there is to learn about the Mississippi River and the steam boats that navigate it.





Photo op on the boat.





The newest river boat captain!



Such a good looking bunch.



Tyler is looking at the one that got away.



So next time you're planning your vacation or driving through Dubuque...stop and spend sometime with these two people...you"ll be glad you did.





Dubuque...is for lovers.