Josefina & Katherine

Josefina was so pleased that she recommended our stylists to Katherine.

Hair Studio

One of our first activities after arriving in MN was setting up the American Girl Doll Hair Studio. Josefina most desperately needed our services, so she became the first client. Notice her tress mess before, and expect the after photos soon.

December Frio Float

Just me and the kingfishers down at the Frio! The day was too gorgeous to stay away, especially after the forecast for the rest of December showed no better day for floating. Standing on the porch and hearing the river rushing over the rocks only intensified the urge to grab my tube.

Since this is not my first winter float, I know the routine. Black clothing traps the sun's heat under a clear sky, and large wooden paddles keep my hands out of the water.

Photographer was very careful to keep his distance and stay dry while snapping a couple of candid shots. He wasted little time getting back to the house and his warm office chair.

As I carried my tube to the river's edge, I heard a neighbor tell his granddaughter that the water was too cold for her to go wading. She might fall in. She probably wanted to fall in.

Tube in the Frio, me in the tube, away from the neighbor's voice, past the annoying photographer, just me and the kingfishers.

Camo Limo

Yeehaw! Evidence of hunting season punctuates the Texas landscape. These Medina County gun-toters will travel in style.

Schoolgirls

Our adorable granddaughters are up early this morning and ready for school. Backpacks bulge with snow clothes just in case some of that white stuff falls from the sky. Their aunt left for the airport earlier while they slept, and last night's goodbyes linger in all of our hearts.

This afternoon we picked them up after school, visited briefly in the halls with their teachers from this year and last, looked at displays, and marveled at the tables piled high with "lost" clothes.

Tomorrow will be our turn to say goodbye, and then these schoolgirls will head for school again. Thankfully, a few weeks from now we will return. Joy!

Anniversary Sunday

Brunch buffet at the Pool and Yacht Club celebrated our wedding anniversary of only forty-six years. We ambled from station to station, filling plates, sitting and sampling, chatting and relaxing, appreciating views of the cold Mississippi outside and the fireplace inside. I started with an omelet made the way I like it with everything on the chef's table added. So many choices, everyone selecting favorites, a happy time for family.

Although daughter and SIL have taken us to this place several times, today was the best because we were all there together.

Ending Saturday

Final activities of the day had Pawpaw taking inventory of his chocolate stash delivered by Santa, girls and their dad playing "I Spy" with tree ornaments, and older girls relaxing with games of Sequence late into the night. Merry Christmas love to all! And sleep late tomorrow!

November Christmas

Just a few gifts under the tree for our family Christmas Saturday night! Cameras stayed busy, and I actually appear in some of the photos.

Saturday Afternoon Bowling

Yes, that is a disco ball rotating above bowling lanes. Daughter and SIL rented half of a bowling alley (four of eight lanes) from noon to three o'clock and invited three families to come bowling with us. We all had a blast on a great afternoon to be indoors. Ambience included a sports bar loaded with history and city-famous burgers. Definitely plan to repeat!

Skaters

First activity Saturday was skating lessons for both granddaughters. They have made great improvement since we last saw them. Although this arena is home to the St. Paul Figure Skating Club for competitions, our girls are focused on the fun of gliding across the ice.