Pinochle...not your grandma's game

I had to post about Pinochle and what it means to me. I love it. We only have one couple to play it with...they've been our friends since our college days at ISU. We used to spend the whole weekend playing. We'd stay up all night playing and sleep until noon the next day. Oh, how would it be? I have the best memories of this. We still get together a few times a year and the bantering starts all over about who is the best team.  Right now the girls are reigning champs.

I love Cash and Marisa and love to hang out with them. We didn't see each other for a few years, they were in Texas at Graduate School, but as soon as they moved back, we picked up right where we left off. I know I can call them, drop in, eat their food, crash on their couch, etc. and not worry about it. I love to hear their stories of family, jobs, and kids over the card table. We always have to have a 12 pack of Mountain Dew for Cash...we made that mistake once and still can't live it down :)

Sorry, this is the only picture I could find of you guys.

Christmas Fun...

 My little Christmas girl!

 The girls and Londyn in their new pajamas from Grandma.

 Can you say Pillow Pet Christmas?

 Baby Alive...

 My favorite purchase of the season...

Indee's boots.

And who knew that these footy pajamas would be such a hit...I have to take them off of them to wash them.

No christmas card from me this year....

But I am thinking of you all!

 So here are a few pics of my girls and the thought was there...

I just got a little sidetracked by another sinus surgery.

I did manage to get everything done before this surgery...

except my card.

I hate missing this opportunity to send my holiday wishes out

to everyone, so 

Happy Holidays!

Sew what?....

 I've been sewing a little lately...

This little monkey is for my cousin, Haily's new baby boy.

 They are fun to make...

 When we moved into our rental, the curtains were plaid, country looking.

They didn't quite go with my stuff...so...

This is for Pen's baby girl.  She had seen something similar...so I winged it.

I love the pirate girl pattern.

Now if I could get my jean quilt done...

pics to come.

Was this just last week?

 The girls were out of school for Fall Break.

We enjoyed a nice, warm day...

 at the pumpkin patch.

 This is how I envision Fall time.

Still warm and sunny.

 They had this straw maze...looks easy right?

 I stayed out side by the entrance which was also right next to the exit.  They all ran in and about ten minutes later, Sicilee came running out.  She was so excited to see me and was like "that was easy".  Then she turned around and saw that she was at the "entrance" sign.

This happened 2 more times. :)

Pretty funny stuff!

 Finally, after not seeing Indee for 15 minutes, I went in!  

This is what I found.

She was wondering around....lost.

 Time to find the perfect pumpkin.

 Maybe you better get a wagon...

 Mia's always one for a free ride.

 What a fun day...and I can't believe how the weather has turned on us.

Come back sunshine!

Fun with cousins!

 An oversized strawberry marshmallow and Mia...

What more could Jack want?

Camping with cousins in Island Park.

This is Indee and Audrey, Misty's #3. 

We love getting to see them at this annual get together.

These were a mess!

And of course, Ave was rocking it for us all to enjoy!

Love it!

Nothing like dirty kids on day 3!

Silas, Jack, Ryann, and Mia.

We also went with the Kunz and Eddins cousins to Yellowstone.

 The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.

The Days Inn in West Yellowstone has this waterslide in it.
It is a free for all in there.
NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY!
The kids love it.
Backwards, trains, stopping, headfirst, etc...
Definitely the highlight!

This you won't see everyday.
Chad and Faren snuggling.
This is what happens when you go cheap!

 We had a great big slumber party at the hotel.

2 rooms adjoining, 3 beds, 1 sofa sleeper, 16 people, 2 cheap adult males, & 1 unemployed adult male = good deal...

(I guess)

 Next stop: wildlife....check 

Bonus:  Car crash...tourists trying to seeing buffalo

 Yellowstone!

This was a little jaunt of a walk for small children, pregnant women, and those out of shape...not mentioning any names.  But we were taking a break and I said to my little group "we gotta quit smokin'".

This lady with her total hiker family said to me "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

And the dad said "I think we passed you on the way down".

ok, seriously?

Definitely a highlight of the day.

Taking an ice cream break at Old Faithful Lodge.

Indee is in her "Happy Place"

 Grandpa Jerry loaned us this horse for a few months.

Indee has been in heaven!

She gets up every morning to feed and water her.

In the evening, she is out riding her in the neighbor's arena next to our house.

This picture is kind of hard to see, but she has a huge grin on her face.

The first time she got on her, Indee had a serious

MELTDOWN!

Indee couldn't micro-manage that dang horse. 

But they are getting along just fine now. 

 Thank you grandpa Jerry, for giving my little spunky, micro-manager something to micro-manage!