Merry

Christmas!

Love

Becca,

Bizzy,

and Charles

LOOK AT THOSE CRAZY KIDS DANCE!

Becca points to junior high students decked out in costume at Lincoln's Monster Mash Dance, held Oct. 30 at the school. Becca ran into none other than her friend Cameron S. from daycare. Cameron's dad and Becca's dad both had to help supervise the dance. These two hung out and talked and boogied to the music.

Most of all, they were amazed by all the costumes that turned out at the dance. Oh, and tractor boy and little girl on the prairie were a hit among the junior high kids who thought they were just sooooo cute!

LAST DANCE AT THE MASH!

Becca finally convinces her buddy, Cameron, to have a final dance as the lights come up. Sadly, though, Daddy and Becca couldn't go to the Dairy Queen with Cameron and his parents following the Junior High Monster Mash dance.

Maybe next time, Cameron!

COMPUTER TROUBLES FORCED HIATUS

I wanted to let all of you know that we had a slight problem, er, somewhat major problem, in that we had to purge some bad things that found their way into our computers. Put simply, our Norton expired and we didn't renew right away (Charles forgot!) and a worm found its way into our hard drive. We purged it, at the expense of some files, including our address book. So, we have been trying to put it back together, but many of your email addresses have been lost. If you haven't heard from us, please send us an email so that we can update our files.

Thank you for your patience and we hope that you are enjoying the blog!

CAN I GO AGAIN?

On the first day (Friday) of the Blueberry Festival weekend, Becca and Daddy hit the Kiddie Carnival. After going round and round on the motorcycles, Becca eagerly requested to go again.

And again. . .

And again . . .

Actually, she rode the other rides and had a blast while Mommy shopped the more than 500 booths splayed about Centennial Park in Plymouth.

WANT TO GO RIDING WITH ME?

While hanging out at the Blueberry Festival during Labor Day weekend, Becca took advantage of the kiddie carnival and rode EVERY ride!

More than half a million people/families show up at the Blueberry Festival in Plymouth over the four day Labor Day weekend.

THE LONG LAST JUMP INTO THE LAKE

Becca takes one last jump into Bass Lake and into Colton's waiting arms (That's Nicholas standing behind him). Only a few days before Colton left, he and Becca spent some time swimming in the lake, getting in those last strokes before calling it a summer.

A note or two about Bass Lake: Yes, it's that shallow, yes, that's Becca being that brave, and yes, Colton did, though partially, catch her.

Becca spent the summer learning how to swim, and as this picture testifies, becoming quite the lake jumper. She has learned how to hold her breath under water for about 10 seconds, and can swim strokes when she pushes off the bottom of the lake and practically swims like a fish. We think next year she'll be swimming without the aid of floaties.

After this picture was taken (by Grandpa, who just happened to catch the frolicers at the right second) more rain poured in at the end of August and the lake rose about 8-10 inches and came right up to the bottom of the pier. Even though the water looks dark, Bass Lake filled up with so much water this year, it's actually been the cleanest in several years.

The boats are out now, and by the time this gets posted, the pier will be in and the shore keepers will be readying the lake for winter. The year-rounders (1 in 8 lake residents) keep watch and people come and go, even on the weekends, and theft of equipment is a rarity (much of it is too hard to carry off).

As the weather cools, so goes the lake Rats. Mom and Dad have left, returning to Arizona, and we're spending our days pulling out the winter gear, rooting for the Rockies and Notre Dame football teams (Plymouth is up two wins more than ND, but are struggling just the same). So, we're looking forward to another quiet winter with, hopefully, a sunny respite in December.:-)

"I WANT TO RIDE!"

Becca, not one to be left behind, hitches a ride with Grandpa in his new speed boat. Of course, this picture was shot by Biz who was tagging along. Becca has become quite the brave little water Rat, riding in boats, tubing with Mom, riding on the PWCs, and learning how to swim. Now that Summer is over, we can't wait until next year, so we can go swimming in the lake again.

WATER SKIING - BASS LAKE STYLE!

On the day prior to leaving, Colton decided to get one more trip around the lake on water skis. He's spent the last two years learning how to water ski, and on this particular day, he decided to try the single board. With Grandpa's new SeaDoo Sportster, water skiing (and tubing, dude!) are more fun now that the speed boat can actually pull you up out of the water.

THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

Just before Colton went home, he spent time in the lake with Becca (not Abe, the little doggie he's holding!). The two cousins spent many hours in the lake this summer. Oh, and that's Grandpa's 14-year-old Pontoon boat in the background, as much a fixture at Bass Lake as the pier and the swimmers.

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL?

Recently, Becca's Aunt Kasey sent several beautiful dresses she had found that had belonged to her daughter, Anjelica. When Becca opened the package that arrived by mail, all she wanted to do was try them on.

Her mother, sensing an opportunity, had Becca try on the dresses and took her outside for pictures in her newly remodeled back yard flower garden. Becca sure got into the moment, posing for us with the flowers as her props.

At 3 and 1/2, our daughter sure is coming into her own as a beautiful little girl. It's just amazing to see her personality develop and wonder at how quickly she is growing!

CAN ANYONE SEE ME?

One of the dresses Aunt Kasey sent was the beautiful blue floor-length gown that Becca thought was so cute! She was so cute in fact that her mother took her into the flower garden in the back yard for a series of shots, including this one that has her peeking around a tiger lily.

Her father feels that she should pull that shoulder strap up.

I HAVE A SECRET!

As July is the month of Independence, Becca models this beautifully crocheted patriotic dress with matching purse, made by her Aunt Kasey. Notice the teddy bear is sporting a matching outfit? Well, Aunt Kasey crocheted that one a couple of years ago when Becca was an infant. We felt it was appropriate to model the two side-by-side.

OLD FASHIONED LACE AND BLOOMERS!

Among the many dresses sent to Becca from her Aunt Kasey included this lace-bordered red dress with matching bloomers. Becca adores this outfit and has hung it in her "to wear" closet. Her mother and father will adore the dress when it gets colder this winter.

CAN I TAKE HIM HOME?

Due to a recent misfortune, this little critter that Biz is holding lost its mommy and daddy. Barry Sanders, Biz's cousin, rescued him from the clutches of the family dog and have been taking care of "Rascal", as this raccoon is called. Biz got to hold him the other day and we were amazed at how so like a house cat he was, purring and clinging and all that.

Unfortunately, Barry and Crystal say that "Rascal" will have to go in a couple of weeks when he grows teeth.

STILL HAVE A FEW YEARS YET!

Trevor (at wheel) and Ethan (center) Sanders take Becca for a ride, er, that is, try to take Becca for a ride in Biz's new car. Due to the rising costs of gasoline, Biz and Charles traded in the old Caravan for this 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid back in March.

We chose the Civic rather than the more popular Toyota Prius because the Civic feels like you're driving in a car. Depending on in-town or highway, we're averaging between 41 and 48 miles per gallon. It also has a smaller tank (9-gallon overall), so it's not costing us a fortune to fill it up. We're getting anywhere from 360 to 440 miles to the tank, depending on when we fill up (Charles likes to top off when the gas gauge hits 1/4 mark; I guess it's just too many times of running out of gas!).

IT GOT POURED DESPITE THE RAIN!

After delaying the pour five hours because of rain, which threatened for a day and a half, our contractor decided to chance it and pour the eight and a quarter (8 1/4) yards of concrete. Then, when the rain threatened again, they put plastic down to protect the concrete, which set up in several hours despite the rain drops. The pad has now cured out and after a couple of 95-degree days, our porch has come out beautiful.

The concrete also wrapped the house on three sides and after a weekend of showers, very little water has seeped into our basement - yeah! We've put on the patio furniture and displayed Bizzy's Mother's Day present - the new grill!

One problem that "surfaced" during the pour - the concrete truck was so heavy it rutted our soft asphalt driveway, which has now led to Charles calling asphalt contractor's for more bids!

THE CONCRETE IS DOWN!

This is looking from the driveway across the patio toward the mud porch. After the concrete cured for three days, we set the fence back up. That metal stand in the middle is our 50-foot television antennae, with which we can pick up South Bend and, sometimes, Chicago. The only problem - birds sit atop the tower and poop all over the brand new concrete!

TIME TO POUR THE CONCRETE!

Our contractors discuss how the concrete pad is going to be shaped. To give you an idea of how much concrete is going to be poured, the pad will be flush with the bottom step coming out the back door. Oh, that's the mud room that served as the break from outside to inside. It has served us well during this past winter. In fact, after the pad was prepared, Charles crawled under the mud porch and insulated the floor. He plans to enclose the bottom once the concrete is poured.

BEFORE SHOT!

This is how our yard looked before the concrete was poured. Along with pouring the concrete, we had our contractor dig around our foundation and treat the basement outside walls with waterproofing.

THE MOST HEARTFELT COMPLIMENT ONE COULD GIVE . . .

Last weekend we were out visiting Biz's parents at the lake and I came back on Saturday to check on some concrete work we were having done, when, lo and behold, I found this waiting for me. . . er, waiting for Bizzy.

Our neighbors said its a tradition that occurs when graduation approaches (it's this weekend!) that students will go out and get crazy, teepeeing one's house with toilet paper.

That's OK. I laughed it off, pulled out the garbage bag and . . .

"You didn't call the police, did you?" my next door neighbor asked as I was stuffing the Glad Bag not so gladly.

"Oh, no, of course not!" I replied.

"The kids must like you, because you were paid the highest compliment they could give," she added.

"Really?" I continued to stuff toilet paper, wondering, 'Could I reuse . . . ? Nah!'

"If they didn't like you, they would have just egged your house," my neighbor said, emphatically.

We put out the word to the kids who tell, that is, at the High School where Bizzy works. One kid said, "Gee, Dr. Ratliff, you're not going to give them ISS are you?"

"Oh, no," replied Bizzy to the wondering tattle-tale. "I'm going to get even!" When he asked how, she told him how she was going to stuff the guilty party(ies) locker(s) with . . .

Needless to say, one only wishes, and we laughed off this particular practical joke.

I SEE WHAT YOU DID!

Plymouth High School students tried to hide their antics behind the bush, thinking we wouldn't see it. Well, we did! Our next door neighbor said she was worried that we, being from Arizona, wouldn't recognize it as a compliment.

So, we've been complimented!

The name is . . .

As the school year comes to a close, one of the things students look forward to is prom. And, where there's prom, there's the high school administration and staff supervising.

When Biz works for a high school, I always look forward to attending the events with her. The events are fun to attend and to watch the kids as they enjoy the fruits of their labors. The other thing I look forward to is the pictures. And, as sponsors, we get to take our picture right along with the students.

This year's prom at Plymouth High School was, duh, themed "007". The gym at PHS was decked out like a casino, with two big screens on opposite walls playing Bond movies. The sound was turned down so that the kids could enjoy the music and dance on the floor. The art dept. and student council really did a wonderful job decorating. We also enjoyed attending the event.

So, here's the picture we took at this year's Prom at PHS. The photo was taken by Ron Zimmerman, a local photographer. If all goes well, we plan on having our family photos taken in the fall with Mr. Zimmerman.

Have a wonderful Spring!

CAN WE GO TO CHURCH? HUH? YEAH?

Becca hams it up as we make our way to the car Sunday morning. It was such a beautiful morning we couldn't resist taking some pictures outside.

Despite the recent change in weather the last couple of weeks, our grass is green and the sun is shining. Although last week, I mowed my lawn one day, only to wake up the next morning to find a half-inch of snow on the ground and snow mixed with icy rain falling steadily. That's OK, because it was all melted by the next day! Now, that's my kind of weather.

Steve, Scott, Becca and Debbie at a recent Argos basketball game.

ANNIE SURE GOT THE GUN!

We spent Friday evening in Argos and watched Steve and Scott Sanders in the Argos High School production of "Annie Get Your Gun!" Steve played the role of Sitting Bull, while Scott was cast as "Mac", one of the roustabouts for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. All of the kids were marvelous as it was a rousing show.

Becca impressed all who sat around us, including the Sanders clan, by clapping when the audience clapped, and then during intermission, entertained one and all by being just the social butterfly! As the evening wore on (the play was a 2-act, 4-scene each two-and-a-half hours long), she began to tire, so instead of clapping, Becca began hooting "Bravo" with each applause, which made the audience roar even more (Yes, she COULD BE HEARD above the applause).

When we left Argos' auditorium at 10, we no sooner had put Becca in her car seat than she passed out for the ride home.

I know I shouldn't, but I just gotta . . . A good time was had by all!

A CHAMPIONSHIP-SIZE COOKIE!

Becca enjoys a cookie at the 3A state basketball championship game, at Conseco Fieldhouse.

I had to rearrange some of my posts, but I could not bear to drop this picture! Becca sure enjoyed the game, as did we all and is really becoming quite the fan!

Right, third from right, Biz stands with the those individuals who, behind the scenes, contributed to the Boys 3A state basketball championship and were recognized at the community celebration.

Brrrr! It's back to work . . .

We had the community celebration recognizing the boys 3A state champions. Because of Spring Break, it was postponed until everyone could get back from vacation. The community filled the gymnasium and listened while the team was recognized, the boys and coaches spoke, and the pep band and cheerleaders stoked the crowd into a cheering frenzy. Then, the team presented the Indiana-shaped, three-foot trophy to the high school principal and administration.

Well, as we prepare for Easter, the weather has dipped back down into the 30s, and yesterday's Easter Egg hunt in the park was postponed. That's OK. Becca still can't wait to meet the Easter Bunny and go to church to see her friends on Sunday.

Once it warms back up, I'll be needing to break out the yard implements, as the grass has begun to grow like crazy despite the cold. Leaves are beginning to break out all over and the only prescription for tending to the landscape is clearly cutting and trimming! Oh, the joys of spring and the tasks that go with it! I'll be going with it now, so enjoy your spring weather as we have had to dig the heavy coats back out after packing them away. Think of us as you sun bathe and jump into the swimming pool while we shiver for just another week or two.

Caio!

Charles in the stands at Conseco Fieldhouse cheering on the Plymouth Pilgrims in the 3A state championship game.

PLYMOUTH BOYS WIN STATE 3A CHAMPIONSHIP!

Well, it's been a hectic last couple of weeks, and I apologize for not posting earlier. We were in the midst of March Madness (er, Indiana High School Boys Basketball version).

After securing the regionals, the boys went on to defeat arch rivals Northwood (Nappannee) at Semi-state (Final Four) and was given a berth at the State Championship game in Indianapolis versus Evansville Bosse.

We started our Spring Break by attending the game on Saturday, March 24, which was held at the Conseco Fieldhouse (home of the Indiana Pacers). We were the ultimate fans, dressing up in our red t-shirts and sitting in the fan section, next to the students.

The boys took off and left Evansville Bosse behind, scoring 30 first half points to Bosse's 16, then held their own against a second half explosion by Bosse (45 points to Plymouth's 42). It wasn't enough as Plymouth downed Bosse 72-61. It was an exciting game.

Congratulations to the Plymouth Boys team and coaches.

OFF TO THE RACES . . . ER, THE REGIONALS!

As the Ratliff family arrived at Plymouth High School to watch the Plymouth Pilgrims take on the George Rogers Clark (Hammond) High School Pioneers in the first round of the Regional semi-championship last Saturday, what was sitting outside the high school than the Indiana National Guard and this NASCAR vehicle.

We finally were able to get a picture together without one of us holding the camera. Becca was excited as well to see such a neat race car.

"Can I go for a ride, Daddy?" "Not yet, Becca." As we retrieved our photo number, we began to head inside and . . . "Why not?" Becca asks. "We're going to the game." We went inside to hand our tickets to the gate ladies . . . "But, I want to go for a ride!" Oh, the joys of being three years old.

The Pilgrims won both their games and head to Warsaw for semi-state. With that win they would be in the running for the state championship game. Yes, Colton, Bizzy got you a t-shirt. Leslie will be semi-state, and Claude will get the final four shirt. Oh, I get the championship t-shirt! We just want Claude to experience the championship feeling at least once in his life (we know he won't get it in Lake Havasu!).

As you can see, the snow has melted away and Spring has sprung upon us quickly. This time last year we were visiting and wearing heavy coats. I spoke with Lee and Russ and they stated they had been working in shorts already (those rats!).

Well, it won't be long and we'll have the boats in the water. Gentlemen, start your engines!

It's my party and I'll smile if I want to!

Becca gets ready to blow out the candles . . . er, just prior to mommy putting the candles on the birthday cake! Even as she makes ready to blow, she's already thinking about those presents on the table!

"Can I open them now?" she asks.

"Not yet, Becca. We have to sing first."

"It's not time to sing yet! I have to open the presents! No, I have to eat the cake first! Wait, I have to blow out the candles! Where's the candles, Mommy?"

"Coming, Becca, in just a minute."

Daddy, it's warm by the fire!

Even though it's only 18 degrees outside, Becca lounges by the new ventless gas stove in the front parlor. She's sitting in the rocker her mother found at an antique store in Nappannee. She's also wearing one of her newest birthday outfits (Thank you Uncle Larry, Aunt Kristy, and cousins Caius and Ailey!), which she wore to church this morning.

The sun came out today (Sunday) after another day and a half of snowing, draping the ground with three more inches of snow! Roads started melting and icicles began forming around the eaves of our house. We're watching them closely because falling icicles can be dangerous.

We want all of our Arizona and Nevada family members and friends to enjoy the warm weather you're having and know that we're fondly thinking of you all.

SNOW ANGEL IN THE MAKING

After spending the day shoveling and hibernating, Daddy and Becca went to Magnetic Park to goof off (we tried to disc but the snow was too deep!). First thing Becca did was to make a snow angel. As you can see, the little snow angel herself is having wingloads of fun!

OUR HOUSE

After spending two days off last week because a storm came through and dumped 6-8 inches of snow, we spent another two days off this week because a winter storm came through and dumped another 12-16 inches of snow on top of the previous 6 inches, which made for a lot of shoveling!

As you can see, Charles scooped a path to the front door for the mailman and paperboy, cleared enough of the driveway (outside of the left edge of the picture) in order to get the cars in and out, and called it a day.

I was looking for a way to display our lovely antique house. A little history: The house was built in 1920 with the main part of the house being the square part with the two stories, and a little jut to the back where the kitchen is located. Then, in 1932, an addition was built on the right side of the house that extended the kitchen and dining room and made them larger. The house has an 880 square foot basement and is 1770 square feet above the ground. The two windows to the right of the door are the windows to the soul of the house: Bizzy's antique parlor. The garage is the left of the house and in the rear (barely discernable). Becca's back yard is behind the house.

I promise, in the spring after the snow melts, I'll post a picture showing my beautiful front yard.

Itsnodeep . . .

Becca takes a stroll through Magnetic Park Wednesday after school . . . er when after school would have been had there been school! Mommy and Daddy spent the last two days off because of a major winter storm blew through and dumped 16 inches of snow on the ground.

The reason it looks only deep enough to Becca's shins because a lot of the snow drifted. Becca thought it was wild anyway with the snow as deep as it was.

Come on, Papa! Let's Play Guitars!

After pestering Grandpa for two hours, the guitars finally came out and Papa played songs with Becca (only those that Becca knew!). Becca, wanting to be like Papa and Colton, plays her own guitar.

Grandpa says it's about time Becca had a REAL pint-sized guitar instead of a play one! You know, she likes those picks so she can strum the guitar!

Papa and Grandma came to Bass Lake this month to see Becca and her Mommy and Daddy (well, and something was said about going to some Hall of Fame reception and game at Knox). Well, no sooner than Papa and Grandma got to Indiana than several lake effect storms moved through and dumped almost a foot of snow on the ground. So, rather than go outside where it was cold, Papa and Becca decided to sit on the couch one day and play music.

Now . . .

Claude Sanders (Dad) sits in the Hall of Fame room at Weinberg Gym and meets with old friends prior to the induction ceremony.

Claude and Jan (Dad and Mom) came back to Indiana this month to attend the Hall of Fame reception (see story below) and, of course, to see Becca and her parents.

And then!

A photo of Dad getting off the ISU Sycamore team bus is displayed in the Hall of Fame room at the Weinberg Gym in Knox. Dad is thought to have been the first Knox athlete to go on to play NCAA Division I sports.

50 YEARS LATER plus 1!

Many have asked about Claude Sanders' (Dad) recent Hall of Fame experience and I'll explain what I can . . .




Sometime in the mid 1990's, the Knox Athletic Association, part of the Knox Community School Corporation, began inducting former student athletes and coaches in order to recognize outstanding individuals and their contribution to Knox (Indiana) athletics. Well, without going into a lot of background about the process (that's another story) Dad was finally inducted into the Knox Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, 50 years after graduating from Knox High School.


Dad had a storied career at Knox. He started as a varsity football player, played two years varsity basketball and was an all-around track standout. Dad also played in the band and went on to Indiana State University on a football and music scholarship, where he was a three year starter for the Sycamores (see picture on right above), as well as a music and education major (back then, you finished your degree whether the pros called or not!). After completing his education, Dad came back and taught at Knox for 9 years, also coaching football, wrestling and track.


Well, when Dad found out about being inducted last year, he began making plans to attend. Nothing would stop him from flying back to Indiana and participating in the induction. . . except for his heart. Mere days before he was supposed to leave, Dad entered the hospital with chest pains, and found out he needed a quadruple (5-way) bypass. Unable to attend, Claude Eric attended on his behalf.



After surgery in Las Vegas and recuperating for many months, regaining his strength and nearly returning to normal, Dad came back this year to put in an appearance at the Hall of Fame induction (see picture on left). Dad certainly enjoyed seeing many people he had grown up with, attended school with, taught, coached, etc.


This year was especially poignant for Dad; his track coach was inducted posthumously, and another inductee Dad had coached in track. To top it all off, the Knox basketball team beat powerhouse Culver Military Academy to win on the school's Hall of Fame night!

Look at me. I'm wearing a turtleneck!

I think the last time I wore a turtleneck was when I was a kid living in Kentucky. Even then, I only wore them because they kept my neck warm.

Now look at me. I knew Indiana was going to be cold. I didn't think I would have to get out the turtlenecks!

Actually, my lovely wife, Biz, got this turtleneck for me for Christmas, so I think I will shut up about turtlenecks.

Love the turtleneck, Bizzy!

FIRST SNOW DISC RUN DOWN THE HILL!

A storm front moved in this morning, early, and dropped another four inches of snow. We awoke to find the melted patches covered with fresh powder. We felt the powder was so nice we decided to go sno-discing down the hill at the park near our house.

After Becca got used to riding on the disc (and Daddy wore out from 'mushin'') we decided to try "the hill." Becca sat on the disc and nudged herself until gravity grabbed her and dragged her down the hill.

"Again, Daddy, again!" was all she could shout between the peals of laughter. Up and down the hill Daddy did drag her, until, surprisingly, Becca got Daddy to try the disc.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sorry, folks, no pictures of that we're afraid.

"I DID IT, MOMMY!"


After sliding down the hill at our park, Becca gleefully laughs and pronounces to one and all within hearing distance that she rode down the hill on her disc and that she wanted to do it again. . .
and again . . .
and again. . .
and yet again!

After hauling her up the hill four times, Mommy decided to give Daddy a break. Her idea of hauling Becca up the hill was making Becca get out of the disc and walk up herself! Mommy is so smart! Why didn't Daddy think of that!

After 10 or so trips up and down the hill, Becca, Mommy and Daddy were ready to head back to the house for some hot chocolate and warm, scrumptious brownies!

THE FIRST SNOW OF 2007

Last night saw the first snow of 2007 fall. It seems it likes to come when everybody sleeps. When we awoke this morning it was to a wintry wonderland! As Becca and I left at 7 a.m. she didn't want to get in the van, she wanted to build a snowman! After experiencing the powdery stuff, she gladly got in after her hands got cold!

After school today, we came home and had a snowball fight while mommy took pictures. Oh, and that's the back of our house behind us. For the Arizona group, the blue tint to the picture IS the actual light level for the late afternoon.

The snow was as a result of "lake effect", that is, the great Lake Michigan throws a lot of precipitation into the air that then wanders into southern Michigan and northern Indiana (aka Michiana) and Illinois, dumping inches of snow as far south as Winamac, and west to beyond Chicago and east to the Ohio border. Think of it as the lake returning the precipation it took from recent rainfall and giving it back to the farmers. Lake effect snow is great without the wind, like today. But when the wind comes through (think Chicago and vicinity) the temperature may be 10-20, but feels like -10 to -20 degrees. Brrrrrr! Biz's brother, Claude Eric, is cheering tonight 'cause we got the snow. Freeze, Bizzy, freeze!

We're having fun and miss you all lots.

I want to build a snowman!

After running around and pelting mommy and daddy with loosely-packed snowballs, Becca promptly announced that she wanted to build a snowman! Well, we told her it would have to wait, because, at 20 degrees the snow was too cold to pack. Besides, daddy wasn't breakin' out the snowman kit until the snow was ready to roll!

After that big snowfall, we need to make sure the path is clear to the garage (behind me). This is the first real chance I had to use the snow shovel. It's been hanging in the garage for months! My co-workers tell me it's been a weird winter. Others have asked me if we brought the weather with us from Arizona. I told them to blame my friend El Nino!

In front of the Christmas Tree!

After attending Christmas Eve services at our church we came home to spend the evening in front of the Christmas Tree. Here, Becca poses in her Christmas outfit (Thank you Aunt Leslie!).

Christmas Eve 2006 in Indiana

After spending a restful Christmas weekend at the Lake, we came home to enjoy the house for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Becca opens one of her presents from Grandma and Grandpa!

Becca riding her three-wheeler at Bass Lake during Dad and Leslie's visit in November. Although the weather turned chilly and wet, we've not seen much snow; only about three day's worth.

Papa and Becca relax in the front room of the Bass Lake cottage in November 2006. Becca poses with Leslie (below) with the lake in the background during the same weekend.

Happy New Year 2007!

We have had a very busy November and December. As you can see, I have neglected my duties in posting to my blog. So, I will try to bring everyone up to speed . . .

Que Pasa
November 2006

Dad and Leslie came out for a five-day visit in early November. After spending some quality time with us and Becca, they returned to Arizona/Nevada to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We spent Thanksgiving at the Lake with Claudia and Russell. Work was quite busy as we spent a lot of time going to Plymouth Basketball games.

We had new basement windows installed to help cut down on the venting of cold air and ran a new gas line to the front parlor. We purchased a ventless gas stove and installed it beneath the gravity flow vents to the upstairs. The stove acts much like the old wood/coal stoves of yesteryear and really puts out the heat. We've been able to reduce the chilliness of the house by more than 50 percent, and are really enjoying the weather now that we can come in where it's warm!

December 2006
The month flew by as we readied the house for Christmas. We were able to finally put up our whole tree (a 7-footer with a foot-tall angel on top) and had room to spare! The front parlor was absolutely beautiful and quite toasty with the new ventless gas stove. Bizzy bought several black, wrought-iron plate racks to put up in the parlor, giving the front room a real antique feel to it.

Becca's first Christmas in Indiana was especially unique in that she finally understood that Santa Claus did come and see her! She woke up Christmas morning knowing for sure that Santa had not come because he was not parked on the front lawn and that she couldn't hear the reindeer hooves scratching on the rooftop. But, when she finally did come down the stairs, seeing the presents Santa had left for her under the tree made for an exciting morning.

After relaxing for a couple of days, we loaded up mom and dad's van and drove to Branson, Missouri, and met Biz's family and spent New Year's in the southern Missour Ozarks. It had been about 6 years since we had visited Branson and we could tell that it had grown.

We're back to work already and looking forward already to Spring Break. I'm posting some pictures of Becca during the mild holiday winter in Indiana!