The Circus Is Coming To Town!

As soon as I heard that Karlie and Buffy were coming - I just knew we had to go see the circus! The circus was in Reno and put on by the Shriner's. Uncle Mark went with us too!

Karlie was so excited that she was shaking - plus it was really cold inside!
There were trapeze artists, bears, elephants, toy poodles, balancing acts and tigers too!
On the intermission, the Shriner's were selling tickets for a ride on the elephant! Here is Grandpa and Karlie waiting in line for their turn.

We were really surprised that they put her on in front. We thought they would put her in the middle. Karlie kept saying later that she got to "drive the elephant and she touched his ear"! When the ride was all over and we were back in our seats, Karlie kept asking "Where are the elephants?"

Here's a video of the elephants!

Grandpa had to buy Karlie some souveniers - bought her a stuffed elephant on a leash, a light-up butterfly and a light-up necklace.

And when it was all over - Buffy and Karlie got their picture taken with a friendly clown!

A Trip to the Park

It was a good thing we went to the park because the nice weather didn't last! Karlie seemed to love playing on the slide with Grandma Barbie.

Or was Grandma Barbie having more fun on the slide?

Karlie then made friends with a girl her own age and Grandma was forgotten! Karlie followed this girl the rest of the time at the park. Watch the video and watch how she followed this little girl. You even see the little girl wait for Karlie to catch up!

B.F.F. (Best Friends Forever!)

My little tree climber!

A Swinging Time At Grandpa & Grandma's

Buffy and Karlie came for a visit this week. Karlie sure is growing! I love this stage - she is so much fun! She loves the park so much that Grandma Barbie had to buy Karlie her very own swing! She sure seemed to love it. She couldn't wait for Grandpa to adjust it for her.

Look at me - I'm flying!!! Here is video of Miss Karlie flying!


We had such a good time just lying around and enjoying the nice spring - like weather! Too bad it didn't last!

Look how much Karlie has grown since last year!

I Guess Spring Is Not Here Yet!

What happened?? Just a few days ago I was out in the back yard and it was 55 degrees. And now this!

It was so windy last night that it knocked the bird feeders about and spilled out the last of the bird seed.

Just last weekend, I could see the tulips starting to come up . So far they were only 1 inch above the ground, so there is no danger of the frost or snow hurting them yet!

We probably only got about 4 inches but they are saying we might get more tonight and a little bit more tomorrow night. It's hard to complain when we really need the snow pack on the mountains!

I bet this is one person who isn't in a hurry for spring to come!

February Catch Up

Sorry no pictures to post. Lots of things happening in the world though. Watched a new president get inaugurated. Worrying about Mom who was getting a knee replacement. She ended up in a rehab center unexpectedly for 5 weeks while she got some her strength back. Worrying about the country's economic status. Waiting to see what Arnie (the governator) was going to do about the state budget and his employees. Effective Feb. 1st, all state employees have to take a 10% pay cut and take two days off per month. At least working at a prison, it is mandated to run 24/7, so we get our two work furlough days put on the books and get to use them at our convenience. Other state agencies are not that lucky and have to close the 1st and 3rd Friday every month. And on top of that layoff notices went out to state employees with less than 27 months seniority for possible layoffs in June or July. Luckily - I am safe from that too - as I have 13 1/2 years in! There was Superbowl Sunday - I was rooting for Arizona! So sorry they lost - but lots of good commercials. Broke my tooth on a cracker during the game - had to wait two days to get into the dentist and get a temp crown. Then my supervisor was on vacation in Costa Rica for 2 1/2 weeks and I was acting supervisor. Every day when I went home, I was exhausted and on some nights dinner was pretty basic. I survived and I am thankful that I have a understanding husband! Now, I am back to just my regular job! Hopefully, next month will be a little bit more exciting and able to take some pics of the things happening here.

Catching Up and the Easy Rider Show

Time to catch up!

Went to Sacramento (four hour car trip) for the Easy Rider show in January. As you can see, the streets were lined with motorcycles and police!

The show features the two bike from the movie - of course! Below is Peter Fonda's bike.

And Dennis Hopper's bike.

There were about 100 bikes. Some were pretty radical looking - like from the future!

Look at the paint job - such detail!

As you can see it was pretty crowded inside too. Displays of motorcycles alternated with vendor booths, selling everything from shirts to leathers to polish to eyewear. This is one of the theme bikes - a long horned texas steer! It mooed when you walked by!

It even left a little cow pattie!

This picture doesn't do it justice - but it was beautiful paint job.

Can you see the flecks of glitter?

Another theme bike - kind of ghouly!

The fender looks spooky too!

Qatar (Via Germany)

Well, Kevin is on his way to Qatar! He left Texas this morning for St. Louis and ships out tomorrow to Germany. He didn't have a lot of information for me (he doesn't ask a lot of questions!) so he didn't know how long he would be in Germany before flying to Qatar. I had a hard time concentrating on work for the last two days, just doing the mom thing and worrying about her baby! ( I know! - He's not a baby anymore!) But you really never stop worrying about your children.

Here is a map of Qatar. I didn't really know where it was til I researched it on the internet.

I also included a link about the country of Qatar. I found it to be one of the better ones. I thought it was an interesting site with lots of information.

http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcqatar.htm

Hopefully, Kevin will keep in touch with us all through email! Will keep everyone posted.