The Great Passion Play / Eureka Springs, AR

On Sunday, 24-OCT, Carol Hawkins - our friend from West Chester, OH, - and her friend, Dottie from Nashville, TN, arrived in Hot Springs Village. They were here for a visit and a trip to the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, AR (about a 4 hr. drive from HSV).

We left early Monday morning for Eureka Springs. After our arrival, we got our tickets for the play, had a quick picnic lunch and headed to the Holy Land tour. On the tour we listened to docents talk about their Bible character; most discussed the impact of Jesus on their life. We were impressed with the passion all of the characters had regarding their faith and sharing their faith. It was neat! The tour contained David, the Woman at the Well, Hannah, the tabernacle priest, Ruth, Peter, Moses, Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Here's a picture of Peter in front of his boat.

The Holy Land tour also contained a full replica of the tabernacle the Israelites used as they wandered the desert. Here are some pictures of the tabernacle.

We also went to see the statue of The Christ of the Ozarks. The statue is seven stories high with an arm span of 65 feet. The statue was completed in 1966. Here's some pictures of Dottie and Carol and Rosie and me in front of the statue. Rosie and I are the small people on the left of the picture.

We stayed at a nice bed and breakfast in Eureka Springs. On Tuesday morning we started our drive back to HSV. We drove down scenic highway 7. It was a beautiful, fall drive. We arrived in Jesseville for a late lunch or early dinner at The Shack. Is that good planning or what?

Lake Greeson with Wayne and Delma Jensen

We spent October 11-13 at the Self Creek cottages/marina on Lake Greeson. Here's a picture overlooking the marina.

Wayne and Delma are on the back deck of the cottage.

Due to the year's drought, Greeson was down about 10-12 feet from normal level. Here's a picture of a seawall; it's well out of the water.

The rock formations around Greeson are pretty. Can you guess which one is called Chimney Rock?

Here I am getting the boat ready for fishing.

We spent most of our time bass fishing. Fishing wasn't great, but Rosie did manage to catch a 17.75" bass. It's a beauty. She said, "I'm hung" and then the fish jumped up out of the water. I grabbed the net. My fish looked like bait compared to hers. Oh well - better luck next time.

We had a great time with the Jensens. Thanks to Wayne and Delma for arranging the trip.

Visiting the Chris Callicott family / 30-SEP thru 03-OCT

After visiting the Flachman clan in Dickinson, TX, we drove over to Ft. Hood (Killeene, TX) to visit Chris, Amy, Adam and Lottie. Chris will be deploying to Afghanistan at the end of October; we wanted to visit him, Amy and the kids before he left.

We left Dickinson Wednesday morning and arrived in Ft. Hood that afternoon. That afternoon, we got to watch soccer practice! The team Amy and Chris coach and Adam plays on had a practice. It was fun to watch the little kids play soccer. Amy and Chris really had fun with the kids.

On Thursday afternoon, Chris and Amy headed off to Fredicksburg, TX, for a little R&R while we kept the kids. We had a great time with Adam and Lottie. We got to take Adam to school on Friday morning and pick him up that afternoon. We took Lottie to story time at the post library on Friday. They were really great while Mom and Dad were gone.

On Saturday, we went to a nearby town so Chris, Amy, Adam and Lottie could see Thomas the Train and take a real train ride. Here's Thomas steaming down the tracks.

All aboard! Our guys are aboard and ready to head down the tracks.

There were some fun things to do before and after riding the train. Both Lottie and Adam enjoyed playing putt putt golf. Gram enjoyed watching Lottie play; she had great style.

Chris and Lottie enjoyed walking around the train area.

Here's the whole gang after the train ride; they're having fun!On Sunday, we all drove to Austin for Amy's soccer game. While Amy played, we walked around the soccer field complex with Chris and the kids. Rosie and Lottie posed in front of some purple flowers.

We got a great picture of Chris and Amy before we left for HSV on Monday morning.
Good luck to all of you guys during the coming year. We will definitely remember you daily in our prayers.

Visiting the Flachmans / SEP 22-29

On Wednesday, 22-SEP, Rosie drove to Dickinson, TX, to take care of Logan and Kayleigh (and Shane, too) while Karen went to a scrapbooking retreat. While Karen was gone, the kids enjoyed traveling the neighborhood in Logan's truck.

Shane and Logan enjoyed playing with clay.

Before Karen left, she and Gram took the kids to a local park. Karen enjoyed pushing the kids on the swings. Logan really likes to go high.

Gram and the kids enjoyed relaxing in a swing.

On Monday, 27-SEP, Bapa flew to Houston from Little Rock, AR. All of us went to a local park. Gram and Bapa enjoyed playing with the kids on a merry-go-round. Logan and Kayleigh enjoyed playing with the ducks (or maybe chasing the ducks).

Since it's getting close to Halloween, Karen looked for costumes for the kids. Kayleigh makes a cute little jack-o-lantern!

Sam also enjoyed wearing the headband - NOT!

Before we left, we got a good picture of the three girls all dressed in green blouses. They're so cute!

We had a great visit. We left on Wednesday for the drive to Ft. Hood to visit Chris' family.

Karen, Logan and Kayleigh's Visit to HSV / Bapa's Birthday Bash

On Tuesday, 14-SEP, Karen, Logan and Kayleigh flew into Little Rock for a visit with Gram and Bapa and to help celebrate Bapa's birthday (one of those BIG ones). Logan and Kayleigh had fun playing with grandparents and old toys that their Mom (and her brothers) had played with. Kayleigh and Bapa are having fun on the floor.

Logan enjoyed playing the guitar (intensity and focus help).

On Wednesday, we went for a ride in the boat. Gram and Logan are ready to go.

Kayleigh and Karen are also ready.

Kayleigh enjoys that "wind blown" look. Gram said Kayleigh's blowing hair reminded her of a troll doll - for those of you old enough to remember.

Gram and Kayleigh are enjoying the ride across the lake.

On Thursday we drove to Gravan Gardens in Hot Springs, AR. We went directly to the children's play area. It's complete with rocks to climb on and water. Logan and Karen enjoyed the cool water.

As most little boys would, Logan got wetter the longer he played in the water. He had a great time. Luckily Karen had brought him a change of clothes - good planning.

Kayleigh and Bapa stopped next to a wooden carving. Doesn't look like anyone we know but at least it's happy.

Kayleigh also enjoyed sitting on the rocks.
We all enjoyed a stop by the waterfall.

"Back at the ranch" Logan had fun playing golf in the back yard. He carefully lines up his shot and selects his club.

However, every good golfer needs a reliable caddy. Kayleigh is up to the task. She has the bag, but where did those golf clubs go?

BAPA's BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. Karen and the kids made Bapa a special shirt for his birthday. Logan and Kayleigh's footprints are on the back of the shirt. Wow - it's one of a kind.

Friday evening for dinner we went to The Shack in Jesseville - one of Bapa's favorite restaurants. Wayne and Delma Jensen - friends from HSV - joined us at The Shack and later at Gram and Bapa's house for cake. Kayleigh and Bapa get ready to blow out the candle on Bapa's piece of birthday cake. Yes, it's Tennessee Sheet cake - what else?

Gram enjoyed reading to Logan each night before bed. Logan especially enjoyed "I Am A Bunny". He could almost read the book to Gram.

After Saturday morning at Balboa Beach, we took Karen, Logan and Kayeigh to the Little Rock airport for their return flight to Houston. Thanks for the visit. We'll see you next week!

Labor Day: Visiting Doug in Midland, MI

On Wednesday, 01-SEP, Rosie and I started the drive to Doug's place in Midland, MI. We planned to visit with him and Ashley over the Labor Day weekend and watch Doug in the Traverse City sprint triathlon. We arrived in Midland on Thursday. We were surprised at how much cooler and drier the weather was compared to Arkansas. It actually felt good to be outside. Ashley arrived late Friday night after working all day.

On Saturday we drove to Traverse City, MI, where Doug would participate in the sprint triathlon. The temperature Sunday morning was a bit cool; the water temperature near the shore was down right cold. Doug decided to wear his wet suit - good move.

Doug does the "twist" to warm up as the oldies music blares in the background. Ashley is keeping warm.

Doug has finished the swim and bike and is now starting the final "run" phase; he's all smiles.

The finish! YEAH!

After the race, Doug took a quick shower and we all headed to the Old Mission Tavern for lunch. We repeated our order from last year - the roasted half chicken that's only offered on Sunday. It was delicious. After lunch we headed back into the city and a stop at the Traverse City Pie Company. Ha - we don't need a map, we simply follow our stomachs! The cherry crumb pie Rosie and I shared was delicious.

Ashley had to leave on Sunday afternoon heading back to Columbus, OH. We drove back to Midland on Monday morning.

Monday evening, Doug and Rosie did a bit of cooking. Doug made a large stir-fry (which we had for dinner - very spicy) and a significant pot of soup for the freezer. He really seems to enjoy cooking and experimenting.

Rosie and I left on Tuesday morning for the drive back to HSV. We arrived back at around noon on Wednesday - in plenty of time to get Sam from "camp." Thanks Doug and Ashley for the great visit. We had a lot of fun.