Cannonballs in the Pool - Like Father, Like Son!

The Khatir Boys work on their cannonball stylings, some of which involve landing on Grammy's head.

Owl Sighting!

A couple weeks ago, we discovered a young owl in our front courtyard. It was hopping around by the front door, perhaps searching out something to eat. When we stepped outside, it flew up into the tree near the patio we got these great photos. He puffed himself up to look huge and scary and his eyes were like saucers! After a while, he settled down and got to looking a bit smaller.  We think it was probably a Western Screech Owl, according to information in our bird books. Collin thought he was cute and wanted to pet him. Grammy and Pa assured him that was NOT a great idea, but we sure enjoyed watching him while he stayed around.

Bad Quilting Grammy

Sheep Quilt for a Shepherd Baby

I'm so far behind in the quilting projects I'd like to do. Caleb is 5 months old and his quilt, though nearly finished, should've shipped with his cradle back in March. Poor little Peter doesn't even have a scrap cut out for his quilt, though a nice robot quilt for his big boy room is shaping up in my head. Our newest, about-to-be-born grandson might have something by the time he is a month old. I'd better get to my sewing room and quit this blogging stuff!

Sick Day

Today was one of those rare cloudy days in the desert. Pleasantly warm, but very gray. Actually, it was a perfect day to recuperate from a bout of influenza. When Tom left for work this morning, his orders were, "No housework or gardening today. Do something like sorting papers." What kind of medical advice is that? It didn't sound like much fun, so in-between naps and glugging lemon water, I've been poking around on the computer instead. Then I remembered...hey, I have a blog!!

It seems that NONE of the family is blogging these days. Guess we are too busy. Maybe it's time we all called it quits. If no one's paying attention and no one's putting up any new news, what's the point?  But today, it seems more fun than 'sorting papers'.

Grandpa gettin' down with the Peetster

Down on the floor, that is!
Grandpa and Petey had some great playtime when
we visited to celebrate Peter's first birthday & Christmas.
We learned that you have to be fast if you want to build a block tower, since Peter's chief delight is to smash them down, then laugh gleefully.

(l) Collin & Grammy making biscuits


(r) Silly stuff before T'day dinner

A Whirlwind Fall

Time to catch up with the Sheps in AZ....

Wow, it's been a busy fall!! Since last blog we have met our 3rd grandchild via ultrasound pictures, entertained guests from Texas, traveled twice to the Midwest, celebrated 3 holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas) AND grandson Peter's 1st birthday. We've "remodeled" a linen closet (more work than you'd think!), tried to make space for a car in the garage (impossible dream) and attempted to grow a "winter lawn" (not too successfully). We've shopped for, wrapped, and shipped or personally given all our Christmas gifts. Now it's time to think about wrapping up the year 2008.

One of my New Year's resolves will be to blog monthly, which will be a major increase from my not quite quarterly postings. PapaShep has worked hard at getting our photos better organized at the computer. He's also been working on the computer to make it a little faster and less prone to crashing (yea!). I've de - cluttered our office niche so it's more pleasant to work in the small space. Hopefully, all that will help make blog posting easier. If Emily and Andrea can be current with their news while working/raising babies, well, I should be able to do it, too, right? We'll see!