2023 · Days of The Week · Oklahoma · Travel Tuesday · USA

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge: The Holy City of The Wichitas, Oklahoma 2014

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Located in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge just 22 miles northwest of Lawton, the Holy City of the Wichitas stands on aΒ 66-acre area that looks much like Israel during Biblical times. You’ll find numerous full-sized buildings and structures inside the city, including the temple court, the Lord’s Supper building, Herod’s Court, and Pilate’s judgment hall, all built with locally-quarried granite in the 1930s. You can also explore areas designated as Calvary’s Mount and the Garden of Gethsemane, in addition to watchtowers and perimeter walls.Β 

The site is also home to the nation’s longest-running annual Easter passion play, “The Prince of Peace.” American theaters showed newsreel footage, and in 1937 the U.S. government produced a full-length film of the pageant. Attendance reached an all-time high in 1939 when 225,000 visitors jammed Audience Hill for the sunrise performance.

Other on-site attractions include a memorial for the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, a Veterans Walkway, and the World Chapel, which has become a popular wedding locale. This modern-day chapel replicates Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and features ceiling and wall murals by artist Irene Malcolm.

https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.3595

When we left Holy City, we had a couple of motorcyclists and a prairie dog in front of us. The riders honked at the prairie dog, which sat in the middle of the lane. The Prairie Dog ran over in the grass, turned around, and showed them its tongue. What a naughty little critter??!!!

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2023 · Days of The Week · Oklahoma · Travel Tuesday · USA

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge And The Meers Store & Restaurant, Oklahoma 2014

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When Kevin was about Katelynn’s age, his dad was stationed as a soldier at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. Since the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge is lining up with Fort Sill, my parents-in-law took their three boys and went camping and/or hiking in the mountains for the weekends. Many years later, Kevin always talked about going back hiking in the Wichita Mountains. At the Labor Day weekend in 2014, I said: β€œOkay, the girls are big enough. Let’s pack the camping gear and give it a shot!”

When we made it to Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, we went to the visitor center to get some information, before we drove to the campground. Once, Kevin had set up the tent we traveled to The Meers Store & Restaurant, which is located in Meers, one and a half miles north of the refuge. Kevin, Katelynn, Sara, and I never had Longhorn burgers before. So, there was our chance. The restaurant opened as a burger joint in 1901 and is now known as its “Best Burger in Oklahoma”. Since the place is so famous, we had to wait about 2 hours in line to get a table. The experience was so worth waiting outside at 95℉.

πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•πŸ¦¬πŸ•

… to be continued …

2023 · Days of The Week · In Our Garden · The Greenhouse · Throwback Thursday

Our Greenhouse/Yard In Early May 2013 (1)

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Spring In Texas 2013

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2023 · Alabama · Florida · USA

Brothers & Sisters Day 2023

Brothers and Sisters Day is celebrated on May 2 every year. It is a holiday meant to honor the bond that siblings share. It’s also a day to strengthen or repair broken relationships. The day was inspired by a woman who realized she had never properly told her brother how she actually felt about him until after his death. Read on to find out more about this amazing day and how we can honor our brothers and sisters!

2023 · Illinois · Indiana · Michigan · Minnesota · New York · Ohio · Ontario · Pennsylvania · Wisconsin

Great Lakes Awareness Day 2023

These five beautiful lakes β€” Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario β€” are celebrated on Great Lakes Awareness Day, which takes place on the Monday in the first full week of May. This year, it takes place on May 1. This event is the United States’ chance to honor this series of large interconnected freshwater lakes that (mostly) border us. Celebrations on this day have also taken on themes like water conservation, lake preservation, and other current issues and have included participation by aquariums, schools, governing bodies, and even museums. The annual observation started as a protest against the advancement of the dangerous Line 5 pipeline passing through Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Since 2018, the day is about raising awareness regarding the grave issues that threaten the freshwater ecosystem of the Great Lakes.

2023 · Beautiful Colors of Spring · Texas

Beautiful Colors of Spring (9)

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Spring in our Texas Backyard 2011

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2023 · Beautiful Colors of Spring · Texas

Beautiful Colors of Spring (8)

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Our backyard in early Spring 2011

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2023 · Texas · USA

Celebrate Trail Day 2023

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As the weather warms up, so does the trail season. While many people use them all year long, America’s trail system gets its real workout between April and October when the weather is ripe for outdoor activity. The number of established trails grows every year. Some take the form of well-defined foot or bike routes while others take us onto a beaten path. No matter what kind of path you choose to take, the day encourages you to appreciate the thousands of miles of trails and to bring a friend with you, too!

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2023 · Beautiful Colors of Spring · Days of The Week · Throwback Thursday

Sara Loves Dandelions ~ April 2013

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Texas Spring ~ 2013

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2023 · In Our Garden · Texas · The Greenhouse

National Garden Month 2023

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Spring is coming on strong and, according to the calendar, is technically already here by the time this month rolls around. And for those who have not already begun looking at planting this year’s garden–it’s time to get a move on right away! The changing weather promises good growing seasons very soon and National Garden Month encourages people in the northern hemisphere to get out and start preparing that soil. Those who haven’t been able to find the motivation should take a moment to let the smell and taste of freshly grown tomatoes tempt, or the sweet taste that can’t be seen from anything other than homegrown cucumbers, and strawberries. Depending on the particular location in the world, National Garden Month is the perfect chance to get out and start preparing the garden, tilling the soil, or planting seeds for everything that will be growing this year!

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/garden-month/

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2023 · Days of The Week · In Our Garden · Throwback Thursday

Texas Gardening In March 2013 (1)

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I started my garden in the early Spring of 2013 by sowing beans, bell peppers, corn, pumpkins, sunflowers, tomatoes, and other goodies. I also worked on some herbs. At least, I had something ready to grow in the greenhouse, once the parts arrived and I could finish building it. Joshua made sure, that I watered the seedlings every day. And Sara enjoyed the milder days on the back porch.

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2023 · Days of The Week · Festivals · Texas · Travel Tuesday · USA

State Fair of Texas: Fair Park, Dallas: The New Big Tex ~ 2013 πŸŽ‘

On the morning of October 19, 2012, (the final weekend of the 2012 State Fair of Texas, and on Big Tex’s 60th birthday) a fire started inside the framework of Big Tex. The figure’s clothing, face, and hat were completely destroyed in minutes as onlookers watched. An official investigation determined that the fire started in an electrical panel (fixed wiring) under the attraction’s right boot. This panel was believed to have powered the air compressor that kept the clothing of the statue ‘inflated’. News of the fire received national attention, and fair officials committed to rebuilding Big Tex “bigger and better” in time for the 2013 fair.

Working under secrecy, a new Big Tex was created in 2013 by SRO Associates and Texas Scenic Co. at a cost of $500,000. The recreated statue weighs 19,000 pounds (8,618.3 kg) more than the previous version, bringing him to 25,000 pounds (11,339.8 kg). This allows Big Tex to withstand 100 miles per hour (160.9 km/h) winds without needing support wires as in previous versions. The height was increased by 1 yard (91.4 cm) to 55 feet (16.8 m) tall. Big Tex Circle, the location during the State Fair of Texas, was also enlarged and reinforced for the larger statue.

The recreated structure for Big Tex that appeared in 2013 required new clothing and larger sizes. The new Dickie shirt features a 14-foot collar, and 23-foot sleeves and weighs 130 pounds (59 kg). The shirt is made from 150 yards (140 m) of awning material. The new Dickie jeans feature a 27-foot waist, and 22-foot inseam and weigh 100 pounds (45 kg). The jeans are made from 100 yards (91 m) of denim material.

… to be continued …

2023 · Days of The Week · Festivals · Places · Special Events · Texas · Travel Tuesday · USA

State Park of Texas: Fair Park, Dallas: The Fair Park At Night ~ 2012 πŸŽ‘

We spent the early evening hours at the State Fair as well. The fair actually looks much prettier, when it is dark outside. All the lights come on, and the light parade passes through the park. Big Tex and the Texas Star Ferris Wheel come to full glory, and the statues are in their great spotlights.

~ THE END ~

2023 · Days of The Week · Throwback Thursday · Winter Wonderland

Texas Snow Day In January ~ 2013

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In mid-January of 2013, we weren’t expecting snow that day. Even FOX4’s Head Meteorologist, Dan Henry, said what a surprise it was getting snow. But in Texas, the weather is possible and very unpredictable. It can say light rain on the radar. And then we end up with snow the following morning. The birds were all fluffed up to stay warm in the cold breeze. Katelynn liked it. She didn’t have to school and could play with her little sister in the snow that day.

β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„

2023

Relaxing & Reading Stephen King’s “The Shining”

In the Summer of 2017, we visited Niagara Falls to meet up with Kevin’s former High School friends. Kevin and I had our daughters with us, and Jackie had her daughter, born in the same months and year as Sara. Kevin, the girls, and I had a room at the now Niagara Inn (I can’t remember the old name of the motel. It is on my tongue, but I can’t spit it out.). Jackie, Lisa, and Bella visited us at the hotel after hanging out at Oppenheim Country Park. Sara and Bella were standing in the motel’s hallway. And all of a sudden, Jackie said: “Girls, stand right this way. I want to shoot a photo.” When I looked up, I started laughing and said: “That’s a re-enacted scene of Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’. Even the Exit sign fits perfectly into the picture.”

Now, Jackie sends us the photo on the yearly anniversary, reminding us we need to see them again in Niagara Falls. And I read this book for the second time after I read it first in the Winter of 2020. Thank goodness, we are only six hours instead of two-and-a-half days away from Niagara Falls, now. What a relaxing evening to laugh my butt off, when the book reminded me of the photo in Niagara Falls, again. πŸ˜‚πŸ‘­πŸ“š

2023 · Canada · Ontario · Places · USA · Utah

Kevin’s Birthday 2023

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Happy Birthday to the love of my life!
Words will never suffice for how much you mean to me.
May you always stay blessed!

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸΎπŸ₯‚πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸΎπŸ₯‚πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸΎπŸ₯‚πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸΎπŸ₯‚πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸΎπŸ₯‚πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸΎπŸ₯‚πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸΎπŸ₯‚πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸΎπŸ₯‚πŸŽ‚πŸŽ‰πŸΎπŸ₯‚

2023 · Days of The Week · Festivals · Places · Special Events · Texas · Travel Tuesday · USA

State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas: A Stroll Through Fair Park ~ 2012 πŸŽ‘

We walked on the fairgrounds to look at some sculptures and go to the Texas Discovery Gardens. Big Tex celebrated his 60th Anniversary at the State Fair of Texas. Unfortunately, 13 days later he burned down to his frame. He had an electrical short in his wiring, which moved his jaw. It was a sad day in Dallas’ History. The following year, he was rebuilt.

… to be continued …

2023

Neico, The Male Betta Butterflyfish

On Christmas, Santa put a fish tank under the tree. Sara wanted a fish for so long. And Santa was positive, Sara is old enough to take care of a pet fish. But she had to do some research and get the fish herself. After reading books on fish and purchasing a pump, a filter, a heater, and some other important knick-knacks to get the water chlorine-free and circle it through, she purchased her fish today. First, she thought about getting a guppy. But she wanted something a little bit bigger, which would fit in her 5-gallon tank. She looked at the bettas. And one got her attention due to its colors. It is a Premium Male Betta Butterfly. And he’s so adorable. Sara gave him the name Neico.

So, now we can say we officially have a zoo: two dogs, four cats, and a fish. Joshua wanted Neico for dinner already. Can we blame him? There is nothing better for a cat than fresh “sushi”. He went nuts over that fish. Joshua is now banned from Sara’s room. She doesn’t want to come home from school one day, and Neico is gone.

2023 · Connecticut · Hiking In Connecticut · USA

Hiking In Camp Columbia State Park, Morris, Connecticut On New Year’s Day

Change has been constant throughout the 100-year history of this piece of countryside. Where once a shared landscape of farmland and woodland dominated, a campus of higher education overtook them and ruled the property for nine decades. But it too, like the farms and fields before it, lapsed into disuse allowing the woodland to reassert itself and provide us with the landscape we enjoy today.

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Camp-Columbia-State-Park-Forest

β—Šβ—Šβ—Šβ—Šβ—Š

Since it was a beautiful day, Kevin, Sara, and I went hiking in Camp Columbia State Park for New Year’s Day. It was chilly a little bit. But we bundled up. We took the Camp Columbia Tower Trail, which is a short (0.6 miles/1 km roundtrip) trail. When Kevin, Sara, and I climbed the stairs of the tower, we had a nice view of the Camp Colombia State Forest. I can only imagine, how beautiful the view will be in Autumn again. While Kevin went down the steps and looked up some history about the Instrument House, which is now a ruin, and the tower, I had to get Sara down again. The outer staircase gave her some anxiety. Once she was on the ground and away from the tower, she did fine again.

2022 · Christmas Season · Days of The Week · Places · Texas · Throwback Thursday · USA

Christmas Season (Part V) ~ 2012 (1)

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Christmas Season in Texas 2012

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2022 · Christmas Season · Wheel of The Year · Yule

The Christmas Morning of 2022

πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…

The few days before Christmas, I was very homesick. No day went by without me wanting to return to Texas. When Katelynn arrived in Denver, Colorado she called Sara on Christmas Eve. Her box arrived on time. And in that box was a Texas Waffle Maker. Awww, that made my day.

The following day, on Christmas morning, Sara wanted waffles before opening the presents. Our pets had to wait a little bit longer for their new toys. Joshua, Chewbacca, Luis, and Benny were patient. On the other hand, Zoey and Ozzy were going crazy. They wanted to play with the wrapping paper so bad.

πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…

2022 · Christmas Season · Days of The Week · Places · Texas · Throwback Thursday · USA

Christmas Season (Part IV) ~ 2010 – 2011

πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…

2010

β—Šβ—Šβ—Šβ—Šβ—Š

In 2010, Kevin, Katelynn, Sara, and I went to our local Christmas Parade again. This time, the girls got a glimpse of Santa. Katelynn was in first grade. Her class had the school play “Santa’s Suit”, where she was the “Lego” Elf. On Christmas Eve, Katelynn lost her first tooth. So, the Toothfairy and Santa visited our home on the same night. Unfortunately, Sara had a bad cold on Christmas Day. She wasn’t too happy. But we made the best out of the situation.

πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…

2011

Santa left apples, oranges, nuts, and candy under the tree. Of course, Sara found the candy first and wanted some. Kevin and I said, she could have some after breakfast. Instead of listening, she was very sneaky, put one in her mouth, and acted like she didn’t know what we were talking about. Lexi was happy, she had a new toy duck, which was shredded by her and Ranger the same day.

πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…

2022 · Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland (3)

β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„

Winter in Texas ~ 2010

β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„β˜ƒβ„

2022 · Christmas Season · Days of The Week · Places · Texas · Throwback Thursday · USA

Christmas Season (Part III) ~ 2008 – 2009

πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…

2008

Since Kevin’s homemade Christmas tree got positive feedback, he installed it in 2008, again. The same year, I decorated a Christmas wreath for our girls.

πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…

2009

Sara’s 1st Christmas; She was still so tiny.

πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸŽ„πŸŽ…

2022 · Days of The Week · Florida · Places · Travel Tuesday · USA

A Beautiful Evening & Firework In Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida 2011

This was the last evening at Walt Disney World. We took the kids on as many rides as possible, before we watched the firework and went to the bus station. That night my feet were hurting from all the walking around in the park. And I couldn’t wait to lift them up in our Resort room. Sara was ready to go home and sleep in her own bed, again. It was a long week. But I knew from my previous two trips to Walt Disney World in 2002 and 2007, it would be exhausting after so many days. I was beaten.

… to be continued …

2022 · Christmas Season

Christmas Lights Poem

πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„

πŸŽ„Christmas LightsπŸŽ„

Christmas stars shine on high,
Golden stars in the wint’ry sky;
Christmas candles in windows bright 
Send s greeting into the night;
While in our hearts the Christmas flame,
Glows with a love like his who came,
The infant Christ of lowly birth,
To bring good will and peace to the the earth.

by Marie Irish Bright

πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„πŸŒ²πŸŽ„

2022 · Days of The Week · Florida · Places · Travel Tuesday · USA

Dinner At The Crystal Palace In Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Florida 2011

Our family went for dinner in the late afternoon at the Crystal Palace. There we met Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger, and Winnie the Pooh. It was great food. Especially, Sara enjoyed her Macaroni & Cheese and vegetables. She made quite a mess on the table. But, that is the fun part.

… to be continued …

2022 · Beautiful Colors of Autumn · Connecticut · Places · USA

Pumpkin Patch Trains πŸŽƒπŸš‚ Railroad Museum of New England, Thomaston, Connecticut 2022

πŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸ

Today we drove to the Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston. From there Kevin, Sara, and I took the train to the Campville Summit, about four miles north of Thomaston along the Naugatuck River. Meanwhile, we had cold apple cider on this beautiful Autumn afternoon. Once we reached the summit, we rode back through Thomaston and made our way down to Watertown, just past Echo Lake Road. Kevin jokingly said: “If we jump off the train, we have to walk only a mile to be home.” Back towards Thomaston, we made a stop at a small pumpkin patch. Kids and adults could take pictures and bring a small pumpkin on the train. After 15 minutes the train loaded up again. And we rode back to the train station. The excursion took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. It was a nice little ride through the Litchfield Hills. We also had the chance to see the Thomaston Dam and look down into the Naugatuck River Valley. Sadly, the peak season of leaf peeping is over. Most trees are almost bare.

πŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸπŸƒπŸ‚πŸ

2022 · Days of The Week · Halloween Season · Throwback Thursday

Halloween Season (Part IV) ~ 2010

πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»

2010

Katelynn loves going to the pumpkin patch because she can jump in the bounce house, go on hay rides and pick a pumpkin. Sara just enjoyed crawling around between the pumpkins. Every pumpkin had to be tested by giving it a good slap on top. We also went to the Pirate Days. Unfortunately β€œBoo at the Zoo” got rained out the day, we went to the Fort Worth Zoo. But it wasn’t the end of the world, either. The girls got out and had fun, anyway.

πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»

… to be continued in October 2023 …

2022 · Days of The Week · Florida · Places · Travel Tuesday · USA

Peter Pan’s Neverland Scavenger Hunt, Walt Disney World, Florida 2011

On the morning of St. Patrick’s Day, we went on a scavenger hunt to find Peter Pan and the hook he stole from Captain Hook. While we were waiting for our tour guide, Daisy crossed our way and waved Hello. After some time, the “Accountant” came out and excused the tour guide that he had an emergency. Then the accountant ran back into the office. Two minutes later he came back out with the Scavenger Clues, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and said, that he will guide the scavenger hunt, and we all have to help him. πŸ˜„

Off we went on our journey through Disney’s Magic Kingdom. On Main Street, we posed as Disney characters, in Tomorrowland we had to find hitten Mickey’s and say Hello to a piano-playing alien. The accountant dragged us to the wishing well by the castle, where we had to wish for something before we rode on Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland. Somewhere between all this spectacle, I ended up dancing and clucking like a chicken and couldn’t stop until we made our way to Adventureland, where we danced the Hula in front of the Tikis across from The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. In the court of Pirates of the Caribbean, we finally found Peter Pan. He had one more task for us: looking for the hook he took from Captain Hook. And sure enough, Rylee found it. Out of two dozen scavenger hunters, she was the one who held the hook up in the air. As a prize, we got to shoot photos with Peter Pan and the “Accountant”, who was happy we made it safely through the scavenger hunt. Captain Hook and his crew could have sneaked up on us any moment.

… to be continued …

2022 · Days of The Week · Halloween Season · Throwback Thursday

Halloween Season (Part III) ~ 2008 – 2009

πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»

2008

Katelynn wanted to help me with the pumpkin carving. So, I’ve got her a little pumpkin she could play with and get the pumpkin guts out. She always loved to say: β€œWe need to get all the pumpkin yikes out!” And then she played with the gooey inside of the pumpkin.

πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»

2009

Sara was only twelve days old when we celebrated Halloween in 2009. She was such a cute little Pumpkin. Katelynn wanted to help with the pumpkins again, while her little sister took a nap. Katelynn was very proud of being a big sister. She really enjoyed taking Sara out for her first Trick-or-Treat. All bundled up we walked through the neighborhood and collected candy on this cool October night. The fresh air was good for the little munchkin.

πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»πŸŽƒπŸ‘»

… to be continued …

2022

UGH! Another Teenager! πŸ™„πŸ˜œ

πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚

Congratulations on finally finishing your pre-teen years
and becoming a teenager.
Happy Birthday to our 13-year-old daughter, Sara!

πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚πŸŽˆπŸŽπŸŽ‚