Thanksgiving Comes and Goes.....2006

Well another Thanksgiving has been passed to the archives..and it was a good one. The temperature in Des Moines hovered around 60 degrees the whole time. Kurtis and I headed for Des Moines late Wed morning. Our first stop was the Majestic Lion antique shop, the on to the Brass Armadillo. I was looking for a cupboard for my bathroom remodel and finally settled on a nice jelly cupboard, which I think will fill the bill quite nicely.
Of course the star of the event was little Miss Ellie, it is just remarkable how much she had grown. I have no doubt she will be crawling by Christmas. She is just a little bundle of cuteness.. and talks constantly. She and Kurtis have really become buddies.
As usual Larry and Shirley put on a fabulous dinner. Jessica and I took Pumpkin Pie, Cherry pie, a small ham, bean casserole and a vegetable dip. Jessica also whipped up her now famous cranberry relish (see mom, you missed out) Everything was so good.
So it was back home Thursday evening and off to bed. Kurtis had to be to work at 6 a.m. for the beginning of Black Friday....Im glad I dont work in retail, I would maybe have to kill someone.
So, now its back to the bathroom project..I have 4 days before the flooring people come, so best get a move on.
Until next time....MOM

Shirley had the tables all set so pretty...It wasnt long and we were all seated with full plates. Thanks to Shirley and Larry for all their hard work...next year...Its on Kurtis and I again...

I dont know about you Grandpa, but if things dont pick up around here soon, We may have to nod off to a nap.

Her is Grandpa and Ellie chilling out on the living room floor after a full feeding of Turkey and all the trimmings.....Ellie even had a bite of cranberry relish. From the wrinkle little nose, I have a feeling she didnt much care for it.

Here is the master carving the big 25 lb turkey...it was absolutely wonderful, complete with a full load of stuffing!

Just remember these three words....Quality.....Not Quantity!!

Updating this blog is no small feat, it takes much time and concentration..a blend of just the amount of information and a certain amount of nonsense..so I may not get to it as often as I should, but hopefully it will still contain some essence of entertainment.
I dont even know where to begin with my updates....so much is going on at the Voparil farm it is almost mind boggling...like Dad used to say, "Lets see, now what all did we do this week, Doris"
I have been in a total frenzy trying to get all my outside chores done so winter can settle on the countryside and I will be ready. I did manage to plant somewhere around 5-600 bulbs of some sort.....even after I promised myself I wasnt going to do that again this year. I guess I just really feel guilty if I dont feed the moles every year, and this year was not going to be the exception! I walked out this afternoon to check on the area where I put the bulbs and as usual there was the up-mounded dirt where a mole went through and had his fill! So what!
The boys have been busy picking corn and beans. I don't know where they get the energy to work all day and then spend the weekends and evenings farming. It is really fun to see them all working together though to get it done. Pat, Ryan and Steve all got in on the fun....Dad would of been so proud to see 'em going with the wagons. The weather has been beautiful and just perfect for farming!
The BIG news is.....I have a new bathtub and shower..thanks to Steve and some more long nights (Oh, and the boys too...and Kurtis) This was no small task. The old cast iron tub had to be broken out and hauled off....how awful! I took my first shower tonite,,,and let me tell you, it was a near religious experience! I really felt like gathering the family up and taking a family portrait in there....but then again, it isn't Easter yet. (get it?) I do know now how Dad must of felt getting the job done.
I got a call from Jessica tonite....Ellie has learned to roll all around the living room now. I was on the phone with Jess and I could hear her in the background talking and talking as she rolled back and forth across the floor.....she is so damn cute! Jessica says she rolls up to Buster and the dog gets up and leaves.....poor thing, he hasnt seen anything yet!
Jennifer seems to have settled into married life OK, so far no complaints..which is a good thing. Its so nice to have both daughters settled in and doing their own thing. Im looking forward to Thanksgiving when Kurtis and I will travel to Des Moines for the day. Hard to believe its that time already..especially when it got up to about 72degrees today.
So, I think that is the highlights for now....I'll try to keep this up a little better in the future.....but, no promises....
Until next time.....MOM

Here is Wayne doing what every Plumber does during his free time.....Yep, picking Beans.

This is a shot of Steven and Pat unloading Wayne's beans into a elevator. It was a beautiful fall day..and take a look at that fine equipment..Who says the small farmer is a fading breed??

This is a awful picture, but shows the beginning progress on ripping out the old shower. Note the amount of concentration from the three supervisors as Steve provides all the labor. (Actually the boys cleaned up all the mess that was created..carrying it down 2 flights of steps)

This is one of the casualties of the trapping game...talk about getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar!!!!

Here is the brave and daring Aaron Lynch with one of his fine bounties from the cold waters. I believe this is a Beaver...What do you suppose happen to this kid when he was young that he wants to do this? I believe the opening day of trapping season he and his buddy bagged 9 coons, 2 beaver and a mink. I would say the trapping video that his father speaks so highly of was truly worth the investment!