Owls

On MLK Day we were working at the property and I went out the solarium door. A large bird flew down from the sunrise porch and up over the pool building. It looked like an owl to me. I went out front and then came back the same way. Again a bird flew from the sunrise porch and up over the pool building. I told Keith I thought we had owls. I waited upstairs for quite a while and didn't see anything.Tuesday after school, I tiptoed and went quietly out the solarium door and stared at an owl sitting in the rafters. I went to Wildflower, and when Keith came home we got ready to go bird watching. We didn't have much success.Wednesday after school we finally were able to see the owl. Only to discover that there are two owls. Here is the first one that flew away.

This is the one that was left.

Keith tried to take video. It is where I snatched the photos from. My little camera did not do justice. So far we have had kill-deer nesting, hummingbirds nesting, wood peckers, and now owls. It is kind of cool.

Lots Going On....

Hmm, that seems to be an understatement. Christmas went by in a world wind,

spent with Great Oma at her care center on the 24th,

and at David and Jana's Christmas Day.and New's Year Eve was different.

Cirrus spent the night to help me out

and to sew something for her Barbie.

Allarts tend to sleep with their feet sticking out.

I guess Cirrus has those genes.Mom came home on New Year's Eve. She was happy to be home,

and we were concerned for her well being.

We decided as a family to have our celebration at 4:00 pm.

The time it is New Years in the Netherlands.

We had prayer, well wishing, food, and games.

Everyone was ready to leave between seven and eight.

It was nice to come home and relax.

Busy December

On December 20th we assembled for the

annual women's breakfast.

Mom was able to join us. Keith drove me and then went to sit by himself.

Emma decided Opa shouldn't be by himself

and handed Xanthisa to him.

The staff at IHOPS were fascinated with the baby.

I finished Elliot's stocking and we mailed a

Christmas Package to Arizona and one to Indiana.

Monday morning Ari, Cirrus, and Crimsel helped to make gingerbread cookies.

Here they are selecting cookie cutters.

The girls were very pleased with the pink and purple aprons.

Everyone loved rolling out the dough.Ta-da! Finished cookies.

There were thin ones and thick ones,

but plenty to go around for Christmas Eve. Laura took Ari and Bree home before the impending snowstorm.

Crimsel and Cirrus spent the day. When Opa came home we went to visit Great Oma.

I can't remember if Cirrus or Crimsel took this picture of Great Oma.

Crimsel took this picture of his sister.

I think he did a fantastic job.

Her eyes look incredible.

After eating dinner with Great Oma we went to her room where the kids had a lot of fun.

Getting a hug from Great Oma before leaving.