Snow!

The first real snow of the season came on Saturday, 11/19.  

The weathermen were saying an inch, but it was more like 4 inches.  

Enough that I had to push the snow off the driveway on Sunday morning.

The Packers keep winning, so I had to take this picture.

I always feel better when the driveway is cleared.

Dad, Glenn, Andy, Dana and Gus were at the Sandcastle for opening weekend of deer hunting.

The snow got pretty deep up there.

But that didn't hamper the card playing and story telling much.

During the snow, Ev and I enjoyed watching all the birds at the feeder.
It is always fun to see the male cardinals.

We've been lucky to have a slow start to winter 2011-12.

A major project

Right before I left for Colorado, I had showed Dad the instructions for a child's chair that I found on Ana-White.com and suggested that we adapt this idea to build bar stools for our Sandcastle cabin.

I knew Dad could look at the plans and improve on them using the idea of a storage box as part of the chair construction.

When I got back from Colorado, Dad had the prototype almost complete and was in gear to start cranking out barstools.  I had thought this would be a project for over the summer, but Dad was motivated to get them made in time for The Hunt, which was 2 short weeks away.

With Laila here, it was busy, but we got the lumber home and the construction began.

Dad had to wear a warm uniform to work in the unheated garage.

Laila was in charge of inventory and parts management.

There were 6 chairs to be made and it took some organizing to make sure all the correct parts were cut.

It is fun to work with Dad in the woodshop.

Nothing like a staged photo

Happy workers

Due to winter temperatures, the kitchen became the assembly annex one evening.

Here is the picture of the prototype.

This picture hatched the idea.
Thank you ana-white.com

Ready for shipping

Ev and Dad and the finished project

Each owner will have their own stool and a little storage box for their valuables.

Friday morning before hunting, I drove up to the Sandcastle with a load of 3 stools.

The other 3 fit into Dana's pickup when he came to Rice Lake to pick up Dad for the hunting weekend.

The barstools are a fine addition to the cabin bar.

The crunch was really on during the construction of these stools, but it is very nice to have them completed and ready for card playing at the cabin.

Finally, I'm back blogging...lots of catching up to do, so hang on

The last time I blogged, I was arriving back in Wisconsin on November 9th after a 3 week trip Out West.  The trip was fun, busy and the travel weather just about perfect.

I arrived home on Wednesday evening, 

and most of Thursday was spent unloading the car and doing laundry.

***

Friday, we headed off to the Veteran's Day program at Luck High School.  It was a very nice program with much music by the school kids.  

Megan was in the chorus, just in front of the boy in the blue & gray sweatshirt.

The elementary school kids sang the anthems of each of the branches of service.
Emily is in the back row with long blonde hair.

Gage (eyes closed) was part of the Cub Scout color guard.

Emily was part of a dance group that tap danced as part of the program.

Afterwards, Dad & Ev and I met Gus for lunch in downtown Luck.

Dad said it was one of the nicest Veteran's Day programs he had ever attended.

***

Saturday we drove to Baldwin to stay overnight and enjoy a gathering organized by Glenn & Kathy at the AmericInn.  We had the party room right next to the pool, so the kids had a ton of fun.  We were celebrating Alyxis's birthday and her friend Tootie was there too.

Alyxis and her friend TootieI love this picture of the two serious girls.

Much to our surprise, G & K had arranged to have Laila there as a surprise for everyone.  It was cute that the hotel staff played along and allowed Laila to be at the check in counter as we arrived.  I was very surprised, especially since I had just seen Laila in Colorado.  Everyone was at the party except Michelle who had the stomach flu and Linsey who is still detained in Dunn County's facility.

I had hoped to take a photo of each family member, but only got a few.    

Dana & Erin

Gus and Lois and grandkids

Alyxis and her birthday cake

Anders & Emily.  Emily was a good cousin and made sure Anders was having a safe and fun time swimming.

All the birthday kids:  Angie, Megan, Dana & Gage and Alyxis

The surprise guest, Laila

Uncle Dana and nephew Bryce Vanasse

Lora & Heather and little Jens

Jake and his little buddy Vinny

My new iPad was a hit with Jackson, Jack, & Jake

Destined for a life on the stage, Alyxis showing some theatrics

After a nice 'afterglow' in the folk's hotel room after the party, we spent the night in Baldwin.

On Sunday, we headed home to Rice Lake, and Laila came along as our surprise house guest.

Welcome?

I am making good progress as I head East towards Wisconsin.  I wanted to stretch my legs at the reststop in Chamberlain, but thought better of taking this path after reading the welcome/warning.

50 degrees and bright sunsine and an uneventful driving with a very intense book on tape is making for fine travel so far.

(Click on photographs to see them larger.)
Wanda from my Android

Denver Wrap Up

I know I didn't write much during my Colorado visit, but it was a good one.  Lots of time to chill out and yet lots of visiting.  Sunday was a nice ending to the trip.  LeAnna invited Laila and I and Tom & Roche to brunch.  We had delicious food and a nice visit.

Tom, Roche, LeAnna & Wanda - Laila took the photo

We watched the Broncos and the Packers win in the afternoon, so nice ending to the day.

*****

Monday I started my drive East towards Wisconsin.

As I was leaving a rest stop in Eastern Colorado, I noticed this license plate.

Colorado has legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes, I guess this driver is a supplier.

I drove to North Platte, NE &  got settled into the Hampton Inn in time to watch DWTS.

I talked to Dad & Ev in Rice Lake, and they were ready to watch as well.

Snow is predicted here overnight, so whether or not I leave here, is totally dependent on what it looks like in the morning.  The next leg of this driving trip is long and through the sand hills of Nebraska, so I won't risk slippery roads and this is a nice place.  We'll see.

I'm on the 4th floor of this hotel, so I have a good view of the highway, I'll be able to see what's what in the morning, but first The Dancing!

Golden Days

One thing about Colorado, even when it snows 6-10 inches this time of year, if the sun comes out, 

it melts away pretty quickly.

On Wednesday, I started my day of visiting by having lunch with Dave & Suzi

 at a Thai restaurant in Olde Town Arvada.

Oh man, that was tasty.

Green Curry, yummy.

We had a great visit and I am hoping they will be in Wisconsin again soon.

Wednesday evening was dinner with Lance & Jamie (my neighbors from the Dover Street neighborhood in Arvada) and Roche & Tom.  We ate at 3 Marguerite's and it was great Mexican food.

*********

Visiting Golden on Thursday was so nice.  The snow along the creek was classic.

Looking West from Washington Street in Golden, CO

Looking East from Washington

 ^^^^^^^^

My visit to Bills' Bar at the Golden Brewery was really fun.

I saw many of my old pals.

The bar is a nice tribute to Bill Coors.

Cheers! to Bill

Original artwork by the folks at the glass plant.
Bottles made of recycled bottles.
Very nice.

Hosted by the Guest Relations folks, this is a very nice gathering place open to employees daily.

A welcome to Bill's

A good crowd on a Thursday afternoon.
One department was finishing a team building exercise, while others were just there to quench their thirst.

Jenny, Melissa, Steve & Tammy, Reichow

After a great visit at the brewery, Steve and Tammy took me to dinner at 3 Sons Italian Restaurant in Arvada.  Great food and by far the best waitress ever, Anna.  Ask for her if you go.

It is so nice to see all my Colorado pals again.

Snowday

The Denver area had between 6 - 8 inches of wet snow overnight.  It was really pretty this morning.   By mid-day the roads were only wet.
Click on the picture to see panoramic view of Roche and Tom's yard & house.
Wanda from my Android