February Family Fun

 

Claire had an orchestra concert on Groundhog Day.

She is an accomplished violinist!  The only

thing I remember about the years I

played was how to play "Jingle Bells"

Went to South Padre Island so Bob could ride his bike

on the beach. I met him at Clayton's afterwards.

The last time we were here, Clayton's was closed!

On Friday, the 6th, it was packed...probably

because of the great weather. We met 

Dennis and Nancy there and headed to

the SPI Brewery for an early supper, then back

to La Feria to watch Sioux hockey and

play Farkel. The team tied Friday night

and lost the OT playoff, but won on Saturday.

Alfonso is painting Jerry's golf cart.

RJ's 14th birthday cheesecake

on February 9th.

At the Valley All-Star show, on the 11th,

this performer had a USA-shaped guitar.

After the show, we went to Nana's for "lonches"

with friends Wayne and Mary. The new chapel

behind them is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Nana's has a huge new dining area and the food is great!

We had supper at Stefano's on the 13th

to avoid the crowds on Valentine's Day!

Dessert time...we had seven forks to share this

 chocolate cheesecake which was awesome!

Ana and the girls sent me the framed Christmas photo!

Trina made this heart quilt. :-)

Kelly said George, Luke, and Mary Kate were

the only ones awake when she took the picture.

(I was not surprised that the three teens were asleep).

Donna's friend "Flash" sent me this picture

labeled "1/2 of the Shalala twins" :-)

taken at a Miami Lebanese restaurant!

The La Feria Fiesta on the 14th had lots of fun, food,

and a great rock and roll band.  The wind, however,

was crazy, so we took our food home to eat!

On Sunday, the 15th, we went to the Camille

Theater in Brownsville to see "Guys and Dolls".

                

IT'S A NEW YEAR! JANUARY 2026 

Santa greeted us at the Harlingen, Texas

airport on New Year's Day!

These guys made of recycled parts guarded our luggage.

Yes, we have been playing pickleball

just about every day since we got

here on New Year's Day. On the 13th,

we drove to South Padre Island 

to have breakfast with friends 

from North Dakota. They recommended

this movie.  After Bob rode his bike

down the beach, we grabbed some lunch

and on the way home stopped in 

Harlingen to see the movie.  A great

love story featuring Neil Diamond's 

music, and based on a true story.

Sunday, the 18th, we decided to head to the Basilica

in San Juan for Mass. Then we had brunch 

at The Rancho Grande. 

The Mariachi band provided music. There were

14 members including the organist.

Bob working on our 1994 clothes washer. 

Sara sent this pic of RJ working on the 1994 Mustang!

Out with the old.....

In with the new!

Really funny play on South Padre Island

Saw this on the 25th and had dinner

at the Longhorn steakhouse afterwards.

While we were having "cool" weather in Texas,

Sara had huge piles of snow and frozen pipes in VA.

The kids had to chop up the blocks to make their "iceman"

Went to hear "Garth" on the 28th

at the Sunshine RV Park.

Wynona made a short appearance, too.

Caiden set a new school record with 11 3-pointers in one game!

December 2025

We went to the Medora Christmas show in Devils Lake

on the 7th, and two of the performing couples

showed off their new babies.

I took Mary Kate to dance class

when we visited, but we didn't

get to her recital.

Bob's "cat"--the only cat on our farm

Hope this ski slope is still here

when the kids arrive!

Last home hockey game for 2025!

We watch the rest of the season on NCHC TV in Texas.

Christmas arrivals began on the 22nd, and by

the 24th the gang was all here!  The kids are

wearing their "Funny Farm Christmas" tees

in their family colors.

Sara and the kids flew to Minot with Donna,

who met them in Minneapolis,

on the 22nd. Doug came on the 24th.

Tom, Trina and kids arrived the afternoon of the 23rd.

Jimmy and Kelly's gang followed an hour later!

Ana's and the girls arrived on the 24th.

Ana and Sara made our tees when Ari was born 21

years ago.  Ari made my apron when she was 6!

Yes, those are actually baby Ariana's foot and hand prints! :-)

Is it too late to be good, George?

I think the shirt belonged to one of Sara's kids.

Luke's balancing act! :-)

The kids organized a ping pong tournament

in the basement, pulled sleds by the frozen

dam down the road, played in the snow,

and had Texas hold 'em in North Dakota

These guys are serious gamblers! LOL

Guess who was winning!

After the kids exchanged gifts, Bob threw

forty dollars worth of quarters into the

wrappings and let the kids scramble.

Then, he had them cash in to get dollars.

We had matching jackets :-)

These kids went skiing on the 27th, and they

were still awake after 8 hours on the slopes!

Sara and Doug's flights were delayed and rescheduled.

After Doug flew back to DC on the morning of the 30th,

Sara took the kids to the World Juniors hockey

tournament in downtown Minneapolis. Their 

flight left for DC at 10:30 that night.

Kathy came by the house in town where Ana

and Sara's families stayed and brought them

supplies to make a thank-you for us! And thank 

you from me and Bob for everyone's 

help while they were here! 

Ana and the girls were the last to leave.

I think Ana is trying to look as tall as her kids.

While we were preparing to leave 

on the 31st, Bob found Harry's coat...bought 

at a church rummage sale for $1.00.

Sent a pic to his daughter in Texas 

who is married to Bob's cousin, 

and she recognized it immediately.

 

November already?!

I am pretty sure the flax is from

our first crop. Palms are pretty

old, too! Pewter was a wedding

gift from friends Carl and Janet

fifty-five years ago!

Ana took Claire to Moorhead, MN, to play her violin

with the Concordia College orchestra. Claire is in the

first circle on the left. The second circle, playing the bass,

is Lydia, the daughter of friends Chuck and Jan, 

who is a student at the college.

Sunset at Killdeer on November 21st

Grace's Confirmation on the 23rd

After breakfast at the church, we 

went to the farm to have cake and 

ice cream.  George attacked the

cake before we got to it.

Grace and her cake...with a little fingerprint 

from George who couldn't resist! :-)

The family with Grace. Andrew was away at college.

Nephew Doug and Jill welcomed 25

family members 

for our 30th annual Thanksmas! 

Another milestone: Not our age. :-)

The prime rib was delicious.

And so was the crème brulee