Family Times

Last weekend was a special treat as we enjoyed great

times with Bri, Hunter, Amanda, and Stephen.

Shortly after their arrival we visited Granny and Granddaddy,

where Bri received some birthday presents. The most highly 

acclaimed was SLIME, which Bri has developed into an art form.

I  must admit, the amazing colors, texture, and other properties of slime are fascinating.

It seems to be a major improvement over Silly Putty, Gak, and other similar products.

Isn't it irresistible?

I think Bri has Granny hooked on this.

Slime is for the young at heart.

The Talberts all visited the Sandhills Farm Life Nature Trail

and witnessed the widespread results of last spring's strong

storms.  

Hunter's hands and Bri's foot.

Who is Queen of the Forest?

Bri enjoys this perch on a tree that fell all the way across the stream

near Big Rock.  I sawed off the rotten part and will eventually have

to remove the rest.  But for now, it still has some "bounce."

Bri gets ready for a free fall into strong Dad's arms.

Bri and Hunter have as much bounce as the trees do!

You can't visit the nature trail without a stop at

Jack, Will, and Tom, the triple trunk poplar.

Bri and Hunter have known this tree since they were pre-schoolers.

The skyward view is always awe-inspiring.

These are the three straightest trunks on the trail.

Old Man Poplar is a different story.

Each year he leans a little further.

Hunter does what he can to lend a little support.

Back at home, Amanda and Bri find an arboreal

retreat for some reading and relaxing down time.

Both kids are light years ahead of me and Judy on

technology, but we still have some fun things on our computer

that they enjoy on their visits. Even Christmas activities in July!

Hunter returned to an "I Spy Haunted Mansion" game that he started way

back in February. While here, he completed the solving of 26 riddles in

13 rooms and solving a puzzle to escape from the mansion.  Only Ryan

had completed this challenge until now.

Even with the tremendous heat, who can resist a new

tetherball set.  Amanda and the kids got quite a workout.

Here's Bri in a dogwood tree that Judy climbed when she was young.

In fact, I think Judy can still climb it!

Sunday evening the whole Kirby family joined us for a Family Night.

It had been all the way back to Thanksgiving since we had the

whole crowd at our house for a meal.  What a time!

I took this picture threw a bedroom window. I'm not sure where

Ryan was, but this tire swing drew the others like a magnet.

The four older ones remember riding it back at our old house

when they were teeny.

This week I saw homemade water slides in "The Family Circus" and

"Dennis the Menace." But we thought of it first (doubtful). A Playschool

slide, a tarp, and a hose.  What more could you ask.

Oh yes: COUSINS!

That was the recipe for the fun pictured below.

Evan loves the raw power that belongs to the holder of the hose!

Evan's my name, torture's my game.

Evan and Hunter had a great time indoors as well.

They quite pleased with their "balancing act."

One careless move and this tower would tumble.

But they were oh, so careful!

A treasure of a picture.

Amanda, Judy, and Jennifer.

My "Steel Magnolias."

Another picture we will always cherish.

We love our family and every moment we share together.

Who knows when we will all gather together again?

Maybe Thanksgiving, maybe Christmas. But in these times

we're more thankful than ever for social media.

One way or another, we're going to stay CLOSE!