COBDEN

Tom & Billy's Big Catch
Colorized pic of Bald Knob
View of Cross missing panels
Pic of lookout cliff
Look close-cross thru spot in trees
Colorized version of pic
Cuz Christy!
Christy by the cliff!
Another colorized pic!
Billy & Christy's Home

Well, another trip! Tom and I went down to Coben, IL to see my cousin Christy and her husband Billy last weekend. Tom and Billy painted and went fishing. Christy and I shopped!!!!

We also went to Kevil, KY and seen their daughter and granddaughter (she is a cutie!). It rained quite a bit, but Christy and I managed to take a ride on the 4 wheeler and go visit her mammaw/my aunt Dooie. We also went for a ride on Sunday, while Tom and Billy were fishing (for the 3rd time!), to the lookouts to see Bald Knob Cross and take some pictures. It is really sad about the cross. It is losing the panels off the frame (as you will see in one of the pictures) and you can see through it. It used to be solid white and you could see it up on the top of the hill, bright and shining for all to see. The church's in the area are trying to collect money to repair the cross. The pics aren't some of my best, especially since the sun was in front of me and me shooting right into the brightness, therefore the pics are washed out. I took some liberties and on a couple of pics in photo shop and colorized it slightly. We all had a blast, hope you enjoy the pics.

HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

Garvin Woodland Gardens

The Hot Springs!

Deer in front the neighbors house

Gulpa Gorge

Hot Springs Natl Park Hot Water Fountain

Quachita Lake, Mom & Linda standing on

the Blakely Dam

Anthony Chapel

Three Sisters Daffodil Hill at Garvin Gardens

Overlook in Hot Springs Village

Well, here are a couple of pictures from a trip taken to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas last week by me and mom. We went to visit friends Lynda, Alex and their son Alan. They moved from this area a couple of years ago to Hot Springs Village. Mom and I took Amtrak to Little Rock, AR last Wednesday night and returned Sunday morning. We went to the Garvin Woodland Gardens, of course to see the daffodils blooming! We went to the lookout in the village and the National Park, to see the hot spring itself and Bath Row (massage and baths-they are wonderful!, but could not talk mom into going), shopping in the souvenir shops, to eat on Hamilton Lake at Fisherman's Wharf (broccoli salad that was wonderful!), crystal hunting in the Coleman Crystal mine (yes we found several!), sight seeing, and hunting for bambies! All in all a wonderful 3 days! Enjoy the pics, we enjoyed the trip!

SUNSET!

Tom and I went shopping Sunday, then came home to let the puppies out. We then decided to take a little trip out to Horseshoe Lake to let the puppies take a walk and me take pics of the sunset. To back up a little, the previous day on our way home from C-ville, the sunset was beautiful! A great big orange ball in the pink and blue sky! This of course was the first day after the full moon, therefore it is really pretty. On that note, we decided that maybe this night would be just as beautiful. Not really, but sunsets are sunsets and most of them are beautiful in their own right! See for yourself! (of course, I had to add a couple pics of the puppies too!)

WEEKEND TREK 09'

Bald Eagle near the Mississippi River


Small young buck along the Berm Highway

Frozen waterfall down the bluff
along the river road

New Lighthouse in Grafton

Another eagle! One of mannnny pics!


Well we did our annual trip up the River Road the past 2 weekends to see the eagles and the deer! We tried out our new christmas presents to boot! I tried my new Nikon digital camera and Tom tried his new tripod and scope! We also used our new TomTom gps to find our way. We went up the River Road, across the Hardin bridge, to Winfield Dam. Then we stopped in Brussels to eat at the old Wittmond's Hotel ---yummmmmie! Their blackberry cobbler was terrific! Then we rode the Brussels Ferry back across the river, stopped in Grafton at the new Mourings Winery, listened to music, ran into friends Cindy & Todd, sat and talked awhile then went on our merry way last weekend. Then this weekend, we just went up the River Road again, to Grafton, got a soda and Paradise donut holes (not quite the same feast as the previous week), then back down the road, took many many pics, of course!, and back home again. We love doing this each January. The river freezes up north and the eagles always migrate down this way to the Alton river area. I hope you enjoy the pics!

!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!! 2009 !!!

Of Course the 2 brats! Koty & Gizmo


Top Row - Shane, Tom, Clint & David
Bottom Row - Connie, Sharon, Bud, Ashley & Joi
(Ashley is Clint's girlfriend)

Shane's girlfriend- Holly and her daughter Bella

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! From our family to yours "We wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2009!

12 Days of Christmas!

I heard this song on the radio the other day and liked it, but did not know who it was done by. Then the next day I heard the announcer say it was by a group called "Straight Up No Chaser". I searched you tube and viola! Here it is! Go see for yourself and let me know,. What do oyou think? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28GUU1YbP_E

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A NOTE TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL


FROM OURS TO YOURS,


BY THE GLOW OF THE TREE,

OUR HOME IS DECORATED FOR ALL TO SEE!

THE PUPPIES ALL SNUGGLED UP IN THEIR BOWS,

Well, a poet I'm not, but you get the pictures! This is a blog card to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has their decorations up, presents bought, wrapped and under the tree! I still have to wrap, but I also still have 3 more days. I still have a list of things to do and I am slowly marking each item off of the list. So, please, everyone have a save, happy and very Merry Christmas! Love Tom, Connie, Koty & Gizmo!