Bob and Adelaide Visit

Mid-December and Early January; South King County --

Grumpy and the Grand Mother were blessed once again with the presence of Grumpy's brother Bob and his lovely wife Adelaide. Coming all the way from Brazil to Seattle, via Alabama, greeted them with a cool reception -- from the weather, not from their hosts!! Since they didn't arrive in time for our Annual Christmas Family reunion, we made do with several "mini" reunions.

The first was a get-together at Jim's & Theresa's house for a delicious dinner, featuring the best tasting ham Grumpy has set his teeth into for a long time. Before, and after dinner, we sat around telling stories, reminiscing about days of long ago and visiting. We all had such a good time that no one thought to take any pictures as evidence of the happy good time which was had by all!

Bob and Adelaide left the day after Christmas to spend a few days at Timberline (Mt. Hood Oregon) skiing. The weather cooperated both before and during their stay, as they reported powder snow everyday and entertainment that included some of our Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. We understand that the Grands and Great Grands included: Steve, with Alex, Joshlyn & Gracie-Mae; James & Heidi, with Jamey G & Arthur. Any photos will have to be wheedled out of either Uncle Bob or Grandson Steve.

Bob and Adelaide, with Grumpy's son-in-law Adolfo

All the Old Folks, with son-in-law Paul

All the Old Folks, with Ruth

Bob and Adelaide returned to Seattle New Year's Day with mutual friends Larry and Inesia. Finally, Grumpy awakened his Sony Alpha to get some historic pictures with his kid brother. 

The Two Oldest Folks with Adelaide; Bob is the one with the handsome beard

Grumpy is starting to realize that these two octogenarian best friends may have only 15 or 20 more years to be seen together; Bob has bet his Annuity that he will "take" them for more money than he paid in, and Grumpy has stated since early childhood that he wanted to live to be 100!  And we both have the genes for it!!

Our Varied Weather in Seattle

Somewhere in South King County; Before and After the Winter Solstice --
Grumpy hasn't taken the time to post for awhile. Lots of things going on, so time available for such fun-time just wasn't very high on the priority list. So now, while awaiting the necessary data to complete my IRS duties for 2010, Grumpy found some scenic photos that he thought to share.

This first panorama was taken just before Thanksgiving when we were surprised to find ourselves marooned by an early snow.

Taken 23 November; note Evergreen tree on right and birches in near foreground

This view (above) off our deck is in contrast to a similar one taken a few weeks earlier (below) showing the colorful Autumn colors.

Taken 25 October; Note Evergreen tree on right and birches in near foreground

Now, while snow is not unheard of in Seattle, it is also sufficiently rare that drivers here are infamous for creating major havoc when it does snow. Even more rare are thunderstorm type activity, which creates a unique form of snowfall in the form of miniature snow-balls! This looks like hail, but each 5mm diameter pellet is really a small snowball!

Taken 30 December; These pellets are snowballs, not hailstones

But hope springs eternal! And sure enough, after last night's snowball droppings, the sun rose into a clear, winter-blue sky!

Taken 30 December off our lakeview deck at sunrise (at 0856!)

Enjoy the pictures. More winter weather is sure to follow in this New Year. [Where is Al Gore hiding these days when you need him!?]