Last Saturday, the Robus boys and their wives got together with their mom to celebrate Christmas. We enjoyed a good lunch at Mack's, and visiting during the afternoon. Greg made a slide show, "Let It Snow," to share old photos of the family in the snow through the years, and we enjoyed looking at it on Elaine's computer -- fun memories! 
I taught his daddy in first grade nearly 30 years ago... yikes!
This is my friends Cale Anderson and Kerry Singleton, and their dad, Boyd. Cale was a lion and Kerry was a unicorn. 
Then we have a picture of 2 go-go girls, a.k.a. Erin and Mecayla, our nieces.
My mother's class was the host class, having graduated in 1956 -- 50 years ago! They presented a wonderful program on the Missouri & North Arkansas (M & NA) Railroad, which used to pass through Cleburne County and Heber Springs. It was really interesting. 
At one point, the narrator, Sammye Lou Johnston Chapin mentioned that a crowd turned out on the courthouse square in 1917 to celebrate Armistice Day. Olive leaned over and said, "I remember... I was there!" She would have been 6 or 7 then. Isn't she pretty?!
This is our cat Lucy... as you can see, she likes to sleep on her back. She got on the big Razorback duffle roll pillow in Greg's office, and man, did she put on a show! It sorta looks like she is calling the Hogs in one of these, doesn't it?!!! 
On this five year anniversary of September 11, 2001, I am thinking of all of those who perished, but especially two men from Ladder Company 21 in Hell's Kitchen, New York. Firefighters Joe Henry and Keith Glascoe both died trying to save others that day. Joe was only 25 and left behind a family of firefighters, including his father, Edward Sr., and his brothers Eddie and Michael. His uncles and grandfather were also firefighters. His mother, Alice, corresponds with me several times a year, and I have been so blessed by her strength. Joe was single with his whole life ahead of him, and he was loved by a host of family and friends.
Keith Glascoe was the proud father of 2... Nolan, and Owen. In the first picture I received, you can see the date says 8-17-2001, just about 1 month before his death, and they were apparently celebrating Owen's first birthday. I have had the privilege of corresponding through the years with Keiths' widow, Veronica, who gave birth to their 3rd son, in the spring of 2002, and named him Keith for his father. 
As you can see, the boys are healthy and doing well, and it always thrills me to see their bright smiles. I have learned a lot on the internet postings about their dad, and I am sure he would be so proud of all of them.
Here are pictures of her the day she was born - August 28, 1990... and 5 days later. For probably the first six weeks of her life, I went to see her nearly every day at least once! Today, she drove herself to see US! 
Doesn't seem possible... she is really growing up fast! Happy Birthday, Sweetie... we are very proud of you and who you are becoming!
And... we got to see evidence of early cavers... many from the 1960's and 70's, who helped to discover this section and the 3rd level, which is a "crawl-on-your belly" tour by reservation only, and not for me!! We also saw the only natural opening to the cave (other than the spring entrance, which is not navigable) -- a 70 foot drop that is slick and treacherous, but for early cavers the only way in and out! I had seen it from the outside as a child, but certainly not from the inside! 
I love to sit and look for fossils... and I am never disappointed. After our creek visit and a brief stop at a natural cave in the campground's group camping area, we went downtown to the soda fountain (still in a drugstore, just like when we were kids), and then toured some antique malls/flea markets before heading home.
This is Olivia, my cousin... she was a guest at the party...
