Friday, November 23

I really don't know where to begin.  The week has been a busy one with Trish and Chad getting in late Tuesday night, Galaxy Games and Golf on Wednesday, Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday and Evelyn's Birthday Party today.  Oh, and did I mention that today was also our 40th wedding anniversary.  Although busy, it has been so much fun.  Galaxy Golf off of Wilson Rd. is a great place to spend a few hours playing in the indoor playground, playing video games or, like Luke and I did, playing 9 holes of golf on the North America Wildlife course.  The weather has been great so we have been outside a lot. We ate way too much at our Thanksgiving dinner and then again today.  Luke and I did some Geocaching this morning before the birthday party.  We were able to locate 5 different caches in under 3 hours.  Luke is getting pretty good at finding the hidden caches.  He loves when the cache is large enough and contains a treasure.  The rule is that you can take a treasure as long as you leave something of equal or greater value. You also sign the log book before you return the cache to it's hiding place.  It's a great way to see places you might otherwise never visit.  The birthday party began at 3 and we had seven very excited children and one very cute birthday girl.  Evelyn loves dogs and puppies so we had a dog theme party complete with hot dogs, puppy chow, dog ears and noses and a cake topped with a dog that looked like her very own Shorty.  Evelyn really got into the smash cake and it didn't take her very long before she was completely covered in icing. I don't think she ever really got to the cake.  It was pretty chaotic but the kids had a great time, fights were minimal and they even barked Happy Birthday!  We have a lot to be thankful for here in the Bichler household.

PS  forgot to mention that Mr. Bichler went shopping with the boys, Chad and Matt, both Thanksgiving night and again this morning at 5 am.  Needless to say, he has been sleeping ever since.  He did wake up to eat birthday cake!

A house full of cousins

Grandma Great eating with the kids

opening gifts is a team effort

The Dora scooter was a hit with everyone

The doggie cake from Cake Creations of Hilliard

One of the doggies at the table, waiting for cake

Even Evie put on her doggie ears

Happy Birthday, Evie!!

Lincoln was the last one at the table and the best birthday guest ever!

Sunday, November 18

Like all of the grandkids, Evie likes the merry go round!

I am embarrassed at my tardiness in updating the blog.  I have been doing many interesting things and getting a lot done while the weather is nice which is also why I have not been able to write on the blog.  Hopefully, I can get caught up because I think that it will be another week before I get on here again.  Sara and Matt have been staying here this week so I have been thoroughly enjoying Evelyn.  Here antics are non stop and so much fun.  She is always on the go and getting into everything.  Last Thursday we went to the Members Preview for Wildlights at the Zoo.  The weather was perfect and we timed our stay so that we were there early enough to see a few animals, ride the carousel and watch the light show on our way out as the crowds were coming in.  I have been putting up some of our lights for Christmas and today I put the Nativity set up.  I will refrain from lighting it until after Thanksgiving.  Trish, Chad and the kids are coming to Ohio on Tuesday to spend Thanksgiving and we will be celebrating Evelyn's birthday while they are here.  I should have lots of great family photos to share after the weekend.  Have a very, very nice holiday and be safe in your travels! Oh, and don't get into any fights on Black Friday!!

Sneaking up the stairs

Looking for the Hostess Twinkies

Checking out the turtle in the manatee exhibit

The zoo's new male polar bear, Nanuq. A 25 year old weighing in at 1,000.

Sunday, November 11

Before I get started with my actual blog I want to say thank you to all  the men and women that are serving or have served in the military on this Veterans Day week end. I thank you for my many freedoms and your selfless duty to protect them.  My two favorite veterans are pictured below!

My dad, WWII, Merchant Marines

Matt, US Army & Navy, Operation Enduring Freedom

Busy, busy, busy describe the weekend.  Trying to take advantage of the nice weather I had planned to put up some of my Christmas lights on Saturday.  Plans changed somewhat when our neighbor, Beth, told us that her house had finally sold, after about 3 years on the market.  I am happy for her but I am not sure I am too excited about breaking in new neighbors at this stage of my life.  Back to the change of plans.  Before Beth's husband Paul died 8 years ago, Andy and Paul built a green utility shed together.  It sits on Beth's land but we split the cost so now the building will belong to the new owners so we had to clear all of our things out of the shed.  So instead of getting the lights put up on Saturday, we made numerous trips moving trailers, weed eater, sprayer, tools, lumber and Andy's valuable junk to either the barn, pump house or the garage. Amazingly, we got it all moved and today we got some of the lights up and cleaned the gutters. We also almost burned up the trees that we had just put lights on when the scrap wood we were burning down by the creek caught some leaves on fire and started burning up the hill.  Luckily, we saw it in time to get it under control.  The dogs and I took a nice long walk in the woods, sure hope the new owners still let me take my walks.  We saw the does, 3 maybe 4 of them and they never seem to be too alarmed when they spot us.  Friday all 4 of them were in our yard and for several mornings now,  Andy has seen at least two different bucks.  Looks like we will be having more fawns next spring.  Tomorrow I will be attending Rev. Gensler's funeral in Dayton with several friends from our Sunday School class.

Early morning visit

All four does in the yard, Thursday morning

American Goldfinch

Northern Cardinal

The ever lovable, Carolina Chickadee

Saturday, November 10

The weather today was just about as perfect as it could get for the middle of November.  As I get older I find myself thinking I would like to live where the weather would be just like today, every day!  But I like Ohio, despite the gray winters, because there are always those stand out days like today that make us appreciate the good days.  In the song, That's What Faith Can Do by Kutless, there is a line I really like.  "Don't you give up now the sun will soon be shining, You've got to face the clouds to find the silver lining."  When you think about it, those gray or difficult days are what make the sunny, good days so sweet.  Yesterday, a very dear person left this earth to bask in everlasting Son-shine.  A former pastor of our United Methodist Church, Dale Gensler, died after a lengthy illness as a result of a stroke earlier this year.  He was such a special man and was the perfect example of "what would Jesus do?" before it became such a catch phrase.  He ministered to everyone, not just his congregation but to the people, no matter their beliefs, background or social status, never judging, just loving and listening.  He baptized and confirmed both our daughters and came to visit Andy several times after his accident.  When Andy's father died, Rev. Gensler had just became our pastor but he came out and talked with Andy for over an hour.  Andy only went to church if the girls were doing something special or if there was a potluck.  Dale used to kid with us that he would only see Andy if there was food around.  Dale and Barbara attended Sara and Matt's wedding in 2006 which meant so much to our family.  Dale will be missed by his family and friends and the Bichler family.  I imagine that Dale has already found his buddies from the Lamplight and is having a cup of coffee and listening to one of Mac McGuire's stories!  I will remember him with the fondest of memories.

Dale and Barbara at their home in Clayton after his retirement

Wednesday, November 7

It seems to be official that President O'Bama has won the 2012 election and will remain our president for the next 4 years.  We can only pray that the people that we have elected can somehow work together to solve the issues at hand.
On a lighter note, I had a "life bird" come to my feeder today.  I was sitting in the hot tub early this morning when not one, but four Evening Grosbeaks landed on the feeder.  I was so excited and tried to very slowly reach over the side to get my phone to snap a picture without scaring them away.  I managed to get one pic but it was pretty far away and somehow on the second picture I accidentally hit the reverse button and took a picture of myself in the hot tub.  Can you say "delete"?  One of the females did come back later and I was able to capture her photo on my good camera before I had to leave to take my mother to the eye doctor.  Hopefully these migrants will stick around for the winter and I can take a few more picture to share.  Like I said they are a first for me but I recognized them because we have a pair in the North America Aviary at the zoo.  Never thought I would see one in my yard.  So to date I have seen three birds that I have either never seen or rarely see feeding at my feeder this fall.  Looks like it might be a great winter!

Female Evening Grosbeak

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-crowned Sparrow

Thursday, November 1

We have certainly enjoyed having Sara, Matt and Evelyn staying with us every few days.  They are alternating between our place and Matt's sister's in Cincinnati.  Matt attended a job fair this morning at Vet's Memorial and tomorrow they will head back down to Cincy to continue the job and apartment search.  They are looking forward to having their own place and hope to find something by the time their household goods arrive from Honolulu at the beginning of December.  Trish and Chad made it through hurricane Sandy pretty good and didn't lose power.  I'm sure that they do have many friends who experienced some loss during the hurricane however and they will remain in my prayers as they begin the clean up and rebuilding process. 

We were excited to actually see some blue skies and the sun today!  Evelyn and the dogs and I walked through the woods today.  Evelyn loves to ride in the wagon, which I learned from experience, is much better than trying to carry her. 

Look how big I am getting, and oh, so cute!

Captain Jack Sparrow and the Skullerina heading out for Trick or Treat last night

Molly with her Halloween hat on

Luke is a man of many disguises, Lily is not too sure she likes this one.