Update 2012 - September Road Trip to Oklahoma and Texas

It's late September and we are leaving the Ozarks for Oklahoma City, McKinney, Tx, College Station, and Carrizo Springs.  Steph and I attended my 45 year high school reunion (Midwest City High School) at Remington Park Horse Racing Track.  We had a great time and got to see many of our old high school friends.  Stephanie graduated a year after me, but still knew a lot of the same classmates.  We had a wonderful evening and the reunion committee is to be commended for a very organized and functional reunion.
From Oklahoma City we traveled to McKinney for a quick visit with Brent, Melissa, Jake and Hannah.  We arrived around lunch time so we headed over to Frisco for fried chicken at Babe's Chicken.  If you ever get the chance to eat at Babe's take the time and enjoy a great meal.
We left Brent's and headed to College Station to see Ann, Jared, and Parker.  Steph stayed at Ann's while I headed to Carrizo Springs to do a little scouting for deer, hogs, and dove hunting at Pete's ranch.  As usual, the trip to the ranch was very rewarding.

 

It looks like another outstanding year for hunting on the Los Robles.  I was sitting in the same blind where I got the 13pt deer last year and took the following photos.  This photo was an early morning photo of a nice buck and doe grazing around the feeder.  Prior to this photo a huge 12pt deer with a wide spread walked off after feeding for 15 - 20 minutes.

 

 

Sorry this is so dark, but if you double-click on the photo and enlarge it you should be able to see this trophy that is running around on the ranch.

 

 

A few deer remained around the feeder after the sun came up, at one time I had 13 deer grazing on the corn under the feeder.

 

 

The ranch is not just a deer haven.  This is a group of 11 hen turkey that came into the feeder and finished off what the deer left behind.  I was hoping for hogs but they showed up at Pete's blind on the northeast side of the ranch.  Our annual family hunt is scheduled for November 30 to December 3 so hopefully we will see lots of game.  We will be posting our findings in early December.

 

 

After a few days at the ranch I returned to College Station to help Parker get use to wearing the proper color of orange.  Living in College Station, Tx, and wearing the WRONG orange can get a fella in trouble.  COWBOY orange is always acceptable in Aggieland.

One of the main purposes of the trip was to take care of Parker while Ann and Jared went to the TAMU v Arkansas football game.  Prior to all Aggie home games Ann and Jared have a big tailgate party next to Kyle Field.  Ann wanted Jared and Parker to have special aprons for the event so Grandma Reubin got to work.

 

 

First off the sewing machine was the apron for Parker.  Check out the boots and jeans on the little man.  I think Mom (Ann) approves of Stephanie's handiwork.

 

 

After a couple more days the full set of apron's were ready for public display.  I'm wearing Jared's, Steph has Ann's, and Parker's is Parker.  The friends and family at the tailgate party were very impressed with the aprons.

 

 

It's game day and Parker is ready to cheer on the Aggies to victory over the Hogs.  The day started off wet, but the rained stopped around 9:00am and we had a great time at the tailgate, watching the game in the MSC building, and enjoying our time with Parker.

Steph and I both feel Parker needs to also experience a Cowboy game in Stillwater as early as possible.

 

 

After we returned home Steph was so proud of her aprons that she finally decided to sew for herself again.  This is a jacket and purse she finished.

 

 

Well it's time to start making "seasonal" items.  Keeping with the season, Steph has made this Halloween quilt.  I think the sewing room is the most utilized room in the house. 

Come back soon as we will be busy with visitors from the south and birthday parties to attend in Springfield.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update 2012 - May and June Visitors

The summer has been very active here in the Ozarks with visitors from Texas and Missouri.  Brent's family made it to the LakeviewDream and we had a great time in the lake.  Hannah and Jake were the first to use the new ski trainer and Melissa  put on a great show water skiing.  After a couple of days on the lake, we moved the activity to Branson's Silver Dollar City where we were joined by Laura's family.  The following pictures are of our day at Silver Dollar City.

Brent's family at Silver Dollar City waiting in line for the Log Ride.

The family is all loaded up and ready to get wet!

Good thing is was a hot day at Branson since the family was now soaking wet.  Jake was just soaked since he was sitting in the front.  Hannah was smart and sat between Brent and Melissa.

The Trent family was next to test the wild river log ride.  Clara wanted to be up front (bad mistake)

and Will was between Tom and Laura.

Surprise!!  Clara got soaked, but she enjoyed every minute.  Clara and Jake were ready for more water rides.

After the Log Ride the youngsters needed a short break to let their clothes dry. 

Tom, Melissa, and Brent decided to try another ride at Silver Dollar City.  Brent has always enjoyed speed and going upside down (must be a pilot thing).

Here's our trio (see red shirt) coming off the upside down loop and headed straight down to the bottom of the canyon where the ride is.

From here the family headed over to the kid rides and a quick trip around the park on the train.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  The next stop was up to Republic, Mo. and an evening at the Trent house.  The next post will have a few highlights from that visit.

Update 2012 -- Parker Wilson Lowe May 2012

Well here we are in the month of May and the big day has arrived.  Mr. Parker Wilson Lowe joined the family on May 14, 2012, at 8:46pm.  Parker weighed in at 8 lbs 8 oz and a striking 22 inches in length.  He better be tall since his Dad is 6' 3'' and his mother is 6' 0".  Now let's get on with welcoming Parker to the Ozark Dream Blog.

Parker was just a few minutes old when Grandma Reubin was able to get this picture.  Ann had a long day trying to get this little fella into the world.  She checked into the hospital around 6:00am and spent most of the day trying to convince Parker he needed to make an appearance.  As luck would have it, her Dr was around all day, but left the hospital around 8:00pm for dinner.  Well, Parker said that it would be a good time to arrive so they had to get the Dr. back quickly.  The Dr. made it just in time to catch Parker as he made his grand arrival.

This is a picture of the proud Grandparents holding little Parker.  This is number 5 for the Reubin's and number 1 for the Lowe's.  We were the old pros in the ordeal.

It's now 2 days later and the happy family are ready to leave the hospital and head for home.  Ann and Parker were doing well and Jared was excited to not have to sleep in a chair at the hospital.

Parker at home with Ann, Jared, and his favorite dog, Browning.

It sure is nice having a big brother with a big jet.  Brent picked up a charter to Branson, Mo

and was flying back to Dallas empty so he invited his sister (Laura) and her two kids, Clara and William and his Grandparents to fly to see Parker Wilson Lowe.  A little over an hour is better than 10 hours in the car.

Clara could not wait to get to hold and rock little Parker.  She is in the glider in Parker's room in College Station.

William was very patient to wait for his turn to hold Parker.  He was just as interested in him as Clara.

Auntie Ann getting a few pointers on how little boys like to be treated from Cousin William.

Great Grandmother Reubin (my Mom) with two great grandsons, William and Parker.

Well all good things must end and Great Grandmother and Clara are picking their seats for the ride home in Brent's jet.

Brent (in the blue shirt) getting ready to leave for Branson, Mo. with the family after their visit with Ann, Jared, and Parker.

It's "Wheels Up" and a short 1 hour ride back home for Laura, Clara, William, and the GrandParents. Thanks Brent for a great flight and the opportunity to see Parker Lowe so soon.

Update 2012 -- April in the OZARK'S

After two trips to Texas, two trips to Springfield, and one trip to Norman, Ok, we get to spend some time at home in Lakeview, Arkansas. It's early spring and the leaves are starting to come out and the fishing is getting hot.  We had a Bass Master's Tournament on Bull Shoals and Dad and I went down to watch some of the activities.  Later we all went out to Gaston's on the White River to see all the Ranger Fishing Boats out of the water.  Each of the boats had a value of close to $75,000.

This is a photo of some of the boats coming in to the dock and getting ready for weigh-in.  It was a good day for some and not so good for others.

This is one of the "happy fisherman" with a full load of 5 nice bass.  I think he found a honey hole for day 1.

Dad checking out all the Ranger Professional Fishing Boats on display at Gaston's White River Resort.  The boats were lined up on the airplane landing strip.  All of the boats were made at the Ranger Boat Plant in Flippen, Arkansas, about 10 miles from the Ozark Dream.

Laura and Tom went to Las Vegas for a Dr. Convention and we got to take care of Clara and William.  The timing was great since our Sunday School class was having a hay ride and cookout at one of the members property.  As you will see we all had a great time.

Will and Clara enjoying the evening.

Clara getting some help with another s'more.

Everyone enjoying singing campfire songs.

Clara resting on the big rock while everyone continues to enjoy the campfire.

Well we had to take the kids back home for school and watch Clara at her school musical.  Tom and Laura made it back from Las Vegas in time to join in the fun at school and watch Clara sing her Mother Goose nursery rhymes.

Update 2012 -- Parker's Baby Showers March 2012

From Norman, Ok, we headed south to Waco, Tx., for a baby shower for Ann and Parker Wilson Lowe.  Ann and Jared's friends from church and school hosted a shower for Ann.  Stephanie went to the shower and Jared and I went to a Baylor U. baseball game.

Ann opening gifts at Waco party.

More gifts for Parker when he decides to appear.

Ann (in the blue dress) and some of her Waco friends and hostesses for the party.

Ann with Steph and Lori (Jared's mother).

Guess who came to see Ann in College Station?  It's Brent, Melissa, Jake, and Hannah.  They were heading back home after a short vacation to San Antonio over SpringBreak.

Ann visiting with Brent and Melissa getting all the necessary pointers prior to Parker's arrival.

Ann at  her shower in Sugarland (Jack and Lori Lowe's home)

2012 Update - Late February and Early March

Well it's been awhile since an update from the OZARK DREAM, but when you see all the places we have been and the fun we have had with the Grandkids you will know why it has taken so long to bring the Blog up to date.  The last posting showed the February 2012 snowfall and now we move on to February 22, Laura's bithday.

Laura with her family at our house for her bithday party.  We had the Grandparents, Tom's Parents, and two of Tom's Dr. friends from Peoria, Ill here to celebrate Laura's birthday.  The next day Tom, his dad, his two Dr. friends, my dad, and me went to the White River for a great fishing trip.  We all caught lots of fish, German Browns and Rainbows.

Laura opening her presents while the family watches. The additional people in the photo are Steph and I and my Mom and Dad.

Laura received lots of new pots and pans and everyone is having fun modeling them.

After the birthday party we traveled to Springfield, Mo to watch Clara do cheerleading at a basketball game at her school.

From Springfield we traveled to Norman, Ok., to watch another Granddaughter, Hannah (age 7), perform at the Oklahoma University Gymnastics Meet.  Hannah is Brent and Melissa's daughter and is our oldest Grandchild.

Another pic of Hannah at OU.

Hannah working with her partner

Hannah doing more of her floor routine.  This is one happy girl and very athletic.

Hannah and her partner having fun at the end of the show.

Jake and Brent watching Hannah at OU.