The Yellowstone Yarnell's

8-20-2009-Leaving Yellowstone

2009-09-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

We left Yellowstone one month early because of Lou Ann's health issues. I had terrific hospital care and a wonderful doctor who took care of me while in the Livingston hospital. Kudo's to all of them....especially my best nurse, Loyal. It is so good to be home and near our family. I am back to 100% and hopefully an appointment next week with an urologist will prove that. Thanks for all the prayers, cards and love....Lou Ann

8-20-2009-Craze Horse Momument

2009-09-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

I scanned the first two pictures from our first visit in 1989 to see Chief Crazy Horse....yes, that is Loyal and I standing in front of what he is to look like when finished....

1989

20 years later, 2009

8-5-2009

2009-09-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

An eagle flying below the clouds....

July 30th, 2009

2009-09-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Finally, one of my goals this summer was to get a good picture of an eagle in flight! What do you think?

July 30, 2009

2009-09-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

A bull moose in Floating Island Pond

Another pretty bison!!

7-25-09

2009-09-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

My first ride in the park after three weeks of being ill.....

And, the rut is on!!!

This might be the normal coloring of young fox but he was sure not very attractive. Looked so sad!!!

7-5-09

2009-09-15T08:44:00.001-07:00

Saw this grizzly on my last day of driving to audit Roosevelt and Tower.

July 4th, 2009

2009-09-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

Black wolf that crossed the road three cars in front of me......Amazing!!!!

July 1st, 2009

2009-09-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken during a seven mile hike with David & Nadine to Ferry Falls....about one mile further are two beautiful little geyser's

A black bear and her cub

June, 2009--day with friends

2009-06-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

This last Wednesday we toured the park with John, Sue David & Nadine. This picture was taken with Yellowstone Lake in the background....

Still growing!!!!

This grizzly was turning the rocks over looking for bugs....

This black bear with cub provided quite a show.....started up this tree then came down and went on......

Pretty flowers.....

June, 9--0

2009-06-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

Pictures taken on my 3 days a week drive to Roosevelt & Tower

A red fox....

And, once again the Great Gray Owl......he is out most every morning and beautiful....he has been sitting on this twig in the middle of the Phantom Lake (the water has almost completely dried up). These pictures are not in order, but he flew a few feet away appearing to be hunting and then flew back to his perch.....

The elk nursery!!!!

The Teton's

2009-06-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

A week ago on our two days off we went to The Teton's with David & Nadine. That would be about a 300 round trip (which we have done before) but this time we rented a cabin at Colter Bay. Fun and beautiful....

When it is time to eat, it is time to eat.....

Loyal & David planning or pondering....what is it that old men do???

Loyal & Lou Ann

David & Nadine....

This picture was taken at the marina at Colter Bay.....The mornings provide great pictures with the reflections.....

This was our little cabin.....

Oxbow Bend, a beautiful place in the Teton's. We made three trips to this spot trying for the "just right" picture, but never did get it.....guess I will have to live with this one....

Maybe just a wee bit close to this moose, but he was busy eating.....and remember I have a good zoom lens.....

June, 2009

2009-06-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

The big boy's antler's are growing very fast....

And the babies are born!!!! These little spotted calves are so cute and playful....

June. 2009

2009-06-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Two days of animal hunting with David & Nadine Coakley proved to be very good.

Believe this is the first badger I have seen. Loyal says they are a mean animal.....

And, he looked mean....don't know how the people found this den, but he or she were sure drawing a crowd....

This big boy has been posing for several days in the same spot.

And then, this grizzly was sleeping under this tree. Two rangers were keeping the people at bay.....

Love the tongue sticking out......

Just a pretty bird.......enjoy

June Animals, 2009

2009-06-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

Posting the "Great Gray Owl" again because the pictures are much better. This first one was taken by Nadine. I wasn't quick enough as he had just flew from one spot to another. Look how he blended in with the bark of the tree.....Amazing.....

He looks like he is a medieval little character....according to Nadine and so true.....

Yum, yum, yum....

This Canada Goose took over this tree next. So funny to see.....

You seldom see a young pronghorn......he was a live wire!!!

June 7th, 2009 Snowstorn......

2009-06-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

As you know I travel about 50 miles round trip three days a week to audit two other stores. That would be Roosevelt and Tower Falls. It started snowing flurries as I left Mammoth this day and the higher I got, this is what I encountered. This is the company car I drive parked at the back of Tower Store and the next picture is looking across from the store towards the falls.....It was absolutely beautiful and by the time I left at noon the roads were clear.

Two Grizzlies...

2009-06-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

These male and female grizzles entertained crowds for 3-4 days and they did not care who watched the mating ritual. This first picture is one that our friend Nadine took and the bottom one is mine. They are just cuddling!!! The rangers really earned their money.

June, 2009

2009-06-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

I don't have a recent picture of Kailey, but wonderful news. She finished her freshman year of college with better than a 3.0 grade average.....Yeah, and we are so proud of Kailey.

Tish and Darin put a pool in last fall and now are beginning to reap the benefits.

Nathan jumping in. Lauren, Nathan & Ryan

Lauren

Ryan

Lauren

Kendall Jean

Lucas, Kelly & Kendall.....

My nephew's military retirement......

2009-06-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

My nephew Michael LaRue retired from the Army and will live in Germany.....his list of accomplishments and awards (including The Purple Heart) are quite impressive. I believe the year was 2005 that Mike survived a gunshot wound to the head while serving in Iraq. We are so thankful for his life and wish him a great retirement with wife Stephanie and daughter Hannah.....The woman in blue is my sister-in-law Luwana who was able to fly to Germany for this celebration. Mike's in-law's are beside them and I don't know the others.

June, 2009

2009-06-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

It is very unusual for a sheep to birth right beside the road, but this mama pleased a huge crowd. She had just given birth and he was so wobbly and cute.

Mama still has her winter coat.

This mama owl was in a tree keeping an eye on her two young that were across the road close to the nest. Notice the horns on the owl and futher in this update you will see A Great Gray Owl....No horns....

June, 2009

2009-06-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

From snow up on Dunraven pass.....

to flowers out Lamar Valley......

The falls at Tower Fall's......the water is so rapid

She lost the babies for a moment and stood to look for them.....so cute...

A black sow with her two cubs.....notice the one is straddling the log. They were a little ways down the valley so the picture is not real close.....

The first baby elk calves that I have seen....lot of plump mommies to be around the park.....

GREAT GRAY OWL!!! A rare bird to see in the park. This is one of the advantages of my 3 day a week drive from Mammoth to Tower. No horns!!!! The sun was really bright and it looks like he was squinting....

Loyal is looking at the city below us.....

This is a picture of Gardiner taken north of the city while taking an out of the park ride with John & Sue on Travertine Road.....Beautiful view!!!

May 26th, 2009

2009-05-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

There were five big elk together and a sixth down the road.....Remember the story of #6?

A fox in the snow going up The Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge Montana for lunch with John & Sue.

This spike is why it is called beartooth....looks like a bears tooth!!

They are still sking at Red Lodge.

This was the view out the windshield. Still lots of snow on this highway that doesn't open until Memorial weekend.

A panoramic view of the mountains going up the beartooth....

May 21, 2009

2009-05-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

A relaxing day off. Doing a puzzle, a pedicure, knitting with the coffee pot close by. Laundry is on the line, the river is beautiful and life is so good.....

This elk was on the hill across the river. what a beautiful site.

Love my panoramic camera.....

This bear had just come out of the woods and taking a drink at Phantom Lake. I think this is a great shot.

Same day I saw the bear I was lucky to see this moose in Floating Island. My first moose spotting of the year.

Mama Bighorn Sheep with their babies......

Four of the magnificent elk that will be sparring this fall....

Amazing how fast their antlers grow back after just losing them in February.....

What a lucky shot!!!. He was actually circling over a kill......

Old Faithful.....

2009-05-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

The four people standing together in front of Old Faithful are John, Sue, Loyal & Lou Ann....
we were standing in frontt of a live web cam, called our daughter and she saved the picture and then emailed it to us.......

May 21st, 2009

2009-05-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

Pictures taken Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Lower Falls of Yellowstone

The Canyon of Yellowstone

Cute, or what???

Are you tired of bison/?

Mama and her baby bighorn sheep!!!

May, 2009

2009-05-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

Our days off this week were spent with co-workers and friends, John & Sue Champion. We drove to Cooke City for lunch. Not all the roads in the park are open so we are limited to our travels...But, every time you travel each road, it is a different experience

This eagle was sitting at the bridge at Boiling River for those of you know Yellowstone. We drive this five miles to work each day....he was spotted by "old eagle eyes" Loyal

Still so much snow at Cooke City.....had a great lunch!!!

Playing pronghorn!!!

Lunchtime!!!

This black wolf was across the river from where we live. In fact, there were three of them, but too far away for great picture....

Love the baby bison!!!

Early one morning on the hill behind the store was this young spike....

A courtyard of baby bison in the courtyard at Mammoth.....So cute.....

May 11, 2009

2009-05-12T12:31:00.001-07:00

Mule deer in our front yard....likes the Jayhawk flag!!!

May 10th, 2009

2009-05-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

Last years young bulls practicing.......

Just a beautiful picture

Fourteen bighorn rams.......awesome

Leader of the pack

May 9th, 2009

2009-05-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

Three mama's and their "red dogs"

This is at the bottom of the hill close to the Mammoth campground.....snow was gone by ten....

Dinner time.....

Gardiner, Montana's famous residents....

May 6th, 2009

2009-05-07T19:15:00.000-07:00

Pictures taken going to West Yellowstone and back to Mammoth

Herd of elk near Mammoth....those familiar will see the bridge on the left that is east of Mammoth.....The elk are very lethargic as so many are waiting to give birth soon....

You can see her swollen tummy.....I can't wait!!!

Waterfall at Golden Gate

And, the rode is mine!!!!

Snow plowed on the sides of the road......

April, 2009

2009-05-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

On a hill coming home from work....all the elk and one lone bighorn ship in the front...Still getting a little snow. Higher up is getting much more....

The baby bisons are just now starting to be born.....they call them "red dogs"

One of 4 we saw our first day in the park.....amazing what this rack will look like in a short few weeks....

This was a beautiful view on our way from Billings to Gardiner.....

Playdate for Kendall & Audrey

2009-04-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

Our friends granddaughter Audrey Anderson enjoying a beautiful Friday evening at a playground in Lawrence, Kansas.

More kids sports....

2009-04-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Kids Sports!!!

2009-04-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

Misc.....

2009-04-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

Kendall Jean

Nathan Reed

Darin, Tish, Nathan, Lauren & Ryan

Lou Ann and younger sister Ruby

A day with Nathan & Kendall

2009-04-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

New puppy

2009-04-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

Lou Ann's kin

2009-04-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

Sister Mary Ann and her husband Laurence

Cousin Ken Tisher, brother Ray and brother-in-law Steve

Sisters Mary Ann and Ruby....cousin Norma June and sister-in-law Faye

The Gang

2009-04-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

High School classmates of Loyal's....we try and get together several times a year for food and fun and yesterday was no exception.....Thanks Larry & Carol Stilwell!!!!

Loyal's kin

2009-04-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Great niece Samantha and her son Lucas.....

June & Lloyd, siblings of Loyal's oldest sister Colleen....June is the mother of Samantha in the pictures above....

Loyal's kin

2009-04-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

Wayne and Jessica, one of the twins.

Marvin Wallis talking to Lyndall

Marvin and Wayne when they saw each other....

Loyal's siblings...

2009-03-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

Lyle, Loyal, Leon and Wayne
Irene and Arlene......taken March 2nd, 2009

Perry family in Castor, Louisiana

2009-03-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

We only were able to spend two days with Laurence & Mary Ann but packed each minute full!!!!

Lou Ann & sister Mary Ann

Laurence & Mary Ann Perry...they will be married 57 years this July....WOW!

Mary Ann's grandson Randall with his wife Erin.....

Mary Ann's granddaughter Kim with her three sons....

Sjorland Family in Texas

2009-03-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

We were able to spend one evening with my nieces who live in San Antonio when we were coming home from our Texas trip...

Gail and Laura are daughters of my late sister Dorris.....Orrin is in the background

Gail, Laura and myself.....

Wayne Poppell is my brother-in-law. A true T.E.X.A.N. Love him....

Dan from Yellowstone

2009-03-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

This is Loyal and Dan Deeren...we worked with Dan last year in Yellowstone and discovered he comes to Topeka each March with his college rowing team from Minnesota.....we had a great five hours with him and look forward to seeing him again this summer.

The girls.....

2009-03-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Kailey, Lauren and Lacy.....too cute.....Lacy had been to ball practice and was worn out.....

Home

2009-03-15T10:43:00.000-07:00

So good to see the family...we have Kendall Jean this weekend and after going to Nathan and Lauren's soccer games Nathan came home and spent the night with Kendall. They are both getting so big and play well together.

This is a great picture of them with grandpa....

Harvey A. Kelleyhan

2009-03-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

We are back home in Topeka after spending January and February in Texas. We are biding our time until returning for our 4th season at Yellowstone.

On a sad note we attended services for Harvey Kelleyhan, Loyal's brother-in-law, in Claremore, Oklahoma.....we give Harvey credit for our mode of travel as years ago, we went on several long trips with them in their motorhome. Loyal knew from that point, that is how he wanted to travel.....

Political Kendall

2009-03-15T09:31:00.000-07:00

Facebook | LouAnn Yarnell

2009-03-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

Facebook LouAnn Yarnell

I am trying the facebook thing but really like my blog....

Birthdays

2009-02-21T19:50:00.000-08:00

February birthdays celebrated by our son Lucas, his mother-in-law Linda and our granddaughter Kendall Jean.....Lucas' is 10th, Linda's the 12 and little missy the 14th....

WOW! Three years have gone by so fast!!!

Sea Beans

2009-02-18T18:50:00.000-08:00

Lou Ann has a new hobby....as we walk our three miles a day on the beach we collect sea beans....at the end of the pictures you can read about them....who would have known????

The tides are bringing in sea weed this week and with that comes sea beans...I have never heard of them, but it has given me something to look for while walking the beach...

This is a copy and paste from the internet or you can go to http://www.seabean.com/what.htm
and read for yourself...my pictures are below....

Sea-beans (also known as drift seeds) are seeds and fruits that are carried to the ocean, often by freshwater streams and rivers, then drift with the ocean currents and (hopefully!) wash ashore.These sea-beans don't initially come from the sea and while some are indeed beans, many are not technically beans at all! Some "sea-beans" are technically fruits that contain seeds. Nonetheless, if they drift to and into the oceans and wash ashore, we collectively refer to them as "sea-beans".These sea-beans come from trees and vines that grow along tropical shores and rain forests all over the world. The seeds or fruits fall from their parent plant into waterways, such as the Amazon River, then drift through inlets to reach the ocean. They travel with ocean currents until they wash up on a beach somewhere, perhaps thousands of miles from their origin. Sea-beans are quite hard and buoyant, which helps them survive their long-distance voyage.

Meet Lacy!

2009-02-18T16:22:00.001-08:00

It's an "L" name!!!! No, not a new grandbaby but a new grand puppy.....Tish and Darin have a new puppy.....the kids are thrilled as I know Mom and Dad will soon be!!!!

February, 2009, David & Nadine have left the Island

2009-02-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

This is David & Nadine as they left us today. We truly had a great six weeks with them walking the beach, eating out and playing cards.....we look forward to seeing them again in Yellowstone this summer.....

February, 2009 Roseata Spoonbills

2009-02-18T13:55:00.000-08:00

The birding center has a walk way built out over the marshes.....this little isle is usually covered with birds but not spoonbill....this day I was lucky enough to get this great picture of one that joined the other birds....Notice the "spoon"....the next pictures are all taken in less than a minute as they flew over, landed on this little isle and then flew off again......absolutely amazing.....hope you enjoy....notice the pelican in the last pictures flying with them.....

February, 2009 birds

2009-02-18T13:42:00.000-08:00

This was the most beautiful site when these white pelicans came out of this little cove.....

These birds are white ibis and so much fun to watch

Again, the American coot.....just a pretty picture....

February, 2009 alligators

2009-02-18T13:20:00.000-08:00

We went back to the Aransas National Refuge Center and saw these alligators....enlarge the picture and count them.....I can count at least 16.....

This is one of the two alligators in the "birding center".....the bottom two pictures were when we first saw him....two hours later we saw the back side of him and then two more hours later we saw the side view of him.....

February, 2009, friends

2009-02-18T12:49:00.001-08:00

On the 10th, Kathy and Larry Mickey came back and spent one day with us.....it was great to see them and will see them soon again in Yellowstone....

David, Larry & Loyal on the beach

Loyal, Larry, Nadine and Kathy on the jetty.

On the 9th we met friends, Bob & Fran Hawley and Mel & Marianne Roepke for lunch. Fran and I are old classmates for Chanute, Kansas and they are friends with the Roepke's who happen to be our daughter-in-law Dawn's mom and step-dad......small world....

This is Mel & Marianne.....they also live in Topeka and spend every February and March in Rockport.

This is the house they rent for the two months. It is located on a canal and how beautiful it is....David, Nadine, Loyal and I spent an afternoon with them...this is what you find out their back deck~~~the boat belongs to the owners....darn....

February, 2009 Whooping Cranes

2009-02-18T12:10:00.000-08:00

Thanks to"Joe", a nice man we met at the birding center,we saw this pair of beautiful Whooping Cranes much closer than the last post of them. Texas has gotten virtually no rain for several months the blue crab are not plentiful and that is the cranes favorite food. The cranes will eat grain and this pair have taken over a couple of deer feeders located on Highway 35 north of Rockport...We have made three trips there and saw them twice....definitely our treat.

Amazing wing span of up to 8 feet....

February, 2009 Dolphins

2009-02-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite things to do is go to Robert"s Park or Charlie's Pasture, which are both located by the ferry crossing, and watch for the dolphins.....they love swimming and playing in the wake of the big ships.....one of the photos I caught three out of the water.....enlarge to find it.....

February., 2009--beach walks & friends

2009-02-09T08:11:00.000-08:00

David, Nadine & Loyal walking on the beach....most days Loyal & Lou Ann do a three mile walk and David and Nadine do six....remember, they are younger than we are (smile)

Yellowstone co-workers, Ron & Shirley Metzer spent a week on Mustang Island and we were able to spend a couple of days with them walking on the beach and oh yes eating out!!!!

February, 2009...birds

2009-02-09T08:07:00.000-08:00

We have bi-passed the Port Aransas "Birding Center" for all the years we have been coming here. Tuesday evening we walked to it as it is within half a mile from our RV Park and WOW!! We have been back so many times in the last few days....this is a swampy area that attracts all kinds of birds, plus there is even an alligator (which we haven't seen). So, I guess you can say we have become "birders". All of my terminology or names of the birds may not be correct but we certainly enjoy seeing God's creations.....the next few posts will show some of our awesome pictures....Thanks Loyal for my upgraded camera...

Have not a clue to the name of this bird....

I know this is a duck!!!!

February, 2009..White Egret

2009-02-09T07:59:00.000-08:00

This is probably the most graceful bird when it is flying....the white egret...

such a thing of beauty.....

February, 2009 Blue Heron & White Pelican

2009-02-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

This is a private pier in Rockport that has been taken over with the birds....

Back at the birding center.....this is a landing by a while pelican

This is a great blue heron...love it when he sticks up his neck....

What a show this one put on for us......such beauty....

February,2009...Reddish Egret

2009-02-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

This is a reddish egret....when you enlarge it you can see the red hair

Febuary, 2009 Roseata Spoonbill

2009-02-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

Our favorite are the Roseata Spoonbills....the end of the bill is flat like a spoon...

This pink birds are often mistaken for a flamigo....they nest most of the day in this dried grassy area with not a lot of activity....they apparently go elsewhere during the night and we have gotten great pictures early of a morning of them flying back to this spot....

Yes, these are alll my photo's.....and this is my favorite......

Week Four, January, 2009

2009-02-02T13:18:00.000-08:00

Week four has brought us to the end of our first month in Port Aransas...we continue to live such a blessed life and enjoy being with our friends David & Nadine. Our days consist of a long walk on the beach, seeing the local sights, eating and playing cards. The animals are the dolphins, pelican's and other birds species.....like my friend Diane said "we have gone from deer to dolphin".....these are not trained dolphins so when we do catch one emerging quite a bit out of the water we get very excited. This last week was also a huge reminder that life is so precious as we lost our dear friend Larry Peters. Larry and Loyal graduated together from White City, Kansas and we will miss him dearly....

the jetty's are filled with fishermen on the sunny days and Sunday was absolutely perfect...

It was fun watching this bird work his "dinner" in position to swallow whole....

the tail of one dolphin and the back of another

this pelican had just swallowed his lunch

sea gulls

the dolphins like to swim in the wake of the ships and this one was really jumping....our treat for sure...

This is one of the six ferries....notice the motor home on board....in fact, this motor home brand is Yellowstone....how about that?

1-26-2009

2009-01-26T11:51:00.000-08:00

Pictures by rubybluediamond - Photobucket

another design by my niece....enjoy

My niece's webpage

2009-01-26T11:50:00.000-08:00

Sunset picture by rubybluediamond - Photobucket

This graphic was designed by my niece Ruth Becker......in fact this is a picture of mine used in the sunset....check it out.....

Week Three, January, 2009

2009-01-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

David & Nadine walking on the shore of North Padre Island which is about 25 miles from where we are staying in Port Aransas.....

We went to this wildlife refuge and was very impressed.....below is a copy and paste telling about it....the whooping crane will leave here late March, spend a month in Nebraska before getting to their final destination of Northwest Territory, Canada...there are only 450 or so in North America....at one time the number was down to 15.....

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge The bugle of an endangered whooping crane echoes across the far reaches of the marsh. Only at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge do North America's tallest birds find an enduring winter stronghold. Here, too, pelicans, herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, ducks, and geese dine in brackish waters and salt marshes teeming with fishes, blue crabs, and clams. On shore, javelinas, bobcats and deer wander oak woodlands. Alligators peer from still waters of ponds and sloughs. Ringed by tidal marshes and broken by long, narrow sloughs, this 59,000-acres refuge sprawls mostly across the Blackjack penisula, where grasslands, live oaks, and redbay thickets cover deep sandy soils. Storms and waters of the Gulf of Mexico constantly reshape this vital refuge, home to over 390 different bird species.

This is as close as we could get to the whooping crane....also a cropped picture but turned out okay. We are going to make another trip and hopefully will be able to see the birds closer....they are HUGE.

We are use to seeing armadillo's dead along the side of the road, but this place was crawling with them....what a sight....

Javelinas or wild swine

Cute deerAnother pretty ocean picture....

Reuniting with classmate of 1960.....we had lunch with Sharon & Gordon Miley. They are winter Texans and Sharon (Gossett) and I both graduated from Chanute High School.....

Week Two--January 2009

2009-01-19T05:48:00.000-08:00

Week two has come to a close. Can't believe it is going so fast. Larry and Kathy left us on Friday and John and Sue are leaving today heading back to Florida. We will miss having them with us as we did have fun....below are some of the highlights of the week.

Stationed at Corpus Christi is the USS Lexington, a retired aircraft carrier turned museum...Loyal & I have seen it several times and enjoy it very much...

This is a plaque telling about John McCain being shot down in the war and the next picture is a plane like he was in....VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!

The Lexington was also know as the "Blue Ghost"

I am growing very fond of the pelicans.....

Over 1000 year old oak tree on Goose Island which is about six miles north of Rockport, Texas. Rockport is about 15 miles from Port Aransas. Notice the branches are braced.

Another pretty picture of a blue heron and I caught it in flight....

Coming home from Rockport on the ferry, we had to wait on this oil rig that was being shipped out to sea....the first picture actually should have been the last as it was through the jetties and going out....

This is one of the ferries going behind the ship....look at the size of that rig!!!

Another pelican!!!!

Week One, 2009

2009-01-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

Our first evening on the beach produced this beautiful sunset......

The girls.....

The guys......

The gang......

Loyal & Lou Ann

Larry & Kathy

John & Sue

David & Nadine

Lunch on the jetty!!!

Pelican's...amazing birds..

Playing Hillbilly golf.....fun outdoor game for our generation.....

This is our home....we face David & Nadine sharing the same yard.....

Larry & Kathy's home and they share a yard with John & Sue....really a nice set up when you are traveling with friends....

John & Sue's home

David & Nadine's home....

Ship coming through the canal at Port Aransas headed for Corpus Christi.....

January, 2009

2009-01-11T06:21:00.000-08:00

After a couple of silent months on our blog I am going to make an honest effort to start 2009 by keeping it up to date....

We are in Port Aransas, Texas along with three other couples we worked with in Yellowstone. David & Nadine Coakley, Larry & Kathy Mickey and John & Sue Champion.

The weather has gotten into the 80's but today we are only going to get up to 67....the eight of us have walked the beach every morning but today going to walk in the afternoon....

Halloween, 2008

2008-11-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

Kendall with her friends Nick & Jace trick or treating. Wonder what they are thinking as they experience this joy for kids!!!!!!!

Halloween, 2008

2008-11-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

Dr. Nathan Reed Zeferjahn

Hobo Ryan Joseph Zeferjahn

Miss Hippy Lauren Elizabeth Zeferjahn

BEAUTIFUL day for a Halloween parade.....

Halloween, 2008

2008-11-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

Kendall Jean as Sulley from "Monsters Inc.

Halloween, 2007

2008-11-04T16:33:00.000-08:00

These are last years pictures of Lyndall, Kailey and their dog Molly. I wasn't doing a blog then and wanted to include them this Halloween because they are priceless. Our church does "trunk or treat" and I am sure they were the hit of the parking lot.......

10-25-2008--Luke's Day

2008-10-26T18:40:00.001-07:00

What a great honor for Lucas being inducted into the Coffeyville College Football Hall of Fame.... Lucas, Kelly & Kendall

Luke with sister Tish, brother Lyndall and his wife Dawn....

Each inductee was presented with a poster.....

Luke giving his speech....the posters are on the wall.....very nice!

The seven honoree...Luke is in the middle

10-25-2008--"Hall of Famer"

2008-10-26T18:04:00.000-07:00

Luke Yarnell
Offensive Lineman (1992-93)

Lucas Yarnell was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, and attended Washburn Rural High School. A three-year starter in football, he played offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker and was part of the 1989 5A State Champion football team. Lucas was named All-State, All-City, and All-Conference both his junior and senior years. He was team captain his senior year and was selected to play in the 1992 Kansas Shrine Bowl. He also competed in basketball, baseball, and track, placing three times in the shot put at State.
Lucas came to Coffeyville in 1992 and was an 11-game starter at guard on an offensive line that helped running back Brian Knuckles earn 1st Team All-American honors. The Ravens ended up second in the Jayhawk Conference and was invited to play in the Texas Shrine Bowl.
In 1993, Lucas again started every game at center or guard. While helping Knuckles earn 1st Team All-American honors for the second time, he was voted 1st Team All-Jayhawk Conference and received the Karl Wilson Memorial Scholarship award. The Ravens again finished second in the Jayhawk Conference and ended the season with a 60-36 pounding of Dixie Junior College at the Dixie Rotary Bowl.
Lucas continued his football career at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he started 22 straight games at center. He was selected 1st Team All-Big West his senior year and was part of a Ragin’ Cajun offense that broke 12 offensive records during the 1995 season. That team was co-conference champions. He played alongside the likes of Jake Delhomme and Brandon Stokely while at USL. Lucas was also a member of the track and field team and helped win three conference championships.
In 1997, Lucas joined the Arena Football League. During his ten-year career he played center and nose guard in Houston (97-99), San Jose (00), Grand Rapids (01-02), Detroit (03), Austin (04), Las Vegas (05), and Kansas City (06). While with the Grand Rapids Rampage in 2001, he was part of the ArenaBowl XV Championship team that defeated the Nashville Kats 64-42. In 2004, Lucas rekindled his relationship with Skip Foster, then head coach of the Austin Wranglers. Arena Football also provided another first for Lucas. He played a prisoner in the 2005 remake of “The Longest Yard” starring Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and Burt Reynolds.
Since 2000, Lucas has been a rule-10 football coach in the Olathe School District and is currently coaching at Olathe East High School. He is enrolled in a Masters of Arts in Teaching program through Pittsburg State University to become a Social Sciences teacher. He graduated from McNeese State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies.
Lucas married the former Kelly Lees in 2000, and they have a daughter Kendall Jean.

Homecoming parade

2008-10-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

Kailey passing out candy during the homecoming parade....

Kailey

2008-10-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

Kailey has joined Alpha Phi sorority and loving it.......

Pep Rally for homecoming....

2008-10-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

Kailey is on the left with arm in the air.....
Kailey is the first one....
Kailey is the girl on top in the far group....

Kailey on homecoming Day 10-11-2008

2008-10-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

We finally connected with Kailey for some much needed blog pictures....Kailey is one busy young lady....in her first year of college she is attending class, has joined a sorority, working part time and saving a little time for Darren (nice boyfriend)!!! Today was homecoming for the University and that is where these pictures were taken.

Kailey with her parents Lyndall & Dawn..Grandma & Grandpa Yarnell with Kailey.....just hope she knows how proud we are of her and we love her so much....

Our beautiful Kailey off to college

2008-10-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

Kailey is our oldest granddaugher.....she graduated from Washburn Rural High School (prior post) and is attending Washburn University in Topeka....

Lauren's fall softball

2008-10-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

Lauren's loves her softball....

Nathan, flag football

2008-10-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

Nathan is the little guy with the white trim on his black shorts.....he made a touchdown!!!!

Nathan's fall soccer

2008-10-09T06:07:00.000-07:00

What a hoot this little guy is....

Ryan, fall soccer

2008-10-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

Ryan is the one facing you.....these kids are so much fun to watch....

Playground

2008-10-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

The kids love the playground that our mobile home park has......it is new this summer and we really appreciate it...

Kendall & Lauren, cousins.

2008-10-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

Lauren also loves Kendall so much and Kendall loves being around her cousins. Lauren and Nathan are siblings and they have an older brother Ryan.....

Kendall & Nathan, cousins

2008-10-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

Nathan absolutely adores his little cousin Kendall. He just beams when they are together....Love that about him.....

Kendall Jean

2008-10-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

We kept Kendall a second weekend. Double click the bottom picture and look at her face as she helped Papa go to the Prowler (in background) to get a squeegee. She is a hoot for sure!!!!

10-02-2008-Girls day out....

2008-10-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

Donna Anderson, Diane Haywood, Betty Peters and myself.....we enjoyed a picnic at our beautiful Shawnee Lake while our guys had their own lunch with Betty's husband Larry. Larry & Betty have been dealing with his cancer since May and this was a much needed day. We treasure our friendships and what a wonderful day we enjoyed.....

10-1-2008

2008-10-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

This picture of #6 was sent to me by Jack & Sally who are still working at the store in Mammoth...Six is wearing a headlight ring from a SUV that he had just gored. Guess he is very ornery this year.

9-27-2008-grand kids

2008-10-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Finally, we made it home and got to our babies....We got Kendall on Friday night and then on Saturday morning I fell down the steps and broke my wrist. Kendall got to go spend the rest of the weekend with her cousins Ryan, Lauren and Nathan....

9-21-2008

2008-10-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

Yet another brother we were able to visit in Ogden, Utah....Eddie & Alice...thanks for the great meals and having all your kids over to share the day with us.....

9-20-2008-Rodney, Luwana & Kota

2008-10-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

My brother Rodney, his wife Luwana and their son Dakota who live in Holbrook, Idaho...We spent two days with them..thanks for letting me get my laundry caught up and washing the RV....and Luwana showed me how to do two broomstick and hairpin lace crochet.....we thank you for the great hospitality...

9-20-2008

2008-10-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

A beautiful rainbow in Holbrook, Idaho.....

9-17-2008-King of the hill

2008-10-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

Gayle and Donna got to see #6 as we were arriving back in Mammoth.....he had just let a young bull know that he rules the roost....