Say Thanks!

We awoke at 2:30 AM Mountain Standard Time to disembark on our long trek across the Great Plains to a land meaning "red people" in the Choctaw language; A land otherwise known as Oklahoma. The sky was a pitch black background with spreckles of whitish pinpoints; Orion was our companion for part of the journey, until the brilliant light of dawn came glaring over the eastern horizon and the great hunter departed! Before dawn we actually witnessed several Leonid meteors streaking across the sky before the peak of the annual shower. Shortly after the sun began to peak over the horizon, Samara awoke as if called upon by the sun to shine happiness on the day (see picture above)!

We arrived in Oklahoma at about 4:00 PM local time; no surprises on the drive home! Everyone was happy to see us (we think) and were able share in Samara's everyday activities. Aunt Shannon had a blast holding Samara as she would stick her tongue out and blow air out, spraying a mist of sweet potatoes and oatmeal! We have since figured out that Samara loves bananas and liquefied lamb (I know, gross) while she hates peas!

This must be liquefied lamb!

Cousin Tori "allowed" Samara to play with several of her toys. However, Tori gave Samara a quick whack to the head with her foot one evening! I swear, if Samara ends up retarded, I will blame cousin Tori!

Or I may blame Grandpa Neel and his "naval destroyer" (as he poked Samara's belly button with his finger)!

Samara particularly enjoyed playing with Tori's Noah's Ark play set, well, when Tori would let her play with it! Tori is a funny child; One minute she takes the toys away from Samara, the next she gives Samara toys to play with. I suppose she wasn't sure whether Samara was a friend or foe! They generally had fun together. Although this image to the right looks like Samara is farting in Tori's general direction...Tori looks gassed!

Samara also had a chance to bond with Grandma Masburn when she babysat while we went to see a movie in the theatre. Grandma learned some quirks of Samara's...we won't go into details!

Samara has acquired the ability to sit up by herself without support. During Thanksgiving we hoped by the time we go back home for Christmas that she may be crawling; however, I'm not sure that'll happen!

Samara's great-grandmother is an onry women; we playfully butt heads everytime we're home. So, I had to laugh when almost everytime she held Samara, Samara would start crying! Oh, I have never seen Samara shed one tear (i.e. crying without tears). What a punk!

Samara and "mommy" enjoyed time together at my mother's house. I think there was some whiskey in Shana's cup because she looks really happy! Maybe some Jack Daniels and eggnog?

Grandma Neel (aka, Sgt Slaughter, Messin' with the Hessin, or the Germanator) also had fun with Samara; although this time, grandma didn't sit on Samara!

Unfortunately, my grandfather had a heart attack in my mother's living room the night before Thanksgiving. Shana made me proud as she performed CPR on the old 96-year-old body (as she was the only one trained in the technique). It was a sad day, but he lived a full life! I am proud to be his grandson!

As a result of his death, we stayed a few extra days in Oklahoma to help clear out his house and attend his funeral. He owned a Ford pickup which, go figure, needed to be towed! And after we drove the truck onto the trailer, guess who figured out how to secure the vehicle? Yep, that's my wife (and daughter)!! Shana had just purchased the backpack carrier...and Samara loves it! As happy as can be no matter the conditions!

The extra time also gave Samara a chance to meet her cousin John for the first time and, as a consequence, all three Neel babies were together for the first time. We snapped these images at my grandmother and grandfather's (on my mother's side) gravesite; I hope they were able to witness the sight in some way or another.

Who is this guy?

I like this grass stuff...tastes a bit overcooked though!

Leaves taste good too!

John does a good job keeping my back warm! Maybe we can be best buds sometime!

And of course, look who is NOT cooperating! TAZ!

We we able to get the kiddo's together for one last picture. I don't envy anyone who has three young one's to corral (Brian and Kelli!!)!

We were exhausted at the end of our stay in Oklahoma. We didn't leave until about 9:00 AM Central Standard Time and for the second year in a row, we were caught in a blizzard driving back from Tahnksgiving. Remembering back, that was around the time of the immense "firestorm" in Oklahoma. I know my mother was close to the action as well as Brad and Amy in Oklahoma City! So, we say Thanks for the holidays and the good times and good fortune! Especially the holidays...for the white man putting down the "red people" (You know the song we sang in elementary..."This land is our land, this land is our land, from Califormia...etc etc").

The day after we returned to Colorado, Samara was happy to be in the presence of her animal guardians, Orion (The Hunter) and Cassiopeia (The Queen). It was back to business as Samara laughed at the cats while they ate kitty treats.