Celebrating Dr. Ramsay's 70th Birthday with a ZIP LINE PARTY!

Dr. Ramsay enjoying his birthday party with a Heavenly Ham Box Lunch!

Lyle's wild zip line group

Penny, Michelle, Shari, Lou, Linda, Carol, Jody, & Melanie

Guides: Steve & Todd

The Zandex crew

Harnessing up

Me, Yvonne, & Penny

(I've posted pictures of me so that you can see my fun, new haircut!)

Completing 'Line 1'. Nine more to go!

Dr. Ramsay

The line across the lake was the longest - 800 feet.

Stoey being chased by a rhino.

A vicious, ferocious Szechuan Takin! They said they really are!

Dr. Ramsay turned 70 years old, so Lyle planned a party for Zandex's home office. What kind of a party might interest Lyle? You are right -- an adventurous zip line party! We went to THE WILDS, which is located southeast of Zanesville, on coal mining property which has been reclaimed. There are 100's of acres, and animals roam free (pretty much). We 'zip lined' over zebras, rhinoceros, many variety of deer, antelope, swans, giraffes, camels, buffalo, wild horses, tame horses with riders, and Szechuan Takin. The 10-line course took us 2 1/2 hours to zip through! The longest run was 800 feet.

We certainly enjoyed Dr. Ramsay's birthday - at his expense!!

Then two nights later, Saturday, September 24, Lyle and I hosted a birthday dinner at our home for 32 people (we planned on 40). The guests included people from the community, church, and work. We served a shrimp cocktail, filet or strip steak, baked potato, herb-roasted asparagus, homemade rolls, and raspberry-pear-feta cheese OR garden salad dinner. Lyle grilled the steaks perfectly. Then for dessert we had a cheesecake bar with fresh raspberries, fresh blueberries, fresh strawberries, or chocolate swirls & chocolate sauce; blondie brownies with maple butter syrup and homemade ice cream; and coconut cake. The food was actually terrific. People seemed to really enjoy socializing. When it was all over, it took Lyle and I over 3 hours to wash dishes and clean up. The best part was how appreciative Dr. Ramsay was about it all!

Trip out West, September 5 to 17, 2011 - PLAYING IN THE PARKS and TRYING TO 'CRACK' UNCLE TANNER

Brooklyn trying with all her might (and weight) to 'crack' uncle Tanner. She kept at it for quite some time!

Averi swinging at the park that is practically in her backyard!

Averi & Kate

Steff, Kendyl, and Camryn at the 'splash pad!'

Camryn

Brooklyn

Kendyl

Busily building a fort with the beach towels - The nana, Kendyl, Camryn, and Brooklyn.

The park is always the best place to play with granddaughters! We found such fun parks and had such terrific weather. Life just doesn't get much better!

Camryn's Nana List had "Make a Pie" on it... that's all. I asked her what kind of a pie she wanted. She thought a banana cream pie sounded good. After some serious coaxing her mother convinced her that a fresh peach and cream cheese pie sounded even better. So we made a fresh peach and cream cheese pie! Then Camryn didn't eat the peaches because she doesn't like peaches. We will make a banana cream pie when we get together next time!

Brooklyn's Nana List had "Splash pad and park, Zoo, Movie Night (we watched RIO and AN AMERICAN TALE [remember Fievel?], and ". We had fun doing them all! We also made sugar cookies, homemade bubble gum ice cream, and raspberry freezer jam!

Fun at the splash pad!

Picking up Brooklyn & Camryn at school to go to the

splash pad and park to find some fun!

Trip out West, September 5 to 17, 2011 - THE ZOO WITH ALL THE ANIMALS

Monkeys at the monkey exhibit -

Nixon, Kendyl, Brooklyn, Maycee, & Camryn

Ashley & Hudson

Nixon, Steff, Camryn, Brooklyn, Maycee, & Kendyl

Kendyl, Averi, Brooklyn, & Camryn

Angel Elle

Averi, Kate, Camryn, Maycee, Brooklyn, & Leslie

Kendyl & Steff

Nana & Brooklyn

Kate & Averi

Averi

We went to see ALL of the ANIMALS at the zoo! Such a fun day playing with cousins, sisters, brothers, aunts, grandchildren, daughters, moms, and nanas! HEAVEN!

Averi, Elle, & Kate arrive at the elephant exhibit.

Fun on the Zoo Carousel! (And it did eventually start moving.)

Trip out West, September 5 to 17, 2011 - DR. CLARK IN ACTION

Dr. Clark and Sean, who looks happy after his exam!

Sean had the opportunity of having Matt work on his teeth! It was fun, for me at least, to see Matt's new office and get to watch him in action. He has a great place and is doing great work! We are excited for him and his family!

Trip out West, September 5 to 17, 2011 - AVERI'S IMPROMPTU PHOTO SHOOT with PAPA

I'm positive that papa would say Averi is the most perfect subject to photo. Isn't she fabulous?