Two Weeks in July - 2014

It's been a busy couple of weeks in mid-July 2014.  A week ago Sunday, Joe came to Clinton to spend the day with us.  He was sweet enough to help with a couple of "chores" around Grandma's house that required a tall, strong guy - thanks Joe.  As Ron was playing in a golf tournament, Grandma, Joe and I had bacon and tomato sandwiches for lunch with fresh tomatoes - yummo.  Joe took Grandma driving around Clinton and had a visit to the cemetery.  For dinner, we had pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy and chocolate pie.  We enjoyed his visit immensely.  He has been promoted to manager at Walgreens - we are very proud of him.

On Monday, Debbie Sieger took me to KC for my annual birthday shopping day (a little early but always fun).  We shopped and shopped - laughed and laughed - and had a delicious lunch at Smashburger's, including sweet potato fries - one of my favorites.  I had a PEO officer's meeting on Thursday.

On Friday, the Todds came to visit - yea!  Saturday morning, Ron and Chad played in the Ag Golf Tournament - Chad won $50 for best drive or something like that!  Proud of him.  The rest of us had a fun day including a trip to the Methodist Church Playground, a trip to Walmart, a visit to the nail salon for Amanda to get her nails done, a mani-pedi for Peyton by Grammy, and lots of good old fashioned play.  Grammaw had joined us first thing in the morning for a day of fun.  As Chad had to work, he drove home after the golf tournament but was kind enough to leave his family with us for more fun.

After Garrison woke up from his nap, we all went bowling.  Grammy, Mommy, Peyton and Garrison had a great time bowling and even had some strikes and spares!  Amanda took us all out for dinner to celebrate my birthday - even Grammaw went!  We had a delicious meal at El Camino Real which was concluded by a serenade by the waiters of Happy Birthday completed by free dessert and whipped cream on Grammy's face - lots of giggles, and then Peyton thought it would be fun to also wear the hat and have whipped cream on her face - Princess Peyton wore her princess fess to dinner - how fun.

Sunday morning brought more fun - of course, requests were made for Grammaw to join us first thing, so Grandpa picked her up.  Games of Old Maid ensued with lots of laughter.  Everyone but Mommy went to Grammaw's house for Grandpa to mow the yard (however he couldn't get the mower started), but we had a great time playing - beauty shop, with balls, etc.  Then we went to McDonald's for lunch for another Grammy birthday celebration.

Grammaw decided to stay home from Overland Park, so she and Apollo spent the afternoon together - Apollo is staying in Clinton until Saturday.

Relucrtantly, we took Amanda, Peyton and Garrison back to Overland Park Sunday after lunch - but not before stopping at the Donut Palace for donut holes!  That has become somewhat of a tradition.  Grammy, Grandpa, Garrison and Peyton went to the pool  -  Mommy stayed home to work on Garrison's birthday treats for school and his treat bags for his party next Saturday.

We had dinner at Culver's before coming home.  What a fun few days - always priceless family memories.  We are blessed.  Can't want to go back on Saturday for Garrison's 3rd birthday party!

July Visit from Little People - 2014

We made a great trade on Thursday!  Apollo, who had been staying with us for a couple of weeks, went home with his parents, and the parents entrusted their precious little people with us for a few days - Thursday-Sunday - yea!

We had all kinds of fun - playing outside on the slide and with bubbles, baking a lemon pie with Elsa blue merrainge, making yogurt popsicles with blueberries and bananas in them, playing in the new pool, even putting the slide in it which was great fun, going to church, playing Go Fish and Old Maid (at least Grammy wasn't the Old Maid every time this round, but Peyton has still never been the Old Maid) - we even ate our spaghetti dinner directly on the table and without forks - no plates either!  It was fun!

Peyton and I ran errands which was fun, stopping and visiting with Debbie Sieger and dropping by something at the courthouse - she remembered that she saw Santa there!  She wondered where the carnival was.

On Saturday, we had a visit from Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary.  They brought fish to fry, and we had a great family meal over at Grammaw's house.  Uncle Mark and the kids had a great time with balloons and him teasing them.  They warmed up to Lenny which was great.  We had a good time.  Grandpa and Garrison went home about 1:30 for a nap, and then Peyton fell asleep on my lap at Grammaw's house and slept for nearly 1 1/2 hours - which is unheard of these days.  After we returned home, they played outside in the pool before we all went to Wendy's for dinner.  Grammaw, at Peyton's request, spent 3 nights with us which was fun.

We went to church on Sunday where the kids had a good time - especially the donuts and running in the gym after church.  We took the little ones back to Overland Park Sunday after lunch - none of us were ready for the visit to end, but I think they were happy to see their Mommy and Daddy.  We are ready for another visit soon!

Sunday evening we went to our Supper Club with our "old" Christian Church friends and enjoyed the burgers and visiting.

Olde Glory Days 2014

It was a fun-filled few days of Olde Glory Days - 4th of July 2014.  On Wednesday, 7/2, Grandpa attended the Sponsors Dinner for OGD, and Grammy and Grammaw traveled to Overland Park to pick up Amanda, Peyton and Garrison, as Chad had to work on 7/3.  We had fun playing outside, making potholders, attending the Bear Shows at OGD's and going to the carnival.  The kids also had fun riding the ponies.  Chad arrived in Clinton Thursday evening around 8 p.m.

We tried something new, having the kids both sleeping in twin beds in Peyton's front bedroom at Grammy and Grandpa's.  It worked well once they got to sleep.  Garrison likes to talk!  Thursday morning, Grandpa took both kiddos to the Donut Palace for a tasty breakfast.   Peyton and I made dipped, red/white/blue strawberries and dipped festive pretzels.

On Friday, while Amanda and Chad had a date golf game, Grammy, Grandpa, Grammaw and the kids went to the first annual cardboard boat race at the public pool which was funny, went to the Bear Show at OGD's again (new show), and went to the Firequacker 500 race (rubber duckies) at Optimist Park where we also had hotdogs to eat and played on the playground equipment.  When we arrived back home, Mommy and Daddy were done with golf, and we all enjoyed some finger foods for lunch before Garrison took a nap - actually everyone took a nap except Grammy and Peyton, and we had fun putting a puzzle together and playing.

Friday evening, we went back to the square for more carnival and pony rides after having dinner at Mallard's restaurant.  We rode on the MKT (David Mills' new small train).

Saturday morning, we went to the OGD's parade - it was perfect weather - 75 degrees and overcast - no sweating this year.  Grandpa drove the bank's float entry in the parade, and Peyton and Garrison joined him for the last couple of blocks of the parade route.  They loved gathering candy in their baskets and having fun at the parade.  After the parade, we all watched the Mr. Stinky Feet show and enjoyed some festival food - corn dogs, snow cones and pulled pork nachos.  Everyone went home except for Grammy and Peyton who picked up Grammaw for the Wierner Dog Races where we had another snow cone.  Then Peyton played the "pick a duck and win a prize" game and rode the ponies again.  We had a delicious steak dinner, and then Amanda and Chad went back to OGD's for the U2 Tribute Band concert.

Sunday was a little slower with play in the house before having lunch of brisket and ham sandwiches and watermelon triangle popsicles.

What a wonderful family weekend - priceless.  We are blessed.