Uncle Jim and Soccer

Ron and I attended Uncle Jim Mintun's funeral on Tuesday - Ron served as a pall bearer.  It was a very nice service with military honors.  After the funeral, we had lunch with the family at The First Baptist Church - bereavement dinner.

On Saturday, we drove to Overland Park for Garrison's soccer match - and it was a COLD one!  A cold front had gone through during the night, and it was windy too.  Garrison wore a stocking hat and gloves while playing.  The kids had plans for playdates with friends, so we went to Culvers for a quick lunch - shopped at Sam's Club - then came on home.

On Sunday, I played the organ for both services for the Easter Musical at church and the gathering music at the 8:15 service.  After the late service, we drove to Overland Park for Garrison's soccer match and to help Amanda with Garrison while she and Peyton went to a ballet with the TiniTainer dance group.  Chad was playing golf in a tournament.  We were excited to have some alone time with Garrison after the soccer match - which by the way, they won, and Garrison scored 3 goals!  He was pumped.  We celebrated with ice cream at Culver's.  

We went back to their house where we played until Amanda and Peyton got home, then we came back to Clinton.

It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day today, and we thoroughly enjoyed being outside and with our family - we are blessed.

Easter Weekend 2017

Sadness hit our family early in the week.  Uncle Jim Mintun, age 85, passed away on Wednesday.  His funeral will be next Tuesday at the gravesite.  He had been ill for a long time.  I took a meal to Gloria and family.

We went to Maundy Thursday services at church which was very nice.

We had a Mintun/Arthur/Todd Easter Saturday planned, however, Mark called me on Friday saying he had the flu and was on the way to the doctor, so he felt (and I agreed) that it would be better if they didn't come to Clinton - disappointing but understandable.  Since Amanda/family were only going to be able to be here for a couple of hours, I threw everything in the freezer, and we decided that Grandpa and I would travel to Overland Park instead.

We left Clinton around 7 a.m. and arrived at the Todd home in time for Grammy to ride along with Amanda taking Peyton to dance rehearsal.  The boys went ahead to the soccer match for Garrison, and Amanda and I met them there in plenty of time to see the entire match.  We picked up Peyton at dance, make a quick stop at home, then we all went to The Olive Garden for a delicious Easter lunch!

Grandpa, Peyton, Garrison and I went home while Amanda and Chad ran an errand, hiding the filled plastic eggs around the house  - the kids had a fun time finding them and enjoying what was in them! When the parents arrived home, everyone opened their Easter baskets.  We had a good time visiting then came back to Clinton.

Easter morning, I played the organ for both services at church which I enjoyed.  We had pancakes at church - youth fundraiser.  Taco Bell for Easter lunch - doesn't everyone have Taco Bell for Easter????

Amanda sent pictures of their little family before they went to church.  Beautiful pics - beautiful family!!!

AC on way too soon in the season, but if feels good.

We are blessed!

Bonus Easter Weekend 2017

On Friday, 4/7/17, Garrison had Kindergarten Roundup at Cottonwood Point Elementary.  He is now officially enrolled for school starting in August 2017, and he is so proud.  Amanda and Garrison stayed at school and had lunch with his sister, Peyton, in the school cafeteria - and he loved it.  In the afternoon, they went to Deanna Rose Farmstead with Angie and Ethan Heckman - what a beautiful day for an outdoor outing.

Following Peyton's dance class on Saturday morning, Amanda and the kids headed to Clinton for a bonus Easter weekend - and it was wonderful.  The Easter Bunny had stopped by earlier and had hidden some plastic Easter eggs all over our house.  The kids laughed and ran all over the house looking for the tiny treasures, and then they had fun opening all of them.

It was so nice out, the kids dyed their hard boiled eggs outside, and then we had fun hiding and finding them - several times.

We all went to mass at Holy Rosary - Peyton is having her 1st Communion on May 7, and she wanted to go to a Catholic service.  Next stop was dinner at Square 109 - prime rib, tenderloin dinner, spaghetti and meatballs and pancakes/bacon - what an array.  Dessert was at home following the kids showers - cookies and cream ice cream sundaes.

I enjoyed visiting with Amanda until 10 p.m. - Grandpa and the kids went to bed early - and then it was to bed for me while Amanda had a work phone meeting.

We had a lovely, lazy Sunday morning, including a trip to The Donut Palace for yummy sweet treats, making strawberry kabobs of our lunch dessert, Garrison giving his mommy a "doctor" exam, games, frosting/decorating Easter cookies, and then lunch with requested BBQ meatballs and rice.

Peyton and Garrison took some cookies to Miss Esther and came home with chocolate bunnies!!!!  They were thrilled.  Before they went home, Peyton Garrison and I took Miss Esther's dog, Sippy, to potty since she was gone for the afternoon.  They had a great time with that chore.

We had an awesome 24 hours together - we are blessed!!!!!!