Peyton the Baby Show Winner

Busy weekend - Mark and Mary visited Clinton Friday night - we all enjoyed pizza at Mom and Daddy's. Amanda, Chad, Peyton and Apollo arrived in Clinton for the weekend after they had attended the Royals Game Friday night. Peyton is such a good little traveler - she had her eyes open when they arrived, but she was obviously still asleep - Amanda carried her downstairs to her crib and she slept the rest of the night. She seemed surprised to see Grammy and Grandpa when she woke up Saturday morning - after all, when she went to sleep she was still in Olathe! Ron and Chad played golf with Mike Edgett on Saturday. Amanda and I took Peyton to her very first Henry County Fair Baby Show - and she won first place in the 7-9 month girl category - has a trophy to show for it. We knew she was the prettiest baby ever, but we were sure happy the judges agreed! Merle, Debbie, Great Grandma Arthur and Emily stopped by to see Peyton Saturday afternoon. Amanda and Chad attended Amanda's 10 year class reunion at Meadowlake Saturday evening - Grammy took Peyton to visit Grandpa who was representing Hawthorn Bank at the Moonlight Serenade at the Benson Center. Peyton was quite social and enjoyed seeing all the people. Later, Kelly came by to see Peyton. On Sunday, Ron and Chad played golf in the American Cancer Society Tournament - teamed with Gary Cover and John Drury. They we 1 shot too good to place in the money - bummer. Amanda and Peyton napped at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Mintun's house while I went to church - Great Grandma was in heaven getting to rock and hold Peyton for 2 hours! We had a fun lunch there before coming home to play until the guys got home from golf. We were sad to see them go home mid-afternoon - what a wonderful, fun weekend.

Weekend Update

My Dad was discharged from the hospital on Saturday - he and Mom were both thrilled to be home. Things are going well with his soft diet. My brother, Mark, was finally able to go back to St. Louis - he was here for 11 days and was soooooo much help! Thanks Mark. He joked that he is now eligible to vote in Clinton since he was a resident so long - ha ha.

The kids stopped by Sunday to visit Grandma and Grandpa - their day was brighted visiting with them and watching Peyton crawl and pull up - she is quite an expert now.

Amanda, Chad, Peyton, Ron and I went to Applebees for lunch - Peyton entertained the patrons there along with the wait staff - she is such a cutie. She started sticking out her tongue - funny.
We enjoyed the time we got to spend with them this afternoon.

Hospital Stay

Need to acknowledge how much help Saint Mark has been during the hospital stay - he really stepped up to the plate - been in Clinton since 7/2 and is still here - longest we have seen him in 30 years! Mary has been here several days too, helping out with her nurse expertise, doing laundry, keeping us going. Ron has been a big help with visits, etc. Amanda and Chad visited over the weekend, which pleased the grandparents. Joe has been here several times brightening Grandpa's days. Of course, precious little Peyton was the favorite visitor - she was there 3 times or so over the weekend and made the day of both Great Grandma and Great Grandpa - she is such a joy. Thanks to everyone for helping - it takes a village during a situation like this.

The dogs were also so very good during this trying time - Murray the babysitter did a good job with Lenny, and Apollo did so good with less attention than usual.

Thanks everyone!

4th of July and More

Seems like a long time since my last post on Father's Day - I'll attempt to catch up!

We have been dealing with a challenging situation - my Dad had a light stroke the week of the 4th of July, affecting his throat/swallowing. He has been hospitalized since 7/2/09 and may get dismissed today, 7/10/09 - he passed the swallowing test today and might get to start eating a soft diet. He has had a feeding tube this week. Things are improving.

Amanda, Chad, Peyton and Apollo arrived in Clinton on Thursday evening, 7/2/09 - yea! We enjoyed every minute of them being here through Sunday afternoon. Peyton even visited her Great-Grandpa (and Great-Grandma who was visitng) in his hospital room a few times, which made their days. It was Chad's 9th Olde Glory Days celebration in Clinton and Peyton's first - the 16th for the rest of us. Peyton was adored by all Clintonians who saw her at the events around town, including the parade. It was soooooo much fun having all the Todds here to enjoy the holiday with us. Peyton is now crawling - was very, very close last weekend. Watching her on the blog was fun. She is such a cutie and quite a little poser for pictures. She eats so good - and kisses her Grammy and is all smiles when she sees her grandparents - which thrills us. Peyton and Grammy got to hang out together while the parents shopped for cars, played golf, etc., which was a wonderful time for Grammy at least. Fun, fun.

Olde Glory Days Was a BLAST!!!