Christmas 2011

I'll add pictures later, but I want to get things down before I forget. It has been awesome experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a child - Peyton!
Christmas Eve began early - Mom and I made cookies, sweet potatoes, baked beans, etc. for meals the next couple of days. Mark and Tom arrived around noon. Mom, Ron, Mark, Tom and I enjoyed a delicious ham lunch and watched the Chiefs game. Ron and I went to church about 6 p.m. where I played the organ for the service. After church, we went to the Siegers for cake and custard.

Christmas morning I had coffee with Mark and Mom before Ron and I went to church. We brought home the poinsettia we had given to the church in memory of Ron's parents and Daddy and gave it to Mom. She seemed pleased.

The Todds arrived before 11 a.m. Peyton really enjoyed checking out what Santa left in their stockings and opening gifts. The most fun she had was picking up all the wrapping paper and putting it in the trash bag - go figure. Mom, Mark, Joe and Tom arrived around noon to visit before we had lunch - prime rib, which turned out quite well for my first time. We lit the candles on the birthday cake and sang happy birthday to Jesus.

We had a great time opening our presents. Mary couldn't make it to the celebration because she had to work, but she sent some fabulous gifts - a hand-knitted sweater for Garrison and a reindeer hat for Peyton. We received wonderful gifts including fostoria, gift cards, etc. Peyton loved all her fun toys, etc.

Chad, Amanda and Garrison went back to Olathe around 5 p.m., but we were blessed with Peyton staying with us overnight - we'll take her back on Monday in the afternoon. We played with her kitchen set of food, pans, etc. that Mark and Mary gave her (Peyton loves it), then decided to take her to see Christmas lights around town. She wanted Grammaw to go, so we went by to pick up Grammaw for our city tour of lights. Peyton expressed several times she loves candy canes and asked over and over where was Mary?

After we got home, we played some more and had a snack before Peyton's bath. She was disappointed that her Mommy and Daddy had taken home her new fingerpaint soap Mark and Mary gave her for Christmas, but we had fun playing in the bathtub with plain old Grammy foam soap. With no nap today, after we read 2 books, Peyton went to sleep very quickly. We are having such a great time.

The best Christmas yet - we are blessed.

December 2011 Visit to Olathe

We hadn't seen Peyton and Garrison since Thanksgiving weekend, so it was time for a visit! Ron, Grammaw and I headed out from Clinton before 7 a.m. anxious for a fun few hours with the kids. Peyton greeted us at the door - what a joy to see her smiling face so happy to see us. We visited with everyone for an hour or so, then Amanda and Chad decided to take advantage of us being there to stay with the kids while they finished up some Christmas shopping at the mall. Peyton helped Grandpa assemble the new vacuum cleaner for the 2nd floor. Peyton helped Grammy make our second annual rice krispy treat wreath - what fun. Garrison took it all in, happy to let Grammaw and I hold him. Peyton and Grammaw "danced" to the Christmas music boxes - sometimes going on all at once! The parents arrived back home around 11:30, and we all enjoyed pizza and fudge that Grammaw had made - and of course, Peyton's wreath creation. She was quite proud of it.

We left around 1 p.m. as they were leaving for Peyton's Dance Academy's presentation of "The Nutcracker". Peyton said she was going to the dancecracker! Isn't she a hoot. Garrison looked quite dapper in his snowman sweater and jeans, and Peyton was beautiful in her holiday plaid skirt, black top and tights. Mommy and Daddy looked quite nice as well.

The three of us made a couple of stops on the way home at Sam's Club and Kohl's before arriving back in Clinton around 5 p.m. - what a full day. We all had a blast.

On Sunday, I played the organ for both services at church which I enjoyed very much. We took Mom to the Vansant-Mills Memorial Service where she received an angel to remember Daddy. She was sad but glad to attend to honor him. She enjoyed hearing David and me sing, and I managed to sneak in playing her favorite, How Great Thou Art before the service. Following the service, we took Mom home, and then Ron and I went to the staff Christmas dinner at the Rotary Building - delicious prime rib.

Busy weekend!

THANKSGIVING WEEK 2011

Our Thanksgiving week was busy this year. Mark and Mary arrived Tuesday late afternoon in time to fix us a delicious fish (crappie) dinner. Mary went back to St. Louis, leaving Mark to spend the week in Clinton visiting Grandma. She enjoyed having him visit.

On Thanksgiving Day, Mom, Mark, Ron and I had a lovely ham lunch and visited Daddy's grave at the cemetary. We missed him at our table this year - the first year without him.

Amanda and family arrived Thanksgiving evening for a few days.

Friday morning, the guys headed to Bolivar to play golf, while we girls enjoyed our annual baking day. Peyton wanted to go get Grammaw first thing, so we did, and she spent the morning with us. She was a great help with Garrison and played with Peyton too. Peyton unwrapped all 7 dozen of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey Kisses we needed for the peanut butter cookies. She enjoyed helping with white trash and dipping prezels, eating a few along the way. Mary and Tom stopped by for a visit and to take Grammaw home when they got to Clinton.

We headed to the square Friday evening for the parade and pre-party at the Elks, sponsored by Hawthorn Bank. Peyton enjoyed making an ornament, and we all liked the refreshments. Peyton liked the parade much better this year, but she still thought some of the entries were a little loud. She kept telling us she did not want to sit on Santa's lap - too funny. Joe arrived in Clinton late on Friday after working all day at Walgreens.

Saturday, Peyton wanted Grammaw to come over again, so we picked her up for a short visit. They enjoyed playing and playing. Due to the rain, plans for golf had to be cancelled. Peyton loved helping Grammy make the traditional homemade ice cream for dessert for our belated Thanksgiving meal. We took family pictures before sitting down to a turkey feast which was enjoyed by all. We signed the tablecloth which Mary will embroider - great tradition. We missed Grandpa at our table this year but welcomed baby Garrison.

Great few days!

Peyton Turns 3

Three short years ago, our lives were forever brightened by the arrival of our sweet little Peyton Augusta. I still like to think of her as a baby (oh, heck, I still like to think of Amanda as "my" baby), so I was shocked and appalled the other day when Amanda told me that Peyton is no longer considered a toddler but a preschooler! Wow!

Amanda and Chad hosted a lovely birthday party with a Dora the Explorer theme for Peyton today at Monkey Business at the Great Mall, attended by neighborhood friends, classmates from school, and family. Peyton had an awesome time, as did the other children, playing, eating cupcakes and opening the generous gifts. She wanted a giant cupcake for her "cake", which Amanda made and decorated beautifully. Grandpa, Grammaw and I had a great time attending. She even wore her birthday hat for a few more seconds than last year!

We stopped by Peyton's house before and after the party for short visits and to pick up Apollo - he is staying with us for a few days until the kids get here on Thanksgiving. Peyton looked so adorable in the top Amanda had made for her for her party - Peyton - 3 - Dora - says it all!

The afternoon before, Amanda and family and Ron and I attended the wedding of Matt Jones and his bride Tabitha in Warrensburg. Peyton was a hoot through it all, but especially notable was her comment after the bride walked in and we were all standing (we were on the back row for obvious reasons) - she said, "where did that "white girl" go (meaning the bride). Too funny.

We had a good time at the wedding and reception - time spent with our precious family.

It will be a busy week. My last night of spending the night with Mom watching Dancing with the Stars until next sweason. Tuesday, Mark and Mary are coming for dinner, bringing crappie Mark caught this weekend for a scrumptiuos fish dinner. Mary has to go back to St. Louis to work, however, Mark is staying through Saturday. Mark, Mom, Ron and I will enjoy "real" Thanksgiving Day together - ham meal. Amanda and family will arrive sometime late Thanksgiving Day through Saturday - Mary, Joe and Tom will arrive on Friday - then we will celebrate our family Thanksgiving - our first without Daddy (sad) - on Saturday late afternoon.

God is good - life is good. We are blessed.

Saturday Morning with the Grandkids

Fun Saturday in Olathe with the Todds. Amanda and Chad ran some errands while Ron, Mom and I stayed with Peyton and Garrison. We had taken Peyton a new Melissa and Donald (that may not be right) cupcake set - pretend cupcakes with frosting, candles, etc. - she had fun putting on her oven mitt and putting them in the oven (under the piano bench). She wanted to show Grammaw how well she drives her car - now that it is set to 5 MPH, she goes really fast! I tried to talk her into putting it at 2.5 MPH, but she wanted to go FAST! Fun, fun. We had taken Pizza Glen Pizza with us for lunch after Chad and Amanda returned home - yum, yum. Peyton ate well, including broccoli and the orange soda Grammaw had taken her. We squeezed in a little shopping after Peyton went down for her rest about 1 p.m. - wonderful day. Grammaw really enjoyed seeing the kids - it had been about a month since she had opportunity to play with them.

Vacation with Todds

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we had the privilege of vacationing staying with Garrison during the day whiel Amanda returned to work and picking up Peyton early from school for fun and frolick outside with the neighborhood children and watching Peyton giving rides in her new birthday car! We enjoyed family dinners together. Peyton and I enjoyed decorating pumpkin cookies for dessert on Tuesday evening. One of our best vacations ever! Now we're having withdrawals from those beautiful grandchildren!

Unfortunately, I cannot seem to get pictures uploaded to the blog tonight - maybe later.

Family Pictures and Peyton's Car

Busy week - last week of Amanda's maternity leave. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday with her and Garrison - it was so nice. On Tuesday, we picked Peyton up from school early - she was so happy to see her Grammy - melted my heart. I took her to school on Wednesday. We did some shopping and had a couple of nice lunches. I'm going to miss my weekly visits to Olathe :(

Friday afternoon, my brother Mark arrived in Clinton for a visit with Mom until Monday afternoon. It was nice he has been here to spend time with Mom. We had a nice dinner on Friday night, and I fixed all of us a pork chop lunch today.

On Saturday, Ron and I headed to Olathe for family pictures with the kids. We decided to take Peyton her birthday car a little early so she could enjoy the remaining nice evenings to drive it. She was excited and was able to drive a little while before we went for pictures. She has the gas down - now needs to be a little more concerned with the steering wheel! Amanda called today and said she had driven it with some of her neighborhood friends this morning and was improving.

We went to a beautiful park area with waterfalls for the family pictures, which went well. Following, we went to dinner at Gordon Biertz to celebrate Chad's birthday a little late.

Kids Visit Clinton and Pumpkin Patch

It was a busy, fun-filled, family memory-making weekend! Let's get started. On Friday, Amanda and the kids arrived in Clinton for the weekend while Chad painted Peyton's bedroom - quite beautifully I might add! Peyton loved riding her tricycle at Grammaw's, throwing pop its and doing bubbles with Grammy and Grammaw before Grandpa, Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary arrived to have an early 83rd birthday celebration for Grammaw. We enjoyed a great meal and visiting for Grammaw's birthday.

Peyton slept well in her new room at Grammy and Grandpa's, and Garrison also slept well in what is now "his" crib. Shortly after getting up, Peyton was ready to pick up Grammaw for the day and get her regular donut holes from Flavor Maid. We played at home before going to the Methodist Church playground for some fun. Peyton loved the slides and all the climbing toys. Garrison took it all in stride. Peyton picked Pizza Glen pizza for lunch. We took her to the Aquatic Center to swim after her nap which she loved. Grammaw came back for dinner.

On Sunday, Grammaw came back to play and to have lunch with us before Grammy, Grandpa, Amanda and the kids headed to Olathe. Daddy enjoyed showing Peyton the new paint job on her room complete with Cinderella's castle stenciled on one wall, grass, trees, etc. - it is beautiful and best of all PINK.

We all headed to Gardner, KS for the KC Pumpkin Patch. It was a beautiful day, although a little hot for October and very windy and dusty, but it didn't bother Peyton. She liked all the big slides, climbing on the tire dinosaur, and picking out a pumpkin at the end. Garrison is such a trooper - he slept the entire time.

Grammy and Grandpa spent the night in Olathe and had the pleasure of staying with Garrison and Peyton while Amanda and Chad went out for a date night. We had a blast with the kids and managed to get their baths and get them to bed on time - Garrison even took his bottles without any problems. We are so blessed to have lots of time with the kids and to get to have so much fun with them.

On Monday, Peyton reluctantly headed off to school with her Daddy going to work. We had a great day with Amanda and Garrison, ending with lunch at Cheddars and some shopping at Oak Park Mall. Again, Garrison was quite a trooper, sleeping through lunch and the shopping trip.

We headed back to Clinton late afternoon with many memorable moments to discuss. Now I'm at my weekly bunking party with Mom, watching Dancing with the Stars - life is good. We are blessed.

Peyton's Clinton Weekend and Garrison's Baptism

Friday, Grammaw and I went to Olathe to spend the day with Amanda and Garrison. Before heading back to Clinton, we picked Peyton up at her school so she could spend the weekend with us! When we got to Clinton, Grandpa joined us at Grammaw's house for some play outside riding her tricycle, sidewalk chalk and bubbles followed by her favorite, McDonald's! For the first time, Peyton slept in the front bedroom on the main floor and loved it! She was so proud to be "big" now so she can sleep in her own bedroom at Grammy's! She seems to have matured overnight!

On Saturday, Peyton wanted to go get donut holes at Flavormaid, but not before picking up Grammaw and Murray. Peyton adores Grammaw. Peyton enjoyed helping me frost and decorate Garrison's baptism cake for Sunday.

Ron and I took Peyton to the Living Waters Fall Festival outside Osceola where Peyton enjoyed riding a pony and playing in the corn box. We all enjoyed a picnic and a hayride before heading to the parking lot to find a flat tire on our new van. Bummer. Thank heaven Ron paid attention when the salesman told him where the spare is kept, jack, etc. We have roadside protection, but we were so far out in the boonies, Ron figured it would be easier to just change it. Peyton was excellent while we stood outside watching her Grandpa crawl under the van, etc.

Saturday night, we took Peyton with us to a wedding and reception. She was so curious and had lots of "why" questions. Her favorite part of the whole evening was the cake!

Sunday we all headed to Olathe for Garrison's baptism and a meal afterwards. Peyton enjoyed playing with her boyfriend, Evan, whose family was here for Marla to serve as Garrison's godmother.

Great family weekend - treasured memories.

Garrison's Sip and See

The kids and grandkids arrived Friday evening in time for dinner and stayed through Sunday late afternoon - and we had a blast! After dinner and some play time outside, Grandpa, Grammy and Peyton visited Great Grandma Mintun where Peyton enjoyed riding her tricycle and playing on the patio. Before we went home, we stopped by the Siegers to see their newly painted pool.

Saturday morning, Ron and Chad headed to the golf course for the Boy Scout Tournament. Peyton was anxious to see Grammaw, so we went to pick her up for a day of fun at our house. We played outside with bubbles and on her slide and played dress up, etc. in the basement. After a delicious dinner at Smith's, Ron and I took Peyton with us to the wedding reception of Chris Mills and Melanie Kirk - she had a blast and was a very good girl.

On Sunday, Ron and Chad hit the links again while Grammaw came over to visit with us. Tara, Kyle and Leah Calton stopped by to meet Garrison and have lunch. Debbie Sieger hosted a Sip and See for Clinton friends to meet Garrison and enjoy some refreshments and visiting. Peyton had a wonderful time, as did we all.

Wonderful weekend making family memories.

Garrison's 1st Trip to Clinton

Garrison came to Clinton for the first time to visit Grammy and Grandpa with the rest of the crew - Amanda, Chad, Peyton and Apollo. Peyton and Grammy made pink cupcakes, just like in her Pinkalicious book that she loves - it was a blast. Pink cupcakes in pink liners with pink frosting topped with pink sprinkles - resulting in a pink kitchen! Peyton was so proud of herself, and Grammy sure had a great time.

Peyton and Grammy picked up Grammaw and Murray on their way to pick up Pizza Glen pizza for lunch - a Todd favorite. After Grandpa got home from work and we all had pizza, the guys played golf while the rest of us took a "rest" - we don't mention the dreaded word "nap" anymore to Peyton.

Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary arrived from the Lake to visit and have dinner with us - with pink cupcakes for dessert. We had a good time visiting. Aunt Mary enjoyed getting in on Peyton's bathtime, making herself a beard with Peyton's foam soap which we all found comical. Before bathtime, we took the opportunity to go out on the golf course and take a few pics.

What a fantastic, family Saturday - pure joy with Peyton and Garrison around!

Garrison Is One Month Old - Peyton's Dance Class

On Wednesday, Great Grandma Mintun and I went to Olathe to spend the day with Amanda and Garrison. Grammaw was a great help and enjoyed holding Garrison while Amanda and I did a few things around the house before going to Olive Garden for lunch and running a few errands. Great day.

On Saturday, I headed to Olathe for the weekend to spend time with Amanda, Garrison and Peyton while Chad played in a two-day golf tournament - lucky me! We started with lunch at Cheddars - then a trip to Oak Park Mall where Peyton loved trying on Mommy shoes - then an open house at the dance academy next to Peyton's school where she will start lesssons next week.

On Sunday, Ron and Grammaw joined the fun. Before they got there, Peyton and I took a Grammy and Peyton only trip to Quick Trip to get breakfast - it was a hoot watching as she picked out her donuts and put them in the box herself. She was so proud of herself. She wanted chocolate hot (hot chocolate to most), and we managed to get back to the house with two boxes of donuts and 3 drinks. She is sooooo much fun. We had planned on taking Peyton to the pool, however, Johnson County pools are closed for 11 days, so that was out, but we enjoyed playing outside on the play set and having fun around the house before Merle, Debbie and Emily stopped by to meet Garrison. Chad got home after his tournament, and we enjoyed hearing about his great day on the course before we all headed home.

Garrison turned one month old on Monday - time flies. He gets cuter by the day and is really filling out. He is a wonderfully sweet baby and so good. He sure likes his Mommy to feed him! Peyton is a good big sister and enjoys "helping" with Garrison. She is a good wipe getter and diaper handler. She gets a little overzealous with her hugs and kisses sometimes, but she is sure smitten with her little brother which is great to watch.

Another memory filled weekend with the family - God is good.

Deanna Rose Farms Visit - Garrison's First

Back in Clinton after a couple of days in Olathe with the joys of my life. On Friday, I helped Amanda with a few chores around the house so that we could have a fun day on Saturday. Late Friday afternoon, Amanda, Garrison and I went to Peyton's school to pick her up - the smile on her face when she saw us was worth a million bucks! Garrison is like a little magnet, drawing all the other 2 year olds to his stroller - but Peyton, she only had eyes for her Grammy! My heart was so happy. We went to Jose Pepper's for dinner - and the pink balloon of course - and then played outside on her playset and had a "rock picnic" which was fun.

My brother, Mark, came to Clinton for the weekend to spend quality time with Mom - I was so thankful he was able to stay the weekend with her while I was away. They did some touch up painting on ironwork around the house and enjoyed visiting. Mom was thrilled that Mary sent her potato soup - one of her favorites. Ron had to work on Saturday, so he didn't go with me to Olathe this time either.

There was a terrible thunderstorm on Friday night, preventing all of us from getting much sleep. Amanda and Chad were up with Peyton when Garrison wanted to be fed - busy, busy time. Chad went to Iowa to play in a golf tournament on Saturday, so us girls - oh, I guess now Garrison too, ha ha - had the whole day to ourselves. We began at IHOP for breakfast before going to Deanna Rose Farms when they opened. It was even free admission day! Not many people there at first, which was nice, and it was about 75 degrees - perfect! Peyton and I fed the ducks while Amanda fed Garrison discreetly. Peyton and I had quite a discussion about the covered wagon - the "why's". After a trip to Target to buy Peyton a new movie - Grammaw Mintun was treating - we stopped to get lunch at Chicken Nuggets - what Peyton calls McDonald's. Then I had the pleasure of watching her new Tinkerbell movie with her for rest time - we both fell asleep.

Peyton's boyfriend and his parents (the Mayberrys) stopped by to meet Garrison and for Evan and Peyton to play. We had dinner, gave the kids a bath, and Grammy headed back to Clinton.

Having lunch at Mintuns today with Mark before he goes home - celebrating Ron's birthday too, a little early.

God has blessed me with such a wonderful family.