Garrison turns 2!

Garrison and Grammy share the same birthdate - July 29 - yea!  On Friday, my friend, Debbie Sieger, took me to Overland Park for a birthday outing - we had a blast.  We shopped, had lunch at Freddy's, toured Amanda and Chad's home (Debbie had not been to the new house), and had a great day.

After we arrived back in Clinton, Amanda/family arrived in Clinton to spend the night Friday night.  We had fun playing with the kids before it was time for bed.  The adults visited after the kids were in bed and had a chance to catch up.

Saturday morning after breakfast, Ron and Chad went to Clinton Country Club to play golf in the Ag Tournament.  Before they left, Peyton asked Grammaw to come over, so Ron went to pick her up.  The fun began!  Amanda decided to try out her new camera with some professional-style pictures of Garrison for his 2nd birthday and some with Peyton too.  The golf course was the perfect place, as it was cool outside, and there were no golfers!  (they were at the tournament at the other course).  The kids did great, and I think Amanda got some wonderful shots - she is getting quite good with her camera.  Sometimes Garrison would throw up his hands and say, "all done", but then we would move to the new location and he would be okay again.  It was a good time, and it was nice to be outside together.

When we arrived back home, we played outside on the slide, etc.  Amanda had brought the fixings to bake the cupcakes for Garrison's family party and for his school treats, so she was busy!  Peyton and Garrison both helped put the cupcake liners in the pans.  Amanda also baked some yummy chocolate chip cookies to take to the new neighbors when they got back home.  They were delicious - with pudding!  Grammaw and Peyton did their regular play - they are quite the playmates.  We built a fort in the living room which was fun.  Peyton has a fantastic imagination and had all her babies in the fort.  At one point, Amanda, Grammaw, Peyton and Grammy were all in the fort along with the babies (Garrison was napping).  Lots of laughter and fun.  We had tenderloin, fried okra and onion rings from Smith's for lunch - yummo.  I had fixed watermelon popsicles which the kids enjoyed, and after Garrison's nap, we fixed cookies and cream ice cream cones which they liked.  We packed a lot into less than 24 hours, as the Todds went home mid-afternoon to finish getting ready for the part on Sunday.  We were so happy they all got to come to Clinton for a visit.

Sunday morning, I played the gathering music at church.  The church presented me with a beautiful hymnal with my name engraved on it and a note thanking me for sharing my talents with them - very nice.  We had lunch at Mom's and then headed to Overland Park for Big G's 2nd Birthday Party.

Amanda and Chad did a great job getting the house ready for the party - beautiful decorations, balloons, Sesame Street everywhere!  Amanda decorated the cupcakes so cute - like Cookie Monster, Elmo and Grover - Pinterest!  She made a big Cookie Monster out of blueberries and an Elmo out of cherry tomatoes - Pinterest.  I baked sugar cookies shaped as G's and 2's and had fun decorating them in primary colors. We had pizza, cake and ice cream and Garrison opened his gifts.  He was a bit overwhelmed but did really well.  75 Degrees on July 28 was crazy, but it was so nice outside.  The kids played out a lot on the play set and several ate outside.  It was a great party.  Peyton was helpful with opening the gifts, and she had a great time playing with her cousin, Whitney.  A great party.

We are blessed.

One More Cute Pic from 7/20/2013

You would think we didn't have chairs - right before bed on Saturday night - Garrison sitting on his bus backwards, and Peyton on Harvey - her Mommy's old horse!  See next post for rest of the weekend details.  We are blessed.

A fun July weekend - 2013

On Saturday, July 20, 2013, Grammy and Grammaw headed to Overland Park for the day.  Peyton and Amanda went to a baby shower at the Carriage House on the Plaza, so we had the honor of hanging out with Garrison at their house.  Chad was playing golf in Iowa and Grandpa was working.  Before they left, Grammy and Peyton went to Mr. Budd's estate sale (neighbor), and we had fun playing.  After they arrived back home, Peyton enjoyed showing us the prize she received after winning one of the games - Mommy swears it was teamwork!  They also brought home some pink nail polish with the name of "It's a Girl" - who knew?

Grammy, Grammaw, Peyton and Garrison started toward Clinton around 3:30 p.m. and had a fun ride home full of laughs and snacks.  Amanda stayed behind so she could ride down with Chad who would be late getting home and would be tired - good for us!  Grammy and Grandpa's monthly supper club evening was Saturday night, so we were so proud to take Peyton and Garrison along with us.  All our friends - the Mills, Townsends, Wallaces and Cupps were so happy to get to spend some time with them and get to see them, as it had been a while.  We had a pulled pork dinner, and Peyton and Garrison enjoyed seeing David Mills' train room.  Home by 8 p.m. and Garrison to bed.  Peyton took a shower first and wound down a bit before going to sleep in her room.  Mommy and Daddy arrived home after we were all in bed, around 10:30 p.m.

Sunday morning started early - Peyton wanted Grammaw to come over first thing and had ordered vanilla pudding, which pleased Grammaw.  Grandpa and Daddy headed to Clinton Country Club to play in the American Cancer Society Golf Tournament.  The rest of us headed outside after breakfast to play on the slide, with bubbles, with pop-its, and a trip to the pond to check for frogs.  We saw a few - barely - and had a nice time outside.

Peyton helped Grammy fix a crockpot casserole by chopping the green peppers and pouring several of the items into the bowl.  She helped by stirring too and helped fix iced tea.  She is such good kitchen help - so much fun having her help me.  We also had corn on the cob for lunch which I fixed in a pot of water, milk and a stick of butter.  Made it very yummy.   Garrison likes to be in the middle of things in the kitchen as well.  Grammaw's vanilla pudding was delicious for dessert.

While Garrison was napping, the girls all played Go Fish.  Peyton and Grammaw put together a puzzle and did some coloring and art work.  They had a great time playing dress up and having Grammy and Mommy "scare" them pretending to be monsters!

Grammaw and Peyton made Garrison birthday cards for his upcoming birthday, and Grammy helped them put together an envelope to mail them to him.  Peyton wanted to take it out to the mailbox, so Grammy and Grammaw both went with her to deliver her mail to the mailbox.  Afterward - in her princess dress - we played out front - pretend fishing which was great fun.  She was catching cat fish crappie and sharks.  She had a long stick for a fishing pole, and we put leaves on the end of it for bait.  She has a wonderful imagination.

After the guys got home, and after Garrison got up from his nap, it was time for the Todds to return to Overland Park - always sad for Grammy.  We had a wonderful weekend and loved every minute.

Henry County Baby Show 2013

On Friday, Grammaw and Grammy went to Overland Park to pick up the little people at school for their trip to Clinton for the weekend.  Amanda and Chad went to Iowa to  run in a 5K and play in a golf tournament, respectively, and to visit the Mayberry's.

Both Peyton and Garrison were happy to see us when we arrived at school, but especially Peyton.  As always, she talked all the way home.  Garrison rode quietly and smiled occasionally.  We stopped at McDonald's to pick up dinner, and the fun began.

After playing, Garrison took a bath, and Peyton decided she wanted to shower instead.  She did a good job of washing her own hair and felt like a big girl showering instead of taking a bath.

Peyton and Grammy slept in the bed downstairs to be close to Garrison, and all had a good night.

Saturday morning, Peyton wanted Grammaw to come over bright and early, so Grandpa went to pick her up before he went to play in the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital Auxillary Hospital golf tournament.

Grammy, Grammaw, Peyton and Garrison went to the Benson Center for the Henry County Fair Baby Show - Garrison was still under 24 months (by a few days).  As they started with the 0-3 month old babies, he had to wait an hour and a half before his class, and he and Peyton both did really well sitting still and enduring the time.  Garrison received 2nd place and a ribbon.  The other baby wasn't as cute, but Garrison was "done" and was pretty somber and didn't smile - the other kid was giggly and all over the place.  Anyway, we were all very proud of him and proud of his 2nd place ribbon.  He is very, very adorable.
Peyton was a great big sister and went up on stage with us to encourage him and lend her support.  Grammaw was a great help in the whole process.

After we came home and had a quick lunch, Garrison went down for his nap.  We played with Peyton, including modeling clay, pretend birthday parties, dress up, etc.  After Garrison got up, we played outside on the slide and in the wading pool.  The kids had a great time sliding into the water and running in the sprinkler too.

On Sunday, Peyton again wanted Grammaw to come over early, so Grandpa went to get her so they could play and visit before we went to church.  The kids were great at church, and we all had donuts afterward and visited with our friends at church.

We had a quick visit to Grammaw's before traveling back to Overland Park to take Peyton and Garrison home.  We had a great day with Amanda and the kids in Overland Park.  Peyton, Amanda and Grammy went to Hallmark and Costco while Garrison and Grandpa napped.  We had a great time playing before coming back to Clinton.  Chad was playing in a golf tournament.

Great family memories.

4th of July 2013

Amanda and family stopped by for pizza And a quick visit July 3 on their way to the Todd lake homefor the  4th.  We had a great time.  Peyton picked up her pink Barbie fishing pole Great Grandpa Mintun fixed for her before he went to Heaven. She enjoyed  telling the story and said she still loves him.  Ahhhh.  He would be pleased.

Apollo and I have been taking some morning walks.  July has arrived - humid.

Mark, Mary  and Joe joined us at 810 for a fried chicken lunch on July 4.  We also had fresh blackberry cobbler/ice cream and a nice visit.  Watched the movie Flight which was good.  Nice day.