Happy Birthday to Ron/Weekend in Overland Park

Mom and I had a birthday supper for Ron on Friday evening - meatloaf, baked potatoes and his favorite cherry pie/ice cream.  Yummo.

Ron's 61st birthday was Saturday - Happy Birthday!  We were supposed to attend Peyton's first soccer game, however, she had been sick with a fever of 102 degrees since Friday, so no soccer for Peyton this weekend!  But, we went to Overland Park for the weekend and had a great time.  Chad was in Iowa all weekend playing golf in a tournament - we missed him.  Peyton took a little nap Saturday afternoon and felt a little better, so Amanda and Peyton went to the neighborhood pool party/BBQ.  The birthday boy and Grammy took Garrison to Burger King for dinner.  We all had a good evening.

Sunday morning we went to Nick and Jake's Sunday Brunch to officially celebrate Ron's birthday - and the final celebration.  After getting back home, we changed in to our swimsuits and walked to the pool for some fun in the sun.  Peyton showed Grandpa her swimming skills and showed us both how she can dive to the bottom after a dive ring - her underwater swimming skills are wonderful.  Garrison had a good time too jumping in - a good time was had by all.

While Garrison and Grandpa napped, Peyton and Mommy went to have their nails done, and Grammy ran a couple of errands, ending up at Sonic for cherry limeades.  Later, we all went to Dickey's BBQ for a quick dinner before Grammy and Grandpa motored back to Clinton.

Mark and Tom visited Grandma Mintun this weekend, enjoying some yummy meals and helping her clean out the gutters.  Unfortunately, Tom was stung by a wasp, but all is well now - they had a good time.  Lenny visited too of course.

A great weekend full of family memories - priceless.

Peyton & Garrison Visit Grammy and Grandpa's - August 15-18, 2013

All the Todds arrived in Clinton Thursday evening, August 15, 2013 - the big kids on their way for a scuba diving weekend at Tablerock Lake.  Garrison extended his birthday by opening his present from Uncle Mark and Aunt Mary - lots of fun things to play with, bath paints, bubbles, fishing pole - you name it.  He was excited.  Peyton had requested to make some puppy chow when arriving at Grammy's, so we started our Friday morning by getting that task completed.  It was tasty, and her parents took some with them on their adventure.

Great Grandma Mintun joined us Friday morning for play outside before we went to the Aquatic Center for pool time fun.  Peyton is a little fish and did a great job showing Grandpa how she can swim.  She loved going down the big slide - over and over.  She of course had the duckie slide mastered.  Garrison was a little timid at first, but once he conquered his fear, he went down the duckie slide over and over and over - oftentimes running over to give "Ma" a hug and kiss between slides!  So cute.  He stood under the waterfall, put his hands on the water fountains and went down the big slide once with Grandpa - which didn't turn out so well, as Grandpa hit his leg on the way down and has a big bruise and knot to prove it!  Peyton said, "Grandpa, the blue slide is only for kids".  ha ha  We were there for 1 1/2 hours and enjoyed every minute.  On the way home, we picked up McDonalds food and had a picnic outside on the patio when we got home.  So fun.  Garrison took a long nap, and Peyton even slept over an hour while watching a movie.  Of course, Ma and Grandpa slept too.  We played outside in the evening and had green bean casserole and ice cream cones for dessert.

Saturday morning, Grandpa had to work, so Grammy and the kids picked up breakfast at McDonalds and went to Ma's house to eat and to spend the morning.  We had a blast playing outside and balls inside.  then we all went to the park to play on the play equipment and watch the Drum Safari presentation at the Ampitheatre.  Garrison had fun playing a drum along with the group.  It was a beautiful morning to be outside .  Peyton requested to have an octopus for lunch (made out of hotdogs), so that is what we fixed.  The kids enjoyed the shape of their hotdogs and dipping in ketcup.   We had ham, macaroni and cheese and rolls for dinner - Garrison was glad to get "cheese".  Peyton and Grammy made brookies (combination of brownies and cookies) - she had a good time and was proud of them.  After dinner, Peyton wanted to go to the Methodist Church Playground - so we all loaded up in the van and went after taking Murray home.  Garrison started on the baby slide but graduated quickly to the big slide and loved it.  Peyton did too and went down very fast.  Peyton is doing very good at the monkey bars and only has to be spotted at times.  We all liked swinging and the kids did a lot of climbing.

Sunday morning we went to church.  I wanted a picture of both my grandchildren with me, but only Garrison would oblige.  They were good at church and enjoyed donut time afterward and running around in the gym.  We picked up Ma and came home to play outside on the slide, etc.  We had McDonalds again for lunch (Peyton's request), adding some grapes, broccoli, etc.  We filled the wading pool for fun after rest time.  The kids loved splashing around and running through the sprinkler.  Peyton did some of her gymnastics for us - she is getting quite good at cartwheels.  We had watched gymnastics on TV on Saturday evening - she wanted to know how old she would be when she was on TV.  Too funny.  Peyton wanted to make a fruit pizza, which we did.  Peyton did great using the mixer fixing the crust and making the filing, then Garrison got into the act by helping spread the filling and adding the fruit.  We all had fun.  Amanda and Chad got home just in time to have a piece of the fruit pizza, of which Peyton was so proud.

We had a glorious weekend - it just ended too quickly.  I miss them already.  We are blessed.

Mark's Birthday and Ron & Tom's Too

We celebrated August birthdays at Mark and Mary's lake home on Saturday, 8/10/2013.  Of course, it was mostly a celebration for St. Mark!  ha ha  Mom, Ron, Murray and I traveled to the Lake Saturday morning.  Mary fixed a delicious fish lunch with fried potatoes, corn bread, etc., and we took chocolate cake and lemon pie.  Yummo.  Tom was unable to join us, however, Joe was there, and we enjoyed visiting with all the Mintuns.  Mom was very happy to be with her baby boy for his birthday.

It was a slow weekend.  I played the gathering music at church on Sunday then fixed fried chicken at Mom's for the three of us.  Relaxing afternoon at Mom's and watched the movie, Identity Thief, this evening.  Back to work tomorrow.  Exciting weekend coming up!

Girls Weekend + Garrison - August 3-4, 2013

Since Chad was playing in the City Golf Tournament - which he won by the way for his flight - congratulations Chad - Grammy spend Saturday and Sunday in Overland Park with Amanda, Peyton and Garrison - and boy did we have a good time!!!!

Oak Park Mall was our first stop!  Peyton had some money of her own to spend, so we started at the American Girl Doll Store.  After some careful shopping, Peyton purchased a bathtub, complete with bubbles, etc. for Piocano.  She is so proud of it and has played with it more than any other toy she has ever had - and she's only had it 24 hours!!!!  Piocano is either the dirtiest doll on the planet or the cleanest!  Pretend of course.  Brown bear even got a bath - and so did Mickey and Donald Duck (by Garrison).  She also bought some new books at Barnes and Noble - what fun.

Then it was time for new shoes, so we headed to Stride Rite for Peyton some new tennis shoes.  She picked out some pretty purple and pink ones which she will wear when she and her Mommy run in their first 5K together next weekend, and some pink Mary Jane type tennis shoes - both light up!  

Peyton chose Auntie Pretzels - tiny wrapped cocktail wienies and pretzels and cinnamon bites for lunch.  It was fun.  After a little more shopping and ice cream, home was our next destination for Garrison to have a nap.

Grammy and Peyton went to the neighborhood pool.  Peyton demonstrated her swimming skills - those lessons have paid off!  She can swim under water great - with no aides.  After Garrison woke up, Amanda and Garrison joined us at the pool for some more fun.  We cleaned up and went to McDonald's for dinner - again, Peyton's choice.  It was yummy and was followed up by ice cream cones for the kids.  Grammy and Mommy were waiting for delicious coconut cream pie that Grammaw had sent to Overland Park.  (it was goooooood.  When we got back home, we played outside on the play set, and then it was time for bed.

Grammy had the privilege of putting both kids to bed.  Garrison is so easy - a little rocking and singing, and he's ready to settle down.  Grammy read all three of Peyton's new books from Barnes and Noble to her and also a book Grammy had taken to her about the princesses.  It was so much fun!  She asks good questions and really listens to the books.

Chad arrived home after the kids were in bed with good news - he was in first place in his flight going into Sunday with a 4 shot lead.  He left very early Sunday morning for the final round.

It was raining when we woke up, but it finally quit so we went to Deanna Rose Children's Farms.  The kids loved watching the cow being milked and them bottle feeding her milk to her calf.  We visited the bank were Peyton did some coloring and guessed the number of pennies in the jar (with a little help from the banker) and won a mini-bank bag and a new pencil.  She was happy.  It rained again, so we were only there for about 45 minutes, but we had a good time.  Garrison was a tired little man and fell asleep in the car, so Peyton and I stayed in the van with him while Amanda ran into Bed, Bath and Beyond and PetsMart before we went to Olive Garden for lunch - Peyton's best choice yet!  It was yummy.  Following lunch, it was Garrison's nap time again, so Grammy and Garrison stayed at the house while Amanda and Peyton went to the salon for manicures - Peyton in pink, Mommy in purple.

After they got home, Mommy and Grammy enjoyed another piece of pie, and then Peyton asked Grammy to help her build a fort.  We had a good time, and Piocano was taking another bath in the fort in her new tub.  Grammy headed home after an absolutely awesome weekend.  Priceless memories.

Ron and Grammaw had a couple of meals together over the weekend and Ron played golf in Clinton with Dennis and Mike.

Great weekend!  We are blessed.