Visit from Peyton and Garrison

As the pictures portray, we had an AWESOME weekend.  The whole Todd gang arrived Friday evening a little before 9 p.m. (Peyton's fun-run fundraiser was at school Friday evening), and the kids surprisingly went directly to bed - no hugs and kisses for Grammy and Grandpa!  Boo Hoo.  But - we understood.   It was already past their bedtimes.

Saturday morning was a different story - loves of smiles and giggles, making our day!  Chad and Ron played golf before 8 a.m. in the Boy Scout Golf Tournament.  Grammaw Mintun came over very early - per phone call request from Peyton and Garrison!  Amanda left around 9 a.m. for her annual college friends spa weekend at the Lodge of the Four Seasons.  Then the real fun began!

Grammaw, the kids and Grammy's first stop was the Donut Palace - again by request.  The kids had a good time ordering their own donuts and eating there.  I think we entertained several customers!

Next stop was to the Farmer's Market where each of them picked out two pumpkins - Peyton bought a huge one and a tiny one - Garrison thought he was getting himself a huge one (but it was really pretty small - big to him I guess) and a tiny one.  They had a blast looking at all of them!  Next item item on the agenda was a trip to the Methodist Church playground.  Peyton has totally mastered the monkey bars and went across 6-8 times unassisted.  She was very proud.  Garrison went across once with help from Grammy.  It was a beautiful day to be outside enjoying the great weather and fun times on the playground - swings, bus, train - it was great.  We then stopped by Debbie Sieger's house to see SaraSue (the basset hound), and she had been to buy pumpkins at the Farmer's Market as well.  We helped her unload hers and enjoyed some refreshments while there - a nice visit.

We finally made it back home where we fixed step-sister circle sandwiches out of Peyton's recipe book she checked out from the library.  They were yummy, along with little smokies wrapped in bacon and blue jello and ate outside on the patio - again soaking in the Fall day.

After the golf tournament, Chad and Apollo headed back to Overland Park so Chad could work on the yard that had been aireated the day before - water was needed.  Grandpa and Garrison took a nap together in Grandpa's big bed - Garrison thought that was big stuff.  While they were napping, Peyton, Grammaw and Grammy played Go Fish, Old Maid, watched some Dancing with the Stars, played with stamps and stickers and coloring and had a fun afternoon.

We had yummy meatballs and rice, rolls, peas, etc. for dinner - Peyton was a member of the Clean Plate Club and ate a wonderful dinner.  We had brownie ice cream sundaes for dessert with whipped cream and cherries on top.  We had fun playing after dinner before baths and bedtime.

Sunday morning was labeled as pajama day - the kids wanted to stay in the pjs and not go to church - so.......why not!  We played letter bingo which was fun and educational for Peyton - she is learning so many words!  They wanted to go get Grammaw very early, but we put them off until 7 a.m.!  They love playing with her.  We frosted pumpkin sugar cookies and had a blast doing it.  They even mixed up and colored the frosting.  Peyton even washed up the dishes with Grammaw drying.  She is getting so grown up.

Amanda arrived back around 10:30 a.m.  We had her favorite meal of bacon wrapped chicken breast, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, etc. with pumpkin cookies and ice cream for dessert.  Then, salt, it was time for them to go back to Overland Park to see Daddy and to get ready for the week.  Peyton and Amanda are getting their nails done at 4 p.m. - what a fun mother/daughter activity.

Back to quiet here - we loved having them for the weekend!  Visit again soon!

Vacation Week in Overland Park

What a fantastic week!  Chad went on his annual September golf tournament trip - this time to Phoenix - but Amanda decided not to go this time since Peyton had just started school.  Good for Grammy!  I went to Overland Park on Tuesday morning and had the opportunity to join Peyton at school for lunch!  I forgot to take a picture, but I had a wonderful time sitting at her table with her and her friends - one of whom even lost a tooth during lunch!  Peyton paid for my lunch with her lunch card, which she thought was pretty cool.  I met her teacher, Mrs. Ernst, and saw some of her school which is very nice.  What a blessing.

Tuesday afternoon, we picked the kiddos up at All Around Child and went to McDonald's for dinner before Peyton's gymnastics class.  We all went to gymnastics which is at a new place - I enjoyed getting to see the new place but mostly seeing Peyton participating in her class.  It's quite an operation.  Garrison sat in the observation room with us and watched cartoons on my phone - he was good.

I spent the night Tuesday night.  Wednesday, Amanda and I spent the day shopping and had a scrumptious lunch at Olive Garden before walking over to Peyton's school to pick her up - she really wanted to be a "walker".  It was a beautiful day, and we all enjoyed the less than mile walk.  After we picked up Garrison at AAC, we went to Freddy's for dinner so we could "sit up high".  Amanda had a PTA meeting at Peyton's school Wednesday evening, so I was able to have the kids to myself!   We played and talked and they took baths.  Shortly after Garrison got in the tub, he told me, "My body is telling me I have to go poop".  So - the little wet body quickly moved to the toilet where he did his business.  So cute.  They wanted ice cream as a snack, so we fixed chocolate ice cream with sprinkles and a cherry on top - yummo.  The evening went too quickly.

I spent Wednesday night too, and on Thursday, Amanda and I worked on some projects around the house before having lunch at a greek place - I was happy to get to try something new, but it wouldn't be my choice for a daily lunch.  I came on home Thursday around 1 p.m. to spend some time with Mom and attend PEO.  Ron had been very good to have meals with Mom and to check on her while I was gone, as did friend, Debbie Sieger.

Friday morning, I helped Susan Mosley, a friend, with her garage sale and Mom and I went to a few garage sales, then Ron took the afternoon off and we headed back to OP.  We picked up Peyton from school but took the van, as it was raining.  She still was classified as a "walker".  She wanted to pick up Garrison early, so we did that and then went to Dickey's BBQ for dinner - Amanda's choice to celebrate her birthday very belated.  Frozen yogurt desserts followed at Twisters before going home.

Saturday, we went to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus at the Sprint Center, and boy did we have a blast!  The kids loved the animals and all the acts, taking in cotton candy, snow ones, hot dogs, chicken strips and fries and lemonade.  They both picked out a souvenir and were very good during the 2 hour show.  It was so much fun!

We came home Saturday afternoon - lots of wonderful memories from the week.  We are blessed.