Branson Trip and Bronson's Birthday Party

Jack and I left KC for Branson on Monday, October 13. We got there about 3:30 p.m. and on the way down we stopped at a restaurant in Ozark, MO., for lunch. For people who haven't been there, it is called Lambert's, and it is known for their hot rolls. Actually the waiters throw the rolls to you. The food is wonderful, good ole home cooking. They are well known, especially in the Midwest, so we had to wait about 45 minutes to get a table. The tour buses always stop there too, so you almost always have to wait for a table. But it is worth waiting for.

When we got into Branson, we went to the complex where we were staying. Some friends of ours have a time share there with the Wyndham organization. This was the first time we had been there and it was very nice. It was a one bedroom condo. Monday night we decided to go to one of the music shows, Pierce Arrow, which was pretty good. The comedian makes the show. We laughed so hard we were sore. So it was good for us to go and enjoy the evening.

Tuesday morning, we met my uncle and his two daughters from California, for breakfast. This uncle is 88 years old but you would never know it. He comes back every year to his high school reunion, which is a small town in Missouri (they only had 35 people graduate) and this year they only had 7 people come to the reunion. He said next year would be their 70th year and it would be the last one since they hardly have any people left. But he has always thoroughly enjoyed seeing his old friends. He plays golf twice a week and still works out at the gym. We had a great visit with him and my cousins. After breakfast, we went down to the Landing shopping area and looked around.

Wednesday we went to Silver Dollar City. The weather forecast was not too good as it was suppose to rain but we really lucked out and it only showered one time while we were there. It really turned out to be a great day - sunny and nice.

Thursday we shopped around the outlet centers and actually done some Christmas shopping. Went back to the condo and took a nap. Then for dinner we met my uncle again and had a nice dinner with them as we are leaving tomorrow.

Friday we headed back to KC. We needed to be back by 12:15 pm as Jack had an appointment with his orthopedic doctor. He was delighted as the doctor told him he could come out of his walking cast boot!! He was getting really tired of it. He had it on over for 5 weeks. The doctor told him to start walking and working his foot and ankle. So far things are going good. He has to go back in 4 weeks to have it checked.

Friday night my niece and her three little ones; ages 1, 3 & 4; my brother and his wife all came up to see the new baby. My niece and her little ones stayed at our house and my brother and his wife stayed at my sister's. So our house was a busy one to say the least!!

Saturday we all went to our grandson, Bronson's second birthday party. So it was like a mini-family reunion. We all had a great time and Bronson was a little overwhelmed with all the people. They had it at the local Pizza Shoppe. Everyone left on Sunday morning and Jack and I laid around the rest of the day. Here is Bronson with his birthday hat on!


Yesterday Jack and I kept our youngest grandsons for most of the day. This is the new baby and his brother. Their Mother needed a rest as she was not feeling well. Things went great with them. This was the first time we had kept the baby but he was no trouble at all. He just sleeps and eats. We thoroughly enjoyed having them. Here is Bronson and Nico.

Fun week with Friends

We have had a busy and fun week. Our good friends, Warren and Jeannene Likins, came to visit with us last Wednesday. Jeannene and I met and worked together at the FAA over 30 years ago. We have kept in touch with each other over all these years. They left KC and moved to Iowa and then transferred back to Columbia, MO., but we kept in touch throughout the years. They were in town for a class reunion.

I had dinner for them on Wednesday night. We visited and caught up with our families. Then on Thursday, we took them to see our new grandson, Nico. Then they went to meet some other friends over in Kansas City, KS and to see Jeannene's sister.

Then Friday morning, we got up went to garage sales. We had a great time and found some pretty neat items. You never know what you will come up with from these sales. Jeannene even found some elegant glasses (which she already had) but she needed some more since she had broken some. We couldn't believe that they were the same pattern, in good shape and an excellent price. Then they went to one of the reunion activities Friday night.

Saturday morning, Jack and I went with them to a breakfast they were having at their old school - Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. There is another couple who we both know that also graduated with Warren. It was fun to see and visit with them. After this we took them downtown Kansas City, Missouri, to see what all had been build since they had been there. We now have a beautiful downtown and it is coming back alive with all the new construction - - new downtown arena; a new area with bars and restaurants; up-dated new lofts and apartments. It has changed a lot in the last few years. Then Saturday night they went to another reunion activity. Jack and I met some other friends for dinner and then went to play a game, Sequence, with these friends. Warren and Jeannene and us got home about the same time and then of course we had to hear how things went at their reunion so it was a late night but fun!!

This morning, they got up and left pretty early as they were going to Warren's sister's to have brunch. We had a wonderful time with them and really enjoyed their visit.

Jack and I went to our son, Chad's, to celebrate his 37th birthday. We picked up bar-a-que and ate at their house. I made his favorite cake so we had a good time with all of them. This is the house that has the new grandson!! So we ate and played with the kiddies. Jack and I are leaving tomorrow for Branson, Missouri for five days. So we have been a little busy lately.

That's all for now. Have a good week.

Busy, Busy Week with New Baby, etc.

Baby Nico and Mama are doing pretty good. Nico is a very good eater so I think he will start making up for lost time real soon. They have been taking him to get weighed every day or so just to make sure he is gaining and he is - as of Friday he was back up to 6 pounds and 1 and 1/2 ounces. He had lost down to 5 lbs. 8 ozs. So he is doing fine. Their household is getting a little more adjusted and Chad went back to work today. Jack and I went over and picked up Bronson and kept him most of the day so Cathy could get some rest. We have been going over at least every other day to help out; taking food or taking Bronson so they could get some extra rest.

Last Monday, Jack had his colonoscopy. Everything came out (LOL) just fine. This one was a follow-up from a couple years ago when he had some polyps removed. The doctor gave him an all-clear for another 10 years. That is great!!

Last Thursday, I volunteered at the hospital. I worked the surgery waiting area and when you work there you definitely learn to appreciate your good health.

On Friday, Jack and I went to our granddaughter Emma's school to have lunch with her. She was being recognized for demonstrating the virtue of "caring". So that means that their parents or grandparents can bring lunch to them from the outside - i.e., McDonald's and eat lunch with them. She was really excited about this. Of course, we were very proud of her.

Saturday, we went to Zach's football game. Like Shelly and Bud, we try to go all his games that we can. He is playing linebacker this year and is really enjoying it. They won 42 - 7. He has had a good season so far. Hey, did anyone catch the Missouri Tiger's game on Saturday night? They played Nebraska Huskers and won. Good thing we have the Tigers to watch since our Kansas City Chiefs have gone to pot!!

Our good friends, Warren and Jeannene Likins, are coming to visit this Wednesday and staying with us through Sunday. They are coming into KC to Warren's 50th class reunion. Looking forward to their visit.

Have a good week!