And Summer Continues.....

I have my choice...work or type....too early to work, so I'll type!!! We had a great old fashion fourth in KC, complete with a "Steeleville" style parade, followed by a barbecue and ending with a concert in the park and superb fireworks!!!! The weather, though, overcast, and threatening at times proved to be quite enjoyable for a Midwest fourth. CHRISTINE'S proved to be "the place to be" and our thanks to our hosts.
We returned to Quincy and back to the chores that awaited. Dale is painting the garage and putting up much needed new gutters and a garage door. The garage is a little more red than I had hoped--the color "redwood" seems to have changed over the years. I've been deep cleaning the sun room, almost finished, and then will move on to the kitchen (that should take a couple of years).
We've had a quick visit with Kathy and Charlie as they passed through on their way home to North Dakota. Kath wanted to meet Fred, my favorite robot. It's always great to get to visit with them. We had gone down to Fairview Heights last Wednesday to spend the day with them, too. We have a lot of catching up to do--we only get to visit once a year and not always with Charlie.
We're headed to Springfield tomorrow to pick up Gracie. She's coming to spend a couple of days with Grandma and Grandpa and has "plans" for us. I'm sure she'll keep us entertained. She always does.
We're due at Laurie's next Sunday to help with some chores. We'll stay a few days and then return to Quincy to do a few of our own chores, and then return to Iowa to help Leslie out the this year's Iowa Ragbri--one of the stopping places this year is Indianola and Simpson is helping out--they're expecting the town to grow 30,000 people for the day and night. Leslie's looking for lots of body help for all the activities that are being planned for the bikers. Sounds like fun. Dale and I are taking care of the kids and whatever else she needs us to do.
From there, we'll come back to celebrate Mom's birthday and then take off for KC once more. We're going to go to our favorite dinner theater to see "Sound Of Music" (I've heard it's a great musical). We're staying an extra couple of days to take Grace and Hope to the KC zoo' they'll be joining us on Monday. Grace is also in line to have Chris cut her hair for the first time. It's long enough that what Chris cuts can be made into a wig for a sick child.)
We're due to have a houseful of kids the first weekend in August as Grace and Hope will bring David, Matthew, and Michael with her to visit. (They're the sons of good friends Donna and Glenn). Then it's back to Indianola to watch the hot air balloons from Leslie's deck--we're hoping to bring Dad and Mom with us then. I know they enjoy watching the balloons.
We've scheduled a weekend trip with Bryan and Nikki (Laurie, too?)to Wichita to visit Dale's Aunt Henrietta tentatively for the weekend of August 14th. So we'll be busy for a while.
Hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer. Please write and tell us all about what you've been doing. I really enjoy the pictures. Mom and Dad are too, and keep us posted when new ones are on.
Take care and love to all.

Catching up

Wow, this year is going so fast. Can't believe it's July. Hannah is doing great in her chemistry class at the University of Utah. She got the highest grade on the first test in her group, and had to bring donuts the next day to make up for skewing the curve. We visited Benj and Ashlie's new house and had a picnic in one of the many parks in their lovely neighborhood. I took my camera to take pictures of the house, but must confess that my camera only had eyes for that cutie, Tyler, playing with Grandpa and Hannah playing catch with Benj. 

We spent this weekend at the cabin with our good friends Tim and Lynette. Dave cooked up a storm, Hannah provided the music, Carolyn and Tim hiked each other into the ground, and Mother Nature did the rest. It was great. Hope you all had a great 4th! 

Memphis Vacation

SKYLER WITH HIS "FAIRY GODMOTHERS"


Thought I would post some pics from last weeks activities! It was great showing off my new grandson and seeing everyone!!

SO DOES A BIG MARGARITA ON BEALE STREET

MAKE THE CAMERA SEE BLURRY TOO???

MOM'S FAVORITE PART-CHEERING THE

REDBIRDS ON TO VICTORY!!

GRANDMA AND SKYLER

I KNOW THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO TURN THIS!

FOUR GENERATIONS STRONG!!!

From Kansas City to Jonesboro-Memphis

We leave tomorrow with Grandma and Grandpa for Jonesboro where we'll finally get to meet the newest member of the family. It was a very short work week for us since we didn't get back from Kansas City until Monday. However, we did get quite a bit accomplished. The new Smart Board is now up and running in my classroom and Dale and I are having so much fun discovering all the different things that can be done with it!! (For those who don't know what a Smart Board is, it's an interactive board where a person becomes the mouse---anything on the computer can be projected on the board--it also has the capability of giving a 3D affect to items--along with showing movies and TV programs.) I've also finished cleaning two thirds of my classroom now that the teachers have gone. I still have next year's supply order to make up and place, help interview three prospective teachers, and clear a space for our new art teacher. Then, I think I'm done for the summer. Dale is helping me clean when he's not busy with his computer lab, setting up programs for teachers, and assisting in tech ways--another words he's as busy as I am at school!
We had a great time in Kansas City. Chris gave Grandma a perm and pedicure while Grandpa, Dale and I went to some flea markets. Chris had recommended two for us--one was VERY yucky and I won't be going back--too junky for me, but the men thought it was just fine! The other is a terrific place that has over 300 vendors. Grandpa didn't think he'd be able to go through it all, but he did and even went back for a second look later in the day!!! We all found treasures to take home and are looking forward to stopping by next time we get to KC!!
Now we move on to Jonesboro--Grandpa has a special place he wants to take us to--even more treasures to look for. We're looking forward to our visit with Susan in Memphis. Chris and Tony will be joining us for a couple of "extra" days--we have tickets to take Grandma to see the Cardinals play (Farm Team) on Monday night and are going to play "tourist" and visit some of the other sites of the city. We'll travel home on Wednesday--Grandma and Grandpa's 60th wedding anniversary day. There's something for all of us to be proud of!!!!
We're also looking forward to our visit with David, Monte and wife. It'll be nice to see all of them.
Hope everyone else has a great weekend planned! Wish we could all be together. Loves and Kisses.

Jersey Update

Just heard from Jess, she found Jersey this morning. All is well!

My Turn

Not a whole lot new around here. Busy trying to get a garage sale together and organizing the house. Not so much fun. Went to watch Brady play in his first game under the lights. They did very well before the lights started messing with their fielding. They ended up losing, but was very impressed with them. The zoo is good too. My focus this summer is with the Sea Lion and Penguins. We have 2 baby penguins this year and boy are they CUTE! Although, they are starting to get brave and are out of the box a lot, which is not cool when trying to clean in there. I can't count the number of times I had to pick them up and put them back in their nesting box. Hmm, so summer plans. Don't have many. Heading to Jonesboro this weekend for Skyler's baptism, which I guess will count as a mini-vacation for me. Having a garage sale either next weekend or the following one. Trying to talk my brother in to coming up to visit over the 4th of July (Bry, I'll buy dinner at the BBQ place or Texas Roadhouse). Going to the NASCAR Nationwide race on the first weekend of August and the Truck race in September. No vacations planned otherwise, we took our's early. I probably will spend a long weekend in Quincy sometime and Mom amd Dad will be up sometime too. Anway, gots to get back to work. Love you all!

Hmm...

Ok I know we're all super busy... Ok well I will start the convo's going....

It has been almost a week now that Jessica's dog, Jersey has been missing. She is hanging out between the Blessing Hospital parking lot and McNay near the river. I tried to help out on Friday searching with Jess and Moe, but not much luck. Say your prayers for her safe return.

Memorial day weekend Bryan and I purchased a new set of leather furniture. It's super comfy! Can't wait to host again...

Our pineapple plant is growing larger by the day as well. Skye is doing well in agility training class. The teacher is going to look into having us enter a novice competition in July. She's come a long way!!

Does anyone have plans for the summer? Any family vacations? Special events?

Sherry and Dale, Bryan and I, are all going up to Chicago for the weekend of the 20th for Bryan's 30th birthday. Make sure ot send those pink flamingo cards to him... he loves those! LoL jk

We're taking a family vacation up to my dad's lakehome in August. We'll be staying at the lake, fishing, boating, and just relaxing. Can't wait!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. And Sorry that we'll be missing the Baptism for little Skyler. I hope all goes well and pictures get posted!! =o)

Nikki