Grandpa and Grandma in Manhattan

Our next stop was Manhattan, KS, the home of my mom's parents. They moved there from Iowa in 1966.

My grandpa always gives me a bear hug the first time he sees me. It's his trademark, and it isn't just any normal bear hug, mind you. It's like being in a vice grip. He's a retired veterinarian, and as such, he can tell some wild stories about cats, pythons, etc. Here's Grandpa holding onto the beard of a billy goat while David watches.

Grandma showered us with hospitality. I was amazed by how efficiently she put full course meals together. I wonder....,"will I ever be that fast?"

It was good to see my grandparents again.

Kansas City, KS

Our next stop was Kansas City, KS, the home of three of my mom's six brothers and sisters. We stayed with my Uncle Dave and Aunt Susan. Many of the family came to visit, and it was great to catch up with them.

Two of my cousins (Sarah and Rebekah), my nephew Michael and I.

My Uncle Tim thouroughly enjoyed being attacked by his four great nephews.

St.Louis

St. Louis is a very happening city with activities all over the place. We went to the top of the famous arch, took a cruise along the historic Mississippi River, and toured the science museum.


I happened upon a band concert at a park nearby where we stayed. The music was fanfarish and patriotic and created an uplifting atmosphere in the night air. Apparently there are two free classical and jazz concerts every single week! Oh, the thought of it!

On the Road

My sister Sarah, her husband, their six kids and I loaded up in their 11-seat-passenger van for a road trip to Kansas. I was amazed at how well the kids did considering the many miles we drove. They were quite enjoyable. :) Listening to "The Little Princess" and "Little Women" helped pass the time. Highlights included a day in St. Louis and time spent with Kansas family.

David's Double Digits

My nephew David turned double digits last week. It's hard to believe he's already 10! I remember my 10th birthday. My dad smiled at me and said, "This is an important birthday, because you'll never be one digit again. You're double digits now!" When he said that, the number 10 took on a different meaning for me. I was no longer just one year older---I was "double digits".

I shared with David what my dad had shared with me on my 10th birthday. It was so much fun to pass that down! Here he is with some of his friends (he's the one in the middle).

As part of David's celebration, he had 8 other boys over for outside games. I enjoyed watching from the safety of the garage as the boys chased each other with high-powered water guns. The fight was merciless, and I was glad that my title of "Aunt" gave me immunity from being soaked. It was kind of funny. I could see that a few of the boys wanted to pelt me, but they held back.

The definite highlight for me was "the balloon drop." The boys took turns standing below a 2nd story window, while my brother-in-law dropped water balloons on them. The goal?: Catching four water balloons in a grocery bag. The game get's harder with each balloon that's caught because the balloons weigh the bag down and make it more difficult to open. So, balloons were landing everywhere, and were even hitting the boys.

Here is little Sophia with her very own water balloon.

The Green Cyclops

What do you think? :-)

Old Friends

Courtney and I go back a long ways, all the way to the 3rd grade.

I guess you could say that we're old friends, yet...young at heart!

Courtney, her husband Steve, and I went out for Italian cuisine and then to their home. It was so great to catch up, look at pictures, and meet the pets that they've aquired.

"Dixie" the great dane, with her toe nails painted pink, sat like a lady as she chomped down on her grunting hedge hog. Brought back memories of my hedge hog "Spike."

My Biggest Bro

My parents and I took a road trip up to Maryland to see my brother Stephen and his family. Our time together was oh too short!