Here's some photos of Alyssa, Logan and Addisyn.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Willamette Country Music Festival
We spent the weekend in Brownsville at the Willamette Country Music Festival. It was hot, dusty, and so much fun. We saw nine of the twelve concerts, ran into a few familiar faces, and relaxed. It was a great weekend.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
New Job...sort of
Two weeks ago as I was wandering through the Springfield, Missouri Bass Pro Shop my cellphone rang. Caller ID indicated it was my boss...well former boss as he's switched schools for the coming year...anyway, he asked if I'd gotten my assignment letter. Of course I hadn't. My last letter from the district indicated I could "potentially be laid off." so he proceeded to give me the news of my new job assignment. This year I will be teaching social studies...at the middle school! That was a bit of a surprise.
I made a trip out to school this week to pick up textbooks and to check out my new space. Now I just need to figure out what to do with it!
I made a trip out to school this week to pick up textbooks and to check out my new space. Now I just need to figure out what to do with it!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Branson, Missouri - Day 3
Today was the last day of our trip. We decided to hang out in Branson and keep things low key. We spent some time shopping and had lunch at Branson Landing. Then, we took a ride on the Ducks.
For those who have never see them, the Ducks are World War II era boats with wheels. Our ride left from Branson Landing, toured downtown Branson, Old Town Hollister, and College of the Ozarks before taking a little boat ride on Lake Taneycomo. We've seen the ducks in other cities, but had never ridden until today. It was a lot of fun.
For tonight's dinner we went to Montana Mike's Steakhouse. I do love filet minon, and mine was very good.
We're headed home tomorrow. It's been a great trip, but I'm ready to sleep in my own bed and not eat out everyday.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Joplin, Missouri
On May 22, 2011 Joplin, Missouri was hit by an EF 5 tornado. In the ten weeks since then, the rebuilding has begun but the damage is still very obvious.
I can't even imagine living through something like this.
I can't even imagine living through something like this.
Missouri, Oklahoma & Kansas
We headed northwest toward Joplin this morning, stopping at the George Washington Carver National Monument. Carver has quite the life story. He was born a slave, kidnapped as a baby, returned without his mother and raised by his owners, was educated becoming the first African-American to be admitted to what is now Iowa State University, then on to a teaching career at the Tuskeegee Institute where he discovered over three hundred uses for he peanut.
We had lunch at Panera Bread. I love Panera. I really wish we had one close to home because I'd eat there alot!
From Joplin, we crossed into Oklahoma (just to say we did) and headed for the little town of Miami. It was kind of cool to be on the historic Route 66. It's nice that little pieces of it have been preserved since much of it is now under interstates.
From Oklahoma we headed north into Kansas. At this point I discovered we were not far from the Fort Scott National Historic Site, so we made a mad dash to see it before they closed for the day. Luckily, it's not a completely closed site so we could take some photos even after the visitor's center closed. The town of Fort Scott is really cute, but it was pretty much closed down for the day.
Leaving Fort Scott, we circled back to Missouri and chased thunder showers all the way back to Branson. We did stop briefly in the tiny town of Lamar, where we took some photos of President Harry Truman's birthplace. It was closed, but still cool to see. It's always a bit of a shock to see how humble the beginnings of so many of our presidents.
Today was a really good day, but it was long with lots of driving.
We had lunch at Panera Bread. I love Panera. I really wish we had one close to home because I'd eat there alot!
From Joplin, we crossed into Oklahoma (just to say we did) and headed for the little town of Miami. It was kind of cool to be on the historic Route 66. It's nice that little pieces of it have been preserved since much of it is now under interstates.
From Oklahoma we headed north into Kansas. At this point I discovered we were not far from the Fort Scott National Historic Site, so we made a mad dash to see it before they closed for the day. Luckily, it's not a completely closed site so we could take some photos even after the visitor's center closed. The town of Fort Scott is really cute, but it was pretty much closed down for the day.
Leaving Fort Scott, we circled back to Missouri and chased thunder showers all the way back to Branson. We did stop briefly in the tiny town of Lamar, where we took some photos of President Harry Truman's birthplace. It was closed, but still cool to see. It's always a bit of a shock to see how humble the beginnings of so many of our presidents.
Today was a really good day, but it was long with lots of driving.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Branson, Missouri - Day 2
We spent today hanging out with the clan in the hospitality suite.
When lunch time rolled around, a group of us went to McFarlain's before heading back to go to a show. This afternoon we all went to see “Hooray for Hollywood.” It’s a tribute to movies, with show tunes. It was enjoyable. Much of the music from the first half of the show were not well known to me. During the second half I often had to stop myself from singing along.
Our reunion banquet dinner was this evening at our hotel. We had a business meeting and one of the cousins shared stories about his recently deceased father, who was well know and liked by all. We wrapped up the evening with photos and visiting. Most of the attendees will head off to their respective homes tomorrow. We're going to stay a few more days.
When lunch time rolled around, a group of us went to McFarlain's before heading back to go to a show. This afternoon we all went to see “Hooray for Hollywood.” It’s a tribute to movies, with show tunes. It was enjoyable. Much of the music from the first half of the show were not well known to me. During the second half I often had to stop myself from singing along.
Our reunion banquet dinner was this evening at our hotel. We had a business meeting and one of the cousins shared stories about his recently deceased father, who was well know and liked by all. We wrapped up the evening with photos and visiting. Most of the attendees will head off to their respective homes tomorrow. We're going to stay a few more days.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Branson, Missouri - Day 1
We spent today in Branson. After breakfast at the hotel we headed out the the Sheperd of the Hills fish hatchery. Trout are not native to Missouri, but they’ve been hatching them here since the 1950’s to stock Lake Taneycomo for fishing. This particular hatchery produces about 800,000 Rainbows each year and about 50,000 Browns. One of my favorite things to do when I visit fish hatcheries is feed the fish. So I bought my handfull of stinky pellets and we fed the fish.
After the hatchery we did some shopping in town. Kringle's Chirstmas Shop is billed as the largest Christmas store in Missouri. They have so much stuff, it was overwhelming. Luckily, we were successful in our quest to buy Addisyn her 1st Chrismas ornament.
For lunch, we chose Culvers. The cheeseburgers weren’t great, but the frozen custard was pretty yummy.
This afternoon we spent some time visiting with the family in our hospitality suite before our planned event. We all went to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede for the dinner show. It was a lot of fun and we had a huge meal that we ate with our fingers. It was so much fun. I certainly can see why Branson is such a family destination.
After the hatchery we did some shopping in town. Kringle's Chirstmas Shop is billed as the largest Christmas store in Missouri. They have so much stuff, it was overwhelming. Luckily, we were successful in our quest to buy Addisyn her 1st Chrismas ornament.
For lunch, we chose Culvers. The cheeseburgers weren’t great, but the frozen custard was pretty yummy.
This afternoon we spent some time visiting with the family in our hospitality suite before our planned event. We all went to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede for the dinner show. It was a lot of fun and we had a huge meal that we ate with our fingers. It was so much fun. I certainly can see why Branson is such a family destination.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Springfield, Missouri
Today it was slightly cooler, but still well over 100 degrees. We headed north to Springfield, Missouri. I wanted to visit the Wilson's Creek Battlefield - another Civil War battle - which will celebrate it's 150th anniversary next week (August 10). This battle was the first major battle west of the Mississippi River.
We stopped for lunch in Republic at McAlister's Deli. That was definitely a good choice. The sandwiches were really good.
After lunch we went to Bass Pro Shop. For those who have never been, it's an outdoor enthusiasts mecca. They carry everything you could possibly want for hunting, fishing, camping, etc. We've been to their stores before, but this one is the first, the biggest and it's expanding. Did I mention they have life animals?
According to the staff at the store, the male wood duck with the green feathers is almost eighteen years old. That's two and a half times their average lifespan.
So after shopping, shopping, shopping and dinner at Chick-fil-a, we headed back to our hotel and spent some time with the family. It was really good to see people we don't see often. In fact, it's been two years since we attended a reunion (we skipped last year's) so we had a lot to share. I learned that my 5th great grandfather is buried not far from where we were in Arkansas yesterday. I wish I'd known that day before yesterday and we could've visited the cemetery.
We stopped for lunch in Republic at McAlister's Deli. That was definitely a good choice. The sandwiches were really good.
After lunch we went to Bass Pro Shop. For those who have never been, it's an outdoor enthusiasts mecca. They carry everything you could possibly want for hunting, fishing, camping, etc. We've been to their stores before, but this one is the first, the biggest and it's expanding. Did I mention they have life animals?
According to the staff at the store, the male wood duck with the green feathers is almost eighteen years old. That's two and a half times their average lifespan.
So after shopping, shopping, shopping and dinner at Chick-fil-a, we headed back to our hotel and spent some time with the family. It was really good to see people we don't see often. In fact, it's been two years since we attended a reunion (we skipped last year's) so we had a lot to share. I learned that my 5th great grandfather is buried not far from where we were in Arkansas yesterday. I wish I'd known that day before yesterday and we could've visited the cemetery.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Arkansas!
It's family reunion time again. This year our destination was Branson, Missouri. We arrived yesterday, landed at Branson's cute little airport and stepped off the plane into a blast furnace. According to the thermometer on the rental car, it was 109 degrees. Ugh.
I padded our trip with extra days for some sightseeing. Today we headed south into Arkansas. We went into Rogers for lunch at Braum's Fresh Market. It's chain of tiny grocery stores/hamburger joint that also serves their own ice cream. We had cheeseburgers and fries. One of our goals during our trips is to eat in unfamiliar places; the ones we don't have in Oregon.
Our ultimate destination today was Pea Ridge National Military Park, site of a Civil War battle in 1862. Dad and I watched the movie while Mom sunned herself in 113 degree heat. We then drove around the battlefield, stopping at the Elkhorn Tavern site where we had a great conversation with a costumed park volunteer. I only wish it had been cooler so we could've done some hiking.
We then headed east before going north, meandering the back roads for awhile. It was a bit cooler at Beaver Lake, so we drove through the campgrounds. Later, we stopped for ice cream in Eureka Springs before crossing back into Missouri.
Tonight's dinner was in the little town of Hollister, Missouri. I have to say that Pizza by the Chef makes really good pizza.
I padded our trip with extra days for some sightseeing. Today we headed south into Arkansas. We went into Rogers for lunch at Braum's Fresh Market. It's chain of tiny grocery stores/hamburger joint that also serves their own ice cream. We had cheeseburgers and fries. One of our goals during our trips is to eat in unfamiliar places; the ones we don't have in Oregon.
Our ultimate destination today was Pea Ridge National Military Park, site of a Civil War battle in 1862. Dad and I watched the movie while Mom sunned herself in 113 degree heat. We then drove around the battlefield, stopping at the Elkhorn Tavern site where we had a great conversation with a costumed park volunteer. I only wish it had been cooler so we could've done some hiking.
We then headed east before going north, meandering the back roads for awhile. It was a bit cooler at Beaver Lake, so we drove through the campgrounds. Later, we stopped for ice cream in Eureka Springs before crossing back into Missouri.
Tonight's dinner was in the little town of Hollister, Missouri. I have to say that Pizza by the Chef makes really good pizza.
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