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.
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