Weekly Visit/Halloween

 

Instead of going to April and Mike's for our weekly visit, they came to our house for an early Halloween.  Cash was dressed up as a farmer/cowboy.  He loved his little cell phone from his treat bag.
Chad and Todd were also there.  They love watching Cash play and act goofy.
We had chili and grilled cheese for supper.  I cheated for dessert and bought cinnamon rolls.  They seemed to like them anyway.
I love having all the kids home at the same time for visiting and a meal.

I am grateful for these times in our life.

Wordless Wednesday:

Weekend Update:

Friday:
End of the work week, just a relaxing evening.
Saturday:
Poor Dwayne had to work again.  He's getting worn out from this overtime.
I went to my good friend, Pat Allen's (Mark and Amanda) baby shower.  She is getting
a granddaughter.  I couldn't be happier for her.  She has two sons, three grandsons and now
her wish for many years to have a little girl in her life.  Mark and Amanda are due in January.
They are naming the baby after their grandmothers.  Barella Jean.  Mable's name was Barella Mable and Amanda's grandma's name was Jean.  Mable would be so happy as most people thought her name was strange.  With some of the names they come up with anymore, Barella sounds pretty good.
Dwayne and I went to Sput's to eat supper and visit with friends. We went home early as Dwayne was very tired.
Sunday:
Another day of making molasses.  Mom and Dad supplied pizzas for lunch and it was a hit with the workers.  We had desserts and side dishes, but overall an easy day on food preparation.
Some friend's of Mom and Dad's from when they were all dating came over and spent the day.  They had so much fun reminiscing and visiting.
                                   Dad may be almost 90, but he can still make molasses!!

 

 

Lisa (Tony's girlfriend), Xander putting his fingers over the hole in the barrel of cane juice, Chad

Even darkness doesn't get in the way of taking off a pan of molasses.

 

Dad still has cane left.  The guys plan on making it on Thanksgiving as there will be a group there.

 

I am so grateful for these special memories.  Priceless!

 

Visits:

Weekly Visit:

Cash was so excited to see me when I got there.  I was reaching for me and I got to hold him for about twenty minutes without him getting down.  (wasn't me, he was entranced in Mickey Mouse)

Grandpa hasn't been able to go the last couple weeks as he's been working overtime.

 

Thursday Night Visitor:

Zach came to visit.  We don't see him as much since he's sixteen and driving.  (and luckily for us, he is okay as he had a horrible accident a couple weeks ago hitting a tree head on)
Zach has been over quite a bit since he was just a baby.  He followed Uncle Dwayne around everywhere.  When he was around four, he would always ask Dwayne for some man's work to do.

I am grateful for these weekly visits with Cash and for the nieces and nephews that periodically come over for a visit. 

Late Posting of Weekend Update:

Friday:
Picked Nate and Liz up after school.  We stopped by Mom and Dad's to figure out what all we needed to buy for molasses weekend.  We made a mad dash to Wal-Mart's to guy groceries, lots of soda and A LOT of jars.  I can't even remember what we ate for supper. Oh, now I remember!!  Chocolate chip waffles and sausage. The guys were all there getting ready for molasses the next day.

Saturday:
We were watching Cash for the weekend.  Dwayne picked him up in Vienna when he went to the bank.  April had already fed him but he was already starving to death.  He's a bottomless pit.  He eats all the time but he's still a small guy.  Don't know where he puts it all.

Eating a waffle

I loved him reaching for me as soon as he got there.  Liz and Nathan came over mid-morning.  While I was busy fixing my dish to take to the Feeler Reunion, Liz and Cash watched Mickey Mouse.  

  We were just about to Rolla when my Aunt Fern called and told me to meet Mom at the ER.  She had fallen and hit the back of her head on the concrete floor.  I didn't want Cash exposed to the hospital germs so I called Dwayne to come pick him up.  You should have heard him squealing as soon as he saw Grandpa!!  Cash and Lizzy went with Dwayne back to Mom and Dad's.

Mom arrived by ambulance and was taken back for a Cat Scan.  She had a concussion but fortunately no brain bleed.  Dad had drove over but after we found out Mom was okay she insisted he go back to the reunion and visit with his family.  Spent the afternoon with Mom until Dad came back.

Todd and Cash

When I got to Mom's, Cash was happily playing in the dirt.  He had all the guys eating out of his hands!!  It had started to warm up so I took his jacket off and put his boots on.  Little did I know, Grandpa would let him walk through the mud hole.  He loved it!  Had to go through a few times.

Looks like fun.....

Plunging right in!!

Playing with Uncle Chad, still eyeing the mud hole.

 

Mom and Dad came home from the hospital.  She looked pretty good but had a huge knot on the back of her head.

Grandpa Great and Cash

 Went home and had a great time playing with Cash.  And feeding him....... That boy sure loves to eat.
As much as he loves his Grandpa, he wants Grandma when he's tired and as hard as Grandpa tries, he turns his head away and buries it on my shoulders.  Love that!!
I had always said the grandkids would sleep upstairs in the baby bed.  BUT, I was too tired to go put a clean sheet on the crib so sleeping with us seemed to go over well.  lol  He usually sleeps all night but around five he woke up and didn't know where he was.  We got some rocking time in, lots of snuggles, which is so much easier now that he doesn't have to wear his helmet.
Sunday:
Fed Cash two containers of baby food and then he started in on my Life cereal.  He loved it, I couldn't feed him fast enough.
We had run out of jars the day before so we had to make another trip to Rolla to buy more jars.  Wal-Mart was about out on Friday so we went to two other stores first and they were out.  Now what to do!!  Went to Wal-Mart, left Lizzy and Cash in the car, almost ran to where the jars were and they had restocked and had a lot of jars!!!!  Saved the day!
Then to Lee's chicken to pick up food for the guy's dinner.  My cousin's wife, Leann cooked my vegetables for me while I was gone and had everything set up and ready for when I got back.  Thank you, Leann!!
April came and couldn't wait to see Cash.  Dwayne said he wouldn't go to her as he was having too much fun.  She took it well knowing he was having a good time.

Dwayne and Phil feeding the press.

Andy, Dad, Dean, Tim and Todd

I'm sure Dad is telling a story.....

The kids having fun skimming the molasses.

 

We had about six little boys there both days.  They had so much fun just playing in the woods and (to most people's horror) playing with stick guns and wooden knives Todd would carve for them.  No ipads, no phone or any technology and these boys had the best time just being kids.

It was another wonderful year of molasses making and visiting with family and friends.

 

I am grateful for these precious memories. 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday:

MacKensie:

MacKensie

Kensie came for a visit last night.  She has grown into such a sweet young lady.  She's my youngest niece and holds a special place in my heart.
We have quite the stories from when she was little.  Kate and I were in the living room when Kensie (about 18 months old) came into the living room with a trail of aluminum behind her.  She had a trail from the cabinet around the island and on to the living room.  We called it her silver brick road.
Another time she had a box of Nestlé's Quick and dumped it out all over the kitchen table.  Let me tell you, when it's dumped out and you try to put it back in the box there is too much to fit.  Don't know how that happens as it seems when you buy it it's only three fourths full.  But we had quite a bit left over that wouldn't fit back in the box.
You may think we weren't watching her but we really were.  She was only out of the living room a few minutes, but she could sure make use out of those minutes.  lol
She is quite the comedian and was the star of the school play last Spring.  She also got Miss Spirit in a beauty pageant over the Summer.  She's a beautiful young lady, inside and out.  Love you, MacKensie!!

I am grateful for a special visit from MacKensie.

Weekly Visit:

Cash's First Birthday:

Our baby is one today!!  April always has to burst my bubble and explain to me that Cash is their baby, but I'm sticking to ours.  lol
Mom and Dad went to St. Elizabeth with us.  We ate dinner at the salebarn (Devlin's Café).  Their buffet was very good.  We had a mishap as we were going in; Mom tripped and fell.  It took Dwayne and Dad to get her up.  I hate to see her so weak and falling.  Part of life I'm going to have to accept.
 We picked up Cash's Mickey Mouse cake at Leann Kleoppel's.  She did a good job.  We also stopped off at Sheila and John's for me to pick up my "H".  I'll explain more on that later.

Mike, Cash & April (my dad in background)

Cash eating his birthday cake.

Opening Grandma Nonnie's gift.

Activity book I made.  It says "CAS".  I had lost the H and Sheila picked an H up for me on Saturday.  I had to add it after he opened his gift.

Book

Cash, Uncle Chad and April

Uncle Todd and Uncle Chad playing toss the balloon with Cash.

We had a really wonderful day celebrating Cash's birthday.  I am grateful our sons were there and especially Mom and Dad being there.  Each day is a gift from God to be treasured.

Weekend Update:

Friday:
Got off work early and went home and took a long nap.  I've been extremely tired lately.  Then I went to Wal-Mart's where I spent too much, as usual.
When I got home, Lizzy and Nathan were there to watch TV.  I fell asleep on the couch.  Not sure what time Tony picked them up.
Saturday:
Dwayne and the boys started stripping cane for us to make molasses next weekend.  Liz came over mid morning.  She had found a video on facebook to make rose looking flowers by using leaves.  She did pretty good.

Lizzy and her leaf rose

My cousin, John Williams and wife, Charlotte were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in the afternoon.  We stopped and picked up Mom and Dad.  Mom has such a hard time getting around anymore; it's so sad.  I will never be able to take her anywhere by myself again.  Luckily, she didn't fall any, but we had such a hard time getting her in to the church where the reception was held.  They had about ten steps to go up.  Mom just doesn't have the strength in her legs to climb or walk very far without help.  We were fortunate a man behind us helped Dad get her up the steps.  I knew if it was that hard to get her up the steps, it would be almost impossible for her to get back down without falling.  I found a ramp (rather steep and extremely long) that went to the front door of the church.  I was afraid her rolling walker would go too fast but thankfully, it all worked out.

John and Charlotte had a nice reception with a large amount of people attending.  First time in years, I've been to anything where they use actual dessert plates and punch cups.  Made it seem extra special.

That evening, Lizzy went home and we got ready to meet some friends at Moreland's for supper.  (to us, dinner is at lunch time.  Rednecks, I guess)

Phil and Carol's daughter, Jasa was home for a few days from Hawaii.  We hadn't seen her in years.  It was good catching up on her life and hearing about living in Hawaii.  Her and her husband had vacationed there for years and loved it; then they were fortunate to find jobs and move there.  Jasa said it is much different being a tourist than actually living on the island.  They don't like it and are moving back to New Mexico.

Carol, Jasa and Me

Moreland's was very busy and I didn't think the food was that great.  I ordered smothered chicken and that's all you get.  No sides or bread.  I think we'll stick to eating at Sput's.  Cheaper and less people.

We had a great time and Dacoda was loving all the attention he was getting as he's the Champion Mutton Buster of Missouri.  (and no, the beer isn't mine)

Dacoda Bailey

He loves the crowd

 

 We stayed and visited quite awhile.  They probably wanted to clear our table up, but it was so nice to visit friends and just have a good time.

I am grateful for family and friends.

 

Weekly Visit:

Our little guy is getting so big and has quite the personality!  His relationship with his grandpa is close and one of the things he loves to do is take Dwayne's hat off, throw it in the floor, Dwayne bends over to pick it up, Cash laughs like crazy and they start the whole thing over. And over and over.
He loves Grandma Nonnie but he's more caring and grabs my face to give me a full on kiss.  Hard to hug him close with the helmet on, but hopefully he'll get it off next week.  We usually go on a walk (a short one!!!!!!!) and he loves watching the cars go by, his little head goes back and forth constantly looking for the next one.  Our ritual is stopping at the house across the street where there is a big tree with branches hanging down with leaves.  He loves the leaves to tickle him in the face.  He plays with the leaves but doesn't yank them off.  I often wonder what April's neighbors think of me always stopping by their house for Cash to play.
Our baby turns one on Sunday!!  Where has the year gone?  His uncles are even excited; they can't make up their minds on what to buy him.

I'm grateful for life and family.

Wordless Wednesday:

Weekend Postscript:

Lizzy, my little side-kick.

 

Even though I was tired Friday evening, how could I forget what I did???????

After work, I went to Belle for a young man's wedding.  I used to take Jason and his brother to church every Sunday.  Occasionally, they would spend the night.  Jason called me last week to see if I would come to his wedding and that it meant so much to him me taking him to church and the times he spent at our house.  I have to admit it made me feel good to hear that, as we often took in kids that didn't have a good home life.  I hear from most of them once in awhile, but hadn't from Jason.  It's nice to know our efforts did make an impact on his life.

 

Dwayne and I did watch TV and eat in the living room after a long work week, but how could I forget that Lizzy arrived around 9 p.m. to watch TV with me and spend the night?  She is a highlight to our life as she's so full of energy and VERY talkative.  Sometimes she talks so fast, you can't keep up.  But that's our Lizzy.  Even though I was tired, I stayed up 'til midnight watching TV with  her.  She brings such joy to us.

 

I am grateful my memory hasn't totally left me even when it takes awhile to kick in........

Weekend Update:

Friday:

Ended a busy work week and we both just kind of crashed in front of the TV.

 

Saturday:

I got up with every intention of getting some cleaning done.   I was working on some paperwork when April called that she was coming over.

We went to Mom and Dad's to visit.  Cash was a little timid and didn't want to get down.  Mom and Dad love these visits from grandkids and great-grandkids.

We then went to Rolla shopping.  I gave Cash a chocolate chip cookie from Hallmark and Mommy had the pleasure of cleaning him up...

We ate at Maid-Rite.  Their hamburgers are crumbly, therefore very messy.  April fed him some baby food and he threw in the floor, I mean ate French fries.

Cash and his cookie.

We were exhausted when we got home.  Cash was glad to not be in the carseat.  Dwayne had to work so he didn't get home until around five or so.  I took Cash to the window to see Grandpa driving by.  We then went out to the back deck.  He was so excited to see Grandpa, he was squealing and kicking his hands and feet.  He was actually trying to jump out of my arms and over the railing to Grandpa.  When we went down the steps, he started squealing even louder.  I think Grandpa is his favorite, hands down.

 

Sunday:

I had planned on going to church but I didn't feel very well.  Dwayne took one look at me and said I needed to just go back to bed.  This Lupus flare up crap is for the birds!!

I rested most of the day while Dwayne was doing farm work.  Chad called and was having a barbecue so we went down.  Love being invited to eat at my kid's houses!!

Chad

(He has better pants but these are his favorite.)

Brayden Carr, Me and Todd

Chad and Brayden

Brayden thought he could put Chad down.  He gave it his best shot but didn't quite make it.

My cousin Teresa's son, Steven Carr

My Toddy boy fishing at Chad's pond.

I gave the boys nice and simple names.  From the beginning they called each other Chaddy and Toddy.  Had such fun being a stay at home Mom with them.  (and of course April, too)

Dwayne with his cousin, Frankie's kids, Carter and Karley Lennaman

My favorite kind of weekend-spent with my kids.  I'm so grateful.