This MOM is stressing!

I called the realtor to confirm my reservation, and she said everything looked OK. I told her I was nervous because the property was on lots of other sites, and I wanted to make sure it was NOT overbooked. She said, "Well, if it is, we will rebook you into one of the exact same houses with a boat slip, canoe, and paddle boat." NO, that is NOT what I wanted. I didn't bother to tell her the SAME lodge was on another site for $800.00 MORE! I had even already emailed that site, and they realized that Kat had emailed them yesterday, and asked me if I had family coming from Vegas.

So, for now I am waiting to hear from the realtor. I don't approve of a bait and switch routine. Any suggestions?

Reservations are made ! ! !

Velkommen Lodge

Kitchen and dining area

Where's the COOK?

Main room

Living room as seen from staircase

Screened in Back porch 

King bed Main floor

Queen Pine cone bed Main floor....ME, Myself, and MINE!

Teddy bear bedroom 1 queen 2 twins

Sunrise bedroom upstairs 2 queen beds

Starburst bedroom downstairs (King)

Black Bear Bedroom 1 King 1 Queen

Downstairs game room

Game room

Time to select the bedrooms!

Let the fun begin.

Happy Birthday Aunt Velma!

Let's see who can figure out who that is!

What's in YOUR camera?

What is in your camera. Still photo's from Christmas? How about Halloween? I usually delete all of mine once I download them to the computer, and send them on to Winkflash. This is what is in there right now.
This WAS Mandy's birthday cupcakes. She was late showing up to celebrate, so a few of them were missing. We WERE careful not to mess up the writing! Three days later, and we are STILL eating cupcakes. Meghan usually eats one after breakfast, and one after lunch!

Come on, pull out that camera, and give us a peek what's inside. Cindy, you should have plenty of pictures from your vacation!

Family Reunion Planning

I am head of the Family Reunion Party Planning Committee (nominated by myself,)---ahh...this is Kathy speaking.

NOW....we were thinking of a time and place when we could ALL get together and spend time visiting. I am looking for a HUGE house...one that will accomodate all of us together...giving each family their own bedroom (assuming that the kids will just sleep all over the house). This will be a FREE vacation for you. Well...you will have to get there...and buy your food and pay for your own entertainment...but, the house will be FREE. (unless your child breaks something, then you will have to pay for that). That being said, the houses are just beautiful. Many that I am looking at are on lakes, have rec rooms with pool tables...plenty of space (4-7k square feet) and there are TONS of things to do.

FIRST....we thought about Brason, MO. Based on the location of EVERYONE....it's one of the most central areas.

SECOND....we need to discuss possible dates. We were looking at the calendar and would like your opinions on two weeks.

In November...I was looking at Thanksgiving week. SO....renting the house from Nov. 19-Nov. 26th.

In December... I was looking at the week BEFORE Christmas. Possibly, Dec. 16th-Dec. 23rd.

NOW...in either of these weeks, you don't HAVE to come for the entire week. A room will be saved just for you...but, if you couldn't get off the entire time from work or school...just having you ANY of the days would be awesome.

Here's what I need from you guys....FEEDBACK. Would you be able to make the trek to the middle of the US for a get-together? Which dates work for you OR do you have another location that you'd like to suggest? AND....I need you to put all that in the comment section. BEFORE I can rent a house...we need a "kind of" head count (so that I can make sure we have enough bedrooms). Face it....renting a house with 10 rooms is a little bit more than a house with only 4.

This invite is to EVERYONE that has access to this blog...from all the siblings, spouses, kids, Kelli, Aunt Debbie (and whomever else)...as THIS will be your Christmas present!

HERE is a link to an amusement park in Branson. AND below are other attractions.

• Adventure Ziplines of Branson - 9am - 12am
• Bonniebrook Historical Society - 9am - 4pm
• Branson Auto Museum - 9am - 7pm
• Branson Family Fun Factory - 10am - 10pm
• Branson Meadows Cinemas - Open - Contact business for hours
• Branson Model Train Exhibit & Museum - 10am - 5pm
• Branson Zipline & Canopy Tours - 9am - 12am
• Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure - 9am - 5pm
• Cosmic Cavern - 9am - 6pm
• Dewey Short Visitor Center - 8:30am - 5pm
• Dinosaur Museum - 9am - 9pm
• Ghost & Haunt Tours of Branson - 9pm - 10:30pm
• Grand Country Indoor Mini Golf - Open - Contact business for hours
• Greatest Adventures Mini Golf - 10am - 11pm
• Haunted House & Monster Asylum - 9am - 9pm
• Historic Downtown Branson Discovery Trolley - 9am - 6pm
• Hollywood Wax Museum - 10am - 12am
• IMAX (R) Entertainment Complex - Open - Contact business for hours

• Mount Pleasant Winery - 8:30am - 7pm
• Ozark Medieval Fortress - 10am - 6pm
• Ralph Foster Museum - 9am - 4:30pm
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not! - 9:30am - 11pm
• Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery - 9am - 6pm
• Shepherd of the Hills Inspiration Tower - 9am - 8pm
• Splash Country Indoor Waterpark at Grand Country - Open - Contact business for hours
• Stone Hill Winery - 8:30am - 8pm
• Table Rock Dam Tours - 10am - 2pm
• Talking Rocks Cavern - 9:30am - 5pm
• Titanic Museum Attraction - 9am - 9pm
• Triple-G ATV Rides - Open - Contact business for hours
• Veterans Memorial Museum/Branson - 9am - 7pm
• Waltzing Waters - 10am - 10pm
• White Water - 10am - 6pm
• World’s Largest Antique Toy Museum - 9am - 8pm
• Zip Line USA - 9am - 6pm

Family reunion Plans in Progress.........

What's halfway between Goldsboro, NC and Reno Nevada you might ask......the answer is Wayco, Nebraska. Kathy has been making plans for a family reunion of some sorts. We will meet somewhere
in the middle of the US. Right now the only city we can come up with is Branson, Missouri. We have been looking at mega mansions with 7 and 8 master bedroom suites. We are looking for some time during the week of Thanksgiving, including the weekend before and after. Everyone is invited. Come when you want, and stay as long as you would like. COOKING NOT INCLUDED, unless someone volunteers! Shared kitchen duties apply!

http://www.vrbo.com/global/siteFrame.aspx?l=116919&k=1

http://www.vrbo.com/global/siteFrame.aspx?l=168798&k=1

http://www.vrbo.com/global/siteFrame.aspx?l=236111&k=1

As you can see, all of these are NOT available. We are looking for a place with some types of attractions nearby, fishing for the guys, activities for the kids, shopping for the moms.  Witacha, Kansas is closer for Kat and Christy, but I don't know what is available to do there.

Join in on the fun, and give us some suggestions. party time in November! ! !

Words of Wisdom

Happy Birthday Mandy

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday Mandy.  Next year I will try to cover the school years photos. You know the scanner is not hooked up. That saved you!

Kidos at the beach

Here is a pic Dan sent over of the kids.

Head 'em up.... Move 'em out

This is what I saw when I came home. Eleven ride in's, ride on's lined up across James' yard with Lauren out with the broom. She said she was cleaning them. Is this OCD at an early age? She even had Izzy helping her out.  I guess people riding by thought there was a yard sale!

If it's 7:00 AM............

It must be...........Sam's Club.

I was up at 6:30 this morning talking to Sherrill before he left for work. "What time does Sam's open"?
"7:00" he replied. So, by 6:55, I was heading out the door. Fifty five minutes and $238.00 later, I was walking out the door of Sam's. You've gotta love it! Shopping at Sam's with fewer than five other customers!

Happy Birthday Uncle Hallett

Happy 86th birthday Uncle Hallett ! ! ! We Love YOU! You're the best.

Life at Grandma's

Go Carter!

Work Girls work!

And then it's time........

To SLEEP ! ! ! ! 

Welcome Home Cindy ! ! ! !

Cindy came in yesterday from South Dakota.  She spent the night with Wendy, Randy and the kids. This morning she came here, along with Jerrud, Tristen and Nate of course. Tristen helped me with some sewing........check out that straight seam! Nate showed us some wrestling moves, and was trying to show Meghan how to jump rope.

Cindy is such a sweetheart, and a great mother. She has gone to her mom's tonight, then they will all be off to the beach. We love you Cindy! Nate and Tristen, you know you always have a place at Grandma's and Grandpa's house! We LOVED spending time with you. Tell Jerrud sorry I didn't get a picture of him.

Antiques in Tennessee

Hey Sis, This post is for you..........

One of my blogging friends found a quaint little antique store in Tennessee. I just love these items she found!

Sweetwater, Tennessee. Gotta go there!

Look at all the bottle caps. The grandkids don't even know what they are!

Old Clark's spool cabinet. Uncle Rudy has one of them!

Can you imagine cooking on a stove this size.
Where would the Turkey go?

Happy Birthday Randy!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I think that said it all....Happy Birthday Randy!

Happy Birthday Randy

Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday Dear Randy
Happy Birthday to YOU ! ! ! ! !! 


Hope you have an extra special day!

Gwamma

Meghan: "Gwamma, do you want to go out to dinner"?
Grandma: "No, I don't waste my money going out to dinner. That's your MOM that takes you out to dinner".
Meghan: "OK, I will wait.......Papa will take me to the dollar store."

Will this child ever learn to save her dollars?

Blake

Don't you wish you were this happy?!

Our week in review

Seth and Meghan playing at White Lake

Meghan playing with the ducks at White Lake

Seth.......

Papa checking out the only people at the lake besides us!

Papa and Meg at Jones Lake State Park.

Our week thus far

Two trips to two different lakes,

and one trip to the beach.