Fair Grove Festival

Another year, another Fair Grove Fall Festival has come and gone. Jon and I never miss the FG Festival, so we were very excited to take Carly this year. Although a lot of our family that usually attends was unable to make it, we had a great time. I was able to see several high school classmates and even meet a few new additions to their families. I always enjoy running in to people that I haven't seen for a long time.

Of course, we did spend some time in the curly fry shack. Jon is much more dedicated than I am. He pretty much works the entire two days, while I rotate in at the window and take money and serve drinks. Don't feel too sorry for him though, he really enjoys hanging out with my dad and the rest of the men. They give each other a hard time and laugh a lot. This year was a little more reflective though, reminding us all to be thankful for each other. There was a picture of Tom posted on the shack. It brought back a lot of memories of jokes, stories, and laughter that we have created making and selling curly fries over the years. To name only a few . . . the poems, small fires in pants pockets, and everyone ganging up on Carl - poor guy :) I am so glad the gang lets us help out and join in on all the fun because it's time we cherish.

In addition to all the fun at the festival, I also went to Brandee's bachelorette party on Saturday night and wedding shower on Sunday afternoon. Talk about a good time! We went to dinner and then out for some fun on Saturday night. We stayed out later than I have in years. I felt like I was in college again. I just hope she enjoyed it as much as I did. The shower on Sunday was also very nice. I am so excited for Brandee and Michael to tie the knot! Brandee is an amazing person and I am so glad to share this with her.

Two Favorite Things

These pictures illustrate two of my favorite things . . . mornings at home and pajamas with feet!

Football Fridays

Last Friday Carly and I went to Camdenton to spend some time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and parents. We got there around 1 pm and Carly got to play with Leisa and Aunt Sharon. That night, we went to Kyle's football game against Joplin. Aunt Sharon got Carly a Laker's shirt to wear to the game. She also got to dance with her only great-grandfather.



Carly loves the games, she enjoys being outside and watching people. Crowds don't seem to bother her, nor does the noise. She was practicing clapping for Kyle before the game started.

Carly had her own sunglasses, but she decided she would rather chew on them than wear them.

When no one else could make her happy during the fourth quarter, Grandpa could . .

Camdenton won the game, and the girls were very excited about Kyle's win. He had a great game. Cory had a great game the night before also, but we didn't make it to that one.

Rain, Rain, Rain

Carly helped me with some laundry on Friday evening - she wasn't real excited as you can tell. Jody and Tiffany got here about 9 on Friday night. We took a car ride and showed them where the Physics building is on the MU campus. We wanted to make sure Jody knew where he was going to take his test.

On Saturday morning we all got up early. Jody wasn't sure what he would feel like eating, so we decided to go to McDonald's before his test. Tiffany, Jon, Carly, and I headed back to the house and got ready for the day. Jody finished around ten and he and Tiffany headed for home. Jon and I decided the rain might hold off (wrong decision), so we got ready for the MU - Nevada football game. We had a thirty minute walk from our car to Faurot Field and the WK tailgate. It started sprinkling, so we had Carly covered with a blanket. About the time we made it to the WK tents, it started raining a little harder. We were able to keep Carly dry and she really had a good time. She sat under the tent in a lawn chair and watched everyone and met lots of new people. At half time it stopped raining so we went into the stadium. The rain held off for part of the third quarter, and then we were back under the tent. The walk back to the car felt like five miles . . . and Carly felt heavier than ever. If we had known the game had been switched from pay-per-view to regular television, we probably would have stayed home. Oh well, it was an adventure.

Since Friday night we have had about 4.8 inches of rain in our rain gauge. We are ready for some sunshine!!! It sounds like we will have some nice temperatures this week. Hopefully the weather will stay nice through September, we always keep our fingers crossed for nice weather the weekend of the festival in FG.

I know everyone loves the pictures of Jon and Carly, but a few people keep asking me why there aren't any pictures of me with Carly . . . so here goes. Take care!

Finally Friday

This week just had a weird feel. I have been fighting a cold and Carly has a runny nose. The last couple of nights she has been coughing a lot and, of course, I find myself in bed listening for her. On Tuesday night we had dinner with Jon's parents. We went to Jazz and I think everyone enjoyed it. The rest of the week has been pretty relaxed and low key, what with the weather and runny noses. We wanted to go to the Twilight Festival last night, but the rain kept us at home.

Tonight Jody and Tiffany are coming to visit. Jody has to take the Praxis (sp?) for physics on Saturday morning. For some reason he couldn't take it in Springfield this time, so he will be on the MU campus. We'll figure out where he has to go and make sure he gets there.

Tomorrow we are supposed to go to the MU Football game . . . the rain may spoil our plans once again. Jon's employer, WK, is having their annual Tailgate. We'll just have to wait and see. Maybe the forecast will be clear early in the day. Keep you fingers crossed for us.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Family

Carly and I went to Kyle's football game on Friday night, Go Lakers! I worked with her all week trying to get her to clap. On Friday afternoon she was playing by herself on the floor and I noticed her clapping. I could tell how proud she was of herself by her babble and big grin. She got to show off her new skill during the game on Friday night, there was a lot to clap about.




On Saturday Jody and Tiffany came to spend a couple of nights with us. They babysat on Saturday evening and Jon and I got to have dinner alone. When we got home we put Carly to bed and the four of us watched a strange movie - The Wicker Man with Nicholas Cage. We always end up at weird plays or watching strange movies when we get together, and I always seem to be the guilty party. :) On Sunday, we all went for a walk on the Katy Trail at Rocheport. It was a beautiful day, and we all enjoyed the exercise. Carly really enjoyed the time with her uncle and aunt. It's always nice when they can visit.



On Monday morning they headed to St. Louis. Jody had his yearly transplant check-up at Barnes Hospital. As far as I know, he got a good report. It's hard to believe it's been five years! What a blessing that he and Mom did so well.

Labor Day Weekend

Just a couple of bath time pictures to get started . . .

Last week, Jon made it home safely from Chicago and Carly and I were super excited to see him. He had a good trip and even found time to see a few sights and visit Navy Pier. On Thursday night we went to Sam's to get formula and, as usual, left with a few more things. Carly made it out of there with a new friend, a huge giraffe. Jon can usually resist purchases like this, but Carly grinned so big at the giraffe in the store he couldn't say no. He is going to have such a hard time saying no to his little girl, it's already started. Carly loves her giraffe and she got some cuddle time in . . .

What a busy and fun holiday weekend! Jon escaped the office early on Friday afternoon and we headed to Kickapoo HS in Springfield to watch Kyle's football game. It was an exciting game and Kyle played really well.

On Saturday we hung around my parents' house. Carly got to show off how she can now sit on her own . . . she can't get up by herself yet, but once you help her up she is good to go. We all went to a wedding reception that night, so we taped the big MU-Illinois football game. Go Tigers, we won! Carly didn't see any of the game, but she cheered for them on Saturday afternoon.

Then, on Sunday we went to my grandparents' house to celebrate Mom's birthday with the family. Almost everyone was there, it was a great afternoon. The guys grilled and we had tons of food, as usual. Leisa, Abi, and Ava painted diva dogs and the little girls covered Leisa in their Hannah Montana glitter. Carly got some good playtime with Abi and Ava and she grinned at them all afternoon. I am so glad they are getting to spend some time together!