Kansas City Video/Vacation Journal

Enjoy my trip journal below:

Welcome to Kansas City, Missouri

Saturday, May 29th 2010

Today we would see the City Market which was amazing! We ate breakfast at Cascones an italian place- it was too good. Aunt Linda and I tried their Italian French Toast...amazing!!!

Later we toured the Arabian Steamboat that sank in the late 1800's. The artifacts they found still on the boat was too neat. We then toured the Truman Library and Fort Osage. The Truman Library was very interesting- Mr. Truman received no money or pension after his Presidency to the United States. I'm sure they receive lots now! The thing I found most interesting was a letter Mr. Truman received from a very angry man. I took a picture of it. No one knew of this letter until they found it in his library desk after he passed away.

Later, Uncle George showed me Grandma and Grandpa Grahams' home as well as Granny Rennick's house. We ate dinner at Jack Stack- an amazing BBQ joint. Their beans were SO good. We all hit the sack early as we were worn out!

Sunday, May 30th 2010

After church at Raytown, we came home and changed clothes then hit the town again. This time we ended up at Union Station. It was pretty on the inside- and to think of all the shoes that have been in that place. We ate lunch at the Harvey House. I had a burger with melted peanut butter on it- it was surprisingly good. After lunch we went to tour the World War 1 museum. It was a big museum. Uncle George, Aunt Linda, and Luke took the elevator ride to the top of the museum, I however stayed on the ground. Inside the museum were 9,000 poppy plants (which we all think were fake....but still pretty) each flower represented 1,000 lives lost during the war. There were 9,000 flowers planted representing the 9 million who lost their lives defending our freedom.

After the memorial, we headed home for a game of Farkle. That is actually one game I will play! We hit the sack early for another fun filled day awaited us.

Monday, May 31st 2010

A Kansas City Royal's Baseball Game

Uncle George and Aunt Linda bought tickets to go see the Kansas City Royals play baseball. Luke and I couldn't go without decking out in Kansas City Royal's attire. We found him a hat at the ballpark and of course couldn't resist taking pictures. It was buck night at the ballpark- you could get hot dogs, peanuts, cokes, and twinkies all for a dollar each! What a deal. Luke and I enjoyed walking around the stadium- it was HUGE!!!

After the ballgame we came back home for a nap. After our nap, we headed out to the Cool Crest Putt Putt Place to play a round of golf. Uncle George and I teamed up against Aunt Linda and Luke. I even hit a hole in one, but we couldn't catch up to that crazy bunch. We lost by only 3 points! Oh well, maybe next time.

After Putt Putt we headed to Dairy Queen for some ice cream.

Tuesday, June 1st 2010

We got up early on Tuesday morning and headed to the Crown Center. We wanted to eat at Big Momma's. Those Cinnamon Rolls were HUGE!!! We split a 4 pack which was plenty and even a couple of Mini- Momma's for fun. We walked around the center- which had a Crayola Store- I was in heaven!!! We ended up at the Hallmark Museum.

The Hallmark Museum was a lot of fun. I never knew it has basically stayed in the family for 3 generations. I learned a lot. I told Luke and Aunt Linda that it was basically like scrapbooking, just on an industrial level. We didn't leave empty handed as they gave us hallmark cards when we left.

After the Hallmark Museum, we headed back to Uncle George and Aunt Linda's for a smorgasbord lunch. We ate all the leftovers in the fridge. After lunch, Luke and I went and looked through the HyVee Grocery Store- I love going to grocery stores when we're out of town. Later that night, we took our last scenic drive around town.

Wednesday, June 2nd

St. Joseph Missouri

Luke and I left Uncle George and Aunt Linda's around 7:30am. We decided last minute to head to St. Joseph, Missouri. We wanted to tour the Pony Express Museum.

The Pony Express Museum started in 1860 and lasted 18 months. I have always found this interesting- mainly because I love horses and Grandma and I used to watch Young Riders- about the pony express on TV.

After the museum we headed to see the Jesse James Museum. This is the actual house he lived in for 3 months before he was shot. It gave me the creeps. He decided to straighten a picture without his gun on, when his 2 buddies decided to shoot him in the head. They wanted the reward- but later didn't get it because they commited murder.

While in St. Joseph Luke and I found Lovers Lane- written after Eugene Field's Poet "Lovers Lane." We couldn't resist taking a picture down that famous street.

Wednesday, June 2nd 2010

While on our way to Branson, MO Luke and I took a trip to Bolivar, Missouri. I wanted to see Southwest Baptist University where Kent and Stacy attended school before they were killed in 1994.

Luke and I found their monument, but not before we saw two little bunnies hop over to it. That was really neat to see.

The University is pretty small, but very pretty. It was humbling to see their names and the trees planted in their honor. Uncle George and Aunt Linda are very special people who had wonderful, sweet Christian children.

Wednesday, June 2nd 2010

Luke and I stopped at Lambert's for dinner in Ozark, Missouri on our way to Branson. It is the home of throwed rolls. I couldn't resist Luke catching me a few of those hot buttery little bundles of joy. I had the grilled chicken breasts and Luke enjoyed the chicken and dumplings.

We were stuffed and ready to head to the hotel after dinner. We had been in the car all day- and even took a little detours along the way- some planned and some, well, not so planned!!! Branson here we come!

Thursday, June 3rd 2010

Branson, MO

Luke and I slept in til 8 am on Thursday- we never sleep that late! We headed down to breakfast at the Savannah House and then onto Silver Dollar City. SDC is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. It was neat to be able to enjoy it with them.

We walked around the park, watched the glass blowers, petted some animals, and then headed back to the hotel. After yet another nap, we went to Branson Landings to shop and eat at the White River Fish House. What a fun way to end a wonderful vacation!

Scrap Mania Crop A Thon- LOTS of blogs below!!!!

Ann

Selena

Margaret

Mom

Amy

Carrie

Marsha

Carmen

Barbara & Martha Sue

Amy

Michelle & Sara

The Gang

We're all here!

Food Food Food!!!

This past weekend we had our 12 hour Crop A Thon at the church. We had about 27 ladies in attendance- our most ever! It was a lot of fun. We had a western theme....hence the cowboy hats. We scrapbooked to our hearts content. Saturday we had pizza for dinner- apparently the pizza place didn't know how to use Google- and to make a long story short our pizza was free and only 2 hours late!!!! There was great fellowship and a lot of scrapbooking going on!

Road Trip

Lunch at JJ's Lakeside Cafe

Mom & Betty

Judy & Diane

JJ's Lakeside Cafe

The place of home decor!!!

On our way to Paul Michaels- in Dumas...it's a great pottery place.

Me- personal photo- kinda scary.

Mom

Betty, Judy, Diane

This past week I went on a Road Trip with my Bible Study Ladies. A few of them couldn't make it, but those that did come- we had a blast. We went to Lake Village to shop at Paul Michaels- never been there before.... OH MY!!!! They have home decor stuff galore! We shopped for a bit, ate lunch, and shopped some more. We ate at JJ's Lakeside Cafe...it was really good. We headed home after shopping and even stopped at a gas station for a little Baskin Robbins- we got skimpy scoops but it was still good. I love these ladies and the special bonds we have shared!!

High School Mini Reunion

Tiffany, Nick, Ms. Walker, Me, Christylee & Lily

Tiffany, Nick, Luke, Ms. Walker, Christylee, Lily

Me & Christylee

Luke & Nick

Aunt Melissa & Lily

My Lily

Ms. Walker/Garrett/Karla LOL was in town for a visit with her Mom. We got together a small crew at the house. It was a lot of fun and a LOT of laughter. Ms. Walker was one of my favorite teachers, she was always the same, and a great mentor for me- still is today! We ate Baked Spaghetti, Salad, Bread, and an Earthquake Cake for dessert. Tonight was the 1st time Lily called me anything- she said, "Wissa" and her Uncle Luke is now "Gook" I melted right there!!!!

Mother's Day

Katie & Mom

Katie & Kyle

Uncle JR and little Regan

Aunt JJ & Ma

Aunt Viv & Nate

Me & Mom

Dad & Ma

Mom & Aunt JJ

Ok, so I'm WAY behind once again on my blogging. Here are some pictures from Mother's Day Weekend in Neosho. We had a great time. Aunt JJ and I decided to try a new potato recipe- cut them into wedges, dredge in flour and parmasean cheese and bake. They were really good! We had Brisket, Baked Beans, Potato Wedges, Deviled Eggs, and Strawberry Shortcake. After dinner we played "Name that Tune" which I wasn't very good at- but had a lot of fun. It was a great weekend. Happy Mother's Day to some great women!!!

Last Day of Tutoring....

Well I just got home from my last day of tutoring this sweet little girl. The 2 years I've been with her seems to have flown by. Today I took her lunch from Taco Bueno. She loves her some chips!!

As I was sitting out in the car waiting to go, I noticed a Momma Starling Bird with her 2 babies. The babies were as big as she was. One was not wanting to veer too far away from her, while the other stayed close, but was more adventurous in finding his own worm. I enjoyed sitting there watching this bird family when the Lord spoke to my heart. In a way, I've been like the Mama Bird- not a mother by any means- but a helper. I've helped this little girl soar in Math and Reading. When she didn't understand something, we would try to figure it out together. She would search and search for the worm- while I would try as hard as I could to help her find it. It's been my goal all along for her not to need me....the same way as that Momma Starling Bird wants her babies not to need her.

I took my little girl her lunch and we were able to visit. She brought me the sweetest card and little bouquet of flowers. She loved the small scrapbook I made for her as well as the blanket and pillow I knitted. At the end of our time, she was able to go outside and play with her friends. Just like that little baby bird, she hugged me and ran to be with the others- the way God intended it to be all along.

My heart is full and maybe a little sad, but to know I did exactly what the Lord wanted me to do is simply priceless.

Animal Cruelty

I watched a Dr. Phil episode yesterday that put my opinion of Dr. Phil through the roof! He had on there a dog fighter....one that fights pit bulls. It was a very graphic episode, and I cried through most of it. Dr. Phil in NO way agreed with what this man had done and didn't spend very much time with him. He did have on the show a group of burly guys called Rescue Ink- they make it their goal to rescue animals that have been abused. Can I just say my heroes????

As I was watching that episode, I kept telling the Lord...."I'm so thankful I'm not in that audience, I would have blown that guys head off....or better yet put him in a fighting ring and beat him up with no way of escape." Then I heard the Lord softly say, "I love him too."

It got me to thinking later as I was driving to meet my little tutor person....people in this world do awful things and yet the Lord in His mercy and time forgive them if they ask for it. Does that make it any easier for me to forgive the animal abusers of this world I live in.....to be honest no! I don't want to forgive them, the idea of someone hurting a defenseless animal makes me sick! It brought me great peace when the Lord brought back to my remembrance that nothing goes unnoticed from His sight. He cares for the birds of the air as well as the animals that roam this earth, and someday MY Ancient of Days will get his revenge on those that hurt animals. That brings me peace. Yes, I'll still struggle with forgiving evil doers, but to know that God sees what is being done and will get His way in the end is an awesome thought.

I want to leave this blog post with an awesome video- one that my hairdresser Jessica showed me yesterday. It's an awesome story of 2 men who rescued an abused lion cub. They named him Christian. He got so big that they thought of returning him to the wild in Africa. They did...against everyone's better judgment. He found him a lioness and had a whole family. After 12 years they went back to find Christian. Everyone said that lion wouldn't remember these 2 guys who had rescued him.....Enjoy...and get your kleenex!



It just goes to show animals appreciate beyond measure what you do for them. I know my God smiles when He sees people treating what He created with the respect and love they deserve.