Dec 3,

On Saturday morning, our daughter had a small tea for the ladies of her church as they were decorating the sanctuary for Christmas. It was quite nice and interesting to meet these women. It was just nice to spend time with this daughter, whom we don't get to see nearly enough.

Then late in the afternoon it was time to go downtown and get all situated for the big Greenville Christmas parade. I love a parade and this was a big one. We staked out our spot, which I thought seemed a little premature since it was so early. But we got all situated, and it was a little chilly....

Ok, it was actually pretty cold. Bill wanted hot chocolate or coffee, but there was none to be found close by, so Sharon and I walked down the block a ways and there was a place where they were handing it out, for FREE.  I really thought that was nice. Turns out it was so premature to set up when we did. This place was packed and I was sure they would make us move, since people were out in the street, but we were ok and we had a really great spot.



Here comes the Academy float



It turned out to be a really nice parade, but it seemed like a long time that we waited for the school's float. It was exciting to see our oldest grandson walking along in the parade, singing about the true reason for Christmas with some other young folks. I wasn't able to get a very good picture of Michael, but I enjoyed seeing him.

 

 

Right to left: Sharon, proud momma, Dan, and Nathanael with the ball cap on. It's a Steeler's cap. oh yeah.

Now that we're all frozen and hungry, we'll go get Michael and find some food in a warm place. 

2011

Our new activity

October 8, after what seemed like a very long search and process we bought a brand new Fifth Wheel.

We really don't look happy, do we. Well we were and are thrilled. I think we were in a bit of shock, maybe a lot of shock. Our new camper is a 2012 Laredo by Keystone.

                                   

Finally on Oct. 21-24 we went camping. We spent a few days not far away, you know, to test everything out.

It's just so gorgeous, strangers at the park came up and asked if they could look inside. I am so proud of this 'vacation home'.

Of course Max and Tucker had to come along, we all had a very good time out in the forest.

Wallace State park is about an hour north of Kansas City, and this time of year, it is gorgeous.

We all took a hike down the trail to the lake, and even Tucker and Max seemed to enjoy it.

Every thing seemed to work as planned. We discovered some items that we still need to be more efficient in our experience, but all in all it was great. The fall colors seemed to have waited for us and the whole area was really pretty.
The park was packed on Friday night and Saturday, but on Sunday morning it was as if someone hollered "FIRE" in a crowded theater. By about 1pm the place was all but empty except for two campers, and they left by five pm. So we were completely alone.
Our friends the Fords came up with their two grand daughters, just to visit for an hour or so.

Well long about 6 o'clock, this little tiny trailer hitched to a pickup truck comes into the camp ground, and where do you think he wants to park,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,yep right next to us. The entire place is empty mind you, but then I guess he reconsiders and moves on to a place that is about half way to the entrance. His companion arrives in a moment in a car with two of those little tiny yippee dogs. Of course Max and Tucker were very interested in those two, but they wisely did not venture over to play.

As darkness fell we built a fire and sat outside in the gathering night, and the stars were brilliant, it got a little chilly and pretty creepy. You hear all sorts of sounds in the dark that you just tend to ignore in the light.
After a while even Tucker seemed to be a little uneasy, so we doused the fire and went inside.

Monday morning we packed up and got ready to come home. It was a great way to spend a few days, and the camper travels well, as did the dogs.

I think we're really going to enjoy this, I can't wait until the next trip. All of our friends have winterized their units, we're going to take ours south. I think that's the way to winterize.




Watch Dogs.

 As someone else says, "Happy trails"

Congratulations Dawn

Our very bright and talented, not to mention athletic daughter, Dawn competed in the all women's Win for KC triathlon today. The morning started out a bit less than promising. It stormed and due to lightening the start was delayed by more than an hour. But, start it did and they were off. Dawn , Lori Terzopoulos swim, Tiernan Fehling Good running entered as a team from the Epic Bike shop where she works part time. Dawn took the second leg of the course with her strong suit, the bike.

The race consisted of a 500 meter swim, 10 mile bike and 5K run.  Dawn and the team from Epic Bike and Sport won the relay division of the event.

Congratulations girls. I wish I had a picture of the three of you, but I don't, so here's our girl.

We are so proud of you!!!!

Happy Father's Day

I know it was last week, don't think I'm senile. You know, sometimes life happens and special occasions can not be celebrated as the calendar dictates.
Last week every one was busy and 'dad' had to work, so we did it tonight. This evening our daughter Dawn and son Bill and his family came for dinner. We enjoyed a very fun time and after dinner we sat around reminiscing about 'classic' dad and mom events. So, not to be out done, Bill and I recited some of our favorite Bill and Dawn stories which resulted in some Kim and Bailey stories. It was a fun evening. It's good to laugh at yourself and the mistakes we've made along the way to where we are. It makes it easier to enjoy the journey.

Earlier today Bailey and I looked through a couple of scrap books. I showed her the old family album that has Bill and me from our infancy through our military service, wedding and early marriage. It was fun for her to see where her family has come from.

I thank God for who He is, and for how He has brought me through my life. He sent His son to die for me and He saved me and He has promised me a home in heaven for ever. I'm glad for my family and for the family of God into which I've been adopted.

Happy Birthday to Sharon

Today is the happy occasion of my darling first born's birthday.  I won't say how old she is, that would be a little harsh for both of us.

I don't think you ever really forget all the anticipation and nervousness of that first pregnancy and the birth. I was down right terrified. I had read a few books, but seriously had no idea what to expect. I don't think any of the reading actually helped. I would think it's like bungee jumping. You can watch, read accounts of people who have really done it, but there's nothing at all like experiencing it for yourself.

Then holding that darling little one in your arms all soft and warm and snuggley. Yep it's kind of great.
Being a parent is a lot of responsibility and sacrifice. The reward is when they're grown up and they become your friend. I think that's the reward of a job well done. When they are adults and you actually like them and want to spend time with them.

I love you, Sharon, you are some of our best work. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, and you should make it last all week. You've earned that.

You're a jewel in my crown.

Merry Christmas 2010

Christmas at the McPherson's.

This year we had our Christmas celebration at our son's home. We have done our gift giving on Christmas eve for as long as I can remember, but it is really a convenient thing now, since DIL Kim has several family celebrations and having ours at a set time every year helps to keep things a little less complicated.

Kim mad a lovely dinner for us, and we all contributed, but she did most of the work, and the cooking. I really appreciated it, this year I was just not feeling as energetic. So it was quite a nice change.

They have a beautiful home and had it decorated so nicely. This huge tree is in the living room.

 The beautiful fire place and mantel is in the family room.

Get a load of this loot.

 We let the dogs go first, Tucker and Max and Diesel had fun opening their gifts, too.

Pappy gets to start this year, oldest to youngest.

 Kimmy got a pretty package

 Billy got some good stuff too.

I think Dawn got exactly what she asked for............

I managed to get this one, forlorn shot of Bailey.

And here is the mess that we usually create,,,,,,, quite a lot of trash.

There were some members missing. Our daughter and her family went to SC to spend time with Dan's family. I am hoping that we will get to see them soon.

Time to rest up as the year 2010 draws to a close.

Christmas concert

Monday evening we attended a Christmas Concert (the politically correct call it winter) at our Grand daughter's school. The program was called " Forever Christmas"  and was directed by Mrs. Angela Viebrock. It was a lot of fun to watch these children perform their music after all the practice they had put in.

Now, here's a disclaimer, I haven't known how to operate the video application on my camera for very long, so I didn't get the videos done very well, but at least I got some decent shots of Bailey. I didn't notice that there were any other children there, she's the star as far as we're concerned.

 That's our girl in the center. The director had the kids split up the solos and specials so that each child or group only sang a couple of lines. This was probably great for most of the kids, they they tend to be pretty shy at this age.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy 13th Birthday Bailey

                                                    

Thirteen years ago, our little Bailey was born. It was such a joy to be there and hold this sweetie when she was moments old.

Now she's 13 a cheerleader in middle school and she likes boys. She's still at the age where you don't really admit to liking those creatures, but she does. The evidence was all the boys at her birthday party. Now this was a real oddity to me, all the girls were at one table, and the boys at another.

Bailey's birthday party was at the park, it was a repeat of last year, since it got rained out, I suppose they thought well, we'll try it again. There was cake, hot dogs, pop, chips, and lots of kids, and family. About the that we showed up, so did the storm clouds. It wasn't too long before the wind was whipping and the pool got closed because of the impending storm and it's accompanying lightening.

The candles on the cake were sparklers. Our family enjoys fireworks in any form.

Notice all the boys in the background.

Bill and Kim, Bailey's dad and mom. (anyone know a good photographer?)

Sue, Bailey's Nana and Kim's mom.

                                                         Aunt Dawn and her brother Bill

                                        
                                                        
                                                   Bill, Bailey's pappy and Dawn, you can see how dark it
                                                    has gotten at only about 7 pm. And the wind has just
                                                                     really picked up.

The storm clouds are rolling

Kim has grabbed the balloons and every one is scrambling to get all the stuff picked up before it blows away. Notice how the wind is blowing the table clothes, good thing they're taped down.

We said our goodbyes, and headed home. It rained and stormed and the wind just howled for several hours. The temperature dropped about 20 degrees or so, and it was a nice break from the 90 - 100 temps we've been having.

I felt badly for Bailey, though. The party was rained out, as it was last year. Maybe next year they should choose a nice quiet skating party or something inside.

Sorry Bailey, but happy day, NOW YOU'RE A TEENAGER.