Our visit to KC 8-10

Rod had a conference in Kansas City, so we came to the Plaza as tourists this time. Normally when we go to KC, it's to see the boys and we stay with them. This time the U. of KC put us up in a hotel on the Plaza....COOL!! We went out to dinner with the Med-El team [sponsors of the conference] on Thursday evening at EV [Extra Virgin] and had foods like: Trout Cheeks, Duck Tongue taco's, fried Pig Ears and Bone Marrow. Extremely Different but we tried it all except the Bone Marrow : } They wanted to take us out again on Friday evening but we had plans to visit RA and see Phil cook. They wanted to go too, so......we took 12 work friends with us to RA : } Great fun!
Phil is the 3rd chef at RA and was able to come out of the kitchen often to visit with us. Above and below are desserts "he" made for everyone. It was sooooo good and so beautiful to look at.

Susan made it into KC after work just in time to enjoy dinner with us!

Great pic of Rob and Rod!

Upon arrival at RA, Phil came out to see us in the bar area. I took several pics of RA so you all can see where Phil works. It is really cool and quite the "young professional" place. Lots of music! I think dad and I were maybe two of the oldest people there : } It didn't matter!! I was on a mission to see our son work. We even got to go into the kitchen and watch him at the stove. I didn't take pictures of that since I'm "sure" Phil would have been utterly embarassed : } I am soooo very proud of him, I could burst : }

Walking around the Plaza on Saturday morning after being treated to breakfast at The Cafe', a very quaint France-like place.

2100 mile road trip with M&D Short

So.....Rod and I decided that I needed to drive my mom & dad to CO because dad and I both needed to acclimate from the low landers that we are to the close to 10,000 ft high mountains in Creede. So this began our 21oo mile road trip from Omaha to CO Springs, to Creede, to Lake City, to Loveland and Fort Collins, then on home to Omaha...WHEW!!! Oh this was soooo awesome!! At 6a.m. Papa and I were taking Rod to Alamosa for his mountain flying lessons [1.5 hrs. away] and we came upon this. Cowboys and dogs wrangling sheep up the mountain. Hundreds of sheep!! Just like in a movie : }

The following are pics while we visited Lake City which is about 25 miles north of Creede [I think]. I loved this little church at the base of this hog back.

Noni shopping around in a local nursery. The flowers were gorgeous. Look at the hanging baskets.

Papa and Noni taking a short break in front of the quaint little coffee shop we stopped at and had latte's [yes, even in the mountains] : }

Shopping in ALL the little stores tired papa out so he found this shady bench and sat sipping his coffee. Noni later joined him. He'd talk to passer-byer's and really liked talking to this Harley couple who tried to convinence him he wasn't too old to get back on a Harley, LOL : }
Noni and Papa walking along the broadwalk, looking at the shops. I had this particular one in mind, where I always find locally made cinnamon honey - too die for! : }
So the next few pics are views as we traveled up to Lake City.

This is The Falls. From the road you'd never know it was there. In person, it's gorgeous and I think is fed from the Rio Grande River.

This is the Grand Pyramid. It is nothing less than FABULOUS!! Everyone stops to just look. It's beyond words and is totally God's handy work. When Rod and Uncle Lowell use to go out horseback riding, this is one of the area's they explored.

OK, back at the cabin....here is Papa crossing the damn at the pond that Rob, Adam, Tim and Rod all rebuilt a few summers back. A beaver had gotten into the pond and caused quite a lot of damage. He [the beaver] now sits proudly on the hearthstone by our fireplace in the cabin. Pop's keeps the pond stocked and Robby loves fishing down here. Very peaceful and tanquil.

Noni resting on the bench Pops made years ago by the pond. Just listening to the wind, the fish jumping and critters scampering around.

Noni, Papa and Rod standing on the front porch of the little 100 year old cabin Pops refurbished literally log by log [actually it probably about 110 now]. We can actually stay in it now "if" anyone wanted to. It only needs linens on the bed. No heat and not bathroom....Fun??!!! Any bidders? : }

Rod, papa and Noni just talking quietly by the pond as they watch the fish jumping out of the water.

Here's papa walking in the fields. I wanted to show him the little brook that runs along the boundary of our property by the Fish Hatchery. The big cabin is just over that knoll. He looks good, doesn't he? I think dad loved every minute he was up there : }

Noni and Papa standing outside our tiny Fish Hatchery. We were trying to find the keys to show them the inside. We did finally get in.

And here they are just vegging out. I'd find them like this each with a book in hand. Makes you want to just take a deep breath doesn't it!

This was Pattie and Bruce's home where we stayed our first night out on the road. Pikes Peak is right behind them. Just beautiful! I love CO sooooooo much : }

Noni & Papa Short visit Omaha 7/10

Ohhh, hahaha, here is Noni searching for golf balls. Couldn't resist taking this picture one early morning. I think she may have found one.

Phil and Noni. Grew up was too fast.

Phil surprised us all and showed up to see Noni and Papa. Susan also came over for dinner to meet them. This was the official opening of "The Patio". My favorite place to sit surrounded by my flowers and trees with privacy from the street...love it!

This is Noni and Papa S. just arriving. Rob was helping unload the trunk. And of course, the golf clubs came! : } They actually went out once or twice while here.

Visit to Ocala, FL 7-10

This is the way to spend a Saturday morning....at the pool right down the street. It's awesome and includes a club house [red building] and a kiddy area.

Will headed out for a bike ride first thing in the morning before it gets "too" hot. Trying out his new birthday helmet.

This is at Cody's Steak House where Adam wanted to go for his and Will's bd dinner. It's the kind of place where you throw the peanut shells on the floor. We had a great time!

Will and Adam opening up bd presents.

Will also got a new pet from Noni & Papa. Nemo, the betta [and Noey got one too who he calls Delta]. Here mom is helping them put the tank together with the pink rocks that Will chose.

Noey helping mom decorate Will's bd cupcakes.

And Will helping too, counting as he goes along ; }

While at Petco choosing a fish, we heard all this squawking! It was time to clean the bird cages and we got to hold Parrots. Noey loved it. Will was just a little timid with them.

Choosing their betta's. What a variety to chose from and colors!!!!

William trying on helmets to be sure it fits properly. He chose this one with the racing car on it.

Dr. Lusk is showing Dr. Lusk his mobile office. Way cool!!!! And very organized. It's a Yukon XL and Adam keeps it spotless.

Lynn posing for me in her kitchen. She is really growing. 9/14 is the due date and she is counting down.

And here is the usual visit "tackle papa" while he is not expecting it. The boys "and" Adam really get into this. : }

Noni and her g-sons. Precious, adorable and ever so loving! They are getting so big and smart. Time goes way too fast!

Dad's visit to RockyFord, CO 5/30/10

Rod went to Rockyford, CO for 1 day over the Memorial Day weekend! Really, I took him to Eppley Airport in Omaha at 5:30am and he flew his plane back home and was in bed at 10:30pm. WOW, what a full day! This is the farm house in Rockyford where Dad [Pops] and Judy live. They've done quite a bit of work - landscaping, watering system, fenced in hot tub area outside master bedroom to the right below, plus things in the back and inside. It's a tradition to visit Mom's grave site on this particular weekend, so here are a few pics of the cemetery. It's been 5 years already since Mom passed away...unbelievable how fast time goes.

Aren't the flowers gorgeous! Peonies are everywhere. After I saw these pics, I had Rod plant a magenta Peonie in our backyard.

This is Corky and Frank. Corky and Mom have been best girlfriends since the 1st grade. I think Corky has to be at least 82 or 83. Can you imagine having a friend that long? They use to pretend they were sisters. : }

And here they are: P1, P2 and P3 as all the insiders know them : } Rod's 3 sister's- Peggy, Paula and Pattie.

Pops and his kids : }