Archive for July, 2008

Camping – July 25 – 27

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

Oh what a great weekend. This time we got an early start. Beth had the day off due to her 9 – 80 work work week and I took 1/2 day vacation. So we got to the campground early. Since the camper was already set up from last weekend we only had to put out the awning, hook up the water and turn on the A/C.

That evening we had a Jam Session in the pavilion. There were probably a dozen or more singer / musicians and they played and sang great – for the most part. The evening was interupted when the weather turned nasty. A lot of lightning and rain. We headed back for the camper to put up the awning. We were not about to make that mistake again. When we got back to the pavilion they were wrapping it up so we went back to the camper and went to bed.

Saturday afternoon was Christmas in July. Thirty-three young kids got gifts from Santa. A few ‘kids’ who were too old for gifts still got to set on Santa’s lap.

Saturday evening we went to dinner with friends and then played a new game called Jokers and Pegs. Really enjoyed it. I’m in the process of drawing up plans to make the game. Broke open the bottle of St. James Peach wine. GREAT STUFF!

Sunday morning we got up and went fishing. I caught 6 and Beth caught 1. We kept zero. Got home about 4:00 pm. Worked outside for awhile in the front yard. Scott helped a lot.

Camping – July 18 – 20

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Went camping again this weekend. Left on Friday and stopped at Pizza Street to eat with April and Kayden and they were closed due to power outage. So we went to Home Town Buffet instead. After eating, April and Kayden headed home and Beth and I headed down to the campground. We got about 1/2 way there and Beth says, “I forgot my keys.” Guess what – I forgot mine also. So we had to turn around and head back home to get the keys.

Finally got to the campground and got set up. There was an invitation to an Open House RV get together at some friends house. They had traded their park model for a 5th wheel. Although it was a bit late we went over their for a while.

Saturday morning I got up and went up to the board meeting while Beth slept in. It was a LONG meeting. Unfortunately, it meant I missed the kids carnival. After the meeting we went with friends to the new Heartland Buffet just a few miles from the campground. Good food. Beth had put the humming bird feeders out and they drew a lot of activity. I got a few good pictures of them which I may try to post later. Sat around the campfire for a while that evening but we were both tired so we turned in kinda early.

Sunday morning we left early to get home. My sister, Shirley, and her husband, Dennis, stopped in to visit for a while. They were in town for a Corvette Club convention. It was good to see them again.

Engineer for a day

Sunday, July 13th, 2008

Kelly (along with Jamie and Kelsey) were here this weekend. The kids sure are growing. They played in the pool and in the backyard riding the PowerWheels. On Sunday morning we got up and went to the St. Louis Zoo. The kids had got me a gift for Father’s Day of being Engineer For A Day on the train at the zoo. I got there early (of course) and then at a few minutes before nine the day began for real. I got to help with the safety inspections and helped to clean the engine and cars. At 9:30 the train began operating. I could have given part of the ’speech’ but declined that part. Most of the time I was up on the engine with the real engineer. I blew the whistle, set the parking brake and at one spot I even got to push the throtle a bit. Really had a great time. Thanks, Kids.
On Monday evening we celebrated April’s birthday. On Tuesday Kelly had to head back to Fort Wayne. Sure wish we could see her and the kids a bit more.

Fourth of July Weekend, 2008

Saturday, July 5th, 2008

Went camping with April and Kayden. Could not have asked for better weather. Washed the awning on Friday morning. It actually cleaned up great. Had fireworks on Saturday evening. Spent some time with Kayden on the elephant in the lodge, at the mini-golf course and on the playground.