Christmas get-together in Staunton

Luckily Uncle Conrad and Barb decided to have a small gathering at their house this year because when they do it makes Christmas seem just a little more like...Christmas. :)

christmas 2014

a day of celebrations

First up, a small family shower for Mandy:

  Followed by Emily's 29th birthday celebration:

sleepyheads :-)

be merry be bright

my grandsons make a beautiful christmas card :)

2014 Thanksgiving

halloween weekend

oreo balls

mummy dogs...ruff! 

witches brew (aka mulled wine)

very scary power ranger

robin hood

ninja

the incredible hulk

cutest baby bird ever

jude loves trick or treaters :)

definitely fall

my dear grandsons at 4 months and 4 years :)

chain of rocks bridge

Sunday was a great day to walk across the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Nice fall weather, a little sunshine, and two happy dogs. This great old bridge has seen a lot of history in its time. From its opening in 1929 to becoming part of the renowned Route 66 in 1936 to the site of a film by John Carpenter in 1980 to a tragic rape and murder of two sisters in 1991. For me, it's a bridge that evokes many feelings, memories of childhood, and memories of later times with my dad, and the one thing I always feel while crossing this bridge is an appreciation that it's still standing today. The bridge is now used for bicycling, dog walking, people walking, eagle watching, etc. Hopefully, it will stay around for a long long time to come, maybe even forever.
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/route66/chain_of_rocks_bridge_illinois_missouri.html

happy birthday dear daughter

34 years ago today...around 6 in the evening...my beautiful daughter Mandy entered the world. I'll never forget that day. Happy birthday to my dear dear daughter. I love you so much. Mom

a good day

Saturday was a good day. :)

First stop -- Schlafly’s in Maplewood for the 2014 Pumpkin Harvest Festival. Although chilly and damp outside it was still fun to browse thru the various booths and afterward partake in a little beer sampling.

Second stop -- Hwy 61 Roadhouse in St. Louis where I had the DDD Sampler. To see why it’s called Triple D, click: http://www.hwy61roadhouse.com/guy_fieri.php.  I’m not big on spicy food (other than Mexican anything) but my Cajun spaghetti and other samplings were pretty darn good. Mark stuck with his usual red beans and rice and Marilyn and Bob had gumbo and pepper jack hush puppies.

Third stop -- yummy Bailey’s Chocolate Bar in Lafayette Square where we all had the Bailey’s Chocolate Brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and just because it’s soooo good, an extra scoop of salted caramel ice cream. Yum.