Apr - Jun 2004

Adventure Log Directory        Home Page

APRIL 2004

We were baby sitting Mike's niece and nephew, Kristen & Austin.  After a traumatic morning of getting children out of bed… we run by Mike's mom and dad's house to pick up the rest of the crew.  This morning Kristen has a soccer game and even though they did not when… those little girls played really hard.  I know I couldn't hold up to that strenuous activity.

After the game we all pile back into the car and head to Hot Springs, and Garvin Woodland Gardens.  In 1985, eight years before her death, Verna C. Garvin, donated the 210 acres on Lake Hamilton to the University Of Arkansas Department Of Landscape Architecture, which was to be maintained as a Botanical Garden.  Public Tours of the Gardens began in 1986.

This weekend they had their Tulip Extravaganza, or whatever they called it.  With the exception of a couple of patches, the Tulips were in full bloom and the colors were just incredible.  I never knew there were that many different colors and varieties of tulips, makes me want to grow a green thumb.

With one stop in Conway to drop off Chelsie at her dorm… we hit the road for Breckinridge Colorado.

With temperature at 84 degrees when we left Little Rock… we watch the temperature drop gradually through the night to the next morning.  About 20 miles from Denver, the snow begins to fall.  Once in Denver… we stop at the REI store for a couple of hours to do a little shopping and try and see everything that this store has to offer.  Afterwards we load back up and head to Breckenridge.  We are slowed down by some construction or repair work due to landslides, but we continue on through the Eisenhower tunnel, and we arrive in Breckenridge around 1:00.  After Mike and I took a nap, and Wendy and Mr. Mike did a little stroll downtown, we decide to go to Kingdom Sports to rent our gear for skiing the next two days, then its dinner at Bubba Gumps.  Wendy and I had eaten at the Bubba Gumps in Hawaii, but this was Mike and Mr. Mikes first time.  Mike had a hard time deciding what shrimp he was going to order…  Mike loves his shrimp!  After dinner it’s to the grocery store for the food we will eat the rest of the weekend.

Summary:  The temperature ranged from 84 degrees to 24 degrees, and 4 inches of snow by end of day in Breckenridge.

Photos this adventure

Well it’s Saturday morning and we are up cooking breakfast and getting ready for a day of fun in the snow.  Once the ski lift passes are bought for Mike and Mr. Mike, and I am scheduled for Ski School, we all go our separate ways and there is no telling where Wendy will be off to.  Mike and Mr. Mike head off up the lifts to try the "big boy" slopes, eventually making it up to the T-Bar and the black diamond slopes on top of Breckenridge.  Me on the other hand stayed a lot lower and spent the day with instructor Phil, learning how to snow plow and all those other minor details you learn when you first begin to ski.  Nothing, however, was learned about how to deal with the other idiots on the mountain, or dealing with ski lifts.  With one trip up the lift that morning, I was able to experience the lifts first hand, and make one trip down the slopes… very slowly!  Once down, it was time for lunch, and here comes Mike to see how I did.  He was surprised that we even got on the lift that morning.  I guess we were fast learners.  After lunch we are back to the slopes…  Mike and Mr. Mike head up on top, and I stay down on the lower portion.  I think Wendy was going to try some snowshoeing.  By the end of the ski day, the guys had made around 20 runs down the mountain, and I made a couple of green runs and made one blue run on the Mercury lift, before the day was over.  With legs and knees sore… I make my way back to the bottom lift where Wendy waits.  Since the guys were “supposed” to meet us at the bottom, we sit and wait watching all types of interesting folks, as the day on the lifts begin to wind down.  Giving up on the guys we head back to the condo, where we find them crashed out in the hall, since they had no key to the room.  HAH… that’s what they get for not meeting us where they said they would.

After a little rest, we pack up the snowshoes and poles and head off to Hoosier Pass to do some hiking.  Only about 1 mile total round trip, with a little education about Avalanche beacons for Mr. Mike, and also what not to do on snow mobiles….  Mike had just been talking about seeing these crazy people who do this thing called high pointing on their snow mobiles.  Apparently they try and see how far up a mountain they can go straight up without turning around or I guess turning over… anyway sounds a bit crazy to me.  Well it wasn’t 5 minutes later we hear some snow mobiles flying down this side of this steep hillside.  We hear these guys talking about wanting to race, so we just stick around to see the festivities.  They take off up the hillside, then once on top one of the guys turns around and starts back down and off what looked like a ramp of snow, lands and comes on down the hill.  The second guy follows suit, however, his landing left something to be desired.  He went one way and the snow mobile lands on its own and heads straight for us, where we had been watching all the fun.  We start looking for trees to hide behind, not knowing where this snow mobile is going to end up.  One of the guys who had been down at the bottom watching, jumped on top of the machine, and stopped it, before it hit the tree that we were standing behind.  We are not sure, but we think the guy that got separated from his machine broke either his wrist or his hand.  Anyway, just proves that those people are nuts!

We head back to the condo for some cooking.  Tonight we are having lasagna, salad, and garlic bread.  Once our bellies are full its time for bed and rest for the next days adventure.

Photos this adventure

Well it’s not a good morning… at least not for me.   With altitude sickness kicking in around 2:00AM, this day for me was spent close to the bathroom.  Today was supposed to be my day to get to ski with the guys and I think Mike was really looking forward to watching me bust my butt.  In hopes of maybe getting to do some afternoon runs, I stayed in bed and the Mike's headed for the slopes.  After an hour or so, Wendy and I hop into the Suburban and drive around to see some sites.  We went over to peak 8 and watched some pretty awesome runs on some snowboards, in the bowl looking slope, which we compared to a skateboard park.  I guess that's when we realized more that these two are basically the same thing; one is on wheels and the other on snow!  Back at the room, we meet the guys for some lunch.  However Mike has another idea… there is an Oxygen bar, not far from the condo, that he thinks might help my condition.  After 30 minutes of oxygen treatment, Mike and Wendy are feeling great, but I think I am past the point of no return.  After lunch it’s back to bed for me, and the guys head back up the slopes.  The guys describe the skiing experiences as some of the best they have ever had.  I guess I'll have to try it again… hopefully I won't have to go through ski school again.  Once they return we decide to run down the road to Silverthorne to check out the outlet mall.  Well much to our disappointment the stores were closed, since we did not take into account that it was Easter Sunday.  So after a nice little scenic drive, we come back for dinner back at the condo.  Tonight it's chicken pasta with veggies, garlic bread and salad.  Of course we all have to pack now, and get ready for our trip to Francies Cabin in the morning.  By now I am feeling much better, thank goodness for that!

Photos this adventure

After our last breakfast in the condo… we load the suburban with suitcases, and backpacks packed with what we will be using for the next two days and nights at Francie’s Cabin.  At the Spruce Creek trailhead, we gear up with snowshoes and backpacks on.  The hike to Francie's is only 1.09 miles to the cabin, however there is an elevation gain of over 1000 ft to get there.  The trail was nice and the weather was good for the hike.  The hike was a pleasant one, with the exception of the increase in altitude.  Two hours later at the cabin, the gear is stowed and the cabin duties of the fire in the stove and boiling water had to be done.  You know until you experience, something like this, you don't appreciate the little things like water and water faucets…  The water duties include, filling a large plastic trash can full of snow, and bringing it into the cabin.  The snow is then put in a large pot, which sits on the stove that melts the snow.  Once melted, it is taken and boiled so you can drink the water.  It tastes a little funny, but at least its somewhat purified.  This is all a new experience for me, a different type of roughing it, much better then a tent… much!  Indoor toilets, furnished kitchen, and bay windows to relax in and gaze at Gods beautiful creation.  Oh I forgot to mention… there is also a wood burning sauna!  How's this for roughing it?  After all the chores are done, we strap the day packs on and head out to see where the snow might take us tomorrow.  About 1 hour and ½ mile later we return to the cabin, very wind blown, and with snow falling.  We have the cabin to ourselves… we were expecting another group of people to join us, but that night, it was just the 4 of us.  In a place like this, gourmet meals don't get served, its something very simple, so it Mac & Cheese with ham.  Everything that you bring into this cabin has to leave with you.  So any leftovers, trash, etc. has to be carried out with you.  So with the mac & cheese leftovers in a Ziploc, and dishes cleaned, we kind of laze away the rest of the evening.  Well all except for Wendy.  For some reason, she brought it upon herself to clean out the cabinet where all the games, cards, and toys were stored.  After a lot of racket… she discovers that out of 12 packs of cards, only 5 were complete sets, one being a pack of Iraqi Most Wanted cards, which Mike and Wendy played a few rounds of war with.  Now how poetic was that?  Well it’s our first night in the cabin, so it’s off to our bunks… not too bad, mattresses and pillows included.  All we brought were sleeping bags, and a couple of pillow cases.  After an hour of flipping and flopping around, not being able to sleep, Mike snoozing soundly…  I decide to make my way down stairs and check out the stove and spend some time looking out the bay window into the beautiful starry sky.  2 hours later, I slip back into bed, never being missed and drift off to sleep, now wishing I had woke Mike up to snuggle in that window with me.  A lost opportunity!

Photos this adventure

Its morning here at Francie's…  spend some time doing the cabin chores, making sure we have enough water for the day and night ahead.  After a breakfast of oatmeal, no scrambled eggs and hash browns here, we clean up, dress, and pack up for the trail.  Today we start off on the trail we did yesterday, going a lot further though today.  On the way, on the ridge above us, about 2 miles away, we see what we think is a mirror signal, from someone possibly stranded above us.  After some discussion, Mike decides its best to contact someone in the form of a possible rescue effort.  Mike called 911, with some cell phone reception issues.  Nevertheless, the information was given, and we continue on our way.  Today is a beautiful day… the sun is shining, and there is very little wind, unlike what there was yesterday.  It’s very warm… sometimes a little too warm for the hike.  Further down the trail, we are getting closer in line with where the possible stranded people were spotted.  We have not seen any signals for some time now, due to the fact of where we are in relationship to the sun.  Mike has been contacted by the Sheriffs department, asking us to stay where we are, and that an officer is on his way to meet us.  Once arrived, on his Polaris Snow Mobile, and after looking with his high powered binoculars, we determine that what we probably saw was a reflection off of an antenna tower that you could not see with the naked eye.  Well it’s always better to be safe then sorry, and the officer was grateful to get the opportunity to get out of the office and away from the paper work.  After a chat about snow mobiles… the officer was gone and we were back on our way.  We stop for lunch and photo op, at an old miner’s shack that was, in part, still standing.  We discuss which way to go, and I suggest us to continue going up towards an area that had me curious as to what was behind the surfaces we were seeing.  Sometimes there is just not enough time in the day, or strength in your legs or lungs, to do all that you would like.  As I looked at the mountains and terrain ahead of us, I wonder… how many people, especially from Arkansas, would ever get the opportunity to see what we saw today.  When I started searching for someone on the internet dating scene, I was asking for an Outdoor Adventure Partner.  At that time I never imagined what Mike was going to introduce me to.  I have truly been blessed in many ways, by him entering into my life.

Well it took us 3 ½ hours to get where we were going and only ¾ hour to get back to the cabin.  On the way back, we run into a mountain skier who was heading up to where we had just come from.  Supposedly there was an old mine up where we had gone.  We never saw it, and neither did he.  He informed us, that we had been joined at the cabin, by 6 men, from Lake Taos, New Mexico.  Back at the cabin, as he said were skis, backpacks, and gentlemen, who were not there when we had left the cabin that morning.  These men were going to be residing at Francie's for the next 5 nights.  This made our stay a little more interesting.  After smelling the spaghetti dinner that was fixed by our fellow cabin dwellers, it’s my turn to get in the kitchen and fix our black bean soup and sausage dinner.  It wasn't too bad, but could not compare to the meal that was prepared before ours.  Oh well I'll have to work on better cabin food.  This is our last night at Francie's, and there is packing to be done and an early start for home in the morning.

Photos this adventure

Well its time to go… its morning on the day we leave for home.  Thank you Francie's Cabin for a memorable and enjoyable time in the mountains of Colorado.  I am sure you will see us again.  With packs and snow shoes on…  we head back down the mountain, this time what took us over 2 hours getting there, only took us ¾ hour to get back.  I like going down the mountains a lot better then going up, plus getting back to a more enjoyable altitude.  Back to the suburban, we pack up and head to the Community Center in Breckenridge for a shower and some clean clothes.  Lord knows we all needed it.  Once clean, and a coke in hand, we head for home, through Loveland Pass this time.  Our travel guide, Mike, decides we need to see some more mountain peaks and the continental divide, and this also avoids the outlet mall where there is a "Big Dog Store" that I have a weakness for.  We are on the road home now… 15 hours or so later, we will hopefully make it safe and sound back home in Little Rock.  Mike and I are already discussing our next trip.  There may be a trip back to these mountains for September.  We'll just see what we do!

Photos this adventure

This weekend we are off to the Buffalo River and another stay at the Buffalo Outdoor Center.   Wendy will be attending a Wilderness Photo Workshop conducted by Tim Ernst at his Cloudland home/office.  Tim has these workshops periodically; he takes you out into the woods, and shows you how to take photos of the wilderness…  Mike and I will made a run down the river, on Saturday and another run with Wendy on Sunday.  Man was that water cold…

Photos this adventure

Back to Top

MAY 2004

Well it’s Saturday morning, and we are off to Sissy's Log Cabin, a jewelry store, with incredible pieces of fine jewelry.  Yes we are going to pick me out a ring.  No he has not asked yet.  I told him I wanted an official proposal, not like the last time, where I found my engagement ring in the microwave… it was a real romantic experience.  Anyway, we had visited Sissy's in February, which got my head spinning like crazy.  I mean I new it was coming someday, and I couldn't wait till it did.  Mike had already talked to my dad and asked permission to marry me, my dad said yes of course, as long as Mike took the "damn" dog with him.  After not much deliberation, the ring was picked, it was a no brainer, and we head back to little rock.  Though I didn't have it on my finger I knew it had to be close by.  The rest of the day was eventful… my friend Rhonda's son was playing in the finals of the high school soccer.   Though the outcome was not what we had hoped, we enjoyed watching these athletes do their thing.  After that it was off to Kristen, Mike's nieces, dance recital.  We watched the first half of the program and then made our exit.  Then it was back to my house to shower and change for dinner out.  I wanted to grab something on the way home, maybe a drive through or something, and just chill out at the house.  Instead, after our clean up we head to the Rivermarket, you know the place?  I assumed we were going to grab a bite to eat at Willy D's before watching the show there, that’s what I get for assuming…  Instead we head the opposite direction, and then walk into Sonny Williams Steak House.  A very nice restaurant that Mike says is only for special occasions.  Well my heart started turning flips, surely he wasn't going to ask, he told me he was going to torment me for a while and make me suffer and wait, so I really didn't expect it.  Once seated, the waiter comes and sits my ring box down in front of me.  It was sooo cool.  The waiter said, "He did good".  Apparently when Mike had given the ring to the hostess, she turned around and showed it to all the staff of the restaurant.  While sitting there looking at my ring, all of a sudden some guy starts taking pictures of us.  It was a little freaky, we had no idea where this guy came from, thinking he was just some customer that saw what happened.  Instead we find out later that he was the owner of the place and had heard what was going to happen and grabbed the camera.  We gave them our names and email address, and they sent us the photos a couple of days later.  Pretty cool huh?  Not many people get pictures of their proposal!  After that of course I am not real sure what happened.  I know we had dinner, but I couldn't tell you what it was.  It didn't matter; I was getting married to a wonderful man.  That was all that counted.  Life just keeps getting better.  After that of course we headed to Willy D’s.  We can’t go to the Rivermarket without going there…

Photos this adventure

This weekend we are in Hot Springs, we spend the night at Curtis's lake house, a childhood buddy of Mike’s.  Saturday morning we head to Mountain Harbor and the Ocean Extreme boat dock.  We check in and collect Mike's gear for his dive training.  I had decided early on that if I was going to have to learn how to do all the snow stuff, he was going to have to learn to scuba dive.  I have been a certified diver for over 4 years now.  It is an awesome experience, but we won't get into all of that.  Once the instructing was under way, they gear up and get their first experience under the water in the pool and get to breathe off the regulator for the first time.  Well it was something we had been worried about, and sure enough, due to Mike's allergies, the sinus & ear pressure was so great that he could not continue.  After several attempts, we realized that this was not going to be his weekend to become a certified diver.  This will have to wait for another time once the rye grass does its thing.  So instead of heading back to little rock, we decide to hang around Hot Springs, and do some car shopping, and some BBQ eating at McClard’s.  Then it was back to Curtis's in hopes to hook up with them and do a little lake running on the ski boat.  Well that didn't happen, something came up and Curtis was unable to join us.  Instead we entertained ourselves lazing around on the dock, having a drink or two and watching the boats go by.  After a dinner at Cajun Boilers, great seafood and catfish place in Hot Springs, we spend some more time on the dock, watching evening water skiers and fisherman do their thing.  It was a quite peaceful and enjoyable night, something that we could really get use to.

Photos this adventure

Since Mike was unable to continue his dive training, we decide to get up and head to Eureka Springs and Thorncrown Chapel.   I have read about this little glass chapel in the Ozarks.  Seen lots of pictures and dreamed of having a wedding there someday.  Though I had never physically seen the chapel I just knew that this was the place for us.  Being out in the woods down a rock path, it just seemed perfect.  I had never been to Eureka Springs, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  Not knowing really where the chapel was, we take our chances and drive through town, finding the sign that lead us up a hill to the parking area of the chapel.  Seeing the chapel from there through the woods, my emotions take over and the chill bumps raise on my arms.  If you have never seen it, it is one site that I highly recommend.  250ft down a stone path, the chapel rises up into the trees with its glass and wood structure.  We enter and there is a little lady sitting there waiting to greet us, she hands us some information about the chapel and says we must sit down while in the chapel, and that we can stay as long as we want and take pictures.  There are others there, and once they leave we are alone there with the greeter in this place of beauty and serenity.  It was such an awesome experience, the peaceful and calming feeling you get by being in this holy place.  I can't imagine another place more perfect to be joined together forever.   Upon leaving the chapel, I stop to speak to the lady who greeted us when we arrived.  In our conversation I found out that she is the wife of the man who once had the dream of creating this place of worship.  Mrs. Reed was delightful little lady to talk with.  She said there has been 3000 wedding performed in the chapel and she has attended every one of them.  She said she looked forward to seeing me walk down the aisle in November.  It will be an honor to have her as a guest at our wedding.

Photos this adventure

Once off of work…  I head up to the lake to meet Mike, Chelsie, Chase, and Denbeigh, my “damn dog” up at the Shiloh camp grounds.  They had come up earlier in the day to the site that Mike and Chase had acquired the night before.  We took a little bike ride later, with Chase trying to run me off the road.  We settle down in our tents and Denbeigh on his runner for the night.  A few hours later we hear noises, sounding like someone is outside in our campsite.  Mike gets up and finds Chelsie making her way to the Suburban.  She decides to sleep there for the night.  Not much later, we hear another noise through the campsite.  This time it’s Denbeigh, who has broken his collar and is out doing a night time exploration.  With a lot of resistance, Denbeigh is placed in the back of my truck to sleep the rest of the night, till we can go to town and get him a new collar in the morning.  Note:  Any of you thinking of camping with your puppy dogs, bring a back up collar just in case of emergencies, because you might not be as lucky as we were to have a store down the road.

Photos this adventure

This morning we are up and cooking pancakes for breakfast, while Chase complains about ticks crawling on him through the night.  We didn't feel a thing.  Wendy arrives while we are cleaning up after breakfast and gather up our stuff for a day out on the boat.  Once at the boat, we take the power washer to it, since this is its first outing for the year.  Man did it need the work.  After we load up, and several minutes on the charger and a few cranks on the ignition we are off.  Wendy and I brought our dive gear for a little down time, however the viz wasn't that great and the pressure today, caused me to have a pretty good sized headache.  So that was it for the diving for me, but we took Wendy to a cove that has a water fall, and rock walls which looked to be a pretty good dive site.  Our suspicions were true; she said it was a great spot.  We'll definitely have to visit this spot again.  The diving done, and its getting late in the day we head back to the camp ground, to clean up and head for Mr. B's for some awesome catfish.  Anytime you are in the Heber Springs area around dinner time, you need to check it out.  But be prepared, you may have to wait for a table, cause it's a very popular place.  Once dinner is over, Wendy heads back home, and we head to the Abbe House, a Bed and Breakfast in Heber Springs, owned by some friends of Mikes, for a visit.  Now it’s back to Shiloh and another night at the camp ground.

Photos this adventure

Well we are up again, and another breakfast at the camp site.  A lazy day on the lake, just kind of lying around, getting some sun, and relaxing… nothing exciting, until the clouds moved in.  Mike had spoken to his Mom and Dad and they are going to join us for our little cook out at the camp site.  Back at the camp site, and Mom and Dad arrive, we start our dinner.  Man was that an adventure.  I had never done any "real" camping before so I had never experienced the cooking in adverse weather conditions.  With people holding poles for the canopy and umbrellas held over us as we turn the food over.  It made for a very interesting dining experience to say the least.  It was however the first time I had ever seen Mike's mom touch food while it’s cooking.  Mike's dad is the cook now in that family, but as she puts it, she taught Dad all he knows about cooking.

Photos this adventure

Well it's the last day… after a night of stormy weather.  Chelsie and Chase had slept in the suburban again, and Mike and I in the tent.  Actually I kind of liked sleeping in the rain in the tent…  We wake to a lot of wet camping gear, we try and dry some things before heading back out on the boat for a couple of hours.  After we put the boat up for the weekend, it’s back to the camp site and we pack up and head home.  Another weekend of adventure for the records…

Photos this adventure

Back to Top

JUNE 2004

Well we are back on the road again… this time to Dallas TX.  Again…

Today we are doing a bit of shopping, off to REI, as usual, then to the mall, Northpark.  After shopping, we make sure that we are back at the hotel, in time to watch as Smarty Jones looses his first race, the last leg of the Triple Crown.  Man what a disappointment.  I had not seen him run any of his other races, but I had read and heard so much about this "little horse that could".  We are off now to the Smirnoff Center, the main reason we are in Dallas this weekend.  We are going to the Kenny Chesney concert with Rascal Flatts, and Uncle Kracker.  Note:  Never go to a concert without eating first… it’s not a smart thing to do.  Getting to the Smirnoff Center was interesting, lines of traffic with a lot of drunken individuals passing beer from car to car in route to the concert.  Once inside, we find a spot on the lawn, which was a nice change in concert going.  Being able to stretch out on a blanket with the one you love, having a drink or two or three under the stars listening to some great music.  What a great night!

Today we head to McKinney, where we pick up Tommy and bring him home for a few weeks to enjoy the summer.  Tommy and I will be staying in Lonoke, since at the farm; there is a major flea problem, and the fact that Chelsie will be babysitting him during his stay here.  Once at "home", Tommy is shown his room, and is introduced to his play boundaries in the neighborhood.  Tommy is going to love it here.  There are a lot of kids his age to play with.  We are now off to the farm, so Granny and Gramps can see Tommy, and have dinner.  After dinner its back to Lonoke and to get Tommy settled down and into bed.  Like that was an easy task.

Today we are at the lake.  Mike's sister, Vicki, and family meet us.  Tommy and Kristen, get to see each other for the first time since Christmas.  With inner tube, wave runner, and lots of kids… the day was filled with fun and laughter.  By the end of the day, the clouds blew in, with a bit of rain but back to the marina just in time.  Load up and head home.  We drop Chelsie and Chase off at their Mom's and look back to find Tommy sound asleep.  He is one tired puppy… he doesn't get to do stuff like this at home with his Daddy, so he is not use to all this activity.  He has definitely got to toughen up to run with us!

Photos this adventure

Its Center Ridge today… a small community north of Morrilton, AR, for the 75^th Annual, St. Joseph's Church, Spaghetti Dinner.  It’s an afternoon of wonderful food, and lots of games for the kids.  Tommy and Kristen are all over the place, Austin is doing his thing with either Vicki or Wally, and Mom and Dad are visiting all their friends and relatives.  I don't know how many people I was introduced to, so many, I don't even know that I will recognize them again.  I think Mom was related to everybody there.  This is where Mom was born, and I think in a way, they use the Spaghetti Dinner as a form of a family reunion… though not all are related but most.  It was great, and the kids had a great time.  I look forward to next years… next time as a McManus, an official member of the family!

It’s our first big family dinner… first of many to be sure.  Mike’s family and mine, though the my bunch is a lot smaller!  We had a great dinner and great fellowship with all.  It is the first time that Granny is able to come to the house.  I think she really enjoyed seeing the house and she ate like a pig too.  That is always a good site to see, her eating like that.  Cause it doesn't happen that often.  Today Wendy brings her new boyfriend, Jerry, a nice guy he seems, we'll just have to wait and see what they do.

Photos this adventure

Today is Kristen's birthday party.  It's at Build-A-Bear.  If you haven't been there or know anything about it… it’s a place where you can build your own animal, from picking out its body, stuffing it, and clothing it.  It’s pretty cool; this will be Tommy's 2^nd build-a-bear.  The first one is a horse named "Blaze", this one is a frog named "Junior".  Man I wish I had been around when he was naming him; he really doesn't look like a Junior!  Later we meet Mike’s family at Shoguns, a Japanese Steak House, where they cook the food in front of you…  Apparently this is one of Kristen's favorites.  A little disappointing though, didn't seem to be much of a "show" like I remember, they wouldn't even sing happy birthday to Kristen.

Today is the last Sunday Tommy will be with us.  So after church we are off to the lake with him.  Even though he didn't have any other kids there to play with… he seemed to have a good time, with the exception of a couple of times when Mike through him in the lake.  I think he quickly got over it!

We get Granny out again for a dinner out.  Tonight we are at TGIF's, Tommy and Granny's favorite spot…  After dinner Wendy, Jerry, Tommy and I head over to the theater to see the new Harry Potter Movie.  Even though I think he enjoyed getting out and going to the movies, Tommy falls asleep mid way through.  Poor kid just doesn't get out much!

Back to Top