Monday June 23, 2008 - POPS Birthday

Today is Jesse Dad’s 93rd birthday. Sorry we can be there to help celebrate, but our love goes across the wires to him.

His cake above

Below is Sondra and Pop

I am writing this on Tuesday while on the road so, I can’t post the pictures from where we stopped for the night www.lakesiderec.org in Assaria, KS.

The most unique thing about this park to me was the 5^th wheel trailers that appear to be set up for migrant farm workers. They have multiple rooms that are about 6x8. Each room has their own door with a window and one trailer had air condition units in each window, and outside each had their own satellite dish all the comforts of home.

The park had free WiFi (very slow) it also had a beach area and a 400’ waterslide. The sites were very small, but for an overnight at $10 (Passport America) we had 30 amp, electric and sewer it was fine.

Our route from Shawnee.OK was all interstate I 40 W to I 35N to I 135N, and was uneventful. We left at 9:15am and traveled 256 miles and arrived at Lakeside at 3pm. We stopped a few times to walk the boys and get lunch.

I made salmon cakes for dinner with salad, and green beans. After dinner we walked to boys around the park, by this time it was 7pm and we relaxed and watched TV until bed time.

We are planning a longer drive today into Nebraska. Can’t wait to see what this day holds for us.

See you down the road.

Sunday June 22 - Final Days with Family

Today is Sunday and we just returned from the home of Brian and his family. We said our goodbyes as we are on the road again tomorrow.




The girls wanted me to take a silly picture of them




We did our usual morning routine and I made potato salad for my contribution for dinner tonight. Around 12:30 we went to see the movie “The Incredible Hulk”. Jesse liked it and I thought it was okay. We returned home and awaited the arrival of Alyssa. It was her turn to be with us and walk the boys. (I will explain later in this entry)

Once the boys were fed and walked the three of us went to the Baker’s. Shannon was making dinner for us again, she was making barbeque chicken, broccoli salad, baked beans, corn and I brought potato salad. I also made homemade lemonade.

Brianna and I helped Shannon prepare the meal, and set the table.







Everything was really good and we were stuffed. We sat and visited for a while. When it was time to leave we said our goodbyes with hugs and kisses.

It was really good to see them all, but it was time to move on. We have changed our plans. We had planned to head to Amarillo (to get my license) then on to the mountains of Colorado. We are now planning to make our way to South Dakota and see the sites.

Yesterday we were up early and at the Baker’s by 7:30am. We were sitting with the girls for the morning.

I made breakfast for Jesse and the girls and then they watched cartoons on TV. I was writing and posting our journal in the kitchen. The girls would come in a few minutes to see what I was doing. They are all so cute.

When I was finished we played Chutes and Ladders Alora won and then put puzzles together. Once Mommy and Daddy returned home Jesse and I needed to go home and walk the boys and Alora wanted to go with us. I asked Shannon if it was okay and she said yes, but Alyssa was very upset that she couldn’t come also.

We told her that she could come with us tomorrow, they both wanted to walk Mr. B. We told Shannon and Brian we would bring dinner back with us. We were not sure what we were going to bring, the thought was KFC, or pizza. I remembered seeing a barbeque place and thought that would be a good idea. So we went to “Van’s Pig Stand” in Shawnee. We got a family meal which had baked beans, cold slaw, texas toast, ribs, and brisket. It was all very good and Shannon was thrilled to not have to cook.

We visited, looked at pictures and enjoyed our time with them. They are great parents and good people.



Ellie, they have these all over Shawnee, so I thought I would post a few.








See you down the road.

Friday June 20 - More Family Visits

I was really tired when Jesse arose this morning so I said “Do you mind if I stay in bed awhile longer” he said “no”. So that’s what I did. He walked the boys and then they came and got back in bed with me and we slept for another hour or so.

We got up at 7:30 and got dressed right away, as Jesse wanted to go over to the casino for breakfast. They have a special - 2 eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and coffee for $2.99. Our total with tip and tax was $9.00, what a deal.

After that we played slots for a little while. Then we went back home and relaxed in front of our computers and watched TV.

Around 1:00 we decided to go to Wal*Mart and find a post office. I need to mail birthday cards for Pop (Jesse’s Father) and our niece Marilyn.

Speaking of Birthday’s "Happy Birthday Chad!!" He is one of the sons I was working for in Colorado.

After that, we were home again for a short while, then off to the Baker’s for the evening.

We got GREAT news from Molly and Bob Pinner - they have a contract on their house. We are very happy for them, Now the work begins, to get rid of all their stuff. They are such caring, good folks and we can’t wait for our paths to cross again, soon. Good luck guys!

Here are a few pictures

Brian getting ready to feed the alpaca’s.

Some of the Alpaca's

Shannon working on getting a sand foundation for the swimming pool they are putting up.

This is Alora she is 7

Alyssa who is 5

The youngest Brianna who 2 along with Shannon.

We were late again getting home again. We had a good visit with the Baker’s.

Their airstream camper

We have to be up early tomorrow as we are sitting with the girls at 7:30am. Shannon belongs to an exercise class and they are having guest from the Biggest Loser Couples - Amanda and Neal (white team) and she wanted Brian to go also.

Until tomorrow

See you down the road.