Cooking at Papaw's

Grandma Debbie does a great job on cooking with the kids when they come to visit. The kids really enjoy it and I don't mind it myself. She always makes us cinnamon rolls and I have to use the term us very loosely. She might make them for everyone, but I can't stop eating them because they are sooooooooooooo good! So she might make a big pan of them, but I eat about half the pan because I can't control myself around them. They are my favorite cinnamon roll of ALL TIME!

The highlights of this trip were donuts, even papaw got in on making these with the kids. We also made cake pops on a stick. If you look closely at the picture below you will see the fancy holder Papaw made for us to stick them in. (a box with nail holes) He treats us well. I had never made the cake pops, but was amazed by them. You bake the cake, crumble it up, mix it with frosting, form balls/insert stick, and then dip in melted chocolate! Who wouldn't love that?

Fun at Papaw's

 How can you not have fun with this crew?

 Some of my favorite photos are the silly faces? It makes me laugh and smile and those things bring me joy and who doesn't want joy! I might have to name our next animal Joy!

Kinect Fun

The kinect is always a fun time. The highlight this year for the kids was kinect sports 2. Skiing was a good time! It was also great that Papaw was able to do some racing with us this time, it was able to recognize him in his wheelchair. He also threw down on darts. I was the weak link on darts, everyone else kicked me to the curb! I couldn't win for nothing, and thank goodness that is what we were paying for. I might have had bragging rights in boxing, but not in darts! Fun is all I could get!

Papaw and his Grandkids

The power wheel chair is always a hit!

Nothing warms my heart more than watching my kids with my dad! Precious, sweet, and memories that will last a lifetime!! I know they wear him out while we visit, but we all have a great time!

The highlight of the trip for me was learning how to play cribbage. My dad had enough patience to teach me and I had enough patience to learn! Some things can change and now we can say we do have more patience than Grandma Debbie and Rob give us credit for! It is a really fun game and every free moment we found Papaw and I would play. Thank goodness we didn't keep track because I think he might have won, but no one was counting! Right?

More Presents

Grandma Debbie found these cute blankets for the kids. They are a huge hit. Ellery is a lady bug while Mason is a dragon. Not pictured is Bryson the monkey, but he is pictured in his adorable sock monkey hat. Grandma Debbie had the kids crawling around on the floor as their animals and they had a great time playing in them. They are super soft as well. The kids don't know it, but they will get matching pillows for their birthdays!
Everyone enjoyed opening presents. Ellery gave the classic, look it's a box response to some openings and was excited to get the box. They are spoiled with love from Papaw and Grandma Debbie, but it doesn't stop at just love. Christmas was a fun time for everyone!

Black Friday

I hope I can score a deal like this another time, but this was a steal of a deal. Our dear friend craig that is craigslist really came through for us. I am a bit embarrassed how I found the deal, but it is a humorous story.

We were visiting Larned, KS over the holiday and the options for black Friday shopping are nil. We arrived on Thanksgiving Day and we heard that Wal-Mart was going to open at 10pm for some door busters for early early black Friday shopping. They had motorized cars on sale for $100. I was tempted to drive the 30 min to Great Bend to get Ellery one for Christmas, but I was really tired and Rob was post call and going on little sleep. Grandma Debbie offered to be my co-pilot, but I couldn't do it! We should have gone shopping because we ended up staying up late chatting. In our chatting moments we surfed the Internet for deals and were peeking at motorized cars for kids. We had the bright idea to look on craigslist in Omaha. I came up empty on my search for motorized cars, but I didn't come up empty handed. I found a motorized wheel chair for $150. This Jazzy Select Motorized Wheel Chair was gently used, we are talking barely used. This model is still sold in stores for $3000+. I am one proud shopper and Papaw is one mobile man!

Visit to Papaw's

We headed out to Papaw's on Thanksgiving Day. We packed turkey sandwiches as our lunch anticipating that most of our usual stops would be closed and we were correct. The kids loved eating in the car and we loved that we kept on going!

The hysterical part of the trip was when Grandma Debbie told them that the ramp creaked/squeaked because an alligator lived underneath it! She told them it would put pressure on the alligators back and make him make noise. The kids got a huge kick out of it! They were concerned if it would eat people and Papaw told them that it ate dust bunnies instead!

The even more hysterical thing was when we got home, I found Ellery standing in one spot on our floor making it creak/squeak. She looked at me with a serious expression and stated that we had an alligator in our floor as well!

Gone Fishing

We went fishing again with Papaw. We got a few bites, but Mason is showing his "Brooks" side in patience. Meaning he doesn't have much patience. Everyone still had a good time, I think they were more interested in watching the dragon flies this time around. We tried to get Mason to pick up the worm, but he wasn't having anything to do with them. He told us they are too slimy.

Papaw and Dan took the kids fishing on day two and a fish was caught! Hooray for Mason! He finally understands what fishing is all about. Mason was about to touch the fish, but graciously declined. Uncle Dan told him that if they caught another one he would have to touch it and throw it back. Mason thought that was a good idea until they caught another fish. He still wouldn't touch it, but memories were made!

Papaw Show and Tell

While Papaw was here we had Mason's Pre-K graduation party at our house. We had 18 pre-K kids running all around while all the parents watched from afar. I think it wore Papaw out just watching the chaos. He waited until the party was over to take off his legs. We still had 4 party friends that were intrigued to watch him take off his legs. My dad was sweet and asked me if it was ok to show these kids his legs. All the moms and myself included kept telling him that it was and is a great teaching/learning experience for the kids. I should have had Mason take Papaw to school for show and tell!

We Got One

We finally got a fish. We went fishing the last time we visited Papaw and it was too cold to catch a fish. Then when we went fishing in Omaha, I did not pick the best location. Finally this trip we were able to catch a little perch for Mason. We were beginning to wonder what he thought fishing really was because he was thrilled to go cast and hold his pole without even reeling anything in. We did have to change hooks and sights on what kind of fish we were fishing for to get this guy, but we wanted Mason to reel in his first fish with Papaw! The things you do for your children, my dad used to bait my hook with a real worm because I didn't want to "hurt" the worm and now I am willing to "hurt" the worm so my kid can catch a fish.

Go West One Man

We loaded up the family and headed west to visit Papaw and Grandma Debbie. I think everyone had a great time, and I am not sure who wore who out more.

Rob showed Mason a map of our route to Papaws, and instead of asking "are we there yet" multiple times, he kept asking are we on the red or green road now. "Mom when we got on the green road the map showed an airplane, I didn't see the airplane, so are we on the green road or the red one?" Funny the things they focus in on.

Wrapping Paper

I couldn't resist showing off this master piece wrapping job. While I was back for Papaws retirement I helped him wrap all of his Christmas presents. One included this big box for Rob. Papaw wanted me to take it back to Omaha, since I would have the extra space this trip. We then decided rather than wasting our left over paper we would wrap Rob's with "left overs". I think it turned out nice and could be considered art?

The Birds

The men went out hunting again this year. Rob's back wasn't hurt this year so he was able to participate. We are lucky they weren't hunting to feed the family. They didn't get a lot of birds, so the joke was to say this is a $x amount per bird and if they went out to feed the family they would have failed miserably. I never actually got the specific figures. All that matters is that they all had a good time. The time is fast approaching where I am going to have to get Mason into a hunters safety course so he will be able to join them. I was shocked how the kids scooped up the dead birds to look at them and hold them. Ellery liked how soft the feathers were.

Christmas with Papaw

When you head from a fairly large town to a small town in Kansas, you can't do much but sit back and enjoy the company and the relaxation. That is what is nice about going some place else. I don't have my house to worry about or anything in it to do, what a blessing and just what I needed.

Papaw and Grandma Debbie spoiled the kids as usual. From toys to making donuts. The joke of the week was to tell Papaw to smile and he would say he is. The verdict is still out if one can consider it a smile. He would have been great in taking pictures in the wild west days.

A girl always loves a small box and Papaw gave Jill and I matching necklaces. you an see it in the photo dangling around my neck. I also got the pretty scarf I tied around my head, I didn't get around to doing my hair before we opened presents.

Papaw gave rides around the block and the kids really enjoyed it. Mason is sitting in the back with dead pheasant and smearing blood all over. Ewww

Lots of lounging was going on, if you can consider all the kids on you lounging?

One of my highlights was updating Jordan's status on facebook. She used the macbook and left herself signed in and I posted some great ones, yet she felt the need to delete my posts? It was funny I said something in one post on how great her family was and to "text me" and I'll tell you all about it, and some of her friends texted her about it! Priceless!

34 Years of Service

The reason Bryson and I hit the open road to Kansas was to come celebrate with Papaw. After 34 years of service to the State of Kansas he decided to retire. If you want to finally get slapped in the face with feeling "old" watch your parent retire. I am so proud of my dad and the reception was spectacular, it truly was an honor to attend. I actually debated missing the event due to it being so close to Christmas and I will never regret making the time to go. Proud doesn't seem to encompass the feeling I felt for my dad, but I was a proud daughter.
50+ Highway Patrol friends showed up to share their stories and memories. Some I recall while others were fun to hear. I knew my dad was ornery, and people have stories to prove it. A man who knew how to have fun and keep it real while knowing when to stop to be a professionalism. I think I would have enjoyed working with my dad. It was also fun to see familiar Highway Patrol faces that I grew up with that I hadn't seen since my dad lost his legs. I wasn't up for a lot of conversation at that point in life, so I am glad I was able to chat with them at a more peaceful setting. I really enjoyed the stories I got to hear from giving someone his car at a moments notice so they could drive 3 more hours to get to spend time with a dying loved one not knowing when they would return with his car, to pulling into a truck stop driving the truck drivers truck while truck driver drove his patrol car. They really are priceless. He was known for many things. I remember him shining his shoes and brass every night and even helping him. It got around that he kept his brass so shiny that he rubbed the KS State Seal off the badge-True. He used some sort of paste that I am sure was toxic to the skin, but it came out of the tube pink, but we would rub until our fingers were black. I used to watch him finish accident reports and then borrow his ruler with they symbols in it to draw pictures. I think I actually still have that ruler. Wonderful wonderful memories. My fondest memory is when he got the green camero patrol car. He came home and told me to get in and lets go for a ride. A big no no with a state car let alone the patrol car. He drove us north of town in Cimarron and then stopped the car. He got out of the car and told me to do the same and get in the drivers seat. I was grinning ear to ear just getting to ride in it. I was beyond excitement getting to drive it. I got in and and drove off normally with a bit more caution and my dad told me to stop the car. I thought oh what a short drive. He then told me to "punch it" and go for it. I know what it's like to put the pedal to the medal and what a feeling. Thanks for all the great memories dad and I hope you enjoy your retirement!!!We couldn't be more proud of you dad for all of your years of service! What dedication, something I hope to teach my children.

Papaw Meets Bryson

I first have to say I really enjoyed my silence in the 5 hour drive. Bryson cried for 10 min tops the whole trip! I hope he travels that good in two weeks when we come back for the holidays!
Due to crazy schedules, sickness and other ailments we haven't been able to see Papaw. Bryson is at a perfect age to meet Papaw, he isn't such a slug and is more interactive every day. I think the two enjoyed each other.

A Fun Visit

I really should take a before and after pictures when someone comes to visit. I think we wore everyone out, but had a great time doing it. Every night before Mason went to bed he wanted to know who would be at our house when he woke up? I think he is going to be disappointed tomorrow morning. He would wake up every morning and not even come to my room to wake me, he went straight to the basement to find Papaw. When Ellery woke up every morning she would call out for Papaw and say where are you or here I am. She could never grasp she had to get to the basement first before she repeated saying it multiple times. I feel bad for Rob because he had to work all weekend and didn't get to spend much time with everyone, but I welcomed having Papaw and Grandma Debbie around to visit with and help entertain the kids. Right before they left I asked Mason to thank them for his gifts and I know Mason loved the chairs, tadpoles, fishing poles, and new bath towels, but he could only remember to thank them for the cookies Grandma Debbie made and brought up for them. I think they ate a cookie at every meal this weekend and loved every minute of it.

Here Fishy Fishy

Papaw took Mason fishing, we went to the pond not far from our house rather than hit one of the state parks. We should have gone for fishing at the state park because the fish at the pond are over fed and didn't bite at all. We could see them swimming around our bait and hook, but they weren't interested. This is the second time Mason has gone fishing and not caught an actual fish. We aren't sure he realizes when you go fishing you usually catch a fish. Never the less he had a great time and really enjoyed the process. I am excited to see how he reacts someday when we actually catch a fish.

Mason did however get some good quality time with Papaw and all sorts of advice. I wonder if this is how I looked when my dad gave me words of wisdom?

We took Ellery's fishing pole with us, but she wasn't interested in casting it into the water. She did get spooked on the dock when she looked through the cracks and could see water underneath. She had fun just hanging out and wearing Grandma Debbie's rain jacket.

Time with Papaw and Grandma Debbie

Papaw and Grandma Debbie came up for a visit and of course came bearing gifts. They bought the kids fishing poles and a tackle box with all the essential needs for fishing. The great thing about the fishing poles is that they come with a rubber weight so you can practice casting. Boy did we practice and Mason can cast his line like a champ. They love the poles and request to play with them often.They were going to get to witness a soccer game and Mason's first T-ball game, but it was rained out. We decided to hit Lowe's for a few items and no one wants to ride in my cart when they can ride with Papaw.
Lastly, we were able to drag Papaw out to our neighborhood yearly picnic. I think he was more overwhelmed with the activity than the kids. Grandma Debbie was a champ and stood in line with the kids so they could get some cool balloon art. The spiderman is cool, but the little mermaid is adorable. They also loved getting their faces painted and Mason informed me he wanted to wear his spiderman face everyday.

Papaw's

We had a great visit at Papaw's, I think he was ready for us to leave, but enjoyed us all even if we are exhausting. The kids really enjoyed going down to the game room and playing, they seem to have better toys than we do. Grandma Debbie kept us well nourished, maybe too well. She always makes yummies I intend to keep away from but always find myself sneaking a bite here and there. They spoiled the kids, and they loved every minute of it. Papaw loves to buy chocolate milk and we keep telling our kids that only Kansas has chocolate cows.