Missouri: Gore Family Reunion

The purpose of our trip to Missouri at this time was for Uncle Lee's Bucket List Reunion. The kids got to spend time with most of their cousins on Phillip's side. Alicia, Galen's daughter, is holding Harrison in one picture. I'm not sure I caught Zane in a picture, but he kindly played with his younger cousins and won Jonathan over with his teasing. Uncle John only made half our kids cry. :-) You'll see Harrison sitting next to a little boy just a few months older than he. This is Collin Ashford, Phillip's cousin's son. Phillip and his cousin grew up not far from each other and are close to the same age. Harrison got a little grumpy toward the end of the day, so you won't see a smile in the chair next to Collin. He did love sitting on Uncle Lee's tractor, however.

I enjoy the food and conversation at family reunions. It was neat to visit with some of the family I don't often get to see or know much about.

Missouri: Hermann

This was an excellent overnight trip Phillip planned for the two of us. I highly recommend Hermann, MO as a get-away for couples (could work for families too, I suppose). I'm not sure what this little town is like during their many Fests (it might get raucous since they are known for their wine), but we've enjoyed the two times we've been there when it was quiet.

It's a beautiful drive first of all. I love driving through the country when everything is green and the crops are growing. I'm not sure I could make it to the town without turning around several times; but Phillip is handy with Maps on iPhone, and if we got lost, I sure didn't know it.

There are some neat places to visit. We visited Stonehill Winery both times we've been there. They have a quaint restaurant made from an old barn, I believe. The food was very good; I especially enjoyed the black forest cake. After lunch we toured the winery. At one time, Missouri was the second largest wine-producing state in the nation. Prohibition shut that down, of course. The people of Hermann do not appreciate Prohibition in the least. It was brought up on several occasions during our time there. I took a picture of our tour guide because........ well, doesn't he just look like he'd know everything there is to know about Hermann and wine production history? He looks like he's 12! He did do a thorough job though.

We drove around a bit (steep hills; not sure how they drive those things in the winter time!). Then we headed to our couples-only Hermann Hill Bed and Breakfast Vineyard Inn. I had forgotten that Phillip made reservations for us. He had asked if I wanted to see pictures of the room, and I had declined so that I would be surprised. Then I forgot all about it. But when we got there ~ it was so neat!

It's a cross between a bed-and-breakfast and a hotel. It looks like a home, but you have private rooms with all the amenities a hotel would provide. Each room has a balcony overlooking the vineyard and the town below: gorgeous views, comfortable breeze in the afternoons and evenings, beautiful sunrise (time provided for you when you arrive). They bring you a welcome tray once you are settled which includes bread, cheese, fruit and grape juice. They bring you homemade cookies and ice cream with a homemade chocolate sauce at 10 pm. And they, of course, bring your choice of breakfast to your room (or you can get it to go) at the time of your choosing. Wow! We did not need supper, that's for sure. There's a little walking trail and a bookshelf of movies and books. There are three coffee stations at various places around the Inn and a refrigerator with snacks in your room. The towel racks warm your towels!! I was dyin'! It was just such an unexpectedly charming experience. Phillip really did a great job. I want to go back in the fall sometime so we can see the countryside blazing with fall colors and cozy up to the fireplace in our room.

Missouri: Family Pictures

We wanted to be sure and get pictures of Grandma Phoebe and little Phoebe. I found out Grandma Phoebe was named for two of her Grandmas: Phoebe and Ruth.

I'm so glad for the time we get to spend with family!

A Speaking Part for Elizabeth

Elizabeth got a speaking part for God's Gang this year. The play was called "Jonah's Druthers" and was a fun play to watch. Her part was Nellie, one of the four Gully Washers of Nineveh. She was so alive when she spoke her part. Very succinct and loud (it was necessary to be loud so as to be heard). Reminded me of so many kid's choir performances I was a part of! We're very proud of her for getting up on stage even though she gets nervous.

My pictures are not great, but we may be able to get the video once it's been copied, and then friends and family can watch to their hearts content!

The obligatory cookies and visiting were held after the play. Oh, the memories!

Celebrating Harrison's 2

It's so fun to watch little ones celebrate. They know there is something exciting going on even if they don't know what it's about. So they jump and dance and shout just because everyone else is. Innocence and celebration. So much fun.

Harrison enjoyed his 2 year old birthday celebration. He was a little scared of the candles, and he wouldn't taste the cake till I shoved a little piece in his mouth (he's so weird ~ he won't try new foods even if it's cake!). He didn't get much of a chance to open his gifts because of his older siblings' heavy involvement (notice Elizabeth staying out of the fray). But he loved the gifts anyway. Cars, cars, and a movie about Cars. And then a little movie time watching Cars. And the constant use of a favorite word ........... "car".

He's Two!

Harrison is two today. We'll celebrate his birthday on Friday with cake and presents and the movie Cars (he loves cars of all sorts). He is precious, precious to all of the family and a whole lot of fun to be around. Happy Birthday, my boy!