Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Country Stampede



On Saturday night we were invited to go to the Country Stampede in Manhattan. After some research, I found out this was the 16th year, but the first we have ever gone to.    Thanks to our hosts, Roy and Linda, we were in the VIP section.  I had heard stories about the lack of clothing and there were definitely some people who should have worn more for their body type, but it wasn't completely revolting.  The first person we heard was Jerrod Niemann, a guy originally from Liberal.
 Next was Blake Shelton.  He sang for a long time and has a top country hit right now with Honey Bee.

This is a shot of the crowd as I stood on my chair and looked back.  There were people as far as you could see back to some vendor's tents.  It wasn't meant to be a picture of the guy in the black muscle shirt.
The last performer was Brad Paisley.  He used the whole back of the stage to show videos and pictures of he and the band as they were performing.  Quite a show!

Abby went with friends for three days.  The average age there seemed to be no more than 30, so while she is younger than that, it was a young crowd.  She was pretty tired when she got home and tired of being dirty even though the girls took a shower a Blake's every day.
Grandma and Grandpa - did you survive the Stampede??
I could come rescue you on my horse!  This would be his Stampede outfit - just the diaper.

It was fun, and much thanks to Roy and Linda for taking us with them.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Wednesday Morning Golf

Paige golfs on Wed. mornings, so Neelly spends some time with us.  Abby and I took some pictures of her holding her head up like a big girl!


 This toy is supposed to be good for tummy time.  It lights up and plays music when you touch it so it is like she is in a disco.  That's a 70's grandma talking - the decade, not the age of the grandma.

  I also want to point out that I at one time had some black pants that had colorful dots on them and they got a thumbs down from the peanut gallery.  However, they are deemed "cute" on Neelly.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Recent Reads

Summer is a time to read, so I thought I would share what I have read or am reading this week.

Tamara loaned me this from another friend.  It is the book assigned to incoming KSU freshmen to read.  Last year it was The Hunger Games, which I loved.  The idea is that they will all read this book and it will be referred to in various classes throughout the campus.  This book is about a Syrian Muslim businessman in New Orleans who stays during Hurricane Katrina and is met with atrocities from the military brought in to help and from local law enforcement.  He is put in jail but eventually gets out.  I guess it may make for some interesting discussion in different college classes.  I am not sure it is representative of all situations during the hurricane. 


This is a fast read about a mom and daughter who drive from Wyoming to the east coast to drop her off at what appears to be an unnamed Ivy Leagues school.  It is a quick read and interesting for mom's experiencing letting go of children and finding a new direction.
I am not a Paula Deen fan, but saw this at the library and decided to read it.  She comes from poverty and suffered from agoraphobia during her sons' childhood.  When we were in Savannah, we didn't eat at her restaurant, but now I wish we had.  If I remember right, she started her restaurant in downtown Savannah in 1996 borrowing money from an aunt to get a loan to fix up the building.  There are a few recipes throughout which involve a lot of butter, cream, and frying in Crisco.  It is easier to eat that at a restaurant than to feel healthy about fixing it in your own home. 

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

First Time Swimmer


It was Braden's first day at the pool on Sunday.  At first, he was really unsure, but it didn't take too long for him to get into playing in the water. 
Aunt Abby stopped by on her way back from Yates Center.   Seems as though attending Yates Center Days last weekend wasn't enough for her.   But she didn't have her suit, so she just lounged.  Grandma got into the action however.
Then Braden came home with me and stayed Monday and Tuesday.  He attended a couple of days of Vacation Bible School and really enjoyed it!  His cousin, Neelly, was in the same nursery class, but they don't pay too much attention to each other yet.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

For My Mom

So if you are tired of seeing pictures of the grandkids, just go on to your next blog.  These are for my mom who always enjoys seeing the pictures probably because they are so darn cute!
This girl has been over at my house a few times this week while her mom has things to do.  She sleeps great during the night by herself, but prefers company during the day.  And I don't mind since I don't plan on getting anything done when she is here anyway.  She did sleep an hour by herself.
On the day of our anniversary, we went to eat at Olive Garden, then bought a map of the New England area, and upgraded my phone.  I spent a lot of time yesterday getting it fixed like I want it with help from Abby and Paige.  I figured it was time for me to get with it and have a smart phone.
Then we went to see this crawling, pulling up, boy.  He was a wild man and so happy while we were there.  He looks like his mom, but reminds me of how his dad was as a baby.

He was already in his jammies - it wasn't a jammie day like has been known to occur if his dad is in charge!