Kansas City Here We Come

Friday the 18th we flew (yes, you heard right friends) to Kansas City for Emily Broadhead's wedding to Kevin Kuhlman.

We took a cab at about two from our house, then got to Midway at about 2:30 for a 3:45 flight.

The plane was delayed an hour and a half because of mechanical problems (yes, you're right there with me), but (with a little help from Jim Beam) we were on the plane at about 5:15, and made it to KCI by around 7:00, then got to the Marriott at the Plaza by about eight.

We grabbed a bite to eat in a grill by the big fountain, then walked up the street to Brio, where we met the whole gang from the rehearsal dinner in the bar upstairs.

Emily is in the picture with Lori and me.

Kevin is not in any of these pictures, but he's just the groom. We'll catch up with him in the next entry or two.

Happy Birthday to Greg

Friday was Greg's birthday, and we did celebrate it.

But first, Thursday, I went to the dentist and stopped at GFS nearby, where they had BANNERS--Bears and Missouri Tigers banners! So I bought them both.

The Tigers banner is here, along with my birthday presents.

And Friday night we met up with Glenn and Marlis at the Drury Lane Theater to see a spectacular production of Cabaret.

I'll post a picture of the Bears banner soon. And I've ordered a Cardinals banner, too. Will put that up when we get it.

Labor Day Weekend, Part 3

Finally, there is Labor Day itself.

Lori and I got up and headed north to sausage and cheese land--Milwaukee, Wisconsin--to see the Cardinals in a day game against the Brewers at Miller Park.

It is a great ballpark, with great fans.

The Finch family offered to take a picture of us out in front of the park, so we took one of them, too. Hi Finches! If the Cards can't win the NL Central, we'll pull for your Brewers!

Inside we had great seats--right behind home plate on the loge level, and front row, no less. Right in front of Bob Uecker's booth--that's his white head behind the 620 WTMJ sign.

Lotsa videos here. Pujols hits a double with runners on second and third--drives them both in.

Holliday gets a hit with Pujols on second to drive him in.

Sausage races--can't beat that.

And Carpenter gets the last out in the ninth for a one-hit, complete game victory!

Labor Day Weekend, Part 2

Sunday we went to brunch at Wishbone and ran into Glenn, Marlis, daughter Linda and her beau Vince. That was fun.

Then Lori and I sat out a little while, then put away the outdoor room.

Then it was time for Tatum's birthday bash!

Glenn's band played for Wilbert Tatum's birthday party in Maywood, and Lori and I got to go.

Tatum cooked up a bunch of food--ribs and prok chops and beans and spaghetti and mac and cheese and lots more.

That's Tatum on the left in the three-shot with Aeron and Queenella, Glenn and Marlis' neighbors.

It was essentially a block party, with the street closed off, and a jump castle and basketball set for the kids--big and small. That's Lori and Marlis in the jump castle.

We got to hang out more with Linda and Vince, too, which was great.

And there was dancing.

Labor Day Weekend, Part 1

Friday night we grilled some burgers and set up our outdoor room for the Mizzou-Illinois game on Saturday.

Saturday we watched Missouri crush Illinois on ESPN--it was truly glorious. 37-9.

Makes up for all those December Braggin' rights debacles!

Saturday night we cooked up some hot chicken wings, and then we had our first fire of the year--hard to believe it took us until September to do it!

Catchup Time

Forgive me, Bloggees, for I have sinned. It has been two and a half weeks since my last entry.

Lori and I have both been busy getting back to work, but we have had a little time to enjoy ourselves.

The weekend of the 22nd and 23 of August, we got together with Glenn and Marlis on Saturday and, after Marlis ran puppy Carl through his paces (see video below), we went out to the western 'burbs to play some mini-golf and have dinner at a very nice Mexican restuarant--all the food was great, but the fish tacos Lori and I had were something special.

Sunday was nice, so we sat out in our backyard room and enjoyed the day.

Now Labor Day weekend approaches, and we've got grand plans, let me tell you--

Well, you'll see.

All Good Things...

Harley was glad to see us--he was all over me, but he lectured Lori for a long time.

It was all her fault, after all.

Sam is pictured here on his final day of painting--boy, was he ever ready to be done with a job!

Friday night we finally held Sam's 19th birthday party. Cameron came over, and we had pulled pork sandwiches with slaw, roasted corn, baked beans and tomato/basil salad. And cake and ice cream (see the video).

Harley hung out with us in his own way.

Saturday Sam drove himself and me to Peoria. I drove back alone.

Saturday night we went out with Glenn and Marlis--forgot to take pictures.

Sunday we were back on our own--just the two of us. It's good.