Stephensons Visit Missouri

Heather, Robert, Micah and Ellie made their annual trip to Missouri last week. Unfortunately, the day before they arrived we had to put my mother in the hospital with pneumonia. She was in the hospital from Friday to Wednesday. After church on Sunday we all invaded her room which included a visit from the seven great grandchildren.

In spite of a dismal beginning, we were all able to have a fun family vacation with Brent's and Heather's families. This included lot of rides in the car. Most of the time we were able to get all of us in two vehicles: Heather and Robert's Durango and our Toyota Highlander. Here is a picture of Brent and Amanda in the "rumble seat". We had to put car seats in the middle two seats because they wouldn't fit in the back. After this trip Brent and Amanda opted for a different arrangement. Brigham is sitting in the middle with Moses facing backwards in the other seat.

Brent and Amanda came to the rescue many times during the week by doing most of the cooking, smoking us a pork butt and spareribs and making their famous kettle korn.

The evenings were cool and a fun time for the kids to play outside and ride bikes and scooters. Here is Micah riding Hannah's bike.

Robert and Heather brought their Wii and the girls had great fun with that. Micah and Sadie are playing Star Wars.

On Memorial Day we went to the cemetery in St. Joseph and decorated the graves of my Dad, Grandparents Smith, Grandparents McCoppin, Aunt Phyllis and Valeria's parents. It was overcast that day but didn't rain. The kids enjoyed cleaning the headstones, trimming grass around the headstones and placing the flowers. Everyone had a job. They also enjoyed searching for the right graves. Here are some of us at Daddy's grave.

The week included some good meals out as well. Here are Sadie, Hannah, Heather, Ellie, Abby and Amanda waiting for a table at Cheddars.

There were also several nights of sleepovers. Ellie and Hannah talked into the night and enjoyed telling their own made up jokes.

We spent a fun lunch at Chuck-E- Cheese for pizza and games. Ellie, Hannah and Sadie are enjoying one of the attractions.

Heather's kids hadn't been to Build-a-bear and Ellie had some birthday money she wanted to spend. Micah picked out a black bear dressed like Spiderman and Ellie got a princess unicorn.

Of course you can't come to Kansas City without a trip to World's of Fun. Micah, Ellie, Hannah and Abby enjoyed time at Camp Snoopy.

There's always lots to eat at WOF and here are Ellie, Micah, Hannah, Heather and Robert enjoying dippin' dots, big slurpees, funnel cakes and turkey legs.

I actually managed to get all the kids to sit together at Great Grandma's house for one last picture together. From left to right are Abby, Brigham, Micah, Moses, Sadie, Hannah and Ellie. We all sure love and enjoy getting together. A fun time was had by all.