Little Rock, AR

My view out my hotel window was of the Arkansas River and this baseball park. It really was a very beautiful place. I hadn't known what to expect and was pleasantly surprised with how nice it was. They have developed a very nice "river walk" that I enjoyed. There are lots of bridges and one of them is for pedestrians only.

Here is the President Bill Clinton Library. It is quite impressive, even if the man himself is less so. It was a very nice short walk from my hotel.

Gardner Village Witches!

Yesterday Tom and I went to Gardner Village in Salt Lake. Every year in October they decorate with witches everywhere! A little chilly but none the less a fun adventure. I think I only spent $6.00! I need Nicholle with me...she always inspires me...it's almost a waste of gas to drive up there and spend so little! (take note of that very small bag in my hand) Last year we had our Young grandkids with us...soooo fun!

Gourmet Cooks

Yes, we are now gourmet cooks! Linda made the pizza crust, I cooked it on the grill. Then we top it with olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh tomatoes from our garden, fresh basil, and fresh mozzerella cheese. Being empty nesters has its advantages some days.

Drawing to an end...fun with grandkids, worn out grandparents!

Amy even dressed up in a period dress and cape. It was heavy!

Blake liked the guns and "bullets" (artillery shells) from WWII.

We enjoyed going to the museums on Jefferson Barracks. Cade enjoyed climbing on an old cannon.

St. Louis, Part II

Tuesday we couldn't find jackets for the school kids (Linda was cold), so we did what grandparents do--we went to the mall that evening and bought new ones! They seem to love them; that is the jacket and sweater Blake and Amy are modeling. Then today after the bus picked them up, grandma Linda, grandpa Tom, and Cade walked the Jefferson Barracks 2.7 mile trail. We are just coming in to the final stretch in the picture you see. Jefferson Barracks is a fun place with all sorts of things to see and do. After school, Amy and grandma Linda bought Cade his birthday present from us and he seems to really like it--the cool bike he is riding! Only a couple of crashes.... Then we collected leaves and grandma helped them make wax paper placemats for our dinner. All in all, a very good day!

St Louis with the Holman grandchildren

We got to St Louis Saturday, and Jenny left for Ireland on Sunday morning. After Church, we had a great meal of mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken, salad and ice cream or home-made apple torte. Yum! Blake ate 1 1/2 chicken breasts and two big helpings of potatoes and gravy. We also played Hungry, Hungry, Hippo and then went on a walk where the kids climbed trees (see Amy still up in one), threw rocks in a culvert (see all three sitting by it), and relaxed. Cade is so cute and tried to imitate me relaxing (see picture). Already today Blake and I have been to McDonald's and picked up Home Evening treat at Krispi Kreme Donuts! It reminded me of going on Saturdays with Matt. Blake chattered the whole time and loved getting stuff to eat. What fun for me!

Little Debbie's Cosmic Brownies

Okay, so Nicholle had issues with me because I dis-ed Little Debbie's Cosmic Brownies without having had a Little Debbie Brownie in a long time. Maybe it was better than I remembered. Maybe the "Cosmic" (with pieces of candy on top) would make a difference. Nope. 280 calories and 20% of daily fat calories and a funky aftertaste. Sorry Nicholle.