Missouri Trip 10.5 thru 10.10

Vanessa, Mom, Korin and I made the trip to Missouri to see family. In the early planning stages, all of Vanessa's family was coming. The closer to time it got they began bailing one by one. In all fairness, Keannon had a great excuse. He was called to Oklahoma City to write claims for hail damage.

Vanessa picked the date as Kennedy would be on fall break from school. The other two are homeschooled. Then she learned that even though school wouldn't be in session, sporting games and practices would still continue. After Kennedy's shoulder injury, Vanessa was going to  make her come. Then a new friend Kennedy made at school was having a birthday party during the time we were going to be gone. The mother even offered to let Kennedy stay with them while we were gone. Vanessa was going to hold her ground but Kashton had a (according to him) super important football game and baseball game. His dad said he could stay home. Vanessa knew if Kennedy learned that Kashton was staying home she wouldn't have a leg to stand on! So....our group of 7 dwindled down to 4. 

We left Saturday morning October 5th driving straight through to my Aunt Sandy's.  Her granddaughter (Katie) and 2 children are living in the lower level of her house. Katie's daughter (MacKenna) made a welcome sign for us. She and Korin made fast friends! 

Auntie fixed us a bite to eat. We visited a bit then headed to Barbara's (my step-mother) another hour North leaving Mom to visit with her sister. 

October 6th Sunday morning, I went to church with Barbara. Sunday late afternoon we went to the 60th
Wedding anniversary of my Aunt Sharon (my Dad's sister) and Uncle Jimmy. They had a big celebration 10 years prior we attended. There weren't as many family members there this year but it was still good to see the ones who came.

The lovely couple. I swear Jimmy has not aged in 20 years! He is 80!

Everyone who was there!

L to R (white shirt with glasses) Michael Hughes (my cousin Deborah's husband) behind him is Karen Shonk (Barbara's daughter), Ann (Gray) Underwood (my dad's cousin), Mary Ann (in striped shirt), Philip is behind her, Barbara is next to her, Jimmy, Sharon, Kevin (Jim & Sharon's son), Vanessa, Korin, me, Lyndie Alan, Aaron holding his son Nolan and his daughter Vera standing next to him. 

Kneeling L to R Deborah (Jim & Sharon's daughter), her son Josiah (12), Kyla (14), Elli Jane (9) Jules - 9 (Kevin and Kelly's daughter) Kelly behind her and Isabella 17 (Kevin & Kelly's other daughter).

Jim and Sharon children, spouses and kids

Josiah, Michael, Kyla, Deborah, Jim, Sharon, Kevin, Kelly, Elli Jane, Jules and Isabella (Kevin and Kelly have 5 sons who were not there).

The Stephens siblings and spouses.

L to R Mary Ann, Philip, Barbara, Jim, Sharon Alan and Lyndie.

October 7th Monday. My Uncle Philip and Aunt Mary Ann stayed over with my Uncle Alan and Lyndie who live 7 miles from Barbara. We went there for lunch and visited most of the afternoon. Alan and his son Aaron were harvesting corn. Korin got to ride in the combine with Aaron. She thought that was pretty cool!

Alan and Philip supervising the corn loading into the grain bin. Brought back memories on the farm!

Short video clip of the process.

While we were visiting Philip and Mary Ann's son David called. He, his wife Jenny and 2 small sons live in Fort Myers which was the portion of Florida that was in the path of Hurricane Milton. They did not evacuate. I did learn later that everyone was okay. 

Tuesday October 8th my Uncle Bob (mom's brother) and Aunt Cindy drive to my Aunt Sandy's from Wichita Kansas to visit Mom. We came to have dinner with everyone and visit. I failed to get pictures of us with them! Aunt Sandy made sure she got pictures the next morning with her and Mom before they left.

Wednesday October 9th. We made plans to visit more with Michael, Deborah, Jim and Sharon. We
decided since we were leaving Thursday evening for home we would spend Wednesday night at Aunt Sandy's. We left Barbara's around noon. It was hard to leave. This was the first trip we made since Dad passed and our first picture without him.

It was a shorter trip than we usually take this time but it was good and got to visit lots of folks!

Have a good one!