Saturday, June 28, 2008

This has been a busy week. We returned to Kansas City Monday night. Tuesday night we went out to dinner with Melissa and Amy. Wednesday night Bruce went to dinner with the Smiths, Hennings and Keefes. Thursday night Amy and Kari Swan joined us for dinner. Friday night we drove to the lake. I finally posted a few reunion pictures. It is the post right before this one so be sure to check it out. Work was slow this week and for that I am very thankful. However, I forgot that I had volunteered to help put on a retirement party for a gentleman who was retiring after 35 years with the FAA. He wanted something simple so my friend Shirley Goode and I had a luncheon for him. We called it Bing's Bistro (Jack Bing was retiring). Wednesday night Shirley and I shopped for food and decorations from the time we got off from work until 10:00. Thursday morning we cooked, decorated and hosted the party. Jack and his wife Patti had a great time. While we were getting ready for the party it brought back all kinds of fond memories from Quail Run. That was sure good experience for me! Little did I know I'd be putting on retirement parties this year too. Friday after work Bruce, Jasmine and I drove to the lake for a quiet weekend of relaxation. We met Larry and Kathleen Andrews at Sunrise Cantina for fish tacos about 7:15. YUM. Saturday morning the four of us walked the hill and then went for a great boat ride. We stopped for lunch at a new place called "Coconuts". Another YUM. It decided to rain on us on the way home but it didn't spoil our fun. Bruce is enjying his new swing:

In a few minutes the neighbors are coming over for cocktails. Better get some grub out!!

Family Reunion 2008

The second ever and our first annual Anderson Family Reunion was held the weekend of June 21, 2008 at Sunrise Ridge Condominium complex in Sunrise Beach, Missouri with 29 family members in attendance. We were missing Teri Jo and her family, Troy, Travis and Rick. Everyone had a good time getting reacquainted and for some getting acquainted for the first time. I think the pictures pretty well capture what went on.

The captain sailed the ship:

We loved up on each other:

Some played in the water: Ryan told us about the financial software company he started in Chicago: We played games: We rode on the ship (Dad, Mom, Aunt Delores and Uncle Roger): Craig told tales: (Curt, Vickie, Connie and Craig): We toured Eddie Pue's ranch and his game room in his hangar:

We played some more in the water (doesn't Alex look like he's having fun?)

We made each other laugh:We sat around and talked:

We rode some more on the ship: Bruce skied for the first time behind his brand new boat: We rode the tube some more: We posed for pictures:

After a 4 days of boating, cooking, eating, talking, and playing we drank a little: We all said "good bye": And we fell asleep on the floor at home again:

Sneak Preview - June 23, 2008

We have just returned from our first annual family reunion at our condo complex at Lake of the Ozarks. We had 29 in attendance and had a great time. I actually have pictures and I will share them. This is just a sneak preview of what kind of a weekend we had! Bruce is such a proud papa!!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Today started with Bruce and I going for a 45 minute walk before work. We decided that since Jasmine insists on getting us up so early, we would take advantage of the time. Great way to start the day! Work was rolling along nicely when I realized that being the genius that I am, I booked my boss a return ticket from Ft Worth the day AFTER he wanted to come home. Not good - especially since he wanted to return on Friday and I booked him on Saturday. I made the correct arrangements for the rental car but not the plane ticket. I quickly called the airlines and of course the charge for changing it was $150. I got everything straightened out and then went and told my other boss what I did. He kind of laughed it off. The next task was to tell the budget woman what I did and I was really dreading that. Lucky for me, even with the extra charge I was still under the government contract rate so I am still alive and I am not $150 poorer. Sometimes I just amaze myself! I can hardly wait to see what I pull tomorrow. This evening we took dinner over to Amy's condo. Bruce sprayed for bugs because she saw TWO ants!!! He hung her carbon monoxide detector and her cross and we came home. Next we were off to Costco to buy more stuff for the reunion. The shopping trip reminded me of the many excursions to Sam's and Costco for Quail Run so I had to call my shopping companion Shelly. It was so much fun to talk to her and hear her voice. Rick and Wendy are there so I got to talk to both of them as well. Can't wait to read about their dumpster diving adventures. Now we are enjoying another batch of my mocha frapp0s and are getting ready to start all over again.

Father's Day Weekend 2008

Saturday we coaxed the dog back to sleep and re-started the day with a nice walk to Panera Bread for breakfast. It was a perfect morning. After breakfast we went grocery shopping to prepare for Father's Day dinner. When we got home, I cooked and Bruce cleaned the house. Wow he does good work. Saturday evening we went to a Lo Country Shrimp Boil social with my sorority - Preceptor Epsilon Zeta (PEZ). I had to really control myself because before I knew it, I was up serving everyone. I was right back at Quail Run making sure everyone had enough of everything.

I sure do get a kick out of taking food pictures.

Here are the men of PEZ enjoying the beautiful evening.

Lisa Wilms, Mollie Martin and Paula Ledbetter. The key lime pies were GOOD! Jim Wilms likes his wine! I see you!! Lisa is such a sweetheart. Sunday morning was absolutely beautiful here. This is the fountain at the entrance to our apartment complex. Bruce and I went for an early morning stroll.These flowers greet us when we open our front door. Gorgeous yellow.The kids met us at 10:45 worship service this morning. You know the kids are all grown up when they all beat you to church. Bruce and I made a bet on the way to church. I said we would be last and he said we would not be last. I won. He can't say one word of complaint for 24 hours. We'll see! After church we had our first family meal in the apartment. What a great day we had. (Notice the lack of pictures on the wall. We are going for the simple look. Alex and Bruce are looking at their Father's Day cards. Because it was Father's Day the kids all had to watch Bruce's boat DVDs. The kids were so kind! Alex and Joy really look interested don't they? After the cards and gifts we played a rousing game of dominoes while the rain passed. Then we all went to the pool for an hour. We had a great day!