Mary's Monologue: May 2011

Sunday, May 29, 2011

24 Hours at the Lake

Dinner at The Happy Fisherman...

Finley immediately found some "aquatic treasures" of her own...but the restaurant owners would not let her keep them...a minor battle ensued!

Who is tired of my camera? Papa Joe and Madeline!

But not Uncle "Tole" and Brian

Mad and Cole are quite used to their mother...enough said

Bath time for Finley...

And Henry...ok, I was really nice and shared my bathtub...I know, so nice of me!

Then Finley showered again! What? It kept her entertained!

Breakfast at On The Rise

Papa Joe, manly man on the Jet ski

Finley's first jet ski ride with her parents

Pool time with Nick and Ruly

Yep, my Papa Joe is all that! Like I said, my manly man.

Fishing for dinner...we had chicken... Comprende?

Pool time with Uncle Tole...

Now, the guys have taken the boat to go "listen to music" at Shorty pants...right...listen..with beer I assume. The girls have gone to look for supplies for Finley's birthday party, right...try shopping!! Me, quality time with my grandchildren and a movie...Gnomeo. .?? A lot of energy in the house now, me, 3 dogs, 2 little ones.....would not change a thing. Well, maybe my shirt...a little too doused in baby formula and sweet Finley's smashed Cheez-it's.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend

Madeline and I started in St. Louis where we had lunch at Five Guys....the veggie burger really is quite good!!! The fries...made me really want to be able to eat fries!

Then we headed to the airport to get Cole...oh goodness...I had not been there since the tornado...unbelievable!!!

The restaurants and stores are closed...gone...Mia...really unbelievable. 8:00 pm and the construction workers started arriving. I could have stayed an hour asking questions, but Madeline and Cole said NO...emphatically...what is up with that?? Then it was off to the lake...

happy Henry greeted us!

Finley re-connecting with her Uncle Cole

Madeline, Cole, Adam and Charlie on the dock.

Lake time...

Papa Joe and the boys heading out for...Party Cove?!?

Finley and Maggie in the hot tub

Sweet Fin...
Such a gift having all of my children here with me!! I got my stitches out, the kids are here, happy and healthy...who cares if it is cloudy?? Well, ok, I mind a little!!!

Location:Missouri

Sunday, May 22, 2011

My hometown

Those who know me, know that my all time favorite tv show is The Gilmore Girls...love it...miss it, own all years on DVD...watch it over and over...actually Madeline and I often fight over who gets to watch them. We love the girls and we love Stars Hollow, their adorable fictional town. Well this week, Jacksonville was Stars Hollow!!
So, in 1997 a movement began to undo the "urban renewal" that had changed the face of our downtown square. This weekend, we celebrated years of hard work, dedication, determination and drive as Jacksonville celebrated our downtown turnaround. Our square has re-opened. Vibrancy and excitement has returned!!! The Clydesdales came to town on Tuesday, and we all spent hours visiting them in their temporary stables on the square. The excitement was palpable!

My friend Sue and I paid a visit as they arrived.

Finley fell in love..we visited ALOT

She loved King!

The ferris wheel returned to the town where it was built..in the 1930's.

The Three Legged Dog Concession trailer arrived...

Joey, Papa Joe, Jake and Dave got to work.

Shops decorated...

Special guests arrived...for the YMCA Pavilion, courtesy of Bound To Stay Bound Books

Maggie, Henry, U.S. Secretary of the Department of Transportation Ray LaHood, me, Millie and Finley

Congressman Aaron Schock, check out the current cover of Men's Health to see more! Cole is going to his 30th birthday party this Wednesday.

Saturday....and the day of celebration begins....