Union Station, Missouri Star Quilt, and Chaz

Following breakfast at Andre's, the boys split up from the girls for most of the day. At Andre's, Lynn got a bit reacquainted with the Mom of a girl Lynn had in the preschool she taught at Village Church, about 45 years ago! From there, the boys went to Union Station (there's a lot there these days) and the girls went to Missouri Quilt Company which is all of Hamilton, MO - a hotbed of quilting - everywhere in town, everything in town. And yes, the girls came back with several quilt projects. Then we met up at Chaz (restaurant in the Raphael Hotel) with Vickie and Rob for a wonderful dinner complete with live music. We went to bed with snow falling! The day's photos start here.

Finally, a Napolean at Andre's! This is what Lynn searched
for in France and never found...

Union Station (one small part).
The model railroads are at the far end of this hall.

Quite the model railroad display at Union Station.

Finally got to experience Pierpont's,
the fancy restaurant at Union Station.

Private rooms downstairs.

Snow!

Hamilton, MO is quilt-town USA.

The Springs to the Plaza

Nana and Papa took off yesterday morning on their Kansa City - Branson - St. Louis trip. The I-70 Diner in Flagler, CO was "temporarily closed." Who knows how long "temporarily" is. As luck would have it, we stumbled onto Handi's in Stratton, CO. Great burgers, and as it turned out, great pie, too. It was Pi Day after all, and their pecan pie a la mode was quite good. We made it to Junction City on Tuesday, stayed at a Marriott there, and enjoyed a great little sushi dinner at Tokyo. We got up this morning and headed to the Kansas City airport to pick up Bob and Sandy coming in from California. Not 30 minutes out of Junction City, however, we stopped at Alma Creamery in Alma, KS. What a hoot, and the cheese curds were fun, too! We managed the airport pickup with aplomb and got to the Raphael with plenty of time for a nice little dinner at Chaz (in the hotel) and a very relaxing evening. All the photos start here.

Tokyo

Very comfy lobby at Junction City's Marriott.

Our KC home for a while - the Raphael

Cool painting in our room, The statue is out front of
the Raphael Hotel, the light reflects the lights out front, too,
and the background building outlines are of the Plaza!

View from our 5th-floor room.

Good start on a puzzle. The green cloth under the Chivas
is a little St. Paddy's Day runner Lynn made by piecing
together the two bandanas the dogs got at their grooming.

Putnam Party

The last show ends. Strike happens. All the senior sobbing. Then... PARTY!

See de bee.
I see you.
I am a busy bee.

Prepping the autograph posters for the seniors.

Make your own Trophy.
(Write whatever you want on the gold cup part.)

The signing table.

Karaoke! A big hit.

The chinchillas survived, including both Ls in the word.

Leftover snack table goodies made their way to the party.

The sign at the school made it over to the party, too.

Putnam County 25th Annual Spelling Bee

The show opened this evening! Wow, it even notched up tenfold from the final dress rehearsal (when these pics were taken)! What a hoot! Here are some photos of Fina, playing Logainne "Schwartzy" SchwartzandGrubenierre; she's the youngest contestant at ten years of age. The show runs through Saturday at DCC Theater.

Schwartzy has quite a lisp.

Schwartzy often signed what she was saying/doing.

Her spelling technique involves
drawing the letters on her arm.

"How about we follow the ruleths!"

The song "Goodbye" was somewhat
bittersweet. Last show for the seniors.

AJ's Recital, and more...

Lots going on including the buildup to Fina's show at DCC (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee). AJ did a great job at his voice recital this week, He sang Erie Canal and Electricity (from Billy Elliot).

At a new favorite Mexican place - Jarrito Loco.

The day grocery stores could carry wine and beer.

Sous chefs

AJ's recital.

New organization!

Papa and Griffen spotted on the way to Take Flight.