January 10, 2015

Merry Christmas Grannymom at Bud Walton Arena!

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• Last night, the kids were having their ice cream and Reagan whispered to me "I just had a thought, if Campbell and Graham were the ones gone tonight then it would sure be quiet around here." Funny thing was the house was eerily silent all evening long and they weren't gone.
• With Anderson waking up at Owen's house and Keaton waking up at Grannymom's house, it was still pretty quiet around here this morning.  It was also quiet because we were up a bit earlier than usual for a Saturday morning and my babies weren't moving too quickly.  We finally did get a move on and loaded up for our big day.
• The first stop was to pick up Anderson from Owen's house.  He saw me walk in and then walked right passed me and headed upstairs-I quickly explained that it was time to go.  That goose, I guess he thought that I was going to chat and he had plenty of time to play.  He had a big time-pizza for supper, lots of pokemon games, slept in his clothes, went to bed around midnight, woke up at 7, blueberry waffles for breakfast-overall, he had a great time.
• Next stop was to pick up Keaton at Grannymom's house.  She had a big time too and slept well.  As soon as we walked in, Keaton was ready to go and so were Grannymom and Grandpa. Grannymom's Christmas present from us was a trip to a Hogs basketball game. The kids were excited about the day but thought that we weren't going to go but were just driving Grannymom and Grandpa there.  He had gotten G-mom and G-pa tickets earlier. But the kids didn't know that Robby was able to find tickets for us too this week and we would all get to go!
• Our first stop on the trip to Fayetteville was a bathroom stop and before we knew it, we were all holding our breath while driving through the tunnel.  Robby had been given some great eating suggestions so I jumped out at the first one to see about the wait but it was at least 45 minutes for our party of 10.  Then we went to another establishment and all piled in to wait. The place at 16 tables and 14 parties were in front of us-we had time but we just didn't have a whole lot of time.  So Robby walked to one place but it wasn't an option and then Campbell and him walked to another place (about 3 blocks away) and we could be seated immediately so we went there.
• Going to the other place involved us braving the arctic blast while coatless (Grannymom and Grandpa did have on their coats and Whitman did manage to take over Grandpa's scarf.)  We briskly hurried those few blocks and thankfully thawed out in the new restaurant.  And it really couldn't have been any better because once we sat down, we saw that kids eat free!  What? Kids eat free? They lost money when we walked in! The kids were ecstatic to all get their own entrees and drinks. 
• After lunch, Robby drove to Bud Walton arena and pulled into a spot to drop off Grannymom and Grandpa.  Anderson said "I wish we could go to the game" and Robby said "well let's all just go."  The kids looked at him in shock and Anderson said "is this a trick? are you just kidding?"  They were all a little surprised and didn't know what to think as we climbed out and entered Bud Walton.
• Robby parked and met us inside, while we were waiting the kids were able to look and see the court.  We walked Grannymom and Grandpa to their section and then we found our section. On the way, we did stop to take our picture with Coach Ken Hatfield.  He was very, very nice to the kids and as we were thanking him for taking a picture with us, Campbell walked up to us and said "we didn't think we were coming to the game, we were just bringing our grandparents but we got to come."  He listened so kindly to her and I was quite surprised to see her interact with someone she didn't know.  
• Robby had said that we would be in the next to the last row and he was right.  We were way, way up high.  So high that Anderson said he was a bit nervous about being that high and added "what if it all crashes down?"  Thankfully, it didn't.  We found our seats, put our coats in them and everyone sat down-me on one end and Robby on the other.  
• Keaton sat by Robby and did excellent during the game-she watched pretty much all of it. Whitman was mostly on my end but would walk to Robby and on the way would hug the boys. He learned to raise his hands during the hog call and took it all in.  Campbell watched most of the game but we most entertained by the cheerleaders.  Reagan, who usually doesn't like watching basketball at home, really enjoyed everything-even the game.  By the end she was cheering for the hogs.  And my Anderson and Graham-I guess you could say they truly were in hog heaven.  They yelled, they cheered, they clapped, they were totally captivated by the ballgame.
• When the game was over, we had to walk through the crowd and even though it makes me crazy nervous, I do love looking back to see that my kiddos are taking care of each other.  I saw Graham and Reagan holding on the Keaton's hood to make sure she was where she needed to be.  They may fight and even say mean things to each other but when it does come right down to it, they do love and care for each other.  
• We used the restroom while Robby brought the car to us and then we fought the traffic and finally made it on the road to home.  We stopped in Morrilton for gas and a potty stop but I do tell you, we ate and drank the entire way home.  I started passing out snacks while we were still in Fayetteville and I was still passing them out when we were in Grannymom's driveway.
• Whitman was a bit fussy the last bit on the way home but the little guy had only had a short little nap.  At the end, I passed him a cookie and he shook his head telling me "no" and then I passed him a drink and he again said "no" but took the drink.  Once we made it home, Robby unloaded the car while the kids put on their pjs and I put Whitman to bed.  
• The kids had a blast today and were pretty exhausted when we finally made it home.  I do think that everyone fell asleep immediately.  My Reagan said that she wanted to put today in her scrapbook-love that!

Christmas Ornament Countdown: 12 Days until Christmas

We were only able to go to the Walton 5-10 (the Walmart museum) because the day before Robby had come home from work and asked if I was ready to leave-leave for our 18 day road trip a day early.  Oddly enough, I had felt like he might ask this so other than packing some ice chests and one final load of laundry in the dryer, we were ready.  That gave us some time the next day to stop at the Walton 5-10.  The thing that my kids will remember about that trip is that even though we had just eaten breakfast (like an hour before) Robby still bought them ice cream cones!

Here is a link to that stop on our 2014 Road Trip.

June 24, 2019-Dennie Family Trip 2019

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Our night didn't start off too peacefully with Reagan and Anderson shoving each other around in the bed last night. Robby did say that at one point, he even had to move Anderson over. I think that those two are not used to sharing a bed. 

Graham had set his alarm clock for 7 this morning, but he let his alarm ring like I let my alarm ring-over and over and over again. It rang so long that I had to wake Robby up so he could wake Graham up to turn the alarm off. 

The big boys were soon up and headed to breakfast while the rest of us slept for another hour or so. We did finally start stirring but had at least 4 different kids tell us that we only had so many minutes before breakfast was over. We made it in plenty of time and had our fill. Whitman had doughnuts which we also took back to Reagan. I had a bagel with flavored cream cheese which was delicious. And Robby had his standard hotel fair-biscuits and gravy.

After breakfast, we had a bit of downtime in our room before loading up for our first attraction of the day. We headed to the Bentonville Square and the Walton 5 and Ten store. We had been there before, and the museum is a pretty neat place. The kids enjoyed walking through the museum since there were lots of hands on things to do.

What they really enjoyed was the ice cream at the end. There are not many times that they are offered ice cream right after they have eaten a big hotel breakfast. The prices are not 1940s prices but they are fairly close. We all ate our ice cream outside at the tables, and it was very pleasant. 

They had a little car that you could ride. The sign said under 50 pounds but the workers kept coming out bringing more dimes so the kids could ride. After we left there, we headed to Crystal Bridges. We have been to the museum before but still enjoyed walking through it today.

The trails outside are really neat. We enjoyed exploring them and spent most time doing that than actually seeing the art inside the museum. There was one spot inside of the museum where you looked out these huge windows to see a rock area that would make the most beautiful waterfall in the rain. Yesterday would have been a perfect day to see that. 

We did see a Frank Llloyd Wright house on the ground of the museum. We have read about him lots this year plus we have even driving by a gas station that he designed in May. His houses always intrigue me, and I love the simplicity of them. Maybe I am ready to downsize (not the yard part but just the house part.)

After seeing quite a bit of Crystal Bridges, we headed to lunch. We finally ate that ChickFilA that we were planning on eating yesterday. Lunch was good but then we needed something else to do. So we headed towards Pea Ridge National Military Park. That park is connected to Wilson's Creek in Missouri which is where the boys stopped on their way to Omaha.

We walked in to the visitor's center just as they were showing the last film of the day. It was a good little movie-I guess. At one point Grandpa snored during the movie so Grannymom woke him up. Then he said, "that was Tara." I guess I made it a bit too obvious that I was taking a cat nap on the front row of the theater. It was nice to rest my eyes for a little bit and really, I already know who won the Civil War. Though I did feel a bit bad when Campbell said that it was one of the best park movies she had seen.

We then had to rush to the hotel to grab bathing suits and then to the other side of town. We went to Robby's cousin's house to swim. They have a very nice pool so the kids highly enjoyed themselves. They had supper for us-pizza, salad, fruit and even cake which we all enjoyed. 

The little boy there was 5, and it took him and Whitman a very long time to hit it off. When they did start playing, they were riding a big pink flamingo in the pool while pretending that they were on a pirate ship. We probably would have left a few minutes earlier except that Whitman was so enjoying playing with his new friend.

Though when we did get back to the hotel, Grannymom asked Whitman what his new friend's name was. Whitman was quick to respond with, "I thought YOU knew those people." I guess he was concerned that we crashed a party without anyone knowing whose house we were at. 

After we made it back to the hotel, we decided that we might just need a little snack and since there is an Andy's Custard within walking distance, we might as well. And when I say within walking distance, that is termed rather loosely since it was almost a mile that we walked for frozen custard. 

Everyone went except for the oldest and youngest of our group, Grandpa and Whitman. Whitman wasn't too interested in ice cream. Keaton wasn't either but didn't want to be left out-she did find her a diet coke to enjoy. After eating our ice cream, we mosied on back to the hotel. It was so pleasant outside that I hated that we hadn't taken our ice cream walks the other nights that we were in town.

When we made it back to the hotel, we made the kids change so we could do a quick load (or two) of laundry. Right now the clothes are in the dryer-Graham is asleep, the other two boys are playing on their ipads, Reagan is also on her ipad and I do believe that the little girls are watching a show before bed in Grannymom's room.

Road Trip 2014-Day 2 (July 3, 2014)

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We'll take compliments any way we can get them!

Last night as we went to bed, I was a bit worried about how Whitman would sleep but I was also concerned with how well Keaton would sleep.  On the way to the hotel, she had asked to go home a few times.  It was pretty late so that was understandable but then I realized she probably doesn’t remember staying in a hotel.  So when we came into our room, I showed her all around-you will sleep here, I will sleep here, the potty is in here.  This seemed to appease her and she did sleep well.  

This morning, we told her that breakfast was downstairs and her eyes grew huge.
We weren’t at breakfast bright and early but we did get ready fairly quick.  I can not say it enough about how much the kids love, love breakfast at a hotel. Reagan had bacon and cereal. Anderson had bacon, a biscuit and yogurt. Campbell had cereal, an apple, a banana and some of a waffle.  Keaton had a few bites of Campbell’s other waffle half and finished off my yogurt. Graham had bacon and a waffle and Whitman had a waffle and a banana.  And everyone hauled off a box of cereal to eat later in the day.

Our first stop was the Walmart Museum at the Walton 5-10. It started off in an old timey store where Robby found himself a candy bar (Big Hunk).  We all sat to watch the short video clip at the beginning of the museum and then we quickly walked through it.  At the end of the museum you walk through a soda shop.  And Keaton walked across the little shop to show me a “microwave”-but it wasn’t a microwave it was an old television.  
I pulled out the laundry basket tonight as we were changing into pajamas and poor Whitman kept crawling into and then getting stuck inside of the laundry basket-he may not be the brightest baby. The kids were tired but they watched a Bible story movie and then we read our Bible story while our laundry dried. Before Robby could even finish the story, most of the kids looked like they had already fallen asleep.  Today was another great day.

Robby got up early to run and was back in the room by 7.  He sat and read the paper and soon everyone started waking up.  Whitman didn’t stir until Robby went in to take his shower-yep, the baby’s bed was squeezed in the bathroom.  Hopefully, he can sleep in the bathroom for many more nights.

When we walked into the soda shop, Robby reminded the kids that we had just eaten breakfast.  But then he saw the 99 cent price tag on a scoop of ice cream so he quickly changed his mind.  The kids all ate their ice cream scoops while I had a root beer float.  When I finished, I took Whitman (who was a bit bummed that he didn’t get his own tiny cone that was 50 cents-but Robby had paid by the time we saw that one.)  I went to the gift shop to pick up a Christmas ornament and found a little truck for Whitman to ride in.  The people at the gift shop even gave me dimes for all of the kids to ride when I asked if it worked.  

So I grabbed the camera and put Whitman on it.  That poor thing was not too sure if he was supposed to enjoy the ride or be afraid.  But as soon as the others saw what he was doing, they were all waiting in line.  We still let Anderson on even though it did have a 50 pound weight limit (shh, don’t tell anyone!-how could we leave him out?)  

The next stop was just down the road at Crystal Bridges.  It didn’t take us too long to walk through the museum.  They did have beautiful artwork there but we were able to see it plenty as we walked through the place.  The kids liked our stop at the kiddie area.  Anderson found him some blocks that he could have played with forever-I put them on his Christmas list.  And Reagan loved playing with the stencils.  

At the end of the museum, we walked outside to explore some of the trails.  The grounds of the museum were absolutely gorgeous.  We walked up a little trail to see the Crystal Spring-the spring water was cold and the kids loved sticking their hands in it.  Reagan even took herself a big drink of the water.  Once we finished our walks, we loaded up and hit the road.  To get everyone quickly and calmly into their seats, Robby bribed them all with a lemonhead-it worked!  And when I returned from the gift shop, I passed out snacks and drinks for a next leg of the journey.

The next leg of our journey wasn’t too long-about an hour before Robby saw a sign for the George Washington Carver National Monument.  We hoped that they would have a place for us to have our picnic lunch and it certainly did.  Sometimes when you drive out of the way to see something, you start to wonder if it will be worth the stop.  The grounds had a great picnic spot for us.  The boys played ball while we made the lunches.  And after lunch, Robby and the kids had a few races around the trees.

Keaton had been asking to go to the bathroom but we weren’t close enough so the poor child had to go behind a tree to potty.  Don’t worry, she wasn’t too scarred because we soon did take her to the bathroom.  We walked around the museum and then quickly hit the trail-¾ of a mile.  It was a beautiful trail that went past his boyhood home and some of the fields that he worked in.  It was mostly in the woods and was pretty pleasant.

Back in the car, we turned the air on, passed out some candy, turned on Little House and away we went.  After a while, duty called for Robby and he had to do a bit of work, work so I drove and he worked on his computer.  Speaking of “duty”-the other day one of the boys used the word “duty” correctly in a sentence and then they both busted out laughing.  And thinking about how mature my boys are becoming, at the museum today there was a painting of a naked woman.  Graham pointed at the painting, called his brother over and snickered with his hand over his mouth.

Around supper time, we hit Kansas City and ate at Winstead's-a local diner.  The burgers were fine but the highlight was the skyscraper milkshake that Robby ordered.  We knew it was going to be big (because of the price) but had no idea how big it would be.  Nor did we have any idea that about 4 employees along with tambourines would bring it to our table chanting “skyscraper, skyscraper, coming your way, whoop, whoop!”  Anderson’s eyes were huge when the lady sat that drink down in front of him.  Of course we took pictures with each of the kids beside it but we did order only one-and actually, we didn’t even finish it.  At one point, Graham had milkshake up to his elbow and some on his hair.  How does that happen?

After a drink that big, we needed to walk around a bit.  So we walked around Country Club Plaza and enjoyed looking out the big fountain.  I am sure people nearby were taking bets on who would fall into the fountain but no one did-Campbell and Graham did like to get as close to the edge as possible though.  Then we walked down a street taking in all of the sites and sounds.  It was a pleasant evening out and after our walk, we had a quick potty stop and then a 30 minute drive to the hotel.

The hotel was easy to find and soon we were all unloaded and tiptoeing around our room.  I do hope that we have a few first floor hotel rooms-16 feet can not be quiet.  When Whitman walks, he just runs and when Graham walks, he just stomps.  I guess that I should feel lucky that we haven’t been called by the front desk yet (I know it is just night 2).

June 25, 2019-Dennie Family Trip 2019

(click here for today's pictures)

Oopsie, I left the camera in the car tonight so the only pictures up tonight are the ones from our phones.

We again slept wonderfully last night. I think that everyone was a bit sad to by leaving our big hotel today. We are downsizing tonight to a smaller, more modern hotel. Graham and Anderson had been to breakfast and were back by the time that we stirred this morning.

Whitman wanted to just stay and "eat what we packed." I tried to explain that we didn't pack any breakfast food, but he didn't care. We did finally convince him to come downstairs with us. I had my yogurt and granola this morning while Whitman ate a blueberry muffin. And don't be surprised that Robby had his biscuits and gravy-he has to get them from somewhere since he sure doesn't get biscuits and gravy at home.

Les and his crew headed out this morning while we still had another full day to play. After loading up the car, our first stop this morning was the Daisy BB Gun museum. It was a little bitty museum, but at the end of the museum they had refurbished BB guns (10-15 dollars for most). The boys could not wait for Robby to get to the end of the museum. As soon as he finished his tour, everyone was asking for a BB gun (everyone except for Reagan and Whitman.) Whitman didn't really care at all but the boys told him that if they got a new one, then he could have his old one.

We did end up purchasing 3 new BB guns-a pink one, one that uses an CO2 cartridge and a BB gun pistol. Anderson, Graham and Campbell were beyond excited with the purchases. We then went to 7th Street Market to walk around a little bit. We had to park in the grass and knew it wasn't the best choice when the big truck beside us got stuck in the mud.

The market was a neat little area and would be a happening place at night time. I would be interested to see it at nighttime sometime. It didn't take us long to walk around since there wasn't a lot going on, so we had a few extra minutes and decided to get some more ice cream at the Walton museum.

Then we went to Grannymom's sisters house. She had sandwiches for us and everyone enjoyed a visit there. We were there for a while, and once we left we drove by the hotel to see if our rooms were ready. All but our room was ready, but after unloading the car the room was ready.

The kids had their eye on the pool so they headed off with Dana while Grannymom, Grandpa, Robby, Whitman and I headed off on another adventure. We stopped first at the Little Debbie outlet closest to us, but there wasn't much of a sale.

So we decided to drive another 20 minutes to get to the outlet in Gentry. That was fine with me and with Whitman because he was delighted to help us fill up our buggy. Whitman did want to swim with the others but he did still enjoy our trip because of the cookie we had from the hotel, a sample at the first stop and lots of ipad time.

When we made it back to the hotel, all of my people had put their clothes on except for Campbell and Keaton. They certainly didn't mind going back to the pool with Whitman for a little bit. It was pretty pleasant at the pool since the building provided plenty of shade. I used that opportunity to work on my blog for a little bit.

After swimming we ran back upstairs to work on getting ready for supper. We all piled into the van and headed towards Fayetteville. First place to drive by was the apartments that Robby lived in while he was in school here. Then we drove around the campus for a bit.

We finally stopped Hammontree's Grilled Cheese. We didn't have to wait long for our tables tonight. The adults were at one table and the kids were right beside us. It worked out perfectly. I had a delicious sandwich with a grilled apple, lots of cheese and fig jam on it. I also found out that I like sweet potato fries. Dana ordered some and they were scrumptious.

The kids had plans of swimming again tonight, but the cool water from earlier and the crowds tonight made the kids (and mostly the adults) rethink their plan. That was fine though because we were able to put in a load of laundry. We all sat in the room watching the World Series game and eating a little snack before bed.

I was very careful tonight as I took out my contacts to put them by my bag and not near Robbys. This morning, Robby asked if I put on his contacts. I told him that I did not because my case is blue. He told me that his case was blue. I really didn't believe him until we were at breakfast, and I saw him trying to read his phone. I could see really well-very, very well-almost too well. When we did get back to the room, we quickly switched out contacts and all was well. Tomorrow though I will definitely remember that my case is white or is it blue?