Set up and arrival at the fair

Monday, August 5 - Thursday, August 8, 2019

We were a little late this year getting our campers down to Sedalia to set up.  But better late than never!  On Monday before the fair started, dear Jeremy came along and helped us get both campers set up and ready to go at the campsite.  We celebrated that accomplishment by having a late lunch (or was it early supper) at Kehde's BBQ.  I look forward to eating at that restaurant every year!  As I texted Shonda, we got Jeremy filled up and sent him back home that evening.

We have arrived!  (and Uncle Mitch's camper was there and set up, too)

All you can eat catfish... yum!!

Marvin and I got the camper tidied up and then I went outside to spend my first evening under the awning.  Ahhhhh.... this makes me so happy.

It was a beautiful first night.

You know I love the lights on 'my' swine barn.  :) 

Marvin and I went to KC to the IKEA store the next day (Tuesday) and then drove back home.  We were at home a couple days and then returned on Thursday, opening day of the fair, with Daddy, Mama, and Jonathan.  Our first stop was at the fair office to see if it would be possible to get a parking pass for the main lot next to Mathewson Center.  We felt that would make things much easier for Mama and Daddy and hoped it might work.  (Daddy is no longer a commissioner at the state fair.)  However, we were in for a huge and wonderful surprise!  When we arrived they had ALREADY put a sign in the parking lot designating a RESERVED spot for Daddy, just as if he were still a commissioner!  In that front row right by Mathewson Center!  Oh my.  This was a wonderful blessing, indeed!  And in addition, they told Daddy they had a golf cart for him to use!  We were overwhelmed.  They just told Daddy that he is 'family' and they were always going to take care of him.  The whole experience still warms my heart today as I am writing this post.  What wonderful folks at the Missouri State Fair.

Camille, Daddy, and Nancy - from the state fair office

Jackson and Brianna also arrived on Thursday.  And we got to see my cousin, Julie, and three of her grandkids (staying in Mitch's camper next door.)  Marvin, Jackson, and Jonathan went to work putting up the shade cloth that we brought this year to hang from the awnings.  Boy, it was nice and really did a great job of blocking the strongest rays of the sun while still letting the breeze pass through.  After all their hard work we decided the only sensible thing to do was to order carry out from Kehde's BBQ.  ;)  ha!

everyone is now here... J&B's tents on left, Uncle Mitch's camper,
then Mama and Daddy, then us

Julie with 3 of her grandchildren

The guys got creative in their efforts to install the shade cloth.  :)  Brianna and I enjoyed watching them.

We entitled the next three photos "What could possibly go wrong?"  :) 

Very nice work!!

Brianna and Laura

Jonathan and Marvin all tuckered out.  :D 

Yummy Kehdes!  This time we had burnt pieces and ends.   So good!

Another beautiful evening under the awning.  This time with the addition of the lights of the fair/carnival and even the fireworks show from the grandstand following the first evenings concert.

You can see an album of photos from the whole fair at this link.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72157710458646567

65th Wedding Anniversary

Our lives have been so blessed by these two remarkable people.  It was a pure joy to celebrate them and their 65 years of marriage on Sunday, August 4, 2019.  Daddy had been having some health issues in the weeks leading up to their anniversary, but that morning he was better and we were all quite happy about that.  I took this photo of them after church that morning.

After church we had a family lunch at their house and then they got a sweet phone call from Rojina and James.

Sunday evening we gathered for a small celebration at Julie's house.  It was a wonderful evening!

Scott, Anne, Mama, and Daddy 

Hannah, Zac, Jonathan, Anna, Matthew, Julie, Marvin, Laura, Brianna, Jackson
Mama and Daddy 

Jackson getting a group photo...  :) 

Cody, Scott, Matt, Brenda
Jeremy, Shonda, Betty, Anne, Megan, Elaine, Carolyn, Chester
Meina, Alaina, Mama, Daddy, Glen

Anna, Hannah, Matthew, Zac

Daddy telling stories about Glen  :) 

Jackson and Brianna gave the gift of song... "Look At Us"

It was lovely.  :)   And you can hear it in one of the videos posted at the bottom.

Mama talking about the whole family 

Pete and Kady with Mama and Daddy 

Glen and Elaine (they were also married in 1954!)

Glen and Megan

Brenda

Generation 3 on the back patio

Zac, Anna, Alaina, Jonathan, Jackson, Brianna, Matthew, Melina, Megan, Hannah

Dear Adrian dropped by with gifts.

So kind of him!

Mama, Jackson, Adrian, Daddy 

Anna found a neat book for them.

A whole book about the year they were married - 1954.

The end of a wonderful evening - I just don't see how
this day could have gone any better.  Perfection.

These photos are from just a few days ago.  I put out a request for a card shower and boy, did you all respond!  Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!  The outpouring of your love and support touched all of our hearts deeply.  Mama and Daddy loved reading all your cards and notes and will cherish them always.

Here is a photo of them from their wedding day - August 4, 1954.  (I love this photo.  And note they were holding hands then just like they do today.)

If you want to read a bit more of 'their story', check out this link to a post from their 57th wedding anniversary.  https://lifeatwilliscreekranch.blogspot.com/2011/08/57-years.html

You can see a video that I made to celebrate their 65 years of marriage below.  So many photos and memories!!





And here is a short video with snippets from the evening of celebration at Julie's house.

Random July

Random snippets from July...

What a lovely surprise I had one July day.  My doorbell rang and when I opened the door I saw my best childhood friend, Lora, standing there.  She and her friend had come up to visit and ride horses in the area and she wanted to come say hi.  I am so glad she did!  It was wonderful to see her and get to visit a bit.  And boy, she does not look 51!!!  We sure had some great times growing up.  :)

Laura and Lora - together again!

Matt and Brenda came over to swim in the pool with us one afternoon.  It was super hot and the pool water was just perfect.  We had a good time and even Marvin got in the pool with us!!  :)  Brenda and I sent this photo to Susie because 'Mamma Mia' started playing and it made us think of her.  :)

Matt was able to take a nap held up only by his hat.  That is a talent!!!

Marvin IN the pool!!  I had to take a photo to prove it!  :) 

Dear Alaina called Marvin one day with some big news... her horse Gracie is pregnant!  It was quite a surprise (long story) but Gracie came to stay with us that day.  We have been on 'foal watch' ever since.  Still no baby, but think we are getting close.  We are unsure of the exact due date.  But this is an exciting time, for sure!

Rachel made an appearance at the local library when she came to visit in July.  I think all the kids (and adults) enjoyed getting to visit with 'Princess Leia'.  :)  You can find out more about what Rachel does at this page...  https://www.facebook.com/rebelhopecosplay/

We were happy to see Ethan arrive to cut and bale our hay near the end of July.  That is much later than normal, but this has not been a normal year.  The flooding rains of spring and early summer really set everything back.  Ethan does a great job for us.

I took this photo of Marvin on the tractor in front of Mama and Daddy's house one morning.  It was a peaceful scene and I just liked it.  :)

Jackson and Tyler have been practicing their bow shooting out here for awhile now.  But they finally built a special target area that works well for them.  They are getting good!

July had some pretty tough moments... this particular day was one of them.  But as we were driving into town in the midst of a big downpour, the sun shone brilliantly through one small break in the clouds.  I took it as a very hopeful sign.  And I believe it was.  :)