Doo-Dah!

Evidently, Wichita is sometimes called Doo-dah.  Linda Sue gave us the following theories:

"Doo-dah:

The origin of the term has been known to reference Wichita as a laid-back, whimsical attitude felt by some visitors to the city.  Others say it is because we are considered the Air Capital of the World, or the geographical location of the U.S. (almost the center).  And, others say that generations of "hip" Wichitans use the slogan to mean that Wichita lacks hype, hoopla and hooey! LOL!"

our grand dog, Avery

Grandpa surprising Andrew after school

Grammy's boys

Nov 26: arrived Wichita.  This trip we decided to try the new rv park in town on 47th near Broadway.  It's a shorter visit and we wanted to be able to see Mac more frequently than we could if we were at the state park.  And maybe even a little closer to Justin and family.  Our first night, we went over to visit Mac.  The 3 of us went to grab supper at Hog Wild BBQ. He looks so good and it's such a blessing that at 82, he is still so active!

brought the boys some "flashy lights" from the Dutton show in Branson

Andrew's church lesson

Grandpa's granddogs, Avery and Koko, were happy to see him, too.

Grammy and Asher at the Triangle

Justin and Brooke didn't tell the boys we were coming.  So first, we surprised Asher during his afternoon bath.  He seemed a little bit in shock, but adjusted really fast.  Then we got to go with them to surprise Andrew at kindergarten pick up.  What a treat --- for us and him!!  I'll never forget that look on sweet little face when he spotted us.  Nothing sweeter in the world than hearing him yell, "Grammy!", giving me a bear hug, then running down the sidewalk to Grandpa.
After a little play time, we all went to get our Mexican food fix at the Triangle in Douglass.  They boys were hilarious. I don't think I've ever seen Andrew eat so well (school makes a fella hungry!).  And they both continually said, "Waitress, can I please have another burrito?" They were overruled by their parents, but we all enjoyed watching them converse with the server.

The boys had a little fun before bed time with their flashy lights.

Brooke found the perfect place for this Pinterest idea!

Thousands -- and I do mean thousands - of geese fly over the rv park every evening. Not only a cool sight, but a cool sound, too!

Sunset over the rv park

11-30-12:  Grandpa Mac invited us over with Doug and family, and Justin and family, for bbq tonite.  What a blast.

Grandpa Mac in his bib I made him

Justin still sits at the kid table -- but I think the bbq is just as good at that table

Not the kid table, but..............

some serious eatin' going on

Heather and Sheila listening intently to one of Andrew's stories

Heather Louise and Sheila

David, Justin, and Mac in their dam shirts (which we call Table Rock shirts around the boys)

Justin and David

Uncle Bug with his peers

Doug got hold of David's camera

Spooky

Really enjoyed our family time at Mac's tonite!  Such a happy bunch!  Of course Andrew and Asher played with stuff in the basement that might be on their 3rd generation!  Wanda always knew what the kids wanted to play with.  And as far as I know, they saw no sign of the alligator that lurks down there!

12-2-12:  Today my pop would've been 90 years old.  Hard to believe -- sure do still miss him!

Looking for a new team?

David in his new K-State cap from Greg

Linda Sue and Greg playing Panties with us

Just kidding, Gus!  (Wildcats vs Horns weekend)

Greg, me, and David in our purple -- I feel like a traitor

Greg and Linda Sue

Rocky hates saying goodbye

12-4-12:  Went to visit the boys after school and had a wonderful soup supper with them.  Brooke made some outstanding homemade bread with her new Kitchen Aid.  (Jake, can't wait to try yours!)

Time management:  wear bike helmet while doing homework!
Asher kept telling Andrew "good job" while he worked.

Coulda heard a pin drop -- seemed to be a little concern about tire durability here

Andrew playing with the car we got them at Graham Crackers a few years ago.
A lotta booster rocket talk going on out here!

All it takes to play cars with the boys, is to sit on the floor -- they take it from there

All it takes to play with Avery is to sit on the floor, too!

Love these boys!

Entertainment from a couple of rock stars

The after dinner entertainment sure brought back memories.  Laura Lee used to organize the concerts and skits at our house when the kids were young.  Every 1st born has that skill, I reckon.  Andrew would go over and turn to a page in a "hymnal" and tell us what page the next song was on.

Yay!  Asher seems to be a Lefty!

Asher and Andrew singing about peanut butter in our underwear!

12-5-12:  David and I hit some of the Wichita resale shops today.  There are soooo many!  So we just narrowed it down to a few Goodwill's and a couple on Seneca.  Found a few fun things.  Then went to visit with Mac before heading back to the camper.

Men in black

Tiger

Voyt

Break time???

12-6-12:  I had some "me" (and "Rocky") time today while David played golf with Justin and Voyt.  So glad they got to play. Sounds like they had a good day!

12-7-12:  Remember Pearl Harbor.  I can remember reading in my daddy's war journal about his reaction to it.  He was a newly enlisted 18 yr old in the Air Force and on a ship to the South Pacific, when he got the word.  It sure changed a lot of lives.

playing Mario Bros on wii

watching Wall-E

reading Andrew's library book, "Snowmen"

and they are happy to go to bed -- Asher with Bear from preschool

David and I got to babysit our fave boys tonite while their parents went to a church dinner.  We had a great time with them eating pizza, playing Wii, watching Wall-E, and reading Snowmen.  Great evening!

getting ready to open gifts

opening the bears from Greg and Linda Sue

12-8-12:  Today we went out to Justin's to give them their Christmas gifts.........and to say "bye". Those 2 boys sure keep us entertained!  Too funny!  And so happy!  What a tribute to the parenting they receive!  Justin and Brooke -- you're awesome!

Asher with his bear

Andrew showing Grandma's bear

Justin reading the story about the bear to Andrew

Grandpa showing Asher the pic of Grandma Mac

These bears were handmade by Grandma Mac (David's mom) when our kids were little.  Linda Sue gave one to each boy with a sweet little story about how they were made and included a wonderful pic of Wanda when she was young. Thx, Linda Sue, for such a wonderful keepsake!

getting into to Grandpa's and Grammy's gifts to them

what is it?

focused on getting the bag off

Asher trying his out

Brooke texted David and asked if we were still getting the boys sleeping bags.  She told him that they were watching a show this morning where the kids had sleeping bags.  Andrew told her he wanted one!  David came to the laundry room where I was and said "we're about the to be the coolest grandparents!"

next year I'll wrap gifts in burlap bags

Asher looking sweet

Grandparent Tip:  all they really want is an empty sack

unknown comic?

Calamity Jane and her cowboys

their cowboy faces are hilarious.  Andrew says his is cute!

stick em up, Grandpa

mah feller

this was the bad guy -- see him?

Asher's self portrait

King Andrew and the Boy Wonder.  The King is laying out the rules for us

Asher in the Robin cape that Gus used to wear: another treat made by Grandma Mac for all 3 kids. Batman (Justin), Robin (Gus) and Batgirl (Laura Lee)

Each time His Majesty entered the room (approx every 30 seconds for an hour or so), we would bow or curtsy

Even Avery had to take notice when His Highness entered

Wouldn't you curtsy to this cutie pie of a king?

We kinda had a feeling they'd be sleeping with their new sleeping bags tonite

12-9-12:  Mac cooked a delicious lunch for David and me today.  We watched the first half of the Chiefs/Browns game, gave him our gifts, and said our good-byes.... til next time.

Not sure about the origin of "Doo-Dah", but these 2 weeks have been loaded with laughter, family, love, and yes, some hoopla, too!!! 

Much Love and Merry Christmas to our Kansas family!

Grandpa, Grammy, and Uncle Rocky