Feb is almost over!

Here are other photos of Charles that I especially liked. We had a safe trip home, although I thought it was a bit nerve-wracking due to all the cars and trucks which had wiped out along the way. Kansas City was especially bad. However, Hwys 34 and 61 were in good shape. :-)
I'm so glad we went and were able to see Charles' graduation. We didn't have much time with him but it was so good to see him. We had a fun day on Saturday with Dawn and it was good to know that getting her to the airport early had the result of her being able to catch an earlier flight. We hung around the mall on Sunday morning so that I could go back to Dillard's for more of my wonderful Christmas surprises. I loved doing all the scarves in 08. That year and this year, Dawn did such great soap, and this year she did jelly. This year Cindi did jewelry and she and John did painted birdhouses. Great-Grandma Weyer gave the bread necklaces. And, of course, Judy has made so many things over the years. So next year I'm all set for something special and I'm so pleased about it. :-) I really like shopping so much more when I find things for other people!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of shopping, I was tickled pink (or maybe white as it's down) to get a Royal Velvet down comforter at about 80% off yesterday. Younkers had such a great sale and I also got a Velux blanket for someone special :-) as well as purse for me and another little Christmas present for...someone.... I have wanted more down comforters as the one on the upstairs bed is so very nice. Hopefully they'll go down in price even more or at other stores and I'll be able to get another before the season is over. I'd love all the grands to have one eventually. This winter was so severe and power outages are no fun so we should all have something to keep us a bit more cozy. Well...those of us who live to the north..
There's one other photo of JT's snowman. Still standing but not so pretty anymore.
It's so good to hear that Charles is getting along well, although waiting awhile to begin classes as he's now a 15y instead of a 15x. That will be much better in the long run.
Grandma Lawson has an infusion on Monday. I work Tuesday afternoon, at least. But we're anticipating a good long weekend with John and JT. :-)

Museum of the Great Plains

We had an interesting time in the Museum of the Great Plains today. A highlight was the Frisco #1526, a 300 ton, 88 foot long steam engine with quite a history. OF course I had to get postcards and photos of this HUGE 1926 steam engine for John J and JT! There was an old fire engine, too, so I got some photos for Gabe!
John C and Dawn were brave enough to get in the tornado simulator. The plump prairie dogs on the grounds were perhaps an unintentional wildlife exhibit, but we really enjoyed watching them watch us. They are so cute when they wag their tails.
For lunch we stuffed ourselves at the Golden Corral. We probably won't need dinner!
This morning we went to a mall and I got some great stocking stuffers for next Christmas!

Charles graduates from Basic

We had a good trip to Ft. Sill and were very proud to be here today at Charles' graduation. He was an honor graduate, Specialist Charles Weyer! It was an impressive ceremony, 240 young men ready to serve. Afterwards he treated us at Red Lobster. Yum!
Tomorrow he flies to Virginia to begin his further training. Hopefully, we'll be able to visit him there during his training.

John and JT visit

John and JT came for a visit this week, arriving on Wed. evening and leaving this afternoon. They're still en route as I type. JT had such a good time and was sad to leave. He got new books, including a train scrapbook I made him, with photos of his train adventures this year. He got new shoes, went to Mazzio's and had great visits with Aunt Elizabeth, great grandmas, Great Aunt Judy, and, of course, Grandma and Grandpa. We made good use of the trains Grandpa has been collecting and he and his Daddy made good use of the snow! He played with the old blocks at Great Grandma Weyer's. I've left a Christmas pic of Eli and Nathan playing with these blocks as I wanted to say that they belonged to Great Grandma Weyer's Grandmother!
Early Friday morning I made a quick trip to Iowa City to go with Elizabeth to the Spine Clinic. Good news was that her neck is fine and the degenerative changes in the lower back are no worse. The disc bulge is a little bulgier and so she was given the option of injections near the bulge. She's thinking that over but did get an injection of pain killer into the muscle in her mid back, which will hopefully help the painful trigger point that has made her a bit miserable. She got a new pillow when she came home for an overnight Friday night so hopefully her shoulders will be comfy cushy tonight. It was good to have her home! She went back before lunch today as she had to babysit. And do homework. She had to replace her dance class and so is, simply put, doubling up on a research class to replace the dance class hours.

Chicago trip

Happy first birthday Elijah! I was happy to be able to be present on Eli's first birthday. Uncle John and JT were there and Aunt Elizabeth sang "Happy Birthday" along with us via Skype. (Wow! How could I ever have imagined such a thing when I was little!)
John and JT came down on Monday and went to the Museum of Science and Industry before coming to George's. We had birthday cake in the evening. Beth had Tuesday off and was able to take the boys with John and JT (and me) to the Museum. The boys had such a great time in the Imagination Station! Eli was able to play at the water tables in the baby area. JT and Gabe loved all the water elements and the pneumatic tubes. Gabe wanted to go back every time we drove by. JT and Gabe also had a guided tour of the train.
Beth and I took the boys to Garfield Park Conservatory and, at the end of the week, to the Shedd Aquarium. Thanks to Beth as those were wonderful visits. The conservatory is a favorite place to visit aquarium was so impressive! George and Beth have a family pass and it was a great opportunity for my first visit. I was overwhelmed! I've never been snorkeling or been swimming with sharks so it gave me a little view of the things John C and Elizabeth did on their Sea Base trips.
Beth's mom was a huge help with the kids during the week. Actually, she took care of them and I did a bit of light housekeeping.
I stayed a day longer than planned due to a freight train derailing on the tracks. Not good to get a call that your train has been rescheduled due to a train derailing!