A Day at the Pool...And the Zoo

Melissa so graciously reminded me that I forgot to post the picture of Violet in her new swimming pool.

One small blow up pool, a few bath toys and several buckets of water and Violet has her own swimming oasis on the deck. This pool even has a blow up bottom, sort of like an air mattress. Melissa and I laugh at the warning signs on the pool - "No Diving"

Violet attended a birthday party at the zoo. They only made it as far as the polar bears and penguins before Violet got tired. The lighting wasn't that great for a picture but now Jamie is trying to teach Violet how to act like a penguin. The way she mimics everything, it shouldn't be long.

Red Lobster Thursday Dinner

Thursday night dinner with Dad was at Red Lobster this week. Everyone was able to attend.

It's getting a little harder to keep Violet contained through the whole dinner. She wanders through the restaurant but she doesn't venture too far from the table. Her usual conversation with people is talking about her puppies. When people notice her she responds with "ruff, ruff, ruff." She'll also wave to everyone. But the best part of the dinner...Ashley works at Olive Garden while she puts herself through school. Since Red Lobster is part of the Darden family (the company that owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster) she was able to get a 25% discount on our meal. I believe Longhorn Steakhouse is also part of Darden. I wonder where we'll eat next Thursday??!!!

Saturday Night Car Show

After a quick dinner at Twin Peaks we ran across the street to see the Saturday night car show.

Jamie painted this car 12 years ago and it's still immaculate. I asked the guy if he ever drove it. He said yes but cleaned it as soon as he got home.

People go to great lengths to fancy up their cars. Violet wanted the stuffed bird more than she wanted to look at cars. Some car owners even decorate the inside of their cars. The figure in the corner is the boy from the Big Boy restaurants. What a way to spend a Saturday night.

Play Date with Miles

It's been a while since I posted a picture of Violet with Miles.

Earlier this week they got together for a play date at the pool and then dinner. Does this count as their first date? Anything with dinner included is a date to me. Throw in a little kiss and you've got it made.

Father's Day Number 61

For the past 61 years Dad has heard from at least one person "Happy Father's Day." And today makes no exception. Karen and I took him to breakfast this morning and then spent a little time making some money at Uncle Harry's (that's Harrah's just in case you couldn't figure that out).

Then Teresa and I took him to dinner at DiCarlo's. This picture started out as a selfie but neither Teresa or I could hold the camera and push the button at the same time. The waitress felt sorry for us and offered to take the picture. Dad has had so many Father's Days that Teresa and I, without even knowing it, bought him the same card. I hid mine before he could open Teresa's. We're hoping he doesn't remember. Any, Happy Father's Day, Dad!

I also need to recognize another Dad in my family. Happy Father's Day Jamie. I couldn't have asked for a better man to be the father of my granddaughter. And oh the joys of raising a daughter. You'll have to ask Grandpa for some pointers.

And Violet took advantage of being at the fire station with Dad and drove the fire engine. Maybe she'll follow in her Daddy's footsteps and be a firefighter when she grows up...or maybe a truck driver.

Violet and her Wave Runner

Melissa and Jamie have a time share at the Lake of the Ozarks. They found a couple of days in their busy schedule to run down to the lake so they wouldn't lose the whole time.

Violet found a wave runner she wanted but Dad needs to put all their extra money into the new house. Maybe next year, Violet, or at least when both hands can reach the handlebars!

Michele Goes Camping

OMG! Michele is losing her mind. I read on her blog that she went camping...with cooking outside and a tent. Now my idea of camping is Denny's and a cheap motel but she voluntarily went to Lake Wappapello, a state park in southeast Missouri. If that wasn't enough she tried to fix a dinner of hotdogs wrapped in biscuit dough over an open wood fire...yum...not!

But don't let this picture fool you. I'm sure that cooler full of beer was the only thing keeping her there. But as luck would have it a storm came through soaking everything. She quickly came to her senses and packed up and headed to the closest McDonalds for breakfast.