Spring Break Day Three - Tuesday

Spring Break Day Three - Tuesday

Ben and I took Alex and Kaylee to a couple of Hollister City Parks late morning on Tuesday.

We first went to the City park by the City Hall. Here Ben, Alex and Kaylee are on the 1912 bridge that used to span Turkey Creek, 300 meters to the east, the sign says! City Hall, in the background.

Turning to the right, up the hill, along the stream that runs under the bridge, there is a nice little waterfall.

There are actually some smaller falls on upstream behind where the kids are standing. There is actually a nice picnic table just to the right, from where this photo was taken.

We then went back down the path,  past the bridge, where there is a neat Gazebo and another bench.

Ben took this photo of Kaylee and Alex and I at the bench. While we were there, a cardinal flew over. Alex said he saw three. I took this photo to capture the moment.

Next, we back up the road to the Downing View Park, a small playground and park area, overlooking the Downing Street - downtown old Hollister - across the railroad tracks from the City Hall area.

And the "Downing View" - down Downing Street, with Old English buildings at the far end.

City Hall forward and around to the left. Downing Street is on the right. See Ben, Alex and Kaylee on the swings. Here is the better (ok, not much better) photo taken from near the back of the van...  ;-)

 Alex got to go down the slide, on the old towel from the van, to remove a bit of water left from the rain.

Then, Kaylee was ready to slide.

Kaylee pushing Daddie on the swing!

Looking back up the hill toward the sign...

Special Poe-esque photo moment - the Crow in the Tree with dark clouds behind:

Though a bit chilly, the sun felt good when it was out.

Picked up Subway sandwiches for adults and chicken nuggets for kids at McDonalds on the way back to the cabin.

It was a good day!  ;-)

Spring Break Day Two - Monday

Spring Break Day Two - Monday

Monday night we decided to get Papa John's pizza - we'd all been out and around all day - Allison worked all day and stopped by after...

At lunch time, we took two cars, and ate at McFarlin's at the IMAX complex, then Ben, Arrion and Alex stayed there to see the movie, Rango. Bill, Nancy and Kaylee went for a ride that included stopping at Books-A-Million to see Allison at work, bought some stuff; then to Target (Kaylee's favorite story) and bought some more stuff!

So by evening, CARRYOUT! [Grandpa got do the "carrying" of course!  ;-)]

Afterwards, Kaylee got Allison to "play ball" - ok, they sit on the floor and roll it back and forth. Here, they were having a discussion, and Alex was "looking after the ball." Not sure what that all meant... !

[The following are actually from the next day, but fit better here]

Recycling and trash carryout are everyday events at the little cabin, so, today, we made it a family affair. Bill has cardboard and cans, Ben has trash and plastic bottles, Kaylee and Alex have their helmets and scooters.... Arrion took the photo, thank you very much!  ;-)

She seemed to like this view, as well!

For orientation, the mailboxes are just left of Bill, and the trash and recycling dropoffs are behind the fence beyond the mailboxes. A nice walk on a cool, but nice day!

An indoor activity to add here - playdough, while Ben and Arrion were out shopping - got some new playdough at Target!

And, in case you don't get the full-effect in this one, try a closer look...

She really "gets after it" when she plays!  ;-) Needless to say, cleanup was really fun, as well!

The rain had ended and the sun was out! It was a very good day!  ;-)

Sunday of Spring Break Week

Sunday of Spring Break Week

We got an early start on Sunday. Kaylee wanted to walk on the back deck, even though is was little cool.

When we got out there, we saw the little daffodils... so both Alex and Kaylee lined up... still half asleep, perhaps!

Back up on the deck, they liked the swing... for a few minutes, anyway!

A little later, Kaylee got out her scooter to show Grandpa. She can really go. Just going in a circle, here. We went down the street, both directions...  ;-)

Shortly after noon, we went into down for lunch... ended up at Fall Creek restaurant. Nice. "Tossed Rolls" are fun.

Allison came over in the afternoon and we all enjoyed that!

It was a very good day!  ;-)

New Geocache Information in Hollister

From the Geocache:

CHAD A FUQUA MEMORIAL PARK…located on the North side of Hollister Town Hall is about a .6 mile flat walking trail with resting benches, vintage light poles and resting benches. Commerative and memorial bricks line to walking trail to honor those we love and special events in our lives. Take a short hike up Hackett Falls trail to find a beautiful place to picnic.

Permission was granted by the Hollister Parks Director.

With the establishment of the first US Land Office in Springfield in 1835 came a migration of rugged pioneer families into the virgin Ozark wilderness of Southwest Missouri. Malinda Fortner was one of these early pioneers. Little is known of her past or why she chose the demanding life of a homesteader. The original 120 acre tract of land on which she established her claim in 1867 was the beginning for a crossroads settlement along the West Bank of Turkey Creek in the early 1880's.
Around the turn of the century, Rueben Kirkham opened a general store and applied to the Post Office Department for permission to establish a Post Office suggesting the name HOLLISTER after the birth place of his daughter in Hollister, California. Permission was granted and in 1904 the name of the Ozarks settlement was established.

With the coming of the St Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad the area was opened to new expansion. It became the headquarters for the Mo-Pac Agricultural Agent of the White River Division. The area achieved tremendous agricultural development. Berries, vegetables, grape vineyards, orchards, cotton and tobacco flourished and the amount, variety of stock and produce shipped from the station in the early years was phenomenal.

W.H. Johnson and Professor J.W. Blankenship platted and started the major development of a beautiful English style village which attracted visitors from all over the world. Johnson's dream resulted in the row of quaint Elizabethan structures which is now Downing Street. His son W.W. Johnson, built the historic Ye English Inn in 1912 and it became a stopover for travelers with special trains bringing visitors to a then remote area.

Hollister was incorporated as a town in 1910 with Professor J.W. Blankenship becoming the first mayor.

Hollister is noted for bringing to Taney County the first major influx of tourism. It had the first iron bridge in Taney County which still spans Turkey Creek, the first paved street, electric lights, movie house, the first registered pharmacist and modern steam heated hotel.

The colorful history of this unusual Ozark town is fascinating and covers and era when stock wars were waged between merchants and stockmen. Grape carnivals promoted by the railroad were gala affairs where men and women of an age gone by helped to build an unique English Village in the Ozarks. . .Hollister, Missouri

Local Historian, Viola Hartman, is credited with Hollister's being placed on the National Register of Historical sites In 1978.

Interesting bit of history, on a very nice day!  ;-)

Allison's Birthday Party 2011

Allison's Birthday Party 2011

We took Allison to Grand Country Buffet for lunch, then we took a drive out west of town, including Wal*Mart in Branson West.

On returning home, we had her birthday party. Here Nancy is applying the candles.

Lighting the candles - didn't burn the cabin down, fortunately!  ;-)

Blowing out the candles... safely, and completely, again!  ;-)

A big birthday smile, with hat!  ;-)

Gifts!  ;-) Partial...  ;-)

It was another very good day!  ;-)

Last full day in Austin

Just a few more photos to post. Didn't take too many, this time. Just enough for some good memories...

Alex on Nancy's Mac, at an educational site he really likes with tough puzzles to solve. He really gets into them:

I asked him to smile:

Perhaps that was a 'bit much!'

Nancy and Kaylee - with the dollies....  ;-)

Kaylee had gone up to the playroom, alone, for a while. She was playing! Had laid out the blanket, with picture of a table setting... and places fruits and vegetables at each place setting - cute!  ;-)

Grandma helping Kaylee "with her lipstick" - what else?  ;-)

Temps stayed in 60s and 70s in the daytime, got cool into the 40s overnight!

They were very nice days in Austin - love to see the kids grow! They'll be in Branson/Hollister for Spring Break in about 10 days!  ;-)

Fifth day in Austin - March 1, 2010

Ben is in San Jose, California. We are here with the kids and Arrion, having a great time, with lots of activities. I've picked up Kaylee from her school each of the last two days. Yesterday, it was the last day for one of the kids, so they had a big cookie with frosting they were eating when I arrived. There was enough for parents picking up, and grandpas and grandmas out in the car, to have a piece, also.

We've taken Kaylee to the grocery store - H.E.B. - twice now. Tonight, while Alex (and Arrion) hosted the Cub Scout troop at the house, Nancy, Kaylee and I went to Chick-fil-A, she played on the indoor playground, and then we went to H.E.B. to pick up a few things. Arrived home just as the scouts were leaving.

Some photos for the week:

Ben got out the marbles game on Saturday, before he left on Sunday.

Alex read for Grandma. He is progressing well. He has about finished 1st grade, and will start 2nd grade level the rest of the semester.

On a trip to Target, Kaylee picked out a microphone that sings itself. She likes it.

A few more photos will be shared tomorrow.

It was another very good day!  ;-)