Big 2nd Birthday Bash

We had a BIG birthday party the weekend before last for five of Abby's friends who turn 2 this month. Have I mentioned how much I love my mom's group?

The birthday kids from left to right: Alberto, Emma, Madi, Axel and Gabi.

Sweet family: Gabe, Raquel and Alberto.

One of my favorite families: the Shys. Eli was eating vegemite on toast. *shudder* You must have a more sophisticated palate than I do, baby boy!

Thighs for days. Scrumptious baby legs!!

#cutie for sure.

Let the messiness commence.

Abby wants to wear this Minnie shirt everyday now.

Happy birthday, sweet friends! Can we all slow down a little now? These kiddos are getting too big too fast.

Thanksgiving 2014...and Disney!

Whoa, where has the time gone? My apologies for writing a Thanksgiving post just 8 days before Christmas. I spent the past few weeks making trips back and forth to Winter Park (just NE of Orlando) for gigs with the Bach Festival Society. Winter Park is a gorgeous little suburban city full of fancy boutique shops and hip, trendy restaurants and it's also home to Rollins College where we performed. I enjoyed subbing with the orchestra and the 150 person choir behind me was phenomenal. I closed my eyes a few times while listening to them sing and just let the music wash over me.

...that was really cheesy, wasn't it? What can I say, I'm a sucker for Christmas music.

But before all this Christmas music began, we had Thanksgiving! Robert's parents were in town again this year and we had such a fun visit. Robert saw an episode about Julia Child's Thanksgiving turkey on America's Test Kitchen and we decided to give it a try. It goes without saying: Julia doesn't disappoint. You basically have to hack up the turkey, removing the dark meat (legs) from the white meat, so that it cooks more evenly. It also cooks much more quickly this way and the stuffing nestled under the bird was divine. Kudos to you, Julia.

Abby spent the morning watching the Macy's Day Parade, playing with her shell collection...

...and doing some pre-food coma stretching and calisthentics. Not a bad idea, little girl.

The world's least graceful downward dog.

Here's our turkey!

Transformed into this magical meal.

Over the weekend we took Stan and Betty to the zoo. Abby used to be scared of the stingrays but she's become rather brave lately.

Shortly after this photograph was taken, a woman bought some shrimp to feed the stingrays and there was a craaaaazy feeding frenzy. Abby wanted to leave ASAP.

Here are my favorite animals: the flamingos. Abby knows this and if she ever sees a picture of flamingos in one of her books she says, "mommy!"

Grandparents are the best.

Little Miss Independent often wants to push the stroller or cart herself now. The key word? Patience. *sigh*

She wanted to walk the entire length of the fence like this and it took forever. Again, patience. Not my strong suit!

The BIG event of Stan and Betty's visit this time was Disney. The exit for Disney is exactly one hour from our front door  -- amazing, right? We thought it'd be fun to take Abby to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party with her grandparents. Stan, Betty and Robert had never been to Disney before. The gates opened at 4:00 so after Abby's long nap, we finally got there around 5:00. 

It got dark quickly but all of the lights and fireworks made everything even more magical. I loved how they transformed the Cinderella Castle into a Frozen wonderland.

It was soooo crowded.

Overall, I think we all felt a bit overwhelmed about where to go and what to do. We need a plan next time. And less crowds. There was just so much to see and take in. Abby rode in the teacups with mommy and daddy which was a big hit since she loves spinning so much. We also took her on Aladdin's Magic Carpet ride which she enjoyed when the carpets went up but not so much when they jerked down. 

The highlight for Abby was the Christmas Fantasy Parade. I didn't get any pictures of the floats because it was dark and I was completely mesmerized watching Abby's reactions. Minnie and Mickey came around the corner first and her jaw literally dropped. There was a nice lady in a wheelchair sitting next to Abby and she pretty much spent the entire parade looking at Abby -- she was that much fun to watch! There were many characters Abby didn't know (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Cinderella, Ariel, Winnie the Pooh, characters from Toy Story...we'll have to get caught up on our Disney movies) but she was still enchanted and won't stop asking to go back to the castle.

Abby stayed up waaaay past her bedtime. We left the park around 8:30 and then there was a big accident on I-4 so we didn't pull into the driveway until 10:30. Somehow our sweet little girl stayed awake and happy throughout it all. Thanks, Stan and Betty, for making another long drive down here to visit. "Grandmama" and "Grumpy" are the best!

Goodbye, Papaw

My grandpa, Bill McDannold -- or "Papaw" as I always called him -- passed away on November 23rd. Papaw was an amazing man. He was a pilot in WWII who flew 35 (!!) bombing missions over France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. Whenever I stop to think about that, it seems truly incredible that he ever made it back home. His first child, my Uncle Bill, was born during the war while Papaw was flying over the Atlantic Ocean. Mamaw (my grandma) and Papaw later had 5 more children and I have always loved being a part of their large family. I remember so many wonderful holidays with their house packed full of people -- all of my aunts, uncles and cousins. Papaw is survived by 2 sons, 4 daughters, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Wasn't he a handsome young man?

This Certificate of Honor lists Papaw's WWII bombing attacks. I remember how real this became to me after my Eurobrass tour through Germany in 2010 when our ensemble performed in a few cities that had been heavily bombed during the war. While we didn't visit any of the cities on the list, I still thought of Papaw and found myself wondering what that had been like for him. Like many veterans, he very rarely talked about his experiences. I wish he could have told me more.

After the war, Papaw had a long career with the Missouri Conservation Department. I think this black and white photograph of him working in his office is stunning.

Mamaw & Papaw

I remember this kitchen so vividly. Papaw once said that he considered me to be his 7th child. Since my parents were young and juggling college and work (and football!) when they had me, I spent quite a bit of time at Mamaw and Papaw's when I was little.

I have so many sweet memories of Papaw. He would let me stay up late and we'd eat huge bowls of popcorn while watching TV. Bethany and I used to catch fireflies out in the yard on hot summer nights and then we'd pile in the car for a trip to Dairy Queen. Papaw always ordered a Buster Bar and I'd get a cherry StarKiss. There were a few special summers when Papaw woke me up at 2:00 or 3:00 in the middle of the night and we'd drag his scratchy lawn chairs out by the garden to watch a meteor shower together. Papaw had a knack for gardening. I remember the way his sunflowers towered over me. I remember picking fresh tomatoes and eating them straight from the garden -- delicious salt and peppered slices still warm from the sun. I remember how Papaw used to lean in close to my face and tickle my cheeks with his scratchy whiskers. 

Papaw showing his goofy side, Christmas 1988.

We went to several air shows as a family and I learned about some of the planes Papaw had flown. Years ago, Robert and I took a trip to Washington DC close to the time the WWII memorial was completed. I wish Papaw could have seen that memorial.

In Hannibal, Missouri in 1989.

With my sister and cousins at Mamaw & Papaw's 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Mamaw & Papaw were always supportive of my musical pursuits. They attended many of my concerts and bought my first French horn when I started college. 

At my high school graduation.

I love this one.

Papaw made the trip to Wichita for my bachelor's degree graduation, too.

I always had a hard time visiting Papaw in the nursing home. It just didn't seem right that he lived there by himself. And then he made our goodbyes even more difficult by insisting on walking us down to the front doors. We'd pull away in the car, waving goodbye, and I'd cry and cry. It broke my heart every time.

Papaw was a big Missouri Tigers fan and he almost always had on his Mizzou hat. My aunt told me that after he passed they kept the hat with him. I wish I could have been by his side during his last moments. I am thankful for his long, full life of 96 years and I'm grateful that he passed so peacefully.

My mom and dad took Papaw an Ohio State Commencement program when I graduated with my doctorate. One of our Columbus friends made "Dr. Z" hats and it was a big honor that Papaw took off his beloved Mizzou hat to put on mine!

Here's Abby's first appearance with her great-grandpa! Every time I was in town I made sure to visit. Papaw had dementia and during the last few years he stopped recognizing me. His mind just seemed to...fade. He spent most of the time during our visits talking about his mom and dad and places from his childhood. Those earliest memories seemed to be deeply rooted.

My last trip to Kansas City was in July 2013. We met Papaw for lunch at Panera so that he could meet Abby. I love the way she is checking him out in this picture.

My mom and dad made it to Papaw's room just after he had passed. As they took his body out of the room, the hospice workers broke into song -- "It Is Well with My Soul." I think that was such a beautiful thing to do.

Papaw, I miss you so much already! Thank you for being such a wonderful grandpa to me. Thank you for encouraging me, supporting me and loving me -- always. Thank you for filling my heart with so many wonderful memories. I look forward to telling Abby stories about her amazing great-grandpa. 

I love you.