We are moving .....

We are moving to Branson Mo so I can
pursue my acting career as Sagebrush Scrooge
at the saloon show in Silver Dollar City.

Easter Trip to Branson

Our first stop after checking in was downtown Branson at the Branson Landing...the guys in front of the center fountain. Joe said he was chatting with someone about the area and the last condo there sold for $750,000.00. Anyone got 3/4 of a million they want to give Joe? He'd love to live there! After some shopping and walking to loosen up from the car ride, we were off to Red Lobster for dinner...Yum. After filling up on seafood we decided a little putt-putt would be the thing. Eric does love a good round of putt putt. This course was very near our hotel and wound up being a tough one for all. Eric and Cody tied for the win and each won a buck from us for their efforts.

The Guys relaxing on the porch of the cooking school overlooking the Ozark Mountains.

The first 'treat' to grab their attention was the twirly potatos on a stick...Eric got the deluxe model with the 'dog' in the center...good eats.

While Eric loves a good round of putt putt, Cody LOVES rides...He even went on this one with his parents, who mistakenly thought it looked pretty tame after some of the coasters...Free falling is not that tame after all!The Branson area experienced a tornado in recent weeks and there was quite a bit of damage up and down the strip to businesses...mostly the older buildings it seemed. The 'strip' will be changing again as it seems to have done over the years as the clean up goes on.

It was not a typical Easter weekend for us, but nice to get away from the routine and spend some time together. I wished we'd had at least another day together, but the boys need to save vacation time for this summer. We did get a chance to talk to Adam on Sunday and he was having a good day doing what he loves too--his comedy with friend Matt Little. My life is blessed with a wonderful family and no matter how we choose to spend our time, when we can be together my world feels complete. I hope everyone had the same sence of love in their hearts this Easter.

Our Wonderful Weekend (in reverse)

Joe and I got the chance to spend Eric's 25th birthday with him in his (VERY CLEAN) apartment in Columbia this past weekend. It is so hard to believe our youngest is 25 though. We took him shopping for a new comforter and had a nice dinner at a local pub/brewery, and we really enjoyed it...Will be going back there again. Sunday, when we got up and going it was his birthday so he opened the gifts we got him...thankfully the new shirt was NOT the exact color as the one he was wearing like it was last year!

He also opened his gift from Aunt Paulette and Uncle John as well as his cards from Aunt Deb and Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Jill and Uncle Bill---Thanks you guys, he always appreciate being remembered.

On Saturday before we left for Columbia I got the opportunity to see where Aunt Jill and Uncle Bill will be living after 4-13-2012 when they close on their new home. It is an amazing condo in the Churchill Development. Doesn't look like a condo at all does it? It is an amazing place and large open floor plan and zero entry from garage into the home. This is going to be so great for Uncle Bill and Aunt Jill is as happy as I've seen her in months....I'm so happy for them both---they MORE than deserve this beautiful new home.

On Friday night The Brother's Bozarth got together at Jeff's suggestion to hang out and celebrate what would have been their dad's 87th birthday. I am so glad it all came together for them and though John and Joe had plans for Saturday, they could at least have the one night to enjoy, have fun and hopefully share some childhood memories, while making new ones together. Thanks again John for sharing your cabin with your family. Here are the boys toasting their dad, who I know would have loved the thought of the boys remembering him in such a fun way.

Save the Date/Euchre Party

HOORAY---Our Godson popped the question and Michelle said YES!!! We are so excited to have Brayden and Michelle as part of our family when they make it official on 4-13-13!

Matt, Kelly, John and Paulette all gave a toast to the newly engaged couple...I tried hard not to get weepy, but how could I not shed a tear to see Nate so happy and his family over-joyed for him. If Nathan and Michelle didn't already know it before, they know now just how much their family loves them and supports them. "CHEERS to an amazing couple"

Uncle Joe shared a moment with his little buddy Luke--and a Valentine Puppy too. Joe actually gets withdrawls when he doesn't see Luke for awhile, and enjoys any occassion he can spend some time with him...and as luck would have it...he drew Luke (and his mommy) for a Euchre partner...Joe was a happy guy and felt like a winner before the first round. This is my loner hand that never gets played...if I am ever lucky enough to get a hand like this, or simular, there is always someone ahead of me with an all black hand ready to call it up. I love this game, but it sure is frustrating to be the one holding all the 9's and 10's each round! Thanks for being such a patient partner Deb...I just couldn't seem to get the cards, but we sure did our share of setting the other teams which is good too~
And who can forget that fun party game "Name that Butt" Blake, you were hilarious!!! I see game show hosting in your future!

It was such a great night and as always John and Paulette the most amazing hosts. I love going to their house and spending time with everyone...the food was amazing, as usual and the entertainment of family togetherness even better. SO happy and excited Cody and Eric were both home to share in all the fun and joy of the evening....NOW...Is it April 13,2013 YET????I am too excited to sleep!

Festival of Lights-Branson November 2011

We saw Santa right away on Friday..I knew it would be a great visit. There was a heavy "believe" theme this year I was SO excited to see Santa out walking around I could not resist asking for a picture and giving him my holiday wish list....I asked Santa to bring my boys home safe for Christmas. He said he'd pray for us all to have a wonderful holiday together...can you tell I got teary? Joe in the big Christmas barn...so many beautiful decorations to be had in here..I love seeing what is new every year.
The Living Nativity is so moving...it is a musical sang and narrated entirely by the Angel Gabrielle. Cooking School!!!!!!!!!!! I really enjoyed it. Joe thought it would be more hands on. We did learn you want to be first in line...they got the great seats right at the counter. I think I will be doing one of the recipes for Christmas Eve.
We had another wonderful trip to Branson and Silver Dollar City. The weather was amazing..too warm on Saturday, cool on Sunday, and then at the very end it began to lightening and thunder..not much rain until we got on the tram...as it took off the pooling of water on the roof came down on Joe like a bucket thrown on him. And here we thought the water rides were closed :-) We are already making our plans for next year...they are doing a production of ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE. --How perfect for us.

Silver Dollar City FALL 2011

This was the gourd display near the pumpkin carver---Can't believe we didn't take a few pictures of his wonderful creations...He did an amazing job.Their main display of scarecrows, metal sunflowers, corn and pumpkins coming out of a cornacopia...these had to be the most photgraphed pumpkins in the country.We Irish...we are a fun people!!! There were many signs like this throughout the park.I loved this picture. It will make a great desktop photo for me at work---I will never talk Joe into taking his Christmas lights at SDC off our desktop at home. :-)Joe taking his turn in the pumpkins. The indredible symbol of our nation. This guy swooped right over out heads...creating quite a breeze...he is HUGE. The Birds of Prey show was a nice surprise and we were both happy we took the time to go see it. They had an adult owl that was only 9" tall....so Cute...Guess how much this big guy weighs.....She said he weighs only 4#...yep, FOUR POUNDS. She said he is all feathers and hollow bones.



We had a great Anniversary trip. We stopped to take Eric to lunch and bring his office a Quincy home-town favorite--Underbrinks. He said his office enjoyed the mini angel food cupcakes, but it was the residence that really scarfed them up....somethings are universal I suppose. =] We got to Branson late afternoon, checked in and headed straight to the park. They close early in the fall, but we got to walk all around and take in the fall decorations before heading back. We were up bright and early on Saturday for a full day of park fun. We did EVERY rollercoaster this trip and on Sunday it was so warm that we even did a water ride---happy to say it was not ME this time that got SOAKED though. The food at the park is usually a hightlight for us, and we did try new things which were excellent, but both of us thought their would be more things made of pumpkin and apples all over in carts but that wasn't the case....we did share an apple dumpling and they are INCREDIBLE...the crust reminds me of Grandma Mary's and I could just eat that by itself. The park, the shows, the food and the rides all made for a great time once again in SDC. We did both think one week later and the trees along the drive would have been in ALL their fall glory, but we were happy with glimpses of what is coming. We did a little shopping on Monday before leaving town and headed to Eric's for an evening with our son. We got there just after he got off work and we all went to dinner then just hung out...always sad to say goodbye, but we were up with him on Tuesday so decided to head on home. So fun to travel and get out of the routine, but for me it is always good to be home. Looking forward to our Old Time Christmas trip coming up in a few short weeks too.

Happy Anniversary to the guy that makes each trip a joy to take, and makes each day worth getting up and sharing together. I love you Joey Bear, and thank you for the amazing life and love we've shared and for the greatest of all gifts: Our sons.

Meet Miss Witlee

For what seemed like forever(10mos is FOREVER in a baby's life) we were not able to meet our great-niece Witlee, but finally on a bright sunny September day, we got to see this precious child for the first time. It really was like the Sun came out. Witlee did seem a little overwhelmed at first, but her daddy kept a close eye and when she needed time, he'd take her for a little walk, just the two of them. It really is a bonding time for him too, but you know I could not stand it if I couldn't get at least one little snuggle in. Welcome to our family Witlee---it has been a long time coming, and my prayers will always be that the adults in your life do what is right, and what is best for you. I love you already sweetie, and pray you will be joining in ALL YOUR families celebrations from now on!! It was a big day for such a little girl...she had to take a little nap and recover from seeing so many new faces. Doesn't she look just like a sweet Angel?

Some of the best people to get to know Witlee are the ones that are just about your size, so I just had to introduce you to Luke...he is the baby of the family (for now) He is 5 mos younger than you, but just about your same size. I know next year at this time you two will be chasing around with all the other kids. You have SO many bigger cousins that will always look out for you and help you when you need it. You will always have Fun when you are around your Bozarth Cousins---I promise you that! Uncle Joe and I both love watching the little ones when the family is together.

It will forever sadden my heart that we were not allowed to be part of your first 10 mos of life, but we are glad things are getting better and that you will be able to be a part of it now. God will always answer our prayers if we just keep praying hard enough. Uncle Joe and I love you sweet girl, and we will ALWAYS be here if you ever need us....until then we will just be happy to watch you grow cuter and sweeter each time we see you. ((((HUGS))))