Goin' to Kansas City, Kansas City Here I Come

What a FANTASTIC trip I had to Kansas City to see my dear, dear friend Barbara Hopper Stone whom I have know since I was five and whom I haven't seen in TEN years. We lived across the street from each other until I went to BYU. I was treated like royalty while I was there! I stayed at her parents' house. I had my own room and my own bathroom. It was great. Barbara's dad, Nelson, is the only person in the world I allow to call me Jenny. Her parents are probably the most social people I have ever known--they are great examples of how we need to be involved with our families, our community and our church. They fill their lives with service. It was so wonderful to spend time with them. I also LOVED reconnecting with so many old friends, driving to my old schools and around my old neighborhood. Things have really changed and the trees are HUGE. However, I do not miss getting so carsick driving around on those windy, hilly roads. . . :) Here are a few pictures.

This is Brett, Barbara's 13 (?) year-old son who is very talented in many ways and almost has his blackbelt in tae kwan do (sp?). Miss you, Brett!

Here are Kathy Glauner (can't remember her married name), Barb and me. Kathy has her doctorate in microbiology (pretty sure) and is currently attending medical school. Her husband is from Guatemala. She has three kids and is raising them to be bilingual. YES! You go, girl!

This is Cathy Harris, Barb and me. Cathy, Barb and I had yearbook together with our teacher whom we called "Cream Cheese" (long story). Cathy always kept me laughing in yearbook. She was hysterical and still is. She's aged really well. Jealous! She works with autistic children at a private school (I think it's private).

This is Ed Hyatt and his beautiful daughter Tricia. Ed lived in our same neighborhood growing up. We have many memories of playing kick ball, head hunters, chase, building forts and riding the big "Huffy" bike. We even wrote a song about Ed riding his "Huffy" bike called the "Wheelie King" and don't you know, I can still remember the words. It's amazing I can't remember important things, but dumb things, no problem. So sad!

This is Francine Hodges Mosley, one of the nicest people on the face of the planet. They just don't come any better than her! She and I were good friends in seventh grade and were in orchestra together. She is currently working as an associate pastor at her church. It sounds like she does amazing things with music there. They are lucky to have her!

This is the small town of Weston, Missouri. LOVED being there--made me homesick.

This is where we had lunch in Westin. The food was DELICIOUS--to die for. Of course, I can't remember the name of the place, but if you plan a vacation to Westin, Missouri, I'll for sure remember. . .

OK--no offense to you Arizona people--but this is a FARM. A real FARM--with animals and grass and trees (we don't have those here) and barns. It was COLD--LOVED IT.

Here we are at the real farm.

Look at that sky! Clouds! Yes! Fall weather! Fall leaves! Pumpkins! Apples! Mud! Cold weather!. . . Need I go on?

So happy together!

This is Jeff, Barbara's husband. This picture was taken at the warehouse they own. Barbara looks about 20 here. Hate her for that! :) Jeff is soooooooooooo blessed to have such a wonderful wife. And he knows it!

Here are a few items you could buy at the warehouse if you are even in KC and want to go warehouse shopping. . . I think that's a picture of Roger with us. I would weigh two tons if I worked there. . .

Here we are with Barbara's mom, Kathy, (she is to my left) and her friends. If I remember correctly, their husbands play golf together. They decided that if their husbands were going to get together to play golf so often, they would get together and do breakfast just as often. Love the way they think! (I just hope Blake doesn't decide to go play golf for the many times I go to lunch.) We ate at the Corner Cafe, my dad's FAVORITE restaurant. Make you jealous, dad? :)



Thanks, Barbara, for flying me out there and showing me such a wonderful time. I love you and hope it won't be another ten years until we are together again. Keep buggin' Jeff about an Arizona vacation. It's the place to be in Jan/Feb. . .