It had been a while since we visited the Missouri family, but Trent's aunt Nancy's 60th surprise birthday party on Saturday was reason to visit again. We were even able to take Saleen along, on our first mini overnight vacation with her! Her allergies have been bad again this summer, but she got through it and seemed to enjoy the fresh air, and even the long car rides.
We went down Saturday morning, then had the surprise party in the afternoon. The party was in the small town of Laclede, Missouri. Trent's aunt was so surprised and happy to see everyone there, and we all had a really nice lunch and got to catch up with the family we don't get to see very often.
After the party, Trent and I walked Saleen down to the General Pershing house and statue. We didn't know much about who this guy was, but the statue was pretty cool!
There was a nice war memorial wall around it, and when you get closer, you can read a little about who Pershing was. I'm pretty sure this might be the highlight of the whole town of Laclede!
Saturday night we checked into our hotel in Brookfield, watched TV in the room for a while, then went out for dinner at The Brickhouse Bar and Grill. It was a really nice restaurant for a small town, with a bar area on one side and a dining room area on the other.
The food was awesome, too! I got the fettucini alfredo, and had so much leftover. The portion size was crazy, and you get fresh bread with the best cinnamon butter. We thought it was a pretty cool little place that we hopefully will get to come back to next time we're down there.
Sunday, before we headed back home, we stopped at the cemetery in Marceline where Trent's grandparents and great-grandparents are buried to leave flowers.
Saleen got to see them, too. She was just a puppy when Trent brought her down to Missouri the first time! That was about 12 years ago now.
We left flowers on the gravestones of Trent's grandma and grandpa Wilma and Elmer, and his great-grandma and grandpa Wesley and Bernice.
On the way home, it looked like it was going to rain, but we had a little window before we ran into the storm to stop at the Thomas Hill Reservoir and take a little walk by the lake.
It was a pretty area, and Saleen got her exercise for the day while we explored a little on our walk.
It looked like it would be a nice calm lake to go boating or kayaking on...maybe in the future!
The trail was kind of on a hill and was a little steep in some places, so we didn't go too far, but it was kind of woodsy and cool looking!
Of course we ended the walk with a little photo op. Just look at that storm brewing in the sky! Such a cool backdrop for a photo, we couldn't resist.
It was a fun little trip - always is when we get to explore in Missouri! Happy Fourth everyone!
Welcome to my neck of the woods! Dave Mathews was this week AND Guns N Roses was in town too. :)
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