So we’ve been having a good visit out here in Missouri, visiting Monte’s family. No snow yet – looks like we probably won’t get any . . .

We had a good trip to Branson and got in just enough shopping (found more for Ainsley than for me) and got to eat at Landrey’s (yummmm).  Oh yah, also got to eat at Panera Bread for the first time with my sis-law Dana, and LOVED it!  Wish we had one close to us in CA!!

So in the mean time we are back at Monte’s parents so thought I would take this time to update with some more pics I had already uploaded at home.

This time:

DISNEYLAND!!

Here is Ainsley eating with her CHOP STICKS at PF Chang’s across the street from our hotel in Anaheim.

I have been wanting to eat at one of these ever since I would hear Lyndsay talk about it being her fave place to eat! It was great!  Although VERY busy and very LOUD!!

Here I am AFTER rideing SCREAMIN’ OVER California!  Ugghgh! I was sooo sick . . . we don’t even want to discuss the details!  I’m such a pansy!  I use to be able to ride the Tidal Wave 7 times straight at Great America!  OK – that was like 20 years ago I guess!

Yeah!  It’s Mickey!!

My mom, me and Ainsley with yummy treats from the bakery @ CA Adventure

Ainsley & I at Minnie’s dresser

Ainsley hugging Koda (I think)

Ainsley & Monte wet after riding the Grizzy River Rapds!!  . .. yes, it was somewhat cold being wet in December but it didn’t stop us!

Our chowder and Gumbo – YUM-EEE!

This was taken just a little before midnight after we rode the Winnie the Pooh ride 2 times in a row without getting off and BEFORE we got on SPLASH Mountain!

Monte & Ainsley in front of “It’s a Small World”

Grandma Barbara, Ainsley & Monte playing in the “snow” after the fireworks show in front of the castle

Seems like just us Xanag girls keep Disneyland busy, huh?  : )

So our 6th Annual Rook Tourney was a blast as usual!  I laughed and laughed – a lot of it was thanks to ANDY!    OK, and Uncle Myron too.

We drew for partners again this year so that is always fun to see who you’re going to get to try to win the whole tournament with!  Monte goes to great lengths and pains to do up a tournament bracket that works for the number of players we have:  here is the product of all of his hard work this year.

This was most of the gnarly crew that hadn’t already left anyway . . .

The BIGGEST LOSER team was my friend Kriste from work and my sis-law Jill (who is preg-o)
Their prize was a BIG pen or pencil with note cards that said “THINGS TO DO” and I wrote in: “Learn how to play Rook BETTER!”  lol!!

Kriste’s husband, Randy and Muriel were the 2008 CHAMPS!!!  They had never met before!  Goes to show that it is just pure TALENT that gets you to the top!  ha!  They received goodies along w/a Starbuck’s gift card : )  The Championship game was over @ 1 am!

My nephew Cole and I were partners.  This is the scorecard of how bad we got beat by the champs!!    MAYBE if Cole wasn’t TEXTING while we were trying to play – we might have done better!?!!? 

Well, we are in Missouri now and I hope to be seeing a lot of you at the OKC NY Meeting soon!  Maybe I will have time this week to get some more blogging done w/my pics.  But FIRST we will be going to Branson tomorrow to hopefully get in some good SHOPPING!!!

Now we’re off to the 7:30 services at Field Stone on Sunday night!!!  Can you believe that??  They STILL have 7:30 Sunday night services!!  : ) 

It’s 15 degrees here – what’s the temp at your house??

Happy 30th Birthday Megan!

Cheryl & Megan (mom & daughter)

Rosemarie & I (I guess I have a “sleepy” eye, huh?)

Cindy, Logan and Mary (Logan is Mary’s)

Rachel (my sis) and Hannah

Ruby Jean & Nan enjoying their high fructose mochiotto’s!  : )  (Melissa’s favorite drink – except WITHOUT all the suger -right?! )

Olive Garden . . . when you’re here – your family! . . . and FULL!

And we “celebrated” Andy’s 30th b’day at our Rook Tournament Friday night! 

Well, really, we just sang to him and that seemed to be far too MUCH by the expressions on his face!  lol!

Rendi & Andy

I will post more pics of our Rook Tourney, Disneyland, Thanksgiving etc in a “next” post soon – I hope!  We will be leaving in just a few DAYS to drive to Missouri!

I’ve enjoyed looking at everyone’s pics and their “goings-on” – sorry I haven’t had time to comment on them!