Since this was the first major holiday after Dad's death, Mom wanted to do something different to help all of us spend time together but not in such a somber way, so we went to Missouri for the week of Thanksgiving, but we spent 3 days of that trip in Branson Missouri with Mom, Mindy and her crew and Andy and his crew. While we all had a very nice time together, it was a bitter sweet time. We definitely felt the void without Dad there. However we knew he was still with us and would want us to spend that quality time together, in Thanksgiving for each other and for each moment we have together, no matter how much or little.
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| When we arrived the weekend before Thanksgiving, there was just the tiniest bit of snow left in the shade from a large snow fall the week before - the kids were excited to attempt to build snowmen even with this very little :-) |
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| The kids had fun playing outside at Grandma's |
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| And Henry and Shawn were happy to help with the last of the fall leaves |
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| Teamwork |
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| Boys hiking the creek |
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| Girl climbing a tree |
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| Cousin time when adults had a date night |
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| Sam with Uncle Andy |
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| Mom and Dad had bought the whole family tickets to see Aladdin at the Fox Theatre (as our Christmas gifts) months before, we so still all went and Grandma Burkemper joined in Dad's place :-(. We had a lovely dinner together beforehand at Plaza Frontenac. |
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| Mom with all her Grandchildren |
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| The whole crew at the Fox |
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| Grandma couldn't resist getting a picture with Aladdin |
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| The Old Monroe Knights of Columbus, with whom my Dad was super active most of his life, happened to holding a special memorial mass for all deceased brother knights while we were in town. We went with Mom, which was heart wrenching, but a beautiful celebration of Dad and many other's lives who dedicated themselves to service of their parish and community. |
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| Afterward they held a dinner reception in the KC Hall - which my Dad was in charge of building - he both envisioned, planned and physically helped build it. It was so nice to reminisce with many friends and family members there who loved him as much as we do. |
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| We headed to Branson mid week and spent several days there. |
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| Dancing to the Fountains at Branson Landing |
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| The fountains at night |
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| Checking out the fish at Bass Pro Shop |
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| Grand Village shops |
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| We even ran into Santa outside some shops after breakfast one morning! |
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| Table Rock Dam |
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| We stayed at a Welk Resort Hotel and enjoyed the water slide/pool very much! |
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| Warming by the bonfire with smores after swimming |
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| We spent 1 whole day at Silver Dollar City and had a wonderful time! |
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| Candle dipping is always a favorite there. |
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| Silly kiddos waiting for a ride |
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| Watching a cute show |
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| Nicholas, Henry and I toured Marvel Cave, a wet limestone cave, deep underground., very cool! |
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| What would a visit to Branson be without old time photos taken....first time ever for us.....love it! |
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| We finished the day at Silver Dollar City with the Celebration of Lights....beautiful! |
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| Aunt Julie (Dad's sister) hosted Thanksgiving for the Burkemper side - once again very nice, but different without Dad! |
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| There is never a Burkemper get together without some sort of game |
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| Sam I Am :-) |
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| Henry wrote this, on his own, in the back seat in the car ride to Missouri. |
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