Arkansas for a memorial service

Friday morning began icy.  The forecasters were saying that by 10am the roads should be fine, which would be good since we were planning a trip to Arkansas for my Aunt Betty's memorial service.

We packed the car and were on the road by 10, and just as was predicted, the roads were just wet, although the trees were still icy.

    There was rain off and on.

 As we were going through Augusta, I glimpsed a cool looking building and I had Al turn around so I could see this.  It happened to be a motorcycle museum.  Al may or may not have accidently driven wrong way on a one way.  Good thing it was just a short distance!  And that there wasn't a cop around!  I would have felt terrible asking Al to go back if he'd gotten a ticket!

 I love this tornado!  Isn't it the coolest?!

 The ice transitioned into just rain.  We could tell that southeast Kansas had been dumped on for some time!  Look at the flooded fields!

Why does rainy, cold  weather make us crave Panera?  It just does!  I searched for it in Joplin area on my phone.  Google Maps took us on a very interesting drive through town.  I suppose it thought it was the fastest way, but I wonder.  We are always looking for roads we've never been on before so it was all good.

I think we had a new waitress.  Usually they ask if we'd like an apple.  Bread with a bread bowl seems odd.  We wrapped up the bread to take to Josh's.  He had told us we'd have lasagna for supper so it would go good with that.

When we got to Josh's, they were wrapping up home-schooling day (they go to a classical school; 2 days on campus, the rest at home).  Here is a project that Eli is working on.  He would need to paint it and make flags and banners.

 Of course the first thing Eli wanted to do was fight Papa!  The castle could wait for another day!

 This is his aresenal in the closet.  With a gajillion bullets!

Eli loves to bang on the piano.

That evening after supper, Staci needed to go shopping and Josh and Al had to go to The Home Depot.  The kids weren't keen on going and I didn't need anything either.  Plus who wouldn't want to play Life?   Emeri won, although Eli knew and was going to guess on his round.

 * * *

The next morning, the guys were up early installing a new garage door opener (what they got at The Home Depot).

 Emeri wanted to make waffles and I cooked up some sausage I brought with us from Meridian Market.  Good home-made rope sausage!

We are always grateful for staying with Staci's parents who live next door.  They will be staying at our house on their way to skiing in Colorado next month.

 This is Eli's magnets.  Sure are magnetic!  He could barely spread his fingers.

We gave kissses and hugs.  We packed up as we would be leaving for Kansas right after the memorial service in Bella Vista.