St Louis 3rd Day

We drove to see the Ted Jones' Farm in Williamsburg, MO, about 2 hours away. Ted was the founder's son of Edward Jones Investments. He was the first managing partner. His widow Patsy still lives there and helps run a new Conservation Area for the state. (Prairie Fork)  Norm enjoyed meeting and talking with her. She is 89 and very spry. We had lunch and a Q&A led by Jack Cahill, another retired partner and a tour of the farm and bunkhouse.

Norm talks with Pat Jones

 At night we were invited to another retired partners house for drinks and dinner. His 1920's house used to be a Hunting Club. It overlooked the Missouri River. What a view! Delicious gourmet dinner.

St Louis 2nd Day

The next night we were invited to Jim Weddle's, (a managing partner) garage for a party and to see his rare car collection. We were blown away! Wow! Porche's, Ferrari's,  Corvette's , Lamborghini's etc. A lot of red cards. An Aston Martin- like James Bond car. Very fun. Dinner, drinks and meet folks. 2 big rooms full of cars. He has to drive some each day to take care of them. Some life.

Host, Jim Weddle, talking about the Griffin car

St Louis and the Edward Jones Retired Partners Get-Together

The first night was a fun game at the St Louis Stadium watching the Cardinals beat the Minnesota team 3-2. Saw some old KC friends there. We had great seats in a party room, then went outside to sit too. We are not changed...we still LOVE the RED SOX!

Kansas City To St Louis

The drive from KC to St Louis was pretty uneventful...lots of rain. The Arch! We have a campground right in downtown St Louis so it should be very handy.

Kansas City Day 4

Slept in. Walked dogs. Drove around KC to see our old houses, Norm's old Edward Jones office and things that have been added to KC. Had lunch at Charlie Hooper's, an old favorite place. Went to Spicer's house for cards and visiting. Went to Jack Stack's BarBQ for dinner. Terrific meal. The best BBQ ever!
Said bye for now to our KC friends!

Our old house in KC by the Plaza

Kansas City Day 3

Natalie's friend Susan suggested a doggie day care for Angus and Bonnie and we were able to get them in to it for the day. They had a ball and were really exhausted when Norm got them out. While they were there, we went to our other friends home, Kite Singleton and Barbara Stevenin. We were in KC 2 years ago for their wedding. Dave Wurth and Jim Mueller came for coffee there too, so it was really fun catching up with them too.

Kite, Barbara, Jim, Dave, Norm

Kite and Barbara. We came to their wedding in KC 2 years ago.

In the afternoon we met Neil and Melinda Hartel and Tia (Dan's sister) at Tia's new home. She moved in with 3 girls and a caretaker. It is so great to see Tia ( once our foster daughter) be so independent and happy.

Tia's new home

Tia's parents, Melinda and Neil

Tia in her bedroom...she still loves pink!

Tia and her Mom Melinda

Tia and her Dad Neil

Tia's living room

Then we all went to a pot luck supper at Tia's school. There we also met Dan's older brother Michael and his new bride, Britanni. HIs parents, Judy and Darrell Luce were there too. We all got caught up and enjoyed ourselves. We hadn't seen Michael in years! It was amazing to see how much he and Dan look alike. He installs dishes for Direct TV.

Michael, Dan's older brother and his new bride, Britanni

Darrel and Judy, Michael's parents

Michael and sister Tia, Dan's siblings

The Pot Luck at Tia's school was very well attended

Michael was fun to talk with. He looks so much like our Dan!

Our old house in KC near the Plaza
Later that night we met Janet and Randy Spicer on the Plaza at the Raphael Hotel to hear live jazz .

Kansas City Day 2

 We went to the Nelson Art Museum to see the new exhibit and look around.

Natalie met 4 friends on the Plaza for Lunch at the Classic Cup. It was great to see them again and catch up. Norm took the dogs to a dog park and then met up with us at the Plaza. We walked around our old stomping grounds, had an ice cream and Angus dipped in the fountains.

Patrice and Susan

Susan and Debby

Janet at the Classic Cup for lunch

Wonderful friends! Patrice and Janet

Patrice walked with us to the Horse Fountain

so did Janet

Angus wanted to go in the fountain!

We love the Plaza. It has gotten even more upscale since we lived there!

At night we met our friends Mary Hinniger and George Bukaty and their daughter Jesse and her boyfriend Erik. at Mary and George's house. They have a beautiful home much of which they have renovated themselves. We went to a wine bar and had a delicious gourmet dinner. It was great fun visiting with them.

Plaza in KC

Mary and George

Jessie and Erik