Going Bonkers!

I took Morgan to Going Bonkers the next day. He was such a good boy the whole trip to Michigan. He needed to run around. My mom was able to meet up with us!

The Strangest McDonalds Ever

We stopped at the strangest McDonald's in Oklahoma. The restaurant was actually a bridge that went from one side of the highway to the other. This is the view driving down the highway.
This is the view from the restaurant.

Morgan at the Steakhouse in Branson

We had to search for a restaurant that didn't have the southern icky fried stuff. We decided on a steakhouse. I can't even remember what I had. Morgan does love steak. And, I'm realizing that he eats it about every other day. Maybe I should lighten up on that...hmmm. EVERY restaurant has either a show or a performance. Morgan was totally taken by this singer. She gave him a signed head shot.

O.k. this video makes a strong argument for less protein in Morgan's diet. I think that he was a little... ummm... backedup, shall we say?

We live in a one story home and I've made it a point to keep my little man away from stairs. He discovered them at the hotel. And, he loves them! Of course.

We saw this car on the drive out of Branson. It for sure merited a photo!

The Trip Back to Dallas Begins!

We started the drive from Flint to Dallas and ended up staying in Branson. We were so exausted from whirlwind of a trip that we decided to take the day slowly and go to Silver Dollar City. Branson is quite the unusual town. There are a ton of shows and lots of down home cooking = lard.

Here's the map of Silver Dollar City. I bought a great t-shirt. I never do that. But, it was cut the right way.

Beautiful sleeping baby.

They had a sprinker park area for the little ones. Morgan kept hitting all the kids.

They have lots of shows. This crazy character was wandering the streets and then jumped on stage at one of the performances. Man or Woman? You decide.

Morgan loves to wrap things around the back side of his neck... like the tie to my bathrobe, belts, whatever he can get his hands on. This snake was perfect for him. He calls it his 'nake'.

Dan saw this billboard of Ann Margret and thought it was an advertisment for a brothel. Ha

Back at Dovy's House in Flint

Our drive continued after our visit to Holly and Tom's house. But, this time we were actually staying in the same town. Yea! Dovy was a few short miles away. Dan's aunt and uncle, James and Debbie, brought dinner and we had a great time. Thanks James and Debbie!

This is the back view of Dan's grandmother's, Dovy, house. It was so beautiful and green. Later that night Dovy, Dan and I sat on the back porch talking for a couple of hours. She has windchimes and it just feels so peaceful.

This is the view from her back porch. I can't even imagine mowing all of this!

Here's Morgan with Dan's uncle, James. He is married to Dovy's daughter, Debbie.

Dovy's other daughter, Ellen, has CRAZY long hair. It's Crystal Gayle long. Seriously, it reaches her ankles. I have no idea how she keeps it so healthy looking. my hair only reaches down past my shoulders and it's a disaster. We draped her hair over Morgan to see what he will look like when he becomes a famous rock star.

Ellen is a hair stylist. That might have something to do with why her hair is in such good shape! Morgan had his first hair cut prior to the trip. But, she was able to clean him up a little bit. Debbie did a great job distracting Morgan while Dan held him.

Here's Ellen with her daugher Neena. Neena was awesome with Morgan. I wish that she lived closer. We've got to get her out here for a visit sometime.

This video is GREATNESS. It's Morgan's first temper tantrum! I caught it on video! Nice Morgan, way to show off for the family. Ha!

Visiting Tom & Holly in Flint

We stopped in at Dan's cousin, Holly, and her husband Tom's house, in Flint, MI. I think that they must always have a cookout going on. Holly's daughter Crystal was there and Uncle Ed and Aunt CaCa (Carol) were there. Dan cursed Carol with this name when he was a toddler. He couldn't pronounce Carol. So, the name CaCa has stuck! Everyone still calls her this to this day! Holly's husband Tom is such a sweatheart. I just love this photo of them looking at each other.


Morgan wanted in the pool so badly.

Grandpa Dean Smith

We drove back in to Flint after our visit with Dan's family in Bad Axe, MI. Morgan Dean Cox was named after Dan's much loved Grandfather, Dean Smith. His cemetary was on the way into Flint. We stopped to pay our respects and get this fabulous picture of my two men as his grave site. It was a precious moment.

Our Trip to Bad Axe, Michigan

I know that he's screaming. But, it's always so hard to find a picture with me in it because I'm always taking the pictures!

Morgan with his Great Grandma Smith and Grandpa Dan Kiehl
The groom, Joey, flaming up the grill at his house
Dan with his sister, Beth.
This is part of Marie & Dan Kiehl's land. It's so nice out there. Everyone has their own space.
Here we are with Grandma Smith.
Dan Kiehl, Grandma Shirley Smith, Dan & Morgan Cox and Marie Kiehl.
We even had our own welcome sign!
Here's Dan's family!
Dan's brother Joey, Dan, sister Beth and brother Jimmy. A bunch of tall people!

I think that one of the cousins took his sand shovel away. Ah, life lessons!

Morgan Meets His Cousins in Michigan

We drove about an hour and a half from Dovy's house to Bad Axe, MI. It was so wonderful to see all of Dan's family. Dan's mom, Marie, flew in when Morgan was born. But, this was the first time that everyone else had the opportunity to meet my little man.

He had a great time playing with his cousins.