You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


After a hiatus of several days, here we are, updating as promised. The photos from our Evelyn-Kim-Alex visit last Wednesday are now 'blogged.'

When last we posted, we were plotting on how to stick Pete with the dinner check that evening. It turned out to be easy. We had a fine meal at Pio's with the Abbott's then rushed home to watch the first presidential debate. We simply made sure to seat Pete where the server would get to him first and last.

Friday evening we discovered the meal at Pio's was actually second-rate because we went to Margaret's for dinner. She put on the the dog, for sure--fried chicken with a lot of sides.

In between our dinner dates, Scott and Brayden arrived. Brayden didn't take to us at first, much preferring his Daddy. After Scott left for the Lake on Friday morning, it took Brayden about 20 minutes to stop wailing because his Dad left him. Then he turned into a model, beautiful child, sunny and happy. He is learning new words. His favorite expression, which he used over and over, is "Hi, Pete!" Shirley printed off photos of Jalen which Brayden carried around with him, pointing to it and saying, "Bubba." We think Bubba must mean Brother. Now we know how Bill Clinton got his nickname.

Saturday was a get-ready-for-Sunday day. We shopped, played with the baby, visited with Pete and Janet, and anticipated our big family get-together.

We talked with Bernie on Sunday. He and Maudie had been camping with their Camp Club and have other big plans. All seems well with them.

Joe arrived late Sunday morning, and others came in the afternoon. The photos here are from Sunday and Monday. About half of the photos Rose took did not turn out so not everyone was captured. Chris and Shelly arrived late after playing in a golf tournament. Den came in Monday morning from the Lake and left for Chicago this morning.

Joe stayed over for his Railway Club Meeting on Monday evening. Joe had written in an e-mail that when he works now, he does so for nothing and even supplies the materials. Knowing that, we put him to work. We went to Home Depot, bought a new toilet seat for the downstairs bathroom and some mums for the front porch. Coming home, Joe said he was anxious to get that toilet seat behind us. And he did.

Pete and Janet left Monday morning to get to Great Bend by evening to visit with our Kansas relatives, sister-in-law Sally and Cousins Mary Pauline and Ralph. They wanted to be home by Wednesday morning and had miles to go before they slept.

A very happy Brayden left with his father Monday morning. They got back to Louisville right on time, and Scott said Brayden was a model traveller and was awake most of the trip.

And now it's back to normal for us--whatever that means. We are missing Brayden Big Time and are resting. Shirley leaves for Chicago tomorrow. Rose and I will drive there on Saturday. The World Series Playoff games start today so we'll watch. Rose, who has had two extensions now for her 2003 Federal Tax Returns, is on a deadline. I may have to chain her to the desk to make sure she gets them done.

We'll update later in the week--post taxes, play-offs, debates, airport ferrying, and rest.