After T-day

On Black Friday we packed up and went to AR for the weekend to visit my parents. One highlight of the trip was an outing to the new art museum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It is a beautiful museum. What luck for us to get to go. The collection is impressive and without my family I really could have stayed all day. In between galleries there is a sitting area filled with books on all the art and landscape that you see.  I envy my fellow Arkansans that will get to just sit their and soak up so much culture and beauty. I hope they don't take it for granted.

There is a children's section where the kids can play and learn about art. There is another room where they can create their own art as well.

The museum gets its name for Crystal Spring found in the ravine. The museum spans the creek, hence Crystal Bridges. It is autumn there so the area around wasn't lush, but Oh, that I could go there when the dogwoods are in bloom.

We do have a fabulous museums here in Texas, but they aren't 15 minutes away. I look forward to going again and again while we are on vacation there.

Here are the kids with Grandma. Macey did open up some while we were there.

The only competition for Grandma was the hotel pool. It was a few degrees too cool for me, but the kids had fun playing football with dad.

On our way out of town we stopped at the national cemetery to see Grandma's grave. She shares the marker with Grandpa Staudt. It was a subdued trip without being able to 'go home' and see her and enjoy in the warmth of her fire and my old room. But life moves on and I have peace knowing that our separation is temporary. What mischief we'll be in on the other side!

Here is my Grandfather's side of the marker. To the left of Ernie's grave is row upon row of Unknown Soldiers. They were relocated here from Pea Ridge where they fought the Battle of Pea Ridge during the Civil War. Truly, I love this cemetery. It has honor and peace and is so beautiful on Memorial Day with all the flags flying high and at each marker.

In the same section of the cemetery is my maternal grandfather, Joseph Brown.