Mama Pajama

Retirement

Since my dad has retired, my parents have been able to do a bit of traveling.  Chris and I are trying to convince them to take a trip to Colorado.  They could fly into Colorado Springs and then drive around to Rocky Mountain National Park.  But they are also interested in going to Branson, Missouri.  There are a few Branson condos that look really fabulous.  I think they would have fun either way!

Branson, Missouri

Have you been to Branson Missouri ?  Our neighbors just went there last summer and had a wonderful time!  I would love to go there this summer.  We were looking at all the different lodging options, and found quite a selection. I really like the Cabins at Grand Mountain. They are only a couple of blocks away from Country Music Boulevard. Plus, they have fully equipped kitchens and jacuzzi tubs. 

I'd like to go to the Grand Country Music Hall to see the Amazing Pets show.  I know we'd also enjoy Legends in Concert. It features artists from Elvis and Buddy Holly to Garth Brooks and Patsy Cline.  Silver Dollar City theme park looks like it would be a really fun place to visit, although I haven't been on a roller coaster in years. The park is located in the terrain of the Ozarks. They have something called The GIANT Swing that takes you up and down through barn doors at extremely high speeds. Judging by the pictures, it looks pretty scary!  I hope that we can get there soon!

Vacation Spots

After doing BeccA's meme earlier, I've been thinking about different places in the United States that would make great vacation destinations.  I've always wanted to visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I'd also love to see Boston, Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard.  Maybe we'll be able to take a trip to the East Coast someday.  I'd also love to go skiing in Colorado one year.

Give Me Five!

Give Me Five vacation destinations you've already enjoyed or would like to some day.

What a fun topic this week, Becca!  I can't wait to go on vacation this year.  We are hoping to go to either Cancun or Pensacola, Florida this year.  I'd like to go before it gets too hot, like maybe in April or May.  But, we'll see!  Here are five of the vacation destinations that we've enjoyed over the past (almost) nine years.

1. Breckenridge, Colorado

2. San Francisco, California

3. Maui, Hawaii

4.  Cancun, Mexico

5. Pensacola, Florida

To join in the fun, head on over to BeccA's Buzz

Thursday Thirteen #19

   

This past weekend, my husband and I visited Dealey Plaza in Dallas. I have included a few of the pictures we took. I had always wanted to visit this site, so I was very excited to see it in person.  After watching the Zapruder film, along with many different documentaries, I had an idea of what to expect. However, I was so surprised by how small everything appeared.  The distance between the Texas School Book Depository building and the spot that JFK was assassinated was surprisingly short.  Also, the grassy knoll fence area was a lot closer to the road than I expected.

After watching the haunting Zapruder film so many times, I think I was desensitized to the horror of the event. Chris actually stood in the same spot as Zapruder and took some video of cars going by.  Standing there, we could just feel the shock and grief that the nation must have experienced. 

This week I'm listing thirteen facts relating to John F. Kennedy and/or his assassination in 1963.

1. The 1961 Lincoln Continental, open-top, modified limousine in which JFK was riding is currently at the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn Michigan.

2. The motorcade route appeared in the newspaper on November 21st, the day before the shooting.

3. The Warren Commission released their report on September 24, 1964.

4. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) sells microfilm copies of the Warren Commission Report. It can also be viewed at US Government depository libraries throughout the US.

5. The Zapruder family created an enhanced version of the film that is much clearer than the original film in NARA's custody. The copyright of the Zapruder film is owned by the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas Texas.

6.  Almost thirty years after the assassination, Congress enacted the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992. The Act mandated that all assassination-related material be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 

7. It was planned that Kennedy would travel from the airport in a motorcade through downtown Dallas (which included Dealey Plaza) to give a speech at the Dallas Trade Mart.   

8. Even though I have bought into the conspiracy theories in the past, there really is overwhelming evidence to prove that Oswald did it.   

9. Vice President Johnson took the oath of office at  2:38 p.m. while on board Air Force One, just before it departed Love Field.

10. JFK's funeral was held on November 25, 1963, which was his son's third birthday.

11. The Kennedy family had just experienced the tragic loss of a son in August of 1963.  Their son, named Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, was born prematurely and died of what is now called Pulmonary Distress Syndrome.

12. In 2002, it was released that President Kennedy suffered from Addison's Disease, which is adrenal insufficiency. Apparently, he was in quite a bit of pain throughout his life. 

13. My favorite quote from his Jan. 20, 1961 Inaugural Address:  "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." 

Need to Make Hotel Reservations?

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Weekend Snapshot #8: Weekend Wedding

This weekend we attended my brother's wedding in San Antonio.  This is a photo of my husband, myself, and my parents.  Wow, everyone's eyes are open! This hardly ever happens!  The wedding was at a small chapel near the Riverwalk. If you've ever been to San Antonio, you know how pretty the weather is around this time of year.  Thankfully, everyone had a safe and happy trip for the weekend. One of my aunts who was unable to attend the wedding, stayed with Cameron at our house.  She enjoyed her time with Cam, and we had a fun little getaway!

To join in the fun, go to Weekend Snapshot.

Europe, Here I Come!

Wouldn't you just love to travel to Europe! I have never been outside of North America, but I would love to be able to travel abroad one day. I would love to go to Ireland, England, and Italy.  Now to just find the time and money to be able to go!  I have met several bloggers that live in other parts of the world, so I'd even have someone to go and visit.  It could happen!

Wordless Wednesday #7: Cancun, Mexico - 2004

Wordless Wednesday #1: Pensacola Beach, Florida