Sausage Supper Weekend

Last weekend we got to do something that we have been dreaming of for the past 5 years.  We headed to Mid-Missouri for the Brinktown sausage supper.  Brinktown is a little town of about 40 people about 45 minutes south of Jefferson City (our capital).  My grandma has a condo in Jeff City and a house down in Brinktown, which we refer to as "out in the country."  Throughout my high school, college, and early teaching years it became a tradition to head to this feast every fall.   

The trip began with a stop in Columbia where Bonnie met up with one of her good friends, Emily, at her favorite coffee shop Kaldi's.

Everett and I had planned to take a walk around MU's campus but the weather was threatening rain (and did eventually) so we headed to the Columbia Mall.  We discovered a play land, which was being dominated by crazy older kids, where E found a home in a little tunnel.

That night we headed down to Jeff City to stay with our friends the Fitzpatricks.  My former Young Life kid and friend Elliot came over to see E and hang out for a bit.  E took to him nicely.  

The next morning we got up and headed out into the fall beauty that is Mid-Missouri in mid-October.

After an hour we made it to my grandma's house where we got to do a little wondering around the great outdoors.  E loves being outside so this was a great place for him to check stuff out.

Then it was time to head over to the main event.  Here granny, E, and I are hanging out outside the parish hall.  

We explored the grounds for a little bit before heading in to eat.  

This included a stop at my mom's grave site.  This was the first time that we had been out in the country with E.  It was probably the hardest time I have ever had visiting my mom's grave site.  Something about having our awesome little man with us made it especially tough to wrestle with the fact that E will not get to know such an awesome grandma.

We wondered for a little bit more and even got to take E to see some horses before heading in to eat.  The sausage supper is a huge event as you can see from the tremendous line that had formed within just a half hour after opening.

Granny and I at the dinner table.

The sausage.

There was so much good food and Bonnie, E and I left absolutely stuffed.  E even had his fair share of sausage.  I would have been disappointed had he refused to eat it.  It was so good to get out of KC for the weekend and spend some time with so many good friends and family members.  I hope that we can return next year.