A Quiet Stable

It's actually a shelter house but each morning as I drive by it makes me think of the Christmas stable. I appreciate public works for creating this. I find this a peaceful way to wish 2021 adieu.
 

Welcome 1992

The Noon Year celebration, a New Year's tradition for the young for years.

 

Christmas UFO

From a distance it's difficult to tell what you're seeing. But it's the lighting on the new bandstand in Thompson Park.
 

Meet Lola

Meet Lola, the Fergusons' cat who has come to live with us while her home is being renovated. She's kind of a therapy cat, too, as Tas died on December 23.
 

But Wait, There's More

Because we had such fun, here's a couple more Christmas Eve pics. They made sugar cookies for Santa, ornaments for Pops and Gammy's tree, and looked at pictures of Christmas lights.

 

Christmas Morning Treasures

From Lightning to ponies to an abacus and so much more, Christmas morning was full of wonder with the little ones.

 

Christmas Eve Magic

Candlelight at the pageant and Christmas jammies. We're ready for Christmas.

 

The Stockings Are Hung

Lowell did some rearranging so the Santas were together, hence you can't see my name on my stocking. But we're ready for Christmas.
 

Christmas Bounty

We are showing off our Christmas goods in 1961. I almost didn't make the picture. Judging by the squinting, I'm guessing the video camera flood lights were on.
 

63 Years Strong

Candy Cane Lane is still delighting children, 58 years on. I remember it as a child and our girls liked it. Lowell and Vala have driven through many times this year. Now it has signs about staying in your car and that video cameras are on, but that's a sign of the times.

 

Luminary Walk

Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church near our house is doing a luminary walk in back of their church. It's small but well done and the location is great.
 

Tiny Handprints Are Growing

Growing both in number and size. Grandchildren are adding a handprint each year.
 

Creating a Masterpiece

Adam was very focused as he decorated his gingerbread house.

 

Italian Creche

The figures of this elaborate nativity around the Christmas tree in the hall at the Nelson-Atkins Museum are from 17th and 18th century Naples. You can see below that the creche surrounds the 22 foot tree. The figures are on loan from the Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence. Most of the costumes are original but some were restored by the UMKC Theater Department.

 

Reading Time

Adam was reading "Little Grump Truck" to Vala at the library.

 

Tuning Up for ChristmasEve

It appears I was preparing to play a Christmas carol for our Christmas Eve candle lighting since the candles are all lit.
 

Stunning

The lights in Sar Ko Par Park are amazing. Lowell got up close.

 

X Marks the Spot

I find it intriguing when vapor trails appear so pronounced. I could see lots of smaller ones, like the horizontal line through the middle, so it was a busy sky.
 

Edible Art

Lowell used her artistry to make reindeer cookies.

 

Celebrating Topher

Topher celebrated his 4th birthday with a party at the park. It was brisk but warmer than a year ago. He did mention that his birthday isn't actually until Wednesday. Erin had him pretend to blow out his candle because it was so windy you couldn't keep a candle lit.
 

Singing and Santa

Adam and some of his classmates are preparing to sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in his daycare Christmas program. It was delightful. Below, Santa snuck up on him.

 

Enjoying the Sun

The kids and I took advantage of the unseasonably beautiful day.

 

Mrs. Claus and Her Elf

 

Mary Grace lounged with her elf, Hayden, at her side. 2006

 

Holiday Reflections

 

We had a grand time walking through the Christmas lights in Union Station, riding the train, visiting the EBT Santa and eating at Fritz's Railroad Restaurant.

 

A Visit with Santa

Vala found this a perfectly harmless way to visit Santa.

 

To All the Cats I've Loved Before

Mouser, as the statue is affectionately known at Eudora Animal Hospital, watches over K-10. It came to reside outside the vet through a long time client, who mistakenly won it in an auction in 2017 when numbers were mixed. His wife wasn't happy so the vet agreed to "foster" the statue but four years later, it's still there. "To all the cats I've loved before" is on the plaque.
 

3D Glasses

Adam wore glasses to see snowmen in the tree lights and Lowell sported Santa ones.
 

Night Walk

Hayden and I took advantage of the warm temperatures to take Lowell and Vala for a walk to see the lights in the neighborhood. This creation over the sidewalk was especially exciting.
 

Ready, Set ...

...go! And off they went.

 

Christmas Band

Stacy and Hayden and the Lafferty girls used to have a delightful Christmas program the Saturday before Christmas. In this instance, it was a band - clarinet, keyboard, viola, tambourine. Note Stacy is directing with a Santa.
 

Lights in the Sky

The sunrise yesterday morning was breathtaking. I had to pullover and take the photo. Sometimes holiday lights appear unexpectedly.
 

Planting Assistant

Vala helped plant our tulips and daffodils. She mostly liked throwing them in the trough.
 

Decorating Assitants

Vala and Lowell provided excellent assistance as I decorated our tree. It may be that Vala was more interested in removing ornaments than adding them but it was still fun.
 

Dirt Mountain

Lowell and Vala scaled the mountain of dirt displaced by the new foundation at their house.
 

Celebrating Howard

Howard was surrounded by daughters and grandchildren for his birthday party.

 

Thanksgiving Blessings

Howard and I ate our feast at the Kerns. The Ferguson girls were dressed to go join in Thanksgiving with the Ferguson family.

And of course the chance to see the Plaza lights come on again.