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.

 

 

Turkey Birthdays

Happy birthday to Howard today. He was born on Thanksgiving but Cindy and Lee were close by.
 

A Princess Dropped By

Beautiful princess Lowell graced us with her presence.

 

Meeting Rudolph

Vala said hello to Rudolph in a neighbor's display.

 

Golden Glory

 

 The ginkgos continue to amaze this year.

Feeding the Squirrels

Adam was distributing old Cheerios for wildlife. I suggested birds but he thought the squirrels would like them best.
 

Let the Holidays Begin

Overland Park kicked off the holidays with the lighting of the Mayor's Christmas Tree. Our old neighbor, outgoing Mayor Carl Gerlach, chatted with Howard while Santa and his reindeer entertained the crowd.

 

Cute Little Turkeys

Lowell's daycare program brought out some cute little turkeys.

 

Nine Grandchildren, All Looking at the Camera

Thanksgiving 2001. Everyone cooperated.

 

Poolside

Lowell looked beautiful by the pool. She did not enjoy the swimming lessons as much as hanging out at the pool.
 

Surrounded by Ginko

Vala posed under a beautiful ginko tree that was rapidly shedding all its golden leaves.
 

Providing Thanksgiving Dinners

Colonial collected the contents and boxed up Thanksgiving dinners for 50 families that will receive them through Cross-Lines Community Outreach. The turkeys and pies were delivered directly to Cross-Lines so were not being added to the boxes.
 

Together, In-Person, Inside

It was a grand gathering with my siblings after these many months of separation.

Disapparate?

Did the owner of these shoes disapparate or is this an art installation in Harmon Park? And the shoes don't match. So many questions.
 

Team Effort

Adam was showing Vala how to build a crane from the blocks.

 

A Young Soldier

In honor of Veterans Day, a rare photo of Steve in uniform.

 

What Can I Say?

Vala is just a cutie.

 

Color Is Here

Our Autumn Blaze is blazing so I consider this a colorful fall after all.

 

The Brothers Kern

A rare photo of Adam and Finn together, standing still.

 

Día de los Muertos

 

This display at the Nelson-Atkins Museum for Day of the Dead was created in collaboration with local artists, students, Mattie Rhodes Center and the Mexican Consulate in Kansas City.

Visitors are invited to add their own remembrances.

 

Here It Comes, Ready or Not

The mayor's Christmas tree is being reconstructed in Crown Center so the holiday season is fast approaching. I still think this is the dumbest tree. Maybe we should try buying a tree that comes in one piece and isn't as big - but looks like a tree.
 

Taking Care of Her

Lowell was feeling ill so Adam stood next to her and said he was taking care of her. So sweet.
 

Girls with Attitude

A little dress up fun.

Preparing for All Saints Day

Vala helped me set up the candles to be lit on All Saints Sunday this week.
 

A Case of the Mondays

Sometimes this is how I wanted to dress on a Monday after a holiday. Lowell wore it proudly.
 

Halloween Delight

Not everyone was enthusiastic about getting into costume but the two who did were cute enough to make up for the rest.

Below, sorting the treasure from their Halloween treasure hunt, thanks to Hayden.