Art Class

Colin is trying his hand at water art. He was more interested in the pens than drawing.
 

A Special Flag

Matt gave us this flag yesterday. It was flown onboard a plane like in the photo on April 7 over Iraq during a combat mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The certificate is signed by Matt as boom operator as well as the aircraft commander and the pilot. It reads "Let all who look upon this flag be reminded of the military men  and women who maintain a steadfast devotion to protecting the freedoms that it represents." Matt just returned from deployment to Qatar.
 

Libby Is 4!

We celebrated Libby's 4th birthday with a picnic in her backyard. She needed George's help blowing out the candles as Topher looked on. The cousins enjoyed lunch together.

 

Busy Sea Lanes

Shawnee Mission Park Lake attracted lots of paddle boards, kayaks and sail boats. Even dogs joined the parade.

 

Show Time

Fun to see the little ones in their programs – Vala in the middle above, Adam to left below and below that, Colin on the right.

 

Just a Summer Day

Lowell and Adam played at the park and then we stopped for refreshments from a neighborhood lemonade stand, which led to much hilarity.

Morgan Women of 1999

Erin's KU graduation brought out this array of Morgan women. Styling it.

 

Gammy's Assistant

Lowell joined me to take care of Colin. She was great help, showing him how to trace his hand, move the stroller in the grass and play the piano.

 

The Fairies Are Returning

Vala and Lowell are setting up my fairy garden for the summer.

 

This Linn County courthouse, built in 1865, is the second oldest in-use courthouse in the state. Interestingly, Linn County is named for Lewis F. Linn, who was a doctor and a United States Senator from Missouri. Apparently there was no one in Kansas to name the county for? The terse sign below doesn't have anything to do with the courthouse itself as the incident predates it. "James Montgomery Ballot Box – Free Stater claimed voters deceived on slavery issue by pro-slavery forces Jan 1958. Smashed ballot box scattering votes." Montogmery was considered part of the bleeding Kansas crowd leading up to statehood. Apparently just a point of information.

    

 

All Roads Lead to Sugar Lake

Our friends recently moved to Sugar Lake and Margie created a sign post depicting where her kids live. It's a lovely little lake that I had never heard of near Mound City.

 

Pomp and Circumstance

Lowell walked in to Pomp and Circumstance for her Pre-K graduation at Highlands. On to kindergarten.

 

Park Smile

Adam's laugh was infectious during our snack at the park.

 

Just a Few Years Ago

So it's been 50 years since my KU graduation. Wow! May 1973. (Mehmet from Turkey was our exchange student at the time.)
 

It's a Rainbow World

Fun with bubbles (and photography). Colin tried to catch them.

 

Joyful

These two were laughing so hard while swinging I feared they would topple out.
 

A Mother's Joy

My darling daughters and their children made for a fabulous Mother's Day celebration.
 

Picking Time

We had fun picking strawberries at Stone Briar Farms and collected quite a haul. We also took the time to sample our bounty.

 

Take a Walk, Read a Book

Walk one way in Meadowbrook Park and read "Be a Star, Wonder Woman!" The other direction you will read "The Mommy Book." Sponsored by the Johnson County Library.

 

Walking in the Rain

Faced with a rainy day, we opted for a walk with umbrellas. Adam loved it.
 

Time for a Picnic

Mother's Day Picnic 1986. Morgan is digging in while Hayden observes.
 

A Step Away

Colin has taken a few steps but not into full on walking yet. But at the park he would just stand freely watching other kids.
 

Seeing Double

These guys were staring at us as we sat on the patio last night.

 

Off and Running

I joined Hayden and crew for the Shawnee Mission District staff 5K. We left from the SM South stadium and followed Indian Creek Trail to Roe and back. We started with cool and damp and ended hot and sweaty.
 

Birthday Blessings

I had a wonderful time celebrating my birthday with these urchins. It was a swim party as you can tell. Photo below is courtesy of photographer Lowell.

 

The Heart of the City

That's the name of this Kansas city Heart Parade entry at Jay Wolfe Honda. Created by Taylar Sanders, the heart is intended to show the hustle and bustle of the city with the streetcar side and to honor local Native American tribes through the Scout.

 

Antioch Park Secrets

We found a couple of tree root hideaways in Antioch Park. Adam wanted me to come in, which resulted in much hilarity by the time I did so. I was also about to be struck by Adam's light saber (in honor of Star Wars day).

 

Before We Were Grownups

Howard and I in 1978 in the Bahamas. We dressed up for dinner back in those ancient times.
 

New Park Vibes

Colin and I checked out the new inclusive playground at Meadowbrook. Mostly for tiny people.  It has a merry-go-round with a space for a wheelchair and such. Colin gave it a thumbs up.
 

In Case You Missed It

It's spring!

 

FernGully Phase 2

Phase 2 of the great ash removal is stump removal. Homeowners now have a giant mound of mulch. (The 1990s film FernGully horrified Hayden because they cut down a rainforest so that's our term for this type of thing.)