Bubbling with Joy

As Hayden said, Lowell is living into the motto on her shirt. She loves bubbles.

Ghost of Golfers Past

These folks that live adjacent to the new Meadowbrook Park are paying homage to Meadowbrook Country Club that used to occupy the land. Howard could see where several of the greens and tee boxes used to be from his memory of playing the course. From a distance, it looked like a golfer standing in the trees.

Treehouse Playground

Treehouse Playground in new Meadowbrook Park in Prairie Village is a showpiece and a kid magnet. It is a series of connected ropes and ladders that wind their way toward three elevated huts. It is said to be reminiscent of the Ewok Village or the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse. There is an adjacent, less challenging playground for the preschool set. I have yet to drive by when the playground wasn't thronging with kids.

Doggy Bar

Whether your dog is tall or short, these folks have provided refreshment on your walk.

415.7

These folks want you to know that our CO2 level has reached 415.7 parts per million for the first time in history. The higher the concentration of carbon dioxide, the greater the greenhouse gas effect that causes the Earth’s atmosphere to heat up. For reference it was 320 ppm in 1960 and 380 in 2000.

The First of All Five

Too bad this photo is like looking through a rain soaked window but here are the 5 of us shortly after Scott was born. We're on a trip to Jeff City - Susan, Steve, Cindy, me, Scott in seat and Mom.

Enjoying a Spa

Lowell taking a few moments to read in her adorable bath tub at the end of the day.

Frolicking Bears

This fountain is located on land that was once part of the Merriam Park Zoo, home to three bears that apparently frequently wandered away, only to be captured and returned. President Ulysses S. Grant dedicated the park on July 1, 1880. Built by the Ft. Scott & Gulf Railroad and designed by famed landscape architect George Kessler, the park covered 40 acres from Shawnee Mission Parkway to 65th Street and from Grandview to the railroad tracks.

Keeping Watch

This ominous statue is surveying the new Meadowbrook development.

Look for the Beauty

When you feel overwhelmed by the heat, look for the beauty around you.  These beauties revel in it.

Moon Triumph Artifacts

On this 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon walk, here are a few artifacts on display at the Union Station Planetarium. Above is Neil Armstrong's inflight jacket. Below is the Kansas City Times front from June 21, 1969, reporting on the moon walk the previous day. We all remember where we were. I was in Sauda, Norway.

Congenial Guy

Adam is a happy baby. We have a good time together.

In the Good Ol' Summertime

A hot summer night to celebrate my grandfather's birthday. Steve found clothing optional. I'm in the front on the left. I see a second cake that I'm guessing was for my Dad since they were one day apart.

Water Delight

We introduced a new generation to the Round Hill pool. Lowell loved it. On a side note, two of Hayden's former students were lifeguards. How time flies.

Prairie Sunset

The view from the Ferguson Forty as the sun sets. Beautiful. Behind us the moon rising was also inspiring.