The November Birthday Gang

Only one missing is Kelly. Maybe Holly is the stand-in.

Parade of Poinsettias

So many beautiful poinsettias. I love this time of year.

Christmas Conversion

This fairy land sports new characters for Christmas – Santa and guests from the Rudolph show. Rudolph seems to have collapsed. Or perhaps he's resting for his big night.

New Snowmen

Howard made us each these fun snowmen. I love them!

Musical Duo

Stacy and Joseph entertained us with Christmas duets.

They Wanted In

All these leaves rushed the gate but didn't get in. A windy day and you can't get out of the backyard. But Howard corralled them all and now the gate is easy to open.

Kicking Off the Holiday

My companions for the Plaza lighting. A balmy evening for the festivities. It was Joseph's first time to witness the actual lighting.

Ready for Inspection

Dad did like to show off his turkey masterpieces. Stacy and Jason were appreciative but Hayden was otherwise occupied. Happy Thanksgiving!

Super Fans

These kids wore this getup during the whole KU basketball game. Seemed cumbersome, and hot, to me. I admire their loyalty. KU won handily, 114-71 over Texas Southern.

Butterfly Crust

Apple pie made by Magdalene KC as a fundraiser for Veronica's Voice featured a butterfly crust. Veronica's Voice empowers women to exit from, to prevent the entry into, and to end all demand for prostitution/sex trafficking in the United States. The butterflies are a reminder of the new life that each woman of Magdalene KC is building through her recovery.

Morgan Trademark

As you can see in lower left, the Morgan pilgrim candles snuck onto the Colonial altar again. Thanks to the creative talents of Hayden and her friend, Missy, the pilgrims from my childhood keep reappearing.

Hanging with Finn

I spent some time with Finn, Joseph's son. He is a cute guy.

Transitions

Fall leaves lingered at Crown Center as the Christmas tree takes its place on the square.

Can You See It?

As I was sitting at a stop sign, I looked up and clearly saw an "A". Do you see it?

Marching Madness

The Marching Band Concert at K-State was always fun. Not sure what tale Hayden is regaling us with, but Stacy and I are enjoying it. The girls were each in the band for four years and together for one year during the halcyon days of K-State football. Good times.

Caring Closet

Dropped off soft blankets and soft hats for Caring Closet, which supports the Sarah Cannon Cancer Centers in Kansas City, with items that provide comfort to patients undergoing treatment. Their closet is bare so pushing for donations to make treatment visits more comfortable. #CaringClosetKC

All Dressed Up

One of the more unusual trees in the Johnson County Christmas Bureau Festival of Trees. The festival is a unique holiday display of decorated trees, wreaths and table toppers. All items are donated and then auctioned to raise funds for the Christmas Bureau. This one was named "All Dressed Up" by the designer.

East Hills Singers

Another good concert by the East Hills Singers, a choir of Lansing prisoners and community singers. Joey was the accompanist and Kirk Carson, Colonial's music director, was the director.

Anticipating Baby Thompson

We had a baby shower for Erin. Cindy made this diaper cake full of useful items as a centerpiece. Erin is due in mid-December and we are all eager to meet Baby Thompson.

Academy Graduates

At the graduation ceremony for the Lawrence Police Academy, Matt stands about a head taller than the rest. Impressive ceremony. He goes to work for the Lawrence Police Department next week. The ones in the lighter blue uniforms are new Sheriff deputies.

Blazing

Before the fall color disappears, I had to show our tree. It was slow to change but it's beautiful now!

Mount Up

Who wouldn't have loved to watch Mom, Vala and me get on this elephant. Yes, it's a live elephant. Grandma was 88 years old! It was a Friends of the Zoo event.

Two Beacons on a Hill

The beautiful red tree was as impressive as the Liberty Memorial. I know they say it's not a colorful fall but I've certainly been enjoining the color.

Building Christmas

The elves were at work creating a tree for Santa Land at Oak Park.

Saintly Illumination

I'm helping to light the candles yesterday for All Saints Day – remembering those who have died and celebrating births and baptisms.

Game On!

A fun night of board games and card games with Stacy, Joey and  a bunch of folks at Colonial.

Lighting the Way

The trees on this street were amazing.

Unusual These Days

We used to encounter trains a lot, living in Shawnee Village but it's a rarity now to wait at a crossing.

Who's Out There?

Susie, Steve and I are checking on the trick-or-treaters as Mom hands out treats. You can see we are almost out of treats.

Zapped!

My banana plant froze so I guess we got a hard freeze. I tried bringing it in last year but that didn't go well so I left it to Mother Nature this year.