Rejuvenation Process

This photo shows the family snowmen in the midst of repair. Hayden repainted them in 1999 and took them a few at a time. I'm removing Steve so he can be painted. Scott and Dad are already done. Mine is in dire need of Hayden's rejuvenating touch again.
 

Face of Many Colors

Colin studied himself in the various color panels.

 

Carefully Built

Someone did an artful job of building a fort out of the little snow we received.
 

Christmas Jammies

We give them out this weekend so they have plenty of wear before Christmas.
 

Birthday Time

Lowell helped sing happy birthday to Howard.

 

Nightmare Before Christmas

Why take down your Halloween decor when you can use it for Christmas?
 

Thanksgiving Shenanigans

Artists at work before the feast. Then fun in the bounce house.

Lowell took the photo and Vala wanted to be in it but not looking.

 

A Trio of Turkeys

Kelly, Howard and Cindy celebrating their Thanksgiving birthdays. 2010
 

Lost in the Forest

Colin kept hiding among the trees at the Shawnee Indian Mission tree lot. We were there to buy a wreath but they weren't open for an hour and we didn't choose to wait. The volunteer told him he could play anyway.
 

Holiday Mashup

Left to their own devices overnight, these inflatables were up to mischief.
 

Getting to Know You

Adam is chatting with his Grandpa Kern at the church Thanksgiving feast. They are getting acquainted as they haven't been together since Adam was 6 months old.
 

A New Look

Our new floor and rug make a dramatic difference in the living room. The rug for the family room has not yet arrived.

 

Kicking Off the Season

Overland Park started the season early with the lighting of the mayor's tree. Santa also paid a visit. This year's tree is artificial but they have planted a tree to take over the job when it gets a bit bigger.

 

Puppets and Grandparents

Howard and I were invited to grandparents day at Adam and Colin's day care. It started with an odd puppet show (but the kids loved seeing the puppets up close) and then lunch.

 

Tight Fit

Maybe we could have found a larger space to take the picture since Taylor is only half in. 2005
 

Apple Season

Colin is studying the hedge apple because he called it an apple and I corrected that it was a hedge apple. But he collected them anyway.

 

They All Fall Down

The beautiful fall colors decided to drop all at once.

 

Boxing Up Thanksgiving

Colonial collected food for 100 boxes to be given by Cross-Lines Community Outreach for Thanksgiving. Yesterday we loaded up the boxes for delivery today so they have them in advance of the holiday.
 

Go Long

KC Wolf is ready for the pass from Tom Turkey. Nice change up on the usual Thanksgiving yard display.
 

Trains and Sand Art

Adam loved Science City, especially the train yard play area and the sand art. But afterward, he said the Planetarium was his favorite. We saw all the constellations in a moving sky.

 

Thanksgiving Wishes

Vala's class sang "Believe in Yourself" during the preschool Thanksgiving program. We followed with a delicious feast.

 

Waiting to Play

On a lovely gray day, Mom and I are waiting with Stacy for the game to start.
 

Shaking It Up

Colin was into storytime this time, including using the shaker eggs during the story.
 

Best Home on the Block

My neighbor came out to tell me how great she thought our lawn and tree looked. Then took the picture. She said we had the best home on the block but she and I are the only ones on the block. I'll revel in the designation anyway.
 

Glo Wild Incandescence

Glo Wild at the Kansas City Zoo is spectacular but difficult to photograph. We had fun exploring.

 

The Great Pumpkin Rescue

 

I stopped by the Great Pumpkin Rescue at Corinth where they were recycling pumpkins as a fundraiser for KC Can Compost. Instead of putting your old jack-o-lanterns in the landfill, you could leave them in the KC Can bin for $1 each and they will compost them.

Dia de los Muertos

The Day of the Dead event at the Nelson-Atkins included an altar where you could place flowers with the names of the dead. Lowell wrote some for her great-grandparents and placed them among the flowers.

A large alebrije – creature that represent one’s spirit – designed by Miguel Bolívar from Mexico was the centerpiece in Kirkwood Hall.

Neighborhood Watch

Bruno and Izzy are always watching so don't try anything in our neighborhood.
 

Hanging Around the American Embassy

Just a group of tourists outside the American Embassy in London on a long ago day in 1969. Not sure why Susan is squatting but maybe she was blocking Debbie. Scott just wanted to be tall so he stepped up on the wall.
 

Halloween Wrap Up

We didn't have the group together on this extremely cold Halloween but they all looked festive - A witch, mermaid, cat and Yoda.