Kansas Adventures, August; Part 1

For our August Kansas adventure, we invited our grandchildren.

The girls had done a lesson using Mr. Longitude (he's long) and Mrs. Latitude (she's fat) so our adventure was perfect! We were going to start the adventure Geo-caching!

Papa told the girls we were going to go treasure hunting using longitude and latitude on our GPS to find hidden surprises!

Hannah had the job of decrypting a hint of where the treasure might be.

"You can reach it from the fire hydrant"

Sophia turns 4 on Monday and today she sat in her "new" -passed down from sister- booster seat! She was so excited to sit like a big girl!

Our GPS took us here.

We didn't see a fire hydrant. Where was it? Hidden by the brush beside a bridge.

And under the bush, you can see the hidden cache!

Treasure!

We took 2 treasures, leaving 2 behind in their place. Logged in that we had been there on the notepad and put the cache box back under the brush for the next person to find it.

The girls wanted to go across the bridge.

" Take a picture of the river Nana! That will be one for the blog!"

(look how dry Kansas is this summer!)

On to the next adventure.....

Backyard

I was sitting on my bedroom chair this morning having my devotions when all of a sudden a ruby-throated hummingbird flew by! Beautiful!

I remembered that the hummingbird feeder was empty and I forgot to fill it last night. So I quickly ran down to fill it. Hope he comes back again! I have not ever seen one here before, but have faithfully filled the feeder in hopes. Mindy said she saw it when she was here. And I think Jill saw one once too.

These finches love this plant. They nibble at it each day. It has overgrown so you can't even see the pot anymore. From my chair, I see geese fly by, herons too. And sometimes I see someone else "fly" by.

(my son-in-law, in case you don't recognize him)

My summer endless hydrangea is finally blooming! It was not an endless blooming one this year. The first year it hasn't performed. I think it did not like the heat. Usually it blooms all summer, just like the name says.
This summer has been brutal on the plants but there are a few beauties out there. And this morning was so pleasant (70's) to water and pull weeds.


The past couple of days I have seen that the monarchs are migrating! I can still remember one year when our back tree was full of them - over 100 for sure. A site I will never forget!
I am such a novice at plants - any guesses what this is? A weed? It came up volunteer. I don't know whether to pull it or not.

We let our backyard grass go. Didn't want that $500 water bill others were having. I watered the plants though. The grass will green up this fall I think. Plus we will overseed.

"The grass withers and the flowers fall but the Word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

I will be posting about our August Kansas trip soon. And today is a hint at where we will be.

Basement

Our basement is almost completed! Except for some shelving, sound system and such. But done enough to have small group over last evening and meet in the basement!

We shared what we had done during our summer break. We showed pictures on our laptops. One couple went on an Alaskan cruise; two went to Mexico - one for a honeymoon, one on a mission's trip. One couple went to Wisconsin and another to Colorado. And another to California. Allen and I did our Kansas trips and finished the basement.

Thank you, Matt B. for making the extras for a coffee house look!


Al made this lamp back in college days. I love it!

Emeri peeking out of the window from the playhouse under the stairs.

This is the guest bathroom.



Christina joined our small group by skype. Someday she will be back and can join us downstairs! We enjoy company so come over some time! Coffee's ready anytime!

Dad's funeral

It's been a week since we buried Al's Dad.

The family walked into the sanctuary to music of the quartet Al's dad was in many years ago. It was pretty scratchy, like old records are, but so cool to do that! Al's dad is the one on the left. His brother, Vic, who died many years ago, is on the right.

Sid (Al's brother) sang a song by Ricky Skaggs, "Thanks Again". Not a dry eye!

I've sent bouquets for Mother's Day, for Father's Day a shirt and a card
While they came from the heart, they fell short
Of saying how special you both are.
It wasn't 'till I was up and grown, married with a couple of kids of my own
Doing what mommas and daddys do
That I realized what I must have put you through.

So Thanks Again, for the love in the cradle
And all of the changes that kept me dry
Thanks Again, for the love at our table
And paddlin' my bottom when I told you a lie
For takin' me fishin' and flyin' my kite
And tuckin' me in, yes night after night
To my beautiful life-long friends, hey mom and daddy
Thanks Again.

I'm still a young man, at least I think I am,
But I'm watchin' my own hair turn grey
And your call last Sunday brought to mind
That I owe you debt, I can never repay

So, Thanks Again, for worryin' and waitin'
when I started datin' on weekend nights
Thanks again, for the help with my homework
And sittin' up with me 'till I got it right
Your car for the prom, your letters in 'Nam
But most of all, Daddy for marryin' Mom
To my beautiful life-long friends, hey mom and daddy Thanks Again.

Adam, Josh and Susie did "It Is Not Death To Die" based on an 1832 hymn.

It is not Death to die, to leave this weary road,
and join the saints who dwell on high,
who’ve found their home with God.
It is not death to close the eyes long dimmed by tears,
and wake in joy before your throne,
delivered from our fears.

O Jesus, conquering the grave,
your precious blood has power to save.
Those who trust in you will in your mercy find
that it is not death to die.


At the grave site everyone sang "Great Is Thy Faithfulness". And He is!!





The women of the church provided a nice lunch. We all laughed that the dessert table was longer than the main meal table!
Our nephew with his nephew. Tie switch!
And our family. Without Dad.

Bye, Dad. Until we meet again!