"But wait there's more! If you act now..."

You could be the proud owner of the "All-In-One Travel Toothbrush!" This strange looking contraption is Gen's 4th grade invention project. The kids were told to invent something new or improve an existing item. She took a toothbrush and attached a syringe full of toothpaste. There is a tube going from the syringe to a hole in the head of the brush so toothpaste will fill the bristles. Her sister has already offered her money to make her one!

Tiny Dancer

My littlest niece danced Sunday in her first recital. She was the cutest little ballerina and I think the most energetic of the bunch. No stage fright in this girl!


The look on her little face is like, "Come on people, let's get movin'!"


"Itsy, bitsy spider...."

"Down came the rain..."
"Uh oh! It's a wash out!"

Here she is doing 'the monkey!'
Excellent job girlie! Aunt Connie can't wait till your next performance.

Kansas Museum of History

These are the four fourth grade monkeys I was put in charge of keeping track of yesterday on their field trip to Topeka. Easier said than done!

The kids were awesome yesterday. They were well behaved, paid attention, and asked good questions. They represented their school very well.


This was the first flag presented to the State of Kansas. It says "Admit Me Free." This is in reference to Kansas wanting to be admitted to the union as a free state rather than a slave state.

This is the Drover car of the #132 train. This is where the cowboys sat when they had to move their cattle herds by train.

Fourth Graders go to the Capitol!

I was invited to go along with my daughter's fourth grade class on their field trip to Topeka. Our last stop was the Capitol building. It was so funny to listen to their comments as the bus circled the block.

"Wow! That building is awesome. The Governor should live there!" "That building is huge! I bet the entire fourth grade could live in it!" "Yeah, that would be cool." "Look at the Indian on top! He's aiming his arrow right at that other building." "Is he a terrorist Indian?"

(The word "terrorist" came up a couple times yesterday while we were doing different things. At the museum it was mentioned in the John Brown exhibit because by today's standard he could be considered by some as a terrorist of his time. It was just sad that 10yr olds know what that word represents.)

First we ventured to the top of the dome. It was starting to rain so our tour guide said we would just have to see what the weather was like when we got close to determine if we could go outside or not. These are pictures of us moving up, floor by floor. The closer we got to the top, the less kids we had. They didn't seem to care that over 50,000 people had made the trek to the top of the dome last year. All they cared about is "Has anyone ever died going to the top of the dome?"

I think out of 18 kids in Gen's class only six were brave enough to go outside & four of them were girls...my kid included. Nevermind that she was wiping away tears and itching to get the heck outta there!


Then the journey back down to what we deemed more solid ground.

Senate room... I have to admit I had a brief day dream of sitting in this room someday.

After fighting the wind all day on Sunday, the night was incredibly calm and quiet. I caught a glimpse of the full moon from my window & had to go outside to take a better look. The night had an almost eery feel about it but beautiful nonetheless.

Pinsetter's Youth Bowling league wrapped up their season last Saturday. This league consists of kids age 6-18. I could not believe how many trophies were handed out this year. It was so cool! These kids worked so hard and were so excited to get their awards.


I know I'm totally bragging but... it is my blog so... deal with it. Gen had another incredible year in YABA. The certificate she is holding is for placing in the top 10 youth bowlers in the State. She was ranked 4th in the State in the girls division. Not bad considering she was 9 years old at the time. She really likes to bowl on the lane next to her friend Cody. I think she is way more competitive than he is and she does like to talk smack. (I have no idea where she gets that.) But Cody is a really good sport and never gets mad when she occasionally beats him.

Jayhawk 2008 Championship Parade

**Pictures courtesy of Sissy and Sparky....




"Sashakaun, Sashakaun!"


(This one is for you Rhy......)

Happy Birthday to me!

Another year older... (ugh.) Thanks to all my wonderful, certifiably crazy peeps for making "29" so much fun for the 8th time! You guys are the best.

Dude...I got a Dell! I thought my new putter and Tiger wedges were pretty cool but then Jamie surprised me with this little lime green slice of goodness!

"I love technology... but not as much as you, you see..."

We'll use any excuse to have a party... and eat! Jamie made some baked oysters that were out of this world! We went through 6 dozen of oysters rockefeller and three cheese jalapeno oysters in no time flat... yeah, you 'Oyster whores' know who you are! He also got one marriage proposal as a result of his culinary skills however I don't think the proposers WIFE would appreciate that!


Rhys rocked Putter Pool.






The guys taught Gen how to play Cut Throat... and now she wants to play all the time. She thinks she is a little pool shark. At least I didn't see any money on the table.

My Final Four Prayer

Our Father, who art in Lawrence,
Hallowed be thy Game.
Thy tourney come,
Thy championship will be done,
In San Antonio as it is in Allen Field House.
Give us this day our deserved victories.
And forgive us our turnovers,
As we forgive Roy who double-crossed against us.
And lead us not into defeat,
But deliver us from East Coast bias,
For Kansas is the basketball kingdom,
And the tradition,
And the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

BEAK 'EM HAWKS!!!!!!!

2008 Pepsi Championship Tournament

The 2008 Pepsi Youth Bowling Championship tournament was held in Wichita this year. Only two kids in each age division from each "house" qualify to go and Gen was one of them. We had 12 kids from Clay Center participate this year and they compete against kids from all over Kansas.

"Nope, just your kid!"

Ahhhh,... sushi and cheese pizza. Isn't that what all ten year olds want for dinner on their birthday? Probably not, but that is what my daughter requested. Both of my children love sushi and that is what they request whenever given the choice.

The cheese pizza was for her friend....

"Ahhhh..... tasty goodness.... "

Happy Birthday Gen!

What a ride....

Check out this short montage. The beginning gives me chills.... Allen Fieldhouse, the statue of James Naismith... so much history....

I'm proud to be a Jayhawk.

2007 - 2008 Kansas Jayhawks