Wichita Birthday Run

Daughter Kate and her girls all celebrate birthdays within about 2 weeks of each other at the end of July and beginning of August. So we took the opportunity to make a run up to Wichita to help them celebrate.

 Sometimes I have to do a little tickling to achieve the proper smiles!

 The large city park near downtown Wichita has a lot to offer. Evie likes swingin' from the bars.

 A nice active fountain. A large group of kids were there a little later playing in the water.

Some Canadian geese were nearby, but the girls weren't too interested in getting close.

 Just up the street is the old City Hall, which now houses a nice Museum of History. Learned a lot about Kansas!

 We got to spend some good porch time at Kate and Ryan's.

 Mercedes is practicing in her new ballerina duds.

 Evangeline really likes her new set of plastic groceries.

Porch sitting sometimes inspires impromptu gardening!

Mercedes practicing her check-out skills.

 We walked to the neighborhood park and Mercedes promptly picked up a 

branch to use as a BROOM!

 Oh, our little housekeeper.

 Their home is a bungalow style cottage in an older neighborhood. Great for the kids.

 We're starting a collection of photos of Evangeline's unusual choices of napping spots.

Two of my birthday girls with me at the park.

 And here's the loot! Mercedes and Evangeline posing with their birthday stash.

 Mercedes put on her new tu-tu and ballerina slippers for a pose.

 The Hopkins treated us to some interesting Japanese food. When I popped the baby squid in my mouth, Wes knew he had to follow.

 Breakfast on the porch is always available when GG and Papa Wes are around, so some French toast and grapes this morning.

 Here I am with the girls ready for church.

Then Sunday evening we were treated to Red Rock Canyon, which was excellent.

We love our Wichita crew, and were so happy to get to spend some time in their home.

Griffin Family Reunion 2013

We had a great time being with family for the Griffin family reunion, held this year at the Still Water Lodge in Glen Rose. Wonderful facility, reasonably priced. Special thanks to the David and Bridgette Griffin clan for all they did, as well as Tommy and Becky Adams. 

 Yes, the Griffins still do board games! Good times.

You know it's coming, the Whole Fam Damily! Ready for our Saturday bbq lunch.

 And after lunch and naps, we dive right into the family auction, duties shared this year between Tim and Wes.

 Even David got into the act, displaying the quilt that Cousin Sue finished from Viva's quilt pieces, 'Bluebird of Happiness'.

Good auctioneers make the merchandise appealing. Wait, did I say they were good auctioneers? 

 Brother Timothy Lee and his daughter Kaylee.

Then later we were on the lawn for cake, ice cream, and singing, celebrating Sylvia's 89th birthday.

 Back on the dance floor, the younger generation is getting DOWN! It looks to me like Mercedes and Thomas are both thinking of the next line, and Evie is just cutting loose.

 Would that we all could be this full of life and love at 89! 

They'll be in the studio soon, cutting their first cd, 'Griffin Reunion Hits'.

We made up a pretty good choir. Most people didn't even need their i-phones for the words.

Kate, Mercedes and Evie were having a good time.

 Sunday morning worship, with a professional ministry crew, and a good word from Rachel.

We had the second largest attendance for church in Glen Rose that Sunday!

 The luggage cart became a popular spot for the kids. I was acting as their mule, 

and they loved it!

 One of Bridgette's projects of love, a quilt of memories for a friend; one of three.

 The kids and I lost power briefly on the elevator, so our trip became an adventure.

 Cousin Cayden DellaSala is giving Mercedes a look, and Evangeline is putting on a show.

This photo family tree was put together by Abbey and Rachel, with help from others.

 The Lee and Sylvia branch from Jack and Viva Griffin.

 Maw maw Sylvia and her four children; David Waid, Timothy Lee, Wesley Carroll, and Rebecca Lou.

 Sylvia with some of her grands; Kaylee Griffin, Wesley Micah Griffin, Rachel Baughman, Kate Hopkins, and Dr. John Adams.

Sylvia with 10 of her 13 great-grands. It was a glorious time, and we love our family!

Family and Friends, and Family

We have enjoyed an extended unintended stay for Kate and her girls, which is always welcome, even when unintended! We were also blessed by a visit from our son's in-laws, Randy and Tacie Motz. Enjoy my pics of family and friends, and family.

 Papa Wes worked extra hard this extra hot Saturday, taking the girls on an adventure, and occupying them on the porch so Kate and I could get some things done.

I packed up a picnic snack and sent them off into the 'wild'.

 They found some shade on the other side of the creek and enjoyed their goodies. Papa Wes said too many stickers to get out, just stay in the 'car'.

 They got to see this Sulfur butterfly on the thistle bloom.

I spied them on the other side of the pond and called out, capturing this shot of their response.

Nice ThirtyOne thermal tote that Wes has for the picnic snack.

 Fixing special breakfasts for the girls and eating on the porch are some of our favorite things to do.

This morning it was French toast, and Papa Wes gets to enjoy the porch.

This morning, waffles!

Papa Wes and his girls, Mercedes Noel and Evangeline Rose.

Here I am with my girls.

Wes forced me to strike my classic model pose for my Fourth of July blouse.

Play-dough; one of our standard porch activities for the grands.

Mercedes and Evie at the flower beds.

Evie found a nice nap spot on the window sill.

My girls love to work in the kitchen. It's wonderful what a little soapy water and some containers will do.

Randy and Tacie Motz, in town for a friend's wedding. What a blessing to spend some sweet time of fellowship. These are the people we prayed for all the years our son was growing up, not knowing how wonderfully God would answer those prayers.

Enjoying Papa Wes and GG's makeshift water park on the back porch.

 On the Fourth we ran down to the real deal on Bagdad Road.

 Mercedes loved the water park.

 Evangeline twirling in her water dance.

 Splashing and practicing pointing those toes.

Oh, Evie! You are such a character!

My good-lookin' hubby and beautiful daughter Kathryn Rose Hopkins.

Another picnic, and the water park was enjoyed by all!

Makes for great naps. Yes!!