Day Trip to Independence

Last Friday night, my office sponsored a night at the Kansas City Royals baseball game for lawyers and staff. Kauffman Stadium is as much children's amusement park (merry-go-round, goofy golf) as it is baseball park.

HRC and I decide to spend the night and make a Saturday "day trip" out of it. We stay at this funky place in Independence, Missouri, called the Serendipity Bed and Breakfast. It was odd but much more interesting than the nearby Hilton. We stayed in the End of The Trails Suite in this old Carriage House:

The next day we toured historic Independence and then spent a couple of very interesting and educational hours at the LDS Visitor's Center:

and then marveled at the Community of Christ Temple across the street

then on to the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum.

It was also very interesting and yes ... historic.

On to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City which even HRC enjoyed.

Before heading home, we joined our good friends Jane and Mike at their favorite Thai restaurant in Kansas City.

It was a fun 28 hour get-a-way.

Stranger Dinner Party

Saturday night HRC organized a Stranger (think noun, not adjective) Dinner Party. It was a fun gathering of people with diverse backgrounds and interesting skills.

HRC is really good at this type of thing.

The Ultimate Horsemen's Challenge

Nile and Kate invited us to attend the Ultimate Horsemen's Challenge held at the Rocking V Ranch. Here are the Gs with Nile.

The UHC is a timed competition where cowboys and cowgirls perform tasks as they ride through a horse-type obstacle course. Very interesting.

The weather was perfect and horses were everywhere.

Surprisingly, Granddad still hasn't bought one ... yet.

Potwin Place 4th of July - 2009

The 4th of July weekend was a blast! Family and friends gathered from near and far for an old fashion 4th of July celebration. Tony drove in from Colorado...

SRC and JRQ flew in from Hawaii ...

and Birthday Beth (BB) flew in from California.

Honored by her presence, we honor her with presents ...

and yummy birthday cake.

The neighborhood festivities started with a street dance on the evening of the 3rd where kids swirled and twirled to Dr. Tunes ...

as grownups watched.

Rain chased us to our side porch where we enjoyed the sights and sounds of a Kansas summer thunderstorm.

The morning of the 4th saw family and friends gather to watch the parade.

BB, sporting her Jeweled Tiara and Magic Wand, rode with Princess Samantha in the Potwin Parade ...

granting wishes to deserving subjects.

After the parade, while we missed the water rocket launch and water balloon toss, we were able to enjoy the rhythmic beat of the Sal Cruz drum line ...

followed by lunch and swim at Dan and Joni's.

The Greenwood vs Woodlawn softball challenge followed. Despite Jake's and Tony's contribution, the Greenwood team suffered a narrow (19-3) defeat, the first defeat ever for the highly favored Greenwood team. Here is Tony at bat waiting for the perfect pitch ...

Before the Pot Luck picnic in our back yard, highly qualified Judges are assembled to select the winners of the Pie Baking and Watermelon Carving contests.

During the Pot Luck picnic, Stacy provides the music ...

as neighbors, friends and family enjoy the moderate July temperature.

That evening, 6 of us pile into the convertible and drive to Lake Shawnee to enjoy the fireworks.

Sunday the 5th was the Bocce Ball Tournament. Team Killer Crows took second place!!! Click here to watch BB score 2 points.

It is no wonder they did so well. Here is Team Killer Crows as they flap their wings and chant ... Ka! Ka! Ka!

Thanks to those of you who helped us celebrate 2 birthdays this 4th of July.

Happy Birthday USA and BB.