Helen goes to California - surprise Bambino Shower

Displaying great organizational skills, Samantha's good friend Mayumi was able to plan and execute a surprise baby shower for Bambino.  Helen and Beth were a part of the conspiracy.  A whole bunch of well-wishers attended.  Here are a few of the happy photos Helen brought home.

With host, and dear friend, Mayumi.

With the fun, and always interesting, Beth.

With college roommate, and also very pregnant, Tamar.

Happy Bambino Shower.

Katie & Billy pre-wedding party

In August, our good friends Glenn and Mary are off to Lake Tahoe for their lovely daughter Katie's wedding to a really great guy, Billy Hutchens.

Since we will be Bambino Busy, Helen teamed up with Sionoi, Katie's second mother, to throw a pre-wedding dinner and dance party in our back yard for the those unable to attend the wedding itself.  

Sionoi made a banner just for Katie.

There was good food,

 a great blend of music,

fun dancing, 

and heartfelt speeches.  

People smiled

and hugged.

I even got to meet and have dinner with KU Basketball legend Bud Stallworth.  Please notice that I look taller than Bud.

It was a blast!

And Katie and Billy look very happy.

Congratulations, Billy.

Best wishes, Katie.

July 4th weekend + Bambino Shower

July 4, 2013, brought a weekend full of smiles.  Samantha and Jake came from California

while Andy, Hope and Donna came from Springfield

and Tony drove in from Denver.

The Gs were with us

and Cheryl and Melissa joined as for a while too.

Aunt Nancy and Heidi joined us briefly but not long enough for me to snap any pictures.  Brother Sam was on call and unable to join us.  Bummer.

The Potwin 4th of July Parade brought horses to our house for Dad to touch and smell.

Glenn and Mary joined us for the Pot Luck Dinner ... 

 as did a whole bunch of other people.

Friday morning was Potwin Plays Golf where the team of Quist, Gonzalez, Crow and Crow captured a Silver Medal. 

The Friday night Potwin Porch Crawl allowed us to porch-hop while tasting an interesting variety of exotic drinks (Blue Hawaiians, Beer-ritas and Watermelon vodkas to name a few) all served in souvenir patriotic mugs.

Oh yes ... I was sworn to secrecy for so long that I failed to mention the really big news ... Samantha is pregnant!  Named Bambino for now, Baby Boy Quist is due in 6 weeks.  I talked sports with him and felt his backswing.

Helen communicated using a different technique.

Cheryl, Melissa and Donna hosted a Bambino Shower Saturday morning.   Apparently they had lots of fun.

 The 5 guys + Hope went cowboy boot shopping for Jake and TV shopping for Dad.  

We conquered.

Thinking that Jake might have an interest in cattle ranching, we visited Helen's friends, Bill and Kathy Hogue, and their herd of Angus cows ... and these 3 big bulls ...

at Mission Valley Ranch.  In addition to developing housing subdivisions in Topeka, the Hogues serve as advocates for historic preservation and stewards for the scenic Kansas Flint Hills.  Their stone fences are a prime example of pride and craftsmanship while doubling as magnificent works of art. 

Their restoration projects at Stonebridge will leave a legacy. 

Thanks, Bill and Kathy for making a difference.

Unfortunately, our 4th of July weekend had to end.  Thanks to all who joined us and for bringing your handsome smiles to our world.

We look forward to meeting Bambino soon.

Father's Day - 2013

As many of you already know, I have the best Dad ever!  When I asked him what he wanted for Father's Day, without hesitation he quickly replied that he wanted a chocolate shake and some French fries.  As it ended up, he couldn't resist the lemonade either.

Happy Father's Day 

to the best Dad ever!

Mother turns 88

Ruth, Ruth Marie, Ruthie, Blondie, Sis, Mother, Granny .... whatever you call her, she turned 88 yesterday.

She is as sweet and loving as ever.

Arkansas Golf trip - 2013

Last Wednesday, I returned from the 18th annual golf trip to Bella Vista, Arkansas.  In four and a half days, the most hard-core of us played 171 holes of golf. (27+36+36+36+36)  Here is the group on our last night.

Can you say nap-time?

The Crows move in

Several months ago, a family of Crows came to visit.  We love it when family comes but no ... this is different.

These Crows have feathers.

Months later, they are still here.

While their presence has provided ammo for wise-guy neighbors, it's all been kinda fun - until this morning.  Did I tell you that these guys are LOUD?  Really LOUD.  This morning around 5 am (or so) they perched themselves outside our bedroom window and proceeded to argue with each other.  Caw this and Caw that.

 LOUD!

There is no indication they are ever leaving.

20 years ago today

20 years ago today I graduated from Washburn University School of Law.  Here is a graduation day photo:

I had no idea that law school would introduce me to such great friends.  Except for the guy in back wearing glasses, I see (or talk to) the other 5 guys frequently. Even though we are scattered over 3 states, since 1995 the 6 of us have gathered annually for a multi-day male-bonding golf trip. We accept almost any excuse for a group meeting. I am really lucky to have made such good friends in law school.

Jan Lisiecki concert - Mother's Day Lunch

Last August when we met up with Phil in Paris, he introduced us to his girlfriend, Hania. Here are Phil and Hania last August at the Place du Tertre in the Montmartre quarter of Paris.

Phil is now in graduate school at the London School of Economics while Hania is in Warsaw.  Hania is beautiful, charming and super fun.  As it ends up, Hania's cousin is an 18 year old professional pianist named Jan Lisiecki.  As luck would have it, Jan's recent tour included a concert last Friday night in Kansas City.  

We went ... and it was amazing.  It was fun to connect with him after the concert.  Needless to say, he was stunned to hear that we knew his cousin, Hania.  Jan is the tall one in the middle.

Jan's mother warmly received us in a gracious and dignified manner.  

Here is a short You Tube clip of Jan playing Chopin:

As eluded to in the video, Jan plays completely without sheet music. 

Sunday was Mother's Day.  Aunt Nancy joined us for a Mother's Day lunch.  

We are very lucky to have two wonderful mothers.

Happy Mother's Day to mothers everywhere.

Thank you for all you do.

Crow Dinner Party II - Dad turns 87 - CMF wheat

After a two year hiatus, we reunited our 5-couple dinner group last Saturday night.  A simple dinner combined with great people makes for huge fun.

The next day was Dad's 87th birthday.  An Annie's chocolate milk shake before dinner was his birthday wish.

Today, after golf at FireKeeper Golf Course,  I drove to Crow Mountain Farm to check on the wheat.  While I'm no farmer ... I thought it looked great.

The clear blue sky over the lush green field was a beautiful sight.  I love Kansas.