Yankee Gutters - Garden Tractor Pull

Our old house has Yankee Gutters ... which are gutters that are built into the roof line itself and not attached to or hung from the facia. 

The repair and maintenance of Yankee Gutters requires a craftsman who knows how to rebuild them. 

Lucky for us, we know Dob.

Dob is a very interesting guy. For fun, he competes in Garden Tractor Pull competitions. Last Friday night we ventured to Meriden, Kansas, to watch him compete in the the 39th Annual Meriden competition. He competes in two separate weight classes. Here he is in action.

And here he is with his two award plaques ... one for each weight class.

Yay, Dob.

July 2nd - Aria is born

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for the states to declare independence from Great Britain. The future 2nd President of the United States, John Adams, wrote his wife, Abigail saying: 

"The second day of July will be the most memorable Epocha, in the history of America. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shrews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

239 years later, Aria Ruth Quist was born on July 2nd thereby affirming Mr. Adams' prediction.

Mother and daughter are doing fine.

Here is Jake's idea of Take Your Daughter to Work Day.

And here is the Quist Family 4

Aria is the squished one.

Father's Day 2015

Father's Day in California

and here.

Fathers and sons hug and smile.

Mother turns 90 - Ruthie's Rollers

On June 13, 1925, a wonderful person was born in Valley Falls, Kansas. 

Known as Ruth, Ruth Marie, Ruthie, Mother, Granny, Aunt Ruthie or GreatGrandma ... she turned 90 years old today. In her honor, Heidi organized a team to participate in the June 13th Alzheimer's Walk. We named our team Ruthie's Rollers.

After the walk, and after meeting Nancy's new puppy named Dexter ...

 we headed to the Kansas State Capitol Building to admire the multi-year $325,000,000 rehab. It is breathtakingly beautiful. 

The frozen custard snack afterwards saw Hope lead her mom and Carly in an impromptu dance performance on G's stage.

Mother's 90th Birthday dinner brought us all together again. Melissa even drove in from St Louis.

Thank you, Mother for being who you are.

Happy 90th Birthday.

Arkansas 2015 - Swingin' in the Rain

2015 marked the 20th straight year our golf group traveled to Bella Vista, Arkansas, for a multi-day golf marathon. This was the year of Swingin' in the Rain. 

Not to be deterred, rain gear was donned, 

casual water was crossed

and swollen creeks were forded.

Despite the wet conditions, golf was played 

and white golf shirts were worn.

We had a blast!

Sports weekend in California

Last weekend I traveled to California to see George ... and his wonderful parents. While Samantha and Jake are doing a great job of raising George, they are not exposing him to nearly enough sports. Ta-da ... Gramps to the rescue. We did some lawn bowling

flew some kites

and shot some hoops.

Sports are good.

And so are George and his parents.

Dad turns 89

Dad turns 89.

Crows gather to celebrate.

Topeka Metro Bikes

Topeka now has a bike share program. In cooperation with the Topeka Metropolitian Transit Authority, Topeka Metro Bikes allows riders to use a bike for 2 hours a day for $25 per year. Yep, only $25 per year.

The geeky-cool red bikes have a GPS system allowing riders to know (via a smart phone app) which bike rack hub has bikes available for rent.

I'm sold. In fact, I've been taking bicycle safety classes (no kidding) though the Topeka Community Cycle Project

a non-profit designed to encourage a more bicycle-friendly Topeka.

Bicycle riding is a sport. 

Sports are good.

George and his little sister

George leads his mother, and his unborn little sister, toward home. 

3 more months.

22 hours in Minneapolis

Easter weekend was a buzz of jet engines and airports as we flew to Minneapolis Saturday afternoon to visit Mark and meet Hanna, a German cousin (actually a second cousin once removed) from Wuppertal who was visiting Mark over her Easter break. (Red glasses must be in the family DNA.)

Mark threw an informal soiree (his term) that introduced Cousin Hanna ... and her travel companion, Anja.

After a casual Easter Brunch with the girls, we jetted home so we could give our parents Easter hugs.