Show Me Wedding

This weekend Helen and I traveled to the Show Me State to attend the wedding of Drew Fowler ... the son of our good friends Donna and Dewayne.  It just so happens that Columbia, Missouri, was also hosting the Show Me Games ... a state-wide amateur athletic competition.  The hotel was packed and athletes were everywhere.  Helen and I fit right in.  

Here are some Show Me wedding photos ...

And one of our friends.

Happy day.

Brothers and cars

Once upon a time there were 2 brothers.  Only 13 months apart in age, they were together all the time.  They did everything together.  They even dressed the same.

As it happens, the brothers grew up.  One became a doctor; one became a lawyer.  One was a gamer; one was a golfer.  One explored the world and lived in multiple places on 3 different continents.  The other stayed in their hometown and worked a mere 6 blocks from their childhood home.

One day (month actually)  both brothers decided to buy a new car.  One brother bought a sporty BMW 6-speed convertible.

The other bought a luxury 4 door Cadillac.

They no longer dress the same either.

The End

Helen goes to New York

Along with our good friend Joni, Helen goes to New York and takes in 3 Broadway shows ... all musicals.  She is still singing her favorite tunes.  They also met up with Phil and got a behind-the-scenes tour of the UN.  Here are some of her iPhone photos.

Joni and Helen in Times Square.

Midnight view from the Empire State Building.

Phil on the floor at the UN.  

Helen had a blast and is ready to go back.

Soggy 4th of July

Samantha, Jake and Phil joining us was the only sunshine we saw this 4th of July.  Phil is doing a summer internship at the UN but opted to skip the New York celebrations and joined us in Kansas.  Sorry Phil ... it rained the entire weekend.  Monday too.  Despite the rainy weather ... the parade did go on.

We saw old friends ...

made some new ones ...

and got to enjoy our family.

While our Bocce Ball skills waned, our street dancing skills improved dramatically.

We also worked together to assemble the most awesome wedding invitation ever.

Oh yes, in the midst of it all ... we bought a new couch.  Our good friend Dick delivered it between the frequent rain storms.

While one of us took frequent naps to test it out, we're still trying to decide whether we like it.   Hmmmm ... what do you think?

We hope your 4th was sunny, fun and full of love.  Happy 4th from 5 soggy ... but happy ... celebrants in Kansas.

The Pink Flamingo House

Helen recently sold a house to our good friends, Scott and Stephanie.  For obvious reasons, one of Stephanie's friends named it the Pink Flamingo House.  You can't ignore that.  But, what's a girl to do?  Well, if your name is Helen, you buy 50 (can you say 50?) Pink Flamingos.

Then, the night before Scott and Stephanie move in, you call the Midnight Flamingo Service and have them plant all 50 Pink Flamingos in the yard.  

Then, the next day you drive by and take pictures.

Scott and Stephanie need to find some better friends.

Yo-Yo Pa

I'm sure you've heard of Yo-Yo Ma, the internationally famous and award winning cellist.  But, have you heard of Yo-Yo Pa?   You might know him as Judge Crow or Granddad.  Well, he is my Pa and the guy who won the Topeka Yo-Yo Championship circa 1939-1940.  Last night I took Yo-Yo Pa to a demonstration by National Yo-Yo Champion and World Runner-up, Brent Dellinger.  It was truly amazing.  He did tricks that were too fast to follow.  Double Yo-Yos.  Yo-Yos in the dark.  Free style Yo-Yos.  Yo-Yos off the string.  Hundreds of people attended.  Yo-Yo Pa loved it!  

Here is Brent at the 2003  World Championships:

Yo-Yo Pa bought several of Brent's custom-made ball bearing Yo-Yos.  Here is Yo-Yo Pa as he waits in line for Brent to sign his Yo-Yos.  

It was fun.  The next time you see him, ask Yo-Yo Pa to show you some tricks.

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad ever!

I am soooooo lucky.  I have the best Father ever.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.  I love you.  

Granny turns 85

Yep.  June 13th is Granny's birthday and this year she turned 85.  We had a small dinner party ....

and then dove into Nancy's made-from-scratch coconut Birthday Cake.  Helen licked the frosting and behaved like a 12 year old.  Shame, shame.

Happy Birthday Granny.  We love you.

Judge Sam A. Crow receives Medal of Distinction

Last night Helen and I attended the Kansas Bar Association's Presidential Installation & Awards Dinner in Wichita where Dad received the Philip H. Lewis Medal of Distinction.

Awarded to someone who has made significant contribution to the administration of justice, this award is the most distinguished honor bestowed by the Kansas Bar Association.  After receiving a standing ovation from the room of 400 + attendees, Dad made a wonderful and gracious acceptance speech.

Some of his staff (and their spouses) attended as well.

We are very proud.  We had fun too.

Congratulations Dad on a well-deserved Award.

Ironman 70.3 Kansas, Wedding Gown and Circle S

SRC and JRQ arrived in Kansas on Friday so Jake could compete in the Ironman 70.3 Kansas on Sunday.   The check-in was Saturday morning.  Before going, Jake prepared his TREK feather-light carbon fiber bicycle.  

The race was at Clinton State Park near Lawrence.  We gathered all the Gu and other race stuff before checking in Saturday morning.  Once that was done, Helen and I accompanied Samantha as she had her wedding gown fitted by our friend Phyllis Livingston.  Here is a picture of Samantha in her gown along with Phyllis and Helen.

(OK ... so I cropped out Samantha and her gown as it is top secret.)

Jake and Samantha left early Sunday morning for the race.  I joined Samantha by 7:30 and we tried to find Jake in the swimming crowd.  No luck.

Those little specks are hundreds of swimming heads.

After the swim, Jake transitioned to the 56 mile bike race.  We were lucky to catch Jake as he zoomed by on his bike.  Then came the run of 13.1 miles.  Here Jake stops for a moment and gives Samantha a friendly hello.  

A cry of "me too, me too" was heard from the female athlete that was following Jake.  He ran on.  After 6 hours and 48 minutes, Jake came to the Yellow Brick Road where he took another short break before greeting Dorothy and the Scarecrow at the Finish Line.

That same evening we drove to the Circle S Ranch where wedding plans were discussed.  These photos might give you an idea of the setting. 

The wedding spot.

Some of the wedding guests.

The Kansas sunset from the Lodge yard.

After a jammed-packed weekend, Samantha and Jake drove back to Boulder this morning.