New friends ... and the Internet

This last couple of weeks have been filled with wonder and excitement. Samantha and Jake became new parents as grandson George DANIEL Quist entered our world and ... Helen and I made new friends here in California. Yep, thanks to the wonders of the Internet, Helen and Emily connected and became instant friends. Emily and Dave welcomed us (total strangers from Kansas) into their home and their hearts. Like George continues to grow, so does our friendship with the open-hearted and energetic Emily, her gracious and enthusiastic husband Dave, and their wonderful family and friends. It has been a blast.

Emily and Dave are some of the most fun and interesting people we know. They do great things. They step to the plate when something needs to be done. Church luncheon in their back yard? Sure. Baby shower and children's carnival around the pool? You bet. Teach science in an under-privileged elementary school? Absolutely! 

Here is a photo with Dave, Emily and their son Tom as we all help Dave prepare his classroom for the first day of school.

And, here is a photo of Dave administering his magic touch as he attends to the students' needs on the first day.

Our heartfelt thanks to our new friends, Emily and Dave. You radiate joy and inspire others. We hope to do the same. Thanks, again, to the wonders of the Internet. Without it, this friendship would have never been born.

Team George

Yesterday was a big day. Bambino got a new name.  In a naming ceremony that made me cry, Bambino received his new name ... George Daniel Quist. He slept through the whole thing.

We celebrated George and his rally from a difficult birth. Gramz provided a special dinner.  His Grandmama sang him songs. The entire team gathered for a victory photo.

Yay George!

Team George.

Baby Boy Quist is born

Yesterday was Bambino's BIRTHday.  At 3:02 AM (California time) on August 19th, baby boy Quist entered the world in grand style. Gramz, Grandmama and I were all there. Here is the tired mother, the proud papa and Mr. Bambino himself at 2 hours old.

This is going to be fun.

German girls gather for pizza and ice cream

Annika has now been with us for more than 2 weeks.  While she is cheerful and kind, I strongly suspect that we have bored her beyond words - both English and German.  OK, our household is boring.  No kids ... just a couple of old people who work a lot.  Fortunately, neighbors and friends have offered Annika some relief.  Now, as school approaches, other exchange students have started to arrive.  Last night we hosted a pizza and ice cream party for a few of the incoming exchange students ...

and their host families.

No doubt, Jeff and I were outnumbered.  And Annika, I think it will get better now. 

Holy Moly - Samantha is VERY pregnant

Here is Samantha at 36 weeks pregnant.

Holy Moly!  She could pop at any time.

Annika - Bishops Hall - Fort Sheridan

Thursday we flew to Chicago to meet Annika .... one of Helen's cousins from Cologne, Germany who is staying with us for a month.  I first met Annika at the German family gathering in Cologne last August.  Annika is in the middle of the back row with the beautiful long wavy hair.

(Flashback photo from August 2012)

We arrived a day before Annika's flight and stayed in Oak Park, a Chicago suburb we'd previously visited with Samantha to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio.  Helen found a Bed and Breakfast there called Bishops Hall. It was wonderful and possibly worth a trip itself.  

We also had time to visit old historic Fort Sheridan, a closed army post that had been the Crow Family summer destination for many summers during my childhood.  Dad was in the Army Reserve and his summer active duty was commonly at Fort Sheridan.  Memories flooded back as we drove past the Tower and the former parade grounds and golf course ... where I learned to play golf.  Due to the nasty weather, I was only able to snap a couple of rainy day photos.

We arrived at the airport to greet Annika.  Actually, she found us.  Together, we flew to Kansas City and then drove home to Topeka.

Annika is wonderful.  Only 15 years old but full of enthusiasm and the spirit of adventure.  Welcome, Annika, to the USA and to Kansas.  This is going to be fun.

P.S. This weekend held another trip down memory lane for me.  I visited Lake Wabaunsee where my parents had a weekend cabin for years.  I even played the Wabaunsee Pines golf course which was carved out of the scenic Kansas Flint Hills by a dedicated group of volunteers.  

It was a blast.

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!