Mother's Day - Jonas visit

Last Sunday was Mother's Day. We gathered up a rowdy mob of mothers and hugged them.

It was the 63rd Mother's Day for my dear mother.

It was the 62nd Mother's Day for the sweet Oma. 

It was the very 1st Mother's Day for the cute and adorable Samantha.

Samantha is such a great mother. Happy 1st Mother's Day to her.

As you might have noticed, Jonas is with us again.

He is visiting after a 5 month adventure throughout Southeast Asia. Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia - but not necessarily in that order. His stories are captivating. His photos are compelling. 

(Malaysia - No clean drinking water but ample wi-fi and fancy satellite dish.)

Jonas was last here in the summer of 2011. While we got to see him in Germany and France during the summer of 2012, it is fun to have him with us again. I'm thinking that Jonas might enjoy the peaceful spirit - and clean drinking water - of good old Topeka, Kansas ... his home away from home.

Dad's 88th Birthday

Yesterday was Dad's 88th birthday. After a 2 hour birthday lunch at the Courthouse sponsored by the extended Court Family, his birthday dinner was small but punctuated by a frosty chocolate milk shake made with multiple-scoops of real-deal chocolate ice cream.

Happy 88th Birthday Day to the best Dad ever.

Diet Coke

For the past 50 years I have been drinking vast quantities of Coke. No, not Pepsi. Coke, and only Coke. First it was Classic Coke. Then Diet Coke. Most recently it was Diet Coke with lime. I loved Coke. I'm that guy who couldn't wait to visit the World of Coke in Atlanta.

One year ago I completely quit drinking Diet Coke. 

From 3 or 4 cans per day to zero. Cold Turkey.

Why did I quit? 

Aspartame.

You know, that evil, wicked and vile chemical substance that will kill us all by noon tomorrow. The truth is, the medical research on aspartame is not conclusive. On balance, there is no solid evidence that aspartame is bad for you. The American Cancer Society cannot find a link to cancer:

Though research into a possible link between aspartame and cancer continues, these agencies agree that studies done so far have not found such a link.

Nor do they claim that it causes any sort of heath risk:

Complaints of various health issues have circulated since aspartame first appeared on the market in the 1980s. But for most people, no health problems have clearly been linked to aspartame use.

Unfortunately, I have no desire to start drinking it again. As a result, my one year anniversary of no Diet Coke is a real yawner. You can congratulate me if you want.

Whatever.

Sigh.

Mario, Ana Maria and George

In 1998, Samantha went to Buenos Aires, Argentina, as part of a summer AFS exchange program. She was super lucky to be assigned to a wonderful host family consisting of Mario and Ana Maria as well as their 3 fun and interesting children. Here is 16 year old Samantha with Mario, Ana Maria, their youngest daughter Daniela (Dany) and Ana Maria's mother. Samantha instantly loved this family.

We visited them in Buenos Aires in 2001 

and hosted Dany at our house in 2002 and again in 2008. Ana Maria, Mario and Dany all came to Samantha's and Jake's wedding in 2010. Yes, we love this family too.

Last weekend, Ana Maria and Mario traveled to California to meet George. It was the beginning leg of their multi-week US tour. We decided to join them. We showed them San Francisco touristy things

and introduced them to some of our new California friends.

Oh yes, it was fun to see Samantha and Jake too. We even got to have dinner with Beth. But George stole the show. Crawling backwards is his current favorite trick.

Here's wishing happy and safe travels to our dear friends from Argentina

and cheers to old friends, new friends, international travel and of course ... to George.

The 2014 Kansas Winter Olympics

The 2014 Winter Olympics have started.

Some are in Sochi, Russia, and some are right here in Kansas, USA. 

The Kansas events include snow cycling

sidewalk shoveling

endurance driveway shoveling

and the always popular snow picnic challenge.

Eat your heart out, Sochi.

Crow Folks' 66th wedding anniversary

Today my dear parents celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. They were married on January 30, 1948.

Sixty-six years later, they are still holding hands and smiling. They are the best!

Lee Offill visits

Through a series of quirky circumstances, and incredible good luck, in May of 2006 we met a 15 year-old boy from Wichita named Lee Offill. Lee had won a statewide competition in computer technology sponsored by the division of information technology for the State of Kansas. The prize was a paid summer internship. It was clearly designed for college students. The good people at the State were very surprised to learn that their prize winner was a mere 15 years old. In fact, they wouldn't allow Lee to start his internship until he turned 16. In a flashback to 2006, here is Lee as we helped him celebrate his 16th birthday.

Lee (and his then girlfriend, Madison) joined us for 4th of July activities in 2006

 introduced us to his sister, Ruthe, over the 2006 Christmas Holiday

and again joined us for the 4th of July in 2007

even though he was living in Oregon at the time. 

Now ... flash forward more than 6 years to last weekend when Lee visited us from Oregon. He brought along two friends from his early high schools days at Wichita East High School, Sydne and Sarah.

Lee is doing great. He has an interesting job and interesting friends. Thanks, Lee for taking time to come see us.

Anniversary trip to see George + Goodbye Kina

No Florida. 

No Bahamas.

No Costa Rica. 

For the last several years, Helen and I have celebrated our wedding anniversaries by traveling south, lounging around on sandy beaches and watching the sun set. This year, we celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary by traveling west, lounging around in a comfy cottage and watching George dance.


Thanks to the generosity of the Holmes family, we were treated to the perfect cottage hideaway in Hillsborough.

While there, we followed George and his parents on a hike through the redwoods

and witnessed a nice sunset at Half Moon Bay.

But mostly, we just hung out and played with George.

No doubt, it was an Anniversary trip fit for Grandparents.

Happy Anniversary, Helen.

When we returned home, we had the sad task of taking Katharina to the airport for her return trip to Germany.

Thank you, Kina for visiting. We miss you already.

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 was a week-long explosion of adventure and joy. Braving snow and ice, George arrived with his parents early (really early) Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon he was filled with the wonder of the Holidays.

Christmas caroling on the Potwin circle Sunday night

was followed by the arrival of Mark on Monday and Andy, Donna and Hope on Tuesday. Christmas Eve allowed Dad to meet his Great Grandson George and snuggle with his Great Granddaughter Hope.

Granny got her Hope time too.

Our Christmas Eve also included Nancy, Mary and Kina.

Christmas Day brought Melissa & Roby from St. Louis and Anthony, SACII & Cheryl from Springfield

and lots of Christmas loot.

Chaos ensued.

Many traditional photos were taken.

But somehow I missed a couples photo of SACII and Cheryl ... as well as one of Helen and me. Bummer.

Some new tradition photos might have been born as well like Jake hangin' with the kids

and cool guys hangin' in white golf shirts and jeans.

Oh yes ... while no major additions were mysteriously added to our exterior Christmas decorations this year, an unknown Holiday elf did discretely perch two crows on our south wreath.

Merry Christmas to all.