Birthday Girl

It is hard to believe that Keylee is five years old. She brings so much joy and laughter to our home.

NYC

I am back from NYC and despite the very disappointing cancellation of the marathon I give the trip two thumbs up.  I had been preparing for the NYC Marathon for several months and I finally felt like I was ready.  Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast and I was certain they would cancel the marathon because of all of the destruction and devastation I was able to see on the news.  After Hurricane Sandy hit, Mayor Bloomberg said the marathon would go on as scheduled as it was such an important event for the city financially and emotionally.  We traveled to KC to meet our flight on November 1st.  We arrived in Newark, NJ, and from our plane did not see much devastation.  We arrived at our hotel in Times Square and still no real sign the city had a hurricane just days prior.  I understand most of the damage to the city was in the East Village and Lower Manhattan and we never ventured to that area.  The most devastation was sustained by Staten Island which was where the marathon was going to start.  After enduring much criticism Major Bloomberg and New York Road Runners (NYRR) cancelled the marathon on the evening of November 2nd with the race to begin on the morning of November 4th.  There were some outraged international runners who spent thousands of dollars on airfare and hotel for the event.  Although money lost by the runners does not compare to the lives lost as a result of the Hurricane, my point isn't about the money it is about the fact the decision could have been made on October 29th the day the Hurricane hit the east coast but instead the late cancellation of the marathon, less than 48 hours before it was suppose to start, only compounded the chaos and certainly didn't help with the restoration of power, loss of life, transportation or shortage of food and water to Staten Island. The whole thing could have been avoided with an earlier decision to cancel.  An earlier decision would have resulted in disappointed runners but not angry runners and apparently would have resulted in happier residents of New York.  

 Pictures above (left) Angela,Tanna and I on our Saturday morning run in Central Park.
(right) the three of us at Kansas City Airport

Central Park was ready for the finish.  The finish line was done, the exit of the park was complete and the flags of all countries lined the last mile to the finish line. It was very hard to see the finish line knowing I would not have the opportunity the following day to cross it. 

 Tanna, Angela and I were waiting in line at Live with Kelly and Michael hoping some ticket holders would not show up so we could get in the studio for the show.  We made it in the studio for the show and I even met and had my picture with Kelly Ripa. This was the highlight of my trip.

 On Friday night we had tickets to Mary Poppins.  I love Broadway shows and this was another great show with great talent.

Overall, a very fun trip with some great friends.

Dodge City 2012 (Part 3) Riding Horses

Kira loves to ride horses and Keylee is following her big sister's lead.  My sister, Tamie, and brother-in-law, Greg, spent a lot of time with the kids while they were in Dodge.  As you will note, Keenan isn't in any of the pictures.  He doesn't have the same love for the horses that the girls do.  Well, he might love them he just doesn't want to get near them and certainly isn't interested in riding them, ha. 

 Greg and Kira riding horses at Greg and Tamie's home.

 Kira scored a new pair of cowgirl boots while in Dodge.  The picture isn't great because you can hardly see her new boots.

 Keylee was working on her roping skills that her younger cousin Briggs taught her. 

I am pretty sure my parents allowed the kids to eat ice cream every day.  Keenan asked me the other day how much ice cream I had as a kid.  I assured him that my parents did not let me ice cream the way they let my kids.  Keenan even said that "one time, Grandma and Umpa let me have ice cream for breakfast."  I believe him. ha.  They always have such a great time in Dodge and we are so lucky that Joe's parents are there too as the kids were able to spend time with them almost every day while there.

Dodge City 2012 (Part 2)

While Joe and I were in Las Vegas my parents and sisters, Tamie and Tisha, took the kids to the Tanganyika Zoo in Wichita.  Kira is such an animal-lover that she decided she wants to work there.  Keenan and Keylee also had a good time.  

Dodge City 2012

While Joe and I took a quick trip to Las Vegas the kids took their annual summer trip to Dodge City to visit Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.  Joe's parents made these pillow cases with the kids while they were with them. 

Our Harvest

The kids always have fun when it is time to "harvest" some items from our garden.  As you can see we had a successful corn harvest.  We also have cantaloupes and cucumbers.  

Coco Key Weekend - Hello Charlie

We traveled to Omaha to meet my new great-nephew Charles Robert Winters (pictures below).  We decided to make a mini-vacation of it and spent the afternoon at Coco Key Indoor Water Park.  The middle section of the park was being repaired so the kids were not able to do the "Pirate Perch" but they were able to do the other pools and slides.  They had a smaller pool which was good for Keylee.  They also had a lazy river, pool with basketball goals, obstacle pool and three slides which we were all able to enjoy.  It was a fun afternoon with the kids.  My sister and her husband live in Omaha and my niece and her husband moved to Omaha after graduating from college two years ago.  They just had their first child, Charles Robert "Charlie" (side note: she does not let me call him Chuck Bob but I think that name is funny, shh). We were able to see my nephew, Taylor, when he wasn't working at the pharmacy.  He is on summer break from Creighton Pharmacy School but works a lot of hours at a local pharmacy so we were glad to be able to see him too.  My parents were also in Omaha for the weekend so it was a perfect weekend and great to see everyone. It was especially great to meet Charlie.  

 Great-Umpa (my Dad) with baby Charlie, Kira and Keylee

 The proud new Mom, Britt, holding her super sweet baby surrounded by her super proud cousins.  (Anyone surprised by Britt's curly hair and how much she looks like my girl, Kira?)

I was able to get in some snuggle time too.  (ignore the post-pool hair, ick).