Hair style

While watching the Olympics last night, I realized to my horror that I recognized the hair style of the Russian skater, Evgeni Plushenko....it was the same one my sister, Kathleen, gave me when I was in 3rd grade. How embarrassing. Mom, did Kathleen have your permission to cut my hair?!

30,000 Feet Up

A crummy way to spend your birthday, but no choice of his own, that's where Todd is bright and early this morning....30,000 feet up enroute to Rapid City, SD, a most exciting birthday celebration locale!

Sorry, hun. But I hope it's somehow "special" anyway! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Full of Surprises

Twenty-four years ago on Feb 5th we welcomed our first son into our home. Surprise... he wasn't due for another three months, on my birthday, April 28th. Brandon made his grand entrance 11 weeks early weighing in at a whopping 2 lb. 12 oz (actually surprising the doctors who predicted a 1 pound baby). It was a long road traveled for a young married couple, still going to school. We were blessed with relatively few complications in comparison and were able to bring him home two months later, at 4 lbs 9 oz on March 29th.

And he's still surprising us! He and Julie flew in for a visit for Brandon's birthday. We have so enjoyed spending the last few days with them--sightseeing, shopping, videos, competitive ping pong games... What a great surprises this boy is full of!

Julie looks great, 6+ month pregnant (and Brandon looks great, too).
Good luck charms is what they are as they were in attendance to watch Nathan's final basketball game in which they pulled off an unexpected win against a team that has only lost one game all season.

The KC Public Library is unique...

The Fairy Princess Interactive display at the Crown Center...Brandon and Julie get a feel for what Goldilock experienced in the Three Bear's House...

The weather was a little snowy but not too cold. Didn't stop the KC fountains from flowing.

It was a wonderful visit! Thank you, Julie, for giving Brandon such an awesome birthday present! I have a feeling we are not done with Brandon Surprises. Life is good.

So Happy Together

Garrett and Saryn had engagement pictures taken by a friend who's an awesome photographer while home for the holidays. Here's a sneak peek:

No school is getting OLD School

Tuesday, Jan 5th was the first day back to school after Christmas break. Our school district, Lee's Summit R7, was the ONLY district that didn't cancel Tuesday....I was so proud of them! My joy was short lived. They canceled the rest of the week because of "inclement weather." Yes, it's cold here (one degree as a high today) and yes, we have snow (more than some years in ND), but good heavens! Life does go on in cold, snowy climates.

They were young once!

In organizing the under-appreciated-at-the-moment-it-was-given gift from Todd, an external hard-drive (I know you all want one too) I have been putting all my photos onto it AND came across this oldy but goody:


I only have one child in each photo...can you tell which one is mine? Hint: Not the girls.

Christmas Highlights

Warning: LONG post!

The family gift this year, a ping pong table, WAS the hit Todd predicted. Matt drew up a win-loss sheet and organized tournaments.

Hair cuts...crazy kids let each other cut their hair, leaving me to fix them after they were done.









Christmas Eve breakfast with the full-time missionaries...

Singing at the old folk's home on Christmas Eve with ward families.

Christmas morning we awoke to NORTH DAKOTA WEATHER! Nathan is still relishing in it. Except for when he has to shovel. We shoveled four driveways/walks Christmas Day. And it rained first, so it was heavy stuff. 9" for KC is daunting for them.
Opening gifts (Santa struck out on a few items, sigh. Sorry Nathan)This year we tried a variety of shrimp dishes instead of old turkey/ham and it got rave reviews.
After dinner (well, after the entire holiday season) this is how we all felt. (And the winner is..?)

Taco Night at the Trumans was delicious as always.Ice skating...
Matt's wondering where his girl is...or when he'll have one. Mission first, dear.

Garrett's fiance flew in after Christmas. We loved getting to know her. Here's a ride in a horse-drawn carriage at the Plaza.
Good friends threw a bridal shower for Saryn. We appreciated their kind gesture. It was great.
A friend took pictures for G & S's announcements. You'll have to wait for the real photos, but here's a sneak pic of the process:
Practicing those dance moves for the reception.
Registering for gifts:
Our good friends from ND arrive signaling New Year's Eve festivities. This year we spent time at Union Station in awe of the train displays.
Sushi Night on New Years Eve wrapped up the holidays.
Sad to have the boys gone, wish they could stay longer, but oh, the memories!