The L2 is now dressed ~

I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted a blog but it seems everyday is packed with so many things to do. The roofing business has NOT slowed down at all - one day they finished 4 houses. Ridiculous!! Papa is so tired - he can't wait for November so he can finally shut the roofing business down. But then, guttering has to begin. We haven't checked that list or even updated it for sometime but I am sure it is a long list also. However, he has made some major headway or his L2. He put the canopy or cover on the fuselage ( don't know the technical term) but I did get to see how the fabric shrinks by simply ironing it. There was so much excess fabric it was hard to believe it all shrunk up and is perfectly tight now. Very cool. Today, Papa but a coating of the "goop" on it to seal it but there is more of that to come. Making some major progress. We're anxious to fly north to see the K-Kids and get away from the farm. Papa is hoping to hunt some ducks too. We miss seeing the other K-Kids in Kansas but hope to see them very soon too. Yesterday, I had a horse trimmer come to the farm to trim Blackie and the Donkey. I have never seen anyone work so fast. He literally flew around Blackie's 4 feet and then started on Donkey. (Who is usually a major pain to trim). He trimmed all 4 feet without incident - and never moved a muscle. I told Corey he must have put him in some type of hypnotic trance. If I hadn't seen it - I wouldn't have believed it! Maybe Donkey has turned over a new leaf. :)

The finished product after the heat shrinking.

Papa doing the initial spot ironing to shrink the fabric on each side of the fuselage.

I hauled my stained glass stuff to the hangar and Papa and I worked on our hobbies together. Was really fun.

Getting started on putting the cover on.

Champion flyer and harvest on the farm

Harvest time on the farm! The giant pumpkins - named Bubba, Junior and Lulu ended up being very huge. It was fun watching them grow but the pumpkin vines took over the entire garden. As a matter of fact, the vines crawled up on the tomatoes and knocked the cages over on their sides. But they are still producing tomatoes. This has been the most beautiful last two weeks as far as the weather goes. Temperatures have not exceeded 80 degrees and the winds have been practically nill. (is that a word?) Had to take a picture of our house last night - such a nice calm evening and everything looked gorgeous.

Papa was surprised when he took first in the Spot Landing and 3rd in the Bomb Drop. Was really fun to watch. KMan said Papa should use the 182 next year for the balloon catch.

Artie and Papa showing everyone how it's done!

Our newest addition to the farm. Papa actually got a brand new

John Deere tractor. He even shared and I got to haul Junior

to the entrance of the driveway. It is really fun to drive!

Emmy likes the giant pumpkins or it could be she is

looking for the gopher that is living under them.

We have some apples. I have froze 2 apple pies and made 2 or 3 apple crisps. I have some apples left on one tree so I'll try and use them up on monday. Nothing is better than fried apples on a cool evening. YUM YUM :)

Labor Day Activities

The weekend was a whirlwind of activities. First my birthday on friday - I got my birthday cake that I wanted when the K-Kids sent my birthay cake in the mail! I displayed my cake on the wall for all to see! I love that it was 0 calories. :) Eric and Theresa and the other K-kids came for a visit. We got to play in the sand, ride the tractors and the ATV, feed Blackie, and they went to a class reunion. All of Eric's classmates brought their kids so they all played together on Saturday night. While they were at the reunion, Bruce and I went to NWOSU's football game where we saw Jack. We had fun with the other Rowdy Rangers! We have been enjoying cooler weather, but have missed out on all of the rain that everyone else is getting! There will be no planting of wheat in our area until we get a good rain! Next weekend is the State Fair and I will be ushering at Huey Lewis and the News! Can't wait for that. Yesterday, I had a fun filled day at the Dentist having a root canal. I'm so glad that is over!!!!!!!!

My Birthday Cake!!

I had to show the boys how to shoot! Yep, I still got it!

Bruce had fun shooting too, didn't bother his shoulder too bad!

Eric nailed the bluerocks consistently!

The kids really enjoyed our sandbox - and so did I.

Katie was quite intrigued with L.T. and he ate up all the attention from her.

Never got a picture of Mom - sorry Theresa!! Next time!

New Wheels

It's been a really nice last couple of days with the temperature around 85 degrees. Much nicer than our 110 plus days in early August. Bruce is still whacking away at all of those roofing jobs usually completing two houses a day. However, he is beginning to wear down. Before I left for Minnesota in August, we had our dealership keep his eyes out for a bigger SUV. Well guess what, I definitely got BIGGER. It is an Expedition and is a NWOSU Ranger Red! (Not Cornhusker red) It drives really nice and is rock solid. The interior is a nice tan and it was a demonstrator model with 24,000 miles. That helped out on the price. I think the grandkids will all love it.

This quilt is a mystery quilt which I put togethe at the end of school.Now it is ready to go to the quilter in Anthony as soon as I can get there.Turned out nice! Fabric came from SunflowerQuilts in Derby. I think Theresa was with me when I picked this out.

Fabric I chose for a baby girl quilt for our coach at Burlington. She said absolutely NO PINK! Let's just say she isn't a girly girl but her husband does teamrope and they live on a farm. Sounds good to me!!

and Emmy watching TV!! Must not like NCIS!

Happy, Happy Birthday

Our weekend started out great by meeting Eric and Theresa and K-Bugs at Wellington. They picked up their new Mariner to take home and Bruce picked me up in the 140 to go on over to celebrate with Papa Guy on his 85th birthday(but it's really tomorrow-don't tell anyone). We did succeed in surprising him and Aunt Jo brought along Corey's boy Braydon(sp) so to help celebrate too. At the airport in Independence, we parked the 140 next to a gordeous Stearman painted blue and gold. We of course had to give it the once over - wouldn't it be fun to fly in an open cockpit! I think so! Then we drove on out to the farm and after the initial surprise, we went inside where Jo and I brought food for everyone. Barbecued beef with potato salad, baked beans, tomatoes, and then the angel food BD cake topped with home grown peaches. Yum, Yum! We all enjoyed it-

The Stearman

The Surprise!

The cake! Can you see Peggy's stained glass cardinal in the background.

It is gorgeous!!

Brayden enjoying the John Deere B with Uncle Bruce

Of course that's Brayden driving.

Fun on the farm!

Our flight home in the 140 took only 1 1/2 hours. Think we beat Jo home. We had lots of fun and hope we can get the whole family home for a good old time get together. All cousins be prepared to mark your calendar. If you don't come - somehow Jo and I will get even - and you know you don't want that to happen. :) We'll decided on an upcoming date later and keep you posted on that event.

Playing is hard work ~

I know it's been so long since I have blogged -- but it's because I've been so busy! First we helped Eric and Theresa move to their new house (which I love-can't wait to see their painting in the house ) and then Carrie and the kids came from the northern country and stayed a week and then we took them back north to their home. Had lots of fun as all of the following pictures will depict. After all of the playing, now it's time to get back to work! Bruce has been very busy with the company but he said he missed me doing all of my usual stuff. In the following pictures you'll see everyone either fishing, cooking, playing on playground equipment or relaxing at a music concert in the park. I didn't have a lot of pictures of the rodeo but I know I have some. We even cooked a little. I got home and have my new Ford Expedition which I plan on driving tomorrow. Haven't even had time to drive it. We did get a wonderful rain of 1 1/2" which we severely needed. Today had to pick up film for Bruce's wrist, get tags, and then to the school to help out the new teacher. I am so. o . o. glad I am not doing that anymore. And it reinforced that feeling again today. Can't wait to hear about the news from E & T on the baby on wednesday.

playing with Blackie

K-Girl showing the family how to run in an obstacle course.

K-Baby and MOM

Cute couple, Huh!

My chef - K-sis!

It's a WILD Summer!!

It's been quite sometime since I've posted a blog - so here goes!! Since my last blog, we have moved Eric and Theresa and family to a new house - worked - poured concrete - and our grandkids and Carrie are here from Minnesota (we are really missing daddy!!) Wish you were here too! We had some really nice weather after the awful heat, but now we are back in the 100's. Eric got to spend some time with the kids on friday too! We all went to the park for a while and then went and fed the ducks before going back to the house. We've been swimming, picking blackberries, riding horses (don't have any pictures of that endeavor!) helping papa, riding the ATV, playing in the sandbox, flying in airplanes, and well - you get the picture - we've been busy!! I don't know how K-baby keeps up with us!! On sunday, Kristi (Carrie's Mom and I) will be taking them back to Minnesota cause daddy won't share anymore!! I'm sure he is very lonely:(

Playing in the park!
Craft time!

All of us at the pool - sure felt good to cool off!

Kassidy and Mommy loved it too!

Trying to see if our handprints fit into Uncle Eric's and Daddy from years ago!

Concrete truck pouring concrete!

Our own version of cooling off on the farm.

K-Sis said she was champion and I agree!

Visiting with cousins Reese and Ridge

Papa and the new prairie!

K-Man and prairie!

Ditto!

My K-Sis cowgirl!

Mommy & Kassidy on the farm!