Life in KC: June 2013

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

June Fun

It's finally summer and we are enjoying the many activities offered around that time of the year.

Jazz in the Woods was a big hit again this year. Alex went to zoo camp for a week and really enjoyed this new experience. He also started tennis lesson.

Watch out. Here I come!

Jumping with jazz music in the background. How cool is that?

Jungle gym time

Why so serious?

Come on, Sophie! Get a free chair massage like me!

Climbing is what I do

Learning how to play tennis

Holding the racket like a pro

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Fun Weekend

We had a busy weekend filled with festivals, friends and family. We had fun at the Greek Festival and Dragon Boat Festival. The cousins came for a short visit and we saw uncle Mark and cousin Henry sing with the Men's Chorus. Alex and Sophie can't get enough cousin time!

Sophie chose the chocolate dessert and devoured it!

Greek profile for the Greek Festival, or what?

Jumping off the stage

Initially shy but Sophie made it to the stage too

Dragon boat race at the Plaza

Alex and papa won this dragon boat race hands down

Payday is Alex's favorite board game

Trying on the Greek skirt thing

Johnny had a turn too

and now Alex the Performer

Why can't my cousins just live next door?!?

Sophie said: "Johnny is my favorite" after the concert

Attached to the hip - almost

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Pacific Northwest Vacation - Oregon

The second part of our trip was spent with family and friends in Oregon. Alex and Sophie got to see their Oregon cousins and loved every minute of it. We all had a great time visiting, enjoying the ocean, waterfalls and of course the pool.

Sophie wanted to see pink and purple waterfalls

Cousin Rachel has the best toys!

I love Matthew's old calculator!

Checking out the nature path with the four-wheeler

Amazing time in Pacific City

Sophie wasn't sure about these big waves

She'd rather play in the tide pools

and find some star fish

Is this water cold or what?!?

We made it to the top of the sand dune! Beautiful view!

Who is the dude? Matthew or uncle Tim?

Can't be in Portland without stopping at Powell's

Enjoying the largest bookstore in the world

Look, Oma. I can quilt on the computer!

Bubbles at the Salem Children's Museum

Learning how to play chess

Matthew, can you teach me how to drum?

Checking out Grandma's horses

Sister Sarah, aka Best Hostess ever

Want some water, uncle Tim?

Love, love, love the pool

especially with a view like that!

Fun checking out Nebraska football videos

Playing in the dirt with friends Simon and Gaby

Catching up with college friends feels good!

Visiting the Portland Zoo

It's a Nile monitor, one of my favorite reptiles

My new pool trick

Portland view on an old volcano

Goofing off at the Portland airport

We're going home! Had an amazing time. Thanks everyone!!!


I now have an Oregon seashell jar to add to my collection

Pacific Northwest Vacation - Washington

After the warm waters of Mississippi, we decided to take a trip to the Pacific Northwest this year. The kids did great in the airplane and enjoyed seeing lots of trees, mountains, and of course the ocean.

We visited friends in Washington State for the first part of our trip. We drove to Mount St Helens to check out the old volcano that last erruped in 1980. Lots of snow on the mountains but the roads were clear. We enjoyed eating bison and deer burgers on the way. We then had the pleasure to visit friends in Seattle. It was Alex's 5-year reunion with his foster brother Sam and then our 20-year reunion with our Wuppertal, Germany university friend.Time is flying when you're having fun!