Life in KC: October 2014

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Fall Activities

Watching the Royals and their winning streak inspired Alex to teach Sophie how to play baseball. For Sophie, the best part of watching the Royals on TV is when papa makes popcorn.

We waited a month to tour the brand new Ikea store. Pretty cool to check out all these living rooms and kitchens.

The weather is just unbelievable and we've been spending as much time outside as possible. Climbing trees, swinging, flying kits and making leaf piles have been high on the list.

Lesson 1: how to throw the ball to the catcher

Lesson 2: how to hit the ball

Coach Alex teaching a new student how to play baseball

Go Royals!

Happy birthday, Lucas!

That's pretty comfy

Calin

New kitchen anyone?

Check out my new princess shoes!

Building a horse stable is hard work

Who is going to rake all these leaves?!?
Hopefully the wind will blow them to the neighbor's yard!

Pretty girl enjoying her backyard

Perfect day to fly a kite at Alex' school

I have a Barbie kite!

Shooting hoops with papa in preparation for basketball season

Time to take down the swing papy had installed

Sophie climbing the swingset like her brother

Cannon balls into the leaf pile!

Halloween Preview

Leaves are turning yellow and red. It's time to carve some pumpkins and get ready for Halloween. The Downtown Overland Park merchants were ready to welcome crowds of kids looking for candies. Elsa and Olaf from the movie Frozen were everywhere. Alex and Sophie were unique as the shark and dalmatian.

I'm carving my own pumpkin

Pretty girl watching Alex having fun with the carving knife

First stop: Scooter shop

Looking sharp as a shark

Tasting some candies

Candies and music. What an awesome afternoon!

Soccer

Alex got a surprise for his last soccer game of the season. One of his best friends played on the opponent side. What fun to compete against Theo!

Our champion

Go team Arsenal KC!

Shoot

What a great surprise to see Theo on the opposite team!

That's my buddy!

Not sure who is more competitive...

Until next spring

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Oma

Someone very special was reunited with Opa in heaven on Sunday. Oma will be remembered for her deep love of life, family, church, travel, and conversation. She was an amazing organizer whose nickname was "ahead of time". We'll cherish these memories forever.

Gretl & Henry - 1960

Proud parents at Eric & Joelle's wedding - 1997

Feeding Alex for the first time - 2008

Talking to Sophie

Holding Sophie - 2010

Oma made beautiful quilts for all her grandchildren

Eating out

Oma loved holding all her grand babies

There were always cards and presents

Family gathered around great food

Oma always baked Linzertorte for her family. They were out of this world. She had one ready when we all arrived for the last weekend spent together.

Here is her recipe:

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups ground hazelnuts
2 sticks of butter
3 T of Kirschwasser
2 T of cocoa
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
2 t baking powder
1/2 jar of raspberry jam

Put flour, sugar, hazelnuts on a workspace. Make a depression in the middle and add the rest of the ingredients, except the jam. Cut the butter in little chunks and work the dough together. Cool in the fridge for one hour. Use a little more than half of the dough and press in the bottom of a greased springform pan. Spread the jam over it leaving 1/2" from the edge. Roll out the rest of the dough and make a top with leaves or stripes. Brush with an egg. Form the edge of the dough too. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.