Sophie's Football

Sophie accompanied Papa to college football.

Go Huskers!

That's not the score we want to see...

Thank goodness for cotton candy!

Hello Morton Salt!

When one door closes, another one opens. Friends had all kinds of salt and mining jokes to prepare Maman for her new job at Morton Salt.

Time to drive to the office again after 3+ years of working from home.

Another 10-story building. Morton only occupies
part of the 5th & 6th floors though.

Great collection of salt cans from way back in the days to present.

Salt on display, even to play chess (with salt & paper).

Maman didn't get the memo that she had to wear
a yellow dress and shoes on her first day...

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest between thunderstorms. That's a first. The girls still enjoyed the rides and junk food.

Sara & Sophie got tickets to ride the Ferris wheel.

Sunshine after 1.5" of rain in the morning: yeah for the garden!

Girls having fun. While guys are nowhere to be found.

The scrambler is a hit.

Flying high is our favorite.

The giant slide never gets old!

Folks kept stopping Maman and yell "Go Hukers!"
or tell her what the score is. Must be the shirt...

Man, this funnel cake is super hot!

Family Day

15 years ago, we flew to Vietnam to meet our Alex. Life has not been the same ever since. From a shy little toddler to a confident, independent, resilient young man. Happy family day! We love you!

Halong Bay cruise with the other two adoptive families.

2008

2013

2018

2023

Parasailing was one of the highlights of his summer.

Time to get serious and eat phở to celebrate.

This is how I do it!

Goodbye, Yellow!

Summer is ending, fall is here. A new chapter is turning, as Maman left Yellow today after 26 years of service. For dramatic effect, it's raining of course, as if this is not sad enough.

Look at this ID badge. What year was that?!?

Goodbye, trucking!

Thanks, Heather, for your support & friendship over the years.

Neil from Security has all kinds of stories
about me & the investigations I led.

No more Yellow trucks on the roads.

Archie as a Hat

Alex likes to bother play with Sophie's Squishmallows when she is not home. Today was Archie's turn to wear as a hat. Better than turning in his legs and tail...

Archie looks good on me!

Yes, I'm a goofball and I know it!

Girls at school pose like this!

Networking

Maman attended a networking event with other HR professionals at the University of Kansas. 

Jay Hawk, you know I don't really watch sports, right?

Maman's Yellow coworker Melissa
probably does watch college basketball!

Tisane

What does Maman do when Papa is out watching college football? She drinks tea with the French connection.

Christèle has some interesting herbal teas
from France. Brule graisse mean burns fat.

Enjoying her brand new kitchen remodel.

Tea with friends on a Sunday afternoon is just the best.

Cool rain barrel. That's a paint project for Sophie.

Youth Group

Sophie has fun with her church youth group at Todd & Claire's barn. The scavenger hunt was shortened to accommodate the heavy rain and hail. Welcome to Kansas weather!

Was hail even part of the weather forecast? Nope!

Mentors & mentees enjoying dinner.

Get to know each other game.

Linda is Sophie's wonderful mentor.
She is a retired art teacher. How fitting!

Sophie is really good at corn hole!

Fun team game.

Smores!

Cornhuskers

Papa is back in Nebraska to watch his football team play. Will they win today?

Go Big Red!

Baking

Sophie is baking breakfast cookies. She enlisted the help of her animals.

My arms is hurting a little after all this stirring.

A good thing I have helpers!

Breakfast cookies looking good!