CC Meet

Maman finally experienced what a cross country meet looks like. Alex had to be at school at 6:15 am on Saturday to take the bus with the other runners. Alex participated in his first one-mile race with middle school kids from various schools.

Checking out the Indian Hills middle school
tent where all the runners and coach hang out

7:30 mn to run one mile. Not bad for a beginner.

Bravo, Alex! So proud of you.

Band

Alex had his first middle school band concert. Amazing what practicing an hour a day does compared to elementary school.

7th grade band

Alex and his trombone

Fanfare & Presto by Michael Sweeney

Dark Adventure by Ralph Ford

Bravo ! Well done !

Fall Festival

Overland Park's fall festival parade is our annual stop to gather candies for Halloween and of course see cool floats.

Sitting at the beginning of the parade
almost guarantees the most freebies

John Deer, KC Wolf, unicorn, flags, oh my

Shawnee Mission East high school band

That will be Alex in a couple of years if he continues band

Slugger took a look at papa's Cornhuskers cap
and shook his head! Not all Kansans are Nebraska fans?!?

Tai chi demonstration to finish the parade in peace

Tree

When you own a tree that is possibly 100 years old, things happen. A good thing maman wasn't there to witness it...

Papa woke up to a big oak tree branch
crashing down the font lawn.

Before and after.
Hopefully the tree trimming will keep it healthy for many years.

Skates

Sophie had fun at Skate City with her school buddies.

Skating with Mariya

Brakes?!?

Cross Country

Alex started to run cross country in middle school. He practices after school four times a week and participates in meets (2-mile / 3 km races).

Run, Alex!

Strong finish!

Running buddies from elementary school

Starbuck & Jams

Eric started his Starbuck's cups collection a few years ago. He is now the happy owner of a Strasbourg cup!

After KC, Portland, and Gdańsk, here is Strasbourg!

Coffee, anyone?

Amazed at how many types of jams Bonne Maman makes.
Had to bring a few flavors home that cannot be found in the States.