Trip to Kansas City Fourth Day

Peter and I got together early Sunday morning to do some photography.  We went to downtown Kansas City to take a look at the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.  It is almost complete with only landscaping on the south side which is the front of the building.  So we spent our time on the north side.

It is a breath-taking building which seems to rise up out of the grass used to landscape the north side.  It is due to open in October.  I look forward to many return visits to capture the north side and indeed to see it at different times of the year.

Also this area of the convention center displays the commitment that Kansas City has made to public art. You would rarely see works like these other than on a college campus or the grounds of a museum.  I was particularly taken by the reflection of the center in the glass wall of the Bartle Convention Center.

After lunching and visiting with Mom, Peter, and Anola, I drove out to the airport and had an uneventful journey home.  After such a busy summer, it was good to be back home!

Click here to see more pictures of the Kauffman Performing Arts Center.

Click here to see pictures of Kate and Ryan's wedding.

Click here to see more pictures of my Kansas City trip.

Trip to Kansas City August 2011 Third Day

Kate and her father, my brother Terry

I started the day with breakfast with Anola and Peter at Dunn Brothers Coffee and then a long lunch with Louisa at Brio.  It was a warm and sunny day and we enjoyed a stroll around the Plaza after lunch.  I returned to Grand Court to take a nap and prepare for the big festivities of the trip:  Kate Pickett's wedding.

The wedding and reception took place downtown at the Terrace on Grand.  The cocktail hour after the wedding and before the dinner was held on the roof top with a spectacular view of the downtown skyline.  As you might imagine, I took a lot of photos; there were great pictures everywhere, both people and things.

Wedding guests with Sprint Center and downtown
in background

I not only took photos but video as well.  I will get the video posted when I return home.  But for now you can see pictures of the wedding, by clicking here.

You can click here to see other pictures of my Kansas City visit.

I will also post a blog about Sunday's activities but that will wait until I return home.

Trip to Kansas City August 2011 Second Day

The weather was beautiful today, just right for a drive to Liberty to visit Matt and Amy at ACES Cake Shop and  Bakery Supply.  Their business is very impressive and doing quite well.  I can personally vouch for the apple dumplings.  I bought a couple and when I got back to Mom's place she let me know that I shouldn't eat hers!  Gee, I thought I was going to get both.  Matt looks great.  Obviously this all agrees with him.  I am sure that he will eventually add a shipping option.  For now, we can all just make that short side trip to Liberty when we fly into town.

Meanwhile, back at Grand Court, Mom was busy putting the finishing touches on her wedding gift to Kate and Ryan, getting her hair done for the big event, and then chilling out with a quick game of Spider.  While she was getting her hair done, I went out to do some shopping, including a stop at the Russell Stover shop to get some special chocolates for Marilyn's Mom.

Mom had dinner at Grand Court while I went to Kate and Ryan's house for a dinner for out of town guests.  It was a lovely evening with delicious barbecue and apple crisp for dessert.  Afterwards I stopped at Bob and Mary's--just around the corner--for a visit before returning to Grand Court.

Click here to go to the photo album.

Trip to Kansas City August 2011 First Day

I am traveling to Kansas City for my niece's wedding on Saturday.  After some travel delays due to a strong storm system between Rochester and Dulles in Washington, I made it to Kansas City and then drove up to Clyde to visit Sr. Paula.  I had a lovely afternoon visit with her and got to see the damage from the horrific storm that struck the area a week ago.  They had 1 1/2 inch hail along with 100 mph plus winds. While most of the damage had been cleaned up, you could still the evidence of the violent weather.  Fortunately no one was injured.  They are busy filling out insurance claims and completing the clean up.  Their friends and neighbors have been gracious in coming to their aid.  A group of Benedictine nuns from Atcheson KS have traveled each day this week to assist.  You can see some photos of the damage on my Picasa site by clicking here.

This photo shows the extent of the hail and wind damage to local crops.  This is a corn field right next to the monastery property that would be tall, green, and full of ripe ears.  A week after the storm, it looks like a combine has been through in October.  Nothing to do but plow this under and take the loss on the entire crop.

Fortunately, as you can see, Sr. Paula is just fine with her deeply spiritual sense of humor fully in tact.  We had a wonderful visit including a walk around the monastery grounds.  She is feeling well and is loving her Kindle, a gift from some friends.  One of the nuns told me that Paula is their technical wizard at Our Lady of Rickenbach, their independent living facility.  Apparently this means she knows how to load, play, and unload their DVD player!

Take a look at the photos of my visit.

Trip to Charlotte Third Day

The day began with an 8:00 am soccer game for Marin.  Her team won.  You can see from the picture that they were really playing hard.  On the way home, we stopped at Panera's and took on a load of bagels including their cinnamon crisp and some honey walnut cream cheese.  After downing three of these, I took a nap while the rest of the family did chores.  It appears that no one eats for free around here!  Well, almost everyone.  I think Eibhlin may be an exception.



We are off to the movies:  boys going to Cowboys and Aliens and the girls taking in Smurfs.  The movies were very enjoyable; everyone enjoyed their choice.  Once we got home, there was more work to do. Liam and Aidan husked corn in the back yard.  You will note that Aidan is using a "husking glove."  This is his own invention and its purpose remains a mystery.  Liam cut the grass which is quite an operation, especially in this hot and humid climate.

Click here to view the photo album.

Trip to Charlotte Second Day

Liam about to receive a pass.

Saturday was a full day of watching Time-Warner technicians work on restoring consistent internet access to Liam's house and watching Liam and Marin play sports.  I got to see the last hour or so of Liam's football practice.  His first scrimmage is this coming Wednesday so I will miss that as well as any games.  This is his first year and he doing very well.  Once he adjusts to the fact that football is a contact sport, I think he will enjoy it even more.  I did get to see him practice on offense as full back and tight end.

Marin blocks their leading scorer!

Marin played in a soccer tournament.  While she played very well, her team lost both games against U10 opponents.  Her team is U9 and she is only 8.  Playing up doubled!  While she played a few minutes at midfield and stryker, she played middle defender for most of both games.  She has another game at 8:00 Sunday morning.  If they win, then a final game at 12:15.

 

Click here to view the photo album.

Trip to Charlotte First Day

Well, it is August and I haven't posted since my trip to Huntington Beach in May.  That doesn't mean that I haven't been traveling but rather that I have been traveling so much that it became a bit overwhelming.  Now, however, I am in Charlotte with Liam, Marcie and the kids.  Marin is till at a friends house so I haven't seen her yet but the other three are around and engaged in their typical activities.  I will post more later.

Marin returned and then everybody left again for a variety of evening activities.  Aidan got back first and we went to get some Red Box videos.  Then Marcie and the girls returned and I got this nice shot of Liam, Aidan, and Eibhlin watching The Adjustment Bureau.

Saturday will be a day for watching football practice and a soccer tournament.  Lots of pictures forthcoming.  For now, click here to see the beginning of the album for this trip.