Catching Up!

 This picture represents the FIRST time Westin and Camden spent the night AT Grandpa and Grandma's all by themselves.  And for the record....they did great!

 Aunt Hazel and Richard's dad at Uncle George's funeral.  So good to see Aunt Hazel again, who lives in Texas.

 Visiting as only a brother and sister can.

 Kayla was the one that enthusiastically volunteered to mow with Grandpa.  Learning all the fine details of where the mower tires should be.

 Grandpa admitted that one hip was going numb.

 While Bryan and Lisa were off celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary, Joshua, Kayla & Tyler stayed with Grandpa and Grandma.  We had some big days.  We visited Dandelions in Topeka and each chose an arts and craft project.  It was really fun!  Each one chose a completely different project.

 A visit at Aunt Bem's only means fun and laughter.  Have you played, "Pie in the Face?"  Kayla literally fell out of her chair from excitement.  

 Jordy took a "pass" if he thought it might be getting close for the whip cream to fly!

 Saturday morning volleyball for Kayla!

 And soccer for Tyler.   This will always be the memorable occasion when after I urged Tyler to hustle to get to the soccer field faster, he replied, "I seriously will hurt my heart if I go fast!"  Oh Tyler, Tyler.  We love you!

 How does water get in basements.   Let me count the ways!  I am mystified how water has crept into our basement --- all for different reasons.  We recently had a huge downpour  (the same system that brought flooding to Ceder Rapids, Iowa).  The downspout feeds into a pipe that goes out into the yard with a pop-up cover to take care of extra water and that had gotten plugged.  I would sop up water in the inside coming from the window well and Richard would dip out buckets of water in the window well that looked like a fish bowl!

 The next morning Richard began the task of cleaning out the pipe and I was freaking out when he began pulling out this root, covered with mud that actually looked like a snake.  It wouldn't end.

 We took a picture of the tape measure to mark how long this gross root was, less anyone thought we were slightly exaggerating!  Yes, folks, it was 10 foot long.

Also in the gunk was this Leatherman tool.  I "think" Stephen gave this to his groomsmen at his wedding, and I "think" these would be Ryan's.  Wonder how many years they have been in the gutter?  I'm guessing at least 10!