Kids & Soccer

The kids' soccer season is off and running - literally & figuratively. Today two CA grandkids had their first games, while the Kansas grandkids have already been playing for a couple of weeks. I love going to one of the fields at a local park where there seem to be a gillion kids and their parents who are spread all over the place. You sit back to back with the parents/grandparents/siblings who are watching their kids on fields that are divided by a fairly narrow space. Saintly men and women who are giving their time to coach AND those who come to referee are all to be commended. The kids have such a good time and so do the parents. Our first game today was played under cloudy skies and it was COLD. We were bundled up in jackets & blankets. Then, 3 hours later, after some thundershowers, the sun came out and the next game was played under a sun where it felt a lot better to sit in the shade to watch. Zac's team gave it their best effort, but the score didn't end in their favor. Claire's team came out on the winning side. Watching all of them is a hoot! On Claire's team all of these girls = 6 blonde ponytails + 2 black-haired ones - go bobbing down the field in shorts that hang down over their socks, and with socks have been doubled over. They have boundless energy! The same was true for the boys. For the girls black & white soccer balls are passe. So, we watch pink or purple or whatever color go zooming up and down and around the field. It's all great fun to watch. It's a perfect Saturday morning for kids, parents, and grandparents!

Happy 11th Anniversary, Mark & Susan!

Eleven years ago today we were all in Lawrence for Mark's and Susan's wedding. It was exciting, fun, memorable, special, smiles all around, and hotter than heck! We partied and celebrated and laughed and cried happy tears and had a super time seeing all of their friends and visiting with Susan's family and our family, too. We've had so many good times together since then, and we look forward to many more. With the grandchildren all about the same ages - except for Sara and Luke - it's a super, busy time now when we all see each other.

But the memories of that day 11 years ago always bring smiles. Happy Anniversary, Susan and Mark. Much love from Butch and RoRo