Hello From Wichita:

We are late but not lost:)  Summer here has been working in the yard and working on wellness.  Hannah was home for almost a month (it was great to have her so long) and she did lots of yard work with help from Erik and Samuel.  The back flower gardens now have brick/rock edges to keep out the  grass.  We also moved our "statuary" into a more prominent spot.

Crepe myrtles by the drive.  This was mother's day and father's day gift.

Samuel has some new medicine.  And it seems to be helping him.  He played two shows last week and there is another one tomorrow night.  Hannah was able to go to one of them last week.

Erik had surgery last Wednesday for a hernia on the right side and a "sportman's hernia" on the left.  They happen to people who play sports with lots of twisting.  He had trouble with the pain medicine giving him nausea and heartburn.  The nausea medicine settled everything down and today he is up and doing much better.  He has limited activity for 4-6 weeks.  No ultimate:(

Tim was in San Francisco for 4 days attending NAMI national convention.  He heard many speakers and there is lots of new research for mental illnesses.  Some are even looking at brain training to help the brain rebuild itself.

Vicki has been working and helping with the yard work.  Best wishes to all.  Stay cool:)

Summer Fun!

We have been enjoying lots of fun summer activities.  Even though Randy is out most of the week and home weekends, he has still been able to make some of the summer fun.  I am enjoying the summer off from school even though I am reminded today that I start back in a month - not my favorite thought! :)
Here are a few of our fun summer activities.

Lillies in the backyard.

Adelynn enjoying the Barbie ice cream shop.

Olivia and Kinley playing with their mermaids.

Ava loves to ride the horse.

Olivia and Kinley enjoying the Barbie pool.

Adding fish to the pasture pond.

Charles dumping some of the fish in.

The cereal tree on the 4th of July.

Enjoying the 4th of July breakfast.

Randy driving the band truck.

Auntie, Ava, Adelynn, Olivia, Kate,and Sarah enjoying the parade.

Olivia, Adelynn, and Ava enjoying lunch together.

Kinley enjoying lunch as well.

Getting cereal off of the tree.  What Fun!!

Grandpa, Ava, and Adelynn enjoying the pool at Aunt Carol's. 

New House

New House

Hi Everyone,
I hope you are all staying cool and enjoying your summer. I'm looking forward to the 4th of July and seeing some of you coming up this week. The big news in my world is that Gus, Benny and I moved to a house on west 13 in Hutchinson. My parents bought this house and I am renting it from them so it is our own home.

We happened to stumble upon it at just the right time and managed to beat another person to buy it. It is a really nice home with two bedrooms, a big yard and a nice finished basement. It has all hard floors so sweeping is easy and that's good with all the dog hair floating around. I have planted some things in the flower beds with Grandma's help and I am actually enjoying taking care of them. I have boxes under my windows for plants and it's really cute. I enjoyed decorating and tried to make it a little bit more "grown-up" which I think I have succeeded.

The finished basement is actually was what finished selling the house to me. I want to start doing dog daycare in my home and the basement is perfect for this. I even have a side door people could enter through to drop off their dogs. Also, it's a great training space for Gus and I to work.

I have my first dog sitting client this coming week. Mama's boss is paying me to watch her Aussie, Jenny. I will have her a whole week so I'm jumping in with both feet at the beginning. I think it will be an easy customer as I have met Jenny and she seems pretty laid back. We'll see if she livens up the longer she is here.

That's about it! I  hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July!
-Kate and the boys

Here are some pictures of my new house

Living Room 

Kitchen

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Basement

Island

Chairs in living room

Living Room

Backyard

Rivers Ripple

Summer is here, officially.  We've already been enjoying swimming at the YMCA pool, playing in the water in our backyard, and exploring items on our summer bucket list.
Dan has been working at KWCH and will begin playing regular gigs with his new band, The Llew Brown Band later this month.  He's still playing with The 33 when the opportunity presents.  He installed a new lamppost in our backyard during his stay-cation in April.  It's a little like Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. 
Sarah has been working a few more days, since it is summer and Grammy can help watch the girls.  She has taken the summer off for Sunday school.  Sarah heads to the Y twice a week to meet her friend, Amber, to work out.  However, Amber will be moving soon so she'll be missing that component soon.  Sarah has been organizing and decluttering and also working on catching up on some photo books. 
Olivia had a great preschool year.  She finished up at the beginning of May with a little program.  She's moved up a level in gymnastics and now attends Academy Level 1.  She can do a bridge and is working on a handstand.  She practices all kinds of step by step skills for success on the bars, beam, and floor.  She has to be fairly independent in her practice, which can challenge her attention sometimes.  Olivia spends her days playing with Barbies or small figurines, dress up, playing outside, riding her bike, doing art projects, and watching some TV.  She admitted she missed preschool, so, as I guessed she would, has loved VBS this week.
Kinley is 30 months old (2.5 years).  She is growing into her own little personality, which is fun to see.  She has a great sense of humor and is at the stubborn 2.5 year old stage.  Most days she doesn't nap, which is a challenge.  Kinley loves to play with her Laloopsy's, the DUPLO LEGOS, dress up, and whatever Olivia is playing.  She likes to swing on the swingset and play in the water. 
Brisco got a cortisone shot and B12, so he can be a healthier doggie.  His seasonal allergies were bothering him enough we had to take him in.  Most days he monitors our activities and finds the closest air conditioning vent to hang out near.