Chris and Theresa's Picture From The Past

I don't know if we were supposed to post a photo of our past, but I wanted to share this unassuming little gem of the past which affects my life now.

That's an old Beechcraft press photo with 20 aircraft made right here in Liberal. On top of that, the 20 were bought as trainers for the Mexican Air Force, and the Spanish population of Liberal is 60% of the entire population. I found the photograph on eBay on accident, and it shows our World War II vintage hangar in much better shape than you'll find it today:

I've been trying to take panoramas of some of Theresa and I's experiences since moving to southwest Kansas, which you can find at www.TeamGivan.com/family. I'm bad at updating it in a timely manner, but it chronicles things like our recent chance to compare the cockpits of a World War II primary trainer (like the Stearman Grandpa got to ride in) and the next trainer in the sequence (then called a basic trainer). There was quite a difference in sophistication of instruments and construction--the primary trainer uses a plywood wing section as a weight-bearing section under the cockpit while the basic trainer uses steel tubes with a light metal skin covering the tubes the for aerodynamic effect that won't hold weight.

Primary Trainer Controls

Primary Trainer Construction

Basic Trainer Controls

Basic Trainer Construction

Pictures from the past submitted by Pam

Grandpa in Korea around 1954

Grandma and Grandpa's 50th wedding anniversary with all the grandchildren.  June 4, 2004.

May Update

We have waited so long for spring and now it seems
more like summer!  Temperatures have been in the 90s
the last couple days.

We are looking forward to the new underground sprinkling
system.  And hopefully the lawn will begin to look good
again.

Grandpa is doing better with his new machine.  It is called a Smartvest
and it helps to keep his lungs clear.

Pam & I have a garden again.  Have potatoes up and planted
tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers & egg plant. The rabbit has his
eye on it too but so far hasn't chewed through the plastic fence.
He did eat most of the tulips before they had a chance to bloom.

Our first workday at the pasture was rather chilly but we got a
lot accomplished. We  have another one scheduled for this week-end.

Hello from Wichita:

Our time is not as busy as some of you have posted but it still seems to go fast!  Tim has been busy with interviews to replace two faculty.  One retiring and one moving on.  They have found two that they hope work well.  He is also calming students who seem to think Southwestern will fall apart with these two people leaving.  He continues to teach private lessons as well.

Vicki recovered from her surgery in February and was happy that no further treatment was necessary.  Thank you all for the prayers.  I finished directing the hand bells in April and they are polished and put away till the fall.  That frees up Wednesday evenings - probably for yard work:)  April also provided a week in Chicago.  I was asked to watch Theo as Katie had a conference out of town.  Her mom was traveling with her dad and Andrew's office moved to downtown Chicago that week and he wasn't sure what his schedule would be.  So of course I have pictures:)

 In the park he liked watching the other kids.

 Andy took off Wednesday and we went to Botanica

I also helped make table decorations for Nami

Erik continues to send out resumes and job applications.  He has had one interview but finally gave up on them even though they said he was still in the running every time he called.  I think the one he would most like now is Tanganika.  The hours would be days so no interference with Ultimate:)
One of his shipmates came to visit in March.  He showed her all the sites in Wichita and Hutch.  Her name is Jessica. 

Samuel continues to write music and practice his violin, guitars and piano.  He has been planting various things and was able to grow a pepper plant from seed.  We have great looking potatoes, onions and garlic in the garden.  He has a couple of lavender seeds that sprouted and today he found an avacado sprout!

Best wishes for an enjoyable spring.
Love,  The Wichita Shooks