Kansas Trip

Thursday evening we returned from our road trip to Kansas.  I had originally intended to do a series of posts about the trip, but I know that if I stuck to that plan I would never get it done.  So, here is one, enormous photo-dump of a post that encapsulates the highlights of our trip. 

The first morning we were there, we took Trevor to see the catfish in the neighbor’s pond.  They were huge! 

That afternoon, we headed out to do some fishing.

And that night we went out to dinner at this place that had a slide inside.  Trevor wasn’t too sure of the slide and wouldn’t go down from the top, but he would climb a few feet up and slide from there. 

Sunday morning the three of us went to church and then picked up my brother and headed to Joplin.  We drove through the area hit by the tornado in May and were amazed at how it still looks like a warzone over there.  We did take pictures, but I don’t feel right posting any on here…too many lives were lost and torn apart in the damage in the pictures that it doesn’t seem respectful. 

Sunday evening there was a get together at one of the community centers in Pittsburg for the entire family, so that took up most of the time there.  Trevor had a blast playing with the other kids and was exhausted by the time we got home. 

Monday everyone got up early and headed out to go shooting at the range while Trevor and I stayed home and enjoyed some sleep. 

And on Monday afternoon, we headed up to Kansas City to see my best friend Liz, who lives in Iowa.  We took Trevor to the Wonderscope Children’s Museum and everyone (adults included) had a great time. 

Playing with Uncle Brian and Zack Monday night.  Who knew Legos was a contact sport? 

Tuesday morning we headed back out to do some more fishing.  Trevor had a great time riding in the boat and even caught his first bass!

Tuesday afternoon we hung out at Aunt Tiff’s aunt’s house swimming for the afternoon.

We stopped by to see the pig on the way home and Trevor got to feed Petunia some apples.  After she ate them, she retreated right back into her house, of course, Trevor tried to coax her back out to play.  Needless to say, she declined his invitation. 

Exhausted from a busy vacation!

Funny pictures from the ride home.  Trevor did great entertaining himself in the backseat….the portable DVD player helped too.

So now we are home and adjusting back into our routine.  Trevor starts school in a couple weeks, so we are trying to soak up the last bit of summer freedom that we have. 

Road Tripping…

This year we traded in our sandy toes and beach towels for a trip out to Kansas to see Shane’s family.  My brother came along for the ride and this past Thursday we headed out west. 

 

West Virginia.  wild and wonderful

trying to be just like Uncle Christopher

Charleston, WV

When we got to Louisville, we stopped and toured the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. 

 

I missed the sign for Missouri, so the Gateway Arch will have to do. 

Sunset as we crossed the state line into Kansas. 

This is supposed to be the Kansas sign.  My brother took the picture and would like me to add that “everyone should get the general idea” even if they cannot read the sign itself. 

 

We’ve been busy since we got here.  Many more updates to come.  I am still quite thrown by the time change, so for now, it’s lights out. 

Beach Babies!

Yesterday was my first real day off in about 3 weeks.  We rolled right from moving into the new building, into preparation for dedication, then right into VBS setup for a week and then a week of actual VBS.  Because I had no.reason.to.go.into.work.  (my new mantra….maybe one day I’ll believe it) we headed to the beach with our friends Jenn and her son Chase.  The boys had a great time swimming and playing in the sand. 

Building Dedication

As I have been buzzing, on here and over on Facebook, last night we had the dedication of our newly renovated and expanded space at Sacred Heart.  The Bishop came down to bless the new “Sacred Heart Pastoral Center,” and the parish community gathered to celebrate.  In his remarks, the Bishop commented how the new building reminded him of the before and after shows you see on HGTV.  The building is gorgeous, and we are going to be able to do so much more with the new space.    Here are some pictures of the evening:

 

 

This window, featuring the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, is the original window that was over the altar of the first Sacred Heart Chapel in Downtown Norfolk when Sacred Heart was still a chapel of St. Mary’s Basilica.  It dates back to at least 1894.  Once completed, the window will once again be over the altar, but in the new daily mass chapel.

 

Looking from Commons entrance into 520 Graydon. 

Library

Nursery

Remember that tile wall fundraiser I did my first year at Sacred Heart?  Here are the tiles that were painted by parishioners at that event.  The contractors actually built the wall up so it appears that the tiles are a part of the wall. 

This is the new entrance to the Pastoral Center. 

 

Staff of Sacred Heart Church—missing Jim

From original 520 Graydon entrance.

The office that Amy and I used to share.  Now it is just Amy’s office.

Fr. Dan’s office

My Beautiful Office

 

Adult Formation Room (Just ONE of the many new classrooms we gained in the renovation!)

Me in my “Big Girl” office….

I usually don’t get all “preachy” on here, but after last night, I feel that it is only appropriate:  Thank you Father, for your blessings upon the new Sacred Heart Pastoral Center.  Bless the work that will be done there in Your name, as well as those who do it.  Thank you for the generosity of those who made its construction possible, and for the hard work and dedication of the hands that built it.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

What is better than a pool?

Apparently, a pool with a fountain.

4th of July

We had a pretty low-key 4th of July celebration this year…the weather was iffy too, so we definitley scaled back from years past.  Our friends came over for swimming and a cookout and once the rain came to wash away any chance of going to see the fireworks we all went our separate ways.  We did have a blast though, especially Trevor with his friend Avery. 

We didn’t get pictures of anything else during the day—but these two on the swings were priceless!