Antique Engine & Steam Show

Every October, the Central Kansas Flywheels Yesteryear Museum has an Antique Engine and Steam Show.  Todd has attended the last 3 years and this was the first year for Matt, Hannah, and I.  The weather was cool and rainy but it was still a day well spent with all the hands-on activities and displays.

There were rows and rows of tractors.

Hannah promptly said "Boo KU" when she says this tractor on display.  She does take after her mother.  :)



A large variety of antique farm machinery and such.



This quaint church house sat atop the hill and was the perfect vantage point to watch the storm rolling in.

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There was also an old gas (filling) station on site.

Hannah being "cheesy".

There were even some old fire trucks.

Apparently, they have been sitting here for quite some time.

An Old Schoolhouse.

It was open for tours.  It was interesting to see what Matthew and Hannah thought of the small classroom that lacked the bright colors and variety contained in today's classrooms.

As the wind picked up and the rain moved in, we toured the Yesteryear Museum.

There were two levels of all kinds of displays.

There was a large wall that contained about every state and novelty license plate you could dream of for Kansas.

The kids had fun looking for license plates that were familiar.

Washington, Kansas
(Todd's hometown)

I couldn't find an Alta Vista plate, but I did find one for Council Grove.

The highlight of the day was Matthew winning a lemon cake in the cake walk.

Wednesday Nights.

I hosted the Wednesday evening meal for all the kids that go to Zion Church with Jackie and I for KidsZone.
I love this bunch of kids.  They. Are. Fun.
Their laughter is infectious.

Daddy-Daughter Dance

A few weeks ago, Todd bought tickets to take Mallory and Hannah to the Daddy-Daughter Dance.
He was very excited to take them.
The dance was held at the theater just a few blocks from our house.
There was snacks and music and photos. 
The place was full of all these wonderful Dad's that took the time to make an evening special for their daughters.

Hannah loved getting dressed up for the event.

Mallory was excited to spend some time with her Dad.
I think she was most excited about getting to eat at McDonald's before the dance.

With all the built up excitement, both girls were party-poopers when they finally got to the dance.
Mallory was just plain overwhelmed.  We expected this.
Hannah, however, was very shy and did not want to participate.
I don't know if she was tired from still adjusting to full days, full weeks of school, or what.
Next year's Daddy Daughter Dance?  Still up for debate.

ASVRR Annual Dinner

Last Sunday night, we attended the Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad-ASVRR Annual Volunteer Dinner.  The volunteers and their families get to take the steam engine to Enterprise for a cookout of hamburgers, hotdogs, side dishes

The kids enjoyed the train ride.  They took in the view.

Created some artwork.

Mallory put the IPod to good use.

Matthew found a little quiet time in the table across from us.

Todd found a little down time.

Hannah found a newfound love for crosswords.

The views were spectacular.

The weather was beautiful.  The crowd was enjoyable.  The best part?  Hannah and I got to ride back to Abilene in the steam engine. :)

Proof.

To all our visitors over the last three years.....Here is my proof.
My dog can stay still.  :)

Hannah's Debut

Hannah goes to a Wednesday night youth group at Zion Church.  Her favorite part of the night is when the kids have an opportunity to perform in a skit.  She has been so disappointed the last 6 weeks because she had not been chosen to be in a skit yet. 

Last night she finally got her chance.  She was very excited.
The skit she participated in was based on "trust" and centered on Jesus walking on water in the Sea of Galilee.  Hannah got to be one of the fisherman in a boat on the sea.

Wierd.

Jet powered hand dryer in a Wendy's bathroom + a bold teenager = Pure Craziness!
(Love you, Macy! Please don't hate me for posting this)

Tech Night at School.

Matthew's school had an open house tonight to showcase the I-Pads that the school is utilizing in the 3rd grade classrooms.  Matthew and his friend, Casen, have the same teacher this year.  This is a first since preschool.  They were very excited to show off their skills on the I-Pads.

Matt & Casen

Hannah watching her brother secretly hoping he would let her have a turn.

Matthew playing his favorite game, Cash Cow.

Jackie watching Casen with his I-Pad.

Homecoming.

Jackie's girls, Taylor & Macy, are going to the Homecoming Dance tonight.  Hannah and I had a chance to go out and watch them get ready.  Amanda and Tifanie volunteered to help the girls with their hair and makeup.  It was almost comical trying to jam everyone into Amanda's bathroom.