Sunday in Morganville

We all enjoyed our Saturday in Morganville, and then we got surprised and had more fun on Sunday. Great Grandma had told us on Saturday that a big group of motorcyclists were going through Morganville around 12:30 in memory of 9-11. They were doing a tour of many small towns in the area and would drive through Morganville around 12:30 with a stop for a moment of silence and prayer. She invited us down to her house to watch the action, so that is where we headed right after church.

Several groups of friends gathered with us at Great Grandma's House and some members of the community were handing out small American Flags to wave. Brynn and Caden really enjoyed that!

Love this picture of Layne and Brynn--we had parked our van at the edge of the driveway to sit and watch the action.

Shortly after 12:30 we saw the fire engine leading the motorcyclists in--we were looking into the sun, so pictures were not the best, but it was an amazing sight to see--the motorcyclists just kept coming and coming! Caden thought there were around 25 :)--really more like 200-250!

Here were the leaders of the pack.

The crowd of friends and family gathered to watch all the action and be proud Americans!

Thanks Grandma Grandma for letting us party with you!

The motocyclists all lined up in the park and along the street for the short service--the motorcylcists all had American Flags and yellow ribbons on their bikes in honor of 9-11.

Admiring all the cycles on the way to the park for the cermony.

After the moment of silence and prayer--the cyclists got back on their bikes and headed to the next small town--it was a beautiful day and a great tribute to 9-11. I am so glad we got to be a part of it!

Then FINALLY after naps and playing with the farm kittens--Grandpa and Grandma Parry arrived home from Hawaii--and of course brought back presents. I am totally ruining my Halloween surprise, but Caden and Brynn LOVED the Japanese PJ's that Grandpa and Grandma brought back so much that we have decided to let them wear them for Halloween.
Layne and I were not sure if telling people that our kids are Japanese people would go over too well, but Caden saved us with his idea. He has been calling them his magic jammies, so we thought they could say they are "magic" people--even though Caden has a beanie hat with a braid down the back and I am totally putting chop sticks in Brynn's hair!

Grandma and Grandpa were floored with how much the kids LOVED the PJ's--they had just boughten them on a whim--but they were a BIG hit!

Even time for a quick hug!

Some cuddle time with Grandpa--in his Japanese PJ's holding American Flags--just makes you smile!
We are so glad you are back safe and sound Parry's--it was crazy and quiet being in your house and Morganville without you!

Fun in Morganville

Sept. 10th, we headed to Morganville, KS to join in the 125th Anniversary of this great town! Grandpa and Grandma Parry missed all the fun because they were vacationing in Hawaii so I tried to take a lot of pictures so they could see all the action! Brynn and I dropped Layne and Caden off at the car show so they could get Layne's Mustang cleaned up for the parade and then we headed into Clay Center to our favorite doughnut shop--Tasty Pastry!

Brynn--enjoying every second of her chocolate log!

We brought yummy doughnuts back for the boys and Aunt Kristi and enjoyed looking at the old cars and tractors.


Kristi and Brynn checking out the race car.

It was then time for the Morganville Parade--Jess brought Conner and Greyson up to watch the parade with us. Brynn and Caden chose to ride in the parade with Aunt Kristi in her limo!

Here are the Grand Marshals of the Parade!

An old Morganville Firetruck

Cool old tractors

And here comes the Parry's--we had 4 cars entered in the parade--and they could have done more--we just ran out of drivers! You can see three of them below.

Aunt Kristi's 1989 Black Limo!

Caden, Brynn, and Kristi waving at the crowd!
Layne's Mustang

Craig's Mustang--driven by David Parry

Terri Parry's 2009 Challenger--driven by Curt Parry


The kids loved this big sprayer in front of the Challenger!

One of the floats with Miss Morganville on board--he/she was quite the crack-up!

Grandma Parry's wonderful Lion's Club float.

The parade was almost an hour long so when the kids got done riding in the limo--they ran back to watch the rest of the parade and get some candy action!

The four cousins waiting for candy--Brynn, Caden, Greyson, and Conner

Go get it--CANDY!

How many pieces can my little hands hold!

Caden at the golf game.

Playing with older cousin James in the corn pit.
I think we need a corn pit to play in--the kids loved shoveling and digging in this stuff--and then Caden found out they hid money in it...one happy boy!

Great Grandma and Aunt Kathy helping serve up all the burgers for the BBQ that night!

Caleb, Kristi's fiance, and his roommate Michael were in charge of the beer garden.
I think they were kept busy most of the day!

The evening ended with a great firework show around 9:00 and some good dance music as well. The weather was perfect and we all enjoyed our day in Morganville, KS!

Labor Day

One of the few Labor Days that I remember since Layne and I have been together that we really had no plans. We had not seen our Ohlde family in several months and our kids were starting to ask about each other, so we decided to head up to Morganville and Palmer, KS for the day to watch some softball and see the family!

Great Aunt Clarice and Grandma to Conner and Greyson made the kids very happy by providing suckers for all! Here is Brynn and Adriane--enjoying softball and suckers!

The boys having sucker time--Caden, Conner, and Greyson

Stick war--boys are all about sticks!

Follow the leader time on the bleachers--not sure how many times we had to chase them down from going up too high!

The kids and I had fun watching Aunt Kristi, Jess, and Adriane play ball. Layne went golfing with his Uncle's, and then we headed home to spend the rest of the weekend at home--which was nice, except Caden got sick the next day--what a bummer! Puking in Sept. is way to early to be puking! Luckily no one else has gotten the yuck and we were still able to enjoy Mommy's birthday cake and homemade icecream!

Preschool Time

Caden William Parry
4 years old and already for his first day of preschool!
He was very excited and ready to go--which made us parents feel pretty excited too!

His new CARS backpack has been a big hit--he proudly shows us all his papers every day and was super excited last week to have more than 5 important papers to show us! We are trying hard to have some Caden time every preschool night to see his work and to let him tell us about preschool. The first night though, he had to tell Mommy, and then Daddy, and then Grandma called too--so he was about done talking, but I am super happy he is enjoying going to school!

Walking in on the first day!

Say "Cheese"--Caden outside his classroom--Mommy was a little sad that Daddy got to take him on his first day, but Mommy will get all the rest of the years at her school!

Caden and the teacher's aide Ms. Katrina--Layne tried to get Caden to take a picture with his teacher, Ms. Layla, but Caden was DONE with pictures and ready for Daddy to go--so we will have to get a picture with Ms. Layla another time!
So proud of you buddy for loving preschool and for doing your best--keep it up!

Denver

Monday morning we woke up to crazy hair and fun times on the Ipad! I love our Ipad but how sad is it that my 4 year old and 2 year old fight over who gets to use it! The joys of technology!

Girl time on the couch.

Cleaning out the fridge--ice cream for breakfast--why not--we are on vacation!

Cool shades before we hit the road!

We arrived in Denver and had a quick lunch at McDonald's before heading to the Denver Zoo.

The first animal display--I can't even remember what that is!

The lions looked impressive on their rocks.

The giraffe's--oh the giraffe's--cute little giraffe posed just right for a picture while Mama and Papa giraffe were busy entertaining the crowd--there were lots of pictures and video-taping going on in the crowd and we got quite the giraffe education--the rest of the story will have to be told in person!

Daddy and the kids took a little train ride.

Some drum time in the Gorilla section.

All of us at the Denver Zoo--it was great to see a different zoo--loved seeing seal lions and polar bears!
We were all tired afterwards, but decided to give Casa Bonita a whirl for supper!
My good college friend Amber meet us there, so we all ate way too much Mexican food and watched a few diving shows! Caden loved it and Kristi and Janell were super Aunts and took him down to watch each show! I think we all would have enjoyed it a little more if we could have snuck a nap in, but it was still a fun environment to eat and be entertained!
Amber, Janell, and Jake all headed to their own homes that night and the rest of us stayed in a hotel on the outside of Denver! Caden and I went swimming for a bit, and then we all crashed for the night!
The next day, the hotel had an amazing breakfast buffet, so we pigged out, took a walk, and started back to KS. The closer we got the higher the temperature got--welcome home!
Colorado--always proves to be cooler and a wonderful vacation spot--we promise to go back!