Lindsee and EP came to Kansas for four fun days in June. EP was supposed to ride in the Dirty Kanza, but had a knee injury that prevented him from riding 100's of miles this year.
The first night they were here they got to watch Phoebe and her softball team play a game.
After the softball game, we all drove to Popee and Nanee's house. We got there pretty late and someone fell asleep on the drive there.... He is getting a little big for laps. What a sweet baby.
Friday morning we woke up, and the four of us headed downtown for a "DK fun ride". We were supposed to join an organized group riding around town, but were late, and missed the group. So we decided to make our own impromptu group ride around town. We called it the "DK Selfie Tour".
(Silas did not go on the "DK Selfie Tour". He wanted too, badly. But is still to little and fearless to ride on the streets.)
Let the "DK Selfie Tour" officially begin... right in front of the Granada Coffee Shop and The Sweet Granada in downtown Emporia.
First stop on the "DK Selfie Tour was the Memorial by the river.
Dad's name is on the memorial. We found it and took the selfie picture by it.
Next stop, the Emporia Zoo. We "DK Selfied" with the Buffalo... because, why not?
Then downtown near all the commotion of the Dirty Kanza set-up.
Then to the First United Methodist Church sign... Thanks to Marshall Miller, this was actually not a selfie. We had a photographer.
Heading North on Commercial Street towards Emporia State University....
The last picture I have from our "DK Selfie Tour" is below on the campus of Emporia State University. After this we rode all over campus, to Wooster Lake, and then back to Mom and Dad's house. It seemed like we rode at least 25 miles. EP thought it was more like 6ish. What does he know.
Ok, really the last "DK Selfie Tour" picture I have, I promise.... still smiling in front of Wooster Lake on ESU campus. I think the "DK Selfie Tour" really could become a "thing". So come back in a year (2018) to see where round two of the "DK Selfie Tour" takes us in Emporia.
Back at Mom and Dad's house there was a few games of Corn Hole.
And, a really fun Frisbee toss game played on playground equipment. We actually made this game up and it might sound sort of dumb, but take it from a lady who has tried it multiple times, it is fun. There is a thrower who stays on the ground. Everyone else gets on the equipment. The thrower then gets all the Frisbees and begins to throw them at the participants on the equipment, trying to hit them. If the thrower hits anyone they join the thrower's team on the ground until there is only one person left standing on the equipment. There are a few rules about catching the Frisbees and using them as shields, but you get the idea. We did have one injury in our second round of this fun game... Silas's path was blocked by an older participant on the equipment... he tried to dodge and duck under him, then raised up hitting his head on a metal clamp holding the equipment together. Down he went, immediately crying and holding the top of his head. When he moved his hand for me to look I immediately placed my hand right back on to stop the bleeding. An hour or two later and one more trip to the ER under our belt, Silas's head was glued back together and we all ate snow cones. MMmmm.
Saturday was DK Day! Dad, EP, Patti, and Jim all went downtown bright and early to see the beginning of the Dirty Kanza race. Dad found our friends, Corky and Jared Reber at the starting line for the DK 100.
We all went downtown later in the morning to sit near the finish line. We cheered, visited, ate lunch, rang cowbells, ate more snow cones, and had a great time watching lots of riders cross the finish line from their races.
Silas had a lot of fun with his good friend Taylor. He made another friend, Nick, who he enjoyed playing with too.
It was great seeing old family friends and teachers.
Below, mom with fellow co-worker and friend Sharon Stewart and another friend and teacher Jeannene Wittmer. (note, Mrs. Stewart was my 4th grade teacher)
Below, left, Dad and our friend Jason Wittmer after his DK finish. And, right, my friend Tina and I after her DK finish.
Both rode in the DK 100.
Both rode in the DK 100.
We had a good spot to sit and watch in the shade. We took our chairs, snacks, and cold drinks.
Later that night some of us ventured back downtown to watch some DK 200 finishers cross the finish line.
Below, left to right, Ziggy, EP Patti, Matt, Jim, Lindsee, Eric, and me.
The next day, Sunday, was supposed to be lake day. Mom and Dad have a brand new boat and we all were excited to try it out! After church we headed to Melvern Lake... unfortunately so did the storm clouds....
We sat on the dock near the boat for about an hour hoping it would clear off....
We sat in the boat hoping it would stop raining....
It never did. So, we pretended to take a boat ride then went home to play some games instead.
The next day (Monday) was clear and beautiful outside, so back out to the lake we all went...
The water was a little chilly, but the kids loved every minute of it.
Lindsee wasn't sure about the cold water....
Cannon BALL!!!!!
We did some tubing. Silas went first. He wanted to go fast.
Phoebe did not want to ride at all. I made her ride with Sarah. She cried the whole time.
Sarah tried to comfort her and show her that it is fun....
Then it was Sarah's turn.
She always gives the thumbs up/go faster signal.
Then it was time to ski. I went first, just like riding a bike, but on two pieces of wood, surrounded by water, clutching a rope. I did a few tricks for my fans, zoomed in and out of the wakes, and then was done.
Next up, EP. He skied his best ever. For real. He got right up on the first try and stayed up. Look at him smiling, having fun, and staying upright. Good job, EP!
On their last night in Kansas Lindsee and EP got to watch Sarah and her softball team play a game.
It was a fun four days with family and friends. Lindsee and EP, glad you got to come to Kansas, and we could cram in as many fun activities as we could, just like normal. We wouldn't want it any other way.
