Konza Prairie Bison

Chad set up a special tour of the Bison at the Konza Prairie for our out of town friends. Bryant & Brayden were excited to go exploring and Cooper & Campbell were excited to have friends along. Earl made sure to give a great tour and show the kids all there was to see. It was a well spent afternoon collecting rocks, Bison fur, and lots of photos.


Konza Prairie


Bison Crossing


Up close to the Bison


The kids with their tour guide.

10th Annual CTL Golf Tourney

With warm sunny weather, a perfectly groomed golf course, and 31 four man teams; we hosted Colgin's 10th Annual Golf Tourney. It was Colgin's 10th birthday. It was a day set to honor our son. It was perfect! Thank You to all that participated, all that volunteered, all that donated, and all that I may have forgotten. We enjoyed the day beyond compare. Thank You Wamego Country Club.


You know friends are those who stand beside you, even when you ask them to follow you on an uncharted path. Thanks Julie, Jill, and Dana for spending the day golfing on my golf team. Giggle golf is the way to go!


Friends are those that travel far, remain loyal, and come through even if a few years have gone by since you've last spoke. Scott, Brian, Brian, and Heath all made Cooper & Chad's team the best. What a great way to spend the day.

The Guys From High School

For the 2009 CTL Golf Tournament Chad had 3 of his high school friends attend. Why it took 9 years for me to meet this group of great guys is a good question. Chalk it up to the fact that men can go long periods of time without talking and still be the best of friends. Men can get together after years of being apart and pick up right where they left off. This group of friends is no different. Heath and Brian both live in Virginia and Scott (at the time) was living in Chicago. All 3 made the trip out in 2009 to play in Colgin's golf tourney. Chad was beyond excited! These guys were so kind, friendly, helpful, generous, thoughtful, and easy to just hang out with that I felt as if I had known them for years. Cooper and Campbell immediately welcomed them into the family and formed friendships with them all.

In 2010 Scott was unable to attend, but Heath and Brian made the journey back out for Colgin's tourney again. This was excellent as it gave us an opportunity to discuss our trip we would be making just a month later to Virginia for Chad's 20 year high school reunion and after a trip to North Carolina for a week's stay on the beach with Heath and Brian and their families.

When 2011 came around and the talk of Colgin's 10th Golf Tournament, there was no doubt that Heath, Brian, and Scott would all be here! It was a must for all of them. Chad added a surprise to the mix by asking another high school classmate, Brian (BB), to come and attend the tourney. Without hesitation BB joined in.

This year was an emotional one for all. Chad and I can't tell you how blessed we are to have such great friends. These 4 guys really mean a lot to us. Their help, support, planning, participation, and presence was such a gift this year. We look forward to each time we are together and know that without doubt this friendship will continue on.


Scott, Chad, Heath, Brian (BK), and Brian (BB)


Of course the guys are always on my side too.


Cheers to great friends!

Colgin's 10th Birthday

Our little man would have been 10 years old today. We honored him today by hosting his golf tournament. So after an early morning, a long round of 18 holes of golf with 32 teams of 4 players each, and a FAST drive out to Herington it was time for the traditional balloon sendoff. Colgin was born at 5:09pm, so each year at that time we meet at his stone and send off balloons. This year we were honored to have SO many people there to help us on this very important day. Family, friends, kids, friends of friends, all poured in to sing "Happy Birthday" to our angel. It was a bit past 5:09pm, but everyone was patient and waited for all to arrive and we are so glad we did. You can see from the pictures how loved Colgin is and how special this day was to us. Thank You everyone for your love and support always.


Colgin's stone


Cooper and Campbell with their balloons.


Chad passing out balloons.


Everyone gathering around to wish Colgin a Happy Birthday.


Balloon send off!


Up to heaven they go.


Family photo.

Milestone of Generosity Event

After months of preparation, the day for the Milestone of Generosity Event was here. I can't begin to tell you how surreal it is to look back at the pictures and see our dream come to fruition. The amount of love, support, kindness, and generosity felt that evening was insurmountable. It was an amazing feeling to have all of our family, friends, and guests there to cheer on our family. Complete with a silent auction, dinner & drinks, live auction, tons of giveaways, speeches, cake, and a band/dance. The night was all I had hoped it to be and so much more! To think this all started ten years ago with two very new and sad parents who lost their first born child. It was a night that I know Colgin helped create and I am very proud to say we did it! Love you Colgin.


Centerpieces on the tables


The tables held photos of Colgin, sunflowers, and candles.


A scene of the tables under the tent.


Colgin's cake


The big top tent.


The barn.


Tables of silent auction items.


Tables of live auction items.


Thanking our family.


Presenting Mercy Community Health Foundation with a check for the amount raised to date.


Family is Forever


Chad and I


Cooper and Campbell

The Calm Before The Storm

The Saturday morning before Colgin's Milestone Dinner was spent relaxing (as much as I could). The weather was beautiful, especially after such a terrible rain storm the night before. All of our out of town guests had arrived the day before and were on their own for Saturday morning, but anyone and everyone could come over to the Prairiewood Retreat and join us in the swimming pool. The kids had a great time and for me it was some much needed down time.


Ryland and Pat enjoying the pool.


Ryland being brave and jumping into the pool.


Ryland splashing Cooper.


Campbell floating around in the water.


Campbell waving hello.


All the kids ready to get Pat wet.


What is this look? Mischief or Laughter?

Rainbow

I love a rainbow, especially after a nice summer rain storm.

Father's Day

Chad was in need of a new grill in a desperate way. His old one was falling apart and had lived a good life, but it was time for it to go. So with the help of our good friend, Brad, the girls and I surprised Chad with a new grill for Father's Day. Happy Father's Day Chad! You are a great father to all 3 kids. Love you.


Whoah - what is this?


Wow, I just can't believe it.


Father's Day 2011

Campbell tries Soccer

I had been saving a very special pair of cleats, chin guards, soccer socks, and shorts in hopes that Campbell would be our soccer player. Cooper tried it, but along with all other "team" sports, it just wasn't her thing. The weather was always too hot, the kids were too rough, and as Cooper said there was too much running involved. So the time has finally arrived for Campbell to give soccer a try.

We dressed her up in full gear and turned her loose on the soccer field. Lucky for her the weather was nice (cooler) and the early evenings hours were an okay time for her mood. She did follow instructions and practice drills, but she is not aggressive enough to be in the mix of things. I think she'd rather be a cheerleader than a player. Oh well, at least she looked cute trying.


Let's do this!


Campbell practicing drills.


She'd rather use her hands than run after that ball.


Listening to her coach give instructions.

Girl Scout Camp

Two years ago there was a mother/daughter overnight Girl Scout camp that Cooper and I attended. The "camping" facilities left A LOT to be desired, but we still had a good time. So this year when a father/daughter overnight Girl Scout camp was being offered I happily signed Chad and Cooper up.

The ventured off to camp. This camp had a equestrian stable and training facility, so the girls were lucky enough to suit up and ride horses. Camp also included all of the basics: singing, cooking on a campfire, crafts, games, and of course sleeping outside under the stars. So if the "camping" facilities were bad at the camp Cooper and I went to, this camp had even less desirable facilities. While we had "permatents" with cots, at this camp there were no cots. And while we had to deal with daddy long leg spiders, this camp had huge ants crawling everywhere. Needless to say, after a few hours of killing ants and dealing with hot temps, Chad and Cooper went to sleep in the truck. Cooper finally fell asleep and Chad may have got an hour or so of rest. It was a long night.

All in all, it was a memory she won't forget. Chad is such a good dad to go out and brave the elements with his oldest daughter. Just wait until it's Campbell's turn.


Cooper and Chad loaded up and ready to go to camp.


Some necklaces Cooper made at camp.


Recycled paper filled with flower seeds. Just plant this paper and watch flowers grow.