January Fun at Thielenville

Hallie and Anna wore Nancy's hat because they thought it was an artist's hat. So when they were drawing and coloring, they took turns wearing the hat for inspiration. Hallie's other inspiration is her favorite companion - Mickey Mouse.

Sweet Hallie

Anna at work

Sweet Anna

More of the artist at work

Even artists get injured once in a while.

While the girls spent time in the bouncer, Garrett and Sam farmed in the corn box in Matt and Lori's basement.

Anna bounced off her head in the bouncer.

Sweet Hallie in the bouncer

Anna in the Bouncer in Matt and Lori's basement

It was a hair raising experience for Hallie.

For some unknown reason, Nancy wanted me to pose with this book.

Matt and Lori hosted us on Saturday night for pork loin and home-made french fries. After supper, Garrett enjoyed an ice-cream cone.

Dress-up games are always high priority for Anna and Hallie.

On Saturday morning, we attended a pancake feed at the Senior Center in Wilson. After breakfast, the kids watched TV on the television that we bought for the Senior Center using Dad's memorial fund. Mom eats her weekday lunches there.

The girls: Anna, Brooklyn and Hallie

Sam was tickled to hold Brooklyn.

I love this photo! Sam holding Brooklyn with Anna making faces behind them and Hallie crawling on the couch.

Sister Debbie

Hallie and Brooklyn's mom Lori

Sweet Nancy

Anna being Anna

Susan being Susan

Hallie

Sam

Joyce and Hallie discussed the K-State/KU basketball game. Unfortunately, Joyce's team won.

Garrett prepared his pancake and then ate the whole thing.

Debbie made Brooklyn a quilt and an extra little wall hanging. Yes, Debbie is THAT talented.

Countdown to Fun

• Valentine's Day - 19 days
• Daytona 500 - 19 days
• Nancy's Birthday - 38 days
  
• Spring Break - 45 days
• Opening Day Baseball - 68 days
• School of Leadership Studies Building Dedication - 80 days
• Mother's Day - 104 days
• Memorial Day - 126 days
  

Candi's birthday party in KC

The Hironaka sisters - Candi's sisters flew to KC to join us in celebrating Candi's 60th birthday on Saturday night. Linda lives in San Antonio and Janice flew in from Denver. We met at McCormick and Schmick's on the Plaza in KC for dinner and fun. Many of us spent the night and had breakfast together at the Classic Cup.

The young ones - Tamara and Trisha

The wise ones - Susan and Nancy

Gayle and Tamara

Monica, or Mumbey as she is known in Kenya. Monica and Trisha just returned from a trip to Kenya. The locals called Monica - Mumbey, which means something similar to someone who knows much. That's Monica - she knows more about K-State and how things work than anyone. They also called her 'the oldest female elephant' because she takes care of everyone. Monica didn't think it was a compliment to be called the oldest female elephant, but to the Kenyans, it was a huge compliment.

Elaine and Candi - Notice the chocolate bag on Candi's plate. For those of you who have eaten at McCormick and Schmick's, you know how good that dessert is. It is a chocolate bag (like a brown paper basket) that has mousse, strawberries and other goodies in it. It is surrounded by raspberries, blueberries and more mousse. Candi's friend from Oregon called the restaurant and had it and a bottle of champagne delivered to the table as a gift. That is quite the friend!

Tamara and Candi at breakfast

Trish and Gayle

Sweet, sweet Emily Kate

Little miss Emily Kate

Emily

Kisses from big sister Natalie and daddy John

Smiles all the way around

I love this photo - Natalie doesn't fake sleeping very well.

Emily and her great-grandma Siefers

She's a star!

Great grandma Siefers is the best baby holder in the world. She performed her magic during her first visit with Emily. Nobody can put a baby asleep like great-grandma Siefers.

Candi's birthday and the new Leadership Studies building

Happy B-day Candi! She is sitting in her brand new office in the new building.

We had a retreat on Wednesday at the new building - I will never get tired of saying our new building so get used to it. Anyway, this photo has about half of our team in it. The rest were either at other meetings or not feeling well or in the bathroom. Left to right: Mike, Sue, Trish Mary, Marcia, Olivia, Gilbert, Candi Dorothy, MK, Thea and Oscar.

We have a staff tradition to gather for a group 'subarashi' at the end of our meetings. Subarashi means marvelous or fantastic.

I love Gilbert's smile.

Mary and Candi - as you can tell the building is not quite finished. We have moved in, but will not have classes in the building for a couple more weeks. Notice the cords hanging out of the wall, that is for a flat screen monitor.

Hollar - Mike Finnegan