Days 350-352: All kinds of holidays

This weekend we experienced both ends of the spectrum when it came to holiday parties – from the bar scene to church, and from the young to the old. Friday evening Jerod and I went to his work holiday party at Howl at the Moon Piano Bar. Bright and early Saturday morning we made the drive to his parents’ house to celebrate four Christmases. (Gift opening with immediate family, Christmas with Grandma, a Christmas concert, and a celebration with extended family.) Here are my favorite photos from each day.

You've gotta love the expression on the face of Jerod's coworker. I'm not sure if this was chance or if he saw me taking the photo, but it's perfect!
Our sweet, yet ornery nephew Caleb was excited to open Christmas presents this year.
Grandma Verle opens her pj's with a smile. After Jerod's Grandpa passed away last year, she's had to live in a nursing home.

Days 329-330: Seven Days of Thankfulness (Days 5-6)

My  husband and I celebrated Thanksgiving with our families on Friday and Saturday. That’s why I’m thankful for our big, extended families and all the time we have together. I have seven cousins and 18 second cousins. Nine kids running around, playing, and decorating cookies at my parents’ house was definitely loud and entertaining, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! And my husband has three siblings, so we have a big immediate family on his side. They had me take a family photo yesterday – the first official family photo that included me and our 2-year-old nephew.

My sister laughs and watches my little cousins play on the chaotic bed.
The Rhodes family photo - my husband's parents, three siblings, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, him, and me.

Day 323: Fall Family Portraits

I had a great time shooting family portraits Saturday morning. The family joked around, laughed constantly, and willingly tried some of my goofy portrait ideas. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did!

Family portraits at Antioch Park
Family portraits at Antioch Park
Family portraits at Antioch Park

 

Family portraits at Antioch Park
Family Portraits at Antioch Park

 

Days 260-262: Birthdays X’s Three

Big surprise … we were on the go this weekend again. Friday evening we stopped by a tattoo parlor to get a price quote, because my husband and his brother are getting tattoos for their birthdays here in a few weeks. Saturday we drove down to Joplin, Mo. to see Jerod’s friend’s new baby girl, Tynlie, who was born that morning. After a short visit, we went to a bonfire at a family friend’s house in Southeast Kansas. Sunday we celebrated Jerod and Jacob’s birthdays with the family. (Did you know Jerod is a twin?)  As usual, we were thoroughly entertained by his niece and nephew. After a long weekend we finally made it home by 10 p.m. Sunday evening, just in time for bed.

Artistic graffiti covers the outside of Freak's Tattoo parlor in North Kansas City.
Baby Tynlie, just a few hours after being born. They say she has her dad's ears.
Beth and Caleb, our niece and nephew, have a blast spinning in a computer chair. Kids are so easily entertained.

 

Days 253-255: Ten Years Ago…

This weekend everyone was talking about where they were ten years ago during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. I was sitting in junior history class when we first heard the news. The school had just installed controversial TV’s in all the classrooms, and that day was probably the most important day to have them. We still went to all of our classes that day, but we mostly stared at the TV’s in awe and shock. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years. My heart still goes out to all of those involved. Things have definitely changed over the last ten years.

 

Ten years ago, the Kansas City Power & Light District hadn’t been built. It has really changed the feel of downtown Kansas City.

Friday evening we enjoyed a Happy Hour at Maker's Mark at the P&L District.

 

Ten years ago, this child wasn’t alive. In fact, his parents probably weren’t even dating yet.

My cousin's toddler, Izac, plays basketball during a family get-together on Saturday. We had so much fun spending the day outside & catching up.

 

Ten years ago, the people at Platte Woods United Methodist probably had very different issues on their minds.

In honor of Sept. 11, my church, along with the Methodist churches across Missouri, participated in volunteer projects all weekend long. Our church packed 240,000(!) Numana meals for the 3 million starving people in Colombia, South America.

Days 239-240: Family Fun in T-Town

This weekend we hung out in Topeka to celebrate my sister’s birthday. I’ll be nice and not tell the whole world how old she is. 🙂

My sister Amy opening gifts for her birthday as her 8-year-old son watches.
Playing a game of family croquet at Gage Park.

Days 126-128: Cupcakes and Moms

We were excited to attend Food Truck Friday, but when we arrived at 6:30, the lines snaked all around the lot. Most vendors had already crossed the majority of the food off the list, so we decided to get in line for 3 Girls Cupcakes and get our dinner somewhere else. We finally made it to the front of the line – with only 3 cupcakes left in vanilla, vanilla – and about 100 people in line behind us. It was a fun experience, but I’m not sure it was worth 40 minutes in line and the $3 spent for a plain vanilla cupcake. We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out in Southeast Kansas with Jerod’s family, then we met my family for lunch on Sunday for Mother’s Day.

Food Truck Friday was definitely a success!
Our niece Beth and nephew Caleb playing outside.
The moon shone bright in Southeast KS late Saturday night.