My dash -

Grandpa and Grandma's last Sunday in Houstonia...

In the upper left hand corner of this picture there
are two boots on the wall. They have been there
since I was child. I think it has something to do with
birthdays but I always remembered these being on
the wall there...yes, the weird stuff I remember!

Grandpa serving communion for the last time
in Houstonia. Everything was very emotional.

There was a dinner for Grandpa and Grandma
after church! Gotta love pot lucks!

Ah...

We can't be serious ALL day!

Brian and his sis!

Grandpa and Grandma with all their kids! L to R
Susanne, Grandma, Marilyn, Grandpa, Mom, and Uncle John.

Grandpa and Grandma...hand in hand...

The Varner clan...

Relaxing on a Sunday afternoon on the front porch
Grandpa Grandma and Kayla

Joshua and Brian showing their grills:) I love it
when Joshua makes mean faces!

I remember sleeping on this porch swing one night.
Many hours I can't even begin to fathom were spent out
on their front porch. So sad...so many changes! There
hasn't been a Christmas that I wasn't at Grandpa and
Grandma Smiley's. Many, many Easter's and Homecoming's.

I had to include this picture...only in Houstonia MO!!!
You better STOP cause there's nowhere else! I'm going to
miss this place and certainly Grandpa and Grandma being there!

Community Reception for Grandpa and Grandma Smiley...

There was a reception for my grandparents the weekend
before their last Sunday in Houstonia. I got there
fashionably late but I was still able to see Judy,
who use to work at the Post Office. Grandpa and
Grandma looked great! I can't imagine what it would be
like to leave home after so many years. They gave so much
to the community and it was neat to see the community give
back by attending.

Garage Sale Time!!!

We had quite the collection of crap this year!

Lisa's curtain collection...oh so nicely displayed!

And quite the holiday table I must say!

Oh look! More crap!

Everyone is home!!!

Because of Ryan's graduation, my brother Steve
and his wife and two children were able to come back
to Kansas for a visit. Max and Joshua playing at
Chuck E Cheese! They both did very well at this game!

The "WHAC" game. Max enjoyed this game also!

Have you ever observed two kids that aren't quite sure
what to think...well here you go! Kayla and Max
taking a ride at Chuck Cheese!

Grandpa thought this was a lot more fun then Kayla
did. She was ready to get off the ride before it even started.
Mommy came to the rescue!

I think this earned the "most retarted" prize game at
Chuck E Cheese. Ryan smacked fly after fly and then
after all that hard work it spit out 2 tickets. That sucks!

It is interesting to observe how family outings
change over the years...we all had a good time and
that is all that matters! It really is fun to see the
kids having fun!

Happy Graduation!

Where's Ryan???

Joshua and Autn Bem chilling at Graduation. It
was quite lengthy!

Topeka High Class of 2008!

Getting ready to get his diploma!

Hats off to the Senior Class of 2008! Way to go Ryan!

Happy Graduation Ryan!!!

Slowly but surely I am going to get my blog updated
if it is the last thing I do this week! Ryan and I "getting
things ready" the night before his graduation party.

There were A LOT of visitors and it was a ton
of fun to host the party!

Ryan and his little sis! I am so proud of you!

Ryan, Brian and Me!

Mom and Dad with their last baby to graduate!
Ryan, Congrats Grad 2008!

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

Sunday was Stevo's birthday. We went
to Kansas City for the evening/night...
long story but we didn't end up staying there
Look how excited he is to be turning 32!

Steve's parents are in Thailand for
the month so we celebrated at Michelle
and Davon's house with his brother
Clifton and his girlfriend Kailey. Michelle
made a german chocolate cake with coconut
pecan icing and it was really yummy!

Walter loves to smile for me!

Steve eating his "small" piece of cake!

Why is this so cute???

Clifton and Kailey. Her birthday was

on Thursday so we celebrated that too!

Happy birthday baby!

p.s. I hope you like you phone!

Why being an aunt totally rocks...

I came home from class on Monday
night and I was wondering how all
these sticks found their way back on
my sidewalk since I cleaned it off the
day before. Then I realized there was
a very special message from J and K

Talk about totally making my day!

I love you too Joshua and Kayla!
I am so glad you guys are here! When
are you going to let Joshua spend the
night???

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers...

I simiply LOVE this time of year.
Too pretty to not take a picture...

My flowerbed in the front yard...

I was messing around with my camera
and took this cool picture...

Good Morning!!!

This morning when the alarm clock
went off at 5:30 I felt as though I had just
shut my eyes a few minutes prior! This
morning reminded how much I LOVE
to get up early! NOT!!!
I realized how unproductive I am in
the morning even with 44 onuces of
Coke in me! Hats off to all you morning
people...I aspire to be like you someday!

An opportunity...

I received a call late last week from
an instructor that I greatly respect.
After doing some reflecting I realized
the handprints she has made in my
life. She extended an opportunity for
me to do an internship with her a couple
years ago and when I wan't looking for
a new job I got a call. She ran across a
job and she said it had my name written
all over it! After looking at the job
description I would have to agree. I am
taking the "go until the door is closed"
approach on this. There are so many things
I love about my current job and I LOVE
getting comfortable and that is exactly
where I am at. I have started my cover
letter about 500 times and can't get it to
the "perfect" stage. So I thought that maybe
if I posted about it I would magically get
inspired to finish it up before I have to be
at work in 6 hours!!!!

Topeka High Prom April 2008

Tonight was Prom and it was fun
helping Tess and Ryan get ready...
Tess had State competiton this
morning and didn't get back until
late so I did her hair when she got
back. She cracks me up. I asked her
what she wanted and she said "a bun"
so I asked her if she wanted a tight
bun, a loose bun, what... She said
kind of tight but loose:) I hope she
liked it!

Redneck gone modern...yep that is
camo! It looked really good and only
special people like Ryan and Tess could
pull this off. Tess put camo tape on
her shoes. She also made a boutonniere
out of camo duck tape. I was VERY impressed!