May 15th

old barns dot the landscape......

A wonderful day at Kara's with she and Mark.  An added bonus that Amanda, my niece, is home from college and we get to hang out with her, also.....Kale has school but will be home in the afternoon.  Last night Pam stepped off of the curb and hurt her foot again  so today she is propped up in Kara's bed with an ice pack and the tv remote control for the day.  We are praying that the rest and ice will help it to be better in a day or so.

Kara, Mark, the kids and I drove about 25 min to Marion, KS to the hangar that Mark stores his plane in.  It is a really cute small private airport in the middle of the wheat fields.  We went flying with Mark in his Piper Pacer 125 plane.....Christian was absolutely THRILLED!! He got to go up twice and he had so much fun....Mark let him fly the plane and he was just too exhilarated about it......this hasbeen the best day of his life!!!  Mark wants to try to take him up again tomorrow if it is not to windy....we'll see.  Uncle Mark has been fabulous with him....it is obvious that they have a lot in common and that Mark enjoys Christian.  Christian feels the same way!  Uncle Mark has taken him under his wing so to speak and I love seeing that.  Thanks Mark, for loving my boy. 

Uncle Mark gives pre-flight instructions and engine check

When I went up, Mark showed me the wheat fields from above, the manmade lakes (there are no natural lakes in Kansas), the roads (all laid out in north to south and east to west directions) and farms. It looks like a giant patch work quilt.....

views from the plane...looking out over the kansas plains

the roads look like ribbons..that is the extent of the hills in Kansas

Gracie and Brookie peek out of the windows

Co-pilot Madison is at the controls

Pilot Uncle Mark and his willing passengers

Christian was thrilled to get to ride first!!

and liftoff.....

We drove in the middle of nowhere to come back, on county roads that just go forever in the distance ....kansas is different than I thought it would be, flat with small rises but very green and lush.  There are corn and wheat fields on every side.....actually very pretty and peaceful....

wheat fields are everywhere you look in Kansas

Pam's foot wasn't really better, so when we got back from flying we took her to the urgent care for her foot....xrays and exam and still not sure if there is new break or just a severe strain so she is back in a boot for now and I am the primary driver.....I feel bummed for her to be in so much pain.  It has put a little damper on our Kansas stay but it has forced us to take it easy and rest a little.....that is always a good thing.

Mark and the kids made a yummy baked ziti for dinner.......we had a nice night of fellowship and relaxation.