4th of July - in Kansas City

"Everythin's up to date in Kansas City...

We went about as fer as we could go..."

I'm goofy enough to have even played this song from my ipod through the pickup's speakers as we drove into the city. (Nope, none of the other passengers enjoyed it as much as I did, and yep, I'm back to talking about our trip to Nauvoo again, one day at a time, and out of order.) We planned our trip to have a long hard day of driving the first day, which put us in Great Bend, KS sometime well after midnight. The benefit of that was we only had a four hour drive from there to Kansas City on July 4th, thus giving us time to have some Independence Day fun.

We stopped by my aunt and uncle's house in Shawnee first.

After getting some good ideas from them about where to go and

what to do - we did. Go, that is. First, we were all starving by then and we wanted to try out Kansas City barbeque. (We'd heard good things on the Food Channel!) The recommended restaurant

was Jack Stack's Barbeque.

Oh my gosh. I'll just say now - that's one of the reasons I'll be returning to Kansas City someday. It was so good and I'll never be able to look at a 4th of July barbeque the same way again. Here's just a "few" pics...it's hard for me to choose just a few when there's so many.

Jeffrey and Camille, Dakota and Darren all look happy to be there...Jamie doesn't. He's upset we made him order from the kids' menu. (He likes to order the biggest thing on the menu, but experience has taught us he can't finish it.)

We promised him he'd get the same thing but just a little less; he wasn't convinced.

"Come on Jamie...smile, even if it's fake!" :) And he did.

We all had a combination of pork ribs and/or short burnt ends (KC specialty) with a side of cheesy corn bake. So yummy.

(And Jamie ended up well satisfied and happy too.)

Kansas City is apparently famous for all the fountains all over the city. After dinner we took a walking tour of some of the fountains in the downtown area. We took lots of photos and even that was only a tiny fraction of what's out there. What we saw was cool,

and Justice took the

opportunity to raid of few of their coins, adding to his meager funds (until a bum chased him off). The best one was a in a courtyard with fountains shooting up which the kids could run through. We were actually a little surprised at how easily Dakota took to the water. He was drenched in two seconds flat and had the time of his life.

We happened to see some magnificent wildlife in the area...

I'm kidding! The huge elk statue at the Cabella's was pretty cool though. Also the ducks were real, and I thought they made a nice photo.

It was evening by then and we drove to Corporate Woods in Overland Park for the fireworks show. After making our way through a huge crowd of people we found one of the few spots of grass left and sat down to wait for the show to start. It wasn't dark yet but we passed the time pleasantly enough eating cracker jacks and funnel cake (again, yum!), and telling jokes from the Laffy Taffy wrappers. The fireworks started and we saw we couldn't have picked a better place to sit. Our view was up close and awesome - just the way we like it.

I could conclude by saying our day was a blast and it ended with a bang. I could, but I want to also mention that previously I wasn't looking

forward to spending the 4th of July away from home. It's my favorite holiday; I love the parade, going to the various activities, and ending with a cookout and watching the fireworks in our own backyard with friends and family. I figured I'd miss it. Instead, we had a wonderful day together as a family (except for Jeremy and Jonny), enjoying the 4th in a different city . We also enjoyed the fireworks even in spite of the hour plus wait to be able to leave the parking lot afterwards. I guess that gave me understanding of what everyone else goes through on the 4th when they come over to my house. So next year...my sympathies all, - come over anyway and the watermelon is on me! ;)

Perkins Reunion

This last Saturday, July 25th we went out to the Perkins Ranch for a family reunion. My Granddad, Ben Perkins lived at worked on the ranch his entire life. Now he's buried there, not far from the site of the original homestead. Many times when we were around him he was pretty grouchy. But to hear him tell it, "you would be too if you'd worked a dry farm in AZ your whole life." (Okay - I admit that's not an exact quote, but I swear it's close.) Were he still alive, he would have been 100 years this year, so a celebration of his life in the form of a family reunion was in order. Normally it would "just" be my Grandad and Grandma's (Ben and Cecelia's) family - meaning their ten children's families including my Dad's (mine). But this reunion was a little more special as all the descendants from Ben's father and mother were invited.

Rueben and Jane Perkins had thirteen children; my grandfather Ben being their youngest. They raised their family in a very small log home in Clay Springs, AZ less than a 1/4 mile from the home I myself was raised in. Our home had three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, and a complete kitchen all with modern appliances, electricity, and running water. (most of the time) My Great Grandmother certainly didn't have it so easy.

As part of the reunion a new little log cabin was dedicated in honor of my great-grandparents, the home they lived in, and the lives they led. My dad and his brothers this cabin the same size and in the exact place the original homestead stood. Although it is the same size, it was not meant to be a replica of the original house, but more of a monument. The modern metal roof shows the intention that this new cabin will remain standing long after we're gone.

I remember checking out the old homestead as a kid. It was in pretty bad shape then, with most of the roof missing, but was nevertheless quite fascinating. A couple of small lean-tos had been added to the cabin - a bedroom and kitchen I believe, but it was still hard to believe a family of thirteen could have occupied it comfortably - (and that was not counting grandchildren that would have come along.) I can remember looking up into the broken and falling loft, wondering about how many of the children would have had to sleep up there. When I was a kid the place looked quite tall and big enough I could imagine the family there. Now, from the perpective of an adult the one room cabin looks absolutely tiny.

As time went on the old cabin became too dangerous in its condition and what was left after the ravages of weather and the mischief of many boys on the ranch was torn down completely. All that remained was the fireplace and chimney. When my dad and uncles built the new cabin they repaired the original chimney using the original stone.

An old trunk and an iron bed remained in the ruins of the house and they too now have been repaired and have found a home again in the new cabin with a fresh coat of black paint and a new patchwork quilt made by my aunts. A cookstove was also added to the cabin and for display purposes, a loaf of my aunt's good homemade bread. It would have been a typical sight (and smell) in Grandma's house.

The family bathtub, however, hangs outside on the wall, and a little gravel path leads the way to another small house outback - fully functional I'm told although I resisted giving it a try. ;)

I don't regret not being born in the days of that original cabin, with it's lack of electricity, in floor heating system, insulation, swamp cooler, and just "room" - to be by oneself if wanted. I guess that's what the cedar trees were good for in addition to the hot fires they'd provide in the winter? I certainly feel lucky I live in a time and place where I can take a hot shower with a quick easy turn of a faucet handle, but I do recognize and appreciate that my ancestors lived a much simpler life and harder life.

Through it all they did raise a family I'm so proud to be a part of. I think my Granddads and Grandmas would be proud too - to see that their work and sweat and love of family and the gospel did pay off in a great and large posterity of good, hardworking, loving people, who are proud of their heritage also. I appreciate family reunions and the opportunities to hear stories about those that came before me, and to learn about the very real people they were. I'm so thankful for the examples they were to us and the traditions they left for us to carry on, including that of having and raising our children in the gospel. And yeah, from the nibbles I saw, a tradition of loving homemade bread too.

Wicked...and I couldn't be Happier

I'm going out of order here, but does it really matter? I just have to talk about one of the most fun nights I've ever had. Last Wenesday my friend Lori, our daughters, and Lori's cousin and my friend Erica all went to the Broadway show - (on Mill Avenue, not Broadway) - Wicked. We had been waiting for months for this day to arrive and were thrilled to be there. I really cannot begin to describe just how Awesome it was was! But I will try...

First, it's just so

fun doing something with great friends whose company you cherish. These women are people who make me laugh and feel happier

just from being in their company.

And I'm just crazy about my daughter Camille. She is so fun to hang out with and although I miss having a little girl, I adore the young lady she is now. We'd already spent a good day of shopping together and were so excited and happy to finally be at the main event.

I had been singing and memorizing the songs from the Wicked Soundtrack for months now so I thought I had a pretty good idea what it was I would be seeing onstage. It was even better than I could have imagined. Within the first couple of scenes my perception of the Galinda character had been so altered I actually wanted to be her! We were entranced by the performances of both the main characters as well as those performing in the other roles. At one point in the first act Elphaba was performing a solo and had such magnificent command of the stage as her voice carried throughout the auditorium I had to turn to Camille and tell her I just felt like crying it was so good. And I nearly did.

Something I wasn't expecting was the humor and all the jokes we heard. Galinda had most of the best lines, including "It seems the artichoke is steamed" and one of my favorites, "Well, there has been much rumor and speculation...innuendo, outuendo..." I'll certainly need to go see Wicked at least three or four times more just to catch all of the Ozisms and tongue in cheek jokes.

Costuming is another thing I notice, having helped with the costuming of three of the last musicals our school has put on. Can I just say WOW!? Every odd shaped outfit down to the buttons was amazing. The hats, wigs, shoes, bustles were all Ozzy crazy; each little detail being so important to the overall look. Galinda's outfits were stunning, of course, and her main gown was simply gorgeous - (nothing "simply" about it really). Camille wants it for her prom dress! Hah!

Toward the end of the show is a song sung by Elphaba and Galinda called "For Good." They agree that each of their lives was better for having known the other. I reflected on that and all the people who have affected my life for good, and in the words of Galinda, "I've had so many..." I think of a High School Government teacher, Mr. F, who shared his knowledge, teaching me so much about the world I lived in then and today. I think of a mentor and friend, C., who inspired and encouraged me to act on interests and talents I'd thought long forgotten. I think of my Grandma and her great example to me of love, unselfishness, faith, and strength through adversity. I think of Starr and her friendship to me in good and difficult days. And then I

wonder about the reverse. Have I been a good teacher, example, and friend to others? Am I doing anything to affect someone's life "for good"?

The first act ends with another inspiring song, "Defying Gravity." After the play my friends and I talked about what it means to defy gravity, - aside from actually flying on a broom which none of us has mastered - yet. (I do admit to being witchy enough to fit the hat and broom however! heehee!) But what we came to realize was that none of us have to be held down or limited by what others expect us to be, or indeed - what we ourselves, believe us to capable of. We can shed negativity and low expectations, and we can fly - figuratively.

I enjoyed this night so much and the company I experienced it with couldn't have been better. I'll continue to sing Wicked songs and quote wicked phrases a long time from now, and I'll never forget the one short night of good Wickedness with good friends.

Are we there yet?

I believe any family who has taken their children on a trip or vacation somewhere has probably at some point in the travels heard the words, "Are we there yet?" In our family that oft heard phrase has been slightly altered to "Are we at the vacation yet?" Never mind that we might already be hundreds of miles from home by that point. I think they've looked at our vacations as more of a destination than an actual ongoing event. I've seen my husband look back through his rearview mirror at certain repeat offenders and firmly declare, "This is it! We're on vacation." He even plans things to see and do along the way in addition to spontaneous stops that make things interesting and enjoyable as we travel. But no, until we reach the ultimate destination of that trip, they don't seem to accept we're "to the vacation."

In thinking about that phrase, "Are we to the vacation yet?," I've asked myself if that is like me - living my life. Have you ever wondered at times when you would get to the happy times, or an easier time of life. I'm sure I have. Do we ever think if we could just get over that hill - perhaps a financial, health-related, or emotional struggle, or just travel on to another state - like reaching the magical ages 14, 16 and so forth, or maybe seeing your kids grow old enough for school, or even to leave home, that then at last you could relax and enjoy arriving... somewhere? And in that search for the happy times - of our imagination perhaps, are we missing wonderful, happy moments which are going on right this minute, today, here and now? It's something to think about.

Meanwhile, we did take the kids on another vacation, leaving home on July 3rd with our main destination being a family reunion held in Nauvoo, Illinois. (Cody was so cute as he kept saying, "I want to go to Naboo.") Here we are traveling Webb-style as we always do, with half the kids in the back where they can lay down and watch videos...and fight? No...never!

The stowaway that doesn't quite look like a Webb is Shadeen Bryant, Cami's friend, who came along to have fun with us. We left fairly early - for us that is, having breakfast of danishes and juice in the pickup.

This is one of those spontaneous stops I mentioned. Sometimes when someone has to go...you have to stop! Take notice of the New Mexico border sign. Although we crossed many other state lines and had better intentions, this ended up being the only one photographed.

The rest of us waited a bit longer until we reached this rest stop with a neat looking window in the rock. It would probably look really cool if the sun was shining down through it just right...

See, there I go again, not appreciating fully or stating that what we did see looked pretty darn awesome!

The last fun stop of the day was in Liberal, KS at 1 Yellowbrick Rd. A trip through Kansas has to include a stop at Dorothy's house, complete with yellow brick road. Dorothy also spent a lot of time searching for something, only to find she had

it with her the entire time.

Darren and I do like to travel, seeing new places and doing different things, but what really makes trips - and our life enjoyable are the people we have with us along the way...our family.