exploration place

We went to the coolest children's museum this weekend. We took the kiddos out of school on Friday to spend some quality time with the grandparents. Its always good to see them, but it was really nice to spend more than a few hours this time. Mom and I went shopping on Friday (big suprise) and we spent the day at Exploration Place with Grandpa on Saturday. The museum was huge, and full of adventures. There was a castle with dress up clothes two stories tall. There was a section full of brain teasers...that's the section where we lost Grandpa and Dad. The kids loved the section on Kansas weather, espesially the story tall tornado simulator where you can actually touch the tornado. Will had an in depth conversation with the meteorologist about weather web sites they use (like this one). I think grandpa liked the Boeing plane exhibit the best beacause they had simulators for a variety of planes and a wall covered with tiny metal pieces that would move wit the wind. He said he could have stayed there all day. By the way, he crashd and burned in ALL of the simulators. We're really glad he's a chaplain. Thanks for the great time grandma and grandpa. We sure love you guys. Good luck and God's speed to you dad on your journey.

Gathering for Peace

Last post in reference to last weekened I promise! Now that we are quickly approaching the next weekend. I was proud to attend the Gathering for Peace at St. Paul's in Wichita last Sunday. What a great event. I have always been proud of my dad, but never more so than right now. He is an amazing man with a sense of duty and compassion rarely found these days. I can't say that I am not going to miss him terribly, but I know that the country of Iraq and the soldiers over there will be better off with him there. I know he will make an impact, as he always does. This prayer sums it up:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. St Francis of Assisi

Good luck and God speed Dad. Be a credit!

world famous topeka zoo

One of our adventures this weekend was to the "World Famous Topeka Zoo". Mind you, I think it takes 15 minutes to walk through this zoo even when you are impersonating a turtle. Much to our suprise it was a special day at the zoo when they were celebrating the Capital Journal's City of Character campaign. They set up an inflatable slide, moon walk, games, free cotton candy, and prizes. Parker was particularly impressed wit the face painting. He kept telling everyone there was a puppy walking on his face. The giraffe mask was a favorite as well. Our lask of enthusiasm was greeted with fun games, prizes, and blue cotton candy. On top of that, the animals were actually pretty frisky this weekened. The bears were awake and wondering around. The eagles were flying in their aviaries. Even the hippos were walking in and out of their water...their hard to find in the murky water on a usual day. The real suprise was the lion's cage. This lioness was lounging right in front of the window when we went in. Abby sat for this picture (doesn't the lion look like she's posing?) thinking it was really cool. Moments later she stretched and yawned - I have never seen Abby move so quickly. Just goes to show how much fun a zoo can be...even the Topeka zoo. It was pretty world famous this weekened...at least to three little kids in my family.

It is simply amazing to me how much pne family can do in a weekend. And Will was working! I think I may still have to blog one more day this week just to chronicle this past weekend.

high flying weekend

This weekend was sooo crazy, I actually had to pick a theme for this blog. We had more people in and out of town-including us-this weekend. A visit from grandparents, aunts and uncles (the wisconsin variety) along with my favorite Fulton nephew (and his parents) staying in my guest room. A "quick" trip to Wichita for grandpa's "Gathering for Peace" and mom's 60th birthday rounded out by the worst storm I have ever driven through finished off our weekend circus adventure. So you see why I had to pick a theme ( today's is flying). Posts may dribble out all week just to recap the past two days. Bubby pushed the boys on the swingset for so long on Friday night I thought his arms were going to fly off. Do you remember the sensation of flying when someone else pushed you on a swing? The complete trust you have in someone to throw you into the air?

Abby is usually my conservative "never do anything dangerous" child. The child who is literally afraid of everything. When I turned around and saw her JUMPING down a 20 ft inflatable slide I about lost my lunch. I honestly had to look twice. She had to have gone down 15 times that way. What fun to fly down a slide! Even (or especially) if its freaking your mom out.

I love this picture. Parker loves nothing better than jumping with his dad. I didn't realize how high they were going until I looked the picture. Busy weekends are like flying. Trying to keep all of the balls in the air with a smile on your face.

easter blessings

Easter day was a busy day, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. The kids and I attended services at St. David's in Topeka. Amazing. The spirit was beyond description. Morgans' long lost red headed twin Daniel was there with his family along with a thousand people I didn't know. I have never seen that church full, and it was beyond full. The brass, the singing, the spirit...ah man it was cool. Once church was over, we made the drive down to Wichita. It simply wouldn't be Easter without an egg hunt with Grandma and Grandpa. Mom made an amazing dinner and I can never spend enough time with my family. I wish Will hadn't been working. I can't imagine celebrating the resurrection of our Lord in any other way. Basking in the love and grace of Christ in the arms of your family. Cool. Really cool.

fun in cali

As many of you know I ventured to the left coast last week. It was god to get away and recharge my batteries. I missed my little ones and my fella an awful lot while I was gone. The weather was cool, the smog was awful, and the company was amazing. I had the chance to experience a few things that I had forgotten about. Eating without ordering and feeding three other people. Getting a pedicure. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. I loved spending time with my best friend, she even indulged me in a few tourist attractions. We drove through the Hollywood Hills one day (beautiful) and spent time on the beach. The food was unbelievable. I had fabulous sushi at a returaunt on the beach, eggplant lasagna (made by nat), and some of the best mexican food ever! I know California is where all the beautiful people are, but Kansas is where my people are. I saw the snakes of fire from range buring as I flew into KCI, and I knew I was home.

Palm Sunday

And what a gloriuos Palm Sunday it has been! We started our day at St. David's this morning by parading along with several other area churches to the blessing of the palms. "Fred" and all of his weirdos were out to protest in full force. It is amazing to see how many different people from different faiths can come together to celebrate the life of Christ.

The girls marched down to the palm blessing with the childrens choir. They were awesome today. It is a group of all girls and I swear they sound like angels. Might be a little biased, but they really are very good!

This is only a small view of the crowd. I have no idea on the numbers, but I would say this was about a quarter of the crowd. The group marched back into the sancuary at the church to "All Glory Laud and Honor" pipe organ blaring. It was amazing - gave me chills.

A day like today is two sided. We come together in joy and anticipation with our Hosanas and Glorias. But in truth today is the first day of holy week. A week to remember what Christ gave for us. To bind together in his love. To go through the somber services of Maunday Thursday and Good Friday. Peace and grace be wit you as we enetr into this week.

God in a storm

God reveals his awesome power during thunderstorms in the midwest. Last night we had a doozy. The raw power and force behind a thunderstorm with all of its noise and lights and rain and hail. But right in the middle of the storm we had a break. I stepped outside and saw this. Rays of light shining through the storm. I was almost reduced to tears. The picture doesn't do it justice. Even through the storms of our lives, Christ is there with his peace and grace and mercy. Thanks for the reminder.

Fulton Family Weekend

What a weekend! It was amazing! We have been blessed the past two weekends with our families. Ben, Janielle and David came in from Lindsborg. Mom and dad drove up from Wichita, and Clark and Kerry came Friday night from Columbia. We haven't all been together since Christmas! Little David has gotten sooooo big and he is now able to play with his cousins.



Love this picture, because we love us some Eddys. There is something about a sister that you simply cannot replace. Thanks for coming K-bear.


Without any prior coordination all men over 25 wore yellow shirts yesterday. They look like a bunch of Easter Eggs! Handsome ones I might add. Check Clarks shirt too. As Janielle would say, "yellow is the color of wonderful". I love being able to eat outside this time of year. Before the bugs and the blistering heat. I think we may have spent about an hour inside all day!




The toy of choice for big kids and little kids was the new trampoline. Ben went running to the backyard as soon as he pulled in. And he's going to be 30 this year , right? Got a few pics of Kerry and Ben and the kids in mid air! Even David and Grandma got in on the fun. Thanks for coming everyone...it doesn't get any better.