Jellybean, Iola, KS, United States

MamiTig Posted May 27, 2011, 11:27 pm	Jellybean encounters her first earth species... human! Then she encounters her second earth species: Dog. Jellybean determines that the human is much more predictable and gentle than the dog! To recover energy after meeting dog, Jellybean is introduced to a delicious earth food; waffles.
MamiTig Posted May 27, 2011, 11:51 pm	Jellybean met up with her friends, OmNomNom and Quibble, and went on an adventure! They ended up at the Public Library in Iola, KS! Jellybean was in heaven with all of those lovely books. She thought the one titled "Target Earth" sounded especially interesting!
MamiTig Posted May 29, 2011, 4:52 am	Today, Jellybean traveled with her human family to the Great Plains Mall in Olathe, KS! Jellybean found just the place she was looking for, to investigate more earth species... a pet shop!
MamiTig Posted May 29, 2011, 5:14 am	At the pet shop, Jellybean encountered several new species! She met a rabbit, a starfish and some assorted saltwater fish, a sugar glider, a frog, a bearded dragon, a snake, and coral (with a little blue fish hiding in the reef).
MamiTig Posted May 29, 2011, 5:18 am	The next place Jellybean visited was a firefighter museum, tucked in a little corner of the Great Plains Mall. Jellybean got to climb on a firetruck, learn about the bravery of firefighters, see rescue equipment, and investigate hose/pump equipment.
MamiTig Posted May 29, 2011, 5:27 am	The next stop in today's travel's was Hancock Fabrics, to check out their Memorial Day weekend sales event. Jellybean browsed through pattern books, and got to meet a family friend, Anthony, who met up with us there.
MamiTig Posted May 29, 2011, 5:32 am	After shopping and visiting, it was time for eating! Jellybean got to learn about the deliciousness that is Red Robin! She got to sample chocolate milk, the bottomless fries, a veggie burger, and pizza.
MamiTig Posted May 29, 2011, 2:36 pm	Jellybean got up bright and early this morning and decided to explore the environment around the house she is sharing with her humans. She found some amazing mushrooms, then took time to smell the flowers! She had hoped to meet the species called "birds" and waited for them to come and bathe, but she must have frightened them away!
MamiTig Posted May 30, 2011, 4:16 am	Jellybean got to see what this earth family does on birthdays! Jellybean went to El Charro, the family's favorite Mexican restaurant and got to sample chips and salsa, fajita quesadilla, and then see what happens when they sing the birthday song (the kids call this the tradition of "ice cream up your nose"). Jellybean couldn't resist inspecting the sombrero!
MamiTig Posted May 30, 2011, 4:22 am	Jellybean got to enjoy the tradition of presents and cake on birthdays! Jellybean admired the pretty wrapping paper and gave her approval to the alien pizza kit. The zombie kind of surprised her, oh my! She thought the cheesecake looked really delicious, and the candles were really nice.
MamiTig Posted May 30, 2011, 10:00 pm	Jellybean was so excited to encounter another species: cat! This white, fluffy cat is named Biscuit! Then, Jellybean met a baby chinchilla named Farkle. Jellybean has now met eleven earth species!!
MamiTig Posted May 30, 2011, 10:11 pm	Jellybean went for a ride in the country with his earth family today. They saw some oil tanks, and Jellybean couldn't resist taking a closer look at the flowers. The view down the country lanes was lovely, and the creeks were flowing high.
MamiTig Posted Jun 1, 2011, 2:07 am	Jellybean was very excited to welcome Sam sam, a TV from the UK, to our home! Sam came with delicious candies to share Sam and Jellybean went with their host family to another family's house for dinner, with lots of kids and fun. They had vegetarian taco salad.
MamiTig Posted Jun 2, 2011, 3:23 am	Jellybean visited Wal-mart. Since it's the only place in town to buy groceries, his earth family goes there often.
MamiTig Posted Jun 2, 2011, 3:30 am	Jellybean and Sam visited the Cottonwood Gardens today! It's a lovely garden that used to be a vacant lot. Someone purchased it, turned it into a lovely garden, then donated it to the city. It makes a very lovely place for pictures in the spring.
MamiTig Posted Jun 3, 2011, 3:35 am	Jellybean rode to Garnett, KS with Sam and his earth mom today. She works in Garnett on Mondays and Thursdays. They stopped at the town square and admired the court house before going to her favorite local haunt, the fabric store. A very nice lady cut their fabric (for a quilt backing) and showed some idea books. Sam and Jellybean explored all of the lovely fabrics!
MamiTig Posted Jun 3, 2011, 3:37 am	Jellybean was so happy to see his earth family's kids run through their dance recital routines today! The little acrobat was so happy to see him that she did not want to let go, other than when she was on stage!
MamiTig Posted Jun 3, 2011, 6:47 pm	Jellybean wondered what's for breakfast on a typical weekday morning at his earth family's house: strong coffee, cereal, and plain yogurt!
MamiTig Posted Jun 4, 2011, 5:18 am	Jellybean's earth family told him that tonight is opening night for dance recital! That sounded sooo exciting; Jellybean couldn't hardly wait. First, the kids showed him the stage... it seemed so big and full of anticipation, waiting for the performance to begin. Next, he went back stage to the dressing room and watched S. prep her hair and make-up for ballet. Then he wandered out in the hall to learn about the tradition of break a leg gifts. He had fun hanging out back stage with all of the dancers!
MamiTig Posted Jun 4, 2011, 3:56 pm	Earth mom said she was making pancakes for breakfast today, so Jellybean was VERY curious! She got a recipe online, then modified it by adding some raisins that had been soaked in vanilla and milk. She said that was to plump them up. The batter looked nice and rich, and she poured nice circles of it on the griddle to cook. Then it was served with maple syrup. J. shared with Jellybean and it was delicious!
MamiTig Posted Jun 5, 2011, 9:42 pm	Grandma and grandpa flew out to visit from Maryland, and while the rest of the family went to church, Jellybean went to Diebolt Lumber with Grandma, Grandpa, S., and Sam to buy parts to repair some things, and to look at all the cool stuff! Jellybean and Sam got fascinated with the paint colors and Jellybean decided her favorites were greens!
MamiTig Posted Jun 7, 2011, 5:07 am	Jellybean wanted me to make sure that I didn't forget to post the two pictures I took of him at the Classique dance studio's dress rehearsal for recital. Here, he waits for the curtain to rise, then enjoys the opening act!
MamiTig Posted Jun 7, 2011, 5:13 am	Jellybean was very excited to go on his first picnic in the park! He got to eat cheese sandwiches with the earth family, then learned about softball and crazy eights.
MamiTig Posted Jun 7, 2011, 5:28 am	Jellybean got very excited when the earth family announced they were going to visit Arnold's Greenhouse because finding plants for the garden sounded like fun! Jellybean enjoyed looking at all of the herbs, vegetables, and planters. He especially loved the beautiful hollyhock growing in the display garden outside.
MamiTig Posted Jun 8, 2011, 3:45 am	Today was the day to plant the garden! Jellybean's earth family told her that it's later than they would have preferred to start, but the garden plot flooded several times. The kind folks who run the community garden added extra mulch and soil on top, so it should be good to plant now. The family has three plots this year. Jellybean cheerfully learned about how to plant earth gardens. He looks forward to learning about earth gardens and how earth plants grow. If you want to see more pictures, you can click here!
MamiTig Posted Jun 8, 2011, 3:47 am	Grandma helped the kids decorate cupcakes today. They looked like little berry pies, with m&ms and frosting to decorate the tops! Jellybean approved.
MamiTig Posted Jun 9, 2011, 4:11 am	Grandma and the kids made a cake today that they called "tie dye cake." Jellybean took a close look to see why!
MamiTig Posted Jun 9, 2011, 4:14 am	The earth mom promised Jellybean he would meet another earth species today. She was moving her two little turtles from their former home, a 10 gallon tank that had gotten too small for their needs, to a new 50 gallon tank! The turtles seemed very happy in their habitat and the little one, whose name is Button, said hello!
MamiTig Posted Jun 10, 2011, 5:08 am	Jellybean was very excited to go on a field trip with S. and her little buddy, Bunniey, today! They went with the Safe Base summer program, which is a free program to all children k through 8th grade, in the earth family's community. First, they rode on a bus with lots of kids and then made a potty stop at Beto Junction. Jellybean loved exploring the gift shop. Jellybean gasped in awe at the natural beauty of the prairie!
MamiTig Posted Jun 10, 2011, 5:13 am	Jellybean was so excited to get to the preserve. The sod houses were really fascinating. S. remembered that her mom told her that grandma told her that her great great grandparents had lived in Beemer, Nebraska, in sod houses that were below the ground, over 100 years ago. Jellybean loved all the fascinating historical items in the houses. Seph took too many pictures to post them all, so the rest are linked here.
MamiTig Posted Jun 11, 2011, 12:48 am	Jellybean was super happy to welcome DraperDuck from North Carolina, who is staying for a visit! DraperDuck has a life mission to meet other ducks, so Jellybean hopes she'll be able to meet that earth species, too.
MamiTig Posted Jun 12, 2011, 4:41 am	The map from google maps was a bit cryptic and we ended up "taking the scenic route" to Joplin, MO, today. We stopped by a lovely farm, somewhere in the vicinity of Baxter Springs, KS and checked the trucker's atlas that host mom brings along fur just such occasions. Jellybean got very excited because she saw TWO earth species she hadn't seen before... a field full of cows, and one wayward goat! We were so happy when we finally got to the "welcome to Missouri" sign because it meant we were on the right track!
MamiTig Posted Jun 12, 2011, 4:56 am	Jellybean went with his earth mom to volunteer with tornado relief in Joplin, MO. Earth mom helped as a "Personal Shopping Assistance" at the College Heights Christian Church's donation distribution center. That meant helping people who needed food and supplies to get what they need and load it into their cars. Jellybean liked seeing how earthlings help each other.
MamiTig Posted Jun 12, 2011, 5:16 am	The plains states (which, of course, includes Kansas) are known as "The Bread Basket of America." With all these wheat fields, Jellybean could sure understand why! She got extra excited when she realized she had spotted another earth species... a little black bird perched on the stop sign!
MamiTig Posted Jun 12, 2011, 5:31 am	After a long day, everybody was hungry and we decided to stop at the Great Plains Deli in Fort Scott, KS for dinner. Earth mom says it's got the best sandwiches on earth! After checking out earth mom's cheese sandwich on wheat bread, Jellybean was inclined to agree!
MamiTig Posted Jun 13, 2011, 6:20 am	Four of the kids were leaving for Hidden Haven Christian Camp for five days, so Jellybean and the other TVs took the opportunity to tag along and see what summer camp looks like! The kids packed lots of stuff in the car, and they sure seemed excited! We waited a very long time for check in to start, and it was hot. Once checked in, we walked out past a giant wood shed and the swimming pool. The boys wanted a picture by the low water bridge we'd had to cross to get here. The boys were happy to find that their friend also came to camp. The girls had their beds all set up lovely with the quilt and pillow that the oldest had made. It seemed so quiet to leave without them.
MamiTig Posted Jun 14, 2011, 4:39 am	Jellybean went along to work with earth mom today and on the way home, she showed her the little town of Welda, Kansas. The population is around 300 and seems to be on its way to becoming a ghost town. This little diner used to be active, but in the last year or so, it closed and all the signs got taken down.
MamiTig Posted Jun 15, 2011, 2:29 pm	Mmmm, birthday dinner at El Charro! Jellybean is getting to really like this place!
MamiTig Posted Jun 15, 2011, 2:31 pm	Jellybean was so excited to see the birthday girl's face when she saw her huge pile of birthday presents from her mom and grandparents! Jellybean approved of the Shining Stars hedgehog... she hopes the birthday girl will name her star Jellybean.
MamiTig Posted Jun 16, 2011, 5:37 am	We got stuck in the inevitable summer road construction, just outside of Scipio, KS. Jellybean enjoyed the view out of the car window.
MamiTig Posted Jun 16, 2011, 5:47 am	Jellybean wondered what was loading on the truck at the Co-op because it sure was dusty!
MamiTig Posted Jun 16, 2011, 6:01 am	The littlest earthling had to get two fillings and a crown. Jellybean was surprised that the dentist's was such a lovely place and the staff are so amazingly kind, that even a little girl feels okay about dental work. Jellybean comforted her during the procedure (if you look close, you can see that bit of green tucking under her chin).
MamiTig Posted Jun 17, 2011, 4:29 am	Jellybean and the other TVs accompanied the family to Youthville in Wichita so that mom could read some files. Everyone seemed very excited!
MamiTig Posted Jun 17, 2011, 4:49 am	On the way back from Wichita, we stopped at the Beijing Bistro in El Dorado, KS. it has a very beautiful decor and soothing atmosphere, and the food was out of this world!
MamiTig Posted Jun 17, 2011, 4:59 am	Jellybean was excited when the family stopped at the park. He got to meet two new species... ducks and geese! And, he thought the jungle gym was pretty cool.
MamiTig Posted Jun 18, 2011, 4:50 am	Jellybean met another new species today... chickens! The family raised the chickens from hatchlings, and earth mom said that tomorrow, all but one will be going to live on a friend's farm. Her friend is a vegetarian, so we know they'll be ok! First, Jellybean met David Bowie, a tall chicken with a topknot, and Foosball, a black fluffy ball of a chicken. Then S. introduced him to her pet chicken, Lydia (who will not be going to the farm). Lydia is very soft and silky, and was very patient with Jellybean!
MamiTig Posted Jun 19, 2011, 3:40 am	Jellybean went with two of the kids, Sam Sam, DraperDuck, and his earth mom to release YelloBird into the wild, on the Prairie Spirit trail, near Colony, Kansas. It was a beautiful day and there were so many lovely flowers and such gorgeous scenery to marvel at! JellyBean met a new species called butterfly! It was small, delicate, and flitted around so delightfully!
MamiTig Posted Jun 19, 2011, 3:45 am	On the way home from releasing YelloBird, Jellybean insisted earth mom stop for pictures of some of the lovely scenery! And, he just had to say hello to a box turtle that was crossing the road, as well as greet a new species that earth mom said is called "horse." For more pictures of the day, click here.
MamiTig Posted Jun 20, 2011, 2:06 am	Today was a quiet day at home and Jellybean watched earth mom start a new sewing project. She says it's the coat for a Pokemon Blastoise (turtle looking thing) gijinka (humanized form) for Zury. He is very excited and so is earth mom. Jellybean helped with cutting out the pattern.
MamiTig Posted Jun 21, 2011, 4:26 am	Jellybean watched as earth mom made progress on the jacket.
MamiTig Posted Jun 21, 2011, 4:29 am	Over lunch hour, earth mom took Jellybean and the other TVs to see the caboose in Garnett. It was such a pretty red, and fun to climb on!
MamiTig Posted Jun 22, 2011, 3:32 am	Jellybean was excited to see how the garden is growing! It's been very hot and earth mom goes to water each night, around the time the sun goes down. Today was the longest day of the year, so it was around 9 pm and the sun was still not down!
MamiTig Posted Jun 22, 2011, 3:32 am	Jellybean was excited to see how the garden is growing! It's been very hot and earth mom goes to water each night, around the time the sun goes down. Today was the longest day of the year, so it was around 9 pm and the sun was still not down!
MamiTig Posted Jun 23, 2011, 4:54 am	Jellybean went to the summer program with the kids today. She learned about flying kites and the swimming pool. Then she ate lunch in the cafeteria. Finally, someone volunteered to make her a necklace.
MamiTig Posted Jun 24, 2011, 1:51 am	Jellybean hung out with the windowsill toys in earth mom's Garnett office today.
MamiTig Posted Jun 24, 2011, 2:19 am	Jellybean and her host family went to the Farmer's Market! Every Thursday in spring and summer, one block on the town square is roped off for foot traffic only and local people bring lots of fresh, wonderful things for sale! We found our friends who raise fresh honey and they gave each of the kids a yummy honey stick. Jellybean admired the handicrafts, then helped pick out colorful carrots.
MamiTig Posted Jun 25, 2011, 4:56 am	Jellybean was very excited to go to a play in the park today! It was put on by the community theater, with all the parts acted out by local teens and tweens. They did a fabulous job and the audience enjoyed booing and hissing at the villains! Jellybean enjoyed snuggling on the blanket with the other TVs and the earth family.
MamiTig Posted Jun 26, 2011, 8:35 pm	Jellybean was very excited to check out the Great Plains Nature Center!  She met a kestrel, three kinds of fish, and a toad.
MamiTig Posted Jun 26, 2011, 8:38 pm	Jellybean wished she was tall enough to play on the climbing thing at the park with the kids!
MamiTig Posted Jun 27, 2011, 5:27 am	Jellybean was excited that the earth family took him to a free concert and dinner at the park! Jellybean was even more excited to meet a new species- ladybug! There were quite a few hanging out in the grass.
MamiTig Posted Jun 28, 2011, 1:26 pm	Jellybean met a celebrity in earth mom's office- Spider Man!
MamiTig Posted Jun 29, 2011, 1:50 am	After work, host mom stopped to show Jellybean and the other TVs the Wayne Garrett Children's Garden! This garden was on land that was donated to and planted by the children involved in the local after school program. It is named after the husband of a beloved elementary school teacher; the husband was a farmer who was killed in a tractor accident. Earth mom says fried green tomatoes taste excellent.
MamiTig Posted Jun 29, 2011, 1:45 pm	Earth mom told Jellybean there was a special surprise this morning as she took the TVs to water the garden with her. They stopped off by the old coach house and Jellybean admired the beauty of how the plants grew up around the old wall. Then, Jellybean spotted the special surprise! Her cousin, Jujube, is here on earth! Hurrah!
MamiTig Posted Jun 30, 2011, 4:22 am	Jellybean and the other TVs got to visit the doctor's office today, so the doctor could have a look in B's sore ear. Good thing there was a comfortable place to sit for the long wait.
MamiTig Posted Jul 1, 2011, 4:12 am	While earth mom watered the garden, Jellybean explored and found a wooden bird house, nailed to a tree!
MamiTig Posted Jul 1, 2011, 6:34 pm	Coffee break time! Someone brought a lovely 4th of July brownie cake with white frosting, then blueberries and strawberries, to create an American flag pattern, so earth mom took a piece for a coffee break snack at work! Yum!
MamiTig Posted Jul 2, 2011, 2:59 pm	Jellybean and the other TVs wanted to see what earth mom was making for breakfast. Eggs, donuts, and milk are on the menu!
MamiTig Posted Jul 3, 2011, 3:57 am	Jellybean went with the earth family to a gathering of families, where the kids had tremendous fun playing in the pool and watching some fireworks!
MamiTig Posted Jul 4, 2011, 6:42 am	Jellybean was excited when earth mom told her they'd be going back to Moran, KS to visit another family and celebrate a 14th birthday bash, with bbq and fireworks (with the fireworks in honor of the American 4th of July). She had so much fun!
MamiTig Posted Jul 5, 2011, 1:26 am	The earth family was excited to go geocaching today! They started out on foot near the house, using a little tool that showed them what direction to go, and told them how close they were. Then, they drove  out to Riverside Park, but didn't find the one there. Someone must have taken it
MamiTig Posted Jul 5, 2011, 1:29 am	Next, the geocache device took them to the cemetery in Gas. They stopped to pay respects to a friend who had passed on in a car accident last year, then moved on to an old, abandoned part of the cemetery. Jellybean thought she saw something in a nook in a tree!
MamiTig Posted Jul 5, 2011, 1:31 am	The next geocache was found in a wooded area behind a shed in the cemetery in La Harpe.
MamiTig Posted Jul 5, 2011, 1:34 am	The last geocache of the day was supposed to be in East  Iola Park, but Jellybean and her earth family couldn't find it. So, they played instead.
MamiTig Posted Jul 6, 2011, 3:39 am	Today, Jellybean and the other TVs welcomed a new TV to the home: Topple!
MamiTig Posted Jul 6, 2011, 3:42 am	Jellybean tagged along for more geocaching. Today, the earth family was trying to find a small cache in a little pocket park on the town square. Even with all of the people and TVs looking, no luck
MamiTig Posted Jul 7, 2011, 5:37 am	Jellybean took a look around the Wonder Bread outlet in Humboldt, KS. This is the view from the parking lot.
MamiTig Posted Jul 7, 2011, 5:38 am	Jellybean accompanied earth mom to the post office, for a send off party for Jujube. Jujube is traveling to Germany to meet up with another alien there You'll just have to wait for Jujube's updates to find out who!
MamiTig Posted Jul 8, 2011, 2:56 am	Jellybean went with earth mom to the Iola city clerk's office, to return a dog collar with a city tag on it that was found in the front yard. It was a stormy morning and the wind made the Kansas flag unfurl!
MamiTig Posted Jul 9, 2011, 4:44 am	It was a lovely summer afternoon, so the TVs decided to sun in the front garden. Jellybean was very attracted to a green flower, since she loves green.
MamiTig Posted Jul 9, 2011, 5:12 am	Today was the Charley Melvin Mad Bomber Run, and part of the town square was closed off for the festivities. There was a bucket brigade relay race, a car show, and rides for the TVs! Lots of fun!
MamiTig Posted Jul 10, 2011, 6:33 am	Jellybean was excited to go back to the mall and look at the fish again. And, she loved seeing the kite festival that was going on, in the field on the west side of the mall. She thought it was wonderful to see the many toys on display inside the mall.
MamiTig Posted Jul 10, 2011, 6:37 am	After being in the mall, Jellybean enjoyed the wide, open air of the park. She especially loved watching the ducks swim and the children playing.
MamiTig Posted Jul 10, 2011, 6:41 am	After a long day of ToyVoyaging, Jellybean was happy to stop for dinner at Red Robin. She watched the kids playing a tic tac toe game while waiting for food.
MamiTig Posted Jul 11, 2011, 3:58 am	Today it was back to hidden haven to take S and her best friend to camp! Everybody helped take her things to the dorm, and then it was time for goodbye. Jellybean will miss her, but can't wait to hear about her adventures when she gets home!
MamiTig Posted Jul 12, 2011, 2:58 am	Today, Jellybean went to work in Garnett with earth mom, and over lunch hour, they visited the town square. Earth mom was disappointed that there's still road construction blocking parking at the fabric store, but Jellybean was tickled to have her picture taken with a replica of Lady Liberty!
MamiTig Posted Jul 13, 2011, 1:57 pm	Hmmm, Jellybean suspects the new guy is not really a TV... it's a bit wiggly...
MamiTig Posted Jul 14, 2011, 3:43 am	Jellybean hitched a ride to work with earth mom today so he could see her office in Iola. He thought the autumn farmer painting was lovely. Earth mom told him about how she got it in Guangzhou.
MamiTig Posted Jul 15, 2011, 3:50 am	Mmmm! Another birthday dinner at El Charro! Jellybean thought the salsa and chips were nicely spicy today, and the vegetarian fajita taco salad looked divine.
MamiTig Posted Jul 15, 2011, 3:52 am	Oh joy, birthday presents! Jellybean thinks the earthling celebration of unwrapping birthday presents is one of the most fun things ever!
MamiTig Posted Jul 16, 2011, 4:41 am	Jellybean loves the beautiful fields and round bales of hay that signify summer in Kansas!
MamiTig Posted Jul 16, 2011, 4:44 am	Jellybean and the other TVs welcomed Kali from England!
MamiTig Posted Jul 17, 2011, 2:25 am	Jellybean's favorite place in the Where Kids Rule exhibit ("castle room") at Exploration Place is the little room where you can build your own coat of arms! He was delighted to watch how quickly the kids got down to the business of running the clinic in the pretend vet's office. He found the scale model of the town of Nicodemus, KS, to be utterly fascinating!
MamiTig Posted Jul 17, 2011, 3:36 am	Jellybean learned tons about Kansas in the Explore Kansas room at Exploration Place! She started by watching a short movie about Kansas history. Then she got into the tornado simulator and learned what tornadic winds feel like! Jellybean met an adorable prairie dog and learned more about native species. Jellybean learned about the effects of pollution on waterways via an interactive exhibit and touched real salt that was mined from Kansas.
MamiTig Posted Jul 17, 2011, 3:40 am	Jellybean really enjoyed the flight room at Exploration Place. Everything was so much more primitive than on her home planet; very quaint and cute. She climbed a stack of boxes someone had built on the construction table, to get a better view of the room. She climbed in the flight simulator, then climbed out very quickly- those kids were about to crash the plane!
MamiTig Posted Jul 18, 2011, 12:50 am	The TVs were exited to stop and get their picture taken at Bonnie's Cafe in Gas, Kansas. It was made famous on the cover of the book Passing Gas, by Gary Gladstone. The TVs are sitting on the windowsill; it's hard to see in the full picture, so they asked host mom to take a closer shot! Jellybean noticed that the temperature was 102 (39c)! Summer in Kansas sure gets hot!
MamiTig Posted Jul 18, 2011, 5:11 am	Jellybean was happy to see that the earth family's garden is growing, though it's not clear whether the war is being won by the garden or the weeds.
MamiTig Posted Jul 19, 2011, 5:04 am	Jellybean loves to watch the countryside roll by. These pics were taken in/near Eureka, KS.
MamiTig Posted Jul 20, 2011, 4:59 am	Jellybean was impressed with earth's largest Gas, Kan!
MamiTig Posted Jul 21, 2011, 3:28 am	Jellybean took a break on a window ledge. This is the building where the city stores supplies for things like parade floats and old equipment.
MamiTig Posted Jul 22, 2011, 2:07 am	Jellybean can't wait for the sunflowers to get big enough to bloom. Earth mom said this one is maybe half grown. The leaves sure looked big to Jellybean! And wow... what an enormous cucumber!
MamiTig Posted Jul 23, 2011, 3:19 am	Jellybean appreciated this comic strip that S made at her comics crash course!
MamiTig Posted Jul 23, 2011, 3:13 pm	Oh boy, pancakes for breakfast! Earth mom said she was going to make some of them into alien pancakes. Jellybean was excited that meant green, like her!
MamiTig Posted Jul 25, 2011, 12:13 am	Today was HOT out! 107 (42C). Jellybean thought she might melt!
MamiTig Posted Jul 25, 2011, 12:55 am	Jellybean was very excited to tag along on the earth family's fossil hunting trip! He was amazed to find a little frog hiding in a hole. Everyone searched the pieces of shale to see if they could find fossils, but we didn't find any today. We still had a wonderful time exploring!
MamiTig Posted Jul 26, 2011, 3:46 am	Jellybean was grateful for the intermittent storms that cooled things off briefly today. She admired the puffy little after-the-storm clouds!
MamiTig Posted Jul 27, 2011, 3:52 am	Today, Jellybean visited the community corrections garden on the town square. It's a series of garden boxes built in a vacant lot and maintained by people who are in community corrections, as a way to help care and give something positive back to their community. Jellybean liked the peppers!
MamiTig Posted Jul 28, 2011, 4:09 am	It was too hot to go outside much today, so Jellybean decided to visit the chinchillas, Florence and Farkle. The chinchillas were happy to see Jellybean as it's been a while since she chit chatted with them!
MamiTig Posted Jul 29, 2011, 4:42 am	Jellybean admired a large squash blossom (and the squash in the background) while earth mom watered her garden plot.
MamiTig Posted Jul 29, 2011, 4:43 am	Oh yum, Jellybean never gets tired of El Charro! Today she tried the refried beans and they were delicious!
MamiTig Posted Jul 30, 2011, 4:35 am	Jellybean got a cooking lesson today from earth mom, on how to make chocolate chip pumpkin cookies! MMMM, they smelled amazing!
MamiTig Posted Jul 31, 2011, 4:28 am	Oh goody, a voyage! Jellybean loves to go on road trips! These pictures were taken on the road (highway 169), somewhere in the vicinity of Paola, Kansas.
MamiTig Posted Jul 31, 2011, 4:31 am	Geocaching took us down a lovely bike path, into the woods. We looked and looked, but we never found the geocache. Jellybean and the other TVs enjoyed taking a break on a lovely bench in the shade.
MamiTig Posted Aug 1, 2011, 4:35 am	Jellybean went to art class with the kids today, taught by local artist, Lydia Holloway. Jellybean enjoyed meeting Lydia's cat and hanging out on her "foot stool."
MamiTig Posted Aug 2, 2011, 5:22 am	Jellybean had so much fun at the Allen County Fair! She met some rabbits and a funky chicken in the baby barn. Then she went inside, where she learned about the Wizard of Oz, since that was this year's theme. Jellybean admired the fruits and vegetables, then got excited when she saw rocket ships, green things, and a giant robot!
MamiTig Posted Aug 3, 2011, 4:15 am	It was 112 degrees out today and the heat wave has been going on for over a month. Earth mom took Jellybean to see the river, and explained that it is very, very low.
MamiTig Posted Aug 4, 2011, 4:25 am	Jellybean didn't travel very far today, just to the mantel. She liked the little wire creatures that she found there. Earth mom explained that the creatures were sent to her by a friend from Zimbabwe, who told earth mom that the man who guarded their house at night would sit up and make creatures like this out of reclaimed wire, to keep himself awake and while away the time.
MamiTig Posted Aug 5, 2011, 4:19 am	A quiet day at home. Earth mom made a new outfit for Fred Zombie, and all the TVs approved. Jellybean likes Fred Zombie because Fred is green, just like her.
MamiTig Posted Aug 6, 2011, 10:02 pm	Jellybean was excited to see the dance studio. The earth kids were signing up for their classes today! Jellybean and the TVs explored while earth mom got the sign ups done. So many fun things to see!
MamiTig Posted Aug 8, 2011, 12:46 am	Jellybean approved of the alien dinner rolls... green, just like her!
MamiTig Posted Aug 8, 2011, 1:02 am	Jellybean, the TVs, and the kids went geocaching in Garnett, KS, yay! The first cache was easy to find, in a little downtown park area. The next one required wandering off of the square and into some overgrown garden boxes. After finding that cache, the group explored some of the urban beauty of the back alleys.
MamiTig Posted Aug 8, 2011, 1:05 am	After geocaching, the group stopped at the South Lake before heading home. It was a beautiful sunny day, and it felt good to stretch our legs on the water bridge!
MamiTig Posted Aug 8, 2011, 2:55 am	Jellybean was so happy when it started to rain and the heat wave broke for the afternoon. The kids were so happy that they danced in the rain!
MamiTig Posted Aug 9, 2011, 4:19 am	School will be starting next week, so the boys took Jellybean and the other TVs on a tour of some of the local schools.
MamiTig Posted Aug 12, 2011, 12:38 am	On the way to take some hedgehogs to the vet for a health certificate, Jellybean stopped to admire a pump jack. Southeast Kansas has many of them!
MamiTig Posted Aug 14, 2011, 4:11 am	Jellybean was very excited to see a display of outer space photography at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. It made her feel homesick, and at the same time, right at home.
MamiTig Posted Aug 14, 2011, 4:18 am	As excited as she was about the photo exhibit showing the cosmos, Jellybean loved the rest of the art at the Nelson Atkins. She found green, blobby painting that reminded her of aliens she knows. She love the textures and colors in a bright oil painting. The kids read her some of the placards, so she would know what the art was about. She really enjoyed the Chinese art (that's where she found the drawing of the blue guy). She found a fascinating mask in the Native American section.  The scumaks really caught her attention; she thought they would be fun to make. She also really loved a green ceramic vase that caught her eye.
MamiTig Posted Aug 15, 2011, 4:34 am	Jellybean and the other TVs went to a church supper at RiverTree today.
MamiTig Posted Aug 16, 2011, 3:37 am	Jellybean loves the color scheme for the upcoming Lake Shore Hedgehog Show!
MamiTig Posted Aug 17, 2011, 3:47 am	Jellybean tagged along on a trip to the optometrist today. She had great fun investigating all of the equipment, but doesn't think she'll ever quite get used to a planet where everyone has two eyes.
MamiTig Posted Aug 18, 2011, 5:07 am	Jellybean learned more about middle school today. She got to play with the kids and check out the campus when they went to get lockers assigned.
MamiTig Posted Aug 19, 2011, 5:20 am	Jellybean was excited to see the kids off on their first day of school, since she was sure they'd all have great stories to tell when they got home.
MamiTig Posted Aug 22, 2011, 1:08 am	Jellybean went to Motaku, an anime convention, with the Earth family! She saw so many interesting things! She helped Earth mom to iron a costume, helped get the wigs ready, watched people on their way to the rave while sitting in the hallway, learned how to play Go in the board game room, saw Alice at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, and hung out in the green room at the costume contest!
MamiTig Posted Aug 23, 2011, 4:52 am	Earth mom made Jellybean a special bon voyage dinner- alien pizza! Jellybean got into the nice cozy box and headed on her way to miapearl today! We will miss her so much, but can't wait to see her adventures!
miapearl Posted Sep 7, 2011, 8:25 pm	Hello Mum, I have made it safely. Photos will follow later, I just wanted to sign in
miapearl Posted Oct 3, 2011, 11:19 am	Hello Mum, My host took us out for a bus ride or two. We sat on the top deck at the front of the bus. The weather looks a bit grim. It is a bit of a bumpy ride. That, atop the hill over there, is Criccieth Castle
miapearl Posted Oct 3, 2011, 11:57 am	Hello Mum, Today, we went to the allotment. My host has a new pond on her plot. These are parsnip plants. What is my host going to do with those pumpkins? Doesn't this green broccoli/calabrese look yummy?
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 11:42 am	Hello Mum, Today, we went to Llandudno, a popular coastal town in North Wales. They have a cable car that goes up the big hill called the Great Orme. From the cable car, I saw the dry-ski slope and the toboggan run. There's a church and cemetary. This is St. Tudno's and the town (parish) is named after him in Welsh. We sat on the other side of the cable car. We can see the trams. Llandudno seems a long way away. Nice fluffy clouds I think that is Conwy down there. Nearly back to Llandudno On the Promenade. There's the Little Orme. There's the pier and a hotel. Had a pleasant day out.
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 2:57 pm	Hello Mum, Today, we went for a woodland walk in Glynllifon, a country estate. We cross a bridge over a small stream. This is the estate house. There are gardens and water features.. Not only is the water cascading, it is also raining... A fountain (it was also visible from behind the cascade).
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 3:35 pm	Hello Mum! Today we walked across Menai Bridge to Anglesey. The Menai Straits below are not the easiest to navigate. My host says that there is a very sneaky Geocache hidden here! Can you see the Britannia Bridge in the distance? We jumped on a bus to Beaumaris. This is Beaumaris castle. It has a moat! I sneaked between the railings for a better photo! Beaumaris has a courthouse. Charles Dickens was a visitor to see the trials. There is also a gaol but we didn't have time to visit it. Some of the hills of Snowdonia in the background. Beaumaris was host to a local Eisteddfod. The stones are part of the Eisteddfod. The pier and dock area of Beaumaris is being renovated and the boats are here temporarily.
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 3:58 pm	Hello! Today, we've come to a castle built for King Edward I. This is Rhuddlan Castle. Nice towers! Inside the castle. We can climb up to the top of the wall later. Having a rest! We are on top of the wall. There's a bridge down there over the river. We can see for miles... Would be better on a clear day! Another rest in the ditch! The castle sits atop a hill! One of the towers of the outer wall.
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 4:08 pm	After Rhuddlan castle, some of us went to Talacre to see the lighthouse. It could do with a lick of paint
miapearl Posted Oct 11, 2011, 4:15 pm	Hello! To celebrate Clyde's arrival and also to wish some of us who are travelling to pastures new we shared a doughnut!
miapearl Posted Oct 25, 2011, 11:07 pm	Today, my host's son's school was closed due to strike action. So, we decided to go out to the zoo. My host took lots of photos. I think this is a sea lion. It looks so graceful underwater. They swim quite fast and my host has trouble getting nice photos with them. Here are flamingos. They have a mirror to look in. More birds. This time, these two are sharing a small section of a long log! This is a meerkat. There are a few of them here, but I hope I didn't frighten them back into their holes. This one has come out again. I'm not sure what type of ape this is. The water is green but there is a menace. An alligator... Squizzle's relatives are in this large cage. The tiger is on the move. We've come back to see the meerkats. There are also porcupines too. Aren't they cute! This one is burying some food. Or just playing. Another ape thing. And another and another. Hello! Another look at the meerkats! And now this big cat, a snow leopard. There's two... and some emu.. Strange Earth creatures...
miapearl Posted Oct 25, 2011, 11:29 pm	Hello! I'm off to the next place on my adventures... hope it isn't too many light years away!
miapearl Posted Oct 25, 2011, 11:39 pm	Today, we welcomed a new visitor Tiger Lilly Clyde was shy so we had another photo taken.
olgamaus Posted Nov 4, 2011, 5:35 pm	Hi Mummy, I arrived in Germany today! It is only 5:30 p.m. and it's already dark. I already became friend with Plato, who also arrived just today, KalliHH and Hryusha. Let's see what tomorrow will bring. Bye Jellybean
olgamaus Posted Nov 5, 2011, 8:01 pm	Hi Mummy, we are having fantastic weather here, so we took a walk in the afternoon. Katja showed me the vicinity of my current home. There are a lot of lovely old houses. We picked up a friend of Katja, I met another Earth species here, a Bourke's Parrot. We went through a part of the municipal park where you can find allotment gardens. We reached the district Hasten than, one of the oldest districts of the city. Here you can find a lot of those old traditional "Bergische Häuser" (houses which are  typical for this region), they are often half-timbered houses or covered with slate. They often have green shutters. Here you can often find old factory buildings close to dwellings. Soon we reached a woodland area. Another Earth species ... too large, I liked the parrot much more. More old houses ... Almost home ... Bye Jellybean
olgamaus Posted Nov 9, 2011, 8:03 pm	Hi, I could not wait to take a walk in our lunch break. The weather was fine, so we went around a bit. The first photos were taken in the vicinity of my current home. We walked to the city centre than. Here you can see some of Katja's current guests: Krystal and Plato. A few minutes later we reached the city centre with the shopping area. A farmer's market is taking place here on Thursday and Friday. Katja told me that the music school is situated in this pretty house. This is the central bus station and the company building of the local newspaper, RGA. On the  next photo you can see the public library. We had to buy a few things in the shopping mall. Bye Jellybean
olgamaus Posted Nov 12, 2011, 5:04 pm	Hi Mummy, today we helped Katja to prepare mussels for dinner. First the mussels had to be cleaned. Some vegetables had to be cut, leek and onions. We also needed mustard seed, salt, bay leaf and black pepper. Katja cooked the mussels in vegetable stock with the spices and some white wine. Soon dinner was ready. Bon appetit! Jellybean
olgamaus Posted Nov 16, 2011, 8:34 pm	Hi Mummy, we took a walk in the municipal park today. It is quite close to my current home, only a few minutes to walk. It is rather a landscape park than a usual park with flower beds and lawns. Although there is a large playground. There is also a concert shell with benches for the audience. We became witness of a true love story: KalliHH and his love [/tv]HelgaHH[tv] met here. Nobody knows how HelgaHH managed to come here, but she did Do we also have ilex at home in Ohio? When we left the park some outskirts of the neighbour city Wuppertal were visible. Bye Jellybean
olgamaus Posted Nov 16, 2011, 8:48 pm	Hi Mummy, today we visited a really interesting place. We took a walk in Solingen-Unterburg, a lovely historic quarter in the neighbour city Solingen. They also have those lovely half-timbered houses here. You can find a lot of restaurants here. This house was built in 1654 A.D. Like in all historic quarters, the streets and lanes are really narrow here. Next we visited an old formerly evangelic graveyard. It belongs to this little church from 18th century. The graveyard was opened in 1744 A.D. and closed in 1854 A.D. 52 graves remained. This graveyard really is a speciality because the tombstones were created in a nearly unitary style, made from an originally yellow-reddish sandstone. Presumably they were made at the same time around 1745 A.D. They were probably made with the inscriptions and sayings, later the dates of death were filled in. After visiting the graveyard we took a walk in the nearby forest. From a view point we saw Muengsten Bridge in the distance. Here is also a zoomed photo. HelgaHH and KalliHH found a lovely place with soft pine needles. I thought it was a good idea to keep an eye on them. When we left the forest Schloss Burg, a medieval castle, came into sight.  I hope I will visit it while I'm staying here. Bye Jellybean
olgamaus Posted Nov 17, 2011, 3:32 pm	Hi Mummy, today we picked up a friend of Katja from her work place and took a long walk in the outskirts of Remscheid. We started our trip in Hohenhagen, a district with recently built dwellings, close to woodland areas and rural areas. You can see the city centre in the background with the water tower and the tower of the city hall. This tower was once used as a television tower – or maybe to get into contact with aliens In the background you can now see the outskirts of the neighbour city Wuppertal. I must have been quiete cold last night, at some places you could still find hoarfrost. The motorway A1 was visible than. Katja told me a terrible storm destroyed thousands of trees here a few years ago. The motorway was not visible before. There was a small hamlet hidden in the valley. Bye for now Jellybean
olgamaus Posted Nov 30, 2011, 8:50 pm	Hi Mummy, today we went to Hueckeswagen, a small town in the "Oberbergischer Kreis" embedded in a rural area. First we had a look at the riding stable, where Katja's friend is spending her free time. We went to the meadows to have a look at the horses. They were all outside. Lots of animals are living here, also two calfes. Katja and her friend wanted to walk to the city centre of Hueckeswagen, maybe 30 minutes to walk. We walked along an upstream dam, part of the large "Wuppersperre" (Wupper dam). In Hueckeswagen you can find an old castle, situated on a hill, with a part of the city centre. Stairs are leading to the castle. They have lovely old houses here. Of course we had to walk all the way back to the riding stable. Katja's friend had to care for two horses and than we went back home. Bye Jellybean
olgamaus Posted Dec 5, 2011, 7:18 pm	Hi Mummy, after a week with ugly weather there was a surprise today - it started snowing in the afternoon! When we came home we need to warm up Bye Jellybean
olgamaus Posted Dec 8, 2011, 8:39 am	Hi Mummy, today I packed my things and left Germany to celebrate Christmas at home in Kansas. Good-bye Germany! Love Jellybean
MamiTig Posted Dec 21, 2011, 4:41 am	Jellybean is home! She brought the cutest little Christmas chocolates and some lovely postcards with her. Jellybean had the most amazing stories to tell her Earth family!
MamiTig Posted Dec 21, 2011, 4:42 am	Jellybean enjoyed the elementary school's Christmas program! The theme was peace on earth.
MamiTig Posted Dec 23, 2011, 3:40 am	Jellybean learned about the Christmas holiday from earth mom. Earth mom told Jellybean the story of the Nativity as she wrapped the kids' presents.
MamiTig Posted Dec 23, 2011, 3:41 am	Jellybean went to Earth mom's Garnett office Christmas party, to join in the celebration! Jellybean learned about making fry bread.
MamiTig Posted Dec 24, 2011, 6:18 am	Jellybean went to Pizza Hut for lunch!
MamiTig Posted Dec 25, 2011, 4:49 am	Jellybean went to church with the earth family, to learn more about Christmas. They sang pretty songs and some people read Christmas themed stories. Then they had a nativity play. Jellybean quite enjoyed it!
MamiTig Posted Dec 25, 2011, 4:52 am	Jellybean went to Garnett with the earth family, to take a friend home. They stopped at the South Lake on the way out of town. It's next to the American Legion building, and there's a nice little park.
MamiTig Posted Dec 26, 2011, 3:01 am	Jellybean really liked the earth custom of unwrapping Christmas presents. She had never seen so many great big smiles!
MamiTig Posted Dec 29, 2011, 2:28 am	Jellybean hung out with the boys today
MamiTig Posted Dec 30, 2011, 3:46 am	Jellybean hung out with the kids again today! They went to the elementary school playground. The school just got a new fort, which was made and donated by one of the janitors! The kids said he must love them!
MamiTig Posted Dec 31, 2011, 4:42 am	Host mom painted her daughter's fingernails!
MamiTig Posted Dec 31, 2011, 10:02 pm	Jellybean helped make the last breakfast of the year! It was a delicious sandwich made with slices of granny smith apple, peanut butter, and toasted raisin bread!
MamiTig Posted Jan 1, 2012, 6:13 am	Jellybean met ferrets today!
MamiTig Posted Jan 1, 2012, 9:55 pm	Jellybean thought she recognized the life form that host mom is replicating, from somewhere... hmmm... what could it be?
MamiTig Posted Jan 3, 2012, 2:54 am	Jellybean saw the cutest little turtles at Aquariums Wholesale today!
MamiTig Posted Jan 5, 2012, 3:06 am	Jellybean looked at the books on earth mom's office shelf!
MamiTig Posted Jan 6, 2012, 4:30 am	Jellybean helped earth mom run errands in Garnett today, on the town square.
MamiTig Posted Jan 7, 2012, 3:12 am	Jellybean is getting very excited about the alien taking shape in the kitchen!
MamiTig Posted Jan 7, 2012, 11:18 pm	One of the TVs in our group has a life goal of visiting cemeteries, so host mom took us to see the old Iola cemetery. Some of the headstones date back to the 1800s. Some of them are quite elaborate, while others are quite plain!
MamiTig Posted Jan 8, 2012, 5:57 pm	Jellybean and the other TVs helped earth mom figure out her Christmas present!
MamiTig Posted Jan 8, 2012, 6:03 pm	Jellybean and the other TVs went to youth group with the earth family! They had songs, crafts, good food, and Jellybean learned why earth babies are cute but dangerous!!!
MamiTig Posted Jan 10, 2012, 4:51 am	Earth mom said the weird thing in the kitchen is called "Exploud" and it's a Pokemon. Jellybean was so happy to talk to another alien life form!
MamiTig Posted Jan 11, 2012, 1:30 am	Earth mom is working on some very unusual boots!
MamiTig Posted Jan 12, 2012, 2:36 am	Earth mom said she's making progress. The boots look to be turning rather purple...
MamiTig Posted Jan 13, 2012, 1:15 am	Jellybean, with the help of Nolan and Konrad, decided to start a snow removal service! Whee!
MamiTig Posted Jan 15, 2012, 12:44 am	Today we went to a magical kingdom... full of duckies! It was a wonderful place to play!
MamiTig Posted Jan 16, 2012, 5:06 am	Jellybean went to the Kansas City Reptile Expo today. There were soooo many things to see! Some were cute and some were rather creepy crawly... and some were just a bit scary!
MamiTig Posted Jan 18, 2012, 2:44 am	Jellybean and the other TVs were quite curious about the strange projects host mom was working on. She said they're coming along, but they aren't finished yet.
MamiTig Posted Jan 21, 2012, 4:08 am	Host mom says she still isn't finished, but she's making good progress...
MamiTig Posted Jan 22, 2012, 3:42 am	Jellybean met a dwarf rat today! It seemed interested in her orange necklace.
MamiTig Posted Jan 23, 2012, 4:06 am	Jellybean enjoyed seeing the kids' art projects today- she especially liked this one!
MamiTig Posted Jan 26, 2012, 4:41 am	Earth mom took the TVs to her favorite place at the Neosho River today. Usually it's iced over and covered in snow this time of year, but this year- just low water and naked trees.
MamiTig Posted Jan 28, 2012, 3:08 am	Earth mom brought doughnuts for breakfast today! This is definitely an earth habit Jellybean could enjoy!
MamiTig Posted Jan 29, 2012, 2:58 am	Jellybean went to church with her earth family today. Church supper is such a nice earth tradition!
MamiTig Posted Jan 30, 2012, 4:09 am	While zombies have no manners or conversational skills, Jellybean approved that they are green.
MamiTig Posted Jan 31, 2012, 3:44 am	Today we ate lunch at a Mexican food restaurant in Topeka. The food looked yummy, but it didn't taste nearly as good as the food at our favorite local restaurant, El Charro.
MamiTig Posted Feb 2, 2012, 1:19 pm	Jellybean helped host mom make dinner!
MamiTig Posted Feb 3, 2012, 4:38 am	Jellybean visited Children's Mercy to see how orthopedic clinics run on earth. She liked the toys!
MamiTig Posted Feb 3, 2012, 4:39 am	Lunch today was delicious Indian food at Korma Sutra!
MamiTig Posted Feb 3, 2012, 4:40 am	Today was a 13th birthday party!
MamiTig Posted Feb 5, 2012, 6:22 am	Jellybean helped earth mom make lunch today. She called it "pasta with hit the pan salsa." It smelled and tasted out of this world!
MamiTig Posted Feb 5, 2012, 6:24 am	Jellybean enjoyed the Thayer SDA youth group!
MamiTig Posted Feb 6, 2012, 3:10 am	Jellybean and the other TVs crowded around to see Anastaysia's new dress that host mom made for her!
MamiTig Posted Feb 8, 2012, 5:17 am	Yummmm.... earth mom made something really delicious for dinner!
MamiTig Posted Feb 13, 2012, 5:19 am	Jellybean was very excited to go to Naka-Kon, a big anime convention! The first night was just checking in and checking out the hotel. Sh e also got to go to a discussion about "lolita fashion."
MamiTig Posted Feb 13, 2012, 5:21 am	Jellybean enjoyed hanging out in the hotel room with her earth family and friends, in between exciting events at Naka-kon! The earth family was so excited to have won an award in the cosplay contest!
MamiTig Posted Feb 14, 2012, 4:24 am	It was the last day of Naka-Kon. So sad to say goodbye. We went and took one last look at the dealer's room!
MamiTig Posted Feb 14, 2012, 4:29 am	On the way home, we had to go to Topeka so earth mom took us out to dinner at Red Robin! Earth mom says they have the best garden burgers on earth!
MamiTig Posted Feb 15, 2012, 4:06 am	It finally snowed so we went outside to play!
MamiTig Posted Feb 15, 2012, 4:10 am	Jellybean thinks the earth tradition of children exchanging Valentine cards is really sweet!
MamiTig Posted Feb 17, 2012, 5:14 am	Jellybean poked through earth mom's stack of current favorite CDs to find something good to listen to
MamiTig Posted Feb 18, 2012, 4:55 am	Earth mom and her daughter finished sewing a skirt for the daughter (that matches Anastaysia's dress), so I tried it on!
MamiTig Posted Feb 19, 2012, 5:01 am	We visited the Great Plains Mall today.
MamiTig Posted Feb 20, 2012, 4:39 am	It was lovely outside, so the earth family took Fidditch and the other TVs for a ride in the countryside! It isn't quite spring yet, but there are signs that it will be here soon!
MamiTig Posted Feb 21, 2012, 3:27 am	Jellybean  couldn't resist trying on the dress that host mom made for her littlest daughter. Host mom says she has one more to make, so that the girls can be matching dark angels in a play they are practicing for.
MamiTig Posted Feb 22, 2012, 3:35 am	Earth mom was sewing again today... all the TVs gathered around to see what she'd done to this black hoodie. Hiding in the pockets were little zombies, whose pocket homes on the hoodie make them toys who will do a lot of traveling! Jellybean approved that they are green
MamiTig Posted Feb 24, 2012, 2:45 am	It was beautiful this morning, like springtime, so earth mom took Jellybean to the Neosho River to see if the trees had any signs of leaves yet. They didn't, but it was still lovely to stretch out in the sunshine!
MamiTig Posted Feb 25, 2012, 4:09 am	Earth mom started a new sewing project today! It sure has a lot of pieces and a lot of fabric!
MamiTig Posted Feb 26, 2012, 1:50 am	Eeek! Jellybean met a scary bunny. Earth mom and her oldest daughter made it as a present for the same person who will get the zombie hoodie. That person drew the picture, and will be very surprised to see they brought it to life!
MamiTig Posted Feb 27, 2012, 4:16 am	We stopped at the arboretum in Lawrence to stretch our legs today. It doesn't look like much today, but earth mom says that in a few months it will be green, filled with flowers, and gorgeous!
MamiTig Posted Feb 27, 2012, 4:17 am	The water tower in Topeka is huge!!
MamiTig Posted Feb 27, 2012, 4:18 am	The pizza at CiCi's was delicious and plentiful today!
MamiTig Posted Feb 28, 2012, 2:21 am	Earth mom had just a little extra time this morning, so she took us to a place called Twin Trestles on the way to work. The railroads used to come through here, but they don't any more. The local teenagers use this as a party hangout in the summer, and when it rains in the spring, it floods and the road is impassible. It is said to be haunted. Earth mom said she'll bring us back here some time when there's more time to explore and look at all the graffiti.
MamiTig Posted Feb 29, 2012, 2:54 am	Jellybean met a dark little angel today... she gave the sweetest hug!
MamiTig Posted Mar 1, 2012, 2:38 am	Earth mom showed me one of the Iola water towers, so we could see how much smaller it is than the Topeka water tower. She said there are a variety of interesting water towers all over Kansas, and I might get to see more in the future!
MamiTig Posted Mar 2, 2012, 5:31 am	Earth mom took us on a road trip today and stopped for gas at Love's Truck Stop! She complained at the price of gas, but said she stopped here because it's more than ten cents per gallon cheaper than anywhere else in the area!
MamiTig Posted Mar 3, 2012, 1:28 am	Earth mom took me for a walk down the back alley during her lunch hour, to look for signs of spring! This is what we found.
MamiTig Posted Mar 3, 2012, 9:52 pm	Earth mom promised to take us back to Twin Trestles for more pictures when she had more time, and she did! I played with the kids and had a wonderful time exploring!
MamiTig Posted Mar 5, 2012, 3:57 am	Earth mom took us to see another water tower, in Gas City. It's called Gas (or Gas City) because there was a lot of natural gas mined here in the late 1800s. The water tower is painted to look like a giant gas can!
MamiTig Posted Mar 6, 2012, 3:53 am	Earth mom took me outside to get some fresh air, and told me a little about the house next door. The kids say that it is haunted. It belonged to a little old man, who was about 95 years old when his children decided that he needed more care and he moved in, across town, with his daughter. The house had fallen into considerable disrepair, but was purchased last summer and it's in the beginning stages of renovation. They cleared away what seemed like an entire forest of trees and weeds, and put on a new roof. We can't wait to see what they do next!
MamiTig Posted Mar 7, 2012, 4:09 am	Jellybean went exploring in the critter room today. Jellybean said hello to Steve the lizard (he sure is good at hiding... he's just to the right of the middle of the photo!) and played with baby hedgehogs
MamiTig Posted Mar 8, 2012, 2:14 am	Earth mom didn't have much time today, but I wanted to go outside, so she took me out to the back alley to see what I could see on this windy, windy day!
MamiTig Posted Mar 9, 2012, 2:26 am	Earth mom took me to work today. I found the "Books are Fun" bin and I just had to explore! Books are Fun is a company that brings books and things to the workplace so people can look and then order what they like at a discounted price.
MamiTig Posted Mar 10, 2012, 5:19 am	Jellybean helped the youth group kids make birthday cards for Elwin, who turns 91 tomorrow!
MamiTig Posted Mar 11, 2012, 5:42 am	Jellybean went to Sabbath school, and afterward, got to enjoy church supper and wishing Elwin a happy 91st birthday!
MamiTig Posted Mar 11, 2012, 5:44 am	Today was SDA youth group in Thayer! Jellybean enjoyed the singing, the calendar craft, and the delicious dinner!
MamiTig Posted Mar 12, 2012, 3:40 am	Earth mom grumbled about how gas prices are going up again... and this is the cheapest gas in the area
MamiTig Posted Mar 12, 2012, 4:24 am	One of the TVs in our group has a life goal of visiting cemeteries, so we stopped at Foster Cemetery while in Topeka today!
MamiTig Posted Mar 12, 2012, 4:55 am	After a long day of voyaging, we were hungry!! Earth mom took us to CiCi's Pizza in Lawrence again, yum!
MamiTig Posted Mar 13, 2012, 2:24 am	It was so lovely outside this evening that host mom grabbed a few of the kids and the TVs, and walked down to Hillbrant House to see what's blooming!
MamiTig Posted Mar 14, 2012, 3:08 am	Today, earth mom took me walking in the opposite direction, where she said there was a lovely Bradford pear tree that she wanted to photograph me with. Then we walked over to the Cottonwood Garden where we found one bush blooming with dainty, white flowers. On the way home, she showed me one of her favorite houses. She said it was built in the late 1800s!
MamiTig Posted Mar 15, 2012, 3:07 am	For today's journey, the host mom drove me over to Riverside Park, where we climbed over the dike and took a look at the river.
MamiTig Posted Mar 17, 2012, 3:22 am	Oh goody, a road trip! We got all packed up!
MamiTig Posted Mar 17, 2012, 4:34 am	We stopped at the rest stop, just south of the Arkansas border, to stretch our legs and get some pictures in the Ozark Mountains!
MamiTig Posted Mar 17, 2012, 11:39 pm	We got ready, then wandered around the Arkansas Anime Festival and looked at all of the people in costumes! I really liked the black light lounge!
MamiTig Posted Mar 18, 2012, 2:02 am	Earth family and their friends dressed up and changed costumes lots today!
MamiTig Posted Mar 19, 2012, 4:14 am	It was time to go home today, and the first place we stopped was the National Fish Hatchery, in Neosho, Missouri! I had so much fun exploring the museum and feeding the fish!
MamiTig Posted Mar 20, 2012, 1:21 am	As we left the fish hatchery, we noticed a beautiful old cemetery. One of the TVs in the group has a goal to visit 10 cemeteries, so we stopped to help her fulfill her goal. It was very peaceful and beautiful there.
MamiTig Posted Mar 20, 2012, 4:28 am	Earth family said that they can't imagine driving through Carthage, MO and not stopping at the Precious Moments Chapel! It's such a beautiful, amazing place!
MamiTig Posted Mar 21, 2012, 3:36 am	Some of the hedgehogs came out to play today!
MamiTig Posted Mar 23, 2012, 4:32 am	Host mom took me to the Neosho River this morning to see how much the spring rains have made it rise! The current sure was running fast; we made sure not to go too close to the edge!
MamiTig Posted Mar 23, 2012, 11:34 pm	When we passed through Lyndon, KS, earth mom stopped to show us the water tower and a historical log cabin!
MamiTig Posted Mar 24, 2012, 5:02 am	We went to find a Wal-mart while we were in Topeka and found this interesting drive in movie theater marquee in the parking lot. Earth mom  took us over to have a look, and we learned that we were looking at a piece of history!
MamiTig Posted Mar 25, 2012, 5:12 am	Today we went to Easter play practice! There were lots of kids and costumes and everybody was having so much fun!
MamiTig Posted Mar 26, 2012, 1:39 am	The sky was so pretty as the sun prepared to sink below the horizon- the picture doesn't do justice to how pretty the scene really was!
MamiTig Posted Mar 26, 2012, 3:53 am	Today was a lovely spring day and when we drove by Hillbrant House, earth mom got very excited and said we just HAD to stop for pictures with the newly blooming flowers!
MamiTig Posted Mar 27, 2012, 5:26 am	Dandelions in the lawn are a certain sign of spring!
MamiTig Posted Mar 29, 2012, 3:56 am	It's been a really busy couple of days, so host mom took me for a walk after work. She showed me a lovely but somewhat rundown house a couple of blocks from home, that used to be a coach house. It still looks very pretty, even if it has seen better days.
MamiTig Posted Mar 30, 2012, 3:27 am	Earth mom said she experienced "sticker shock" at the gas station today... the price of gas is rising quickly
MamiTig Posted Mar 31, 2012, 5:50 am	Tonight was the last night of play practice before the first performance! Everyone was so excited!
MamiTig Posted Apr 1, 2012, 5:29 am	Earth mom stopped and showed us the water tower in Thayer, on the way to church today. This one is the most round of all the water towers we've seen!
MamiTig Posted Apr 2, 2012, 5:11 am	Twin Trestles is such a fascinating place, I don't think I will ever tire of going there! So much to see and explore. It's just starting to green up and look pretty now
MamiTig Posted Apr 3, 2012, 4:53 am	We went to Topeka and saw tractors!
MamiTig Posted Apr 3, 2012, 5:34 am	Earth mom made herself a pretty skirt today!
MamiTig Posted Apr 4, 2012, 5:12 am	We stopped at Garnett's South Lake in the morning, to look for Canada geese, and we also found mushrooms!
MamiTig Posted Apr 5, 2012, 3:39 am	Earth mom bought some very brightly colored fabric and said she is going to make some spring dresses for the little girls!
MamiTig Posted Apr 6, 2012, 4:59 am	We were going to Topeka today and Anastaysia talked earth mom into stopping at a lovely old cemetery called Mt. Hope! It had graves from the early 1800s... so much history!
MamiTig Posted Apr 7, 2012, 3:22 am	Jellybean was very happy that the kids took her to El Charro for a Mexican food lunch!
MamiTig Posted Apr 7, 2012, 5:31 am	We drove out to Arnold's Greenhouse today, to get some early planters and enjoy all the things there are to see!
MamiTig Posted Apr 7, 2012, 10:07 pm	We stopped in at the convenience store in LeRoy and saw some interesting things!
MamiTig Posted Apr 9, 2012, 3:55 am	Today was the earth family kids and their friends' final performance of the Easter play. The kids did the entire service, and they did such a wonderful job. Afterward, there was a yummy potluck!
MamiTig Posted Apr 10, 2012, 5:40 am	Today we startled a small flock of sheep by stopping to take pictures!
MamiTig Posted Apr 12, 2012, 4:21 am	Earth mom took us to the river today. It was gray and chilly, but the trees and wildflowers were bright and happy!
MamiTig Posted Apr 13, 2012, 4:04 am	Today was gray again, AND rainy, so we didn't get a chance to do anything very exciting. We sat on the porch and watched the clouds, and visited with the outdoor kitty, Halo. Earth mom finished making a dress for one of her daughters! She is going to make two more in the same colors, but different combinations, so her youngest three daughters will complement each other nicely
MamiTig Posted Apr 15, 2012, 5:27 am	It was gray and rainy again today. Jellybean enjoyed the warm meal and great company at the SDA church potluck!
MamiTig Posted Apr 16, 2012, 5:11 am	Today the earth family took us to Gage Park in Topeka, to celebrate a birthday! There was a lot to do and we had tons of fun playing!
MamiTig Posted Apr 17, 2012, 4:40 am	On the way home from work, earth mom stopped to show us the pretty scenery and the rural water tower that is just west of Colony, Kansas! It was such a pretty day!
MamiTig Posted Apr 19, 2012, 4:40 am	Jellybean dined with the hedgehogs tonight
MamiTig Posted Apr 21, 2012, 2:14 am	The earth family decided to do a small garden in their back yard this year, but earth mom wanted to stop by the community garden to see what other people are growing!
MamiTig Posted Apr 22, 2012, 3:04 am	Earth mom got working in her garden today. She planted onions, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, and a few cabbage in the ground and then mint, tomatoes, and oregano in pots. There's still more to do, but it was a great start!
MamiTig Posted Apr 22, 2012, 3:06 am	In the afternoon, we took a trip to the Great Plains Mall. Too bad the firefighter's museum is closed for renovation
MamiTig Posted Apr 23, 2012, 3:34 am	Jellybean figures she'll outwit the growing zombie apocalypse by blending right in!
MamiTig Posted Apr 24, 2012, 2:46 am	Earth mom finished her second little girl dress! So cute!
MamiTig Posted Apr 24, 2012, 2:47 am	Jellybean likes the Garnett water tower because she thinks it's shaped a bit like a space ship!
MamiTig Posted Apr 25, 2012, 3:51 am	Earth mom and her youngest daughter took me for a walk to see what was blooming at Hillbrant House. Mr. Hillbrant was home and he let us go in the back yard to see his koi and waterfalls back there! Sadly, he is selling his house because he is in his 80s and figures he doesn't need a house and yard that big. We sure hope the next owners will appreciate and maintain his gardens!
MamiTig Posted Apr 26, 2012, 4:36 am	Yay, a birthday to celebrate! Jellybean loved the ice cream and cake, and the unwrapping of the presents!
MamiTig Posted Apr 27, 2012, 5:09 am	This morning, earth mom took us to see the community corrections garden that is maintained by the county jail. The motto is "Building Character Through Gardening." We met a super nice lady there, who told us about how she works with the inmates in the garden. Being a small town with a large jail, our county houses a lot of female inmates from the bigger cities, when they have overflow. She often works with people who have never, ever gardened and have no idea about plants or where vegetables come from. One day, she was working with a group of ladies and handed them each a radish, plucked from the ground, and they stood around, and finally one said, "What am I supposed to do with this?" She said, "You eat it." The lady thought a while, then said, "I can't eat it, it's dirty." The nice lady explained all vegetables grow in dirt and you just have to wash them off. The lady argued a bit, so she showed her how to wash it with the hose and try it. The lady tried it, gobbled it down, and then her whole face lit up, and she exclaimed, "I like dirty food!"
MamiTig Posted Apr 27, 2012, 6:38 pm	We stopped briefly in Burlington to use the potty at the tourist stop!
MamiTig Posted Apr 28, 2012, 5:56 am	We stopped and ate dinner at Cici's Pizza in Topeka before we headed back home.
MamiTig Posted Apr 28, 2012, 6:01 am	Earth mom finished her last little girl dress! Her three littlest daughters are going to be so happy (and so cute) in their new dresses!
MamiTig Posted Apr 29, 2012, 4:54 am	The dresses were so adorable that we Toy Voyagers insisted on being photographed with the pretty princesses wearing them!
MamiTig Posted Apr 30, 2012, 3:48 am	Jellybean  enjoyed sabbath school and potluck at the Seventh Day Adventist church.
MamiTig Posted Apr 30, 2012, 5:34 am	Earth mom got started on a new project... I wonder what it will be?
MamiTig Posted May 1, 2012, 4:35 am	Earth mom and one of her daughters took me to see the historic Old Allen County Jail. It was closed so we just poked around outside.
MamiTig Posted May 3, 2012, 3:58 am	Earth mom and her littlest daughter took me for a walk down the alley behind the house, to see what we could see!
MamiTig Posted May 4, 2012, 4:44 am	Play time!
MamiTig Posted May 5, 2012, 3:32 am	We are helping Anastaysia on her goal of visiting 10 cemeteries, so the earth family took us to visit Iola's new cemetery. There are stones that date back into the 20s, so it's not THAT new. They looked for their friend, Patty, who succumbed to breast cancer last year, but could not find her stone. Her daughter had said it had roses on it, but there were so many that had roses, that didn't help narrow the search!
MamiTig Posted May 6, 2012, 6:18 am	Earth mom had to take a trip to the airport very early this morning. She watched the moon the whole two hour drive, since it was supposed to be a "supermoon" today. When she got done with checking in her cargo, the moon was nearly to the horizon and kept threatening to go behind the clouds, so the pictures aren't great- but the moon sure was pretty!
MamiTig Posted May 7, 2012, 4:47 am	After watching the supermoon set, we took a nap and woke up hungry. We drove to Ryan's, where we enjoyed the breakfast bar!
MamiTig Posted May 8, 2012, 2:02 am	One of the TVs in our group has the goal of visiting state line signs, so earth mom took us a few extra miles east to get a picture of the Missouri sign. There wasn't a Kansas sign when we crossed back in, so we didn't get that
MamiTig Posted May 8, 2012, 4:15 am	On our way back toward the highway, we found a little old cemetery. Anastaysia got really excited, so earth mom was super nice and stopped so she could see. It is the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Overland Park, KS. We found information about it here: click here! Who knew cemeteries had so much history?!
MamiTig Posted May 9, 2012, 5:25 am	In the evening, we had SDA youth group in Thayer. It's the last one for the season- they take a break until fall, and we'll really miss it!
MamiTig Posted May 10, 2012, 3:48 am	Earth mom started an interesting new project. She said she is making armor out of craft foam for her son's history presentation, where he has to dress up as Chandragupta Maurya and do a presentation.
MamiTig Posted May 11, 2012, 3:35 am	The earth family were looking for a service project and found a garden that needed weeding. The garden belonged to a lovely lady named Lula, who lives way out in the country. It was hard work and sometimes the kids wanted to quit, but when they looked up and saw Lula's happy smile, it made them work twice as hard We made quite a dent, but there's still plenty more to be done... we plan to go back in 2 weeks and do some more
MamiTig Posted May 11, 2012, 5:07 am	After working hard in the garden, we all needed a nice, hearty meal at El Charro! Yum!
MamiTig Posted May 12, 2012, 5:28 am	We watched the host family's oldest daughter play cello in the spring concert!
MamiTig Posted May 13, 2012, 1:24 am	Earth mom took me along when she ran errands over lunch hour today. She stopped to take a picture with me on the northwest side of the town square.
MamiTig Posted May 13, 2012, 2:18 am	We met a baby sparrow named Elizabeth. She fell out of the nest when she was little and is being rehabilitated to return to the wild as soon as she is able.
MamiTig Posted May 13, 2012, 4:27 am	Mmm! Church supper at the Seventh Day Adventist Church!
MamiTig Posted May 13, 2012, 5:28 am	We visited TLC greenhouse to look for more garden goodies. We found all sorts of amazing things to explore! Beautiful!
MamiTig Posted May 14, 2012, 5:23 am	When the earth family was going in to church this morning, they noticed butterflies all around the pretty purple flowers at the entrance. Earth mom came back later to take our picture with them, but they are small and brown, so you have to look very hard to see them in the pictures.
MamiTig Posted May 15, 2012, 4:16 am	One of the earth family boys prepared for his history class final: giving a biography as Chandragupta Maurya, with his trusty war elephants!
MamiTig Posted May 16, 2012, 5:09 am	This evening we attended the middle school choir and band concert, on the northwest side of the Iola town square.
MamiTig Posted May 17, 2012, 2:56 am	We went to the fifth grade graduation at the elementary school today! So many happy kids!
MamiTig Posted May 18, 2012, 5:16 am	Earth mom stopped and took a look at the Prairie Spirit Trail on the way to work this morning!
MamiTig Posted May 19, 2012, 1:47 am	From late spring to early fall, the west side of the town square in Iola is blocked off every Thursday evening for the Farmer's Market! We wandered around and met many nice people and saw fascinating things!
MamiTig Posted May 19, 2012, 3:27 am	Hedrick's brought their petting zoo to town, so of course, we had to go and see! So many amazing critters!
MamiTig Posted May 20, 2012, 1:53 am	Today, the earth family took me to their dance studio for recital pictures. There were so many kids, so many costumes, and so much energy! I had sooo much fun!! Dance recital is in two weeks, and I can't wait to see the kids perform!
MamiTig Posted May 21, 2012, 1:28 pm	The earth family went to help Lula with her garden again today. I had so much fun exploring! My favorite thing was the lovely, intricate bird nest that we found on the ground.
MamiTig Posted May 22, 2012, 4:15 am	When we were coming back from Lula's, host mom decided to take a country road we hadn't explored before. Anastaysia got excited and we stopped to explore an old cemetery we found!
MamiTig Posted May 23, 2012, 4:51 am	Earth mom showed us why Kansas and the midwest are called America's bread basket. The fields of wheat are so lovely, and I could see why the song America the Beautiful refers to "amber waves of grain" as the wheat blew in the wind and made ripples like the ocean!
MamiTig Posted May 23, 2012, 6:02 am	Earth mom and two of the little sisters took me for a walk around the neighborhood this evening. We looked at the houses (most were built between the late 1800s and mid 1900s), as well as taking a stop to look at Mr. Hillbrant's amazing garden!
MamiTig Posted May 24, 2012, 4:52 am	The earth family all went to the dentist today, so we hung out in the waiting room for quite a while.
MamiTig Posted May 25, 2012, 1:35 am	Today I got to see two week old baby hedgehogs in their nest!
MamiTig Posted May 25, 2012, 4:16 am	The cows at Strickler's Dairy made a lovely scene today! We couldn't resist stopping for pictures
MamiTig Posted May 26, 2012, 4:42 am	Earth mom took me and two of her sons out to lunch at El Charro. The salsa there is always sooo delicious!
MamiTig Posted May 27, 2012, 7:12 am	Jellybean enjoyed Sabbath school and church supper!
MamiTig Posted May 28, 2012, 6:43 am	We went to Twin Trestles again today! It's turning green as spring turns to summer, and there were so many amazing things to explore!
MamiTig Posted May 29, 2012, 5:07 am	Today was Memorial Day, so earth mom had the day off from work. In the afternoon, the family took a picnic, then stopped at the town square to see the flags and contemplate their loved ones who are gone.
MamiTig Posted May 30, 2012, 5:48 am	Oh goody, a birthday! El Charro's for dinner, and the unwrapping of presents! Perfect!
MamiTig Posted May 31, 2012, 6:00 am	Jellybean met the resident squishables today! They are so adorably squishy!
MamiTig Posted Jun 2, 2012, 7:11 am	The host family took me to their dress rehearsal for thier dance recital! The theme is "An International Affair" and they had a lot of amazing dances, representing all sorts of different countries!
MamiTig Posted Jun 3, 2012, 5:33 am	Tonight was opening night! We learned about the "break a leg" tradition. To wish stage performers good luck, you tell them "break a leg" and bring a gift. It was fun to spend time with all the kids in the waiting area downstairs from the stage!
MamiTig Posted Jun 4, 2012, 3:27 am	I stayed back stage in the waiting area during the last night of dance recital, with earth mom. She took me for a peek in the dressing rooms when the kids were all on stage for the opening act!
MamiTig Posted Jun 5, 2012, 1:10 pm	We went to help Miss Lula in her garden again. So much to explore!
MamiTig Posted Jun 6, 2012, 4:45 am	Earth mom has started a very intriguing new project!
MamiTig Posted Jun 7, 2012, 5:27 am	Jellybean met a baby blue jay today
MamiTig Posted Jun 8, 2012, 5:34 am	Today, earth mom took us to see the caboose at the head of the Garnett rail trail. The rail trail is many miles of hiking and biking trail,  that runs along the lines of an old railroad corridor.
MamiTig Posted Jun 10, 2012, 1:26 am	We visited Arnold's Greenhouse! It's such a magically relaxing place, with all of the amazing plants and flowers!
MamiTig Posted Jun 11, 2012, 4:55 am	After visiting Arnold's Greenhouse, we visited a curious place called Luther's Beef Jerky and Convenience Store. There were lots of unusual things there!
MamiTig Posted Jun 12, 2012, 5:11 am	Jellybean enjoyed Sabbath supper at the SDA church.
MamiTig Posted Jun 13, 2012, 1:27 am	We took earth mom's parents to meet Lula and work in the garden. It's looking so pretty and nice as all the weeds get gone!
MamiTig Posted Jun 16, 2012, 1:04 am	Jellybean loooooves El Charro!
MamiTig Posted Jun 17, 2012, 8:13 pm	Today we went to the Farmer's Market- then we got to go to El Charro for the second time this week, to celebrate a birthday! Yay!
MamiTig Posted Jun 18, 2012, 5:19 am	Today we went to Deanna Rose Farmstead! There were so many fun things to see and do. The gardens are lovely and the petting zoo animals were very curious. We had fun playing and exploring!
MamiTig Posted Jun 20, 2012, 4:32 am	After visiting Deanna Rose Park, we went to China Star for dinner. Some people think that dessert is the very best part!
MamiTig Posted Jun 21, 2012, 4:10 am	There are always interesting things to see and do in Lula's garden! We had fun exploring!
MamiTig Posted Jun 22, 2012, 4:27 am	The ToyVoyagers loved the tooth fairy bench at Legends Drive Dental!
MamiTig Posted Jun 22, 2012, 5:41 am	Earth mom was really excited that she finished her daughter's Prinplup costume today! Only about a month until Tokyo in Tulsa and she can show it off!
MamiTig Posted Jun 24, 2012, 6:50 am	One of the earth family boys was in a play this morning, at the community theater. It was all very exciting!
MamiTig Posted Jun 25, 2012, 6:01 am	Today I went fossil hunting with the earth family! It was so pretty and we skipped rocks and saw lots and lots of interesting things
MamiTig Posted Jun 26, 2012, 4:33 am	Earth mom took us to the south lake in Garnett to watch the geese at lunch hour and we got a special surprise! She had to take pictures through the windshield so she didn't scare it away, and couldn't get a close up shot with me in it to show the details of what we were looking at, so please forgive (but enjoy) the picture that shows closer up!
MamiTig Posted Jun 28, 2012, 4:53 am	Today was a quiet day, just visiting with the hedgehogs.
MamiTig Posted Jun 29, 2012, 5:26 am	I found two orangey things in earth mom's garden!
MamiTig Posted Jul 1, 2012, 7:34 pm	Earth mom had errands to run in Chanute, so we stopped at Santa Fe Park to have a picnic and play. It was very hot (over 100F) so we were very glad that the park is mostly shade!!
MamiTig Posted Jul 2, 2012, 5:43 am	I went to a party with the earth family, to celebrate a couple of birthdays (including America's)! We had water balloons, snacks, fireworks, and all sorts of fun!
MamiTig Posted Jul 3, 2012, 1:23 pm	There are always so many amazing things to explore in Lula's garden! Earth mom's oldest daughter took my travel pictures today
MamiTig Posted Jul 4, 2012, 4:10 am	Host mom said that even old, broken down things can be beautiful. She showed us this old, abandoned building in Garnett as an example!
MamiTig Posted Jul 5, 2012, 5:38 am	Earth mom started a new sewing project today. She said it's going to be a costume, that will be entered in the cosplay contest at Tokyo in Tulsa! I can't wait to see how it turns out!
MamiTig Posted Jul 5, 2012, 5:38 am	Earth mom started a new sewing project today. She said it's going to be a costume, that will be entered in the cosplay contest at Tokyo in Tulsa! I can't wait to see how it turns out!
MamiTig Posted Jul 8, 2012, 10:49 pm	The earth family got the car all packed and ready to head out on an exciting adventure!
MamiTig Posted Jul 9, 2012, 5:38 am	About four hours after we packed into the car, we arrived at Broken Arrow Ranch for family camp! The earth family unpacked everything, and then took us on some grand adventures! It was so nice to end the day with campfire, overlooking sunset on the lake
MamiTig Posted Jul 10, 2012, 5:28 am	The second day of family camp was just as amazing as the first! We started with a yummy breakfast and morning worship. Then the earth family went horseback riding. We didn't get to see that because the giant's mommy was worried we'd get lost or hurt. Then we had lunch, played in the basement, and then we had to wait while the earth family went ziplining. We got to see the equipment, but again, we had to stay behind because the giant's mommy was worried for our wellbeing. In the late afternoon, we played on the beach at the Tuttle Creek reservoir and that was so  relaxing!
MamiTig Posted Jul 11, 2012, 2:29 am	Day three at camp was just as wonderful as the first two days! We climbed up the hill to the nurse's cabin to enjoy the view of the lodge. After breakfast, we went for a hike through the woods. In the afternoon, we celebrated a baptism in the lake. It was a lovely day!
MamiTig Posted Jul 11, 2012, 3:58 am	On the way home from camp, we stopped to fuel up in Lyndon, KS. Earth mom remarked that this is the first time she's ever seen gas prices fall during summer!
MamiTig Posted Jul 11, 2012, 4:21 am	Ready for another road trip! This time, the packing is light.
MamiTig Posted Jul 11, 2012, 1:36 pm	After four hours in the car, we arrived at Lives Under Construction Ranch, where one of the brothers will be staying for a month of summer camp!
MamiTig Posted Jul 12, 2012, 4:17 am	On the way home, we stopped in Ozark, MO to stretch our legs, look in the tourist shops, and enjoy a meal at Lambert's (home of the famous "throwed rolls")!!
MamiTig Posted Jul 13, 2012, 5:34 am	Earth mom  and her youngest daughter took me and the other TVs for an evening walk down Elm and First streets. We looked at all the pretty houses!
MamiTig Posted Jul 14, 2012, 1:25 am	We took a look at the Farmer's Market tonight, to see what was for sale! They hold the market every Thursday evening, on the town square, when the weather is nice
MamiTig Posted Jul 14, 2012, 4:05 am	Today some men came and started digging out the bricks on the south side of the host family's house! Host mom said they are contractors and they are fixing the foundation. We were very curious about what they are doing!
MamiTig Posted Jul 14, 2012, 5:39 am	We went up to the town square to see what all the excitement was about! Today is the Mad Bomber Run, and there was a car show and a motorcycle show, and entertainment. Here's the website that tells about the historical event that inspired the modern Mad Bomber Run!
MamiTig Posted Jul 14, 2012, 6:36 am	The contractors came again today and jackhammered at the foundation. Now all of the stone blocks under the south wall are gone, and three little jacks are holding up the side of the house! Yikes!
MamiTig Posted Jul 15, 2012, 7:44 am	We enjoyed a lovely vegetarian supper after Sabbath services at the SDA church today!
MamiTig Posted Jul 17, 2012, 4:08 am	A birthday at El Charros! I just love celebrations!
MamiTig Posted Jul 17, 2012, 4:49 am	The foundation work continues to progress... that's a lot of rocks!!
MamiTig Posted Jul 18, 2012, 1:14 am	We did a little sightseeing on the grounds while waiting to check three of the earth family's kids in at summer camp. I wish I were staying, it is so lovely at Hidden Haven!
MamiTig Posted Jul 18, 2012, 1:48 pm	We went to the Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence, KS! It is an old zoo that is very lovely. The Monkey Island is the birth place of the first monkey in space!
MamiTig Posted Jul 19, 2012, 1:21 pm	On the way home from the zoo, earth mom noticed this lovely abandoned school house on the prairie, so we stopped to take a picture! The clouds behind it were especially pretty; very much showing Kansas in the summer.
MamiTig Posted Jul 20, 2012, 2:51 am	It was hot and everyone was hungry, so we stopped at a Dairy Queen for sweet ice cream treats!
MamiTig Posted Jul 23, 2012, 4:13 am	They're making good progress on the earth family's foundation!
MamiTig Posted Jul 23, 2012, 5:29 am	The foundation will soon be done!
MamiTig Posted Jul 23, 2012, 1:41 pm	We crossed into the Cherokee Nation as we crossed the Oklahoma border, just south of Caney, KS.
MamiTig Posted Jul 24, 2012, 1:07 pm	Our first night in Tulsa was wonderful! We got to the hotel and waited in line about 45 minutes for our room assignment. This turned out to be a blessing as they ran out of double rooms, so they upgraded us to a suite at no extra cost! The view was beautiful! I had fun wandering the convention (Tokyo in Tulsa) with the earth family!
MamiTig Posted Jul 26, 2012, 4:50 am	Most of our day two at Tokyo in Tulsa was spent at the pre-judging for the cosplay and skit contests, then at the panel about "Pokemon Gijinka" that the host family presented, wandering "artist alley" and then at the final cosplay contest! Host mom and two of her daughters won a judge's choice award in the cosplay contest!
MamiTig Posted Jul 27, 2012, 5:03 am	On the last day of Tokyo in Tulsa, we took a last wander of the vendors room and ogled all of the fun and amazing things!
MamiTig Posted Jul 27, 2012, 1:23 pm	We stopped in Bartlesville, OK, on the way home so that we could wash the "decorations" that birds left on the car while we were enjoying the convention!
MamiTig Posted Jul 28, 2012, 4:32 am	We liked the new water saver look for the fountain at Legend's Drive Dental!
MamiTig Posted Jul 28, 2012, 5:04 am	This year has been terrible for drought, and the corn is shriveling up in the fields
MamiTig Posted Jul 29, 2012, 5:56 am	Storm shelters like these are a reminder of how deadly Kansas weather can become!
MamiTig Posted Jul 30, 2012, 3:30 am	We had a delicious dinner at Pizza Street, to build up our energy for shopping!
MamiTig Posted Jul 31, 2012, 3:01 am	Next we went shopping at Bass Pro Shops! It is an amazing place with just about anything you can imagine for outdoor sports. We bought 8 life jackets, so the earth family can go rafting!
MamiTig Posted Aug 1, 2012, 1:34 pm	The earth family took me to the Allen County Fair! We saw the livestock, the baby barn, and the amazing fair entries, ranging from vegetables to photography to baking to clothing construction.
MamiTig Posted Aug 3, 2012, 2:19 am	I liked what the earth family had for dinner! Yummy!
MamiTig Posted Aug 4, 2012, 4:20 am	The local community garden has suffered from the drought, too. The only plants that stayed green had a lot of extra water!
MamiTig Posted Aug 5, 2012, 8:54 pm	Today, the earth family took me on a huge road trip! Our first stop for the day was at the National Fish Hatchery. We enjoyed the exhibits, then went outside to feed the fish. There was only one pond filled, and a family of ducks came to see the excitement!
MamiTig Posted Aug 6, 2012, 3:37 am	Our next stop was the lovely, old cemetery in Neosho, on the way out of town.
MamiTig Posted Aug 7, 2012, 3:44 am	The next stop was at the Lives Under Construction Ranch charity thrift shop, then on to Lives Under Construction Ranch! We completed our debriefing, then got to see what the boys on the ranch do during the summer camp. They help feed the animals, water trees, and camp out on the weekends!
MamiTig Posted Aug 8, 2012, 2:40 am	We stopped at the scenic vista just north of Shell Knob, MO, where it seemed like we were on top of the world!
MamiTig Posted Aug 9, 2012, 2:57 am	After a long day of traveling and exploring, we were HUNGRY! So we stopped in Carthage, MO for some authentic Central American food. It was so very good!
MamiTig Posted Aug 10, 2012, 5:17 am	Tonight we visited the local farmer's market. The most exciting thing was that they had a pepper tasting contest. The Thai peppers were very hot!
MamiTig Posted Aug 11, 2012, 6:46 am	Jellybean took a close up look at the baby hedgehogs!
MamiTig Posted Aug 13, 2012, 2:10 am	We went to Sabbath supper at the SDA church and enjoyed great food and great fellowship!
MamiTig Posted Aug 14, 2012, 3:48 am	A picnic in the park was a perfect occasion for blowing bubbles!
MamiTig Posted Aug 15, 2012, 12:33 am	Jellybean met Spoink, the baby pig who is being bottle fed by the earth family. Once he's big enough to be outside on a regular basis, he'll be going to a  family that plans to keep him as a farm pet for a 4-H project
MamiTig Posted Aug 17, 2012, 8:28 pm	Earth mom took me to see the Neosho River again. She said that in the twelve years she's lived here, she's never seen it this dry. You can definitely see the results of the drought!!
MamiTig Posted Aug 18, 2012, 8:25 pm	Today I experienced an anime convention called Motaku! We are going to be here for the whole weekend and it's so fun! Today I played in the board game room, met people in costumes, and learned about kandi beads!
MamiTig Posted Aug 20, 2012, 3:23 am	We had lots more fun at Motaku today! We went to several interesting panels and people watched!
MamiTig Posted Aug 21, 2012, 6:12 am	We visited the earth family's friends and met their cats! They have nine cats, and I liked them all! The kitten got a bit overly friendly, though!!!
MamiTig Posted Aug 22, 2012, 5:30 am	The earth family loves to go to Red Robin for the amazingly delicious veggie burgers!
MamiTig Posted Aug 24, 2012, 1:42 pm	Sunflowers are the Kansas state flower, and this sunflower grew in the earth family's back yard! It got really, really, really tall all summer, then it bent over, and now it has little sunflowers!
MamiTig Posted Aug 26, 2012, 5:04 am	It finally rained today!! It was very badly needed. Earth mom said she heard that two days ago, one of the small towns in our county ran out of water. Everything is dry and there have been fires. I sure hope we keep getting more rain!
MamiTig Posted Aug 28, 2012, 1:38 pm	We walked over to the Cottonwood Garden to see what is left as summer starts to fade. The Cottonwood Garden was just a vacant lot until someone bought it, landscaped it, and donated it back to the city for everyone to enjoy.
MamiTig Posted Aug 31, 2012, 3:23 am	Two of the giant's brothers took Arizona, Tucker, Wotan, Sissi, Sundy, Fidditch, Hryusha, Vriendje, Snakiey, Bambi, Kalso, Kali, Ming Jung, Anastaysia, Chrissy, Strider, Plaudagei, Faschi, Mini-Mina, and myself to the playground at the elementary school today! We played on all of the equipment and had sooo much fun!
MamiTig Posted Sep 1, 2012, 2:50 am	Earth mom had to go to Burlington to testify on a court case, so we came along. She showed us some of the pretty murals that decorate the town!
MamiTig Posted Sep 2, 2012, 1:37 am	Earth mom made colorful pancakes today! She uses this recipe, but said that she adds vanilla to make them extra fluffy. They sure turn out delicious and disappear fast!
MamiTig Posted Sep 4, 2012, 5:39 am	Today we went exploring at Elm Creek! It was hot out, but the shade of the trees made it kind of nice. We explored the north side of the creek, then drove back around to the bridge so that we could explore and see the south side. Earth mom has lived here for 12 years, and this was the first time she ever explored this part of Elm Creek!
MamiTig Posted Sep 5, 2012, 4:45 am	Today we stopped and took a look at beautiful, historical Fort Scott!
MamiTig Posted Sep 5, 2012, 1:24 pm	I adore these little hedgehog babies!
MamiTig Posted Sep 7, 2012, 2:43 am	We visited the Farmer's Market this evening and bought a few things. The vendors were closing down while we were there, and some nice ladies gave us peach pies and cinnamon rolls, too!
MamiTig Posted Sep 10, 2012, 12:47 am	Today we enjoyed great company and delicious food at the SDA church supper!
MamiTig Posted Sep 11, 2012, 4:18 am	Earth mom and her oldest daughter went ghost hunting at the Pythian Castle! They joined members of the Paranormal Task Force and learned how to use some really cool equipment! It was a mostly quiet night, but there was an electromagnetic field that hovered in one room for over half an hour that had no explainable source we could figure out! Some women felt their hair pulled and backpacks pulled on, and then could not initially leave the tunnel below the castle. They got really spooked, but earth mom and her daughter didn't experience any thing scary! For more pictures of their experience, you can click here!
MamiTig Posted Sep 13, 2012, 3:40 am	On the way home from visiting the haunted castle, we stopped at the Precious Moments chapel to take a break and breathe in the peace and beauty that is there.
MamiTig Posted Sep 14, 2012, 3:46 am	Earth mom stopped at Twin Trestles to take a photo shoot with us this morning. The sky was pale gray and threatening rain, and the late summer flowers were in bloom, but the leaves aren't turning autumn colors yet. The water in the river was nearly all dried up. This is one of host mom's favorite local places to take pictures!
MamiTig Posted Sep 16, 2012, 7:20 pm	The earth family took me to Marsha's Great Plains Deli today... they swear it's the best deli in the Midwest! The sandwiches were amazing!!
MamiTig Posted Sep 17, 2012, 4:48 am	Earth mom had to take a trip out to Nevada, MO and stopped to show us the lovely building that is now Heartland Behavioral Health Services. Like the Pythian Castle we went to recently, it was originally an orphanage. You can read about the history of the building here.
MamiTig Posted Sep 21, 2012, 3:44 am	We got to celebrate a birthday! It was so much fun to see the presents unwrapped!
MamiTig Posted Sep 25, 2012, 2:04 am	We enjoyed church supper and a visit from friendly goats!
MamiTig Posted Sep 26, 2012, 3:17 am	We went to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival and saw so many amazing things! Around every corner there was something new to see or do! The performers and shopkeepers were so incredibly nice to us, too
MamiTig Posted Sep 28, 2012, 1:18 pm	Mmmm, Red Robin has the best veggie burgers and other stuff!
MamiTig Posted Sep 30, 2012, 3:07 am	I inspected the progress on earth mom's latest project!
MamiTig Posted Oct 1, 2012, 3:16 am	One of earth mom's daughters is taking a photography class for her after school program and had an assignment to look for patterns. On Saturday, after Sabbath school and while waiting for potluck, we helped her look for patterns!
MamiTig Posted Oct 3, 2012, 5:24 am	Earth mom took us down to see the Neosho River today. She was amazed that even after all the rain we have had, it is still incredibly low!
MamiTig Posted Oct 4, 2012, 4:14 am	Host mom finished her project- it's a dress for her oldest daughter!
MamiTig Posted Oct 7, 2012, 3:53 am	Earth mom got her new full spectrum camera in this week, so we decided to take it somewhere interesting to try it out. We visited the Galemore Cemetery, and earth mom took pictures with both full spectrum and her regular camera.
MamiTig Posted Oct 8, 2012, 2:45 am	Jellybean inspected the cranes that earth mom's oldest daughter is making. She says she wants to make 1,000 cranes so she can make a wish.
MamiTig Posted Oct 9, 2012, 4:22 am	Earth mom is finishing up another costume... she calls this one "Little Red Fighting Good"!
MamiTig Posted Oct 10, 2012, 4:28 am	Today was earth mom's birthday!
MamiTig Posted Oct 13, 2012, 7:28 am	We were supposed to go to the high school football game today, but lightning, thunder, and torrential rain meant it got postponed. We took shelter in a nearby recreation building and watched the middle school and high school bands at marching practice!
MamiTig Posted Oct 14, 2012, 5:51 am	Another delicious vegetarian Sabbath supper at the SDA church!
MamiTig Posted Oct 16, 2012, 4:47 am	The stormy skies had an amazing yellow shade that we never could quite catch in a picture, but earth mom did get these lovely pictures with her regular and full spectrum cameras.
MamiTig Posted Oct 17, 2012, 5:17 am	Earth mom is hard at work on another costume...
MamiTig Posted Oct 18, 2012, 4:47 am	More progress! Earth mom told us that inspiration for the design came from Edward Gorey.
MamiTig Posted Oct 19, 2012, 4:54 am	Oh my! There was a ghost cat in the downstairs bathroom tonight...
MamiTig Posted Oct 22, 2012, 3:36 am	We visited the Farm City Days celebration in downtown Iola today! We saw all sorts of things, like carnival rides a blacksmith, tractors, and vendor booths! It sure was a lot of fun!
MamiTig Posted Oct 23, 2012, 5:05 am	We got to watch The Passing Zone performance at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center! We even had front row seats.
MamiTig Posted Oct 27, 2012, 4:35 am	We met a new friend named Axie! Earth mom was so happy that Axie joined her family because Axie is a squishable axolotl and #426 in the series!
MamiTig Posted Oct 29, 2012, 1:07 am	Jellybean enjoyed another Sabbath supper at the SDA church!
MamiTig Posted Oct 30, 2012, 3:10 am	We took a visit to Twin Trestles, to see what autumn is doing to the landscape. The trees seem to be going straight to curled up and brown, or to leaves falling, without a lot of the usual pretty colors this year.
MamiTig Posted Nov 2, 2012, 3:58 am	We visited the Attachment Center in Wichita, KS today. This is what it looked like outside and inside!
MamiTig Posted Nov 4, 2012, 2:13 pm	On the way home from Wichita, earth mom stopped to take a short walk and find the spring around which the Kansas town of Eureka was founded.
MamiTig Posted Nov 5, 2012, 5:29 am	There were strange things afoot on Halloween!
MamiTig Posted Nov 6, 2012, 3:15 am	Mmmmm! The Mexican food at El Charro is amazing! We tried the vegetarian fajitas today
MamiTig Posted Nov 7, 2012, 1:25 pm	I helped host mom cut out her next sewing project!
MamiTig Posted Nov 8, 2012, 4:52 am	Today we visited Grene Vision for an eye appointment and looked at all of the fun glasses!
MamiTig Posted Nov 9, 2012, 4:24 am	The fall colors at the South lake are lovely in the morning!
MamiTig Posted Nov 12, 2012, 5:33 pm	After many hours in the car, we arrived at our hotel in Union, MO, where we rested up, to be ready for a night of paranormal investigation!
MamiTig Posted Nov 14, 2012, 1:41 pm	We spent the night at the Tri-County Truck Stop, a reportedly haunted location, on a paranormal investigation! Host mom didn't have room to take all of the TVs in so some of us only got to see the dining area. For the rest of the pictures, you can click here!
MamiTig Posted Nov 17, 2012, 4:56 am	On the way home from the truck stop, we couldn't resist stopping at Lambert's for lunch. We had to wait an hour and a half to get in, but it was SO worth it! Yum, yum, yum!
MamiTig Posted Nov 18, 2012, 1:47 am	Earth mom has made some progress on her sewing project!
MamiTig Posted Nov 19, 2012, 2:05 am	Today we enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast with the earth family's friends at RiverTree.
MamiTig Posted Nov 21, 2012, 3:08 am	We were fortunate to get to watch the very amazing Birdhouse Factory performance by Cirque Mechanics... every act was incredible and astounding!!
MamiTig Posted Nov 23, 2012, 1:50 am	Earth mom decided to cook something yummy for dinner and we got to help! She made Hungarian Noodles and Cabbage and it was so delicious that all the kids had seconds!
MamiTig Posted Nov 24, 2012, 2:35 am	We very much enjoyed celebrating an American Thanksgiving with a community luncheon at St. Timothy's Episcopal church. Since the earth family are vegetarians, they didn't eat the traditional turkey, but did enjoy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, bread rolls, cranberry salad, and pumpkin desserts!
MamiTig Posted Nov 25, 2012, 1:32 am	We got to enjoy another one of the earth family's holiday traditions. We went for a leaf walk, to find colorful leaves to make a table centerpiece for tonight's Thanksgiving dinner! This is a tradition that earth mom says has been practiced in her family for at least four generations now!
MamiTig Posted Nov 25, 2012, 6:17 am	We got to help make Thanksgiving dinner! Sweet potato and Black Bean Enchiladas, white cheese mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and cranberry sauce made up the menu!
MamiTig Posted Nov 27, 2012, 5:55 am	The city of Iola kicked off the Christmas season with an event on the town square! The kids had a candy cane hunt and then we listened to a storyteller. We waited and waited, and then Santa came in on a fire truck to light the town's tree!!
MamiTig Posted Nov 28, 2012, 6:16 am	Earth mom finished her sewing project: bright yellow jeans for her oldest daughter!
MamiTig Posted Dec 1, 2012, 5:43 am	Today we went to work with earth mom and looked around her office.
MamiTig Posted Dec 3, 2012, 6:13 am	We helped make Christmas ornaments at youth group. The ornaments will also double as book marks and the youth group kids will be giving them away as gifts.
MamiTig Posted Dec 5, 2012, 5:20 am	Another yummy Sabbath potluck supper at the SDA church!
MamiTig Posted Dec 7, 2012, 3:00 am	Earth mom made a couple of pretty shirts for her middle daughter!
MamiTig Posted Dec 8, 2012, 3:26 am	We went to the Bowlus Fine Arts center to watch the elementary school Christmas program!
MamiTig Posted Dec 10, 2012, 2:01 am	Host mom took us for a late night walk so that we could enjoy some of the Christmas lights that people around town have used to decorate their homes!
MamiTig Posted Dec 10, 2012, 5:00 am	We visited the Safari Museum in Chanute, KS and got to see and play with lots of fascinating artifacts from Africa and Borneo!
MamiTig Posted Dec 12, 2012, 4:38 am	We found some lovely buildings in downtown Parsons, KS!
MamiTig Posted Dec 13, 2012, 5:26 am	It was the coldest day so far this winter (17F) and earth mom took us down to see the sun rising over the Neosho River. She is sad that it is still so low, and hopes we'll get lots of snowfall and then spring rains to fill it back up.
MamiTig Posted Dec 16, 2012, 9:21 pm	We got to watch the Iola Middle School winter concert... strings, choir, band, and jazz band! The kids were fantastic, and it made my heart dance!
MamiTig Posted Dec 17, 2012, 5:37 am	The Classique Dance Studio Christmas party was wonderful! We got to see the little dancers, and take part in an indoor "snowball" fight!
MamiTig Posted Dec 20, 2012, 5:16 am	We spent some time in the waiting room at Legend's Drive Dental today, while the earth family all had their check ups!
MamiTig Posted Dec 21, 2012, 3:03 am	After a long day, dinner at CeCe's Pizza was delicious!
MamiTig Posted Dec 22, 2012, 5:46 am	Today was the first snow of winter! There wasn't much snow, but it sure was cold and gray!
MamiTig Posted Dec 23, 2012, 1:14 am	Host mom made a super cute outfit for her youngest daughter, who loves bright, sunshiny colors!
MamiTig Posted Dec 23, 2012, 3:44 am	Today we enjoyed a potluck at the SDA church!
MamiTig Posted Dec 25, 2012, 4:59 am	We went Christmas caroling with friends from church, then enjoyed a super hot bonfire afterward! Everyone was trying to roast marshmallows but it was so hot that it was hard to get close enough to get them cooked! Perfect for a cold winter's night!
MamiTig Posted Dec 26, 2012, 5:35 am	We enjoyed watching the earth family celebrate Christmas! Merry Christmas to all!
MamiTig Posted Dec 29, 2012, 7:09 pm	The earth family had an invasion of blob plushies, so we got to visit with them! (The oldest daughter had made them for presents- aren't they cute?!).
MamiTig Posted Dec 30, 2012, 12:08 am	Earth mom has been having fun with fleece... she made her littlest daughter this pretty coat!
MamiTig Posted Dec 31, 2012, 5:01 am	Jellybean made some tiny little friends today!
MamiTig Posted Jan 2, 2013, 4:57 am	The new year greeted us with a light dusting of snow. There wasn't quite enough for a snowman, so we settled for a snow lump!
MamiTig Posted Jan 3, 2013, 3:32 am	Mmmm, yummy! French toast for dinner!
MamiTig Posted Jan 7, 2013, 4:36 am	One of the kids was sick with an ear infection, so we got to explore the doctor's office!
MamiTig Posted Jan 8, 2013, 6:36 pm	We went to the park to see the frozen water on Elm Creek! It sure was a chilly day!
MamiTig Posted Jan 8, 2013, 6:46 pm	We enjoyed another Sabbath potluck supper at the SDA church!
MamiTig Posted Jan 10, 2013, 4:59 am	We helped the earth family make focaccia!
MamiTig Posted Jan 13, 2013, 2:25 am	Jellybean and some of the other TVs checked out the new coat that earth mom made for her oldest middle daughter!
MamiTig Posted Jan 15, 2013, 4:18 am	The earth family made a bucket list of things they would like to do in the next 5 years! I wonder which ones I'll get to do with them!
MamiTig Posted Jan 17, 2013, 5:26 am	The earth family is musical and today, I got to see the oldest daughter's bass clarinet!
MamiTig Posted Jan 18, 2013, 5:14 am	The earth family accomplished the first thing off of their list of 148 things today: baking a pineapple upside down cake!
MamiTig Posted Jan 20, 2013, 5:57 am	The earth family crossed a second thing off of their list today: Taking the dogs to the dog park. The earth family has three dogs named Bowly, Turtle, and Dove!
MamiTig Posted Jan 22, 2013, 2:13 am	Earth mom started a new project today, how exciting! She is using pretty red fleece!
MamiTig Posted Jan 22, 2013, 4:40 am	The host family crossed a third (and very delicious) thing off of their goal list: bake a cheese cake! This one is pumpkin swirl flavored
MamiTig Posted Jan 25, 2013, 5:54 am	Earth mom introduced Jellybean to the piccolo today!
MamiTig Posted Jan 28, 2013, 6:11 am	We enjoyed another delicious vegetarian Sabbath supper at the SDA church First, we helped set up, then we got to eat!
MamiTig Posted Jan 28, 2013, 6:12 am	Earth mom bought a lovely little bouquet of sunflowers
MamiTig Posted Jan 31, 2013, 3:50 am	We enjoyed lunch at Jin Shan Chinese buffet! They had so many delicious things to choose from
MamiTig Posted Feb 1, 2013, 4:15 am	Jellybean was fascinated with all of earth mom's flutes and piccolos! Such pretty instruments!
MamiTig Posted Feb 4, 2013, 5:42 am	February 2nd is Hedgehog Day, so we consulted the hedgehog to see what the weather is going to do. The hedgehog saw her shadow, predicting 6 more weeks of winter
MamiTig Posted Feb 5, 2013, 1:27 pm	Today we tried Ethiopian food at Elsa's! The food was fantastic, the waitress was very nice, and the smooth jazz music playing in the background made for a lovely ambiance.
MamiTig Posted Feb 8, 2013, 5:10 am	It's a birthday party! Watching presents being unwrapped is so much fun!
MamiTig Posted Feb 11, 2013, 3:22 am	The earth family took us to Pizza Hut for a middle school band fundraiser. We ate delicious potato wedges as an appetizer, before the pizza came!
MamiTig Posted Feb 11, 2013, 1:32 pm	Mmmm, these SDA church suppers are full of vegetarian deliciousness!
MamiTig Posted Feb 14, 2013, 5:08 am	We got to go to a second delicious vegetarian potluck today! This one was for the kids, as they were having a church lock-in for the night.
MamiTig Posted Feb 15, 2013, 1:59 am	We investigated the new baritone! So pretty and shiny!
MamiTig Posted Feb 16, 2013, 4:59 am	Earth mom took us to the south lake to see the Canada geese. This is where they come when they head north and nest. The geese weren't quite as happy to see us as we were to see them, and kept their distance.
MamiTig Posted Feb 17, 2013, 4:50 am	We had an unexpected bit of snow last night, and since there hasn't been much this winter, earth mom hurried us out first thing in the morning, to get pictures before it melted!
MamiTig Posted Feb 17, 2013, 11:53 pm	This is the cement factory just outside of Chanute, KS. It's across the street from a music shop where earth mom went to purchase a beginner baritone book for her daughter. This area sure is rural!
MamiTig Posted Feb 19, 2013, 5:00 am	This country road leads past the Colony, Kansas water tower. Colony is a town of about 400 people, with many more cows than humans!
MamiTig Posted Feb 21, 2013, 3:15 am	Today we visited Humboldt, KS and earth mom was able to take us a lot closer to the cement plant there, to see what it looked like. It was huge and seemed to have lots of things going on!
MamiTig Posted Feb 21, 2013, 9:53 pm	Can you tell that earth mom and her daughters like nail polish?
MamiTig Posted Feb 22, 2013, 5:25 am	There was a big snow storm, dropping lots of snow and ice on the area! School and work were cancelled today!
MamiTig Posted Feb 23, 2013, 4:50 am	A warm brunch of pumpkin pancakes with white chocolate chips, served with fried eggs, sounded so very good on a cold winter's day!
MamiTig Posted Feb 24, 2013, 5:36 am	Oh goody... preparing for another yummy Sabbath potluck supper at the Seventh Day Adventist church!
MamiTig Posted Feb 25, 2013, 3:36 am	Jellybean enjoyed trying the vegetarian fajita taco salad at El Charro's Mexican restaurant!
MamiTig Posted Feb 27, 2013, 2:36 am	Earth mom finished her third jacket, finally! She was very pleased with how it turned out, and her daughters were delighted to receive them!
MamiTig Posted Mar 1, 2013, 6:01 am	We got round two of winter storms, so earth mom got to stay home for the day. The weather man predicted 8 to 12 inches of snow, but we only got about two, and then it was warm enough to melt some of it off. Earth mom took us for a walk in the neighborhood, to see how pretty it looked before the snow went away!
MamiTig Posted Mar 4, 2013, 2:40 am	Jellybean was very curious about earth mom's new sewing project. The fabric sure is a bright, bold orange!
MamiTig Posted Mar 8, 2013, 5:01 am	Earth mom had to go to the post office to help some TVs continue in their journey. She was working in Garnett today so we stopped at the town square to see the mounds of snow that are still there from last week's storms, on the way to the post office!
MamiTig Posted Mar 10, 2013, 6:22 am	Vegetarian lasagna, scalloped potatoes, and so many other delicious things... Sabbath potluck is always wonderful!
MamiTig Posted Mar 12, 2013, 4:50 am	We traveled to Ottawa Music to get a piccolo repaired. It's a wonderful place, full of guitars and musical things both recognizable and mysterious. And they are super nice about answering questions!
MamiTig Posted Mar 15, 2013, 3:45 am	Earth mom finished the orange cape that she was making for her oldest daughter. It's so warm and cozy, perfect for TVs to snuggle in
MamiTig Posted Mar 17, 2013, 5:02 am	Earth mom took us to the north lake over her lunch hour. We explored the old stone shelter building and then took a look at the lake. It was nice to get out in the fresh air!
MamiTig Posted Mar 18, 2013, 3:13 am	It was chilly today, but that didn't stop us from going to the park to see the historic Carnegie building and log cabin, and playing with some children that we found at the park!
MamiTig Posted Mar 20, 2013, 1:34 am	Earth mom got a special new T-shirt that she's all excited about! It's for Elio motors... she says she can't hardly wait until she gets her Elio in 2014. It will be the first car of its type made and marketed in the USA!
MamiTig Posted Mar 20, 2013, 3:59 am	Today we went to the Kansas City airport to drop off one of the earth family kids, so she could go visit her grandmother for spring break. We got there early because earth mom was worried about the long airport lines that had been reported. We waited a long time so we got to do lots of people watching!
MamiTig Posted Mar 21, 2013, 12:43 pm	Earth mom had been looking at a lot of blogs about repurposing clothing and decided to give it a try. Amazing how a pair of old hand me down capri pants from her oldest daughter turns into a cute summer shirt and skirt for a younger daughter!
MamiTig Posted Mar 23, 2013, 2:23 am	Earth mom took us to work at her Garnett office today. She told us the story of these lovely violets that sit in the windowsill of the group room.  About 10 years ago, they were in little tiny pots looked all dried up. The office manager at the time, Marlys, was going to throw them away, but noticed they weren't completely dead, so she decided to put them in bigger pots and see if she could revive them. You can see that she did a wonderful job, because while Marlys retired about three years ago, the violets are still lovely!
MamiTig Posted Mar 25, 2013, 5:06 am	Back to the Kansas City airport; spring break is over! It sure is chilly and gray for spring time, but inside the terminal there were lots of interesting posters to look at and learn about Kansas City's jazz history.
MamiTig Posted Mar 29, 2013, 3:32 am	We had a delicious lunch at Pizza Street before heading back home!
MamiTig Posted Mar 31, 2013, 5:44 am	Earth mom is working on costumes again! She got two pairs of pants done today, and is working on a third. She said this set will take a while, and she seemed very excited! I wonder what they will be?
MamiTig Posted Apr 2, 2013, 2:22 am	We went on an amazing adventure! Earth mom took the afternoon off from work and surprised the kids by picking them up from school. She told them that it was adventure time. One of the kids asked, "A good adventure or a bad adventure?" "A good adventure, for sure!" she replied, with a twinkle in her eye. She drove us for about two hours, then we stopped at a Thai restaurant called Thai Smile. Earth mom called it a "hole in the wall" because it only had 14 seats in the whole restaurant. The earth family filled more than half the restaurant! Earth mom said you get the best food at a hole in the wall, and she was right! It was fantastic! After that, we piled back into the car and drove to downtown Wichita, for our final destination for the evening: the historic Orpheum Theater, where we watched the Trey McIntyre Project perform amazing contemporary dance! Yes, it was a good adventure!
MamiTig Posted Apr 6, 2013, 12:18 am	We went with the host family to enjoy a huge Easter celebration at a local park. It was really crowded, with around 1200 people there, but everyone had a wonderful time!
MamiTig Posted Apr 8, 2013, 5:26 am	Host mom has been sewing plushies in her spare time, to sell as a fundraiser for the local middle school's History Bowl team. They won in the regional competition and get to go to Washington DC to compete in the nationals next month!
MamiTig Posted Apr 10, 2013, 4:42 am	Now earth mom is sewing bow ties for the History Bowl fundraiser! They are so cute, and the middle school kids love them!
MamiTig Posted Apr 16, 2013, 3:25 am	We enjoyed youth group... there were songs, a cup cake craft, and hay stacks for dinner!
MamiTig Posted Apr 22, 2013, 4:55 am	Springtime is slowly getting here and the earth family took advantage of a sunny afternoon to start getting their garden ready
MamiTig Posted Apr 25, 2013, 4:35 am	Yay, yummy Mexican food! We went to El Charro's to celebrate a birthday with the earth family
MamiTig Posted Apr 28, 2013, 3:27 am	A flock of wildly colored ninjas invaded the home... (well, really, they were more fundraising items that earth mom made and donated to the middle school History Bowl, to help get the team to the national competition in Washington DC).
MamiTig Posted Apr 30, 2013, 4:58 am	We found ourselves back at El Charro, celebrating another birthday!
MamiTig Posted May 4, 2013, 7:54 pm	We visited the amazing Deanna Rose Farmstead! It was so fun to explore all of the different things
MamiTig Posted May 6, 2013, 5:22 am	After a fun time at the farmstead, we went to eat veggie burgers at Red Robin! They have the world's best veggie burgers (we think) and all the french fries you can eat
MamiTig Posted May 9, 2013, 3:50 am	It was a beautiful day, so we went down to the Neosho River to play! Lots of people were out to fish and throw rocks in the water!
MamiTig Posted May 13, 2013, 5:48 am	We helped a high school student campaign for treasurer in her school's student elections (she won)!
MamiTig Posted May 15, 2013, 5:33 am	Road trip! We headed on an adventure today and our first stop was to see the historical marker at the spring in Eureka, Kansas.
MamiTig Posted May 18, 2013, 12:39 am	Our next stop to stretch our legs was at a pretty bridge in El Dorado, KS. This little site is tucked just off of the highway and is very peaceful.
MamiTig Posted May 19, 2013, 7:06 pm	Once we got to Wichita, we found a lovely Chinese restaurant for dinner. The name of the restaurant was Kirin and they were having their grand opening. We ate an amazing vegetarian feast including cream cheese wontons, lo mein, ma po tofu, fried rice, white rice, and chow mein.
MamiTig Posted May 20, 2013, 1:04 am	After dinner, we drove downtown to the Orpheum Theater, to watch the Wichita State University Contemporary Dance Recital. They don't allow pictures inside the theater, but we got there early enough that we were able to wander around downtown and admire the art and architecture. We found an amazing horse sculpture that was made entirely out of old car bumpers. There were also pigs made out of bumpers, but they were inside of a building that was already locked for the night.
MamiTig Posted May 21, 2013, 6:08 am	It was a beautiful evening and we very much enjoyed the middle school's musical performance on the town square!
MamiTig Posted May 26, 2013, 5:49 am	Host mom's son decided to take me to Washington DC, where he would be competing in the National History Bowl! Our first stop was the Kansas City airport, where we boarded our plane for DC!
MamiTig Posted May 27, 2013, 12:51 am	I was so excited to get to Washington D.C.! We checked into our hotel, then ate lunch at a restaurant called Ollie's Trolley. It was full of interesting antiques. Next, we wandered around D.C. and saw the White House and the National Museum!
MamiTig Posted May 27, 2013, 4:28 am	The second exciting day in Washington D.C.! We ate breakfast at a restaurant called Au Bon Pain, then spent most of the day wandering through the Smithsonian. There were so many exhibits, it was impossible to see them all, but we sure tried! I also got to meet one of my life goals: to see a meteorite! The picture came out blurry, but it was as beautiful in person as anything I'd seen in space!
MamiTig Posted May 27, 2013, 4:51 am	Finally... the day that we were waiting for... the National History Bowl! Our team only won one round, but we were proud of their efforts and a great time was had by all
MamiTig Posted May 28, 2013, 6:49 pm	Mmm! I always enjoy Sabbath supper at the Seventh Day Adventist church!
MamiTig Posted May 31, 2013, 5:58 am	Earth mom showed us one of the country storm shelters... we were curious about them after the tornado sirens went off last week. The earth family live in town, so when the tornado sirens went off, they went to the local arts center, where a huge basement room, two stories beneath the ground, was opened up for people to stay until the storm passed. In the country, people have their own little shelters, like these. Earth mom said that the ground here is very wet, so not very many people have basements, in spite that it would be really convenient when the threat of tornadoes come!
MamiTig Posted Jun 1, 2013, 11:47 pm	Earth mom was on call on Memorial Day and had to go to Erie. She was looking for the metal dinosaurs that are supposed to be on display in the are, but found the Osage Nation plaque instead.
MamiTig Posted Jun 4, 2013, 5:25 am	Earth mom set her GPS to get to and from Erie for her on call visit. The GPS decided to take her off of the highway and down gravel roads. She came across this pretty community building in the middle of seeming nowhere. It had just the building, a storm cellar, and a small playground. When she got home, earth mom looked up Odense, KS. Apparently, it is a township so small that she couldn't find a listing of the population anywhere!
MamiTig Posted Jun 6, 2013, 4:35 am	Our next stop was to look at the wildflowers near Elsmore, KS. Sometimes it's a good thing when the GPS takes you off the highway and into the wild!
MamiTig Posted Jun 8, 2013, 1:30 am	Earth mom got to stay home for about half an hour before getting called out again. We helped earth mom's friend, who is helping earth mom paint her living room!
MamiTig Posted Jun 8, 2013, 3:10 am	Earth mom showed us what most Americans do on Memorial Day: Visit the cemetery to pay respects to loved ones who have passed, especially honoring those who have given military service to the country.
MamiTig Posted Jun 10, 2013, 5:23 am	Earth mom's last call was in Fort Scott, so she took us by to see the Fort Scott National Historic Site. It was closed for the evening, so we only got to look at the outside. Earth mom explained that the bricks that line the streets and the walkways in old town Fort Scott were locally made, back in the 1800s!
MamiTig Posted Jun 12, 2013, 2:00 am	It was picture day at the earth family's kids' dance studio. All of the kids looked like they were having so much fun showing off their costumes and playing while they waited their turns!
MamiTig Posted Jun 12, 2013, 4:05 am	Oh goody, a birthday! Watching presents being unwrapped is the most fun part of the day!
MamiTig Posted Jun 13, 2013, 4:47 am	Tonight was the dress rehearsal for the earth family's kids' dance recital! So many excited kids, and I really enjoyed it!
MamiTig Posted Jun 14, 2013, 5:29 am	Recital day! I got to play with all the dancers who waited in the "holding pit" between their routines! There were so many costumes and so many fun kids
MamiTig Posted Jun 15, 2013, 5:04 am	Earth mom's parents were visiting, so earth mom made a vegetarian Thai feast for dinner! In the wok pan there is pad se ew, and in the glass dish (under all of the garnish) there is pad thai!
MamiTig Posted Jun 18, 2013, 4:59 am	The earth family needed to take a trip to Lawrence, so they decided to visit the World's Largest Concete Teepee! It looks like someone lives in the main teepee now, but the side building is for rent. You can read more about its fascinating history by clicking here!
MamiTig Posted Jun 20, 2013, 2:47 am	On our way to dinner, found one of the Jayhawk statues that show pride in KU (University of Kansas), which is located in Lawrence. It was just across from the parking lot for Zen Zero, which is where we decided to eat. Everything was so good and plentiful that we ate and ate and ate until everyone was full!
MamiTig Posted Jun 20, 2013, 3:40 am	It's that time again! It's summer and the Farmer's Market has come to Iola on Thursday night. People from Iola and the surrounding area come to buy and sell produce, baked goods, and crafts. We love to look and see what there is to buy!
MamiTig Posted Jun 23, 2013, 5:30 am	We ate "haystacks" at the Sabbath potluck this time! Haystacks have fritos corn chips on the bottom, then slow cooked pinto beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, olives, onions, and salsa. They are super delicious!
MamiTig Posted Jun 27, 2013, 1:40 am	Earth mom says that the best part of spring and summer in Kansas is the wildflowers! These pretty flowers grow by her garage.
MamiTig Posted Jun 27, 2013, 4:25 am	We had to pick up kids at the airport, so of course we took advantage of being in the area to feast at the Ghengis Khan restaurant! The host family LOVE this place because you can create your own meal and watch them cook it on the giant grill stone!
MamiTig Posted Jun 28, 2013, 4:45 am	Earth mom took us out to the community garden at about 10 pm to look at the supermoon, since there were too many trees around the family's house. It didn't seem that enormous from where we stood, but it sure was a pretty orange!
MamiTig Posted Jun 30, 2013, 3:09 am	Today's adventure involved playing with baby hedgehogs! They are so prickly, but adorable
MamiTig Posted Jul 1, 2013, 8:47 pm	Earth mom's project today was to make 2 pairs of blue slippers, to go with the cosplay costumes she is making. They turned out to be adorable!
MamiTig Posted Jul 2, 2013, 5:35 am	Today earth mom took us to Chanute to run some errands. She stopped to show us the lovely, historic down town area. The yellow brick building called the Tioga Hotel has a wooden elevator much like the one featured in the old movie The Shining, but we didn't have time to go in and look at that part.
MamiTig Posted Jul 7, 2013, 3:53 am	I was so excited to be on vacation with my earth family, at Broken Arrow Ranch in north central Kansas. We are here for a week of family camp, with about a dozen other families. The first thing we did when we arrived was unpack and make ourselves at home in the cabin.  Next, we spent some time playing in the recreation area. In the evening, we enjoyed a campfire service on a bluff overlooking the Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Sunset was stunningly gorgeous!
MamiTig Posted Jul 7, 2013, 6:56 am	On the second day of vacation, we started the day with a worship service in the Green Cathedral. Then, went to the beach. Later, we enjoyed an outdoor cooking lesson where we made foil-wrapped packets with olive oil, white potatoes, sweet potatoes,  yellow and red bell pepper, onion,  fri-chik (vegetarian meat substitute), sage, salt, and pepper, that we roasted on a fire.
MamiTig Posted Jul 13, 2013, 3:42 am	We celebrated the Fourth of July (American Independence Day) with an All-American (though, all vegetarian) luncheon. In the afternoon we had another cooking with Travis lesson, and learned to make baked cinnamon apples on a camp fire. In the evening, we had a campfire worship service that was followed by fireworks over the beach!
MamiTig Posted Jul 14, 2013, 6:33 am	The earth family started the day with ziplining, but we didn't get to go because earth mom was afraid she'd lose us. After that was a yummy lunch with veggie burgers. Then earth mom took a picture of the view from the cabin on the way back to take a nap after lunch. After our nap we went to play in the recreation room
MamiTig Posted Jul 16, 2013, 5:13 am	On our last day of camp, they brought us breakfast in bed... a basket full of cereal, milk, orange juice, and fresh, hot scones! It was a great way to end a wonderful week. After that we packed up, and we stopped to take a look at the tall grass prairie and the Flint Hills at a vista just outside of Broken Arrow Ranch.
MamiTig Posted Jul 18, 2013, 5:36 am	The day after we got back from family camp, earth mom took one of her sons to summer camp at Hidden Haven. Just outside the camp, she stopped along the road to show us the black-eyed susan flowers that were growing along the road. They are one of the many forms of sunflower that grow in Kansas.
MamiTig Posted Jul 22, 2013, 12:21 am	We joined in the festivities at the Mad Bomber Run (a community event celebrating a piece of local history) by helping the middle and high school band booster club run carnival booths.
MamiTig Posted Jul 22, 2013, 1:35 am	We had fun helping to get ready for the Sabbath potluck at church. There were so many fun people and so much delicious food that I had a fabulous time. We got to look at the To Save A Life movie kit that host mom shared with the church elders and got approval to show it at church and do a discussion group with teens this fall.
MamiTig Posted Jul 22, 2013, 1:35 am	We had fun helping to get ready for the Sabbath potluck at church. There were so many fun people and so much delicious food that I had a fabulous time. We got to look at the To Save A Life movie kit that earth mom shared with the church elders and got approval to show it at church and do a discussion group with teens this fall.
MamiTig Posted Jul 23, 2013, 5:11 am	We got to go to a wedding! Earth mom has been friends with the bride's mom for over a decade, and got to watch her grow from a little girl into a young woman. She was such a beautiful bride, with a country style wedding.
MamiTig Posted Jul 29, 2013, 3:55 am	We took a trip to Springfield, Missouri to go on a ghost hunt with the Paranormal Task Force! We stayed at the University Plaza Hotel, which has a reputation for being haunted, and visited the Pythian Castle for the ghost hunt. We didn't experience anything unusual, but it was interesting to explore anyway.
MamiTig Posted Aug 3, 2013, 5:59 am	After an exciting night of ghost hunting, we stopped at the beautiful Precious Moments Chapel on the way home. Earth mom said she has traveled to many places in the world, and this is one of the most peaceful places she has found.
MamiTig Posted Aug 7, 2013, 2:51 am	The earth family took us to the Allen County Fair! We saw different kinds of livestock, baby animals, baked goods, and handicrafts that people entered in the fair.
MamiTig Posted Aug 11, 2013, 5:28 am	Tonight was our first night in Tulsa... we watched the earth family and friends get ready for the rave at the Tokyo in Tulsa anime convention!
MamiTig Posted Aug 13, 2013, 4:54 am	The earth family were really busy with the convention today so I stayed back at the hotel with most of the TVs. This is the view of downtown Tulsa from our hotel room
MamiTig Posted Aug 14, 2013, 4:28 am	On our last day at the convention, we spent some time just sitting and watching the people pass by in the hall, near the artist booths. Some of them were very interesting!
MamiTig Posted Aug 17, 2013, 5:05 am	On the way home, we stopped at Red Robin in Owasso for lunch. We love the veggie burgers, but service was crazily slow!!! The table just behind us had 3 sets of customers while we waited for our food, grrr!!! But, the veggie burgers were delicious!
MamiTig Posted Aug 19, 2013, 12:50 am	Earth mom made an adorable outfit for one of her daughters! I love the bright orange fabrics, they look so cheery!
MamiTig Posted Aug 21, 2013, 2:00 am	We went to deliver hedgehogs to PetWorld in Lawrence, KS. It's the best pet store in the world (at least, the earth family thinks so). The staff are super friendly and they let you pet the animals and teach you all about them!
MamiTig Posted Aug 28, 2013, 2:24 am	After delivering hedgies, we headed about 30 minutes to the east to run a few more errands, then ate dinner at delicious Sweet Tomatoes!
MamiTig Posted Aug 28, 2013, 4:57 am	Earth mom made a second outfit, for her other youngest daughter
MamiTig Posted Sep 5, 2013, 3:44 am	We took a trip down to the Neosho River to check the water levels. At the beginning of summer, the entire area was under extreme drought conditions and you could easily walk across at hip level. Now the water levels are showing at over 9 feet deep!!! We got a lot of much needed rain this summer!
MamiTig Posted Sep 9, 2013, 12:28 am	We attended Sabbath service and then had a delicious potluck at the Seventh Day Adventist church!
MamiTig Posted Sep 14, 2013, 6:17 am	Earth mom took us to visit the Wayne Garrett Memorial Children's Garden. It was built by master gardeners who volunteer with the local after school program and dedicated to the husband of a local teacher, who was killed in a tractor accident.
MamiTig Posted Sep 19, 2013, 2:06 am	Today we went to DeGage Dancewear to help the earth family's oldest daughter buy her first pair of pointe shoes! She looked so elegant and lovely in them!! I was just as excited as she was!
MamiTig Posted Sep 26, 2013, 1:49 am	We went on a search for insects for one of the earth kids's science class. He was horrified at the original assignment, which involved catching bugs, freezing them to death, then pinning them to a piece of cardboard. The teacher relented to his request and let him take photographs of them instead. My favorite was this bunch of web worms!
MamiTig Posted Sep 29, 2013, 12:37 am	Earth mom had to go to Wichita for a continuing education conference, so she took us in the convertible, with the top down! On the way home, we stopped at the park in El Dorado to feed the geese!
MamiTig Posted Oct 6, 2013, 6:44 am	We went to youth group and had so much fun! There was a puppet show, and we did arts and crafts
MamiTig Posted Oct 16, 2013, 5:07 am	I tagged along with the earth family, to go to the dentist, in Lawrence. Afterward was my favorite; dinner out at CiCi's Pizza!
MamiTig Posted Oct 18, 2013, 11:53 pm	Earth mom's middle daughter wanted a wild poncho, so earth mom made it for her! She'll be warm and cozy in those zebra stripes
MamiTig Posted Oct 19, 2013, 2:33 am	We went to Wichita to see Momix Botanica at the Orpheum Theater. Since we were running too late to get pictures outside and they don't allow cameras inside the Orpheum, earth mom didn't get a chance to take any pictures there. But, she did get a picture of our great pre-show dinner at China Star.
MamiTig Posted Oct 20, 2013, 12:25 am	Kansas City is famous for its race cars and October is Breast Cancer Awareness month... we came across this great pace car, celebrating both!
MamiTig Posted Oct 21, 2013, 2:06 am	Earth mom helped her daughter make cabin for her third grade class assignment on the book Sign of the Beaver. I really liked how it turned out!
MamiTig Posted Oct 31, 2013, 12:40 am	We started out on an exciting road trip today! The first place we stopped was St. Joseph, Missouri, where we ate at a Taco Bell/Pizza Hut franchise for lunch.
MamiTig Posted Nov 1, 2013, 3:38 am	Our next stop was at the Loess Hills Visitor Center in Iowa, which has been dubbed "the best rest stop in Iowa." We learned about the geography of the Loess Hills, and that this type of hill was formed by glaciers and is only found in this part of the United States, and part of China.
MamiTig Posted Nov 12, 2013, 12:13 am	Our first morning in Omaha, we took a visit to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. It spans the river between Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. The bridge seemed mystical in the chilly morning fog!
MamiTig Posted Nov 18, 2013, 1:28 am	Our second destination was just around the corner from the first. The Lewis and Clark Trail Visitor's Center was supposed to be closed due to the federal government shutdown, but the state of Nebraska provided extra funding so that it would be open for tourists like us! We saw so many interesting things, and out the back door, we got another view of the bridge we had just walked on!
MamiTig Posted Nov 21, 2013, 3:14 am	We visited Joslyn Castle in downtown Omaha. It has a very interesting history and even though it wasn't open for tours of the inside, we got to take a nice look at the outside!
MamiTig Posted Nov 27, 2013, 5:06 am	Our last stop of the day was Boy's Town. We stopped at the main office to get directions to the museum and garden, and had the opportunity to feed a loaf of bread to some friendly geese. We also got to see the world's largest ball of stamps, the museum that told about the history of Boy's Town, and the Bible Garden.
MamiTig Posted Nov 30, 2013, 4:28 am	The next morning we crossed the river and went to Council Bluff, Iowa, where we visited the Squirrel Cage Jail. Both the architecture and the history were quite fascinating, so be sure to click the link and learn more!
MamiTig Posted Dec 4, 2013, 6:49 pm	Our next destination was across the parking lot from the squirrel cage jail, at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. We got to learn about the history of the railroad, and see what it might be like inside of passenger train cars!
MamiTig Posted Dec 6, 2013, 5:32 am	Next on our stop was the Council Bluffs town square/park. Council Bluffs is famous for its black squirrels, but those adorable little guys wouldn't hold still for a picture with us, so we had to settle for a picture with a statue. We also noticed the lovely architecture of downtown Council Bluffs, which consisted of well preserved brick buildings from the mid to late 1800s to early 1900s.
MamiTig Posted Dec 11, 2013, 5:26 am	The last place we visited on our road trip was the Mormon Trail Center. A very nice docent took us through the exhibits and talked to us about how the Mormon settlers had to leave Nauvoo, Illinois to avoid persecution, and ended up wintering in what late became Omaha, before pressing on to their final settlement in Salt Lake City, Utah. We learned what life would have been like in that era, as well as a tremendous amount of history!
MamiTig Posted Dec 17, 2013, 2:33 am	Haunted Hay Mazes are a deliciously fun American tradition on Halloween. After we found our way through the spooky hay maze, we had hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows by the fire!
MamiTig Posted Dec 21, 2013, 4:47 am	Halloween is one of the earth family's favorite holidays! The children dress in costumes and go house to house where they say "trick or treat" and people give them candy. We stopped at a street party where we got to dance with a zombie!
MamiTig Posted Dec 24, 2013, 1:37 am	Mmm, church supper at the SDA church! We helped set up and then we got to enjoy a delicious feast!
MamiTig Posted Dec 25, 2013, 5:33 am	We made a late night visit to Krispy Kreme donuts. We got to watch how they are made and enjoy their deliciousness! I can see why Krispy Kremes are so popular!
MamiTig Posted Dec 29, 2013, 5:39 am	Earth mom made these awesome tardis shirts for her favorite Dr. Who fans, for Christmas! The fabric was custom made at Spoonflower and the buttons were handmade, purchased through Etsy, and have tardis' on them. The inside lapel of the shirt has a print of the inside of the tardis, as does the inside of the pocket!
MamiTig Posted Jan 1, 2014, 4:15 am	We helped bake Christmas cookies! The platters looked so pretty and the earth family distributed them to their friends.
MamiTig Posted Jan 2, 2014, 1:04 am	Earth mom made pumpkin pancakes and eggs for breakfast. Then we got to taste test three different kinds of apple juice. It was so hard to decide what I liked best, but I think it was the apple pie!
MamiTig Posted Jan 2, 2014, 3:11 am	We got a science lesson today! Earth mom's daughter had to create a model of a plant cell, so earth mom helped her to make one out of cookie dough!
MamiTig Posted Jan 8, 2014, 4:30 am	On Thanksgiving, we were thankful to be in a community that is warm and welcoming. We went with the earth family to St. Timothy's church to share a community Thanksgiving meal.
MamiTig Posted Jan 11, 2014, 2:36 am	We walked downtown and took a peek in the shop windows in downtown Iola! They have a lot of interesting and fun stores on the town square.
MamiTig Posted Feb 8, 2014, 10:04 pm	Earth mom got some lovely granny smith apples and showed us how to turn them into an amazing cobbler for brunch!

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