Court of Honor

All that hard work at Scout Camp this past summer paid off on Wednesday night at Tyson's first Scout Court of Honor. Tyson was award four (4) merit badges: pottery, wildlife, riflery, and archery. He then got his Scout, Tenderfoot, and Second Class rank advancements. He's close to his First Class advancement as well with a big swimming requirement standing in the way. We're proud of Tyson and his Scouting accomplishments!

Soggy Football

There was a 20% chance of rain this evening. There was also a 100% chance of watching the Kansas City Chiefs out at the newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium. Albeit a pre-season game against the Houston Texans, tickets were cheap and easy to come by. Sure, they were on the 50-yard line but they were also up where the ozone layer was starting to thin. It wasn't long after the national anthem that the 20% chance of rain turned into a 100% chance ... and it didn't let up all night. Whether it was a light mist, a steady rain, or a heavy downpour, it was soggy and wet. In fact, half of the game was watched in the concourses where it was somewhat drier. In the end, it was a memorable night of football, rain, and good times with friends.

Business & Pleasure

Business trips are often meant for business ... but now and then the opportunity arises to mix "business with pleasure." This past week Cody was able to take Paige with him to the WIndy City for a meeting with other yearbook professionals. While Cody was in meetings on Wednesday, Paige kicked back in the 29th floor executive suite of the Ritz-Carlton hotel. She eventually ventured out to do some shopping along Chicago's Magnificent Mile in search of "re-sale" or "thrift" stores. Unfortunately, the only one she found amongst the Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue had price tags that competed with the family grocery budget.

Thursday was a free day ... so after Cody got back from a 7-mile jog along Lake Michigan, he and Paige took to the streets of Chicago. Breakfast at an outdoor cafe, the "bean" sculpture and Crown Fountains at Millennium Park, deep dish pizza, the Navy Pier, and anywhere else that 6-miles of walking would take them.

Dinners were succulent ... with Paige's favorites being the halibut and creme brulee. Wednesday's dinner was at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. On the final night at the Service Awards Dinner, Cody was presented with a gold-and-diamond HJ ring for 10 years of service. Bling-Bling!

Tyson meanwhile was kindly adopted by the Fletcher family (to whom we are forever indebted) where Tyson was able to experience life with siblings (5 of them). His eyes were opened to a life he hasn't known at the Edwards home and he will never be the same again.

Where's the Heat?

There haven't been too many like them ... in fact, this past month of July was the 3rd coldest July on record for the Kansas City area. What pleasant and enjoyable summer weather we've been enjoying! Great for running, great for gardening, great for ... well ... just about anything outside. We haven't had our air conditioner on for a week and we've had the windows opened most of the time. Ah ... refreshing! In fact, there were only 3 days last month that climbed above 90° ... so why are we still going through the ice cream like it's going out of style?