Current Activities 2004

Another New Year's Eve for this foursome, this year we tried the Holiday Inn Holidome's party.   The Exceptions were the entertainment and in the package deal we got a room for each couple, buffet dinner, the party favors you can see us wearing and the table is decorated.  The champagne flutes are there but the smoke got to us so much by a little before 11 PM we went back to the room and watched the ball drop in Times Square.   Might have to try something else next year, maybe stay home and play games.   Anyway 2004 is off and running and while we don't know what lies in store for the year, I doubt that it will have all of the events that 2003 had however here's looking at you and wishing all who view this page a Happy and Prosperous 2004.

First Snowfall at La Casa Grande-2004

This snow fell in late January and as one can see came in a couple installments of 5 to 6 inches each.  Just like an Angel Food cake on our Patio table.  Mostly gone off the table now and by the end of this third week in February should be melted off the ground also since the temperatures are to be the 40's and 50's.

La Casa Grande Our Home Spring 2004

This Bradford Pear tree sets just to the south of our home on the left and we have certainly enjoyed it from our computer room, which looks to the south.

Easter in Potwin at the Palmers

Every year the Potwin neighborhood as many as can come,  first have an Easter egg hunt for the kids and then come to Jerry and Ann Palmers, bringing covered dishes and enjoy a picnic in their beautiful back yard.  The pictures above are a sampling of those taken. Thanks to Virginia being a cousin of Ann's, both of whom are in the last picture, we get invited.

Mother's Day and Couples Shower for Kris Beam and Mike Money

Virginia's Mother's Day Bouquet  from Bob, Susan, and Brian

Michael and Charneil Swenson hosted a couples shower for Kris Beam and Mike Money on Mother's Day. As one can tell it was a Kitchen shower theme and the happy couple received a number of nice additions to use in their cooking after the wedding.  It was also a chance for the members of Kris and Mike's families to meet each other before the wedding.  It was a beautiful day and the next big event for this page will be May 22, 2004, the wedding of Kris Beam and Mike Money.

Below is the happy couple Mike and Kris at the Shower-Then just before the wedding and during the ceremony.

The Wedding pictures of Mr. & Mrs Mike Money

Pictures taken before the wedding. L-R Debbie(Kris's mom), Kris Beam, Terri Gall(Matron of Honor), The Groom
Mike Money and the Photographers.  Kris already kicking up her heals. Kris with her
Grandma Beam, 99 years young.

What a lucky bunch of Grandparents to see their Grandson and Granddaughter
on their Wedding Day May 22, 2004.

Well just a little break in the picture taking on the left Kris resting by the Lake and getting a
boost from a bottle from her Dad.-The family and freinds
have gathered and the wedding procession is led by Kristen's niece's, Courtny Lane,
Adriana Lane, and Michaela Parker.

First pics as Husband and Wife on their way in Style to the Reception

The Reception of Mike and Kris Money

Well they pop the cork and the tradtional Champagne Toast

Some of the Bride's family that attended the wedding and reception.

The First Dance

Picture is worth a thousand words!!!!!!

Dancing with others and it's the Money Dance

Well we know a lot more people danced but these are the pics I got!!!

The Crew of the 190th Refueling Wing

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Mike and Kris

The Toss of the Bouquet and Garter

That's all Folks and may Happiness be their's forever.

Vacation Summer 2004

Taking a ride down Rock Creek Parkway in Washington DC with young son Scott at the wheel of his Saab convertible. We usually try to get a picture of Scott and the "Splendid Spike".

The Jefferson Monument  is along this way also,  as we are going to view the World War Two Memorial on the Mall.

The newest monument on the Mall in DC is this beautiful Memorial to World War Two veterans. I believe
you can read the tablet on the left, which explains very well what it is and its placement on the Mall.  The picture in the middle is the Kansas pillar and each state is represented by a pillar. The Freedom Wall that shows dark in the
picture on the right, over Swede's left shoulder,  has 4000 gold stars to commenorate the more that 400,000 Americans who gave their lives in the war.

The pictures that follow were taken on our return trip to Topeka with an
unexpected trip to Surfside Beach, South Carolina to attend
the funeral of Sean Galton, Virginia's oldest Grandson.

This is the Episcopal Church where Grandson Sean's service was held.

These were taken along the Surfside Beach, which is part of what is called
"The Grand Strand", that starts at Myrtle Beach and continues on
south of here even for a total of 10 plus miles of beautiful sandy beach. These
were taken on Monday evening after  Sean's service and then on Tuesday
evening more of the family took a walk along the same beach but it was too late for
pictures.

Pictures taken in the Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark

L- R "The Raising of the Flag", Sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington-Grandaughter Juliet Galton, pensive but a slight smile
Grandaughter Cary Wagner on the Butterfly bench-Grandson Brian Fox laughing with his Rhino ballcap and the
Rhino sculptor.

Well no matter how old kids get they still like to torment each other, no one got wet however.   The last
is of a rather large grasshopper and one of the Park rangers said there are times that in
this area of the Garden these hoppers will cover the sidewalk we were walking on at the time. This area
is near sea level.

Pictures taken in Nashville

We took two Gray Line tours, one at night in the Old Nashville and tour some of the
Honky Tonk bars where the famous first started and had dinner at the "Hard Rock Cafe".
The pics above are taken the next day as we  went on "The General Jackson" a River
paddlewheeler.  It was a very good buffet lunch and the program was "Tim Watson" now That's
Country show.  It was also good.  The two pics on the bottom are of the BellSouth building and
our driver said they call it Batman and one can see why.

A trip back in time to "The Barn"

This trip to a place called "The Barn" was furnished by Virginia's good freind Betty Stewart before she passed away
just a few weeks ago.  The Barn is a Bed and Breakfast just outside of Valley Falls, KS about 20 minutes
north of Topeka.  The pics above are of the bedroom and a place to relax inside or out.

The above pics are of the surrounding area outside which used to be part of the owner's 640 acre farm.  One of
their barns stood where they have built the B& B some 20 years ago. They have done some beautiful
landscaping over the years.  They have some 20 rooms, meeting areas, TV viewing areas, no phones or TV in rooms, and while we
were there a group of young people and their adult instructors were having  a Conference.

Above you can see the large dining area, our dinner that evening, and the next morning our freinds
Frank and Edith Shrimplin came out for breakfast and just before we left I had Frank take a picture
of us after our hearty breakfast at which the owner says as he brings more food to the table,
"Eat up we have get you folks to Market Weight"  A wonderful night there and a great place
for an organization to have  meetings.

Rollings Zoo-Salina,Kansas

We believe all of these animals are easily named by most who see the page. This Zoo is just the
best display of Zoo animals
we have ever seen and the grounds are very well groomed..
It is located just 4 miles west of Salina
on Interstate 70 and two miles south,
one can't miss it and it isn't bad walking
but on weekends they do have a tram that takes you throughtout the Zoo.

Huff & Puff Balloons September 2004

On the right is the Boss Hawg's balloon, in the middle are the most balloons I could get that were up in one picture.
On the left is a moterrized Parasail that was observing the Huff & Puff Rally.

140th Reenactment of the Burning of Danville MO.-
October 2004 held at the Baker Plantation House

A couple of pictures from the Living Room and an upstairs Bedroom, where it is told that Jesse James
was sleeping in that very bed and escaped off the balcony when the Sheriff came looking for him.
The Baker's had 11 children, mostly girls, and during the war years Mr. Baker was in the State
Legislature in Jefferson City and she was there alone to cope with the Soldiers and Ruffians.

On our trip to Hermann, MO for a weekend in October, we had an added attraction nearby where
we were staying was a Civil War reenactment of the burning of Danville. These pictures show
a part of the encampment and a raid on a local Plantation home by the Yankee   Cavalry. Many
times these homes would shelter Southern sympathizers and runaway slaves. There were some
very bloody battles and skirmishes during the Civil War held in Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas
but history mostly cover the big battles in the East.

The Commanding Officer of this group is demanding that these ladies are surly harboring troublemakers
and we see finally that a man dressed as a woman is found to be among the group. He eventually shot the Lady of the House,
who was actually his own wife in real life.  The MC said,  he would probably pay for that later when the re-enactment was
over.

The pictures above show the whole cast of people in that particular event of this day.   We then went to
Hermann, MO. for a bit of Wine tasting, dancing, and Brats.  This particular weekend was also a big Craft,
Art, and Antique show in Hermann.

Virginia's 85th Birthday

Thanksgiving at the Palmer's Country Home

The end of Thanksgiving Day 2004

Swenson Family Christmas at Debbie's

King Pong 2004-A repeat of 2003

The Charade Game a Winner for the Ladies

What Passion that comes out in the Family Charade Game

Yep everyone get's excited and happy when their team has the answer!!!

Alicia must be laughing at the guy's performance and think Debbie is saying no Kibitzing
from someone!!!!

Well it's no doubt who the Champs were as smiles and high fives above.

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One last Christmas with Virginia's Cousin's at the Parker's

The three Palmer boy's L-R and below--Nicholas-Jack-Bradley.  All sons's of Chris and Lynette Palmer

Below are L-R Bannon Beall and Ann Beall, daughter's of Tom and Andrea Beall

This brings to the end  of family activities for 2004.  The year has most certainly had
it's up's and downs however I trust that family and friends have enjoyed this
Web Site as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to you. So may all
have a Happy New Year and looking forward to 2005.
Swede Swenson-Webmaster

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