Current Activities-2002

Another great start to the New Year 2002-Here's looking at You all and wishing a
most Happy, Prosperous, and Healthy 2002.

We had such a great time last year to welcome in the Millennium we four decided
to do it again and the pictures above tell the story.  The Capitol Plaza Hotel was
the setting again for Jim & Gloria Foster and us to enjoy good food, a few drinks,
some dancing, rousing Yahtzee games in our room, a night away from the cares of
the world, and a relaxing Brunch on New Year's Day.  Then home to develop these
pictures and many more. 

Scott's 39th Birthday Celebration in New York City

Ronnie Butler (a Honorary Kansan), Vicky Namnum (a Topeka West Grad living the good life
in 'The Big Apple', and the Birthday kid.  On the right two more added to the party another
Topeka West Grad, Mary Beth Krantz, and Dennis Walker, a K-State Grad.  Looks
like a fun party.  Happy 39th Scott

Brian Fox-Prom 2002

Brian & Stacy at their 2002 Prom Night in Glenwood Springs, CO.

Courtny Lane-First Dance Recital May 5, 2002

Swede's great-granddaughter Courtny Lane coming to her first Dance Recital and her sister Adrianna wanted to be part of the action also as they were entering the TPAC Center.  The middle picture is her first costume and the Dance was entitled "Shop Around", a Winter time activity.  The theme of the Dance Factory Recital this year was "A Dance for all Seasons", which portrayed dances for the four seasons of the year.   Courtny's other dance was called "Car Wash" was the beginning dance for the season of Summer. Cute show, High Octane dances throughout the 2+ hour performance.   The Dance Factory is the biggest Dance group in Topeka now putting on two performances of this last Sunday and then two performances later in June for their advanced and competitive dancers.

Trip to Washington D.C.

Volunteer Information Workshop on the left and Opening Night at the DAR Continental Congress 2002

National Vice-Chairman's Brunch held at the National Press Club

VIS Website Approval Chairman and Vice-Chairman-Opening night Marine Band Concert-VIS Volunteer of the year Margaret Bates from Kansas with President General DAR and VIS Chairman-Margaret with hubby Michael after the presentation of the Award.

Scott's home and our hotel during the stay in DC-His Porch-Scott's Living room

At the FDR Memorial-Fireside Chat-A steady hand on the Ship of State-Jefferson Memorial from FDR.

Scott's Workplace-On Top of Washington Hotel GREAT VIEW-Our Nation's Capitol-Looking in on George and Laura Bush from the Washington Hotel.

Swede looking down at the Yankee Logo at Home Plate and the Yankees taking the field for the first Inning.

Swede's First trip to Yankee Stadium 7/4/2002 with Monument Park in the background-After the game at Grand Central Station and Madison Square Garden.

We were guests of Mark and Pam Good in Lancaster, PA on our way to Virginia's Family Reunion after the DAR. Pam is Pete Grim's sister and they had just been out to Topeka for Pete's Funeral.  Pete was Swede's, daughter Debbie's, long time companion. Pam took us on an Amish Farm Tour around Lancaster-It was great.

These pictures are from the Weyerbacher Church and Reunion held every year on a Sunday in July and the momument is in honor of the immigrant ancestors.  Virginia has corresponded with this family for 20 years and the reunion came just a week after the DAR Convention.   She is conversing with the Family Historian.

We then traveled that Sunday afternoon to Aaronsburg, PA and hooked up with Randall Stover, who had cleaned up and renovated the Henney-Neidig Cemetery where Virginia's,  Adam Henney and Anna Weyerbacher are buried. The picture on the right is looking down from the cemetery site to the farm below and the beautiful Pennslyvania landscape.  The end of a great trip.

Mini-Family Reunion-Topeka 2002

In late July Craig Swenson brought his Mother Jean,  to Topeka and stayed at Jack and Joyce Swenson's. The pictures above were taken on Sunday July 28, 2002.  On the left are the five cousins who were here and sorry Mark and Scott the two youngest Swenson Cousins could not be here.  On the right Jack is standing behind his daughters, Linda Hunter and Barbara Logan. Swede is in the middle behind his daughter, Debbie Beam and beside his son, Mike.  Jean Swenson and her son, Craig are on the right of the picture.  It had been a little over 20 years since these cousins had been together so needless to say there was a lot of catching up to do.  We enjoyed dinner at Jack's on Saturday night and then had a barbecue at Swede's on Sunday with one of Debbie's daughter Kris and a friend and his boy's.  Also Debbie's Granddaughter's Courtny and Adrianna and their Dad Christopher Lane were present. Aimee Lane was visiting in Arizona. Mike's sons, Brady and Blake,  were also here. Craig, Mike, Brady, and Swede played golf on Monday in Topeka and Swede, Craig, Mike, and his neighbor Paul Swenson(no relation) played in Lawrence on Tuesday.  Actually Craig and Swede played 36 holes that day.  The highlight of that day was Swede came within about 6 inches of a hole in one and Craig proceeded to knock in his putt for a birdie also which saved the others from paying Swede for winning five skins (just playing a buck a hole) but that was all pretty thrilling. I told Craig that his Dad, Victor Swenson,   was sitting on one of those puffy Kansas clouds saying "come on kid make that putt". We ended up with Jack, Joyce, Jean, and Virginia joining the golfers for dinner at Teller's in Lawrence after taking a tour of Mike and Charneil's home.  I hope everyone had as much fun as I had and I'm sure they did.

THANKSGIVING AT THE PALMERS COUNTRY HOME

   Nancy Banta and her Mother Louise having Fireside Chat with Matt Griswold.  Bob Fox holding Ann Beall with Matt Griswold and Cary Wagner his stepchldren.  Brian Fox and Tom Beall on the ATV's.

Bannon was trying to hide from the camera on the left but seemed agreeable on the right.

Ann, the quitessential hostess giving us our seating assignments.  David and Carol Parker holding two of the young children in the family. Andrea Palmer-Beall, Chris and Lynette Palmer, and Jerry Palmer at the far end.

Matt, Cary, and Brian all children of Susan Griswold Fox and Bob Fox.  And the gorgeous Kansas Sunset.

Christmas 2002

The Swenson Christmas was held again at Mike's in Lawrence and Courtny Lane is opening the first package with her sister Adrianna and Marti Fromm, Mike's and Charneil's grandaughter waiting patiently for their turn. And on the right are cousin's, Aimee Lane, Blake Swenson, and Kris Beam.

Books seem to keep the little one's interest and Mike adds to his Santa collection.  Virginia is opening something and it probably is a gift certificate from her favorite store in Lawrence, Weaver's.  Marti is helping Grandma Charneil Swenson

Bill Holtom displays a box of Golf Balls, which he hopes to put in use when the weather gets warmer, and Adrianna is showing off her dancing and musical skills with her little guitar musical toy, turned it on and went into this routine, how cute.  Marti is going to tell her PaPa thanks for the book, equally cute. Christopher and Aimee Lane with their Grandma Marge Holtom. And now it's dinner time in the bottom picture

Little ones playing with the Jenco blocks, and then Mommy helps them get it back together.  And on the right Aimee is acting out in the annual Game of Charades, Women against the Men.

Aimee seems to be begging "come on you girls " get it, and then it's Debbie's turn and the expression seems to say what else can I do or maybe in the last picture her team finally gets it and Kris Beam seems to be in on both of their Charade.

Charade's over, I think the men won again this year but the games were spirited.  Cousins Blake Swenson, Kris Beam and Brady Swenson( the most recent KU graduate) hamming it up before going to the KU-UCLA game.  Neat Christmas ornament tree on their porch and then the obligatory picture, this year Debbie, Mike, and Scott in back.  L-R Aimee Lane, Kris Beam holding Courtny Lane, Blake Swenson holding Adrianna Lane, and Brady Swenson holding Marti Fromm

Well another year has gone by and the Swede Swenson family has experienced a great 2002 with only a few minor skirmish's with some of the family's health but with God's help watching over us we have all come to the end of the Christmas season in tact.  We celebrated this years Christmas on December 21, 2002 and the sun has set on another beautiful Kansas day and we end with the lights of Christmas shining brightly as we look forward to 2003.

Swede's 75th Birthday-12-24-2002

Playing the new Trivial Pursuit game Gals against the Guys-Adrianna and the 75 year old-Well guess who won the Trivial Pursuit game as Kris and Aimee celebrate-And what every one came over for was to pull the surprise of his life, at about One O'clock all of a sudden someone says "a big white truck is stopping in front of the house" and when I turned around it dawned on me that My Kids and Grandkids had bought a new Ping Pong Table. Picture of the truck and delivery are below as I didn't have my camera so will wait for others pictures to be developed and put in place later.

Ah! yes the inevitable task of assembly-Courtny and Adrianna are peeking out the kitchen door to see how the work is progressing-And what did we do before cell phones, Mike is going back to Kansas City for his Christmas Celebration with his Wife's family and getting last minute instructions-Brady is putting the finishing touches on the assembly and Mike is cleaning the table top off since it was setting on the garage floor upside down for assembly.

Kris helping Brady with the final touches-And then the ultimate test to see if this new table will fold up and can be wheeled around easier than the 30 year old table we had-Yep it worked this time and the workman take pride in their accomplishment.

The first service and return are made with Adrianna looking on- And the Architects of this great surprise, Kris Beam and Brady Swenson, with their Grandpa Swede in the background ready for action-But first we must take time to observe and commerate the 75th with Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream cake as Debbie lights the 75 candles.

So as Swede blows out those candles, people cheer, flashbulbs flash and Chris and Aimee along with their two daughters Courtny and Adrianna in the last picture get ready to have some Cake and IceCream.  To all my family those who were present and to those who couldn't be I can only say "THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL 75TH BIRTHDAY". So this brings an end to our journey through the year 2002 and may 2003 bring happiness to all.