Colonoscopy.

Both our exam are clear and good for a few years....Yeah!!
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Nos deux examens n'ont rien a signaler et sont bons pour quelques annees. Youppie!!

Hope you enjoyed viewing our trip....J'espere que vous avez aime notre court voyage

This is 20 minutes before entering Nebraska still in Kansas

Potwin Place

Beautiful Victorian homes of the late 1800s situated along brick streets where islands of greenery circle each intersection point in the National Historic District known as Potwin Place.

Topeka Kansas

Old PrairieTown
Six-acre, turn-of-the-century town square complete with historic Victorian home, reconstructed log cabin, drugstore with working soda fountain, general store, and botanical gardens...

Topeka High School-

a magnificent gothic building constructed during the WPA--Built in 1931, THS was the first million dollar high school west of the Mississippi River. [1] It is one of four high schools within Topeka Public Schools---------------------------------------------- Old Town Prairie Village

Governor's Mansion with 444 acres surrounding

In 1928, Topeka newspaper publisher, Frank P. MacLennan, took a visionary step and began construction of a country French chateau on a wooded hilltop west of Topeka. He completed his country retreat, Cedar Crest, named for the many cedar trees on the property and moved his collection of books into the home, but, sadly, died in 1933.
His widow, Madge Overstreet MacLennan, watched the state capital grow west toward her beloved retreat overlooking the Kansas River. Upon her death in 1955, she acted upon her husband's request and bequeathed Cedar Crest to the State of Kansas, with the condition it be utilized as a home for the Governor of Kansas. The gift to the state also included MacLennan's collection of books and 244 acres of surrounding land with the provision that all but 20 acres adjacent the home be designated as a park.
Since 1962, Cedar Crest has been the home of Kansas Governors' and their families. Governor John Anderson and his family were the first to reside in this lovely country home, arriving with Shetland ponies which grazed on park pasture when not being ridden by the Governor's children. First Lady Olivia Bennett recalls taking long hikes on the trails on the property while planning the dinner she later cooked and personally served to visiting President Gerald Ford. Governor Mike Hayden, who was instrumental in establishing the surrounding land as MacLennan Park, shared his love of fishing with Kansas children by hosting fishing clinics in the ponds.
The (FoCCA) was established in 1981 by First Lady Karen Carlin to preserve, restore and enhance the executive residence. Among FoCCA's early efforts was the redecoration of the first floor of the home and the acquisition of art, furniture, silver, china and crystal for the home. Cedar Crest was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
By the mid-90's, the historic home was showing its age. Realizing the value and significance of Cedar Crest, the Legislature appropriated $2.2 million for replacement of heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems, along with removal of hazardous materials from the home. An additional $2 million was needed to address the restoration of important elements of the home, refurbish worn and dated interior and modernize bathrooms and the kitchens.

State Capitol Topeka Ks

Construction of the Kansas State Capitol Building began in 1866. Although the Capitol Building was in use by the legislature starting in 1869, it took 37 years and $3,200,000 to complete. The Capitol is 399 feet by 386 feet, and 304 feet to the top of the cupola. The stone is brown sandstone from the bluffs along Deer Creek, near Vinewood, in Shawnee County, Kansas.

Topeka

Topeka sort de terre en 1854. C'est l'une des villes des États libres fondée par les hommes de l'est contre l'esclavagisme. En 1857, elle est recensée comme une ville.
Dans les années 1840, un convoi de caravanes part du Missouri à l'est pour une expédition de 2 000 km sur la piste de l'Oregon. À 60 miles de Kansas City, trois sœurs à moitié indiennes mariées à des frères français/canadiens établissent un service de transport pour faire traverser la rivière Kansas aux voyageurs. C'est là que naît Topeka.
Au début des années 1850, le trafic le long de la piste de l'Oregon est doublé par la route des nouveaux militaires qui s'étend de Fort Leavenworth au nouvel établissement de Fort Riley. En 1854, après l'achèvement de la première cabane, neuf hommes crééent la Topeka Town Association. L'un d'eux, Cyrus K. Holliday, veut devenir le maire de la ville et fonder la Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad (AAR), une des plus grandes compagnie de chemin de fer américaine. Aussi, des bateaux à vapeur sont régulièrement amarés aux quais de Topeka pour y déposer des marchandises. Début 1860, la ville est devenue un centre pour le commerce de la région.
Après une décennie de combats sanglants (entre pro- et anti-esclavagisme) le Kansas est admis dans l'Union en 1861 en tant que 34e État. Topeka est finalement choisie comme capitale avec comme gouverneur Dr. Charles Robinson. Cyrus K. Holliday obtient de l'état l'autorisation d'entreprendre la construction du Capitol.
Bien que la sécheresse de 1860 et la guerre civile (1861-1865) aient ralenti la croissance de Topeka et de tout l'état, la ville assiste à une renaissance et à une période de croissance bénéfique au Kansas de 1865 à 1870. En 1869, la ligne de chemin de fer commence à se construire à l'ouest. Des bureaux et des ateliers de construction mécanique généraux de l'Atchison, et du système de chemin de fer de Santa Fe s'établissent à Topeka en 1878. Pendant les années 1880, Topeka traverse une phase difficile qui fini dans le désastre et beaucoup d'investisseurs sont ruinés. Cependant, la ville double sa population pendant cette période et réussit à survivre aux dépressions des années 1890.
À Topeka la ségrégation raciale n'est appliquée que pour les écoles élémentaires. Suite à différents procès, une loi est votée pour l'intégration raciale dans toutes les écoles publiques américaines.
Le 8 juin 1966, Topeka est frappée par une tornade de force 5 sur l'échelle de Fujita. Le coût des dégradations s'élève à 100 millions de dollars faisant de cette tornade l'une des plus coûteuse de l'histoire des États-Unis.

Lawrence City Kansas

Parking at the Visitor Center with this center piece
The restoration of Lawrence’s Union Pacific Depot in 1991 symbolizes the community’s commitment to preserving historical sites. In 1996, the depot opened as the Visitor Information Center operated by the Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau. The center distributes information to visitors about Lawrence attractions, accommodations and special events.

The Plaza

Sculpture

Plaza Street Lights

Curb Appeal in town

Neptune Fountain Lower right

The Neptune Fountain on the Plaza is a favorite. Miller Nichols purchased the 8,000-pound cast lead fountain for its weight in scrap metal. It was found on the top of a train car full of scrap metal by workmen at a salvage company. Installed in the 1950's, the god of the sea moves in his chariot pulled by three mythological sea horses.

Fountain of Bacchus

Although known as Pan Fountain, this sculpture is more likely to be the personification of the Greek god Bacchus holding court. The 10 thousand pound lead sculpture was purchased by the Nichols Company in 1960 and found this suitable home on the Plaza. Bacchus is surrounded by nymphs and satyrs in the center of Chandler Court near the Swanson's building on the Plaza.

47th and Worwall Rd

The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory serves much more than just cheesecake! Walk through the front doors and you know you're in for something special! With French limestone floors and decorative columns, hand-painted fabrics, contemporary lighting and an abundance of cherry wood, the lavish decor is just the beginning… The Cheesecake Factory is a unique, upscale casual dining restaurant offering more than 200 menu selections including Appetizers, Pizza, Pasta, Seafood, Steaks, Salads, Sandwiches, and more. Our menu also features specialty dishes like Chicken Madeira, Miso Salmon, Cajun Jambalaya Pasta, and The Factory Burger. But save room for dessert! Try one of our 50 delicious cheesecakes and desserts such as our White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle® Cheesecake or our new Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake with a cappuccino or espresso.

On 47th Street

Plaza Medical

J C Nichols Fountain

This fountain is the best-known and most-photographed of all of the city's fountains. It is located at the east entrance to the popular Plaza district. The sculptures were created in the early 1900's and adorned the Mansion of Clarence Mackay in Long Island, NY. The fountain was transported to Kansas City, refurbished and dedicated in 1960. The J. C. Nichols Memorial Fountain has four equestrian fugues which are said to represent four rivers: the Mississippi River (the one with the Indian riding the horse and beating off an alligator), the Volga River (with the bear), the Seine and the Rhine. Children in the Kansas City area contributed more than $50,000 to the J. C. Nichols Fountain on the Plaza, the most prominent and most photographed fountain in Kansas

Liberty Memorial over the World WarI Museum
The memorial was designed by Harold Van Buren Magonigle who won a design competition. The primary sculptor was Robert Aikten. The approaches were designed by Wight and Wight.
It was dedicated on November 11, 1926, by U.S. President Calvin Coolidge. In attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony on November 1, 1921, were Lieutenant General Baron Jacques of Belgium, Admiral Earl Beatty of Great Britain, General Armando Diaz of Italy, Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France, and General John Pershing of the United States. In 1935, bas reliefs by Walker Hancock of Jacques, Beatty, Diaz, Foch and Pershing were unveiled.
The Liberty Memorial houses the official World War I museum of the United States. Among other landscaping, its grounds include two large sphinx sculptures, the centerpiece 217-foot (66 m) tower, and the museums around and under the tower. Commensurate with the memorial's congressional designation as the "national" memorial and museum, a new, much larger museum opened in 2006 beneath the main memorial to form a huge museum complex

Statue ----------------------------------------------------------------------Building Downtown

----------------------------------------------- The Sprint Center

The Stadiums

Patee House Museum

Hotel Patee House was the center of the nation's Westward expansion from the start of the Pony Express to the death of Jesse James. It was opened by John Patee as a luxurious hotel in 1858 to serve travelers as the railroad pushed west to St. Joseph.
The hotel cost $180,000 and had 140 guest rooms. It featured winding stairs to the fourth floor covered with red Brussels carpets.
It is a National Historical Landmark for its role as headquarters for the Pony Express where Russell, Majors and Waddell had their office starting April 3, 1860.
One of St. Joseph's finest museums!
The two things St. Joseph is known for, the start of the Pony Express, and the end of Jesse James both dealt directly with Patee House. Our primary objective is to put across the message that Patee House Museum served as the Pony Express Headquarters from 1860 to 1861. That is the most important role in history the building has played. Patee House is also the only original Pony Express building still in existence in St. Joseph.
Patee House was built as a luxury hotel in 1858, and many prominent people during that time stayed in the hotel, and attended social events in the building. Among those were Hanging Judge Isaac Parker, George Ellis Raker (Sec. to Secretary of State, William Seward), and Jesse James' wife, mother and children.
St. Joseph was the last stop for supplies for many pioneers headed West before they crossed the Missouri River into Indian territory. Many of these prominent pioneers stayed in Patee House while gathering provisions they would need for the long journey which awaited them.

Military Museum
Situated on the banks of the Missouri river St. Joseph was known as the starting point of the Pony Express. It is also know as the place where infamous outlaw Jesse James's life ended. St. Joe is a medium sized city but has more than it's share of museums, my favorite being the Military Museum. According to Frank Flesher, President and Director, the museum is dedicated to bringing to remembrance the sacrifice made by the men and women of our armed forces. All branches are represented as well as the civilians who help support the war effort. The exhibits range from uniforms and artifacts from all the major wars, to a model railroad exhibit designed to show St. Joe during the Second World War.

Wyeth Tootle Mansion
The Wyeth-Tootle Mansion is an 1879 gothic Mansion. The first floor of the house is currently under renovation to regain it’s former elegance as a 19th century home. The exhibits on the second and third floors illustrate St. Joseph’s cultural and natural beauty.

Jesse James Home
The Jesse James Home Museum is located directly behind Patee House Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri and was only two blocks away when outlaw Jesse James was gunned down on April 3, 1882, by Bob Ford.After the killing, the investigation into the death was conducted at Patee House Hotel (formerly the World's Hotel), and Mrs. James, her two children, and Jesse's mother stayed in Patee House for two nights after he was killed.The house is not at its original location. Jesse was shot at 1318 Lafayette Street. In 1939 it was moved to a busier Belt Highway location. In 1977 it was moved to Patee House at 12th and Mitchell closer to its original location.The house has a large bullet hole on the left wall as you enter from the front. However, the hole was actually much smaller but shavings from the hole for souvenirs have enlarged it. Ironically, the original autopsy recorded that that there was no exit wound. Therefore, the bullet must have remained in Jesse's skull.The Jesse James Home contains a number of items owned by Jesse James and his family, and new exhibits on the 1995 exhumation of the infamous outlaw, including coffin handles, bits of wood, and a pin Jesse James wore in his death photo, as well as numerous photos taken during the exhumation. In 1995, top forensic scientist Professor James E. Starrs, of George Washington University, conducted an exhumation of the grave of Jesse James. In February, 1996, he announced that DNA tests performed on the remains and compared to the DNA of existing known relatives proved a 99.7% chance that the body in the grave is that of Jesse James.The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 04, 1980.

Twin Spires

Church of the Immaculate Conception was organized as a German national parish in 1860. A wood frame church was built on the southeast corner of 10th & Angelique and was destroyed by a windstorm in 1864. It was replaced by a brick building, completed 1867. In 1908, this building was raised and replaced by the present building, designed by the local architect Edmund J. Eckel and completed in 1910.
Twelve of the 37 stained glass windows are original to the building and depict the life of Mary, mother of Christ. They were created by the Frei Studio of St. Louis.
In 1961, the parish of Saints Peter & Paul, a Polish national parish organized in 1883, began to worship again at this church. In 1977, the two parishes were combined to form Queen of the Apostles Church. The old “prickly Gothic” wood high altar, statuary and hand-carved Italian Stations of the Cross from Saints Peter & Paul were brought over to this building.
The parish was closed by the Diocese of Kansas City & St. Joseph in 1992. The property was deeded over to a not-for-profit group and re-named “Twin Spires.” The most recent pipe organ, that was installed by M. P. Moller in the late 1940s, was sold by the Diocese before it deeded the building. Twin Spires, Inc. assembled a religious history museum and undertook restoration of the property. In 2002, the St. Joseph Museum took management of this facility.
In 2003 the property was sold to private investors, Ed and Linda Hood, who now

Scluptures

Pony Express Monument

The monument, which stands in Patee Park in Saint Joseph across from the Pony Express Museum, was erected in memory of the birth of the Pony Express. The dedication ceremony for the monument, which occurred on April 3, 1913, included Pony Express riders such as "Buffalo Bill" (William F. Cody), "Cyclone" Thompson, and Charlie Cliff. This monument reads:
This monument erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the city of St. Joseph, marks the place were the first Pony Express Started on April 3, 1860—1912

Pictures from our trip. Photos de notre voyage.

St Joseph Missouri House

Memorial Week-End

We decided to run away from Omaha and change our minds from work problems and just enjoy ourselves.
Down toward Kansas City MO after a stop in St Joseph. We slept in Independence. Sunday morning we visit both Kansas Cities & we slept in Lawrence. In the morning we visited Topeka Capitol City before heading back home.
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Nous avons decide de fuir Omaha pour changer nos pensees des problemes de travail et juste profiter du bon temps.
Nous sommes descendus vers Kansas City Missouri apres un arret a St Joseph, couches a Independence. Dimanche visite de Kansas City Missouri et Kansas ,couches a Lawrence et au matin visite de Topeka capitale du Kansas.

School is over....L'ecole est finie....

One week off till summer school starts.........We both have a colonoscopy on Thursday and Friday....we are somewhat over 50...LOL
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Une semaine de repit avant les classes d'ete...Nous avons jeudi et vendredi chacun une colonoscopie...Nous sommes un peu au dessus de 50 ans. LOL

Last day with the kids!!! Derniere journee avec les eleves!!!

That day is very welcome for everyone, even the kids this week they were all super animated.
I still have to go back Tuesday and then.............the rest of the week off and return for 3 weeks for summer school.
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Cette journee est la bienvenue pour tous, les enfants sont super excited depuis le debut de semaine. Je dois retourner Mardi et puis..........................conge pour le reste de la semaine avant de retourner pour 3 autres semaines pour les cours d'ete.

The countdown

Only 5 days of school left! We had Special Olympic this Friday and I got to go with 2 kids. It was a lot of work but worthy. They wan 5 gold medals between 10 meters assisted walk, 25 meters assisted walk, 25 meters wheelchair, 25 meters walk and ball throw.
I am glad it is almost over, it is very hard work physical and mentally. The teacher is bipolar and ADTH orF so she can't focus, she forget what she was doing from a minute to another she can't handle any changes, she is really obsessed on being sued. This doesn't make life easier.
I asked to change Room for next year and was told I had a good change to move on.
I will be sad to leave these kids but I am not 20 years old anymore
I will do summer school from June 2 to the 20 and take the rest of the Summer off to take care of my back and foot.

Henry Doorly Zoo May 9th 2008

The school had a visit to the Zoo and Nick volunteered to help push a wheelchair. It was a nice experience and the kids were great.

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L'ecole avait une sortie au Zoo et Nick s'est porte volontaire pour pousser une chaise roulante. Ce fut une belle experience et les jeunes ont ete supers.

Spring is here..Le printemps est la.

Japanese Magnolia.