The "surprise" had been in the works for months. My son had "won" a prize at an auction. He told us what it was was all about, but we were sworn to secrecy.
The first attempt at using "the surprise prize" was in December. He had cleared the date with his wife and with us (we were needed to watch the Grandkiddos).
Sadly, he had to cancel the first date because of sick children. The second date was discussed, but because of the weather (lots of snow) and continued sickness in the family, he decided to wait until Spring.
The day of "the surprise" finally arrived last Saturday.
The children were deposited at our house and their mom and dad were on their way!!! If our DIL knew what the surprise was, she didn't let on!!
It was a perfectly wonderful afternoon. The warm weather allowed the kids to play outside.
The Grand Girl, while a tad too large for the PINK riding toy, still spent time enjoying the trip of going up and down the side walk in front of our house.
The Grand Boy was on "the run". I got my exercise trying to keep up with him.
After a bit, the little girl who lives across the street, invited the Grand Girl over for a spin around their yard in the play car! What fun!
The Grand Boy was happy playing with sidewalk chalk.....he likes throwing it the best at this age, however! :)
Do you see the "M" and the bee on the hat? Yep, that's my Martha Stewart hat.....a present from a buddy! I had a time keeping it on his little head, but the sun was shining brightly. . . and he's a little fair complected blonde! So, I cinched it up and "insisted" he keep it on.
The girls moved on to the bicycles!!! Did you notice the PINK one the Grand Girl was riding? ;)
The Grand Boy nabbed the PINK riding toy. . .it's the perfect size for him.
He also likes to play "Peek a Boo". . . he's hiding in this picture!!
Before long, the Grand Girl had taken over "the wheel" and was driving the neighbor girl's little brother around!!!
Izzie was in doggy heaven. The Grand Boy never tired of throwing the ball for her to fetch.
So while we were enjoying the Grand Kiddos, our son and DIL had arrived for the beginning of "the surprise".
He's feeling pretty happy that he was able to keep the secret for so long!
Oh yes!!! He seems to have really surprised her- - - - or maybe it was a little bit of "terror" about what they were about to do!!
In just a few minutes, they were airborne and ready for an hour long flight around the Kansas City area!!!
If you look carefully, you can see their church in this photo. . . look for the white steeple.
This is the old "Kansas City Municipal Airport". It's located smack dab on the banks of the Missouri River.. . and is where I took off for my very first plane ride forty some years ago. It is now named the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport after one of our former mayors...and mainly serves smaller aircraft. . . however, it is frequently used by Air Force One during Presidential visits.
The "new" airport (Kansas City International) was built in the early 70's and is about 15 miles north of the Downtown Airport.
Their pilot did a "touch and go" at this airport.
This is a shot they took of some of the buildings in the downtown area of Kansas City (this is MISSOURI...not KANSAS).
In this picture, you can see our new KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ,which is scheduled to open soon! It's the shell shaped building in the front of the photo. The lower, round building, is the SPRINT CENTER. Part of my first 5K run (last October) took us on the street that goes in front of that huge building!!
East of the downtown district and just off I-70 highway are our two major league sports stadiums. The red one at the top is ARROWHEAD STADIUM, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. KAUFFMAN STADIUM is where our Kansas City Royals play!
THIS is the home of the Independence Smith's!!!
Can you see our house?
And there they are!!!!
Yep, they circled above our house several times!
My husband and I were so excited to get TONS of photos and to make sure the Grand Kids saw the plane their mom and dad were in. . . . high in the sky!!!
The Grand Girl enjoyed watching them. . . but I don't think it connected with the little Grand Boy.
Heck, he was having too much fun playing with the PINK PIGGIE cookie jar that oinked every time he tilted its head back!!
Did you know that THE STONE RABBIT was a licensed pilot? Yes, indeedy, flying is a passion for that furry guy!
He told me that he thoroughly enjoyed watching the fine job the pilot did of circling our boy and his bride round and round over our house.
I told him I had a lump in my throat the entire time. However, I was so happy that they had such a grand time. . . and that it was such a fun surprise!
Hope you all have a terrific Pink Saturday!
I know you will if you visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND. You will find lots of bloggers ready for you to enjoy the PINKS they are sharing this week!!
DANA