September 11th at KOHS

As they did last year (<~~click here to see last year's photos), many students at Austen and Parker's high school set up this display in remembrance of all those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. There are 2,976 flags on the huge corner of the campus. It's a stunning display.


The school's Young Conservatives Club and some of the band members put these flags out Thursday night. This afternoon, we could see the band members and color guard preparing to leave for their performances at tonight's football game.



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ADDITION: Here are 3 news videos about the KOHS display of flags:

http://www.click2houston.com/video/24961948/index.html
and
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=7660676
and
http://www.khou.com/video?id=102643749&sec=548547

The last one was taken from a helicopter, I think. (Doesn't sound like an airplane.) There's no narrative. You have to get to the point at which there are about 2:50 minutes remaining before it zeroes in on the kids' 9/11 memorial. The first part shows the entire school and its surroundings.

Growing up!

Today Kira and Abbi got their ears pierced! They are now both 10 years old, and they've hoped for this for a while. Such beautiful little ladies!

Ken helped Kira pick out her earrings - rubies for her July birthday.

Kira's are all done! What a happy girl!!

See them close up? Very nice!

Then it was Abbi's turn - so beautiful!

Two girls who are very pleased with themselves!

First day of school -- again!

Kira starts fifth grade today. Very cute!

And her shoes and laces are trendy, too!

Austen starts his senior year in high school today; Parker starts his freshman year. Where did time go, anyway??

Austen REALLY didn't want his photo taken, so posting this one is his penalty for non-cooperation! This is a good one of Parker!!

Memorable days

Anne's surgery was on August 5, and she came home from the hospital today. She's very happy to be home, and her family is happy to have her back, too.

Thanks to all our family and friends who kept Anne in their thoughts and prayers. =)

Here are a couple of photos of Kira, modeling some of her new school clothes for her mom! What a darling girl!!

A Simone painting!

Robert sent this in email today. They are in Aix-en-Provence this month, and Simone has been painting! How marvelous!!



UPDATE: And here's her second painting - or at least the second that Robert emailed me on August 11th!

BIG high school!

Here are some photos of the high school where Parker and Austen will be next year. It'll be Austen's senior year and Parker's freshman year. The district and school are expecting over 3,900 students for the 2010-2011 year! Yikes!!

Main entrance

The front of the school and one of the parking lots

The new Ninth Grade building - just completed!

The auditorium at the left and the front entrance toward the right

Looking through the trees at the band hall and the marching band's practice area - which also serves as the bus parking area before and after each school day.

The band hall, closer up. Orchestra and choir have their practice halls nearby.

On the other side of the band hall is another wing of classrooms - and yet another parking lot!

Tennis courts are behind the green fencing.

Track and field

Needless to say, it's a BIG high school!

Kira's Tenth!

Our major celebration of Kira's tenth birthday was last Sunday, July 18, when all the Linehans plus Abbi and I went to Houston's Downtown Aquarium. We've been there several times, but we don't seem to get tired of it! There are lots of things to do there, indoors and out.

Here is a view of the grounds outside the aquarium itself. The carousel is at the left, the ferris wheel is obvious, and the Lighthouse Dive is behind the trees at the right.


Ken, Parker, Kira, and Abbi went on the Lighthouse Dive (making sure they did this BEFORE we had lunch!):

Views of the city from the ferris wheel:

Somewhere across the ferris wheel are Anne, Ken, and Parker!

Views of sharks from the train ride as it went through the "shark tunnel"!!

Inside the aquarium:

The White Tigers! Beautiful!!

The girls were playing in the water fountains, cooling off before we headed for home.




And here is a short video of the girls making the hula hoops go 'round and 'round while playing in the water fountains!