Happy Padre Day

Happy Father’s Day to THE #1 dad.  Though arguments can be made for many individuals, I think if you add up the hours spent on tennis/golf outings, customized birthday/valentine’s cards, puzzles done, rocks skipped, books read and french toast griddled, I don’t think he can be beat.  I know I’ll never catch him.  I love you dad!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best of the best!!! We love you Daddy!!!

Owen goes to Disneyland

Owen recently got to spend some time with his cousins at Disneyland thanks to Maama and Popop. He had a great time. All the kids really love the land of Mickey...even the parents have been known to get excited about going. Anyway, I was going through old videos and came across these of Owen and Isabel so I thought I'd post. These aren't of the most recent trip although I'm sure Owen took a ride on the cars at least a few times.

Moose Window

Sitting in the office and across the window I see a giant brown something. A second glance and yep, a moose is here dining on my uncut (and so far horrible looking) yard. It's happened about 3 times since we've moved up. We see moose a couple of times a month, but the porch visits are a little less frequent I just wish my kids were here to jump up and down about it a little.

Owen Dancing to the i-pod

 

ACG at Millcreek

 

Carol and the kids and I  got to go ha ng out with some of my friends f rom high school and their kids over the summer.   I kept meaning to pos t the photos, but never quite made it.

Anyway, we had a great time seeing everyone and the kids really got along well.  I was pretty surprised as they kind of ran around like they had been best friends for years (is friendship genetic?).  I can proudly say  that the next generation looks to have a bright future as they all seemed to be brilliant and beautiful (not that we would expect anything different).

We went up Millcreek Canyon where they have some firepits and picnic tables.  We did the fire thing and s'mores which is never a bad idea.  The fire with kids makes for a slightly higher  than normal anxiety level but it was still a great time (the rushing rivers weren't much of a calming effect either).  We were missing a few key members (Pete, Jax), but are looking forward to hooking up with them soon.

Chuck was tortured for the full 3 hours we were there with constant requests for golden brown marshmallows and nature adventures from all the kids.  He was a trooper and the kids all loved it.  Isabel still talks about Chuck's perfect marshmallow...I'll never live up to the Iron Horse.

Photos of the whole event are here.

Cruising the Costa Maya

Tom and I just got back from a great vacation with some really great friends.   We started in New Orleans, where Tom and I ran into Dale and Juliana in the French Quarters.  The next day we boarded the boat and reluctantly went to muster (note the happy faces).

 

Our first stop was in Costa Maya, where we went to some ruins and then hung out at a great little beach with some very pricey piña coladas and guacamole. 

 

 

 

 

 

Our next stop was a very hot and muggy, but extremely beautiful Guatemala.  We had a gorgeous and bumpy boat ride up the Rio Dulce. 

We went into some caves, visited a local school, and had an encounter with the local turtles (courtesy of some of the cutest kids on earth).

 

The boys even had a little time to give a cheer out to all the Ohio State fans in Guatemala.

The next day was spent in Belize on a zip line in the jungle and cave tubing.

 

On our last port day, Tom and I saw some amazing sights under the ocean in Cozamel.  I was a little nervous to dive, but Monkey (our diving guide) was great.

 

As always on a cruise, there was food everywhere, which we took advantage of.  Crepes every night for the boys, Sushi for Tom and a really gross Chocolate buffet where every thing looked like chocolate but must have been some other terrible ingredient.  We did get our chocolate fill with the molten chocolate cake one night though! 

 

 

Our last day at sea brought some relaxation in the sun on deck for all.  Tom and Koy entered the golf competition and of course Koy got the grand prize...(a beautiful Norwegian Key Chain) and Tom second place (Norwegian Luggage Tags). 

Disembarking was bitter sweet as we would be leaving our friends, but heading home to see the kids.  We had a great time with our friends in some amazing places and can't wait until the next time!  Hawaii 2012 here we come!     

Ice Park 2009

So it's that time of year again in Fairbanks.  The Ice Park is one event that never seems to disappoint.  The kids love it and the sculptures are always amazing (mostly we go for the kids, though).  This year was no different.  The kids went three times (Beth missed the time when I had my camera hence the photo absence) and had a blast each time.  The highlight always seems to be the sled slides where you basically jump on an old plastic slide and ride i t down a big ice bobsled track (much shorter, but pretty darn quick).  I rode a couple of times with both Isabel and Owen and I can tell you the bumps at the bottom definitely require some padding.

Here's the link to the Ice Park website and you can find more photos of the kids here .

San Diego

So I took the kids to San Diego with my family.  Tom didn't make it, and we really missed him, but we had a great time!  I didn't have a camera because my old one was lost and I was acquiring a new one, so I don't have many pictures.  Here's a few of the ones I do have.  Thanks to everyone in the family who was able to make it down and a special thanks to the Hammonds for making it possible!

13 years

13 years on Friday the 13th? Hmmmm....

Yes, Carol and I were married 13 glorious years ago on a rainy day in March. Happy Anniversary to a better friend, wife and mother than I ever deserved.