Allie training for the biathlon (Biking & Roller skating)

Before & After Computer setup

Before & After computer set-up

The reason I had a "kiddie table" as a temporary setup was the assembly of my computer cart was progressing smoothly & Carol even said Dad would be proud until the final piece, the keyboard shelf which was not rolling properly so as I stepped to get better leverage, the piece I stepped on was not flat on the ground as it looked but slightly off the ground. As the screws broke thru & pieces chipped off, a few words came out that again, Dad would have been proud. Target replaced it no problem & the 2nd attempt went smooth as silk. So, now I can actually get my knees under the table & sit straight forward instead of sidesaddle.

Patrick

Hello Arizona

Well, as I'm sure most of you know but also for those who don't, I am now an Arizonian! So far, Carol & I are adjusting wonderfully as we learn or get use to each other's idiosyncracies or Monkisms. I like to cook breakfast & some dinners & Carol likes to clean up so that part should work out great! I got to play Wii at Fred & Patricia's which was a lot of fun even though I came in last at bowling including Allie beating me. My favorite so far was the golf but all the games are fun. I've definitely been eating well as Patricia cooked ribs on the grill, burgers & bratwurst the next day & then Carol cooked steaks on the grill and I cooked a pork loin the following night. As I'm planning to be more active out here, I better start soon before I weigh 200 lbs. :-)
I will give regular updates but definitely so far, so good!

Love, Patrick

New house

Well, I am officially a homeowner as of today (at least verbally, I still have some papers to sign). I'm really excited. It was only recently decided that I would look for a house to own rather than to rent, but it made sense with the real estate market and how much more affordable places are here in Omaha (especially compared to L.A.!). I got the house that was my definite favorite, so I'm very happy and still quite shocked. I like the city a lot and plan to be here for at least a few years since there's a lot going on here at the moment and then who knows...I never expected to buy a house in Omaha, Nebraska so I won't try to predict the future.

The house is within walking distance of the downtown of a neighborhood in Omaha called Benson which is an older, small town area but is starting to be revitalized. Benson has some places that I already visit a lot, like two music venues, a bake shop, coffee shop, pizza place and art gallery/boutique stationary shop Pulp. And it's a short drive to downtown.

Anyway, here are a few photos from the house.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come visit!

Dawn and Heather update (and the Tigers)

Update from the heatwave! We did another camping trip with the puppies to Christopher Creek (I know, it amazes me too). This time with friends and their dog. Our campsite was right on the creek and backed up to the forest. Apparently the bears wander down from the forest during the night - or at least that's what our neighbor said. Heather (and I) didn't think I would last very long after this statement. Our friends convinced me that the lady was crazy. But just in case, they hung up a "bear bell" on a clothesline in case the bear wandered through our campsite. Whew!

Unfortunately, we did not take pictures this trip. You all would have loved the pictures if we had taken any. We found out that Chauncey actually is capable of swimming. And at times will go in the water on his own (without being thrown in)! This discovery was made in the canyon/gorge a few miles down the creek from our campsite.

The dogs loved going down the water slides to each of the pools below. The hard part was getting them (and us) back up to each next level on the way back. Thank goodness we had harnesses for them!

We didn't take pics, but I have a link that shows some pretty good pictures of this area:
http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=68194

Since the creek was next to our campsite, we made great use of the "bathing" opportunities - or at least some soap and shampoo. Enough until I could get home & take a really long shower after our 4 day trip. Still amazes me that I am now a camper. Brian doesn't believe it each time I tell him.

Hopefully we will fit in one more camping trip this summer. And I will plan on taking a fully charged camera (good intentions always). In the meanwhile, we will deal with the heat by staying in & watching the Tigers tumble back in the standings. Poor Heather....

As you all know, I will watch the Tigers games since they are always on at our house (who told Heather about the MLB package?). However, I refuse to participate in the yelling about why every Tigers closer is incompetent! Someone in our household makes a practice of this. I cannot wait until Pat gets out here so he can get in on the current one-sided discussion. I have had to hear about Todd Jones for months and now apparently there are others joining him.
Pat, please hurry - I need a reliever.

Until the next adventure, I hope all is well with everyone!
Love, Dawn (and Heather)

Hello from Chicago!

Hi Everyone,

I love reading all of your posts when I get a chance a few times a week, but I have become not so great about updating all of you on my life! So, as most of you know I moved to Chicago in June (and have even seen my new apartment, thanks Aunt Carol!). I had some time to explore the city and get "settled" and learn my way around. I'm still not 100% confident and sometimes wish I have a compass, but I am loving living here! As of this week, I am working in downtown in network TV ad sales for Cox Communications. My company's job is to be the sales representative and sell ad space to agencies for certain stations in several major markets. Needless to say, my first week was an adventure! If any of you have read or seen The Devil Wears Prada, my trainer is a little like the character based of the editor of Vogue. However, I survived my first week and many people congratulated me for surviving it! Yesterday on my way out, I found out that I had officially lasted longer than the previous three assistants, who left crying on the Wednesday or Thursday of their first weeks. So, I figure it can only get better from here!

That's about it for me, I am working on trying to get pictures of my new apartment/life here, but my USB cord isn't working properly so it may take a little while.

Love and miss you all!

Katie

More Summer Fun

Well, we may not own a boat, but that doesn't stop our water fun! We went the last couple of weekends out to Randy's brother's house. He lives on Lake Sherwood in Wixom, with a dock and small beach of his own. Randy took the raft, but it was the boys who decided to try it out first. After they both drifted out a ways and Randy had to retrieve them I finally came up with the idea of tethering it to the dock. That worked out better as they hadn't quite gotten the idea of how to row.

We also enjoy heading out to Greenfield Village several times during the summer. It was too hot to stay for the old-time baseball game last Saturday, but we did get Ramon Santiago's autograph. He plays for the Tigers, though not in an everyday role. The boys were excited and now ask if he is playing every time the Tigers are on. He looks shorter in person than he appears when you see him playing.

We had a quick visit from Randy's son Ryan two weeks ago. He just came by to let us know his girlfriend was expecting a baby in March. They both still live at home with their mothers, so they were not exactly planning on or preparing for this and it came as a bit of a surprise. There may be a silver lining to this, though, as we have already heard from or seen Ryan three times within two weeks. That is the number of times we usually see him in a year! Hopefully he will keep in touch more often.

Well, I am taking the boys over to their Grandma Samuel's house for a visit, so I better go get ready. Also, I have to make a stop at Target. The new Third Day CD just came out Tuesday and I NEED it!!!

Love, Deb