John said he feels like James Bond in a tuxedo shirt.
Jacob just said he is 'itchy' around his neck. :-)
12.07.2011
School Uniforms?
I'm a supporter of students looking nice for school but this seems a bit over the top.
John said he feels like James Bond in a tuxedo shirt.
Jacob just said he is 'itchy' around his neck. :-)
John said he feels like James Bond in a tuxedo shirt.
Jacob just said he is 'itchy' around his neck. :-)
11.27.2011
NU vs MSU
The season ended with a loss in the rain. That didn't stop us from having fun.
Another great year of hanging out with family and friends in support of the Cats. Can't wait until next year!
10.28.2011
Reconnect
Other than having a full life that includes jobs, a home, a wife, and twins, it really didn't feel like we hadn't seen each other for over 3 decades.
After 31 years Rich and I got together and it felt like old times. I can't say enough about the hospitality that was shown to me not just by a guy that I hadn't seen in such a long time but by his entire family who I had never met.
I could not have hoped to feel more welcome. I hope to be able to return the favor and open my home to his family before another 31 years has passed.
Long Beach Trip
I'm out in California for a conference. Just across the harbor is a rather big ship, the Queen Mary.
It doesn't look haunted.
10.23.2011
2011 NU Homecoming
What's better than a man in a purple suit? Three men in purple suits, of course.
Even though the Cats dropped another one we still enjoyed ourselves. The beef tenderloin was excellent and the sangria was fine too. Visits from the NU cheerleaders, Evanston's finest, the Big Ten Network, and Seth Meyer were just some of the things that made today even more memorable.
And let's not forget the 2011 debut of the Dino shots.
Until next time. Go Cats.
10.09.2011
Tailgate Food
Nothing says football like fondue. Okay, there was the typical fare of grilled chicken, buffalo wings, hot dogs, margaritas, and beer but the cheese fondue with onions and bacon was a big hit.
Oh yeah, the kids liked the chocolate fondue as well. Some of the adults enjoyed the jello shots.
9.24.2011
2011 Apple Picking
This year we woke up in time to get to the orchard before all of the honey crisps were taken.
In the entire orchard (and believe me it's big) there are only 5 short rows of this delicious variety. They are picked over every year in only 1 day.
Today we helped keep up that tradition. Yum!
After working up an appetite picking apples we went down the block to another orchard that sells fresh apple cider donuts that LOTS of people stand in line for no matter the weather. Yum 2!
In the entire orchard (and believe me it's big) there are only 5 short rows of this delicious variety. They are picked over every year in only 1 day.
Today we helped keep up that tradition. Yum!
After working up an appetite picking apples we went down the block to another orchard that sells fresh apple cider donuts that LOTS of people stand in line for no matter the weather. Yum 2!
9.05.2011
Labor Day Weekend
Okay, Saturday was not the best weather for boating and tubing but it held out long enough that the kids were able to have some fun.
On the plus side there were only 3 other boats on the lake and LOTS of available picnic tables.
Family on the Chain O'Lakes
Okay. This photo was taken 3 weeks ago and I just realized that I haven't posted here in quite a while.
The pics on Flickr are from a Janezic ride on the Chain O'Lakes, Janezic-Lestingi ride on the Chain, and this weekend's visit by the Cirinos and Magees to Crystal Lake.
8.30.2011
7th Grade
School starts early around here even if the school district didn't start this year's term until today. The boys were on the bus stop, clarinets and school supplies in hand, at 6:25 this morning. After a fun summer their first task is to entertain the other students when they arrive at school at 7:20.
Just imagine how it sounds when an entire band is playing to welcome you to school. A band that has NOT practiced together since May. Music to somebody's ears.
"That's my Tommy!" - mom in the crowd, The Music Man
Good luck boys!
Now where's my coffee...
Just imagine how it sounds when an entire band is playing to welcome you to school. A band that has NOT practiced together since May. Music to somebody's ears.
"That's my Tommy!" - mom in the crowd, The Music Man
Good luck boys!
Now where's my coffee...
8.07.2011
On the way home
We dropped the boys off at camp and took the scenic route home. We stopped off in Lake Geneva and walked the marina at Abbey Springs, rode the back roads into Illinois, and watched the skies transform before our eyes.
Here are some of those images...
Here are some of those images...
2011 Camp Edwards
The boys are more than halfway through their week at camp this year. While the boys, John, Jacob, and Ryan are easy to identify in this picture, it's a game of Where's Waldo in the other images.
Good luck!
Good luck!
8.04.2011
Tucked in
Okay, not quite in. Tim thought the boat might fit in the garage. I'm not sure the car would fit.
We towed the boat up to the townhouse for our final night to make for a 'quick' getaway in the morning.
7 hours later we pulled into our driveway.
Windy Day
The winds were up a bit so we didn't get in our final day of boating. The kids resorted to old school fun, croquet and hide-n-seek, to pass the time.
Really, we were gone a week already? Hmm.
8.03.2011
Glen Lake Fireworks (1)
Glen Lake Fireworks (1) a video by J-Travels on Flickr.
For some reason the boys thought that a bottle rocket flying towards me, landing on the pier, and then exploding was funny.
I guess it was.
8.01.2011
Off the pier
The boys took a few minutes to capture the wind in their kites. These box kites are cool. Easy to fly and just look neat in the air.
7.31.2011
7.30.2011
Storm coming
So as the weather front quickly approached the kids remembered how be be just that, kids.
Heavy winds
Tim and the kids took to the water under some fairly heavy winds. Turns out the winds were the leading edge of a weather front that did nothing but make waves on Glen Lake.
Speaking of making waves, during our after dinner cruise we found out that Glen Arbor is only about 6 minutes away... that is if you hum along at 42 mph across the middle of the lake. (No, we weren't on the sailboat for this trip.)
Speaking of making waves, during our after dinner cruise we found out that Glen Arbor is only about 6 minutes away... that is if you hum along at 42 mph across the middle of the lake. (No, we weren't on the sailboat for this trip.)
7.29.2011
Crystal Lake Golf Club
Tim and I played a round at Crystal Lake Golf Club today in Beulah, MI. We were back at the house by 1 o'clock and in the pool by 2:30.
This is the definition of vacation.
7.28.2011
Toast
We raised a cone of Moomer's icecream to celebrate our visit to Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan.
btw - I recommend the Mooberry, it's excellent!
2011 Michigan Summer
Lisa was out there as well for our first round of family golf of the year but somebody had to take the picture.
Vacation has officially begun.
7.25.2011
7.24.2011
Swim Break
Shocking! This was only our second trip to the pool this year. Now if it was only a bit larger and would accommodate our boat...
7.12.2011
July 11 Hank and Marge Cruise
The weather was a wee bit rough in the morning but the skies cleared in time for our river boating plans.
In the river floated evidence of the morning's storms. The fact that nearly every restaurant was without power and the lock was running on auxiliary power didn't stop us either.
Overall a great day topped off with a run down the glass smooth river after sunset.
7.10.2011
Kneeboarding Day 1
Two big 'thumbs up' from the boys on the purchase of the week... kneeboards.
The boys did well and had a lot of fun.
7.08.2011
One more makes 92
Today is July 8th and that only means one thing... it's Martha's birthday!
Happy birthday grandma. I hope you enjoy your evening cocktails with your friends down by the pond. Be sure to have a second one tonight, you've earned it.
Here are a few images from years gone by...
Happy birthday grandma. I hope you enjoy your evening cocktails with your friends down by the pond. Be sure to have a second one tonight, you've earned it.
Here are a few images from years gone by...
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| Martha's 90th birthday party |
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| Martha, her sister, and a local (out west) |
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| John and Martha - Date night on Lockwood |
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| Martha's 85th at the 95th |
7.04.2011
Wakeboarding 101
Jacob and John took some instruction from an acquaintance from Crystal Lake.
In short the boys are interested in learning to wake board some some additional instruction is in order. A+ for the effort. Thanks again Jeff.
7.02.2011
School's Out 2011
Pictures taken by John on the last day of school / first day of summer.
It's tough to be our kids.
John on course
John and I played nine tonight at Pinecrest. I'll need to start practicing in order to keep beating him.
6.30.2011
6.28.2011
2011 12th Birthday Party
So it took a couple of tries to get the weather and the work schedules to cooperate, but it all worked out in the end.
The boys had just a few of their friends and a set of their cousins join us on and around Crystal Lake on Saturday. From the looks of the pics they all had fun.
Time to fill up the gas tank on the boat (again).
:-)
6.19.2011
2011 Father's Day
Seeing that it was Father's Day I get the photo post.
The overcast skies kept others off the lake and that was just fine with us. A good time was had by all and we can't wait until the next time.
Whatcha doin' tomorrow? :)
5.29.2011
2011 CLALL Cards
John took to the mound for the first time this year under the 50/70 rules. Did I mention lead-offs, open steals, balks, and an abundance of other rules?
He did a nice job overall. Next time, when he's not trying to not think about all the other rules, hopefully he'll remember to enjoy himself.
5.27.2011
24 Hour Video
The purpose of this post is to prove that they were actually running and not just posing for the pictures.
5.26.2011
24 hour Challenge Run
Okay. As I post this the boys are nearly 1/3 of the way through the 24 Hour Challenge Run. Just a mere 2 months ago these boys risked injury running to the bathroom. Today, starting at 3 o'clock, they began the 24 hour running challenge at their school.
Over 300 students have qualified to participate in a team relay that has kids running around the track for 24 hours. [There were training logs and gym class preparations in which if you walked then you were disqualified!]
There are about 2 dozen teams and about once an hour each participant runs a mile. In other words, each participant will run nearly an entire marathon over the 24 hour period.
Do they raise money? No.
Do they get credit? No.
Why do they do it? God only knows.
We are very proud of their commitment to this challenge and we wish them the best of luck. View the picks to see what this voluntary activity looks like.
btw - We suspect that tomorrow night will be an early bedtime!
5.23.2011
Lisa at helm
Lisa at helm a video by J-Travels on Flickr.
This wheel makes it turn, check.
The sticks make it go, CHECK!
5.16.2011
Fun with the boat (in the driveway)
Anybody that lives around here knows that the weather has not been the best for boating. That doesn't mean that you can't spend money and time on the boat. Almost every week another brown box appears on the doorstep with some goodie inside.
Today's driveway project was to finish the installation of the running lights on the trailer guides (they're the really bright ones on the top of the posts). Proudly displayed on the front porch is our first flag for the boat. Click through to see the pics!
5.08.2011
Anna's First Communion
Pip celebrated her first communion today. The weather, mass, and luncheon were all fantastic.
Congratulations Anna!
4.30.2011
2011 Yamaha 242 LS
Friday was a beautiful day so what's a guy to do? Take a vacation day to work on the new boat of course.
The last thing we did was install the new cover. You won't see the other work I did but note that we won't be storing this in the garage.
Some day we'll actually take this boat out and put it in the water.
4.26.2011
2011 Easter at Martha's
Martha is getting pretty good at hosting Easter.
Without a doubt we had an enjoyable day together again. Special thanks to the Easter Elves that prepared all of the wonderful food... the diet starts... NOW!
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