J-Travels

2.13.2012

John at Alpine Valley

John at Alpine Valley a video by J-Travels on Flickr.

John and I headed to Alpine Valley yesterday for a quick afternoon on the slopes. This video pretty much sums up the day: sunny skies, small crowds, and a good time.

1.12.2012

A lot has happened since my last post and I find myself struggling to figure out a way to catch up. There was Christmas, a trip to Michigan, New Year's, and a trip back through a minor blizzard. And then there's been work. Lots of work.

All of the above has conspired to make me negligent in updating this blog. I will do better. Soon. I promise. :-)

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. :-)

11.27.2011

NU vs MSU

NU vs MSU, a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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

Long Beach Trip, a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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

Long Beach Trip, a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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

2011 NU Homecoming, a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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

2011 Cats vs Mich (2), a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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

2011 Apple Picking, a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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!

9.05.2011

Labor Day Weekend

Cirino tubing, a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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

Family on the Chain O'Lakes, a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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...

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...

2011 Camp Edwards

2011 Camp Edwards (10), a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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!

8.04.2011

Tucked in

Windy Day, a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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

Windy Day, a photo by J-Travels on Flickr.

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.