Summer Cuts

Last night the kids got their ears lowered.

Before...

and after...

The Weber Takes Flight

This afternoon Weber the grill decided that life on the deck wasn't exciting enough and tried to escape while no one was looking. He didn't get far.

Actually, I forgot to set the parking brake and the wind sent poor Weber on a short but eventful journey. I feared he may really be dead, but a quick look at the damages seemed to show everything intact. Except for the fence post. We hoped for the best.

Anthony gave Weber a hug.

We got the grill back on his feet again, popped a panel back into joint, and opened up the hood. Oh my goodness, Weber's innards are scrambled!

Evidently there are more reasons for buying a quality grill than just the looks and the cooks. This thing is impressively tough, and after putting all the pieces in their proper spots and making sure nothing was bent or broken, I fired it up. Flame on! Weber lives again!

A Little Culture in P-Town

Last night Andrea and I went to see world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.

Very impressive.

It's hard to describe the clarity and quality of music that just seemed to float from the violin as Perlman played - I don't have the words for it. The Peoria Journal Star tried, but even that review seemed a little weak to me. Anyway, it was very cool and I'm glad we went.

Andrea said she's heard that Perlman performed one concerto so perfectly that other musicians won't play it anymore. I believe it.

Oh, and the orchestra was pretty good too.

Happy Birthday, Dear Aaanthoneeee, Happy Birthday To You!

Today our little boy got a little bigger. Birthday number four started with the big surprise - a new bike waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Anthony said "Oh." (sleepy pause) "I wish I had a bike like this." "That is your bike, Anthony. Happy Birthday!" He hasn't stopped smiling since.

After supper (mac and cheese w/ little smokies, broccoli, yogurt, and apples - all Anthony's choice), we had cake. That's a good lookin' cake, mom!

Finally, more presents, including Bear Songs and MOON SAND! Thanks Grandmas.

Brrrrrrrr!

Spring is over, it's winter again. After giving us a brief taste of warm weather, Mother Nature has turned down the thermostat. It still kind of looks like spring, the grass is green and the trees have a promising fuzz of buds and leaves, but it's 30 degrees and any continued development seems to be on hold until further notice. I did have to mow the lawn, but I think it was the first time that I've ever done it in a winter coat and hat and gloves. A couple of mornings ago Andrea went out and picked a frozen hyacinth that had been fooled into blooming and took a picture of it.

Many Pies Make Happy Friends

Last Friday was our inaugural "Pie and Sing" get-together. Bring a pie and a hymnal. Sing. Eat. Smile. An even dozen made for many happy returns.

The Goods:

Before,

and after...

Not So Disastrous After All

I said I'd post more pictures if the river did anything spectacular. It didn't. But I'll post one little panorama anyway. As you can see - we've got water in the parking lot. (Click on the pic, silly, or you won't be able to see anything!)


Say, that's a pretty good looking truck on the left side there, isn't it?

Misc. March Pics

Anthony, taking a break from a hard day of play.

Kenrick is a budding artist.

And Andrea has a new hutch for displaying her blue glass.

Notice the daffodils - spring has sprung!

Water, Water, Everywhere ...

Last week we had a lot of rain. Gallons. And with the ground pretty much saturated, the deluge turned ditches into rivers. I'm always amazed at how much water accumulates in the low spots and the ditches, rushing about in great confusion until it finds its way to Kickapoo Creek and turns it into Big Muddy.

The Illinois River is nearing critical mass too. It's already three and a half feet above the official flood level and rising. Not over the banks downtown yet, but expected to peak Wednesday so we might see some puddles in Riverfront Park. I'll try to get some pictures if there's anything spectacular to see.

This Is Our Family

All right, here it is. My second most favorite family picture of all time -until we take another one.

(November, 2006)

Family Picture

In response to requests from certain acquaintances, I'd like to post my favorite family portrait of all time.

(click the pic to see it full size)

Goodbye Gene

Today we said goodbye to a dear friend and a special sister worker. It was our privilege to know Gene for the last eight of her 91 years, and feel blessed to have been able to share our home a few times even as her health diminished and as her 68 years in the work came to an end. Her funeral was this morning at the convention grounds south of us, and the quiet respect of the three hundred or so who came to see her laid to rest was a testimony of the influence she had and the love she gave to so many. She loved to preach the Gospel. She loved to hear the hymns. She loved God's people and to see the work of God being done in them. She loved our children. We'll miss her quick wit and jolly laugh, her twinkling eyes, her eternal handshakes. We'll miss you, Gene, but we're glad for the joy and the peace that you've proven to the very end and are confident that you've carried from time into eternity treasure that will last forever. Thank you for your example, thank you for the influence you've had on our lives.

Spring is Springing

Ah, spring...

Today I came home from work in my shirtsleeves, enjoying the balmy breeze and the number 71. That was the temperature and it felt guuud. Got the road bike out for a quick ride (see post below) and then uncovered the grill for the first time this year. The pig chops died happy.

You're Going To Do What?

I signed up yesterday for the 2007 Galena Triathlon. This swim-bike-run combo is held in May in beautiful Galena, Illinois. Galena is in the north-west part of the state (top-left, for the directionally challenged), and is surrounded by dairy farms and lots of hills. Steep hills. Perfect triathlon country.

I've done this triathlon a couple of years in a row now (two) and had a lot of fun doing it. That being said, I'm not sure why I've committed to do another one. The first year I was just happy to finish. It's a 'sprint' triathlon, so the distances don't require a tremendous amount of fitness, but last year I knew I hadn't trained enough when my legs started cramping up after the first mile of the four-mile run. I stumbled on (in great pain and agony, enduring hardship and adversity, wishing I had one more shot of PowerGel), and finished 47 seconds slower than my first attempt. I'm resolved to do better this year.

Obviously not resolved enough to spend the winter getting in shape, as my lovely wife is quick to point out, but resolved none the less. And now that I've actually signed up I guess I'd better get the swim goggles unfogged and the bicycle down off its hooks. Wish me luck.