56 Degrees

I miss being warm. Last night was a two blanket night and it is only 56 degrees this morning--gray and foggy.

Home Safely

Per usual, there were flight delays on my way home, but I am home safely and feeling so happy to have seen everyone--even though part of that was seeing Brieanne via Skpye. I look forward to seeing pictures soon--maybe we can set up a shutterfly site or something--a place so we can share and have access to all of the photos. The battery is charging for my camera--so annoyed that I forgot to bring the charger-- but, I will get some pictures up really soon. LOVE YOU ALL!
Hugs, hugs, hugs!

The portable cabin, complete with a closet!

Greg offered us a present we couldn't pass up. We were in the market for a tent for a family camping trip, and he kindly offered to buy one for us. He did a lot of searching and finally decided on a Coleman tent. But when we went to purchase it, we were bummed to find it sold out. We got a rain check but searched for more options. We found one that was the same size and a little cheaper, so we gave it a shot. The tent was nice and big, but we found out quickly why it was cheaper. Of course the day after we purchased it was our camping trip and we found out the problems at the campsite. It mostly was a quality tent (it survived a torrential downpour of a thunderstorm in the middle of the night), but it was obvious it wasn't going to last long. We returned it and decided to check for the Coleman again. This time we didn't strike out. Having learned our lesson, we put it up in the yard to make sure it was okay, and boy it is amazing how much better quality it is for only $20 more! The tent is a behemoth, complete with a small closet and claims to sleep 8 - it was big enough for the kids to run circles around each other! Not sure I would want to put it up in the dark or during a rainstorm, but once it is up, it will be a great tent. Thanks so much, Greg.

Here are Sam and Hadley in the tent. Sam is standing in the closet. I didn't have time to put the rain guard on, especially once the kids got in!

Here is Sam having fun chasing Hadley (she just ran out of view when I took the picture). The kids loved it!

Independence Day Balloon Fest

Every year in Provo on the days around July 4th, there is a balloon fest. We finally, on our fourth summer here, took the early wake-up call and made it to see the balloons. It made for an early morning for all, but it was well worth it. We were able to go right onto the field where the balloons were preparing for launch. Because of the weather, the balloons started early so we got there just as most of them were finishing filling up with hot air. The one that looked most like a flag rose off the ground about 3 stories, we all said the Pledge of Allegiance, and then they were off. It was pretty cool to watch them head up while standing right next to them. The balloons were supposed to come back and drop bean bags on a target and pop helium balloons, but the winds weren't really in their favor so only a couple made it back. Here are too many pictures to show you what it was like.

Getting ready for lift off.

Wow, look at that!

Mommy, Look!

A little closer and still just as amazed.

We went with our friends, the Malones minus Jamie who was in Virginia starting his new job. Sam missed out on the picture because he was riding on my shoulders.

Drink of Coca-Cola for Smokey?

And they are off as the sun rises over the mountains.

The Coca-Cola balloon was quite the spectacle. We got there right before it stood upright. We were excited to see it fly, only to find out it was just for show. Can anyone say "Lame Sauce!" Actually it was still really cool and the kids thought it was great, especially when it almost fell on us when they were putting it away.

These were two of the three balloons that made it back to the field to drop their bean bags. The kids of course loved the pig, but then again who wouldn't!

If we are in Provo next summer, we will be heading back to see the balloons.

After the balloons we went to watch the Provo Parade. It was pretty fun although too long (almost a quarter mile in between parade entries) and no candy, toys, etc. And we sat about 30 feet off the road because it was too packed to be any closer. But it was fun. And Sam was digging the bands. He was grooving to them in his own little world. Check it out!

Too much fun! He has moves that would make his Aunt proud!

Jazz and Blues

I am sitting on a hill in Pryor Lake listening to Jonny Lang play his guitar. It is an amazing concert, and he can really play. The best part is its free. I did ask a few friends to come but they were all busy. However, I just couldn't pass up this opportunity to see him play. I watched one of his concerts 10 years ago and this is just as good if not better.

FROM Brieanne!

Just arrived in Wuhan after spending the last couple of days in Beijing. I have so many stories and such little time. From waking up on a sleeper car in the train with a chinese woman saying over a loud speaker "good morning. a new day has begun....." to dancing barefoot on the great wall of china (it is NOT at all over-rated....i freaking loved that thing and wanted to camp on it and run up the steep stairs and dance on it everyday--it was gorgeous and massive and you could sense the massiveness and grandosity of the freaking thing--it is a miracle anyone could build something like that back then.......). Um, the humidity here is unprecedented. If you can picture walking into a sauna (where they keep the doors closed and you are meant to be naked and stay in the sauna for ten minutes or so), that is what it feels like. Only there is no escaping it (well, my room is air conditioned so i guess that is escape).

I have to go shower now and get ready for the opening banquet (dinner). I'll try to keep you updated though. This is just an incredible experience so far and I feel so privileged to be able to participate. Never thought I'd have the opportunity to come to an Asian country and it is reshaping my lens on the world....it seems to continuously expand (my frame of reference/lens on the world-- though the world itself seems to expand in population as well....ha).

Love you!!!!

Proposal Submitted!

I have received confirmation that the proposal has arrived (electronically) in Washington.
Whew! If the day were sunnier and warmer I might go to Muir Beach--instead, I am taking my time getting the day up and running.

Honorable Mention

Didn't win big--but did make the Chalk and Chocolate website as an Honorable Mention.

http://www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/chalk-art-2010/

(Interesting how I know I always spell my name correctly--but people don't seem to notice.)

FOOD fun!

Who needs to go out for dinner when you can cook something like this! We had fun plating the food so our dinners were beautiful and of course they tasted good, too. I bought the pasta when I was in Italy and have been waiting for a special occasion to cook some of it. Per Jeff's request we made bread so he could learn the procedures. Homemade bread--I forgot how yummy that is.

Brieanne WAS here, too, BEFORE the Apt. Flood

Brieanne posted to the blog in January about that but here are a couple more pictures recording the event. We visited Sausalito and had a wonderful view of San Francisco and visited the City Lights bookstore in San Francisco--also a good time.

HEY Jeff's been here!

Jeff flew in Wednesday night and we have had some good times the past two days! He is quite the 'foodie' so we did a bunch of our own cooking and even bread baking! I took him on the standard tour of Muir Woods and Muir Beach on Thursday. Thankfully the weather has been beautiful and I have been able to push most work aside. He takes off today around noon--heading to MN to see Greg before going back to Pittsburgh.

Weekend Away

This past weekend, I was invited to a father/son/friends fishing trip by a friend of mine from my past job at Silver King. His father is part of a church that sets up this outing for people to gather at a church camp and spend a few days fishing together. We had an incredible weekend of fishing and sharing fish stories. Here are a few pictures of our weekend and the fish we caught.

28 1/2" Northern Pike
27" Walleye
31" Northern Pike

Matt's 25" Northern Pike

Chalk Festival

Hey Kids,
On Saturday I took a break and walked up to the Chalk and Chocolate Festival. Rather than chocolate I decided to buy a box of pastels and decorate the sidewalk. It was fun--but, did you know that sitting on your haunches uses the same muscles as those you use for doing deep knee lunges. . . . . .3 and a half hours of chalk drawing ends up feeling like 30 lunging-laps around a football field. Amazing what muscles are lame today! It was a good diversion, though; and the day was sunny.
Sending love!

Heading back to CA

Sending love and hugs--just about ready to leave OH for CA.
Great to see the pictures that Brieanne took on Sunday.

Ready, Set, GO! video footage is priceless.

Great to see Brieanne!

The time in Oneonta was important. Things with Melissa are complicated. I did not get to see her. I did get good opportunities to talk with my Mom, Penny, and Rachel.

Take care everyone--love you bunches!
MOM

GGGOOOOAAAAALLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sam played on his first soccer team this spring and had a wonderful time. After being a little nervous the first game, he got really excited for the games and played hard. He wasn't afraid to muscle his way into the crowd to get to the ball and ended up on the ground a lot because of it. But he also helped get the ball free for the star of the team, Landon, to score goal after goal. Finally, in the last game of the season, his hard work payed off and Sam broke free and scored his first goal. He was so excited!

Here he is on his way to score his first goal!

And the big smile after! I wish I would have taken a picture right after, his face was priceless, a mix between shock, amazement, pride (Did you just see what I did?!), and Christmas-morning-like excitement! This is pretty close to that!

Here is Sam warming up for the game. Gotta love the left foot!


Here is Sam playing some tough defense.
True to form, the spring weather in Provo was anything but predictable, and it snowed hard for a little while during the game. The kids still had fun and spent some of the pauses in action trying to catch snowflakes in their mouths, kind of like Sam here!
Sam was lucky to have friends and family come to some of his games, including Uncle Kevin. After the game, Sam wanted to practice with Kevin and they worked hard on his form!

Thanks Uncle Kevin for helping Sam get ready to score his first goal.

News of a Different Sort

Hi family,

I am not sure the best or most eloquent way to provide you with this news. So here goes, Laurie and I are splitting up. I have moved into an apartment closer to work as we work on the paperwork to complete our split. For the most part there have been no angry arguments or ugly remarks made by either of us. When I have prayed for understanding, this is the path that I believe that I was shown to follow.

Yes, I hurt over the outcome of this relationship. But I do believe that I have been shown a path to follow that will get me through this difficult time and find better days. I know in time that I will heal and move on and also that I will be happier in years to come.

My new address is
4525 Nathan Lane N
Apt 207
Plymouth, MN 55442

Phone Number
763-913-5231

I will try to post a little more often. And I do have a post that I will create that shows and explains a little of my first year of ice fishing in a long time.

I hope everyone else is doing much better than I.

Love to you all.
Greg

MMMMMM--kids!

So what are you all up to?
Miss you--!
I will be spending most of tomorrow flying back to California. I came to Philadelphia to present at a conference. Looks like a really interesting city and worth a return visit.
Sending Hugs.

Found my phone cord!

Progress with Moving

Yesterday went well--3 large van loads and two car loads moved everything except clothes and some odds and ends. I have no idea why I am wide awake at 3:25 in the morning.

Moving Tomorrow

I am almost all packed and friends from LHS will help me move things tomorrow morning.
The week has been crazy! I will keep you posted.

Wishing Laurie a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

BIG Changes

Here are a couple of updates:
1. I am feeling much better than last week. I have had a full blown asthma attack. Looking back on last week, I can see how "out of whack" I was. Eric got most of the fall out from that--God Bless him for listening.

2. I am moving. I don't have the exact address yet, but I do have the apartment. My current space is in TOTAL uproar due to the flooding Jan. 20th and renovations are not yet started. That, along with my mail being stolen, have led to the decision that is time to be in another space.

3. My new apartment is smaller, but on the second floor with my own entrance, is newly renovated with GREAT kitchen and bath, has windows in every room and is bright and cheerful. It is also located in a small neighborhood with grocery, meat market, several small restaurants, dry cleaners, 1/2 mile walk to BART and lots of other conveniences. It is still only a few miles to the Plaza with a Barnes and Noble, etc.

4. Most Importantly--I am feeling much happier, healthier, and so much more like myself. Coming back to all of this mess over-shadowed the Italy trip joys. I am looking forward to getting into the pictures and getting some of them up for you to see.

LOVE you all so much--am so proud of you and all that you are accomplishing. I am so BLESSED.
HUGS, MOM

Home

It was a long trip--I have been up too many hours--after supper I will head to bed with the goal of NOT being jet-lagged tomorrow. My luggage is still in Paris--seems they didn't get it on the plane at all; hopefully that will come tomorrow evening. Looking forward to selecting some pictures to post for you all. Wondering how you all are--MISSED you. Love. . . . .

Happy Valentine's Day

Have a Happy Day. MISS YOU!

Thursday Update

We are hearing news of lots of snow in Washington, D.C. Mom will have to fly through there next Tuesday. We are hoping that the snow stops and that they get the Dulles cleared out before she gets there.

Today we went to Sienna (the home of the colors, sienna and burnt sienna). We had a lovely time. The architecture is amazing. It is also incredible to think that these cathedrals, etc. were built hundreds of years ago--without all of the huge machinery used today.

There aren't many tourists in Tuscany--so, our trips/tours are quiet. This is due to the weather I am sure. Right now it has started snowing. MMMMMM. It will be cold tonight.

Sending you all love and hugs!
Mom

Italy on the Farm

Hey kids,We are having a blast!
This afternoon we went to a local farm that also entertains tourists. We got to make our own ITALIAN pizza as well as tour the farm, see a pig being butchered, and learn how to make mozzarella cheese. . . . .lemoncello and olive oil, and oranges and lemons . . . . .FUN!
Anyway there will be lots to fill you in on and lots of pictures to share. Tomorrow we go to the Isle of Capri. . . . .OH and yes, we visited an Italian pasta making factory. I have video (THANKS f0r loaning the camera; Jeff!)
Sending love and hugs from the travelling ladies.

Hey Kids--Update

This is just a reminder that I am going on that trip with my mom. I will leave on Saturday and be gone until Feb. 16th. I am going to scan info about where I am staying (contact numbers, etc.) and the itinerary so you will know where I am in case of any emergency. I will send those through email before I leave.

Some of you might know that the California rains caused a flood in my apartment/living space last week. The landlord is finally getting some of the important things done around that--e.g., removing the rug and lining up someone to work on clean-up and repairs. It has added a layer of things-to-deal-with. All of my stuff is discombobulated--makes day-to-day routines more complicated. It will be a challenge to come back to home to all of the mess.

Sending you hugs and stuff like that!

Flapper dress

And also another significant thing that's been happening during my visit: mom is helping me to construct a 1920's style dress for an event I'm going to attend when I return to Columbus. It has been quite a project (Thanks, Mom!!!). Anyway - here is a picture of mom draping some bits and bobs from Jo-Ann's that we found..... I was trying to hold things in place with my hands, arms, chin, and - yep- even the elastic from my underwear.... (with varying degrees of success). Hopefully we'll be awake and lucid to take pictures of the finished product.

Blueberries for Breakfast

So I finally made it out to CA to visit mom in Berzerkely. :)

Here are a few photos to summarize the trip-in-progress:

Alas, this is not the newest Rorschach test. Rather, the blueberries made a pretty design before they were destined to make yummy muffins for breakfast. Thanks (yet again) to mom and her lovely cooking.


Carrie and Curtis, two of mom's friends, gave us a tour of Napa Valley. You can't really tell, but there is a reservoir of water below us. The winery where we were visiting is owned by someone from Ohio - and they were so close to naming the reservoir after me (ohio-ians are very much about solidarity)!! I told them that I was trying to recover from my kick of narcissism so it would be better if they just named it after a grape or something....



I really loved this tree.....

Still have one more full day - and if it is anything like the time I've been having, it is sure to be memorable and fun!!!

Volleyball

This will be one of many posts that will happen over the next few months. Bailey is part of the Minnesota One (M1) Volleyball Club this year. She will be participating in a number of tournaments to advance her training while competing against other girls her age. On Sunday was her first go at competition. As I normally do when sports are involved, I try to take a few action shots. While we were talking with the other parents, Laurie and I had the idea to put together a collage of all the girls on the team to present at the end of the season. Therefore, I tried to take pictures of all the girls. There were a few really spectacular action shots, but only one really caught the expressions on their faces. This shot is not one of stellar performance, but of shear action.

There were other good shots of Bailey.

Their team won 2 of 3 matches to finish second in pool play. Not a bad start for the season. I will keep you posted on how the team does throughout the year.

Laugh Riot

Last night I had the opportunity to play Apples to Apples at one of our neighbor's New Year's Eve Party. We played with both adults and kids. It was a very fun time for everyone involved. The adults had a few moments of inside jokes from the cards that were played, which made the game a little more fun for us. I could see how this game when played with just adults could turn into a huge laugh riot. It is also a game for a larger group of people. I highly recommend that if you get the opportunity to play this game.

Happy New Year to all of you. I hope that you had a fun evening wherever you were.